Arkansas Federation of Music Clubs Spring Newsletter April 2014

AFMC Officers # 2013 – 2014 &Ba Ley - rich qrb’s s PRESIDENT It is time for the games to begin . I week we visited our son in Colorado, we had a Barbara Baugh know many of us are ready to see visit planned for Walnut Ridge and Jonesboro . VICE PRESIDENT warmer temperatures because of The weather delayed our flight in from Colorado Chris Thompson the low temps, ice and snow that and we got home just in time to un-pack and re- has kept us home bound and out pack our bags to leave the next day for Walnut TREASURER of harms way traveling for the last Ridge . Ernest Baugh few months . Our AFMC year is SECRETARY off to a start with all the excitement of our festivals Adam Savacool being held all over our State . I am excited to see what they are doing . Linda Kennedy’s composition winners have been announced and are listed in this newsletter . We are excited that some of the winners will be performing at our Jr Inside Day during our State Convention on April 26 th this issue . . . in Jonesboro . I want to take just a moment to thank Front Cover – Page 3 Barb’s Lyrics everyone for all the cards and loving response during a really hard time of the passing of my Composition Winners . 3. Mom . It is not easy letting go of anyone no VIA Project . . . . .4 . matter if they have been ill for awhile or what the Judge Bond . . . . .4 . circumstances are . Your kindness of allowing NMW Essay Winner . . . 4 Barbara Baugh with members of Walnut Ridge Schubert Club me a few weeks to be with my family was so We’ve Got Talent . . . 4 . AFMC Convention . . . . 5 appreciated . I still struggle at times with missing We were very exhausted but I was determined Bylaws Changes . . . 5 . her voice of encouragement and love that I heard to start my process of visiting our clubs . Chris Memorial Service . . 6. . almost everyday . But I have the blessing that she Thompson , AFMC Vice President, is the Officer Nominations . . . 6 is not suffering and is back in the arms of my President of this awesome club . He was such a Donations ...... 6 Sr . Club Reports . . . 6 . Dad and most of all our Father . Thank you for gracious host . He picked us up from our motel OIO Meeting . . . . 7. . your continued support and love through a really and drove us to Walnut Ridge where we had a Upcoming Events . . 8. . difficult time . delightful dinner . We then drove to the club National Music Week . 8. I have much to report even though we just meeting where I met some of the most delightful Letter to AFMC Board . 9. began the start of our busy time for AFMC . women . This club has around 15 members and Federation Days . . .10 . NMW Essay . . . .11 . Ernie and I have been very busy and traveling they had 8 at their meeting . They usually have 10 quite a bit since my last newsletter . My plans or more but some were out of town or ill . Chris were to visit a Club every month . Well, my year played a wonderful Jazz collection of music on was delayed because of my Mom’s illness and the piano and gave us the history of each piece passing . But I have started with my plan . We . We had a wonderful dessert prepared by one did enjoy the time we had with our daughter , of the members and sat around a large table and son and our 9 grandchildren . We have a 10th visited . This club is a great example of what our little girl that will be due in August . My son has clubs should be . They do so much for AFMC and 8 children and they will be adding one more their community . After our meeting Chris drove to their happy crew . My daughter has one and us around the Williams Campus and their town has continuously told me that her brother was to show us the history of their small town . making up for her . We love them very much and The next day we were excited to go and see the really enjoyed our times with them . The same sights of where the Beatles, in 1964, came to their continued on page 2 Page 2 continued from page 1 feeding in the fields and getting ready cannot attend the entire week, come to make their last leg flight back to the for a few days of the operas . Our SC North . We saw these geese the first day luncheon will be on Saturday and we arrived in Walnut Ridge and was you canngo see the opera the Friday amazed at how many were in the fields . night before . The Operas will be listed At that time we did not understand why, later in this Newsletter . You will not but the next day we saw them in flight, be disappointed . The operas are just headed north . We rolled our windows fantastic . You can not go to New York down and listened to the singing of the and hear better voices . These Young geese that was so in tune . They were gifted artist will simple blow you away town and how they celebrated the event like a huge choir singing to one another with their talent . Please try to make it with a park you could walk through singing their good byes to the south as at least for couple of days . showing the history of when the Beatles they flew north home . The sky was so On our way home I looked at some arrived in their town . No one was full ,and you could hardly see anything of the program books of our clubs suppose to know . It was a secret but but one flock after another . We knew and realized we were within a day of it leaked and of course the town took why they were in the fields the day Russelville’s Club meeting . So we headed advantage of a history making event . We before feeding and resting for their for Ozark, Ar where we spent the night also enjoyed the walk through history at journey home . I looked at Ernie and with a dear friend at