Minutes of the Meeting

Précis of NFMC BOARD BUSINESS

Austin, Texas
MEETING REPORT 2005
Mary Angela Strasser, MFMC Representative to NFMC Board of Directors

It’s true what they say about Texas, friends: everything is bigger there! Having recently returned from the NFMC Biennial Convention in Austin, I can attest to the fact that all things Texan are done on a large scale--from musical programs to masterfully planned tours and workshops, from business sessions to the barbecue buffet, from the welcoming “Howdy” to the hugs and “Have a safe trip home, y’all”--all was well-planned and executed with warmth and efficiency.

A highlight of each biennial convention is the final competition for the Young Artist awards. Two winners were chosen in Austin: Christopher Atzinger, pianist, and Mela Dailey, soprano, who dazzled us in their recital. Also thrilling to hear were Stephen Varney and Naomi Sanchez (Pas de Duo), winners of the Ellis Duo Piano prize. In fact, Pas de Duo will perform during the 2006 NFMC Fall Session in Minneapolis--don’t miss them!

But the business of NFMC is the primary reason your Minnesota delegation followed the dusty trail to Texas. The NFMC Board of Directors met three times during the convention and what follows is a summation of key recommendations that were presented and passed.

The Legislation Department will now be known as the Arts Advocacy Department.

  • A subscription to JUNIOR KEYNOTES will be a requirement for every teacher who enters students in Festivals. Formerly, only junior club counselors were required to receive this periodical, but too many teachers have not been informed of current news of Junior Division events, rules changes, and policy clarifications.
  • The Mary Alice Cox Award (Junior Division) will be available annually to cellists and bassists.
  • The Junior Composer Contest awards will be increased in 2006.
  • The Evelyn Sampson Award was established at the Junior Composer Institute. This award was funded by the North Dakota FMC.
  • The cost of Gold Cups will increase $1.00 for each trophy size in 2006.
  • All mail orders from NFMC Headquarters will now be subject to a shipping and handling charge, in addition to postage.
    NFMC’s next meeting will be the 2006 Fall Session in Minneapolis. We have tall boots to fill, but in our “Minnesota modest” way, I know we will reach new hospitality heights when NFMC comes to Minnesota for Musical and Natural Wonders in the North Star State (August 1-7, 2006).

To read NFMC meeting minutes from 2004, click here.