Around the Boyd Podcast – PMEA 2009-Conversation with Friends

Around the Boyd Podcast – PMEA 2009-Conversation with Friends
Recorded April 24, 2009 at the PMEA Annual In-Service Conference, Valley Forge, PA. Conversation about teaching experiences.

PMEA 2009

There’s nothing like spring. Everything “feels” clean and fresh. The grass is greening, bird songs erupt in the morning and last into the evening, and the beauty of the flowering trees is unmatched. You can always count on the constancy of spring to end winter’s long stay and brighten your spirits.

Each year spring also brings the Pennsylvania Music Educators Association (PMEA) annual in-service conference. I don’t know how many years Clarion has had a booth at the PMEA conference, probably more than most can recall. Many of our alumni who teach in PA and attend the conference make a point to stop by the Clarion booth and say “hi.” It’s always great to see so many of our friends from the past, and I enjoy hearing what they have been doing since leaving Clarion.

While Clarion has always had an exhibitor’s booth, relatively new is the increased presence of Clarion’s music faculty at the conference as invited presenters and clinicians at the conference. This year 3 music faculty were invited to present.

Dr. Stephen Johnson, Assoc. Professor of Music, was invited to give a poster presentation of his ongoing research into sight-reading. His project, titled “A Descriptive Study of Rural Sixth Grade Instrumental Students’ Thought Processes while Engaged in Sight-Reading,” also will be presented in a research forum at the conference. Dr. Henry Alviani, Associate Professor of Music and Director of Choirs, will offer a session on his vocal manual Voiceworks, published by Alfred Publishing. And, at the end of the week, I will be presenting a session on internet applications for music educators, focusing on getting novice users started on using the web to help manage, enhance, and assess their music programs.

Many other great sessions take place during the conference, not to mention the many, many fine performances presented. So, if you ever have the opportunity to attend the PMEA conference, I think you’ll agree that it is a great experience. You have to promise, though, between sessions and concerts to stop by our Clarion booth to chat for a minute. To make it worth your time, I’ll even give you one of our “world famous” Department of Music pens!

BTW – I’m video blogging about my PMEA experience at the booth just for fun at http://clarionmusicalumni.ning.com/video

Around the Boyd Podcast – Music Events 4/17/09 – 4/23/09

Around the Boyd Podcast – Music Events
Music events from Friday, April 17 – Thursday, April 23, 2009

Music Alumni Website

clarionmusicalumni.ning.com

I’ve never been to a high school reunion. Not out of fear, mind you – I can’t change much about myself now. Too old! – but more because it wasn’t a time in my life during which I formed strong bonds with the people I encountered. Once I went to college, though, I met many amazing individuals whom I often wonder where they are and what they are doing now. I’ve been fortunate to stay in touch with some, but I’ve lost touch with most. I suspect that many feel similarly about their college experiences. Many great people came into your lives, but you slowly drifted apart over the years.

The Department of Music recently launched a new website to help our music alumni and friends reconnect with friends from the past whom they met at the Boyd during their time at Clarion. Clarion Music Alumni (http://clarionmusicalumni.ning.com) is a social networking site that allows each member to create their own space on the site to share information about themselves, share photos and music, and have discussions on topics that interest them. Members also can establish groups centered around a topic or theme. For example, we have already a Golden Eagle Marching Band group. Anyone want to start a Vahe Berberian or Stan Michalski Fan Club?

Most importantly, old friends can reconnect with friends from the past by visiting other members’ pages on the site and sharing comments. But you also can meet many new friends. Alumni from various generations already have joined, along with several current Music Faculty members. It’s always great to hear (and see through photos) all of the great things our graduates and friends have been doing.

This isn’t for just alumni, though. If you know of someone who was a die-hard Marching Band “geek,” invite them to join. Do you have fond memories of participating in the choir or orchestra but weren’t a music major? We want you to join and share your stories, too.

So, we invite you to login, connect, and share your thoughts and ideas. Become an active part of our new online CUP Music community. 

PLEASE don’t make me host an music alumni reunion to find out what you all have been up to…I’ll have to go on a diet.

Around the Boyd Podcast – Music Events 4/3/09 – 4/9/09

Around the Boyd Podcast – Music Events
Music events from Friday, April 3 – Thursday, April 9, 2009