West Central Division - Brief Article

American Music Teacher, August-Sept, 2002 by Janice Wenger

The eight states in the West Central Division have planned exciting conferences for summer and fall 2002. Many have Internet sites with further information about their programs, and this column highlights some of their summer events.

The Northeast Area MTA of Iowa hosted a Summer Piano Pedagogy Workshop and an MTNA Certification Study Workshop. Iowa's state convention was held at Drake University in June, featuring Phyllis Lehrer, NCTM, of Westminster Choir College. See www.imta.org.

The Colorado State MTA annual conference was held June 6-8 at The Inn at Silver Creek. Highlighting the conference was the culmination of another year of PREP, Professional Reading Enrichment Program, which involves interested members in reading at least five preselected books throughout the year. Books are discussed both in local groups and at the state conference, and members may earn points toward certification. See www.comusicteachers.org.

"New Horizons in Music: The Gift Continues" was the theme for the Minnesota MTA state convention in Minneapolis, also held in June. Convention clinicians were John Lampkin and Scott McBride Smith, NCTM, and the evening entertainment featured a performance of Ugandan music on a twelve-foot native xylophone. See www.mnmusicteachers.com.

--Janice Wenger, NCTM, Columbia, Missouri