2006 is off to a roaring start in Charlotte! Contest season is upon us‹I hope your students are well prepared so that everyone can relax and simply enjoy making music.

The CMTA Beethoven student composers¹ recital was held on January 15 with 36 students performing. Dr. John Valerio, the composition event judge, was present and had a wonderful interactive session with the students during intermission. Susan Kincaid has graciously consented to chair CMTA¹s composition event again next year, so look for details from her later in the year‹we hope to have them available for download at www.charlottemta.org <http://www.charlottemta.org> or contact shkincaid@msn.com.

The Youth Concerto Competition Winners¹ Concert jointly sponsored by Charlotte Civic Orchestra and CMTA took place on February 5. Student winners played Gershwin¹s Rhapsody in Blue (piano), Rodrigo¹s Concierto de Aranjuez (guitar) and Boieldieu¹s Concerto for Harp with Charlotte Civic Orchestra. CMTA¹s Dr. Michael Lehtinen will again chair the event next year. New guidelines are being prepared and will be ready later in the spring. They will be available for download at www.charlottemta.org <http://www.charlottemta.org> or contact MLeht@aol.com.

MTNA Divisional Elections are taking place now‹you may view candidates¹ biographies and vote online at www.mtna.org <http://www.mtna.org> . Voting information can also be found in the February/March issue of American Music Teacher magazine on page 65.

MTNA National Conference is March 25-29 in Austin, Texas. Registration information can be found at www.mtna.org <http://www.mtna.org> and in American Music Teacher. Conference attendance is a fabulous way to network and to gather all sorts of information in addition to hearing many wonderful performances. Early bird registration deadline is February 15.

NCMTA State Conference will be October 12-15, 2006 at Elon University near Burlington. Watch for details at www.ncmta.org <http://www.ncmta.org> and in the May and September NC Music Teacher journals.