her B & B and next their WWII Air Force museum . Walnut sighed, hooray, spring is right around day headed to Russelville . They met Ridge had one of the largest Air Force the corner . at 7 pm that night . Dr Brian Conatser regiments in the US . We were amazed We arrived in Jonesboro and met, could not be present at the beginning of at the WWII artifacts and history in this that night, with Tom and his wife, the program but Ann Shields Vice Pres museum . We had lunch in a 200 Series Janet at Starbucks . We closed the place carried out the duties until Brian could SW airplane at the airport . They had down . We had such a wonderful time join us . We were welcomed with such turned an SW plane into a restaurant with these folks . We planned, laughed warmth and hospitality . . Dr Young called the Parachute . It was Valentines and just enjoyed getting to know one presented a presentation on American Day . It was cold and raining cats and another . The next day Tom found the History of the Big Band Era . Oh was dogs, so the restaurant and plane was time to show us the ASU campus where this a delightful program of history . ours . The hostess took us to the plane our Convention will be held . We also At the end of the meeting we visited where she took pictures of us and enjoyed listening to the Symphony with members and did not leave until served us the best lunch we have had in practice along with a large group of the 10 pm . As we left, Brian gave us the a long time . We celebrated Valentines surrounding area Children singing . If wonderful news of his marriage to Ann Day in a most unique romantic way . you have not made plans to attend the Shields . Congratulations to you both . We did not want to leave this small Convention, please do . Tom and the This is another example of a Club that is metropolis because everywhere we went clubs have worked so hard with their doing what our clubs are suppose to be the hospitality of the town’s people was preparation . All the details were in doing . We enjoyed every minute of our just amazing . They are all just one big your Call that I mailed a week ago . I visit with these wonderful members . family . Everyone knows everybody and promise, you will not want to miss this We had plans to visit the Little Rock everyone knew when I said who I was one . Please I urge you to make your Coterie and go to Searcy ,but our plans and who I was affiliated with . What a reservations as soon as possible . I could were interrupted by our granddaughter breath of fresh air and a most enjoyable only get a certain amount of motel Makayla asking us to come pick her up visit we had with Chris and the club rooms because that same weekend to come to our house for the remaining of Walnut Ridge . Our visit served they have a huge baseball tournament of her Spring Break . . Sorry AFMC but more than one purpose . When I had that had booked the motels a year in when Grandchildren call it is our duty planned to visit one of the NW clubs, advance . You cannot get the discount as grandparents to drop all and respond I had forgotten our State Convention rate after their cut off times . to their demands . So we headed toward was to be held there, so we drove over to We traveled to Oklahoma in Feb Texas . Jonesboro to visit with Tom Mason, the where we meet with OIO Board . We We got home on a Thurs and NE District President . On the way to will have air conditioning in our out everything went wrong . Our baby got Jonesboro ,just outside of Walnut Ridge, door theater in time for our Federated ill and had to take her back home . We we saw thousands of Canadian Geese Days in July . This is another event I rushed back home on Friday started encourage all who can to attend . If you continued on page 3 Page 3 continued from page 2 only meet twice a year . A Conference for have met so many wonderful members packing to head to Eureka Springs the our Board and Officers is in September and shared my heart and desires for next morning . John and Mary Dolce which I will be seeking a vote on AFMC with so many . I have felt so much invited us to their home to help and be extending our time at the convention . support and love of AFMC by visiting part of their annual “We’ve Got Talent The NE district Clubs have worked very with your clubs . I want to thank those “ showcasing NW Arkansas Musical hard and for the last two years have we have visited for us to just drop in and Talent . This was such a treat for us . I been planning this event . I promise you visit with your members . I did not get to have wanted to see how they did this will not be disappointed . The Friday as many clubs as I had planned but Ernie talent show for two years . I was not night program that Pat Qualls has been and I have already started planning for disappointed . This was an amazing in charge of will be a performance you next fall and winter . We will pick up show . If you live near this event you will not want to miss of the Special where we left off this year and try to get need to take advantage and be a part of Needs Children . Also our Jr Day that around to the our other clubs we did it . I will certainly try again next year to Sheree O’Rorke has planned is going to not get to visit this year . All of you are go . Jim Swiggart was the MC and he be a great adventure for our Jrs this year . so important to our organization . I am did a beautiful job . We helped with the So please make a huge effort to be a part looking forward in meeting more of our ticket sales along with Alice Martinson, of your AFMC that you support during wonderful supportive members . I hope Judy Giggey, and Richard