MINNESOTA FEDERATION OF MUSIC CLUBS Fall State Meeting

St. Cloud Civic Center St. Cloud, MN
September 18, 2004

Members present: Apple Valley MTA-Pat Steege, Club President, Junior Composers Contest; Betty Olson, By-laws Committee Chair, Adult Composers Contest; Sarah Twedt, Festival Junior Counselor, Legislation Chair; Burnsville Area MTA-Kathy Wilson, MFMC Insurance Coordinator, Parade of American Music; Jeannene Simonson, Junior Festival Counselor MFMC Certificate Chair; Central Lakes Music Club-Karen Sue Erickson, First Vice-President, Teacher Trust Coordinator; Club 88, RCMTA-Cathy Witter, Club Representative; Duluth MTA-Liz Raihala, Club President; Carol Prohaska, Club Treasurer; Encore Music Club-Nichole Jensen, Club President; Shelley Galle, Half Notes Editor; Great River Music Club-Ann DuHamel, Junior Festival Counselor; Hibbing Musicale-Nadine Berg, MFMC Treasurer; Rose M. Zygmanski, Club President, Music Camp Awards: Mary Angela Strasser, MFMC National Board Member, National Festival Bulletin Chair; Itasca Music Club-Susan Hoolihan, MFMC Festival Cup Chair; Keyboard Southwest-Priscilla Jacobson, Club Representative; Mankato Music Club-Gretchen Bray, Club President; Matinee Musicale-Sheila K. Shusterich, NFMC Biennial Student Collegiate Auditions, Georgia Chapman Award; Music Marshall-Robert Steen, Club Treasurer , Rennae Petersen, MFMC Festival Chair, Marshall I&II Festival Junior Counselor; Music Southwest-Jane Roots, Club President; North Suburban Music Club-Jo Franta, Club President; Debra Henning, Junior Festival Counselor; South Suburban MTA-Sheryl Van de Kamp, Junior Festival Counselor Co-chair; S.W. Minneapolis Keyboard Club-Sharon Kaplan, Club President, Cora Barr, Club Representative; Thief River Falls Music Club-Ruth A. Stenson, Club Representative; Tuesday Music Club-Jane Jensen, Opera Chair; Kathryn Duckett, Club President; West Central Keyboard Club-Michael A. Crary, Junior Festival Counselor; Judy Zylstra, MFMC Historian and Willmar East Junior Festival Counselor; Cheryl Schmidt, MFMC President, MFMC Scholarships for Challenged Students, Joyce Walsh Award, Willmar III Junior Festival Counselor; Peggy Karsten, MFMC Secretary, Carol Gangwish, Club Representative; Willmar Musicale-Carol Gangwish, Club President.

Cheryl Schmidt called the Fall MFMC meeting to order at 9:30 in the St. Cloud Civic Center.

Cheryl thanked everyone for being present today. Cheryl-s theme for her presidency is -Let-s Communicate.- The club presidents are a crucial part of this organization as they communicate important information to all federation members. Anyone present who is a federation member may make a motion or second and vote on actions taken.

The Collect was read by all in attendance.

Business Meeting

Welcome/Introductions/Attendance: A welcome was given by Cheryl Schmidt, introduction of club members and attendance taken. Peggy Karsten, in addition to her secretary duties, is in charge of keeping track of members who attend the meetings to meet bylaw requirements for participation in festivals.

Secretary's Report: Minutes stand approved.

Treasurer's Report: Nadine Berg presented the treasurer-s report. A new CD was opened. Mutual fund money lost and gained. Amount of money we took in and amount of money we spent shows a disparity, which is typical of fall. After dues come in, the situation will reverse in the spring. We also gave lots of scholarships. Report will be filed for audit.

Old Business

NFMC Fall 2006 Board Session Update: Mary Strasser reported on the NFMC Board session. There is no such thing as -too much help.- She invited anyone interested in the planning process to stay for the planning meeting after lunch. We are guided by our national president. The committee is working on meal functions, hospitality, and musical guests. A special sign was designed which includes the theme: Musical and Natural Wonders in Minnesota, The North Star State August 1-7, 2006. The sign will be behind registration table in 2006.

