From February 14-17th 2018 approx. 36000 delegates converged on San Antonio, Texas, USA to take part in the 2018 Texas Music Educators Clinic / Convention.
Band Directors Bruce Hicks and Chris Tratt from Archbishop Beck Catholic College in Liverpool, UK were in attendance.
The TMEA Clinic / Convention founded in 1920 has become the largest and most prominent of its kind in the USA. The concerts and clinics were truly amazing, the Bands, Choirs and Orchestral performances were consistently "simply awesome".
The convention was full of diverse musical offerings from "Texas All State" students, honour ensembles, invited ensembles and many others, all delivered memorable, inspirational and musical performances.
The TMEA Clinic / Convention presented an incredible concentration of professional learning opportunities. Providing a tremendous resource for best practices and pedagogical strategies.
Some of the most knowledgeable clinicians in the USA and from the home state of Texas presented workshops, concerts and clinics. These were truly inspirational, educational and even perspirational. Clinic day's commenced at 7.30 a.m. concluding at 9.30 p.m. with a great deal of darting between conference venues to pack in everything on offer.
The educational aspect of the conference was supported by a vast array of exhibitors. As we managed to reach San Antonio a day before the conference started we were able to see the huge amount of work that went into putting it all together. Yes awesome and as the locals kept telling us, everything is bigger and better in Texas, this was certainly true!
TMEA was certainly a time for renewing old friendships and of course making new ones. In particular Craig Hamilton from Ouachita Baptist University and Jeff Matthews form Northwestern State, University from the University of Louisiana.
The Music educators from Archbishop Beck Catholic College left the convention affirmed and with a rejuvenated sense of purpose, passion and energy.
The visitors were also able to do some sightseeing. Particular note was taking the world heritage site of the 5 missions of San Antonio, the Alamo and much more. Yes simply an "awesome experience".
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