YVMEA MEETING MINUTES: 09/09/09

Social time:  Roger Stansbury ordered a sandwich.  I ordered a salad, but I wish I’d ordered a pizza like Meagan Ley.  Pretty sure she split the cost with someone else.  I should have done that.  Everyone said hello.  They complained a little.  They bragged a little.  Pictures of children were shown. And so on.

6:00 PM Meeting called to order by President Don May

Date of next meeting: January 6.  Venue to be announced later.

Introductions: Members introduced themselves and spoke briefly about their jobs.  Comments ranged from growing ensembles (Bruce Walker, Nicola Blink, Shannon Ruiz, et. Al) to improving schedules (Megan Goranson, Mike Monsen).  There was some concern about students being removed from music ensembles to take additional math classes (Ed Cunningham, others). Concern was expressed at the low turnout to the meeting, especially by Elementary music teachers (Don May).  Several new teachers have been added to our roster:
Jon Stern         Sunnyside High School         jonathan.stern@sunnyside.wednet.edu
Derek Gore         Toppenish High School         dgore7884@gmail.com
Jacqueline Fallon Cle Elum Elementary           fallonj@cleelum.wednet.edu
Michael Scott         Ellensburg- Morgan Middle School (choir)                  mscott@eburg.wednet.edu
NEW LAST YEAR         Maddie Banahene         West Valley Jr. High (Yakima)         banahenem@wvsd208.org

Discussion: Regional Awards.  We are encouraged to nominate Statewide award recipients in the following categories: teacher of the year, regional teacher of the year, Friend of music, Hall of Fame, etc. Forms were made available at the meeting and are also online. Hall of Fame applications at: http://www.wmea.org/HallOfFame/

Nomination: New YVMEA Elementary Liaison. No new nominations;  Michael Brant agreed to continue in this position.

Discussion: Solo/Ensemble Management proposal.  WMEA is proposing a new direction for Washington State Regional Solo and Ensemble Contests. WMEA proposes that the State office assume responsibility for:

• Contracting and paying judges (discussion focused on Regions retaining the selection of judges)
• Compiling entry application data from directors and creating the schedule (discussion focused on how this transition would be easy given the already-established online application procedure)
• Processing State Winners paperwork and applications to State Solo and Ensemble Contest.
• Set entrance fees and collect payments from directors
• There would still be a regional contest manager to set up for the Contest, see to the smooth running of the contest, and to take care of any needed adjustments in the schedule, etc.
• All of these issues are of importance since Solo/Ensemble is under the umbrella of the WIAA

There was discussion of the rationale behind this proposal.  The idea originated during a visit to another state which had this sort of program already in place.  The program solves the following problems: 

• Liability against injury of a contest judge
• Standardization of Regional Contest fees, organization and operations
• Amelioration of individual parent and director complaints
• Increased expectation level in entry performance standards

Continuing discussion included these topics:

• Will  any excess entry fee money collected be returned to the Region?
• Can we include a provision for a small school Solo and Ensemble  contest?
• Will we retain control over selection of judges for our region?

A motion was made and seconded that we agree to support this process.  The vote to support was unanimous.

Discussion:  Do we want to sponsor a combined Yakima Region and Mid-Columbia Region breakfast during the State WMEA Conference?
Motion, seconded, carried.

OLD BUSINESS:
Treasurer’s report from Maegan Ley.
There are a few outstanding bills: payment for a sub for Meagan during Contest days, etc.
There have been some last minute checks received from last year’s Contest fees.

The current balance is $14,057

Meagan requested that all directors please contact their District accounts payable person with Meagan’s contact information.  She is still receiving correspondence to her last work assignment.
Meagan’s contact info:
Maegan Ley, YVMEA Treasurer
West Valley Middle School
1500 South 75th Ave.
Yakima, WA  98908
972-5730  office
972-5701  fax
949-1815  cell
Leym@wvsd208.org
NEW BUSINESS:
Item:  Pay your MENC dues early. Some students have lost positions in State Contests and ensembles because directors have allowed their membership to lapse.  Call: MENC:800-828-0229 or join online: http://www.menc.org/about/view/menc-membership-applications
Also update your WMEA information

Item: Submit applications for All-State Groups early.  Link: http://www.wmea.org/StudentEvents/

Item: PC users need to update their Adobe Acrobat Reader so that they can access State and Regional online information. 
Adobe site: http://get.adobe.com/reader/otherversions/
Get Flash and Shockwave updates.

Item: Should we continue our support of YME (WMEA’s “Young Musicians Excelling” ) project?  In years past we have supported this program by sending $5oo
Item: Elementary specialists adjourned briefly to discuss ideas for upcoming workshops offered through YVMEA
Leslie Snyder (Ellensburg) has agreed to help organize and coordinate workshops
Workshop ideas:

• New GLEs and associated assessment ideas/using and implementing the new State GLEs
• Student performances: rehearsals, sequencing, timing, parent communication, materials, techniques; how to have a successful performance
• Mike Klinger Music Technology Workshops
• Workshops through Arelio Garcia , ESD 105.  Grants have made money available for workshops, but many are focused on the CBLAs.

Back at the other side of the restaurant, a heated discussion was underway: A voice cried from the back: “How can we get better participation from smaller schools in band contest?” A deadly silence fell over the crowd.  “The problem is this”, declared a disembodied voice. “So many of the smaller schools who may not be able to achieve an adequate balance in instrumentation or fill all the chairs feel disrespected and intimidated by the larger schools with huge bands, and by judges who do not address their particular issues.” “ Yes”, cried another teacher.  “So often you get a judge who will simply tell you to get a bass clarinetist to fill a part.  They don’t understand what it’s like”.  “Why can’t we do what Wenatchee does?” , a quiet voice whispered.  “They have a separate performance area and judge for the smaller schools.  The students and director then feel much more comfortable and included.”

The room erupted in chaos.  Above the clamor was heard the following remarks:
“Would this really result in more participation from smaller schools? So often these schools will not participate because of fiscal issues, and wouldn’t be able to come even if you changed the format!”
“If you make a change, be sure to invite all schools to watch as many performances as possible, even from different sizes of schools!”
“Perhaps we could simply train judges to be more sensitive to smaller schools’ issues!”
“We could also ask judges to take it easier on small schools.” 
“No!  A sliding point scale is already built into the grading process, so that smaller schools can achieve a ‘I’ with less points.  We can’t lower our standards!”
“We could send out a survey.”
“If so, use ‘Survey Monkey.com’!”
“I’m taking my orchestra to the CWU orchestra contest, anyway.  It’s a better contest for orchestras.”
“If we split up performances, it will be more expensive.  We will have to obtain a whole other set of percussion instruments, music stands, and hire another judge!”
“Not true!”

“”Why not have smaller schools perform during the afternoon; larger schools in the morning?”

“Sounds good!”
Thus was peace restored to the minions.

Item:  There is no venue for Small Instrumental  Ensemble Festival or Middle School Choir Festival.  Don will send information in 2 weeks. John Strahle (Highland) will host JH/MS Band Contest.

Everyone was reminded to get entry fees and applications submitted before the deadlines.  Pay your MENC dues. Make sure your ASB secretary or whoever pays these fees has Meagan Ley’s contact information and submits P.O.s/payment in a timely manner. 

There was laughter.  There were tears. Everyone left feeling refreshed and renewed.  “Heigh – Ho, fellow minstrels!” was the parting cry.  The sun set slowly in the west as the horses galloped away.

Please alert me if there are any needed additions or corrections tro these minutes.

Respectfully submitted,
Bart Roderick,
YVMEA Secretary
bartroderick@selah.k12.wa.us
509.697.5461