NFMC Fall Board Session: NFMC National meeting was held in Wilmington, North Carolina, Aug. 11-16, 2004. This type of meeting will be the same that we host in 2006. There are open meetings for us to attend when the meeting is in MN. (Hurricane Charlie visited during the meeting; without electricity for awhile). An invitation was given for everyone to come to Minnesota in 2006, complete with loons and a beaver costume. Items discussed in Wilmington: Insurance costs went up to $17.00 per event, Past National Presidents award increased from $4.00 to $5.00. Virginia Alison -accompanist- award-changed the word to -collaborative,- student auditions to be changed to student -collegiate- auditions, Festival-discussion of selection of music in each category, review of rules on combinations to make more clear, use of more selections out of collections, use ST forms, not SA forms, for student auditions.

Scholarships: Thank you notes were read from students and adults receiving MFMC awards and scholarships.

Awards presented to clubs: The junior club rating sheets filled out by club presidents/junior festival counselors and returned resulted in awards: Apple Valley MTA- ribbon, Keyboard Southwest -seal, Double Sharp Music Club-ribbon and seal, South Suburban MTA- ribbon and seal, Central Lakes Music Club- ribbon and seal.

Lap Top Computer: Thanks for the funds to buy the laptop computer which Cheryl uses daily. Thanks to Sharon-s husband Eli Kaplan for assistance with this purchase.

New Business

Club president's folder: This information will assist club presidents in communicating information to members. In the folder is a president-s handbook and brochures. If you have a new member joining, share the brochures. Share the national competition chart information; awards and deadlines are all included. Order form for all national forms is included as well as the MFMC Code of Ethics and 2004 membership directory. These folders are meant to travel to the next president of your club.

National Federation Insurance and Insurance Certificates Requests: In the past, we notified National the number of festivals and meetings to be held. Now, with the new insurance carrier, instead of just giving a total number of events, National requires we list all the events with the dates, location, and name of festival - this deadline is August 1. We are allowed to add 5 extra events-just in case an additional event is held. If there are other known events, such as an honors recital, they can be listed also. MFMC events must be insured, so we need to be as accurate as possible. The fees went up to $17.00, which is paid by MFMC. If you need a certificate, you must our contact MFMC Insurance Coordinator, Kathy Wilson, (this is a new position) by using the certificate request instruction sheet - send appropriate information to her by mail or e-mail. Kathy Wilson will forward insurance certificate requests to National on behalf of the clubs. Clubs should make certificate requests as soon as possible.

Minnesota Awards and Grant Chart: Cheryl wants to develop one similar to the national chart by the spring meeting.

Past National Presidents Fund: (PNP) Mary Strasser informed everyone about this fund that is used to develop a scholarship to honor a past president, which follows that president-s favorite activities. Our current president is Elizabeth Paris. Donation is $5.00 per club and clubs can indicate contribution on their treasurer-s form. Individual gifts are also appreciated.

National Board Report: given by Mary Strasser. Winners in national class/category may not repeat as winners in that same class/category. A college junior of any age may receive the Gretchen Van Roy Music Education Scholarship. If anyone is interested in running for a national board position, work with Cheryl to get a federation biography to the nominating committee. National is working to streamline/reduce the many project deadlines. A CD is available for the piano duets in the festival bulletin - the CD is $22.00 - jztrekk@yahoo.com to order. Increases in award amounts have been made for several awards. A committee of the regional vice presidents is studying ways to make representation at the national level more equitable.

National Board Report Continued: Junior division is offering a new poster to use for promotional purposes. The poster can be used in music stores, studios - the size is 17 x 22 inches and sells for $2.00. Order through National Headquarters - JR3-17. Biennial convention is in Austin, Texas - June 19-27, and will include the Young Artist Competition. The 2006 Fall National Board Session is August 1-7 in Minnesota. The 2007 convention will probably be in Salt Lake City. 250 to 300 members attend national conventions.