Drapeau . the year . the information that I have compiled The money they raised will go toward After our Convention the summer will inform and encourage all . Thank Scholarships . There will be more about is full of excitement for Ernie and I you for all your support this in our newletter . as we look forward to our National Our Convention is just around the Convention in Portland , OR and God Bless corner and a schedule will be included Federated Days in Eureka Springs . I Barbara Baugh in this newsletter A tenative one was in hope many of you plan to attend if AFMC President your call . Please get your registration in not both at least one of these excellent by April 11th so will know how many to opportunities . As your President I just “There is devine purpose in bringing plan for . I am asking everyone to make want to say how much I have enjoyed out the best in one another ”. -Denis an effort to attend this convention . We the journey this office has taken me . I Waitley Congratulations to our Composition Winners Total number of entries: 21 AFMC Junior Composers Contest Jr . Class I: 7 State Winners – 2014 Jr . Class II: 8 Jr . Class III: 3 Junior Class 1 Junior Class III Jr . Class IV: 3 (Ages 9 and below as of March 1) (Ages 13 – 15) The top 2 in each category are forwarded to regional contest, so we have 8 going to 1st place – Eden Hamlin 1st place – Chase Condren region . Seven teachers participated: (student of Linda Kennedy) (student of Linda Kennedy) Sharon Blair 2nd place – John Jones 2nd place – Trevor Cook Kathy Honea (student of Linda Kennedy) (student of Linda Kennedy) Linda Kennedy 3rd place – Hope Skinner 3rd place – Halo Skinner Peggy Lewis (student of Joann Richmond) (student of Joann Richmond) Amanda McLeran Mary Moon Junior Class II Junior Class IV Joann Richmond (Ages 10 – 12) (Ages 16 – 18) Again, congratulations on the fine work you are doing in your music studios . 1st place – Lauren Brown 1st place – Nicholas Townsend Thank you for your support of Jr . Com- (student of Peggy Lewis) (student of Kathy Honea) posers . I hope you will plan to enter 2nd place – Kennedy Livernois 2nd place – Matthew Snook more wonderful compositions next year! (student of Linda Kennedy) (student of Linda Kennedy) 3rd place – Lillie Hamlin 3rd place – Chloe Robinson (student of Linda Kennedy) Musically yours, (student of Linda Kennedy) Linda Kennedy Page 4 Very Important Arkansan Remembering Judge Bond Our sympathy goes to the family of Judge Clifton Project Bond . He served many years and supported AFMC This project is an effort to “highlight” Arkansans and NFMC . He was NFMC 2nd Vice Chairman of the that have served the Music of Arkansas . It is available Legislative Action Committee and Fund for Awards to anyone . The donor of $25 .00 may choose a person Honoring Past National Presidents Committee . He that has meant a great deal to them personally, or to served as AFMC Chairman Sergeants-at-Arms, the cause of music in general . The presentation will be Legislative Committee, Coordinator of State Chairmen made at one of the two state meetings of AFMC . The Activities, AFMC Vice President, Presidents Council monies will go into our mutual fund that we are trying Chairman, Parliamentarian, Chairmen of Nine AFMC to build . Divisions Arts Advocacy Chairman, Presidents Please consider making a contribution to this fund Council, MMC, Historian, and AFMC President . He by honoring someone you feel is a Very Important also served on the IPFAC Trustees and was a Rose Fay Arkansan . Thomas Fellow . He will be greatly missed . Checks should be made payable to AFMC, and mailed to: Gloria Febro Grilk P .O .Box 5092 Bella Vista, Arkansas 72714 Arkansas student wins National Music Week Essay Contest Samantha Holt was named the Arkansas winner in the 2014 NFMC National Music Week Essay Contest . Samantha is a senior at Valley View High School in Jonesboro, Arkansas . She began playing piano as a young child and is now taking lessons from Dr . J .D . Kelley (pictured) . Outside of piano, Samantha has been involved in other areas of music as well . She has played flute as a member of the Valley View Band program for seven years and piano in the Jazz Band for three years . Recently, she became a part of the Valley View Chamber Choir . Also, she has participated in the flag line of the marching band for three years, two of which she was chosen to be captain . Samantha is also a part of National Honor Society and the competing Model United Nations group at Valley View . After graduation, she intends to attend Arkansas State University and major in Music Performance with piano as her primary instrument . Samantha Holt with her teacher Dr. J.D. Kelly Samantha will present her essay at the 2014 AFMC State Convention in Jonesboro . Her essay is printed in this newsletter . Carroll County Music Group presents “We’ve Got Talent” Show Carroll County Music Group put on their “We’ve Got The Carroll County Group is dedicated to providing Talent” Show in Eureka Springs, Arkansas . This show- scholarship assistance for young musicians to further case was presented March 9, 2014 at the Auditorium their music education through experiences such as in Eureka Springs . They had almost a sell-out perfor- Opera In the Ozarks, Band Camps, and other enrich- mance . This program was formed exclusively to sup- ment opportunities . Jim Swiggart was the master of port music education in Carroll County . The concert ceremony and did a such a great job of introducing presented outstanding adult and youth performers the artists . who are active in the NW Arkansas music community . Page 5

