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I just returned from an amazing conference: The Illinois Music Educators Association All-State Conference. Wow..that’s a mouthful!! I attend this conference every year. This is the first year that I did not have any students audition. And the first year in awhile that I did not have at least one, if not more students who made the All-State Choir. It’s the most incredible gathering of the best student musicians from across the state. All are juniors and seniors who have auditioned and are hand-picked to come together, rehearse for two and a half days, and present their work in the form of a concert. These students are band, choir and orchestra students. While they rehearse, the teachers spend time in sessions provided from morning to night. I was amazed at the offerings this year. There were so many big names in choral music who were brought in to present and inspire.
It is troubling to me how the day to day hum-drum routine can, at times, result in settling in to accepting status quo. I hadn’t realized I had fallen into this trap until I hit the frozen streets of Peoria, IL for this conference. My eyes were brutally opened once again to what can be achieved by high school students. With perseverence, even smaller schools can become excellent in whatever endeavor they choose. It just takes focus and dedication. And, maybe a healthy dose of creativity. All I know is that I hope I returned from this conference a better teacher and conductor. I want to see all of my students reach a level far beyond where they are at this point. I am rejuvenated, energized, and ready to go! (I only hope it lasts….)