2004 MFMC Membership Directory: A corrections and additions list was distributed. New e-mail address for Cheryl: cschmidt@en-tel.net. Nadine updates the directory based on the membership lists submitted from clubs with their dues. All members can access the directory on the website - login is mfmc and password is flute. It is difficult to keep the directory updated, especially with e-mail changes. The printed directory is only printed every other year so the web site is more current. Contact Nadine Berg regarding address changes. Updates to the directory could be printed in Half Notes.

North Central Region (NCR) - several MFMC members attended the meeting in July. The NCR joint project is the Junior Composers Institute. An endowment is being created to cover expenses. Approval for funds to NCR: $100 dues, $100 donation and $50 for hosting the Junior Composers Institute Reception. Betty Olson motioned to approve, Kathy Olson second, motion approved.

Constitution and Bylaws: Betty Olson agreed to chair this committee to review the constitution and bylaws for possible revision. On the committee: Mary Strasser, Cheryl Schmidt, and Karen Erickson. If anyone else is interested in joining, contact Cheryl.

Junior Division

Festivals: Rennae Petersen, chair, reported on the Festival. In the next two weeks, all the directions will be sent to junior counselors in one packet. She will be follow-up with e-mail to see if the clubs received the packet. All the numbers on the festival forms have been changed. A hard copy of the forms will be sent this year, and after will be available on the web site only. Clubs are encouraged to use electronic submission of records, etc. National is working on a form to use nationally. Efforts will continue to define the difference between event and participant and make this distinction clear on our forms.

Festival Cup: Susan Hoolihan, chair. Festival cup information will be included in the festival packet that Rennae is sending to junior counselors. Minnesota Logo Wear information will be on the website. A youth-size tee shirt, adult tee-shirt, crew sweatshirt, hooded sweatshirt, and tote bag are all available. (see web site for information and prices).

International Music Camp/Summer Scholarships: - Rose Zygmanski, Chair. Applicants are solicited after festivals.

Junior Composer-s Contest: Pat Steege is new chair. Minnesota had two winners in composition: Class 3 Heidi Hildebrandt $50.00 and Class 4 Naomi Finsass, New London, incentive award. Deadline for Junior Composer-s Contest is in January. Brochures about Junior Composers Camp will be given to all entrants.

MFMC Music Scholarships for Challenged Students and Joyce Walsh Junior Disability Award: Cheryl Schmidt, chair. These are state and national award for students with special challenges - hearing impaired, blind, etc. Application deadline is in January.

NFMC Biennial Student Collegiate Auditions: Sheila Shusterich, chair. Applications and repertoire lists were distributed. All forms are available on national website www.nfmc.org. Monetary rewards on the national level are substantial-a MN winner received $10,000. You cannot compete in your local festival and this national music competition in the same year. Awards are available in many categories with ages ranging from 16 to 25. Application deadline is January 15. At state level in MN, we have given small awards--$100 - other clubs give $500 scholarships and call them -travel grants.- These awards are awarded in the even years only. Mary Strasser moved to increase the award to $500 per category, awarded to the winner in each category, who would then move to national competition. Ruth Stenson seconded. Motion carried.

Georgia Chapman Piano Study Award: October 1st is the application deadline. The award is for students in need of financial assistance to fund musical study. Send a tape or CD with two contrasting selections and have two references. This award is for middle-school age students. Application is on MFMC web site.

Young Artist Competition: will be held at the 2005 national convention in June. The Young Artist Award is $10,000 and 2 years of bookings for the winner in each category.

Senior Division

Thanks to our retiring Half Notes editors Walt and Mary Strasser. Shelley Galle (ssgalle@hotmail.com) agreed to be the new editor. Chairman-note that you will be given a deadline to send in information for half-notes.

