Federation of Music Clubs Fall Newsletter December 2013

AFMC Officers # 2013 – 2014 &B Ley - rich aqrb’s s PRESIDENT Dear AFMC Members, lunch at the church and extended time for an Barbara Baugh I love this time of Year. The afternoon session to end at 2:30 PM. I have two VICE PRESIDENT air is so clean. If you will look reasons for this proposal. First, the lunch will be Chris Thompson around you will see the twinkle in simple, a time for everyone to sit down to visit childrens eyes of the anticipation and relate to one another. We become so rushed TREASURER of Christmas day. I know many to get the business finished, we have no time to Ernest Baugh

have been hit with much snow shake hands, introduce ourselves, or share our SECRETARY and ice. We got low temps , but we missed the thoughts and ideas with each other. We will Adam Savacool snow and much of the ice. I am truly thankful , also need this time when we start discussing our but our prayers did go to those that were without 20l6 National Convention that will be held in electricity and had difficulty with hazard roads. Oklahoma City. Second, I would like to add a The Christmas Season brings a souce of joy and meeting to support and inform the area Festival peacefullness that somewhere along the year we Chairman. This would include communications Inside lose at times. So I really bath in the Christmas between our State Chairman and area Chairman. this issue . . . traditions and what the whole Christmas Season When our festival goes online, our chairman Front Cover – Page 3 stands for in my life. Everyone may not agree will need guidance and help . I have other ideas Barb’s Lyrics with my beliefs and that is ok , but for me and my that I feel will need addressing to help AFMC VP’s Message 4 family it is a time of thankfulness of celebrating come together as a family. This proposal will Special Thank You 5 Jesus’s Birthday. be presented and put to a vote at our State Calendar 5 I am forming my lyrics on CHALLENGES! Convention. I want to thank everyone for Jr. Winners 6 Read my challenges with prayer and optimism making our conference a complete success and Club News 6 there are opportunities for members, our for you too know how much I enjoyed it . VIA Project 6 children, and young adults. I had my first big event at the SE District Fundraising 6 Before my challenges, I want to inform you of meeting in Jonesboro. It was my first time to OIO News 7 our State Conference in Little Rock. We had a prepare a speech and present it to a group of record attendance of 44 and we almost had all of AFMC members. I was nervous and unsure of our Club and District Presidents in attendance. myself. I prayed endless hours for God to give I want to thank Dannie Morrison for her me the words that were in my heart. God gave assistance with selling the note cards, as well as me a great boost by giving me family that support those who purchased them. We made 50 sets and me. I had an editor and writer that helped me SOLD OUT! The fund-raiser brought a profit of with getting a topic and how to present it. Ernie $291.71, it was a complete success! Adam was in and my daughter, Dawn, helped me put into charge of our registration desk, handing out our words what I wanted to say and encourage our new directories and registering our attendees. members with. All was in my heart so ready to Gloria did an amazing job of presenting our club put into words and I want to thank them both for presidents with all the info and tools they needed all their help. The plans got off to a rough start, for our upcoming year. Dr. George Keck brought but I always believe that God is in control and all an outstanding report on our YA tour; I would happens for a reason. First, I received the wrong like to thank all of our chairmen for taking the time to get to the meeting and second, my cell time to report on the functions of AFMC. Your was not working. Carolyn Stover tried to contact time and dedication does not go unnoticed. me, however, I did not receive the message. Our Adam ended our State Conference by launching tech world is great as long as it is up and running. our website and explaining it’s operation within When Carolyn finally reached me asking my AFMC. I proposed our 2014 Conference to have continued on page 2 Page 2 continued from page 1 giving and loving spirit for the arts and take the challenge, and who knows, location, thinking I was right around life itself. Oh, did I leave out the fact we just may come home with a winner the corner, devastated in our realization that after the meeting, they went back from Arkansas. The form for the Essay that I was still an hour away. I also to the kitchen and fed us. Ernie and I Contest is AR13-1 and called National found out they had reserved a room for enjoyed the dinner, the meeting, and Music Week Essay Contest. If you have me to stay the night, something Ernie getting to know so many wonderful problems finding it or printing it let me and I were unprepared for. Carolyn members. Thank you SE District for know and I or Shirley will mail you one. went to so much trouble to get us a leading me through a storm that ended place to stay, so “guess what”, we did up with a rainbow. CHALLENGE # 2 I am also asking you stay, with no suitcases and a borrowed I am going to encourage you to to start making plans for participating toothbrush from the motel office, with make an effort to read our web at least in our National Music Week. I received many blessings to Carolyn who had our once a month if not more. I want to the National Stats of what each state comfort