Greetings!

We're halfway through the year already! Time truly does fly! Speaking of time flying by, it's that time of year again when representatives from Washington State fly off to the NFMC conference. This year the flight is shorter (thank goodness) as the conference is being held in Scottsdale, Arizona. We're so excited that it's in the NFMC Western Region this year!

Ellen, Lorraine and myself will be leaving the second week of June for a week of business meetings, workshops, concerts, and networking. We are YOUR representatives. We are YOUR voices. If there is anything that you have questions about or have issues with, please let one or all of us know so we can address your issues and questions while at the conference.

Want a sneak peek at our newly created WSFMC banner that we will present at the NFMC conference? Take a look! CLICK HERE

I believe all of our WSFMC Junior Festivals have been wrapped up. I sincerely hope it was a successful year for all of you and your students. We received some interesting insights into getting our trophies engraved, and truly appreciate those in charge of making sure we got them engraved, and all of you for your patience. Fingers crossed it will feel a lot easier for all of us next year. Thanks for helping to keep your students interested in Festivals!

Did anyone celebrate National Music Week, the first week of May? If so, I/we would all love to hear how it was celebrated. How many of your students sent in an essay for the National Essay Contest?

Articles for Melody Lines Please send articles for Melody Lines to me at wsfmcpresident@gmail.com. Please send no later than a week before publication. Publication months are October, December, February, April, June, August.

I would LOVE to hear from all of our WSFMC Members who have news and information to share.

PLEASE click on the LINKS for extended, valuable information. Thanks!

Welcome Summer!

HAPPY READING!

Sally L. Palmer

WSFMC President

e-mail: wsfmcpresident@gmail.com

America celebrates its 250th anniversary—the Semiquincentennial (say that five times fast!)—on July 4, 2026, marking the signing of the Declaration of Independence. The nationwide milestone features a multi-day commemoration from July 1–5.

How can we incorporate music into the celebration? How can we get our students to celebrate with music?

Celebrate America’s 250th birthday with music! You can experience the evolution of American identity through its rich musical history—from colonial-era folk and military marching bands to jazz, blues, and contemporary anthems. 


• curate a 250-year playlist
• host your own community celebration
• prepare a concert focused on American music
• assign your students to do a short report on a style of American music
• get involved in an American Music History project
• attend live performances as a studio - there will be a lot of them during the celebration

Here's another good idea - America's Sountrack. America’s Soundtrack is a nationwide celebration of the music that tells our story. As part of the broader commemoration leading up to America’s 250th anniversary, this initiative invites Americans to reflect on the songs that have shaped our shared history — anthems that have united us in moments of triumph, comforted us in times of challenge, and defined generations.

From timeless classics to contemporary hits, America’s Soundtrack honors the artists, genres, and cultural movements that form the living, breathing soundtrack of our nation. Here's a link for more fun information: CLICK HERE

Happy Birthday America! Enjoy the celebration with music!

Together We Can Make a Difference!

COME ONE! COME ALL! June 6th ~ 10:00 a.m. ~ Steinway Gallery Seattle
100% of donations goes towards supporting cancer research and patient care.

Thank you Yelena Balabanova and "Keys of Kindness" for the wonderful work you are doing! And thanks for sharing your events with the rest of us! This will be a great concert and is a fabulous fundraiser for Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center.

GRATITUDE and an OPPORTUNITY TO SERVE

Mary Kaye Owen, from the Puyallup Federated Music Club, has been serving as our WSFMC Junior Composers Contest chair for 10 years, and deserves a much needed rest.

Mary Kaye - thank you so much for your many years of service, for your talent and energy and enthusiasm for our young composers!! Glad you'll still be involved in some form or another in the WSFMC and PFMC!

Therefore, we are in need for a new Junior Composers Contest Chair. Mary Kaye has written out a succinct timeline of responsibilities and you'll notice about half-a-year you have "free time!" Please contact WSFMC President Sally Palmer if you would like to serve in this rewarding capacity.

CLICK HERE for timeline and responsibilities.



