Message from Our National President, Debra Giebelhaus-Maloney

Greetings to all!

What a joy it was to be able to come and make music with all of you on Saturday.

My delightful weekend began at the Saskatoon airport with a limo ride to the 'Reid Bed and Breakfast'. My 'chauffeur (ess)' provided me with a scenic tour through two of the very finest music rooms where I was given 'carte blanch' of any instruments that my heart desired! Then off to the Reid Bed and Breakfast - fabulous facility - with great company, good wine and much laughter!

Saturday was a day rich with music and learning. Thank you for the opportunity to share music and language with all of you. I appreciated the enthusiasm and openness of the entire group. My apologies to all of you for making you drag out all of the instruments - but after 'reading' the group of participants I recognized within the first few minutes that I needed to slow down and work within a parameter that looked deeper within the language music connection as a hands on. I will make sure that at the SMEA I use some of the 'richer' musical orchestrations and offerings that I did not get to during that day - so do come and 'play'! My hope is that each participant (both generalist and specialist) was able to take home at least one small tidbit!

It was wonderful to see so many of my past LEVEL I students from the U of S in attendance. As I reflected it occurred to me that I taught the course 7 times at the U of S and many students in that biannual summer course have continued teaching music. Wonderful to know that the U of R ran such a successful LEVEL II - congratulations to you! Music is alive and well in Saskatchewan because of your continued efforts.

Thank you to each of you on the Saskatchewan Orff Chapter Executive for your dedication to music education. I recognize the huge time commitment that this organization takes for each of you. You are ALL amazing and need to know that your work is valued and so appreciated. Hats off to each of you on the Saskatchewan Orff Chapter for ALL that you do!

I look forward to seeing some of you in Regina at SMEA.

Many thanks!

Debra Giebelhaus-Maloney