The Missouri Music Educators Association (MMEA) held its 86th annual In-Service, Workshop, and Conference from January 22 to 27, 2024, at Tan-Tar-A Conference Center in Osage Beach, Missouri. Music educators from throughout the state came together for six days of professional development, collaboration, networking, content-specific interest sessions, music reading sessions, and musical performances by auditioned bands, choirs, and orchestras representing all levels of music education from elementary school to collegiate level, as well as professional and community music ensembles.
The theme of the 2024 conference was “A Drop in the Bucket: The Ripple Effect of Missouri Music Education.” Brian Hartman, MMEA President, said, “Just like any behavior or skill, excellence is taught. These students were taught to practice and taught to strive to be their absolute best. This excellence has been nurtured at home, school, and the communities from which these students come. Communities that value a well-rounded educational experience include music education. Places where being in a performance ensemble is a necessity to learn critical thinking and problem-solving skills, teamwork, and social skills. And maybe the most important skill of all is an appreciation of beauty that can be recognized beyond political leanings or any other differences. Music is important because it makes better people out of us all.”
The grand finale of the conference is the performances by the Missouri All-State Ensembles. Three MICDS musicians were selected by audition last fall to perform in the 2024 All-State ensembles: Ellie Chen ’26 – All-State Orchestra (cello), Intisar Iqbal ’24 – All-State Choir (bass), and Charlie Glass ’25 – All-State Choir (tenor). This is the second year Ellie has been selected to the All-State Orchestra.
The Missouri All-State Orchestra was directed by Dr. Soo Han, Director of Orchestral Studies at Reva and Dew Berry Family School of Music at George Mason University and Music Director of the Elkhart County Symphony Orchestra.
Chen shared, “Even though I was in the All-State Orchestra last year, this year’s experience never failed to be fun and inspiring. There is a new conductor every year, allowing us to experience music in many ways through the perspectives of different people. This year’s conductor, Dr. Soo Han, was exceptional, both as a leader and as a person. Our pieces, which were the Slavonic March by Tchaikovsky, Arirang Fantasy, and the Conga del Fuego by Gustavo Dudamel, were fun to play, but our ensemble was able to take it to another level due to our conductor’s instruction and all our hard work. Not only did I learn how to elevate my music, but I also learned how to be efficient with my time and how to live by myself, since in the spaces between our 7 a.m.-12 a.m. schedule, we had little time to explore the area or practice. I’m very glad I was able to be a member of the Missouri All-State orchestra for a second time, and hope I have the opportunity again next year.”
The 192-voice Missouri All-State Choir was directed by Maria Guinand, an internationally renowned choral director from Caracas, Venezuela. Guinand is a choral and orchestral conductor, university professor, pedagogue, and leader of choral projects, and is currently Artistic Director of the Schola Cantorum Foundation of Venezuela and the Choir of the Polar Foundation.
“Our clinician, Maria Guinand, was brilliant, and I learned so much from her approach to music. For example, she said during one of our rehearsals, ‘sing not by memory, but by heart!’ Being in her presence for those three days made me so happy and genuinely excited to rehearse, and I grew as a vocalist under her brief but impactful tutelage. Meeting kids my age from all over the state was an awesome experience as well, and knowing we were all in the Ozarks because of our shared interest in music made it even more memorable. This is one of those moments that I will carry for the rest of my life,” said Glass.
Iqbal added, “All-State Choir was an incredible experience! I had a lot of fun meeting new people and working with Maria Guinand, a prolific conductor. I think I experienced the happiest moment of my life when we sang Verde Mar de Navegar, the final piece on the program. It was perfect. A choir of almost two hundred great singers on stage, having the time of their lives and singing a fun song. I would do it all over again if I could!”
Dana Self, MICDS Director of Choirs, said, “These three musicians were outstanding representatives of the MICDS community, not only while at Tan-Tar-A for the conference and performances, but throughout the highly competitive audition process that ultimately lands them a highly coveted spot in an all-state ensemble. The entire MICDS music faculty is so proud of their accomplishments and for the outstanding work and leadership that they bring into our classrooms each day.”
Ellie Chen plays in the Upper School Virtuosi Orchestra, directed by Dr. Jo Nardolillo. Intisar Iqbal sings in the Upper School Chamber Choir, and Charlie Glass sings in the Upper School Tenor/Bass Choir, directed by Dana Self.