Every new year – and every new month – presents such a unique perspective on time. It’s a pivotal place: to look back – to remember and reflect; to see the present – to renew and refresh; to view the future – to purpose and plan. Taking time for thoughtful contemplation and deliberation of our possibilities and potential is rewarding, but requires our intention and attention. It will uncover joys and blessings as well as challenges, losses, perhaps sorrows and longings, in any of the directions. It will also remind us of our value and worth, of friendships that sustain and colleagues with whom we collaborate and learn, and of connections with students and families and communities whose lives we touch and who touch our lives blending our journeys of life if for even a short time.
In December, I mentioned how thankful I was for you, the over 800 members of WSMTA. I look forward to working with you and meeting more of you this coming year. In November we had a successful MTNA-WSMTA State Competition and now have 12 participants representing Washington State at the national competition in March in Atlanta, GA. I look forward, as our state president, to representing WSMTA at the 2024 National Conference, supporting our performers and meeting colleagues from across the nation.
This spring we have students, teachers, and visiting artists preparing for our largest event, MAP, Musical Artistry Program. Many kudos to the many members who kindly give and serve to see that each event is a smooth educational highlight.
Our State Conference is June 27-29, 2024 at Gonzaga University in Spokane. Connor Chee, pianist and composer from Arizona, is our guest artist. Plans are in process for a stellar three days of presentations, performances, and collegial visiting and dining. Registration will begin in February.
In January, we held our annual Winter Board Meetings where we reviewed the reports of our board members and chairs.
I look forward to additional chapter visits and email conversations. To you – as you read this right now – thank you for all you do – whether for WSMTA, your local chapter, your studio, your community, your family! You really do matter! Thank you for working together from the grass roots level (from home to chapter) to a broader field of boards and community. We matter together! This is how music works best!
Wishing you a wonderful MAP season!
Colleen Hunter
WSMTA President