AFMC State Convention, April 25-26 The Ninetieth Annual State Convention of the Convention Schedule Arkansas Federation of Music Clubs will take place Friday, April 25 April 25-26, 2014 at Arkansas State University in 2:00 pm Registration (A .S .U . Fine Arts Lobby) Jonesboro . The convention will be hosted by the 3:00 pm Finance Committee Meeting (A .S .U . Choir Northeast District, Tom Mason is District President . Room) Our National Guest will be Linda Lind, NFMC Junior 4:00 pm AFMC Board and Executive Committee Chairman . Sheree O’Rorke, AFMC Junior Counselor, (A .S .U . Band Room) will present an Orff Workshop on Saturday, following 5:00 pm IPFAC Focus Dinner with Gloria Grilk Junior Day . 7:00 pm “The Role of Music in the Lives of Special The AFMC Board & Executive Committee will meet Needs Children and Adults” on Friday, followed by an IPFAC-focused dinner will Arkansas State University Fowler Center with Gloria Febro Grilk presiding . Following dinner, Pat Qualls Taylor, Presiding the Jonesboro Treble Clef Club will present a concert 8:30-10:00 pm Reception and entertainment (A .S .U . titled “The Role of Music in the Lives of Special Needs Fowler Center Grand Hall) Children and Adults”—a not-to-miss event . General Session will be held Saturday morning, Saturday, April 26 Junior Day and the Orff workshop will follow . 8:00 am Registration Afterwards we will have lunch together during which 8:30 am District Meetings/Junior Day competition AFMC Chaplain will lead us in a Memorial Service 9:00 am General Session (Band Room) and national guest Linda Lind will speak to us . 10:00 am Junior Day Recital (Recital Hall) For more details, including convention hotel 11:00 am Orff Workshop (Band Room) info, and to download a registration form, visit the 12:00 pm Break for final bidding/raffle sales convention page on the AFMC website . The deadline 1:00 pm Lunch to register is April 11 . 2:30 pm Adjourn Note: While the convention hotels are not far from ASU, traffic will be heavy . Please allow enough time for travel to and from . Proposed Revisions to AFMC Bylaws The following proposed revisions to the AFMC STANDING RULES Bylaws and Standing Rules will be voted on at the WORKSHOPS AFMC Convention in April . 15 . Leaders of the workshops at the AFMC Conference will be the Presidents Council Chairman, the state ARTICLE V . MEETINGS treasurer and the Coordinator of State Committees, or SECTION 2 . AFMC CONFERENCE . The Executive as otherwise directed by the President . Committee and the Board of Directors will meet the (It was previously called the “Fall Session”, but was second Saturday of September in Little Rock from changed to AFMC Conference by NFMC . ) 10:00 AM to 2:30 PM with an hour lunch break at the location . There will be no program . Authority granted Delete rules 20, 21, and 23 . to the president to change the date of the meeting if (These 3 rules were previously indicated on rule 16, necessary . 17, 18 and will remain .) A . PURPOSE OF MEETING is to receive information from the National Federation of Music Clubs and to Note: Standing Rule 22 for Festival Fees for Adult conduct state business . Workshops will be conducted and Junior Festivals will remain as written and will be for club presidents, club treasurers, committee renumbered rule 20 . chairmen and Festival Chairmen . Rule 24 will be renumbered and stay the same (The purpose of this change is to increase the time to regarding Finance Committee . close the meeting, and to add Festival Chairmen to the workshop.) Page 6 AFMC Convention Memorial 2015-2017 AFMC Officer Service Nominations During the Luncheon on Saturday, April 26, AFMC During their meeting at the AFMC state convention Chaplain Willete Atkins will lead a memorial service on Friday, April 25, the Executive Committee will elect for our AFMC members who have died in the past a chairman for the Nominating Committee . year . Senior Club Presidents: Please help us honor Each district will elect, at the district meeting their memory by sending a list of those in your club during the convention, one member to serve on the who have passed away in the last year to: Nominating Committee . Willete Atkins, AFMC Chaplain Each District Board may endorse a candidate #9 Ruthwell Dr . for State office to the nominating committee . This BellaVista, AR 72715 endorsement will be confirmed at the District meeting wdatkins@cox net. and the candidate’s name should be presented to the (479)-855-7652 Nomination Committee at the convention . Names must be received by April 11 . Donations Memorial donations to NFMC in memory of Monetary gifts are the lifeblood of our Federation someone can be made by: that allow it to fulfill its mission by promoting music • sending donations to the AFMC treasurer, and education and sponsoring musical events . Here are specifying it goes to NFMC several of the ways you can donate: • sending donations along with Memorial and Donations made to Inspiration Point help Opera Recognition Fund Gifts form in the Ozarks provide some of the most outstanding • sending donations to the national NFMC opportunities available to young students of opera . Memorial and Recognition Chairman (Susan P . These can be: Tury, 900 Aldrich Place, Woodbridge VA 22191) • memorial donations who will send the donation to the national • donations to the IP General Fund Operating treasurer to be put in FAMA, the Fund for the Expenses Advancement of Musical Arts . This fund provides • donations to IP for scholarships financial assistance for special projects such as All donations made to Inspiration Point should be international study, music for needy areas, etc . sent to the AFMC treasurer . Memorial donations made to AFMC are placed into the scholarship funds . These donations should be sent to the AFMC treasurer . Senior Club Report Due Dates April 1 May 1 Music Outreach Club Report Chapter PPA Report Dance Report Newspaper Report Music in Schools and Colleges Radio/Television Report Chamber Music Report Internet Report International Music Relations Report Senior Club Rating Report Sacred Music Report Crusade for Strings Report June 1 Choral Music Report American Music Jr . Club Report Together We Sing Report American Music NFMC Club Award American Women Composers Report April 15 Junior Club Rating Report Arts Advocacy Report National Music Week Reports Music in Poetry Report To download forms and directions, visit the Senior April 30 Club Reports page of the AFMC website . Folk Music Report Page 7 OIO Governing Board meets in Oklahoma City by Barbara Baugh | AFMC President Our Board met in Oklahoma in February . We have exciting news to share . . The outdoor theatre will be air conditioned . I am excited that we will have the theatre enclosed in a fashion that we will be able to enjoy the performances . So plan on being there this summer . We also discussed at our meeting the following Kathryn and Larry reported on the youth camps . Larry showed a DVD of “Seussical the Musical” from 2013 . This year they hope to perform “Once Upon a Mattress” if royalties can be arranged . 