November 2009
Volume 75, Number 2

Here we are once again and it is time for our annual Louisiana Music Educators Association Conference.  This conference provides us with such a great means for musical professional development.  As music education teachers, we are always placed in meetings about testing results, writing strategies, and matters that may not directly apply to us, but matters that our state and school systems make mandatory for us to be in attendance.  Here at the LMEA State Music Conference, we have the opportunity to communicate, reflect, and grow in many different ways that will improve our individual musical development.  The professionals that will be putting on these clinics and concerts are some of the best in the state and in the country.  I do hope to see as many of you as possible at this annual event that LMEA sponsors.  Remember, this is about your development as a music educator just as much as it is about the impact the teaching and learning that your students will incur from your findings and individual improvements that you will make from your participation at this event.

            As we feature another outstanding line up of Louisiana’s finest high school jazz students, we also feature another outstanding and accomplished clinician.  This year’s All State Jazz Band Clinician will be Dr. Robert Morgan from Houston, TX.  Robert “Doc” Morgan retired in 1999 as Director of Jazz Studies at Houston’s High School for Performing and Visual Arts (HSPVA), a position he held since 1976.  Dr. Morgan holds degrees from the University of North Texas (B.M. and M.M.) and the University of Illinois at Urbana (Doctor of Musical Arts in Composition).  He played trumpet and trombone in UNT’s renowned One O’Clock Lab Band and piano in the Illinois Jazz Band.  His original compositions have been performed and recorded by the One O’Clock Lab Band, Illinois Jazz Band, and Chicago’s Jazz Members Big Band, among others.  Under Morgan’s direction, the HSPVA jazz program became internationally known as a stimulating model for the successful training of young jazz aspirants. During his tenure, no fewer than 79 HSPVA jazz students were selected for the Texas All State Jazz Ensemble, easily the most of any high school in that state.  The success or Morgan’s legacy is perhaps best represented by the dozens of HSPVA jazz alumni currently enjoying professional success in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Nashville, Houston, New Orleans, and elsewhere.  Dr. Morgan continues to be in wide demand as a jazz educator/clinician/conductor/composer, and has served in these capacities throughout the U.S. and Canada.  He has conducted all state jazz ensembles in Georgia, Louisiana, Missouri, and Wisconsin, and has twice been the conductor for the Texas Community College All State Jazz Ensemble. Dr. Morgan will present a jazz clinic titled “Things I’ve Never Read In Books” on Saturday, November 21, from 9a.m. – 9:50a.m. 

            There will be two other jazz clincs at LMEA and these aim to be wonderful displays of jazz knowledge and advice as to how to improve your jazz programs.  On Saturday, November 21, from 7p.m. – 7:50p.m., there will be a jazz rhythm section clinic titled “The Rhythm Section’s Communication Duties”.  The main presenters will be Andy Pizzo, LMEA Jazz Division Chairman; Galindo Rodriguez, jazz director at Northwestern State University; and John Mahoney, jazz director at Loyola University.  On Sunday morning, November 22, from 9:30a.m. – 10:20a.m., Mr. Duane Huff, motivational speaker and jazz saxophonist, will present a jazz clinic titled “Jazz: What’s In It For Them”.  You can find out more about Duane at his website: www.rduanehuff.com.  Both of these jazz clinics will inspire you and give you some much needed information to assist you in your jazz education and in developing your students into better jazz performers.

            In closing, I hope to see as many of you as possible at LMEA.  I know this is during our Thanksgiving break, but what better time to have a conference than when we are off.  Don’t forget that the LMEA All State Jazz Band will be performing in concert on Sunday, November 22, from 3:55p.m. – 4:40p.m.  Shortly after the All State Jazz Ensemble is finished, I invite you to stay for the LAJE Reading Big Band which will play from 5p.m. – 6:15p.m.  Following the LAJE Reading Big Band performance will be the LMEA Jazz Division/LAJE Business meeting from 6:45p.m. – 7:30p.m.  Please check the conference magazine for all room locations.  Enjoy the conference and take in as much as you possibly can.