Visions.

Visions. My ideals for the next biennium bi��en��ni��um?n. pl. bi��en��ni��ums or bi��en��ni��aA two-year period.[Latin : bi-, two; see bi-1 + annus, year; see at- presidential "In Unison"columns are to inform, to advocate, to challenge and to question."In Unison" may not always be an appropriate heading. In Fact,some of my contributions might more accurately be described as "InCounterpoint counterpoint,in music, the art of combining melodies each of which is independent though forming part of a homogeneous texture. The term derives from the Latin for "point against point," meaning note against note in referring to the notation of plainsong. " or even "In Cacophony."I would like to congratulate our new officers and offer myheartfelt heart��felt?adj.Deeply or sincerely felt; earnest.heartfeltAdjectivesincerely and strongly felt: heartfelt thanksAdj. 1. thanks to the outgoing officers. The outgoing officers haveall been conscientious volunteers, giving tip endless hours and energyon behalf of MTNA MTNA Music Teachers National AssociationMTNA Middle Tennessee Nursery Association (McMinnville, Tennessee). We will especially miss the talents and wisdom of BenCaton and Wayne Gibson as they leave the Board of Directors.Our Immediate Past President, Phyllis Pieffer, was truly a veryspecial MTNA president during the past two years. First of all, she is afirst-rate parliamentarian par��lia��men��tar��i��an?n.1. One who is expert in parliamentary procedures, rules, or debate.2. A member of a parliament.3. . Her sessions on Robert's Rules of Order Robert's Rules of Order:see parliamentary law; Robert, Henry Martyn. Robert’s Rules of Ordermanual of parliamentary procedure by General Robert. [Am. Hist.: Hart, 717]See : Orderliness at our Leadership Summit continue to receive rave reviews and probablyare our most valuable offerings. As immediate past president on theboard, Phyllis will continue to keep in line our tabled motions,friendly and unfriendly amendments and frequent points of order. Phyllishas wisely led us through important governance changes, significantmodifications in the National Competitions and a revised Code of Ethics Code of Ethics can refer to: Ethical code, a code of professional responsibility, noting what behaviors are "ethical". Code of Ethics (band), a 90's Christian New Wave/Pop band .Our published Essential Skills are the result of her perception andleadership. During her term, progress has been made to widen MTNA'sinfluence on the international stage. By most every benchmark, MTNA hasgrown under her able guidance. Our challenge will be to build on theseinitiatives.At the beginning of my biennium, it seems appropriate to articulatemy vision for MTNA. The desired dream that immediately jumped into mymind was to never again hear the words, "But it went perfectly inthe practice room." Now, back to realistic goals. Our dominantvision always will be to continue enhancing our mission "to advancethe value of music study and music making to society and to support theprofessionalism of music teachers."My vision also would be to reduce the number of adults who say,"I used to take piano lessons--I used to play the piano--I used toplay the clarinet clarinet,musical wind instrument of cylindrical bore employing a single reed. The clarinet family comprises all single-reed instruments, including the saxophone. The predecessor of the modern clarinet was the simpler chalumeau, which J. C. ." If we could just mobilize all the adults whoonce studied music, our concert halls would be full, our music studioswould have long waiting lists and our income would match our training,experience and contributions to society.My vision is to have a renewed interest in creating better musicsight-readers. MTNA's support of this professional goal could takeseveral tracks. We could share the ideas of successful sight-readingprograms, standards and competitions. We could organize collaborativefestivals, duet and ensemble competitions, expand our chamber musiccompetition, create music reading lending libraries lend��ing libraryn.A library from which books may be borrowed or rented for a minimal fee. Also called circulating library.Noun 1. and encourage musicfund-raising read-a-thons. But most importantly Adv. 1. most importantly - above and beyond all other consideration; "above all, you must be independent"above all, most especially , we all could make sightreading a primary objective of our weekly music lessons. The gap betweenperformance repertoire and sight-reading skill is alarmingly wide formany, if not most of our students. What would society's reaction beif the objective of an English class were to publicly recite 10 minutesof Shakespeare from memory, with little or no concern for whether thestudent was able to read from a fourth-grade textbook? Why do we assignChopin Etudes to students who can't sight read Clementi Sonatinas?Do we want a lifetime of fulfillment for our students or 10 minutes ofexaggerated fame and glory?Under Phyllis Pieffer and Gary Ingle's leadership and PatTuley's diligent dil��i��gent?adj.Marked by persevering, painstaking effort. See Synonyms at busy.[Middle English, from Old French, from Latin d efforts, the MTNA Certification Program has madeimportant refinements and improvements. We now have opportunities toexplore partnerships and reciprocal relationships between collegiatepedagogy programs and other accrediting agencies, as well as thedevelopment of a college of evaluators.We should continue to offer members programs about music andwellness, the opportunities and advantages of group teaching andinformation about the latest technology.My vision certainly includes our ongoing efforts to expand ourpartnerships with the Canadian Federation of Music Teacher'sAssociation, the European Piano Teachers Association, the InternationalSociety for Music Education, Support music.com, the InternationalAssociation for Jazz Education and music industry associations like theRetail Print Music Dealers Association.Our vision for the MTNA FOUNDATION FUND is to continue to find moremonetary support for the competitions awards, Teacher Enrichment Grants,Local Association Grants, State Affiliate Grants, Studio TeacherFellowship Awards, Collegiate Chapter of the Year Award, AMT See vPro. Article ofthe Year Award and the Distinguished Composer of the Year award.We must keep improving our MTNA website and urging our members tobecome involved with the site as an essential resource. Through thewebsite you may click on "Online Communities." Here, you haveaccess to the expertise of MTNA members and the same beneficialexchanges and networking we have with face-to-face contact at a nationalconference. Collegiate members are the future of MTNA. Maybe our visionshould include an online MTNA Collegiate Chapter, where students cometogether in front of their computers to discuss their future in themusic teaching profession.Thanks to the myriad efforts of Executive Director Gary Ingle in��gle?n.1. An open fire in a fireplace.2. A fireplace.[Perhaps Scottish Gaelic aingeal, fire, light. , ourwonderful staff and the service of countless members, MTNA's futurehas never looked better or brighter. The new board welcomes your adviceand concerns.National ConferencesMarch 25-29, 2006 Austin, TexasMarch 23-27, 2007 Toronto, CanadaPaul Stewart Paul Stewart is the name of many notable people: Paul Stewart (Composer/musician/director/Solo Artist) Paul Stewart (writer) - Writer of The Edge Chronicles Paul Stewart (driver) - Motor racing driver/team director, son of World Champion Jackie. President