2009 CMN National Conference

Reflections

BLACK MOUNTAIN, NORTH CAROLINA

Beautiful harmonies drifted up the mountainside like wisps of smoke soaring upward, carried away on the breeze.  Warmth, laughter, the hugs of old friends reuniting, open arms welcoming newcomers into the circle – CMN has come together again for our yearly conference swimming in a sea of  song, smiling faces and the occasional tears too that heartfelt moments bring when profound things  are shared.  We gathered this year at the Blue Ridge Assembly in Black Mountain in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina.  This wonderful facility had all the comforts needed for a weekend of workshops, musical jams, song swaps, and meetings both large and small.  Folks at the conference also enjoyed its other features as well including incredible hiking trails, creeks, waterfalls, and the wide range of wildlife calling the mountains home.

 “A Tapestry of Songs” was this year’s theme – the musical weaving started early with a pre-conference fundraising concert Thursday evening at the Jubilee Church in Asheville, North Carolina.  This year’s CMN ‘tapestry’ had the common threads that have made all of our conferences so memorable and unique.  The Friday and Saturday evening round robins are one of the most magical parts of the weekend and this year’s was no exception.  On stage yet informal, the round robin is a sharing of songs in a non-pressured, supportive atmosphere, in a truly democratic format so that anyone who wishes to sing a song can do just that.  And often no sooner is a song begun, than the harmonies swell over, under, and around the space with a musical vibration that fills the heart.  There were hilarious moments in the round robins that had us all laughing in the aisles, and deeply moving moments both there and in the separate tributes to members who have passed away this past year that held us all in the same breath with tears in our eyes.  Of the many touching moments at these weekends, the ones that move me most deeply are often when one of the children gets up to sing. This year it was 3rd grader Evalyn H. singing in the round robin Saturday night.  Evalyn has been coming to CMN conferences with her parents since she was born.  As she sang, I thought about how over the years we have watched her grow from a baby on stage in her father’s arms to a shy preschooler softly singing traditional songs – and later CMN member’s songs – to this year’s moment when she sang a very beautiful, heartfelt song that she had written herself.  Hearing her sing, I felt I was watching and listening to the very heart of CMN.

There are many common threads in our national conference – our workshops, our keynote, our Magic Penny ceremony.  The dynamic workshops held each year – songswaps, panel discussions, lectures, master classes – included a wonderful and interesting array of workshop choices at this year’s conference.  Both our keynote speaker and Magic Penny recipient this year epitomize the values and principles at the center of CMN.  Billy Jonas was our keynote speaker, a highlight for many of those attending.  Many commented throughout the weekend about his moving words on the importance of the music we bring and the substance of what we share in our work with children.  The incredible Tom Chapin was honored at our conference this year as our 2009 Magic Penny recipient.  The Magic Penny Award recognizes lifetime contributions in the field of children’s music.  Our tribute to Tom Chapin featured many of his wonderful songs sung by CMN members and by Tom himself along with the poignant memories, stories and insights he shared with us.

Of the common threads in this musical tapestry of The Children’s Music Network, perhaps the most important of all is the thread of community that we create when we come together – it is one to which we bring our best selves and one that brings out the best in each of us. 

For reflections from other CMN members shared on the CMN email list, click here.

– Barb Tilsen

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