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OUR 11TH ANNUAL NATIONAL GATHERING The eleventh annual Children's Music Network National Gathering was held October 12-14, 2001, at Walker Creek Ranch near Petaluma, CA. The beautiful rolling hills of Walker Creek Ranch have been the site of several CMN national gatherings over the years, and it was a pleasure to return there for a wonderful weekend of networking, workshops, song swaps and musical jams. Both Friday and Saturday evenings featured the traditional Round Robin concert, a time for any participants who wish to share a song. Friday evening also included folk dancing, and Saturday featured a performance workshop with the teen group, 'Til Dawn, as well as the rich variety of workshops that are typically offered at national gatherings. As in every national gathering weekend, the workshops were a terrific resource to find new songs, new techniques for working with children, and supportive place to discuss common concerns. Given the recent tragic events of September 11, 2001, the weekend was an especially important time to process these events together and share the many musical ways people were finding to work with children in times of crisis. The 2001 Magic Penny Award honored the great children's musician Ella Jenkins and the rich legacy and gift of songs she has given to the field of children's music. She is one of the most significant figures in children's music today, and the Magic Penny celebration was a wonderful opportunity to appreciate her music and her teachings and to hear her speak.
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