MASTA Pays Tribute to Awards Winners at the Michigan Music Conference
The Michigan Music Conference celebrated its 10th year with a Thursday evening collage concert. The concert reflected programs from elementary music to high school level instrumental and vocal ensembles. Congratulations to all the groups that shared their music with us. I would like to thank the MCC Executive Board and Planning Committee for all the work that it takes to bring the conference to life. A special thank you to MASTA members Lynn Brosnan, Caitlin Milhalko and Anna Marie Jones. They are our representatives on the planning committee and spend many hours before and during the conference to ensure that the MMC experience is a good one. I also want to thank the MASTA Board and Projects Directors for all the work they do and for making MASTA a great organization.
Dr. Steve Benam
The Michigan Music Conference offered attendees a variety of educational workshops and concert performances that proved to be informative and inspirational. The MASTA Headliner, ASTA President, Steven Benham, provided workshops on topics that ranged from mechanics of motion to The ASTA National Curriculum. Dr. Benham has many Michigan connections. He served as Grand Haven Orchestra Director early in his teaching career. It was exciting to see Steve reconnected with his previous orchestra as he worked with the Grand Haven Chamber Orchestra in demonstrating the use of the ASTA Curriculum.
Lifetime Achievement Award winners: Marilyn Kesler and E. Daniel Long
The MASTA reception on Friday evening was a wonderful, well attended event. A special thanks to Janis Peterson,MASTA President- Elect for all her work in planning and setting up the reception. Marilyn Kesler and E. Daniel Long were presented LifetimeAchievement Awards and the Administrator of the Year award was presented to Diane Winder (EMU) during the reception.
Administrator of the Year Award: Diane Winder
Congratulations to all these wonderful educators! We also had an opportunity to introduce all three of our MASTA 2015 Teacher ofthe Year nominees , Anne Thompson, Dan Scott and Abby Alwin.
2015 Teacher of the Year Nominees
The MASTA General Membership Meeting on Saturday featured performances by this years MASTA Solo Competition Winners. Violinist, Steve Lukich was the Grand Prize Winner of the Senior Division and the Junior Division Grand Prize Winner was cellist, Cullen OʼNeil. Both provided outstanding performances for our membership.
Dan Scott, Jenison High School Orchestra Director, was announced as MASTA Teacher Of The Year 2015 during the general meeting. Congratulations to all our nominated candidates and especially to Dan.
Janis Peterson, MASTA President-Elect Dan Scott, MASTA Teacher of the Year Tim Staudacher, MASTA President
Submitted by:
Tim Staudacher MASTA PRESIDENT