and needs taken care of. We keep you updated and tell you of the did on the participation in our National were late but they were also running opportunities that AFMC has for you Music Week for 2013. I was excited late with other problems. When you and your students. to see our members participate in this are in the middle of a storm, you can’t event. This event does not cost the club, always see where the storm is leading CHALLENGES the steps are to fill out the paper work you, you just pray to get out of the CHALLENGE # 1 Our National Music and participate within your community storm or find a way to dance in the rain. Essay Contest is coming soon. I have a with Music. This could be a concert, It was my first meeting and here I was challenge for Arkansas. I am counting recital, or putting it in your newspaper late, unsure of my speech and feeling, on you and your clubs to get the word announcing the date for Music Week. already a failure. I did not want to out to your members that teach or have The mayor of your City will sign a walk into that meeting. But the minute any association with students of the 7th proclamation for you announcing the I stepped into the room the members grade thru 12th. I have had so many tell week of May 4-11, 2014 as National greeted me with such warmth of smiles. me that competitions cost too much Music Week. Shirley Foust is our Everyone made us both feel so at home. and the students that cannot afford to Music Week Chairman and you will Everyone re-grouped and Carolyn did a do all that is offered. Our State could be hearing more from her as the time wonderful job of leading the meeting, as earn $50.00 and a teacher and their gets closer, but in the mean time this I continued to fret, praying for a small student would be presented a merit is my CHALLENGE to you. We had 5 miracle.... I approached the podium,certificate and recognition in our Music clubs out of 19 last year to participate my knees shook, my voice cracked, but Magazine if they win. The student has in National Music Week, but, those 5 as I looked out among the faces and saw to write an essay of 500 words on the Clubs received 19 certificates. Wow, support and encouragement, I began topic of Music-the Dance of Life, which that is AWESOME.!!!! :) I congratulate to relax. God took over, presented is our 2014 Music Week Theme. I want and will present the Arkadelphia my speech, and created my miracle. I to encourage all members to enter this Philharmonic Club, Earle Music stepped down and I asked myself, “why contest. It does not cost to enter. Please Coterie, Fort Smith Musical Coterie, did I worry so much, this was so much go to our website and look at the form Hot Springs Music Club, and Jonesboro fun.” I may not be the greatest speaker you would fill out for a student. You Treble Clef Club with certificates at our but I have a Lord that believes in me may be a teacher, or a member of a State Convention. I have, in the last few and boy did HE SHINE! Sr. club who knows a child that would months, visited some of our clubs and I want to thank Carolyn Stover and be good at writing such an essay. Our met many wonderful members. I have the Pine Bluff Coterie, Frank Ferguson website has the rules, deadlines, and the personally talked to the Presidents and and the Monticello Music Club for their form to fill out along with a snapshot members about my passion and goals hospitality. I also want to thank them of the student and who and where to for AFMC. I am asking you to make for asking me to speak at their district mail the essay. The deadline is Jan 15, an effort to participate in these events. meeting. Thanks to all the members 2014. I know it is December , but with Our Region had the most participating of the SE District for their support . the holidays, school work, festivals, within all the National Districts. We had This District has so many wonderful and other interest our students have, 5 clubs, Kansas had 6 clubs, Missouri programs which they are supporting I was really hoping that some read had 4, Oklahoma had 1 and Texas had and their hearts are so very very big. my blog and got this in November to 11. This is a week where you can SHINE! They are a good hearted people, with a enter. I am anxious to see who will continued on page 3 Page 3 continued from page 2 together for both our magazines that programs for conventions and our You can actually get involved with your is published for all our members. This Calls. I cannot tell you how much community and promote what AFMC would consist of reporting three times a I have appreciated Adam doing this does. It would be an avenue for you to year for the MM. I know we have very for AFMC but he is resigning his post meet and add new members to your talented people within our members because of all the other responsibilities club. Your club or Jr Club has to fill out that could do this. So I am asking for all he has. Adam will continue updating a form and send it in, by the deadline, to pray for someone to fill this position. our website and be a Web Master. I am to your chairman who will send all the Discuss this with your members, we so grateful because he does a wonderful state forms together to National. Will will revisit this in the near future. If any job for us and has founds ways of saving all of you support me and AFMC with members know of someome that have us money with our website. So please the effort of promoting the Art of Music the talent to do this would you let me email or let Adam know how much we with our community during that week. know. appreciate all