It is hard to believe that the beginning of a new school term is upon us. I hope all of you are enjoying your time away from the classroom and are filled with energy and enthusiasm for another year.

I had the pleasure of taking a Level III course this summer with Steven Calantropio (whom I first encountered through one of our chapter workshops a few years ago). As a result of my two weeks of learning this summer, I plan to make significant changes in my teaching, such as using speech to teach rhythmic "building blocks," introducing musical notation as my students create their own compositions and discern a need to put them in writing, and focusing more on process teaching.

Even more important than all of the content I learned in this class was the rediscovery of the joy of communal music making. I remembered why I chose music education as a career and vocation: music brought (and continues to bring) meaning to my life. Looking back at my life, many of my best memories are a result of various musical events, not only because of the music itself, but also because of the friends I made. I want my students to have musical experiences they will enjoy in the moment and remember years from now.

This school year brings several opportunities for you to experience and enjoy music within the framework of the Orff Schulwerk. I encourage you to attend our Greater Cincinnati chapter workshops this season &endash; we have four excellent clinicians lined up. Also, consider attending the national AOSA conference held in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, from November 11-14. No conference can match the excitement of being with two thousand music educators committed to the same ideals as you are.

Best wishes for a great school year &endash; I hope to see you at our upcoming workshops.

Musically yours,
John Crandall, President
Greater Cincinnati Chapter AOSA 0910
Crandall522@cinci.rr.com

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