It was planned, it took place, it's completed! Three days of enthusiastic music education took place in Bavaria on October 16, 17, and 18. It was rewarding to watch 50 music educators participate and learn from our prominent presenters. Teachers from as far away as Lajes, Portugal and Izmir, Turkey and as close as Vilseck, Germany took advantage of this convention... and the EMEA board is DELIGHTED they did! The keynote speaker for the conference was June Hinckley, president of the 70,000 member Music Educators National Conference. She offered two excellent sessions enlightening the attendees on Teaching for Life Long Learning and the Power of MENC. From Oklahoma City University Florence Birdwell, Dr. Steve Coker, and Emogene Collins addressed solo singing teaching techniques and choral music techniques. Florence and Emogene publicly worked with student and adult vocal soloists from Vilseck, Grafenwoehr, and Wiesbaden. In the Master Vocal classes they addressed vocal techniques and the importance of getting the text of the song across to the listener. Florence also presented a heart-felt session titled Life Motivation Through Music. Steve worked with a choral group of the Vilseck High School in a Master Class setting helping them to improve the beauty of their singing tone. Steve also conducted a choral reading session with literature specially selected for the small chorus. All in all, choral music and vocal techniques were well addressed in the numerous sessions presented by the three Oklahoma City University professors. Karen Rose waved the flag for the Federal Education Association during her presentation. She also was available to discuss concerns with music educators attending the conference. This was Karen’s third conference. In addition to formal presentations, ample time was available for teachers to share ideas with one another and with the visiting presenters. The informal times are often as valuable for participants as the formal presentations. When music educators are spread out as we are in Europe, occasions just to talk about the music education of youth are extremely valuable. Many music teachers helped to make this event take place. For fear of leaving someone out, names will not be listed. However, the assistance provided from those who took responsibility for assisting the presenters, moving equipment, arranging for the keys, playing the piano, and helping people find a place to eat is appreciated. EMEA Conferences are planned, executed and completed for YOU the music educator. The EMEA board wants you to participate. Plan now to be one of those noteworthy attendees at the April 23-25 conference in Garmisch! Musically yours, Gary W. Bogle
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