2008 CMN National Conference

Reflections

I just wanted to write in and let everyone know that I have fallen in love The Children's Music Network! Thank you Amy C. for encouraging me to attend the National Conference that was just held this past weekend in Illinois! I had so much fun and left feeling so inspired and supported...just like I do after having attended the MT Director's Weekend each spring. A whole new world was opened up to me by meeting so many amazingly talented and gifted children's singers, songwriters and performers.

Up until now, my world of children's music has remained pretty solidly Music Together material only. I've been teaching and directing in my bliss and felt that I had more than enough material to work with. And, I don't have children of my own quite yet, so I didn't feel the need to venture out much from what I already knew! But, I had no idea and now I'm sorry that I didn't begin to expand my horizons earlier!

This weekend they honored Bill Harley with the Magic Penny Award and of course, before this weekend I had no idea who he was! Now, I think I must be his #1 fan! He writes children's songs and stories with such wit and humor and yet incredible depth of emotion too. His messages reach deep into the heart of not only children...but every adult! I was laughing and crying and longing for my childhood again because of him! He is quite an accomplished man and I recommend that everyone check out who he is on www.billharley.com.

The conference took place in a beautiful setting...right on the beach of Lake Michigan. After morning workshops and afternoons of Round Robin (a time when everyone shares songs they've written or performed) we had enjoyed incredible meals and then bonfires on the beach late into the night just singing and getting to know one another! My roommate didn't come in one evening from singing until 4:30AM!!! Maybe not the best thing for her recovering vocal chords...but I couldn't blame her! The temptation to jump into the circle of friends making music together was too intense and electrifying to ignore!

I learned so much at my workshops "The Business of Children's Music", "Creativity and the Classroom", "School Assemblies" and "Flak Happens." I'm inspired even more now to create and market my own CD...a long time dream of mine that I know now is soon to be a reality...especially with all of the connections I've made by becoming a member of this incredibly generous and supportive community called CMN. I feel like doors are opening to new ways of making a living in addition to teaching and directing Music Together.  I'm excited about what the future holds and almost overwhelmed by my own creativity I can barely sit still today!

If you're not already a member, I would highly suggest that you visit their website at www.cmnonline.org. They hold national conferences every year and in 2009 they will be in North Carolina! They also have regional representatives that host annual song swap meetings that run very much like our Songs and Skills Workshops. They are free to members and it is an excellent opportunity to meet other CMN members in your area.

— Christy Burich, Illinois

I want to add my voice to the chorus of those singing THANK YOU with all our hearts to everyone involved in running this--it was truly spectacular.  The sales area was run really efficiently and with great good humor, the Glad Rags rack was a WONDERFUL addition to the conference and should be at EVERY one from now on! The Silent Auction was terrific, with wonderful and useful stuff; workshops were informative and, as usual, too short!!!  Why can't we have a month-long conference????  Keynote, Magic Penny...Bill Harley and Debbie Block were moving, hysterically funny, warm and full of heart. Just perfect. Food was excellent.  Setting, magical.  Hope I can make it to NC next year.  Thank you to all!

— Patricia Shih, New York

I have been to three of these gatherings now and all of them have been magical. I think our newcomers really noticed how much soul there is in CMN conferences, as opposed to the other professional conferences they attend.  We are offering wonderful workshops and a content rich format—witness Stuart Stotts' excellent presentation on literacy, creativity and music, or Fran McKinney's terrific workshop on integrating music with reading in early childhood.

But there's something more at CMN - the circle Saturday night when people shared memories and songs of Tom Hunter and the jamming afterward that went into the wee hours, just to name a couple of things.  There is so much heart and soul in CMN that really came across to the folks there for the first time.

Congratulations to Kathleen for finding such a wonderful location (it was fun having the wedding going on, even if it did mean moving dinner to the lawn by the parking lot).  Congratulations to Carole and Caroline for all they did, and to the many others who had a hand in putting together this event.

If you weren't there, promise yourself now that you are going to make up for it by being in North Carolina next year. Just put Columbus Day weekend on your calendar now and say it's done. No arguments. You'll be glad you did.

And now I wish I could go back to sleep...

— Liz Buchanan, Massachusetts

There are no adequate words left to say thank you to all the organizers and to the spirit of this gathering.  I had to leave early Sunday and did not get to say goodbye to so many folks.  In only two gatherings I have met folks that are imbedded in my heart for a lifetime. People at home ask me about the gathering.   All I can tell them, that there is so much love, peace, camaraderie, laughter, tears and good will, that it is overwhelming.   Almost like a fantasy, what a model for how to live our lives. And lest we not forget the little ones from the round robins. So young, so small, so blessed with pure talent, that I am blown away...Whooshhhhhh.  Thank you to all who make this event beyond belief...xxoo

— Gari Stein, Michigan

For those of you that were there, thank you for coming.   The food was great, my bed was comfortable, hot water is always a plus and the best amenity was 92 voices singing in eight part harmonies.  I cried, more times than I could count, I sang and laughed with the "LATE LATE night singers.” It Was AMAZING!" And I got to bed at 4:30am.

The highlight for me was the Magic Penny Ceremony for Bill Harley.  Listening to Jackson sing, Tom P's interpretation of one of my favorite songs, and hearing Debbie eloquently speak about Bill’s work truly touched me. 

— Frank Hernandez, Arizona

Small but powerful, busy yet filled with hushed moments, whether by the lake or during the late-night tribute to Tom Hunter.  Heartfelt thanks to Carole and Kathleen for all the hard work.  I had a great time and learned a lot and sang a lot and laughed a lot and cried a lot, especially during Bill's "moving day" song.  Wow.  That one hit a particularly deep note for me.  Met lots of wonderful new people and am inspired by Bill Harley's work/life. 

— Susan Salidor, Illinois

Each year I experience the same thing, that words never seem to be substantial enough to express the experience that I have at the gatherings.......it is always so good to be with you (collective you)......and I am always in awe of the work that I know goes into pulling this together and the relative ease with which things actually turn out......

It's hard to explain to non-musician friends what it is about these weekends that is so amazing.....the CMN heart that is so special.  I come away with a reassurance that I have so many friends all around spreading a sense of love and concern for the children in this world, all mixed up with a sense of fun and play.......that even though things aren't always great on this planet and in the lives of the children that we sing with, we can still find ways to have fun, and help heal the hurts through laughter and silliness....... artists first and foremost in the art of living, with music being the medium with which we paint our worlds............

— Joanie Calem, Ohio

What a fabulous weekend.  Great workshops, great silent auction items, great Glad Rags (what a cool idea), great Keynote and Magic Penny, great Round Robin songs, great food, great place and above all, great people to hang out with for a weekend.  Love, love, love and more love.

Songs, songs, songs, and more songs. New friends, old friends, all weaving themselves together in support, friendship, sharing of important information, connections... all great stuff.  I am so glad I went. I almost couldn't, but found a way to swing it.  Those of you who could not, were missed, but please do try to be there in Carolina in '09.  If you've ever considered going, but changed your mind, think again.  Find a way.  You won't be sorry you made the effort.

— Pam Donkin, California

What a wonderful weekend. Wish I could have stayed over Saturday night, it was like having to leave camp before all the other campers went home. Thanks so much to Carole and Kathleen, the CMN queens and everyone else who helped to coordinate this. Mostly thanks to all who came and shared their wonderful talents and information so freely without hesitation. What a wonderful group of humans. I'm humbled to be a part. See you in NC!!

— Jeannie B!, Illinois

Back to the Conference Archive page