Young DVMTA composers brought their musical ideas to life through the annual Composition Festival. Each participating student composed and notated their piece, then submitted a recording of themselves playing the piece. Each piece was then evaluated by Penni Scott, who has been a wonderful friend to DVMTA for many years, and has contributed so much to our developing DVMTA composers. Students were then able to participate in one of two Festival recitals, either virtually, or in person at Southeast Valley Bible Church, and each recital participant received a medal. Congratulations to these dedicated musicians, and many thanks to their devoted teachers, and to the Original Composition Committee: Claire Westlake, Debbie Engelsman, and Jessica Heidt.
 As we move into November, can you think of a year when we’ve needed Thanksgiving more? For many, 2020 has been a year of unprecedented loss, deep heartache, and debilitating stress. It’s also been a year of resilience, stamina and innovation. That is exactly WHY we need to remind ourselves and each other to keep perspective. I’m thankful that so many of our students were able to give live performances at our first two events; I’m thankful for the many students who have been featured performing on Facebook and You Tube; I’m thankful for the DVMTA Board members who are adjusting to significant changes; I’m grateful for each one of you and for the ways you are pitching in to help out; I’m thankful for members who have jumped on the wave of technology and helped all of us learn and benefit from it; and I’m thankful for friends who have made this season a little sweeter just by being available when it seems we are having to figure it all out on our own. We have so much to be thankful for. May you and your families experience the joy of gratitude in this Thanksgiving season!
Lori Weidemann DVMTA President Click here for full newsletter The October General Meeting is a preview of this year's Cavalcade of Rhythm Ensemble pieces, and typically involves teachers playing through the selected duets to help them decide in which groups to place their students. Because of the physical distancing limitations we have this year, we were not able to do this. Through innovating and some creative "out of the box" thinking, our Cavalcade chairperson, Sara Pratt, still made this meeting happen, and for its purpose to be realized. She created a video that demonstrated each piece, along with an image of the score, which allowed teachers to evaluate a proper fit for each student who wishes to participate in Cavalcade. This event will look very different this year, and will be held virtually, but we are still looking forward to "Rocking On" with our duets. DVMTA students were amazing as they performed at Music Marathon. Some participated virtually by sending videos of themselves playing their selected pieces, while others participated in person by performing in front of a small and distanced audience at one of our two venues. The locations included Superstition Springs Mall and Southeast Valley Bible Church, and we were thrilled to have so many participate, 230 in all! These wonderful students shared their music enthusiastically, and with great energy, and demonstrated that despite the challenges we have, there are still opportunities to connect, and to make memories together. Many thanks to our Music Marathon Committee: Charles Newton, Lori Kaye Faler and Diana Palmer. |
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