Eastern Division Encores Marc Greene NAfME Eastern Division President greene.nafme@gmail.com
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elcome back to a new school year and all the challenges and rewards that are coming our way along with pumpkin spice, freshly picked apples, and falling leaves. I am still waxing poetic over my experiences this past year attending state conferences in Connecticut and New Hampshire. The beauty of autumn in Manchester and the vibrancy of Hartford in spring were great reinforcements to the warm welcomes, spirited camaraderie, and superb musicianship of both events. This school year I will have the honor of visiting with colleagues in Delaware, Europe, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania and Vermont. It is so exciting to know that I will be surrounded by so many like-minded professionals with a passion for music and education. But of course, the grandest event of this year will be taking place April 3-7, 2019! We will be convening for our 56th NAfME Eastern Division Biennial In-Service Conference at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center in Pittsburgh, PA. This is one of the best opportunities for innovative and best practice professional development in music education in the country, so plan to take advantage of this stellar experience. Highlights of the conference will include • An overarching conference theme of Innovation, Access & Insights • A rousing conference kick-off event featuring inspirational messages from Peter Boonshaft and Tim Lautenheiser, a performance by the Williamsport Area HS Millionaire Strolling Strings and the energizing a cappella stylings of Business Casual. • A fun Thursday Gala Opening Reception in the Exhibit Hall • The Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra in concert Thursday evening especially for the NAfME Eastern Division Conference attendees at the exquisite Heinz Hall JANUARY 2019
• A thought-provoking Friday general session featuring NAfME President Kathy Sanz, the Duquesne University Electronic Ensemble and Anne Fennell, Chair of NAfME’s Council for Innovations • An optional run-out field trip to observe state-ofthe-art music education in action in the Pittsburgh City Schools • A Friday evening performance by the United States Navy Concert Band and Sea Chanters • A mini TED Talk style event on Saturday featuring Elizabeth Biesel, three-time Olympic swimmer AND accomplished violinist • Awesome performances by the PMEA All-State Ensembles on Saturday and the Eastern Division Honors Ensembles on Sunday • Over 150 workshop sessions and 47 performing groups representing states from across the NAFME Eastern Division If you think you may need a “special invitation” to attend this conference to present to your school administration, please contact me (greene.nafme@gmail.com). It would be my pleasure to send you a customized letter of invitation that includes a request for you to host a session or introduce a clinician!
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