I am happy to successfully complete my first year as chairman of the CEOhioMTA District Festival. Festival is wonderful performance event were students of varying instruments, ages and levels perform for feedback from a panel of judges. This year was the largest it has ever been with 9 judges, 35 teachers and a massive 232 students of voice, strings and piano.
It was a huge undertaking finding judges, coordinating recital, scheduling volunteers and all the little things that you would never think of until you are win charge! After this experience I am all the more grateful for the large and active branch of Music Teachers National Association here in central Ohio.
I entered 10 students of my own this year ranging from beginner to advanced and was very pleased with their performance and growth through the process or preparing for this event. There was a fantastic panel of judges this year including seasoned teachers, guild adjudicators and college professors. The judges made a point to find something to improve and something to commend so that each student would feel confident and inspired to work towards a new goal in their music.
I look forward to another year of chairing District Festival and hope to watch it grow in years to come!
– Jennifer Stadler, NCTM Piano Teacher Oklahoma City, Oklahoma