Earlene Rentz
It was great to be back with music educators for a convention recently. I attended the Texas Music Educators Association Convention (TMEA), and I saw posts from numerous individuals all over the country via social media that all spoke of their delight in being back among "kindred spirits."
Music educators enjoy attending sessions and hearing wonderful performances. TMEA decided several weeks ago that there would be a mask requirement. Texas is like the rest of the country; COVID-19 cases are down in a huge way, and we are hopeful that musical "normalcy" will soon be "the norm." In all of the excitement among attendees, you would hardly know it was an inconvenience to wear masks, until it affected the choral sound or conversation between friends.
In Texas, some students in the All-State choirs were allowed to remove the masks on the last day of rehearsal. I spoke with someone who said the removal caused the need for choral adjustments that were undetected during masked rehearsals. I had not given that possibility much thought. How might the sound be different? What adjustments are likely? When I wear a mask in rehearsal, I can tell that I am pushing my voice in order to be heard clearly. Though the person did not elaborate, it makes sense that we would likely decrease the volume a bit in order to bring about the beautiful dynamic variations within most repertoire. Maybe there were too many explosive consonants that had to be tempered in sensitive passages. Adjustments were made, and the concert was beautiful.
It is obvious that the last day of the convention is "family time!" So many family members are roaming the exhibits to shop a bit before they attend their loved one's concert. To see the support of family is wonderful. Parental/Family support is worth its weight in gold. One important thing to realize is that even if no one shows up for the student, the power of music and the support of caring teachers sustain many students through the entire All-State process. A beautiful concert and the entire experience are enough to make the effort worthwhile.
Carmen Conaway is a choral parent from Midway ISD in Waco (one child in concert; one in All-State). Such a committed parent! Carmen and Eric joined South Main Baptist when my husband was pastor.
Look at these happy faces!! We're happy to be "out and about." Yes! Cedar Park Middle School!
I was particularly amazed at the enthusiasm of the attendees' desires to attend concerts. More than once I heard, "It was 'standing room only.'" I was totally thrilled to know that music educators are seeking out beautiful music, shown by their attendance. As you know, masks are not really comfortable, so I was doubly glad the crowd was willing.
The highlight for me was to be able to see friends whom I had not seen for the entire "pandemic era." It was also great to make new friends, too. Per the photos on this blog post, four persons shown were choral musicians I had met for the first time at TMEA. They took the time to come by the booth to see Wanetta Hill and me. I enjoyed meeting Aaron Hufty, Susan Malone, Gabi Guest, Emma Graves, Texas King, Nancy Bransom, Gabriel Trevino, Ryan Brown, and many others!
"Returning champions" were people like Megan Cooper Weston, Eric Hindman, Debbie Talley, René Combest Brain (and Jeff!), Morris Stevens, Ronnie Sanders, Larry and Jacque Koch, Priscilla Ouelette, Carmen Conaway, and Lizette Ochoa. Sooo many others too numerous to mention, but equally appreciated. I was so delighted to meet all who came by the booth!
Priscilla Ouelette, whom I met 20 years ago in Edinburg. She is in Mission, Texas now.
Susan Malone...I know many members of her family from Waco and Houston. She is in Midland.
Aaron Hufty from First Baptist in San Antonio dropped by the booth. Yes...we have Sacred Octavos!
A new friend!! Gabi Guest - Middle School Choral Director
Choral music educators love our profession! We love our students. Who would know that we committed our lives to one of 2020-2022's most dangerous professions? I found an article yesterday where it listed things "too dangerous to do" and (drum roll), singing is listed!! However, we are making it work! I am so proud of the choral music profession.
In the years past, when experts mentioned the word "pandemic," I wasn't even sure of its meaning, and frankly, I didn't listen very closely to issues I was sure would never happen. Wrong!! Thankfully, we have made it "thus far," and we have a plan to make our lives work in the future. We're hanging in there.
I have such respect for my choral colleague and friend Morris Stevens (Austin, Texas)
So....music education marches onward!! TMEA was a great place to re-connect with positive philosophies of musical well-being among ourselves and our students. The financial affect of the pandemic has hit the music publishing industry in a huge way. Thankfully, we are seeing glimmers of hope, and I look forward to the day when we can share and sing our music in its most effective forms.
I was delighted to represent Earlene Rentz Online Publications, LLC. I was also grateful to see many persons return to our booth for "the latest in publications." Wanetta Hill, one of our lyricists who I think knows everyone in the state of Texas, was my booth-mate, and we were happy to sell our music as well as speak with music educators about that they need in their classrooms.
"Thank you" for coming by to allow us to put a face with a name and know a little more about each of our faithful customers/colleagues/friends. You are our friends, and you are appreciated more than you know.
We repeated over and over the unique components of our company:
1) Every octavo arrives to you within 3-5 seconds of purchase (files sent via links for downloading).
2) We can custom-make many aspects of all our octavos (key, voicing, simplified accompaniment, addition of an obligato instrument, range).
3) Every octavo comes with a Rehearsal Preparation Sheet, accompaniment mp3, individual voice parts (electronic) mp3, and the copyright allows for multi-copies for your choir.
In other words, our company goes the second and third mile for music education. We are delighted to be working for you.
Next? TCDA! Come by the booth and Wanetta Hill will take your photo!!