Spring for me means attending my family’s reunion at the southern tip of the state - Fort Massac State Park - Illinois’ oldest state park (1908). It is one of my favorite places, having been there many times. My parents were both from Metropolis (you can Google that or get out a map). Illinois is a large state and most of it has nothing in common with Chicago. When I was young, this state park had a wildlife refuge area where you could see buffalo, peacocks, guineas, and other animals that were common in the area. The wildlife area is no longer there, but the George Rogers Clark memorial and the fort are still there. An episode of The Fugitive with Tommy Lee Jones was filmed here several years ago! Here you see me taken by surprise while eating a brownie!

Enough about me and non-musical issues! I attended a Zoom meeting for other ISMTA State Presidents today (April 7). Ilia Radoslavov from Illinois Wesleyan University met with us to discuss issues that we want the State board of directors to address. I mentioned our desire to have some guidance from ISMTA regarding standards or processes they recommend we use for AIM evaluations. Other chapter presidents would like to see this also. Those of us present outlined how our chapter handled the AIM exams this past year, and our methods were similar. Some chose to strictly observe the use of original scores for the Performance exam and hand-carried books to the teachers who would evaluate their students. Some used Zoom and YouTube, or a hybrid of pre-recorded music and live music. We shared stories and ideas of what worked for us and the struggle we had by doing whatever we had to do to make AIM work this year.

Another issue that was mentioned was that of allowing Collegiate students to enter their students in the AIM evaluations, and how this could be addressed from the standpoint of the dues they pay. We are looking forward to hearing if the State board has any recommendations on either of these issues. Ilia promised to report back to us following the Board meeting on Sunday, April 11.

Also, some Presidents are looking to the State for guidelines of where to have their chapter meetings other than Zoom. Are there locations available that do not charge a fee? Members are eager to return to in-person meetings as soon as it is safe to do so. It was pointed out that we have to go along with the State (Governor) guidelines for when we can meet again in public.

I hope you all hve a successful Spring Recital, if you are having one. My studio is having our 5^th Annual Studio Ensemble Recital (a.k.a. Studio JAM session) on May 2. This will be an indoor/outdoor recital! It’s always fun for the students, and the parents enjoy seeing the students perform in a more relaxed, informal setting (my studio!) Since we have piano students, drum students, guitar students, and a flute student, I’m expecting a good variety of music and musical styles. Instructors and parents will be playing with students, and students may be playing with other students. It’s always interesting and motivating for students to hear others play. Of course some may not be comfortable meeting with the group, and Zoom is always an option.

I wish you all good health and prosperity to finish out our teaching year!

Brenda Buchanan

President, NWSMTA