From the President’s Desk: Millie Eben, President

Dear PMTA Colleagues:

If you haven’t already done so, check your email box for the newest edition–and newest version–of the PMTA quarterly newsletter! This email version will be delivered directly to your emailbox four times a year; and it is also available in a printer-friendly version for your convenience. PMTA is the FIRST MTNA affiliate to offer this service to it’s membership! The newsletter will still appear on the PMTA website for your continued reference; and the fall/conference edition will still be postal mailed. If, for some reason, you do not want the newsletter delivered to your emailbox, you may unsubscribe at any time. It will continue to be available on the website and the one fall edition will still be postal mailed.

PMTA Email Newsletter

This was one of the many business details discussed by your PMTA Board of Directors at it’s semi-annual meeting. With the advent of this new benefit, it is vital that your email information remain current. If you change your email address please notify Karen Nagle/PMTA Administrative Assistant immediately. We are all very excited about the potential possibilities of this new service provided by Constant Contact. Any announcements you’d like to appear in the PMTA Newsletter should be emailed directly to Karen Nagle at nagles1@comcast.net.

Announcing the PMTA/Keystone Student Composition Competition

Your Board of Directors officially announced the inception of a new project for our students–the PMTA/Keystone Student Composition Competition. This is for students ages five through twenty-five who are studying with an active PMTA member in good standing. Information and downloadable forms will be available on the website January 1st. Thanks to Gloriana Sewell, Warren Magid and Paula Henley for their assistance in developing the guidelines for this event. Warren will also be chairing this event for us. Go to the competitions page to download the information.

PMTA Conference

Another successful and inspiring PMTA conference is finished. Thanks to Conference Chair Anita Renfroe and Site Coordinator Nancy DeSalvo for the many hours spent organizing the event. Thanks also to the clinicians who volunteered their time for our educational workshops. I believe we all found picturesque Westminster College a restful weekend retreat. Please see Anita’s article elsewhere in this edition.

Leadership Changes

There are several changes in PMTA leadership to announce:

• Anita Renfroe has resigned as Second VP/Conference Chair due to increased obligations at her school. Debra Ronning will be finishing her term as chair of the 2007 conference at West Chester.
• Aimee Cheers has resigned as DSPF Chair. Replacing her will be Chris Macy, a member of the Reading MTA. Aimee’s responsibilities as website manger and newsletter editor will be assumed by the PMTA Administrative Assistant Karen Nagle.
• The Membership and Mentoring positions were combined into one Chair under the auspices of Ann Trexler, who was really doing both jobs anyway.
• Other positions that remain open include: PMTA Secretary, Arts Advocacy Chair and Chair for the new PMTA Keystone Composition Competition. If anyone is interested, please let me know.

Thanks to all for giving of their time to PMTA.

Award Recipients

CONGRATULATIONS to the 2006 recipients of the PMTA Awards…

…Wendy Webb Kumer as PMTA Teacher of the Year. Wendy, a flute teacher in the Pittsburgh area, has been teaching for over 30 years–22 years on the faculty of Duquesne University. She is also on the faculties of Mercyhurst and West Liberty State College; is founder of the Flute Academy; and is organizer of countless number of flute ensembles for flautists of all ages.
…Aimee Cheers and Ann Trexler, both receiving PMTA Service Awards. These individuals have given much time and expertise in making PMTA what it is today. Our heartfelt gratitude to them for their ongoing dedication to the profession and to the organization.

She’s going to Toronto!

CONGRATULATIONS to Kate Clark of the Greater Pittsburgh Chapter. Kate was the winner of the drawing to attend the MTNA 2006 National Conference in Toronto, Canada. Kate will receive a grant of $1000 towards expenses.

Board of Directors Meeting

Your Board of Directors met Thursday evening November 1 at Westminster College. It was an intense, but extremely productive meeting. The complete minutes will soon be available on the website for your reference. Highlights include:

• An intensive review of PMTA’s finances, including review of it’s investment accounts and current checking accounts. The Board voted to close the investment account and place the funds in a variety of laddering CDs, as well as a money market account. This was the recommendation of several individuals from the financial community that were consulted by the President and Jean Fox. The Board also voted to move all it’s accounts to one institution, Citizens Bank.
• The Board appointed a Finance Committee which will consist of several past presidents and a non-member advisor from the financial community. Serving on this committee now are Nancy Boston, Jean Fox and Debra Ronning. The non-member advisor will be announced.
• Official adoption of the PMTA/Keystone Student Composition Competition.*In an effort to give our Local Associations another voice on the Board of Directors, a ’floating’ position was created; this is in addition to the official Local Association Chair, presently co-chaired by Betty Zornosa and Kim Breiner-Stoudt. This new position will be filled by whichever LA President is closest to the Board meeting site and can attend the meeting, and essentially gives our Local Association Presidents TWO votes with regard to items brought before your Board.
• Eliminate Publications chair since this responsibility is being assumed by the Administrative Assistant.
• Quorum requirements remain unchanged in spite of the various chair changes.

Local Association Grants

It will soon be time to apply for your Local Association Grant for the 2007-2008 season. Information is now available on the PMTA website. Please note that the maximum grant amount that can be awarded was increased to $300. Please review the criteria with your own Board of Directors and contact our Local Association Chairs with any questions.

MTNA Eastern Division

Eastern Division competitions will take place January 5/6 at Duquesne University in Pittsburgh PA. We need monitors!! If anyone can lend a few hours of their time as a monitor, please contact me immediately.

The holiday season is generally the busiest time of year for musicians. I hope you all find some time to relax and enjoy your family and friends. From my family to yours, here’s wishing you a Happy Holiday Season!

Sincerely,