Greetings everyone!

Congratulations on successfully making it through all the classes and concert that make you school year. Spring is here and Summer is around the corner. Take time to reap the rewards of being a music teacher. Relax, attend outdoor music events, and of course think of what the next school year will bring.

It has been another busy and banner year for the students and teachers in District 7. Let me review the past year’s accomplishments and the plans for the future in our Spring Newsletter. There is much important information is included in our Spring Newsletter. Please take the time to review all of its contents.

This year was as busy as always for District 7. Our fests and festivals were very exciting and successful. I want to recognize and thank all of our fest and festival hosts for their willingness to serve District 7. Their efforts, on behalf of our students and music education, have been greatly appreciated! Our host directors for 2007-08 included:

In addition, I want to recognize and thank our audition hosts for this year. We certainly appreciate all of their time and efforts in helping to make the audition day successful. These hosts included:

Mark Zortman - Chorus auditions
Jim Dougert & David Diehl - Band and Orchestra auditions
Jim Martini - Jazz auditions

It is also important to recognize and thank District 7 members who hosted the PMEA All-State rehearsals. They are:

District 7 was well represented at the PMEA Sate Conference. I am proud to congratulate to District 7 Directors and group performing at the conference:

1. Kennard-Dale H. S. Men’s Quartet, Carl Barr, Director
2. Cedar Crest H. S, Chamber Orchestra, Christopher Campbell, Director
3. The Messiah College Wind Ensemble, Brad Genevro, Director
4. Cedar Cliff H. S. Jazz Ensemble, Ben Goldsborough, Director
5. Hempfield H. S. Symphony Strings, Donald Grabowski, Director
6. Lititz Elementary Orf Ensemble, Amy Martin, Director
7. Carlisle H. S. Chamber Singers, Cheryl Parsons, Director
8. The Messiah College Chamber Singers, Linda Tedford, Director
9. Pequea Valley H. S. Chamber Singers, Mark Williams, Director.

As of this writing (May 1), District 7 is looking for the following festival hosts:

Lower Band

It is important that we have all festivals hosted by the end of this school year!

Congratulations to Wayne C. Fox, of the Cedar Crest School District, for being selected the 2008 District 7 Citation of Excellence recipient. Elementary instrumental students at Cedar Crest are fortunate to have such an excellent teacher. Thank you, Wayne, for representing the music education profession in such a positive and professional manner.

Congratulations to Dr. Wiliam Higgins, Professor Emeritus of Messiah College, for his selection this year for the District 7 Rodney Miller Distinguished Service Award. His work for PMEA and District 7 is extensive and the information is listed on the District 7 website.

In closing, I want to congratulate and thank all of you for the excellence that I have encountered at all the Fests, Festivals, and at the State Conference. I have had a wonderful time meeting and working with all of you. I will miss the connection to your and your great students. I wish well to Eric Dundore as incoming president. We have a lot to be proud of in District 7 and it can be directly attributed to the fine music teachers that you all are. I want to thank all of the Executive Board members for their work for the District 7 membership and for supporting me during my twos years in office. I could not have done my job without the efforts and dedication of these people. I hope that we will continue to work hard to enrich the lives of our students.

Enjoy your summer and remember to check our website often for updates, additional information, and special announcements!

John
John Bugosh
President, PMEA District 7