Michigan Music Conference – Reflections
MASTA President – Janis Shier Peterson
1/22/17
The 2017 Michigan Music Conference was busy, exciting, inspiring, educational…and FUN! The three days were filled with a wonderful variety of activities that make me eager to work with my students again, ready to do more work on MASTA projects and glad that I am in the string teaching profession. From concerts, to sessions, to meetings, to just hanging out with colleagues, the MMC was a phenomenal event.
Meetings are usually my least favorite activity…but this year, all three MASTA meetings were a blast! The MASTA Executive Board and project directors are incredibly capable people who know how to get things done and each meeting was productive and efficient.
The Teacher Orchestra, conducted by Soo Han and organized by Joel Schut, was an absolute delight. It’s the BEST…seeing people every year…making new friends…feeling the LOVE…celebrating each other as we make music together. On the concert this year, a winner from the MASTA Solo Competition contest (special thanks to organizer, Melissa Knecht) performed a beautiful Brahms Cello Sonata. The 3 MASTA Teacher of the Year Finalists, Abby Alwin, Carol Johnson and Nathan Peters were introduced and then the winner’s plaque was awarded to Abby.
Our headliner, Jeremy Woolstenhulme from Las Vegas, shared SO MUCH knowledge in a very enthusiastic and fun way. The All State Orchestra performances (conducted by Robert Gillespie for Middle School and Raphael Jimenez for High School) were outstanding and the exhibits area included a free yummy reception on opening night. Even the weather was cooperating with warmer than usual temperatures! Bravo to MMC planning committee members, Anne Marie Jones and Jim Van Eizenga.
To put it into one sentence:
The 2017 MMC was three incredible days filled with opportunities for growth and camaraderie.
2017 Teacher of the Year – Abby Alwin
Teacher Orchestra