November 2009
Volume 75, Number 2

I have something to be proud of as I start to write this article.  I have received all of the audition tapes and they were all sent on time or even before the deadline, even those from districts with a large number of students intending to audition.   Now I am the one who feels the pressure and am trying to do a better job to match my colleagues’ excellent work. 

Before and during the tape auditions, I communicated with all of you through email and some of you over the phone, I knew you would do a good job, but the results still succeeded my expectations.  For example, Dr. Al Benner from Louisiana School for Math, Science and the Arts had to work extremely hard to make arrangements for his students’ auditions, even with the school closing due to health concerns. 

The music for this year’s All-State Orchestra concert will be “All American made”.  They are The Cowboys Overture by John Williams, Celebrations by Vincent Oppido, American Salute by Morton Gould, The Stars and Stripes Forever By Sousa, and Overture to “Candide” by Leonard Bernstein.

Dr. Michael Buckles from McNeese State University, Professor Paul Christopher from Northwestern State University of Louisiana, and Professor Anthony Maiello from George Mason University will give clinics and seminars for the orchestra division at the Baton Rouge State Convention.

I hope my fellow orchestra teachers can make a way to come to Baton Rouge to our division business meeting, in service seminars, rehearsals, and the concert or other divisions’ activities.  Even those who teach elementary school or Jr. High school, you may have already made contributions to those students who made All-State Orchestra when they were young and were under your direction. At this time, you may also make a contribution by helping out with those orchestral activities during the state convention.

We are not in a big state and do not have many orchestra programs.  It is crucial for us to work together promoting and expanding our programs.  I hope I will see more teachers attending All-State events this year.