2015 will be the tenth anniversary of the vocal camp, and plans are to perform “The Sound of Music,” again pending on royalties . This summer the vocal camp will be July 20-27 and the piano-strings will be July 27-August 3 . Zachary Reeves and his string quartet are planning to be in residence . Royalties for the musical range from $800 to $2,400 . Doris Whinery has helped with this in the past . Steve hopes to expand IPFAC’s membership and support to neighboring states which once supported it . He is planning “ The gala honoring Jim and Janice Swiggart July 13 will be at 4 p .m . July within each other . But we need if possible to meet these obligations . 13 at Arends Art Center in Bentonville . IPFAC alumna Latonia These are my suggestions if your club has not participated with Moore will perform, among others . Tickets are priced at $27, these two projects that were voted by our membership . and the event may include a reception and silent auction . Steve 1 . Please send in $2 .00 per member before the end of the end of the said the Inn of the Ozarks would be available for the week . Steve fiscal year for the two projects charged the board to find ways to promote IPFAC in their own 2 . Next year raise your dues for the next two years by $2 .00 and that communities . will take care of both projects . Ticket price will be $25 and $20 for operas at the pavilion . Our 3 . If you see you cannot do either of the above . Ernie will make a distributed membership forms and said free tickets would continue piggy bank for your club to have at each of your meetings where to be offered for new or upgraded memberships . Rack cards are your members can put change into toward these two projects . If all available . attending will place their change or at least .50 cents per meeting These are three ways an individual or club can contribute you could at least raise some of the money for both of the OIO toward OIO You need to put one of these on your check and send scholarship and the 2016 convention . it to Ernest Baugh our State Treasurer . I am not demanding any club to do anything because I know 1 . To the General Fund some of our clubs are struggling but I do not feel $2 .00 is not a huge 2 . To the Scholarship Fund amount to ask to support either project . 3 . To the Memorial Fund I am trying hard to protect our clubs from anymore extra dues The South Central Region has been collecting funds from our at this time . I have already made it clear that our clubs at this time clubs for the past two years toward a Scholarship . We were asked will not be able to do anymore funding until we get past these next and voted for Everyone give a dollar toward this scholarship .for two years of expense . So please if all possible will you try to help us four years . We have two years left on this project . I have asked our with these two obligations . clubs if possible to support the Everyone Give A dollar campaign by either sending the next remaining two years along with your Prayers and Thoughts for Carole Langley dues a dollar per member of your club . I understand that some Carole Langley our OIO President had Heart Surgery this past of our clubs give a certain amount toward OIO every year to help week . what the State pays to OIO for scholarships . This money goes into I recieved this email for Jim Swiggart . funds and is given as a OIO Scholarship . The other regions of the They were able to do the least invasive surgery which was to the US have their own Scholarship that is from their region . Four repair the mitro valve and an ablation for the aFib . They determined years ago Carole Langley decided that The South Central Region the tri-cuspid would take care of itself with what has been done . needed to follow suit . With this we have 5 States that are involved She is in MO Baptist Hospital and Duane suggest sending card to Texas, Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma and Arkansas . Kansas and their home . Should be there around 5 days . Off of most of the Arkansas are the only two states that have not followed through tubes already . Sounds good . Maybe some flowers in a day or two with this commitment . I have found that the majority of our clubs for her room?? did not know about the project and since have sent their monies to If you want to send a card without looking up the address, it’s the State Treasurer . I really appreciate all of you for supporting for Carole Langley, 1203 Whispering Pines Ct ., St . Louis, MO 63146 what we voted on either at our conference or our State convention . Our Prayers and thoughts are with her and her family of a This is why I encourage all to be at these events . speedy recovery . I am sure she would appreciate a card of a speedy We also have our Convention of 2016 that we are also collecting recovery . I will be sending one from AFMC . a dollar per member . These two projects just so happen to fall Page 8 Upcoming Events APRIL 25-26, 2014 JULY 16-19, 2014 AFMC State Convention South Central Region Federation Days Arkansas State University Inspiration Point Fine Arts Colony Jonesboro, Arkansas Eureka Springs, Arkansas hosted by Northeast District SEPTEMBER 13, 2014 MAY 4-11, 2014 AFMC Conference National Music Week Second Presbyterian Church “Music . . . the Dance of Life” Little Rock, Arkansas

