To promote comprehensive professional development and music experiences for teachers and students in Southwest Washington

Southwest Washington Music Educators Association

Minutes

General Association Meeting

September 19, 2016

“To promote comprehensive professional development and music experiences for teachers and students in Southwest Washington.”
Members Present: Daniel Ayotte, Marty Krusniak, Andy Bowerly, Dale Groff, Patty Pollock, Bryce Pollock, Rich Pasko, Scott O’Hara, billy Buhl, Alison Askeland, Jeremy Totten, Dan Reed, Dave Stingley, Lauren Hays, David Walworth, Adam Campagna, Julia Gaul, Kelsy Kosin, Rachel Lake, John Veltkamp, Aimee Dietz, Karl Scarborough, Brad Nelson, Adam Cornwall, Ryan Brumbaugh, Ashley Giri, Clarance Knutson

Contest and Elementary meetings were called to order at 5:35 by president Rachel Lake.

President Lake gave a short report from the state representative meeting last August in Lynnwood.

1. 
   At that meeting, it was reported that LaCenter and Woodland are petitioning WMEA for a change of region from Lower Colubmia to Southwest – this is apparently due to conflicts with winter sports and regional solo and ensemble contests in that region.
   
2. 
   Brought up and discussed the concern with the middle school band contest being over-booked and running 11 hours this last year. No action at this time, but discussion is needed before the spring meeting. Suggestion was made to have a 6^th grade band event separate from the middle school contest. Amiee Deitz, chair for this year, was encouraged to limit size to 16 to 18 bands on a first come basis.
   
3. 
   Reported on the change of categories in the local/state vocal solo and ensembles. Instead of men and women, ensembles will be listed by voice type – i.e., soprano, mezzo, alto and tenor, baritone, bass – one plus would be seeing that younger voices in our middle school part of the contest would sing for the appropriate judge – i.e. – unchanged boy alto, mezzo, or soprano – or a girl who sings tenor in a lower voice ensemble.
   
4. 
   Regarding a possible 6^th grade band event – Dale Groff, Kalama MS, would be willing to host. We will check to see if there is an interest in having this event.
   
5. 
   It was brought up about audience (middle school especially) behavior at contest. Last year there were distractions during performances – need to emphasize to directors to manage their students appropriately.
   
6. 
   David Walworth reported that the elementary honor choir has Karen Fulmer – National ACDA President – as this year’s guest conductor. Saturday, March 18^th, at Kessler Elementary in Longview. 4 pm performance time.
   

SWWMEA Regional Events:

Feb. 4 – Instrumental Solo & Ensemble – Rochester MS – Rich Pasko/Julia Gaul

Feb. 11 – Vocal Solo & Ens and Piano – Rochester MS – Rich Pasko/Julia Gaul

Mar. 14 – M.S. Band – Castle Rock MS – Aimee Deitz

Mar. 16 – M.S. Choral – Kalama MS – Dale Groff

Mar. 18 – Elementary Honor Choir – Kessler Elementary – Ginger Walworth/Ron Joslin

Mar. 21 – H.S. Band – L.C.C. Rose Center – Rachel Lake (Ilwaco HS)

Mar. 22 – M.S./H.S. String Orchestra – L.C.C. Rose Center – Mary Krusniak (Kelso HS)

Mar. 23 – H.S. Choral – L.C.C. Rose Center – Julia Gaul (Rochester HS)

Meeting was recessed for dinner at 6:10 p.m.

General meeting was called to order at 6:30 p.m. by president Rachel Lake. 28 members were present.

Request was made by President Lake for everyone to verify his or her e-mail addresses on the meeting sign-in sheet. Introductions were made around the room (done at the end of the meeting – oops!)

Minutes of the June 6, 2016, meeting were reviewed, corrected and accepted – Andy Bowerly moved, Rich Pasko second, to accept the minutes as corrected. Motion passed.

Clarance Knutson gave the treasurer’s report. The financial report for the F.Y. 2016 was presented. We started the last fiscal year with a balance of 9,731.59. We ended the fiscal year with a balance of $13,118.31. That is a net gain of $3,386.72. This is encouraging as we had three years of net losses. Report was accepted as presented. See SWWMEA Financial Report 2015-2016 dated August 26, 2016.

President Lake gave her report. Attended the August WMEA leadership/representative meeting in Lynnwood. There will be an item in new business to consider. Reviewed what was presented at the contest portion of the meeting.

Old Business

1. 
   Contest Committee Report – we want to thank Rich Pasko and Julia Gaul for stepping up and hosting the solo and ensemble contests in Rochester this year. Contest budgets were reviewed. Request from Marty Krusniak to have five judges at all contest – 3 to write comments, and 2 to alternate clinic.
   
