Sigma Alpha Iota

sai-natiOnal.ORg WintER 2014 PAN PIPES 3 t he 67th Annual Midwest Clinic, An International Band & Orchestra Conference, was held on December 18 – 21 in Chicago. e conference opened with Chicago Chamber Musicians and included approximately 90 clinic choices, 3 new music reading sessions, 24 concerts, 20 music technology presentations, 7 rehearsal labs, and 368 exhibitors. ere was also a college night free and open to the public. In addition, many associations also held meetings during the conference. A wide range of clinic topics were presented in various sessions. Some included very practical teaching topics such as, "Help for Your Horn Players: Guiding Your Young Horn Players to Success!" and "Eat Your Vegetables and Practices Your Scales! Scales are the Spinach of Le-Hand Technique." ere were also conducting sessions such as, "Reflections and Refractions: A Look rough the Conductor's Looking Glass," and "A Recipe for the Development of Expressive Conducting Technique: Harmonic Rhythm and Laban Based Movement Analogues and Bodymapping." Jazz sessions included, "Using Motivic Development and other Compositional Devices in Improvisation," and "A One & A Two: e Role of the Conductor in a Jazz Ensemble." In addition, some clinics are part of the "Generation Next" series, which are targeted towards young teachers and college students. Prominent clinicians included Tim Lautzenheiser, Eugene Corporon from the University of North Texas, James Jordan from Westminster Choir College, and Dean Sorenson from the University of Minnesota. Soware presentations included: Breezin' ru eory, Charms Office Assistant, Finale, My Music Office, Pyware, Sibelius 7, SmartMusic, and Virtual Drumline. Technology presentations also included Ipad, Streaming Media sessions, and how to use various soware programs in the classroom. Performance groups included the Bridle Path / Montgomery Elementary Select String Ensemble, Brooklyn Wind Symphony, the Chicago Jazz Philharmonic, and other groups from overseas. Japan was represented by two performing groups, the Kagoshima Joho High School Wind Orchestra and the Japan Saxophone Quartet Ground Self-Defense Force Central Band. e Javeriana University Symphonic Band represented Bogata, Colombia. Other collegiate programs represented were the Michigan State University Wind Symphony, University of Kentucky Jazz Ensemble, University of Central Oklahoma Jazz Ensemble I, and VanderCook College of Music Symphonic Band. Professional groups present were the Bands of the Air National Guard and the Canadian Brass. e Midwest Clinic is not only a great place to learn new techniques and tricks of the trade but also a great place to network and meet new teachers. e exhibitors provided the opportunity to find a new fundraiser or travel provider, try new instruments or mouthpieces, find a Master's program, purchase music or recordings, make shoes more comfortable for standing all day while teaching, purchase ear protection, see the latest in marching/color guard uniforms and flags, and instrument rental programs. e Midwest Clinic is an amazing experience for any Instrumental Music teacher. Music Education Director Amanda Maldonado has Bachelor's Degrees in Music Education and Music from Lebanon Valley College in PA, where she was initiated by Delta Alpha, as well as a Master's in Music Education from Kansas State University. She has experience teaching General Music (MS and HS), HS Band (Marching, Concert, and Jazz Bands) as well as Choral (6-8). She is a charter member of the Northern Delaware Alumnae Chapter and has been on several panels for SAI National Convention workshops. Midwest Clinic Focuses on Instrument Instruction musiC medley By Marilyn Daggett i was looking through my chapter's Yearbook Directory the other day, and my eyes fell upon the Sigma Alpha Iota National Objectives for this triennium. One of the objectives caught my eye and I started thinking about SAI and Music Education (Objective #6 – Promote music education through volunteerism, performance attendance and support of local programs). How can we, as chapters, best fulfill that important objective with limited means and, perhaps, opportunity? It shouldn't take much effort or financial resources to make a difference in our community on behalf of the Fraternity. Perhaps some of the following ideas will spark goals for your chapter. Several years ago, my chapter had some money to spend on outreach As the treasurer, I thought about the amount and how best to use the funds to the best of our ability. We discussed the possible purchase of an instrument or two, purchasing sheet music, paying for repairs for instruments of inner city school music programs, and the like. We decided to do something else. As a former Director for SAI Philanthropies, Inc., and its Chapter Outreach Grants for Strings, I received an application from a chapter seeking matching grant money so they could provide a weekend "camp" for string players as enrichment; another was planning an "Honors Orchestra" and an ensuing concert. Some chapters requested matching grant funding to replace badly worn instrument cases, funds for the repair of vandalized instruments, and even funds to enable students to receive private or group lessons. For those small chapters with limited funds, time, or personnel, I would like to share some other ideas. ere is nothing wrong with a small group of two or three sisters attending a local school music concert to show support. By meeting the teacher(s) and introducing yourselves as members of SAI, you could start a dialogue. Get to know their students, and tell them how you enjoyed their efforts. is shows support for the music education program. en, if there is any funding available in your piggy bank that is earmarked for outreach, you can discover what needs the teacher has that will benefit as many students in class as possible, and proceed from there. Fitting Music Education Into Your Chapter Plans For more information, visit midwestclinic.org CliCK For more EDUCATION continued on page 4

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