Minutes of GEMTA Meeting December 10, 2010

Our December meeting took place at Goshen College where members Cindy Hawkins, Candy Henkler, Carolyn Hertzler, Michelle Beyler, Maxine Yoder, and Evelyn Stichter were in attendance. Minutes of November’s meeting were read. Corrections were made in regards to attendance and adding information that there was discussion on fees for AIM adjudicators. Michelle motioned and Maxine seconded to accept the minutes.

The treasurer’s report was given including a thank-you note received from Goshen College for GEMTA’s $50.00 donation. The donation was an expression of appreciation for GEMTA being allowed to use the building for the AIM Festival. Candy moved and Evelyn seconded to accept the treasurer’s report.

Maxine communicated a request from Goshen College Music Center for a donation. The donation would go towards scholarships for their prepatory program. Discussion led to the suggestion that GEMTA make a $200.00 donation. Carolyn moved and Candy seconded the motion to make the donation.

Candy did not have any new items to report as web site coordinator.

Cindy shared follow up information about the piano ensemble concert(June 4th) Juliana is organizing. Brian Wiebe has agreed to direct the concert.

Teachers communicating information about Christmas recitals were Pat Puffer on December 11, Maxine Yoder at Olive Mennonite Church on December 20,and  Candy at Goshen City Church of the Brethren on December 11.

Members were reminded by the President of the following information:

1. Elkhart County concerto competition is 1/9/11 at 1^st Presbyterian Church in Elkhart. For more information contact Candy or Cindy.
2. NIMTA workshop with Nancy Bachus on 2/14/2011, 9:30, at Dave’s Music Den in Sweetwater Sound. Members need to communicate intent to attend to Nancy Cooper.
3. MTNA national conference, March 26-30, 2011, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
4. January 14 meeting at Cindy Hawkins home. The meeting will include a DVD presentation and music sale.

A motion was made to adjourn by Maxine and seconded by Candy.

Our program was facilitated by Esther Lanting. Esther, currently a pastor at Hudson Lake Mennonite Church, also has a passion for the accordion. Her instrument , a classical model, is called a piano accordion. She has had opportunity to direct accordion orchestras due to her association with the great teacher Galla-Rini. One of Galla-Rini’s talents was the ability to arrange music chorally and orchestrally. Esther showed a video clip of  a performance by an accordion orchestra that she conducted.  GEMTA benefited from hearing Esther describe the features of the accordion and demonstrating those features. She played a stirring arrangement of “The Lord’s Prayer”. Esther brought two accordion scores for the group to look at and members marveled at the complexities of accordion music.

Respectfully submitted,

Michelle Beyler