News Center Maine
Maine Music Educators Association president Sandra Barry and president elect Andy Forster speak to News Center Maine about the work they are doing encouraging the rules to change around singing with students in schools across the state.
You can view the News Center Maine coverage at THIS LINK.
Congratulations
I just received the great news that our music colleague Andrew Forster from Messalonskee High School in Oakland is moving along in the process for the 2017 Maine Teacher of the Year. Andy is one of 8 county teachers of the year that is moving to the next step in the process. CONGRATULATIONS Andy and a BIG HIP HIP HOORAY!
The 2016 County Teachers Of the Years moving on in the 2017 State TOY process are:
Maine Music Educator Teacher of the Year
Music Educator Steve Muise spoke admirably while introducing his friend and colleague Andy Forster at the Maine Music Educators banquet last month at UMaine. Below are excerpts of what Steve said:
Andy exhibits excellence in all that he does and sets the bar high for himself and his musical colleagues and students.
Andy Forster is:
• Concert and Jazz Band Director at Messalonskee High School
• Creator and instructor for the MHS recording and engineering class
• an exemplary trumpet performer
• a highly sought after guest conductor
• one who constantly seeks professional development to enrich teaching
• Conductor and Director of MMYO (Mid Maine Youth Orchestra)
• Founder and director of the Acadia Wind Ensemble
• Founder and director of the annual “Stan Kenton Holiday Big Band”
• Co-founder of the MHS summer band camp program
• a tireless advocate for music education
• an avid photographer, volunteer ski patroller, teaches ski patrol advanced first aid, and hiker
• he is humble, helpful, talented and caring as you will see in the attached recommendations.
Andy’s support of RSU 18’s music program is his “Stan Kenton Holiday Big Band” project. Andy personally purchased the charts for several Stan Kenton arranged Christmas Carols. He coordinates, and rehearses the band (an extended brass big band with french horns, consisting of the areas finest professional musicians). Last year, the Stan Kenton Big Band, plus RSU #18 music ensembles, and the Downeast Brass Quintet (another of Andy’s bands) raised money for Andy’s colleague’s choral trip to NYC this spring.
Andy assists at every school music event in RSU #18. He can usually be found setting up, breaking down, doing stage tech. and lighting, providing sound reinforcement, recording, teaching students how to record, and taking professional looking photographs. (This is often done during one of his own concert band concerts). He does this without complaint, and never hesitates to be of assistance to his music students, parents and colleagues.
Andy’s fabulous work in directing MMYO (Mid Maine Youth Orchestra) involves students and families throughout Central Maine in coming together to form a full orchestra. The orchestra students in MBRSD benefit greatly from this experience. In an age where many only look out for themselves, Andy truly looks out for everyone else.
UMaine campus
It was great to see so many music educators at the All-State conference last week participating in professional development opportunities. The workshops were enriching and provided a variety of topics and presenters to deepen music educators learning. I enjoyed hearing the keynote by Scott Shuler, president of National Association for Music Education. Attending the session were several of our teacher leaders from the Maine Arts Assessment Initiative. Some from the first phase and some of our second phase. Included in this post is a photo of some.
I am always moved by the intensity of the students who are practicing for the Saturday performance. The energy of the conductors, the sustained focus of the students, and the sheer number of students is so impressive. I was only sad I couldn’t attend the performances on Saturday. All reports were that they were fantastic!
Attending the banquet on Thursday evening was a wonderful opportunity to connect wtih teachers. Musicians from the North Yarmouth Academy delighted us with a handful of songs. The evening ended with the presentation of awards to outstanding music educators. Congratulations to the following:
Andy was nominated by Steve Muise
Carol was nominated by Karen Beacham
Steve was nominated by GSA Headmaster, Paul Perkinson
Enjoying the banquet: Pam Kinsey, Sam Moore-Young, Nancy Curran
me arts ed 