September 2009
Volume 75, Number 1

District Reports

District VI

Welcome back to the start of another school year!  Whether this is your first year teaching or your forty-second, celebrate this calling – which is what teaching music is.  Can you think of anything better to be giving youngsters than the gift of music?  There will probably be one or two times this year when you will have ask yourself why you decided on this profession, but just watching the kids’ faces after giving an emotional and rewarding musical performance will bring the reason back to you quickly!    

Congratulations go to Mike Orkus on his selection as new District VI Band Directors Association President.  We would also like to express our deep appreciation to Glenn Scheuermann for serving in this position for several years.  Glenn did a great job and we know Mike will as well.  Kathryn Claverie will once again be serving as Director of the District VI Choral Directors Association for this year, and our deep appreciation goes out to her.  Many thanks also go to the following District VI members who have volunteered to serve as chairmen for our various events for 2009-2010.

Chairing the band events this year are: Dominick Caronna & Marty Hurley, All-State; Carl Hellmers and Katie Codina, District VI Marching Festival; Abby Lyons, Elementary Honor Band; Katie Antis and Shari Meyer, Middle School/Jr. High Honor Band; Alonzo Bowens, Sr. High Honor Band;  Joseph Caluda, Sr. High Honor Jazz Ensemble; Nick Cotogno, All-Star Middle School Jazz Band; Glenn Scheuermann, Solo & Ensemble Festival; and Randy Weaver, Large Ensemble Festival.

Chairing the choir events again this year are Cheryl Dupont, All-State & Sr. High Honor Chorus, Melissa Brocato, Elementary and Jr. High Honor Chorus, Louise LaBruyere, Solo & Ensemble Festival, and Kevin Caparotta, Large Ensemble Festival.  These members have been giving their time and energy to the students in District VI for a number of years and are to be commended for their dedication and sacrifice.  Tell them “thank you” next time you see them!

Congratulations go to Dominican High School’s Tri-M Chapter, Brenda Castillo, sponsor, for being named the State Tri-M Chapter of the Year for 2008-09.  Our district was well represented by Dominican.

Edwin Hampton passed away this summer.  “Hamp” was the Band Director at St. Augustine High School for 51 years!  He is remembered for not only teaching his students music, but for giving many “at risk” students a reason to stay in school and the discipline needed to reject the peer pressure many of them faced in some of New Orleans’ “mean streets.”  His death and funeral made the front page and two full inner pages of the New Orleans Times-Picayune and was covered on all three local television stations.  I know of no other music educator who has ever been honored in such a way.  Good for you, Hamp, and God bless.

After several years of discussion, the LMEA Board has approved a State Solo and Ensemble Festival, which will begin this year.  The easiest way to describe the new format is to think of three festivals – the “original” local district festival as we had last year, a district-wide qualifying festival with a required list, and the state festival.  Students who just want to perform as they have in the past may still do so, while those students looking for more of a challenge can opt for the state tract.  More details will be found in this magazine.

I wish you the best of luck with the new school year.  If you ever have any questions or need to speak with me, you can reach me at 504-340-6727, extension 234.  Have a great year!