Texas Music Educators Association. I don't have a degree in music. Everyone in this place is a better musician than I am. They are all public school teachers or college professors. Dare I even look anyone in the eye?
I had many of those kinds of thoughts as I went to my first TMEA convention last week. When I finally got up enough courage to admit what I do, I was in for a shock. Everyone I spoke to was impressed with what we are doing in our little co-op! I got nothing but supportive comments!
When the speakers in the workshops were introduced, all their amazing credentials were listed, which I found very intimidating. But when they began speaking, they seemed more approachable. Then when I actually spoke to them, they were all very supportive of what we are doing. The leader of Dallas Brass (they perform internationally) told another person in their booth, "I like this woman and what she is doing!" I bought some music from him and he said he would transpose the bass line up an octave for me since we don't have low enough instruments. A professor from Eastman School of Music spoke to me quite a while about learning and teaching improvisation. The person in the Sound Tree booth helped me figure out the most economic way to improve the sound of our recordings. All because I got up the courage to introduce myself and explain our situation.
So are you a little intimidated about going to TMEA? Please don't be! Start saving your pennies, pluck up your courage, and plan on going next February!
Excellent article, Jeannette. I too have often been surprised to find that those I'm most impressed with are the most approachable - which makes them even greater in my book!
ReplyDeleteAmen to June's comment. During the first session that Jeannette attended, I sat outside and ended up talking with the main soloist with Bay Area Chorus http://bayareachorus.org/current/index.htm. When I told her why Jeannette was at the conference she told me to tell her to keep up the good work because what she was doing was important.
ReplyDeleteBy the end of the conference, I felt like I could have fit in and I only attended 2 sessions and 1 concert!