MTNA and learning for life.(Music Teachers National Association)

"Fortune favors the prepared mind." The primary mission of Music Teachers National Association has always been to support the professionalism of music teachers through the continuing education of its members. This mission is especially relevant in the current professional environment, which maintains a frenetic pace of change.

According to Thomas Friedman, an American auto parts manufacturer in China, posted the following African proverb on the factory floor:

       Every morning in Africa, a gazelle    wakes up.  It knows it must run faster than the    fastest lion or it will be  killed.       Every morning a lion wakes up.       It knows it must  outrun the slowest    gazelle, or it will starve to death.       It  doesn't matter whether you are a    lion or a gazelle,       When  the sun comes up, you better    start running. 

Figuratively speaking, when it comes to continuing education, success and growth come to our MTNA members who continue to be good runners. Programs sponsored by our local associations, state associations and the national association are planned to fulfill the myriad needs of our members. These needs include opportunities to develop social relationships, achieve personal advancement and stimulate cognitive interest. Ideally, MTNA's offerings are learner-centered with encouragement for collaborative learning, as well as independent learning and critical thinking. Opportunities to network with other teachers and establish supportive professional friendships are found at all the association's continuing education events.

Attending the 2006 MTNA National Conference in Austin, Texas, March 25-29, is one of the best ways to stay up to date. This annual conference is MTNA's major continuing education initiative--one every member should take advantage of. MTNA members will select their division's director who will serve on the MTNA Board of Directors, as well as a director-elect for each division. These directors and directors-elect will replace the division presidents and presidents-elect.

The conference has a movie subtheme with William Westney's "Wax On, Wax Off: Hollywood's Perception of the Teacher-Student Relationship," Paul Bordeleau's "Improvisation to Silent films" and Salome Arkatov's documentary film about John Browning. Another conference highlight will be Lawyer Ted Piechonski discussing "Ethics in Music." Master classes will be given by The Amadeus Trio, John Weems, Ingrid Clarfield and Nelita True. Texas is one of many states that have excellent piano ensemble programs that feature a stage full of pianos and students. The piano ensemble performances at the Texas State conventions are impressive for their size, organization, and ...