Thoughts From Your President ~
I like people! I like to hear their stories, their perspectives, and hear about family connections, work and hobby interests, and collaborations. That is one reason it was a delight to be at the national conference ~ to see and meet so many wonderful colleagues in the association. It is an easy time to make acquaintances and friends from the United States and abroad. Sessions were varied and diverse with so many topics to choose from. Hearing our Washington State winners in competition at the national level was an intense musical listening experience. Meeting with our Northwest Division attendees was enriching and gave insight to association efforts in our neighboring states.
Now we get to experience meeting people in our own backyard ~ at our own WSMTA Conference, June 28-30 at Lower Columbia College in Longview, WA. Registration is open! Make plans to attend. Over thirty sessions are scheduled with your interests in mind. Guest artists, Artina and Martin McCain, piano/trombone duo, will mesmerize, energize, and wow with their evening concert, afternoon presentation, and lesson with the artist session. We will hear our Washington State and Outstanding Artist Piano Competition winners, our Washington State Commissioned Composer, Young Composers, Chapter Honors Recitalists, and collaborative pianists, Jensina Oliver and Kay Zavislak, in inspiring concerts. The highlight? Meeting with people, our people, our WSMTA people! We will learn together, laugh together, and do musical life together for three days!
The importance of people in our lives has become poignant and even more relevant recently. Two days after returning from the national conference, my mother of 95 years (just shy of 96) passed away. Our Celebration of Life memorial for her was Easter Saturday. I have had multiple opportunities to witness personally as well as recall in my mother’s life the beauty of people, of friends. Each person mattered in her life and the effect has touched mine. We matter to each other. The memories we make from the conversations and encouragements we offer and from the stories we create and share build good-will, joy, and lasting imprints.
Thank you, friends, for being part of the WSMTA team, sharing our rich experiences of life and music with each other and our communities.
Ever grateful for you!
Colleen Hunter, NCTM
WSMTA President