JUNE 24-28, 2014 APRIL 17-18, 2015 NFMC Fall Session AFMC State Convention Portland Airport Sheraton Hotel Bentonville, Arkansas Portland, Oregon hosted by Northwest District

S Central, N Central, Western NFMC National Music Week Arkansas: 3 Barbara Baugh, AFMC President Kansas: 12 Texas: 2 Mary Ulmer is our National Dep . Chairman . She re- Utah: 2 ported that they had entries by 137 students from 16 states . Washington: 1 $800 .00 was rewarded to the winners . The numbers were Wisconsin: 5 up of an increase of five states and 25 entries . To see that we have this many talented students to enter The winners received recognition from National by be- this contest was such a breath of fresh air . Our students ing in our Jr Keynotes Magazine and also each state winner have so many Influences today to take their minds from received $50 .00 award and a certificate and congratula- their own natural God given process of thinking and tory letter from National . Their teachers also received a expressing for themselves . This essay contest gives our certificate and letter . students an expressive route to express their thoughts and The Presidents of the winning state received a letter ideas on a particular subject of our Arts . I would like to to inform them of the state winner along with the State Challenge more of our students to enter the essay contest Chairman, National President, National Treasurer, and next year . It is one of the first contest that a student can National Headquarters . Our State Chairman is Shirley enter within the year . Their essays have to be submitted Foust . Our Regional Chairman is Jan Hansen . and postmarked by January 15th . The application is on I want to congratulate Samantha on being our winner our web . Shirley or I would be more than happy to mail for our State and also thank the other students that en- a application for your students . The ideas , dreams, and tered the essay contest . . I want to thank their teachers for hopes of our young people give us great inspiration , moti- their encouragement of writing the essays . I know we have vation and optimism for those involved in the contest . So other teachers that have students that would do well in this please give this opportunity to our Students . contest . The other two that entered the essay contest form Arkansas were Suh Young H . Choi and Maggie Xu both of Jonesboro National Music Week . MAY 4-11, 2014 States with Declared Winners in 2014 is as follow: Theme: “Music . . . The Dance of Life” Southeastern/Northeastern Alabama: 2 Florida: 65 AFMC National Music Week Chairman Shirley Foust has Indiana: 27 mailed packets to our club presidents with the details for Kentucky: 1 National Music Week . Part of that packet is a report that Louisiana: 7 needs to be completed and mailed to Shirley . The report Michigan: 2 deadline is June 1 . Please try to get your Mayor's Proc- Mississippi: 3 lamation and report your club activities for the week . If New York: 1 you need another report form, you may download it from North Carolina: 3 the AFMC website . Let's end our year strong with 100% Ohio: 1 participation in this event! Page 9

