The Missouri Music Educators Association (MMEA) held its 85th annual In-Service, Workshop, and Conference in late January at Tan-Tar-A Conference Center in Osage Beach, Missouri. Music educators from throughout the state came together for four 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 the collegiate level, as well as professional and community music ensembles.
The theme of the 2023 conference was “Grow MO: Telling Our Story and Influencing Our Future.” Brian Hartman, MMEA President said, “These fine young musicians ARE the future of music education in Missouri. They are beginning their story and being influenced by the thousands of music teachers in our state. Their performance represents the highest level of achievement a high school musician can attain. 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, at school, and in the communities from which these students come. Communities that value a well-rounded educational experience that includes 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, 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 to perform in the 2023 All-State ensembles: Ellie Chen ’26 – All-State Orchestra (cello), Alizeh Jawaid ’23 – All-State Choir (alto), and Livi Thomas ’23 – All-State Choir (soprano).
The Missouri All-State Orchestra was directed by Kevin Noe, Director of Orchestras and Professor of Conducting at the University of Missouri Kansas City Conservatory of Music and Artistic Director of the Pittsburgh New Music Ensemble.
“The All-State Orchestra was definitely a big challenge and playing alongside the best musicians from Missouri was very nerve-inducing!” said Chen. “Our repertoire, which comprised of the Romischer Karneval/Roman Carnival Overture by Hector Berlioz, and Billy the Kid Overture by Aaron Copland, was very difficult to master. We woke up at 7:30 each morning and had a full day and night of practice, including one or two breaks, ending at midnight. Though it was hard, it was an amazing experience and fun as well! The orchestra was always energized and humorous, and the fact that we were able to put on an amazing performance in three days was very inspiring to me. The entire experience was life-changing, and I hope to receive the honor of performing with the All-State Orchestra again in the coming years.”
In addition to her performance with the All-State Orchestra, Chen also performed with the Young People’s Symphonic Orchestra (YPSO), located at the Community Music School at Webster University, which was selected by audition to perform at the MMEA Conference. She said, “I am honored to be a part of the YPSO. Our group has been practicing hard since the end of August for this event, meeting every Monday and working at home as well. We had a great performance led by our conductor Mr. Patrick Jackson. I am very happy for YPSO to have been able to perform at the MMEA Conference.”
The Missouri All-State Choir was directed by Dr. Kristina Caswell MacMullen, Associate Professor of Choral Conducting at the University of North Texas, where she conducts the University Singers, Kalandra Treble Choir, and instructs both undergraduate and graduate students in conducting and rehearsal pedagogy.
“I’ve known that I loved singing since I was small,” said Thomas. “Everything that I am and will be is because of the music that my family exposed me to and sang with me. I cried for the first 30 minutes of the car ride coming home after the performance because I had met so many genuinely kind and talented people over the weekend. Dr. MacMullen was so energetic and real and wanted to know all of us as people, not just as our voice parts. She called us ‘artists’ because she said that ‘singers’ wasn’t an accurate word for what we were. It felt like we were being treated as equals, not as students, and it felt real. It was incredible to experience being in a choir of 192 singers. There were times where I stopped being me and all there was, was the sound. It felt like I was in my voice part but not my individual voice. I didn’t know what it meant to truly blend. It was really one of the most incredible experiences ever. I’m truly grateful to DSelf for giving me the opportunity to do this.”
Jawaid was selected to the choir for a second year in a row. She said, “Participating in All-State choir for the second time was such an incredible honor. The competition was fierce, but ultimately worth it. Dr. MacMullen focused on making the songs more dynamic. I struggle with dynamics and vibrato at home, and the way she put things really helped me blossom in the choir. The repertoire was also amazing! I’ve been singing one of our songs, Kalinda, ever since I got back home. However, the best part of the experience to me wasn’t the music, but the people. Being surrounded by 192 people who love singing as much as I do makes it so easy to blend in and meet new people, and both years I have come back with more friends than I left St. Louis with. I can confidently say that I truly feel like myself when at MMEA, and being in such a positive environment has benefited me in so many ways. I wouldn’t trade my experience for the world.”
Dana Self, Upper School Choir Director, said, “These three musicians were strong 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. For Ellie to be selected as a ninth grader is a tremendous accomplishment and a wonderful way to start her Upper School musical career. For Alizeh and Livi, it is a memory of their senior year that they will cherish and remember for many years to come. 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 Orchestra, directed by Dr. Jo Nardolillo, JK-12 Arts Department Chair and Teacher, and Erin Hamill, Director of Global Learning & Upper School Community Service and Arts Teacher. Alizeh Jawaid and Livi Thomas sing in the Upper School Chamber Choir, directed by Dana Self.