MMEA

I spent most of last week at Tan-Ta-Ra Resort at Lake of the Ozarks for the Missouri Music Educator’s Conference.  Three of my Rock Bridge High School Chamber orchestra students made it into the All State Orchestra 

me, Arnold Chen (violin), Joanna Yu(viola), Alice Yu (violin)

 (the girls are not related)

and that is truly the only reason I attended.  Margaret Lawless, the Hickman orchestra director (and the violist in Prairie Strings) also had three students in the orchestra so she and I shared a room again – this was our third year. 

 

 First year, she didn’t make reservations early enough to get into Tan-Ta-Ra so we had to room in an off-site hotel that was sort of a dump.  So, for 2014, she called in time for a room on site but we were put at the top of four flights of stairs (no elevator) and, if we wanted to stay out of the bitter cold (which was the weather a year ago) we had to hike about a quarter mile of connecting walkways to get to the main events.  So, for this year, as soon as reservations could be made, Margaret called and booked us a room. AND, she pulled the “old lady” card stating that we could not handle stairs (my sprained Achilles tendon – which I had last September/October and is still swollen – came into play) so we got a perfect room – literally 100 steps and an elevator ride away from all the main events.

Since this is my last year of teaching orchestra, I really had no interest in the small number of orchestra workshops that were offered.  I did attend one for bass playing but came away unsatisfied because the presenter had opposing views on bass bows and on sitting vs. standing while playing.  I attended all the orchestra performances that were offered.  I am not sure if I mentioned that last spring, I submitted a CD of Rock Bridge Chamber Orchestra to be considered for a performance slot this year at MMEA.  After the performances I heard this year, I am not sure if RBHS could EVER be invited.  I heard amazing concerts – and all the schools were from St. Louis – a virtual juggernaut when it comes to string players.  In fact, I did some calculations and over 80% of the All State Orchestra members were from St. Louis schools.  And, I am actually relieved we did not get accepted because the RBHS Wind Ensemble did get invited and Steve Mathews, their director, has been going nuts ever since.  I know he is glad this past week is over. 

I used most of my time at Tan-Ta-Ra to relax and rejuvenate – I took a walk every morning.  

 

  I watched movies I brought (Hotel Transylvania – really cute; The Lunchbox – an Indian film that was beautifully done but had a less-than-satisfying ending.  UGH!;  and a documentary called The Fog of War that was very interesting).  I lost some brain cells when Margaret watched episodes of Dr. Phil and Love, Lust, or Run.  I read.  I knitted.  I napped.  And, by Saturday, I was REALLY ready to be done with music education stuff.  Because it was my 40^th wedding anniversary!  When I got home around 5:30, Steve and I went to dinner at Applebees (thanks to a gift card), dessert at Coldstone (thanks Kirsti and Ryan), and we bought ourselves a soup toureen for our anniversary gift. 

We woke up to a smattering of snow this morning although parts of Missouri got quite a bit more.  And, I will end with a photo of Sadie during naptime this afternoon.