he does for us. . It takes You should have within your club a I do thank all of you for your support much time and much editing to do all chairman that over sees the planning of and taking the time to read my lengthy of these. If anyone in AFMC want to the week. If you do not, maybe someone emails. I try to cover a lot of ground help us in anyway with this effort please would volunteer to do the planning. I and get info to you that I feel you need let me know. We have done this before am so excited to see what our State can to know about. My blog will have this for our church but we are limited in do when we roll our sleeves up and get info on it as well, for all to read. areas to do the job Adam did. But I out in our community and show your You never know when I may get an promise we will do our best. town and state what music can do to idea up my sleeve so please check our I am so excited about Chris change our world. So put your hats on web for updates and my lyrics. Thompson coming on board as our and start planning now on ways you can VP. He has done a wonderful job on promote National Music Week. I have On a personal NOTE: Ernie and I contacting our colleges about becoming so much confidence in all of you to be a did have a much needed break this past federated. His efforts are encouraging part of National Music Week 2014. October and spent a week in Maui. We and we have a lot in common, with hiked, snorkeled, drove and Yep, we our goals for AFMC. When you get CHALLENGE # 3 Did you read the ZIP-LINED 70 feet up over the top of a chance, email Chris and tell him paragraph in our MM. :) I am happy a Rain Forest. The beauty and weather how much you are looking forward to to report I did get our MM info to our was wonderful. As we got on the meeting him. chairman early for the Winter Issue. I plane to head home, we were so tired I appreciate all of you and look covered much ground so I am excited but could have stayed another week. I forward to hearing from you. at what we will have in the magazine. thank God for the time he gave us to Ernie and I want to wish you and The last issue was my fault. I failed to relax and just enjoy His beauty and your families a Merry Christmas get the info in time for them to have the nature that surrounded us. and a Happy New Year. We feel that room to print all we had covered. I am I am not a winter person, so I sorta Christmas is a reminder that we are all still green and still learning the ropes of go into hibernation during the next few Loved!!! this great office. I want everyone to read months, but when the first splash of the magazine of the other states who spring appears, I will have my garden May you have the spirit of Christmas presented what their clubs are doing gloves on and start looking forward which is Peace, within their state. It would be awesome to all that God has planned for me. I the gladness of Christmas if we could share what we do also. We know most of you think that we are in which is Hope do so much, and no one, even in our a downtime, but I am busier than ever and the Heart of Christmas own state, is aware of this. Sharing is a trying to get our database set up for our which is Love. way to get to know what is going on and directory to maintain it better. I am also also can give us new ideas or challenges making plans on visits to some of our Your faithful servant, clubs to meet and enjoy some wonderful Barbara CHALLENGE # 4 I would like to find programs our clubs have planned. Ernie AFMC President someone within our AFMC to act as has been busy learning and updating Yahoo and G-mail accounts, remember our PR person, promoting Arkansas for our treasurer’s reports. We are both to email me to my G-mail account. the Magazine and other promotions we learning so much about AFMC and [email protected] have. This person would take pictures how it all works. We are also taking of all our events and get our info on the publishing of our newsletter, Page 4

A Message from AFMC Vice President Dear AFMC Members, students of federated institutions may apply for Please allow me to introduce myself. My name is “Opera in the ” at Inspiration Point Fine Arts Chris Thompson and I am a member of the Walnut Colony in Eureka Springs, AR—an intensive eight- Ridge Schubert Music Club, a senior club founded in week summer training program for young singers 1928. I also teach in the music department at Williams selected from competitive national auditions. These, Baptist College where I have taught the past fifteen plus many other scholarships, are all made possible by years. the National Federation of Music Clubs (NFMC). Recently I was asked by our State President, Barbara Please take a moment or two to examine some of Baugh, to serve as Vice President of AFMC. One of the the wonderful opportunities available to students Vice President’s duties is to contact music departments of federated institutions. A full list of awards and throughout the state of Arkansas and invite them to competitions is available on the AFMC website: become a “Federated Member” of AFMC. Federated www.arkansasfmc.org. Simply click on “Competitions institutions have a number of exciting scholarship & Awards” at the top of the screen, and click on opportunities available to their students. “Competitions & Awards Chart” to view the entire list, Arkansas currently has five federated institutions: including application instructions, award amounts, Arkansas State University; Harding University; entry deadlines, and entry fees. If you should have any Henderson State University; questions, please feel free to contact me. My contact Community College; and Ouachita Baptist University. info appears below. I have contacted seventeen other institutions across the state, inviting them to become federated Sincerely yours, members. Annual membership dues are $45 for music Chris K. Thompson, Vice President departments with 50 or fewer students, or $75 for Arkansas Federation of Music Clubs departments with 51 or more students. Among the scholarship opportunities available [email protected] to students of federated institutions are four $15,000 (870) 886-2892 (h); (870) 759-4160 (o) biennial Young Artist awards and a $15,000 Ellis Award for Duo-Pianists. Each of these awards includes P.O. Box 3664 two years of performance bookings. In addition, Walnut Ridge, AR 72476 Page 5

