Mary Hoffman Award

Illinois Music Education Association

Thursday, January 31, 2008

10:00

 

 

 

 

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I would like to thank:

Sunset Ridge School Board and Sunset Ridge PTO

Who support the music and fine arts at Sunset Ridge.

 

 

Fellow teachers, Melinda Zibart – who edits all my writings

Mary Bortz – recently retired teacher, whenever I had insecurities “You can do it, or you should do this.”

 

 

Dr. Howard Bultinck – my former Superintendent, although not a musician, but did boost that  “I spend more on my three kid’s lessons than my mortgage every month” When I wanted a MIDI lab, jumped in with full financial support.

 

 

Dr. Linda Vieth, flutist; A true visionary Superintendent and a huge supporter of the arts.

 

Bryan Albro, who is here to today, who has always been a huge supporter of the arts and whom I have taught with for twenty years.

 

My fellow teachers:

 

Greg Wojick, band director at Glenbrook South

Mike Jampole, Band director at High Crest School in Wilmette

Don Golden, band director at SRS

 

 

Dr. Sandi MacLeod, Vermont MIDI Project and wonderful mentor and friend. Her study on creativity and forward thinking in music education is truly remarkable.

 

 

My parents, who gave me support and tons of private music lessons, witnessed my early meltdowns.

 

Through online collaboration

 

Debbie Kanyo, Alton Public Schools, outside St Louis – Started with Podcasting, and put one lab in. Through grants has developed three labs and more are on the way. Added two teachers.

 

Brenda Meunch, an Illinois teacher from Gilman, Illinois developed Website, Blog and Podcasting with K-8 students. Who writes about what online networking has meant to her:

“It inspires me, educates me, and encourages me.”

 

My biggest fan - My husband Steve, not a musician, but one of those non-traditional music individuals who love music.

 

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We are in the best time of our life teaching music

 

1:1 computers in Maine

Megaconferencejr connecting with the world. “Battle of the Bands” on the internet

Online Mentoring with the Vermont MIDI Project

Guitar Hero, Rock Band, SingStar and High School Musical sing-a-longs

iPods, youtube, Facebook, Ning

 

Wii is coming out in mid-2008 a musical handheld – a conductor’s baton!!

 

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A Whole New Mind: Why Right-Brainers Will Rule the World by Daniel Pink

    Daniel Pink's website

    Amazon

P 55  50 percent more people working in music or music related activites

P129 – Symphony – how a conductor works with others

 

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I recently came back from the Michigan Music Conference in Grand Rapids, Michigan. I drove three hours, arriving around 5pm. As I got out of my car to get my backpack, I realized that it was quite light, and looked inside - I FORGOT MY LAPTOP. Now, anyone that knows me, I would cut off a body part before parting with my laptop. After the freakout, complete meltdown, two phone calls to my best friend, a fellow presenter and art teacher, she convinced me not to drive back to Chicago, but just wing it. Before I travel, I always back up my entire laptop. All I needed was a computer. I knew only one person coming to convention, Sandi MacLeod, from Vermont, and she was to arrive after my first presentation. I would have to find a computer. I finally called my husband, we discussed the possibility of meeting half-way, but the snow was falling hard, and the realization of no laptop was real.

 

I quietly had dinner and as I was walking out, I saw a friendly face. There was Marj Haber, a Michigan Technology Organizer and Barton Polot, a wonderful professor from Schoolcraft College. Super music techies. They invited me over to talk, and the connection was immediate. I explained my lack of a laptop, but they were PC people. However, she had a bigger crisis than mine. Through a mess up of dates, the PC lab of computers, keyboards, and software will not arrive until 7am the next day. The first session was 9am. I assured her I would be in the lab early to help.

 

 

I got 45 minutes of sleep realizing I had no computer and all the "what if's" I quickly ate breakfast and headed down to the convention hall. There were many people running around getting things in order. I talked to some people about the need of a Mac, with iWork 8 installed. Within five minutes, without hesitation, a Brian Roelandt, of the Communication Arts Academy handed over his computer and said - take it. Whatever you need.

 

 

As I write this it comes to mind how cool we are as music teachers. We have the skill of performing and creating music, along with the empathy of others. We all have been in the same situations of lost music, mouthpieces, tech supplies and costumes. Without thinking we jump to help of others and realize that is the important issue - to connect and make things happen. We are the YES people on staff.

 

Well, the story is not over. As I was driving back home, I had a small car accident at the tollbooth. Large enough to file a report, small enough to drive to the police station to file it. Yes, you guessed it, although a businessman, he was a musician, and his wife was a teacher.

 

 

So, here it goes:

 

Use of a Laptop: $3000

Car Accident: $1000

Being at a music conference: PRICELESS

 

 

This is spirit of Mary Hoffman, that believes in a total music program, is a community of caring talented individuals that make the world better. We do make a difference, for our students and each other. Thank you for all you do.