Attention All Board Members you think would like to get more involved and have Barbara Baugh, AFMC President the gift of leadership . You may think You have no idea of how all works . Well I have been in AFMC over 15 All board members need to be thinking of some- years and I am still learning . This is what is so awe- one to appoint at our meeting on Friday the 25th of our some about AFMC . We have so many wonderful wise Convention to be Chairrnan of our NOMINATING members that will help you hurdle all the workings of COMMITTEE for our slate of officers for 2015-2017 . this wonderful organization . If you ever get involved Please everyone be thinking of someone that is fairly you will not want to get out It is so contagious . It will involved and know our members well enough to be able get into your system like a computer game and you will to ask to fill the chairs of our officers . just do not give up until you win . Will you get frustrat- Our DISTRICT will be meeting Saturday morning the ed, tired want to give up and complain . Yes but when 26th of our Convention and ,during that time ,each you see written results of what your clubs have reached DISTRICT will need to appoint one person to be on , and students faces as they receive their awards, and the nominating committee to represent your district in a graduate that receives one of our scholarships or an the searching process of our AFMC officers . alumni such as Steve Rushing taking on the leadership PLEASE do not take this lightly . This is such an im- of OIO . you have a sense of accomplishment that give portant committee . Our officers are our leadership of you such a rush that no pill could take the place of . A AFMC and we need devoted spokesman that have the sense of pride and joy that pushes you to do whatever time to devote and volunteer their time to do the work is in front of you to tackle . We all share something in that needs to be done to keep AFMC productive and to common . ART and MUSIC . Satan is doing everything grow as a FAMILY working together for the same goal possible to destroy it in our schools and in our own for our Young People and the ARTS . So I am asking homes and families . AFMC is a huge thorn in Satans anyone to volunteer if you feel you can contribute to- plan to destroy what we are battling everyday to save for ward being an officer or supporting in some way . the future of our next generation . I want to be a part of You will have the year to gather info and compile a list that . I am praying and hoping that many of you want of people to vote toward a slate of officers at our 2015 to do the same This is a way YOU can do it . I know all Convention in Bentonville . My prayers are with all of of us is busy and have our boat full of work, family and you as each of you begin to search in your hearts to fill other obligations . Our officers duties are not extremely this Committee . Please l am pleading with you to have overloaded . It is what you want it to be and you have someone in mind Friday to represent as our chairman, control of how much and how little you wish to put into either you volunteer yourself or someone to appoint . I it . It does require much commitment of communicat- do not want the task of asking someone that day if they ing with your members . We have so many ways thanks will do this . This is your AFMC and I want all to have to Adam Savacool to do this with AFMC . AT a touch a say in what goes on with our business . The only of a button we can get in contact with many and it does way that will happen is for all of you to take a voice in not cost anything but your time . Delegating is next just your choices . Who you chose will be up to you . How making sure all is in order and everyone is on the same you want things to be officiated and to run is entirely page . I up to YOU . I do what you ask me to do and try to my So I am asking each of you to dig deep within you and best to get in front of what all is needed to make the your clubs to look and ask if anyone would be willing business and goals of AFMC a success . So please pray to get involved . This ride has been a great one and one much and ask within your clubs if anyone would be in- that I do not have any regrets . I complain more of not terested in any of the offices of AFMC . We need new having enough time to do what I want to do . I wish all faces and members of our clubs that have great ideas your the best and will be praying for all to search and and wonderful God given gifts that AFMC could use . find us a great slate of officers for 2015-2017 So do not limit this to those you see all the time at our conventions but to those that still know people . Look around in your clubs and see if there is someone that Page 10