A special thank you . . . AFMC wishes to express its gratitude to two elected to serve on the Board of Directors. She members who are retiring after many years of serving was appointed the Coordinator of Departmental our state organization. Activities and served 10 years in that position for three Martha McKelvey, a Rose Fay Thomas Fellow and NFMC presidents: Virginia Allison, Barbara Irish NFMC Life Member, has been active in the Arkansas and Dr. Ouida Keck. The CODA position included Federation of Music Clubs since 1977 when she joined membership on the NFMC Executive Committee. In the Little Rock Musical Coterie and served as President 2002, she was the National Chairman for the NFMC from 1983-1985. She held the position of Counselor Fall Session that was held in Little Rock, where over of the Little Rock Junior Musical Coterie for 19 years. 200 members throughout the other states attended. That junior club participated in a festival held at the Martha will continue as AFMC Bylaws & Rules University of Arkansas at Little Rock with over 300 chairman, and will always have in mind the theme she students participating. In 2005, she was appointed the used as AFMC President: Music, enjoy sharing it! State’s Festival Chairman and has now “retired” after the 2013 state festival. Byron Reeves served as AFMC state treasurer for a Martha served as State President, Central District total of six years. He was once on the governing board President, and held chairmanships for numerous for IPFAC, and also served as treasurer of the Little committees, including Gold Cup, Bylaws & Standing Rock Musical Coterie for a long time, and is now the Rules, and IPFAC where she was given the “Pillar of club’s Third Vice President (membership chairman). the Point” citation. Byron was also a recipient of the Servant Leadership In 1993, she was appointed Corresponding award. Secretary by the NFMC President and in 1995 was

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 APRIL 17-18, 2015 MAY 4-11, 2014 AFMC State Convention National Music Week Bentonville, Arkansas “Music . . . the Dance of Life” hosted by Northwest District

JUNE 24-28, 2014 NFMC Fall Session Portland Airport Sheraton Hotel Portland, Oregon Page 6 2013 Arkansas Junior Composer Contest Winners Jr. Class I (Ages 9 and below as of March 1.) 3rd place: Trevor Cook Jr. Class IV (Ages 16-18) 1st place: Stella Smith Student of Linda Kennedy 1st place: TIE student of Linda Kennedy Honorable Mention: Chloe Robinson 2nd place: Caroline Moore Sarah Kathryn King Student of Linda Kennedy Student of Sharon Blair Student of Linda Kennedy Nic Townsend 3rd place: Hope Skinner Student of Kathy Honea Student of Jo Ann Richmond Jr. Class III (Ages 13-15) 3rd place: Netanya McIlroy Honorable Mention: 1st place: Andrew Cook Student of Phyllis Hutain Harmony Skinner Student of Linda Kennedy Honorable Mention: Isabelle Lykens Student of Jo Ann Rochmond 2nd place: Peter Cook Student of Jo Ann Richmond Student of Linda Kennedy Jr. Class II (Ages 10-12) 3rd place: Meghan Recker Regional Winners: 1st place: Kennedy Livernois Student of Linda Kennedy Lauren Brown Student of Linda Kennedy Nic Townsend 2nd place: Lauren Brown Student of Peggy Lewis Texarkana club hosts renowned pianist The Wednesday Music Club, in association with relatives living in our city, along with an active Scott Texarkana College, Texarkana Music Teachers Joplin Support Group. Association, and benefactor Judy Morgan, sponsored The three-day event culminated on Saturday, special events that featured Scott Kirby, renowned jazz with Mr. Kirby serving as competition judge for the enthusiast and Scott Joplin authority. Mr. Kirby has annual James Herrin Piano Festival. Over 80 piano performed the works of ragtime king, Scott Joplin, all entrants performed for judges on Saturday morning over the country. at Texarkana College. There were Junior Competition On Thursday, November 14, Mr. Kirby performed and Senior Competition winners, as well. Event an Artist Recital based on Pan-American themes; jazz director, Mary Scott Goode, said that all of the events and the rhythmic cousins from Central and South were well-attended and well-received, and that the American cultures. On Friday, November 15, Mr. piano festival continues to grow in popularity with Kirby gave an entertaining and informative lecture, area teachers and students. “The Joplin Legacy.” Texarkana’s own son still has Very Important Fundraising for 2016 Arkansan Project NFMC Fall Session This project was presented to the Finance The South Central Region will host the 2016 Committee and to the Board of Directors of Arkansas NFMC Fall Session. Oklahoma has been chosen as the Federation of Music Clubs in an effort to “highlight” location. Arkansans that had served the Music of Arkansas. It is the goal of AFMC to contribute at least $2,000 It is available to anyone, and the person who towards the expenses for this meeting. To that end, will create the Certificate is Kathleen Rougeau of each senior club is asked to contribute $1 per member Jonesboro. per year for the next three years. This would ensure The donor of $25.00 may choose a person that has that AFMC’s contribution goal is met. meant a great deal to them personally, or to the cause of music in general. The presentation will be made at one of the two state meetings of AFMC. The monies will go into our mutual fund that we are trying to build. Please consider making a contribution to this fund by honoring someone of YOUR evaluation as a Very Important Arkansan. Page 7 OIO Governing Board meets in Oklahoma City by Carole Langley | OIO Governing Board President