Historian: Judith Zylstra, chair. Judy needs the last state convention program. Send information to Judy regarding MFMC events.

Opera: Jane Jensen, chair. Jane had lunch in Vista, California with Muriel Penne. Greetings from people we helped fund to attend Opera in the Ozarks, Aaron Rosenberger and Andrew Barrett. Dawn Pierce, lead in Carmen, was one of our recipients two years ago. Attendance and finances are looking up for the Opera in the Ozarks program

Legislation: Sarah Twedt, chair. This position has not been chaired for a while. Contact Sarah when we see cuts for music education at local school boards or the state legislative level. Sarah can then represent MFMC as an advocate for music programs and address concerns regarding music in the No Child Left Behind Law. A suggestion was made that we, as an organization, be a member of the Minnesota Arts Board. Members can also join the Arts Board individually; it is the organization that advocates for arts.

Rose Zygmanski Teacher Trust Grants: Karen Erickson, chair. Rose has endowed funds for this grant that helps with expenses for teachers wishing to take classes, lessons, etc. Karen has two applicants: Cheryl Van de Kamp - piano; Karen Erickson - She wants to teach piano and is taking pedagogy lessons and piano lessons. She has been teaching flute in the past. Mike Crary moved to approve the applicant-s requests. Betty Olson second. Motion carried.

Parade of American Music: (under American Music Division). Kathy Wilson, chair. Distributed list of awards with the following goal: to promote the creation, appreciation and performance of American music. She highlighted the Educational Institution Awards-schools can get $550. Junior clubs-American Music Award for Junior Clubs--$250. All forms are on the national website. November is American Music Month - Kathy will ask the governor for a proclamation. We could ask our local mayors as well.

Adult Composers Critique: Caryl Peterson, Chair-resigning-need new chair. This critique is available for adults who want their compositions in progress critiqued by an established composer. Position requires someone to send out a mailing with the guidelines, receive the compositions, and forward to the judge. She does get phone calls from the applicants thanking us for this opportunity. The fee is $25.00 now. The judge charges $35 per hour to judge. This would be a nice project for a club. Virginia Kendrick adult composer award for $100.00 is to be used with this Critique. Do we have a process for this award? We need to make sure the next chair is aware of this award and let the judge know about choosing a winner. Process involves finding the judge, then developing the deadlines for the brochure and getting it out. The brochure is usually sent in October. The last brochure had a June deadline for compositions. Cost for MFMC $600 and entry fees were $80.00. Further information will be gathered from Caryl regarding the time needed by the judge to judge a five page composition versus a ten, etc. A suggestion: Charge a critique fee for a specific number of pages to be reviewed by the judge.

Upcoming Dates

By-law proposal will be considered to change our state convention to coincide with the national elections. When MFMC state presidents attend national conventions, they are just elected when the others have been in the position for a year.

There has been a request by Federation members to hold a fall convention. Upcoming dates would mean Cheryl will continue as president until the Fall 2007 state convention. At that time we would have the elections on track with nationals providing the constitution and bylaws are changed. Karen Erickson will become first vice-president at this time.

President's Wish List

Student Division Chair: a federation member is needed to personally visit colleges to promote our many scholarship and award opportunities.

Tribute moment: Mickey Jax passed away July of 2004. Jane Jensen presented a tribute. Mickey was born in 1933, a member of Tuesday Music Club (70 years old) lucky to have her. Joined in 1972, was president in 1979-80, Secretary for MFMC in 1978 for a long time, gold cup chair when everything was done by hand. Junior festival chair-a long time. Mickey was a patron for fine arts community giving $2500 to a student. She graduated from Detroit School of the arts and studied harp as well as voice. Harp was played at her funeral. She taught piano for two generations-starting when she was 11-years-old.

Announcement by Kathy Wilson to teach children the standard folk songs listed on the sheet she distributed. Catherine McMichael-recommended as a woman composer. She composes piano and flute music.

Meeting adjourned at 11:45.
Submitted by MFMC State Secretary Peggy Karsten