Pennsylvania Music Educators Association
State Board Meeting Minutes
April 16, 2008
7:30 p.m.
Hershey Lodge & Convention Center

Attendance: Charles Neidhardt, Sharon Potter, Fran Nesta, Scott Sheehan, John Gula, Dennis Emert, Lori Luurtsema, Dough May, Christopher Gankosky, John J. Marszalek, Jason Worzbyt, Mary Jo Fadden-Zetts, Mel McConnell, Suzette Gardenhour (proxy), Jan Burkett, Linda Thornton, Ben Holste, Paul Doerksen, Michael Bodolosky, Sharon D. Gratto, Roderick Booker, Richard Victor, Sheryl May, Sister Kathleen Doutt, Scott Cullen, Jeff Cooper, Bret Mascaro, Jeff Lantzer, L. Rick Hilborn, Donna Burkholder, John A. Bugosh, William Pearce, Ann Manganiello, Andrew Kolojejchick, Leatha Keiser, Russell Wynn. Guests: Lynn Brinckmeyer, MENC President, Nino Bennici, District 9 Vice-President, Jamie Kasper, Fine Arts Advisor, PDE. Staff: Margaret S. Bauer, CAE, Executive Director.

President Charles Neidhardt called the meeting to order at 7:50 p.m. He welcomed and introduced guests Lynn Brinckmeyer, MENC President and Jamie Kasper, PDE Fine Arts Advisor. Vice President Fran Nesta led the board in singing “O Music” by Lowell Mason.

The minutes of the January board meeting were approved as distributed via email. The financial report was filed for audit.

Unfinished Business

1. 75th Anniversary Gala – Sharon Potter briefly reviewed the plans for the Gala on Friday night and the roles of the board members during the gala.
2. Strategic Plan Update – President Neidhardt reported that he had received a draft of the strategic plan from facilitator Christina Coyle. He has sent it to the members of the committee for their review and comments, with a deadline of May 1 to respond. He expects to have the final draft by May 15 and he will distribute it to the board before the July board meeting.
3. Executive Office Building Update – It was moved and seconded to proceed with alterations to the building in Hamburg, at a cost up to $300,000. Financing plans will be discussed once the exact cost of the project is known. Motion carried.
4. Hall of Fame Update – Chuck thanked the members of the committee which developed the application and criteria. He will send the final format to the board prior to the July meeting so it can be approved.

New Business

1. Festival Rotation – The PMEA Executive Committee discussed the festival rotation issue earlier in the day and recommended to the state board that the rotation be changed to the following:
   1. 2010, Orchestra, Chorus, Band
   2. 2011, Chorus, Orchestra, Band (First year that a change is made)
   3. 2012, Band, Chorus, Orchestra
   4. 2013, Orchestra, Band, Chorus
   5. 2014, Chorus, Orchestra, Band
   6. 2015, Band, Chorus, Orchestra

   This will allow for the orchestra to be ahead of band two out of three years, meaning that the best wind players will still be able to choose orchestra or wait for band, should they prefer. After discussing the proposed changes, the board concurred with the recommendation.

   Bass Trombone issue – After discussion, it was moved and seconded to add 2 trumpets and 2 trombones to the All-State Orchestra. Western Region Orchestra will send 1 additional trumpet and 1 additional trombone each year; East 2 and East 4 will rotate (East 2 will send 1 additional trumpet in 2009, East 4 will send 1 additional trombone in 2009. In 2010 they will switch, i.e. East 2 will send 1 additional trombone and East 4 will send 1 additional trumpet). Motion carried.

2. All-State Music Selection Committee – The PMEA Executive Committee voted to “resurrect” the music selection committee, as outlined in the PMEA Executive Handbook. They suggest that the guest conductor be required to use at least one piece from the All-State Music Library and to limit the number of works on the program composed or arranged by the guest conductor. The revisions to the policy will be made and presented to the board for a vote at the July Board meeting.

3. Advocacy Video Proposal – The Executive Committee reviewed a proposal from Tom McHugh of Edventures Consulting, Inc. The proposal was distributed to the board at the meeting for review prior to the July board meeting. It is the recommendation of the Executive Committee that PMEA should proceed with the project, after the board has a chance to review it and discuss it.

Reports

1. President’s Report – Chuck made brief comments on his attendance at the National Assembly and MENC Conference in Milwaukee last week. Lynn Brinckmeyer, MENC National President, reported on highlights from the National Executive Board meeting held in Milwaukee. She reported that MENC has cancelled the 2010 conference in Kansas City, due to declining attendance and the need for structures that don’t duplicate what the states are already doing. She also solicited the membership for ideas on what to offer in its place (a summer event is being planned).

   Chuck also reported that MENC is getting out of the publishing business; they have outsourced their publications to SAGE. Members interested in serving on editorial boards should contact Chuck, as SAGE is looking for 40 to 100 members to serve in this capacity.

   MENC is developing a licensure program, similar in concept to a “consumer reports” for musical instruments. Members have expressed concerns about the quality of instruments coming into the United States. More details will follow.

   Chuck reported that PMEA’s share in the All-Eastern Honors Ensembles has dropped from 24% to 22%, based on a drop in membership numbers. The next Eastern Division Conference and Honors Ensembles will be March 3-6 in Providence, RI.

   Chuck also reported that he is going to work with Dave on revising the PMEA website in the near future.

2. Vice-President’s Report – Fran Nesta stressed the importance of having the conference evaluation form returned to him. He also highlighted various presentations at the conference, including one by John Feierabend. He commended Sheryl May on working with early childhood educators to invite them to the sessions. Finally, he thanked Abigail Young for her contributions to the planning of the conference.

3. State C/I Report – Sharon Potter reported on the Summer Conference, the theme of which is “Tools for the 21st Century Music Educator.” She encouraged board members to attend the conference.

4. Vice-President-Elect Report – Scott Sheehan announced that he is planning for 2009 and 2010. He has tentatively booked “Barrage” as the feature performance group on Thursday evening for 2009. He asked the board for input into the process and distributed forms for them to complete.

5. Executive Director’s Report – Margaret Bauer requested the district presidents to fill out the district directory form and return it to her by May 15, at the latest. She also asked the presidents to let her know if they wish to order any more banners. She reminded board members about presenting plaques to the performing groups during the conference. Bauer distributed copies of the 75th Anniversary History booklet to each board member.

District President and District C/I Reports were discussed in their respective meetings held prior to the board meeting.

Ex Officio reports – All reports stand as written. There were a few additional comments made during the reports. Rich Victor reviewed the progress on the High School Graduation Competency Assessments and urged members to contact their legislators NOW. Do not wait until the public comment period is announced by the Independent Regulatory Review Commission. Rich also noted that he is presenting a session at a conference of Americans for the Arts in Philadelphia.

Resignations were announced for the positions of Tri-M advisor and All-State Jazz Coordinator. President Neidhardt reported that the Executive Committee would be evaluating the positions and possibly making revisions to the job descriptions before appointments would be made.

Outgoing Board Members Recognition
Several outgoing board members were recognized and presented with plaques in appreciation for their service on the board. The board members recognized included Jason Worzbyt, John Bugosh, Andrew Kolojejchick, Lori Luurtsema, Mel McConnell, Bret Mascaro, John A. Gula, Jr. , Janis Burkett, Jann Huggens and Sheryl Monkelien.

President Neidhardt thanked Jason Worzbyt and his committee for evaluating the composition event submissions.

The meeting adjourned at 9:50 p.m.