WASHINGTON STATE TO SHINE BRIGHTER


MELODY LINES - you might notice that there is not a lot of new information in this issue of Melody Lines, and you would be correct. I know you all have things you can share. PLEASE submit articles, pictures, links, achievements, etc., so we can always have new things to share!

How many of you, when you receive an NFMC magazine - Music Clubs Magazine and/or Junior Keynotes - go right to the back to see if anything has been submitted under "state news" for Washington State? It always makes me sad when there is no article for WSFMC. How can we rectify that?

For the Junior Keynotes magazine, it would be great to submit articles related to:

• Grand and President Cup winners
• Competitions and awards that have been won by our Juniors
• Junior Club activities and achievements, including service projects
• Accolades and accomplishments from any of our Junior Counselors (teachers)

For the Music Clubs Magazine, it would be great to submit articles related to:

• What's happening in our Senior Clubs such as special programs, honors, awards, projects
• Accolades and achievements from our Student/Collegiate Division
• New Senior or Collegiate members who join your club

PICTURES can be included and are enthusiastically desired.



There are only three times a year these magazines are published and it feels like a long time between submission and publication (hopefully this will be remedied when the magazines are offered online), but nonetheless, we want our state to be RECOGNIZED.

If any of our Junior Associate Clubs would like to submit something (programs, achievements, etc.) to the Junior Keynotes magazine, please do so!! As well as this bimonthly newsletter!

Submit all articles and pictures to me - Sally Palmer, WSFMC President & PR Rep. Please make sure pictures are in jpeg/jpg format. wsfmcpresident@gmail.com

Thank you!

CONGRATULATIONS WSFMC JUNIOR COMPOSERS!

There were eight entries in the WSFMC 2026 Junior Composers Contest. Here are the results:

CLASS I 
FIRST PLACE: Issac Price, 9 years old, piano composition Speed Ups 
Barbara Bergholm teacher

SECOND PLACE: David Simms, 9 years old, piano composition Jogging 
Barbara Bergholm teacher

CLASS II 
FIRST PLACE: Kaisa McOmber, 12 years old, piano composition Evergreen Mist

Barbara Bergholm teacher


SECOND PLACE: Kyler Smith, 11 years old, ensemble composition The Notes in My Head

Barbara Bergholm teacher


THIRD PLACE: Michael Kord, 11 years old, piano composition Early Morning 
Barbara Bergholm teacher

CLASS IV
FIRST PLACE: Avery Pun, 17 years old, ensemble composition Paper Petals 
Mark Salman teacher

SECOND PLACE: Kiarash Moussavi, 17 years old, piano composition The Heart Within
Benjamin Boujari teacher

THIRD PLACE: Own McOmber, 16 years old, ensemble composition Ark of Wind
Barbara Bergholm teacher

JUDGE: Ron Mallory, resides in Mulvane, Kansas; Bachelor's degree in Music Composition from California State University, Long Beach; Master's degree in Choral Conducting from the University of Washington, Seattle.

WSFMC appreciates every entrant's submission and each teacher who encouraged their students to enter the contest!


WSFMC also appreciates Mary Kaye Owen, WSFMC JCC Chair, for all of her diligent and enthusiastic work on behalf of our young composers. Bravo Mary Kaye!

CONGRATULATIONS ENYA ZOU!

Announcing the Washington State National Music Week Jr. Essay Contest Winner - Enya Zou! She is the student of Viktoriya Otto of the Greater Seattle Federated Music Club. Enya is a 14-year-old high school student. She plays piano and flute and has also explored trombone and guitar. She enjoys playing solo and in duets with friends in Classical, Romantic, Jazz, and other musical styles.

To read Enya's award winning essay, click here!



CONGRATULATIONS Enya! And thank-you to ALL who submitted essays. Keep up the good work students of Washington State!!!

A Word About Being IN TUNE

IN TUNE is a monthly electronic newsletter from the NFMC. These newsletters share information and reminders from the nine divisions of the NFMC.

