A couple of weeks ago, Kevin O’Mara and I were in Maryborough, Queensland, for the biennial music teachers’ conference, held over 5 days in July. We presented workshops on Music Room and Dance Room. It was our second visit and once again it was a stunning achievement – this time bigger and better. Congratulations to Ken Hodgkinson for amazing organization. We were treated to great weather, a sublime setting by the Mary River, fabulous guest speakers and presenters from Australia and the world, wonderful performances from local students and delegate’s bands, orchestras and choirs … and keynote speaker James Morrison reminded us all that, outcomes and Essential
Learnings aside, our most important job is to find ways to engage the student at the student’s level – to help the student make a connection to music. I realise it sounds a little trite when written down like that … but it is just so important for us all to remember, when faced with ever-changing planning, evaluation and reporting requirements, that music is still, fundamentally, about making that connection and using it for expression.
The next Maryborough Music Conference is in 2011 – maybe we’ll see you there.
From the crowded desk of Mark Leehy, Publisher at Bushfire Press
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1 comment:
Maryborough was great. I am always overcome by the way all the stall holders operate in unison with one another rather than in competition-which is how it is in the 'normal' world. There is a wonderful togetherness, coming together in like mindedness. It makes me want to buy something from each one to make it possible for all to return again in 2 years.
Although you are there to make money-let's be real- I feel that everyone is there to make our life simpler, or more interesting, or to challenge us to be bigger better, to tell that we CAN do it. My favourite conference!
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