The IPFAC Governing Board’s annual fall meeting not feasible, but the options for air conditioning would in Oklahoma City was November 7-8. Many important work very well. The board voted to accept that proposal things happened and I want to share some of them with and the General Director was instructed to begin the you. process now in order to be ready for next summer. The Our Strategic Plan: We once again reviewed our approximate cost of this work will be around $80,000. Strategic Plan as we do every year. This time we met MOST IMPORTANT: After 25 years, IPFAC General Thursday evening for an “in depth” meeting. We Director, Jim Swiggart resigned from that position.. He discussed and wrote a new mission statement (which is thanked the board for their kind support through the shared here), Vision Statement and Action Plan. This is years, made a brief report of the past summer and even the new IPFAC Mission Statement: The mission of Opera shared a few good stories. Jim was given a huge round in the Ozarks is to produce dynamic performances that of applause as thanks. educate, entertain, and enlighten young artists and Appreciation was expressed for his service to IPFAC audiences in the central and beyond. Isn’t and for the growth of this exceptional program during that great! his tenure. We are extremely sad to have Jim leave this These Important Business Items were discussed and important position, but he has promised to continue to be approved on Friday: very much involved in activities at the Point. The Board Committees: New committee members were then voted to make Jim, General Director Emeritus. Jim appointed. All Governing Board members serve in recommended that the Board engage Steve Rushing, some way on our committees and many of you have also his assistant last summer, as the new General Director. served in the past as workers to raise funds, find new The board considered Steve’s qualifications and voted members and share publicity. We thank you for your to accept Jim’s recommendation unanimously, and hire excellent assistance and ask you to continue in those Steve Rushing as the new IPFAC General Director. tasks as well. Longtime Trustee Chairman, Frank Wicks told us he The Treasurer’s Report showed that last years will retire after the next Governing Board meeting. The budget of approximately $400,000 was met. We have board then chose to honor him for his long service to no current debt. Thank you so much for your generous IPFAC by also making him an Emeritus Board Member. contributions of every kind that made that success Inquiries about Auditions for next season are already possible! coming in at a fantastic rate and Artistic Director, The 2014 Budget was approved with minimal Thomas Cockrell, reports that auditions across the increases. country will begin soon: If you or a “young artist” you Annual Fund Drive: We are currently beginning know needs information, just go to www.opera.org or our 2013-14 Annual Fund Drive that is so vital to the call 479-253-8595. Auditioning for the opera is always continued success of Opera in the Ozarks at IPFAC. a great experience and this year’s Audition Fee is only Details were provided and the official kick off will begin $45. in just a few days. Many members of the Governing Youth Camp Director, Kathryn Hickman, shared Board made early contributions and most of you will great news about the success of last summer’s youth receive information about this years Annual Fund soon. camps. Attendance was up for most of the groups and Bylaws: Some “housekeeping” needed to be done on enthusiasm was at the highest level ever! The musical our Bylaws and that potential change was approved by presented by last year’s youngsters, “Seussical,” was the board. You will be asked to approve those changes in fantastic and the support from all of the staff working on the yearly IPFAC membership meeting next July. sets, costumes, props, orchestra, dance and staging was Every One Give One: Most states are doing very well amazing. If you haven’t been to some of the Youth Camp with this program. It is hoped that this year, every state performances, you’re missing a great opportunity. Most can report that every club in their state participated by are free and you can be sure, they’ll be GREAT! sending in a dollar for each member (that really is a tiny New IPFAC members will again be offered free amount!) so that every state will be a 100% State. tickets at different levels of memberships. Encourage Renovation and Air Conditioning Studies: The studies your friends to take advantage of this benefit! concerning the acoustics and renovation of our theater as well as other possibilities for air conditioning were Carole Langley discussed. They showed that renovating this theater was