2. 
   Our webmaster is Andy Bowerly, Tenino HS. Our web address is SWWMEA.WEEBLY.COM
   
3. 
   Contest schedule for 2017:
   

Date Event Manager Location
Feb. 4, 2017 Instrumental Solo & Ensemble Rich Pasko Rochester MS

Feb 11, 2017 Vocal Solo & Ensemble & Piano Julia Gaul Rochester MS

Mar. 14 2017 Middle School Band Festival Aimee Deitz Castle Rock MS

Mar. 16, 2017 Middle School Choir Festival Dale Groff Kalama MS/HS

Mar. 18, 2017 Elementary Honor Choir Ron Joslin Kessler Elem.

Mar. 21, 2017 High School Band Festival Rachel Lake LCC Rose Center

Ilwaco H.S.

Mar. 22, 2017 M.S./H.S. String Orch. Festival Marty Krusiank LCC Rose Center

Kelso H.S.

Mar. 23, 2017 High School Choir Festival Julia Gaul LCC Rose Center

Rochester H.S.

TBD MS/HS Jazz Band/Choir Festival Rich Pasko Rochester MS

Apr. 17, 2017 M.S. Massed Band Festival Adam Cornwall Illwaco M.S./H.S.

May 2, 2017 H.S. Massed Choir Festival Rochelle Larsen Castle Rock HS

May 9, 2017 H.S. Massed Band Festival ______________ Pe Ell H.S.
New Business

1. 
   October 14^th in-service day. Two events to go to: 1)Green River Music Educators: This workshop would be good for first and second year new music teachers as well as vets. https://sites.google.com/site/greenrivermusicedu/-contests/events
   
2. 
   2) Dale Groff and George Larsen are coordinating a session for all levels on purchasing and using recording equipment and technology – probably at Huntington M.S.
   
3. 
   New Teacher/Mentors – Bill Kouse is heading up creating a list of veteran teachers who would be willing to offer help with a new teacher – either in person or by phone or email, etc.
   
4. 
   Music Matters license plates – we as a region are receiving a lions share of grant money from this program. There are 11 grants that were funded in our area!
   
5. 
   Website. Check out our new website at www.swwmea.weebly.com Andy Bowerly is our webmaster. Anything you think he should include in the website – let him know. He will be updating events, minutes of meetings, financial, as well as our elementary honor choir rehearsal tracks.
   
6. 
   LaCenter and Woodland have petitioned WMEA to change regions from Lower Columbia to our region, Southwest. This is something that WMEA board will take a look at the entire state’s alignments.
   
7. 
   Karl Scarborough brought up the concern over December concert scheduling. There as a short discussion with nothing being settled at this meeting, but everyone should pursue this matter with their respective activities director and league.
   
8. 
   A letter from Rob Davis, department chair, Lower Columbia College music department, was shared with the group. LCC will be offering an A.A. degree in music that is transferable to state schools. A number of scholarships go wanting because students don’t apply for them. LCC concert band meets Thursday evenings. Also, related, the Southwest Washington Symphony’s concert season this year is free. Fall concert features a violinist and a light pops concert.
   
9. 
   Mary Krusniak presented a concern over consistency of judging of groups at large group contests. Is there a judging rubric for each area? The emphasis on using three judges to write and give specific ratings and two judges to alternate working clinic sessions.
   
10. 
    Discussion about purchasing portable voice recorders for the judges to use during contests and then having those comments uploaded to the director’s email. Rich Pasko moved, Dave Stingley second, to direct Dale Groff to research and purchase seven (7) voice recorders, not to exceed $400, to be use at our association large group contests. Motion passed.
    
11. 
    John Veltkamp – Go 4^th Marching Band – presented the Go 4^th trophy(?)wall hanging to Kelso H.S. Band for the most member participating in this year’s parade.
    

2016 – 2018 association officers are:

• 
  President 2016-2018 bienium – Rachel Lake.
  
• 
  Elementary Representative – Lauren Hays.
  
• 
  Secretary/Treasurer – Clarance Knutson.
  
• 
  President-Elect – this person will become the association president in the 2018-2020 bienium – Adam Campagna.
  
• 
  Webmaster (not an elected position) – Andy Bowerly.
  

Our Spring General Membership meeting will be on Monday, June 5th, here at Spiffy’s. Elementary honor choir and contest sub-committees will meet at 5:30, general meeting will begin at 6:30.

Motion to adjourn. Motion passed. Meeting was adjourned by President Rachel Lake at 7:18 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,

Clarance Knutson

Secretary/Treasurer