Happy June! Although it feels like summer in northern Ohio, we’re still in spring – a time of change and rebirth. As with many of you, this was my first mostly normal school year in four years. As I represent GIML/MLT at national and state conferences around the country, I feel the energy of teachers coming together to share war stories, celebrate retirements, and make new plans. I am looking forward to that same energy in Chicago, August 1-3, for Music Moves through Research. At this conference (our 9^th), we will fête our late colleague, Marilyn White Lowe, hold activities just for first-time attendees, extend our day with some informal, after-hours, dancing and music-making, and share audeas with colleagues old and new.

Conference changes are an outward sign of some of the growth going on in GIML. Our executive director of the past six years, Cory Mays, is taking on new positions and responsibilities in Jackson, Michigan, and found it necessary to leave his position with GIML. We are most grateful to Cory for updating the organization, steering us through a difficult period, and his stewardship of GIML’s finances. At nearly the same time, Carin McEvoy, who was doing the bulk of GIML’s conference planning, was appointed the new executive director for the Michigan Music Education Association. These new duties made it impossible for Carin to continue planning GIML’s conference, so she took us through the session proposal and acceptance process and then resigned in order to start her new MMEA position. Thanks to Carin for her work on this and past conferences and for her continued service as a faculty member.

Many thanks to nominations chair, Cindy Taggart, the executive board, and the noble souls who stepped forward to provide new leadership for GIML. Your hosts at the Carleton in Oak Park will be conference chairs Robin Giebelhausen, Terry Bacon, and Katie Kurilko. I’m so thankful for their willingness to jump in, mid-stream, and make this conference a reality. You’ll be hearing a lot from them in the weeks ahead! Because the treasurer’s job has become much larger – overseeing sales for multiple events, managing numerous accounts and endowments, and coordinating more state and regional chapters—we decided to go back to a two-person team of executive director and treasurer as employees of the board. Because current treasurer, Bruce Dalby, was not interested in this position, he has stepped aside and will help the formation of the exciting new Rocky Mountain chapter! Many thanks to past-president and immediate past-treasurer Dr. Dalby, for his ongoing commitment and support. 

In his place, the board appointed Marcy Bacon as interim treasurer. Marcy has accounting and business experience, as well as book-keeping experience with non-profits. She served the NY chapter in this capacity and will be a great asset to GIML.

Welcome to our new, interim executive director, Amy Sierzega. Amy has served GIML in many capacities, as president of the Michigan chapter, as membership commission chair, and as a key part of migrating our membership data to our new management system. Thus, Amy has broad knowledge of the duties of the executive director and the structure of GIML. She agreed to lend us her talents for a year or two, while she completes doctoral coursework, and then we will reassess and make a more permanent plan.

That was a busy spring! Enjoy this month’s content in FYA and look for a new Audea to arrive in
your inbox soon. Enrollment in PDLCs is going strong, but there’s still room for you! Be one of
the first to take the inaugural class of the CHORAL application of MLT at the University of Maryland this summer! I look forward to seeing you in Chicago for patterning, prognosticating,
and picnicking.

Butch Marshall, GIML President