Celebrating 64 years in 2014

Federation Days July 16-19, 2014

National Guest: Carolyn Nelson NFMC President

Operas to be presented:

Suor Angelica and Gianni Schicchi by Giacomo Puccini

Cosi fan tutte by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

Into the Woods by Stephen Sondheim

Arkansas is in charge of the “Into the Woods” Luncheon on Friday, July 19th . The NW District is in charge of decorating the tables, but the presence of all available AFMC members is needed . Page 11 2014 National Music Week Winning Essay for Arkansas

2014 Music – the Dance of Life Samantha Holt

A simple melodic line is more than just a single note followed by another, the progression never allowing any neighbors to touch. There is a whisper in between the notes. That single moment, more slight than a breath, in which the music is heard is the space in which intervals, whether major, minor, perfect, or diminished, can be found, all of which have an impact on the single melody. The shape, the feeling, is produced not from one solitary note on its own, but from its interaction with all others. It is the consonance and dissonance within a line that creates something bigger than one tone played at any given moment. A melody is similar to a person in this aspect. An individual is more than just a single event followed by another. Just as a melody is not a random collection of pitches, a life is not a collection of random experiences. A life is lived through progression. While all life comes to an end, it is the living before the cadence that is remembered. It is the body of a piece that is heard. It is the climax of a dance that is applauded. What is life? Is it not a dance through trials and triumphs? Yet, the dance must originate from some source. The source for life's dance must be music, for what is more powerful than the beat of a song, which is so akin to the beat of a heart, of a life? The music begins, a simple melody at first. The dance begins, the inhalation of a breath that fills lungs for the first time. The life blooms and blossoms as the music builds with harmony and increasingly complex melodies. In turn, the dance complicates, changing from simple twists and turns into leaps. The music quickens; the dance responds. Unavoidable dissonance can be heard in the music. The dance nearly stumbles. The life, from which both music and dance spring, weeps with pain. Gradually, peace appears. The weeping ends, the dance continues, and the music resolves. The sound begins to fade, growing slower with each beat. The dance becomes more graceful. The life is reaching an end. As the cadence approaches, the dance slows to a halt. It is only at the conclusion of it all, when the dance has no movement, the final chord no longer sounds, and the life exhales its last breath does the realization dawn; music is the dance of life. FederationArkansas of Music Clubs Barbara Baugh, President 642 CR 2594 Naples, TX 75568-7559