Unfortunately, the most current IN TUNE newsletter comes out on the same day that Melody Lines is sent out to all of you, so we'll always be behind by a couple of months (since Melody Lines comes out only 6 times a year). BUT, you can join the NFMC Facebook group and be able to read it upon it's publication.

CLICK HERE for the most current IN TUNE newsletter.

SYSO SUMMER MUSIC is the ultimate summer adventure for young musicians!! Whether you're just starting your orchestral journey or ready to tackle an exciting challenge, this camp is designed to inspire and elevate your playing!

Through chamber groups, string orchestra or wind ensembles, and a full orchestra experience, students build skills, boost confidence, and discover the joy of making music together. Each camp ends with a thrilling concerto for family and friends, showcasing all they've learned. Guided by Seattle's top music educator, students will explore new repertoire, sharpen their technique, and create lasting friendships in a supportive, fun-filled environment.

For more information, CLICK HERE. This link will take you directly to the SYSO Summer Music website.

An immersive orchestral summer program for advanced student musicians, where artistry meets inspiration, guided by SYSO's Music Director, Juan Felipe Molano. At Marrowstone, you'll dive into full-day rehearsals, chamber ensembles, masterclasses, and individual coaching with world-class faculty. We're thrilled to announce that Marrowstone is returning as a residential program for the first time in many years! The 2026 festival will be hosted at Western Washington University in Bellingham, WA., where students will stay on campus for the duration of the intensive. Living and learning together in this vibrant university setting creates a true community experience - on filled with collaboration, creativity, and lasting friendships.

For all the details, CLICK HERE This is a wonderful opportunity!!

WE LOVE OUR JUNIOR ASSOCIATE CLUBS!!

Bellevue Youth Symphony Orchestra - https://www.byso.org/

Cascade Youth Symphony Orchestras - https://www.cyso.us/

Maple Valley Youth Symphony Orchestra - https://www.mvyso.org/

Seattle Youth Symphony Orchestra - https://syso.org/

Student Orchestras of Greater Olympia - https://studentorchestras.org/

Tacoma Youth Symphony Association - https://tysamusic.org/

Check out these websites for upcoming events and how you can show your support.

If you know of a group of junior age students who could benefit from being members of the Washington State Federation of Music Clubs, please contact Sally Palmer, Membership Chair.

Next Melody Lines Newsletter coming AUGUST 1st.

Please submit any announcements or articles by July 15th.

We would LOVE your contributions!!

Sally Palmer, Editor

LIABILITY INSURANCE COVERAGE 2025 - 2026

Submitted by Dr. Yelena Balabanova, WSFMC Liability Insurance Chair



NFMC and its members are purchasing Liability Insurance only. This provides coverage to a third party for bodily injury or property damage the entity causes. You must be a member in good standing to obtain insurance!

National designated deadline to submit requests:

August 15 for events September 1 – December 31

December 1 for events January 1 – August 31



• Cost per event is $20. Add $5 extra per event if registered after the designated deadline
• Cost per event having consecutive days is $25.
• An event on a single day but at multiple sites costs $20 per site.
• No requests will be processed without an accurate address and date of event.
• If an event requires a rider of an additional insured, give the exact language required.
• Any changes requested after a certificate is issued will result in a $5 change fee.
• If you need to change an event date, and wait to inform NFMC until the original date has passed you will owe another full event fee. There is NO credit in that situation.
• A certificate verifying insurance coverage is issued only to an event that requests it. Certificates will be sent to the state liability chair and will be mailed to requested members.
• Coverage is not guaranteed until payment is received and processed by NFMC Headquarters. "No payment = No Insurance" 

WSFMC members:

Inform Insurance Chair by email in advance when you will make the payment online,

so Yelena can process the submission the same day you make the payment.

Make payment on www.nfmc-music.org/payment/

Select "Liability Insurance" under Plans

and Fill in your "Event Name, Date and Location" under Notes

Email payment receipt and forms below to YelenaBalabanova@gmail.com

2025-2026 Liability Insurance Request NFMC Liability Insurance Letter

NFMC Liability Insurance Request Form

Child Protection Policy Form