NFMC Convention 2013

The members of the South Carolina Federation of Music Clubs made a supreme effort to help out at the NFMC convention that met in Greenville recently. Pat Howle, the chairman of the event, selected a group of hard workers to help put together a plan of work.  She and the chairmen of different responsibilities met many times to work out difficulties as they arose,  For example, there was the requirement of flowers at the many meetings to be held.  The flower committee worked wonders planning what decorations would be used and where they would be, then they decided who would be responsible for certain meetings.  That committee met several times together, but we could see different members coming each day with flowers and the other things needed for the arrangements and they all seemed happy to be doing that daunting task.

Then there was the registration committee where the chairman decided who would be there on different days, who would sign people in, who would be runners to get the bags from the storage room to the registration table.  She had to be there the entire time and lock and unlock the room where those precious bags were kept until registrants claimed them.  She was the one who actually decided how the bags would be lined up in the storage room and she,  along with others, decided how many tables and where they were to be. And there was the state convention treasurer to take up money for late registration and other matters.  She, too, was there every day. There was a person who assigned people to be in the lobby to welcome each person as they came to register - two for every day, or sometimes for every few hours.  AND there were the people who went to the airport to pick up some of our officers and their guests.  We heard that some of these drivers actually took their guests on a tour before bringing them to the Hyatt. There was much activity around the registration desk.  Some people seemed to come just to chat for a moment, others to pick up a ticket for someone else who decided to attend a meal, and some came to see if we had something they had lost.  We can't forget those who stood at the table handing out water, peaches, CDs, and other items that could not go in the bags. 

The meals chairman spent much time with the Hyatt planning the meals and most people seemed to enjoy them.  The pianos had to be rented, the 300 bottles had to be bought, the many items in the convention bags had to be collected and distributed .

There was so much to be done!  The SCFMC can be proud of the work done for this 2013 Convention.  Thanks to all who participated in any way.

Alabama speaks

Harriet Coker sent an email that South Carolinians will be proud to read.  Margaret Smith of the Tuscaloosa Music Club asked that all South Carolinians be apprised of her message. She thanks us for all our efforts to make the NFMC convention such a success - well planned and executed.  She felt that everyone gave the guests a heartfelt welcome and treated them with true Southern hospitality.  Thank you, Harriet for sending this lovely message so that all of us could read it.

Junior News

Gilda Hendricks, SCFMC Festival Director, reports that students Hannah Brantley, Grace Chen and Sabrina Stewart were selected to perform at the State Junior Honor Recital and on June 29 in Greenville in conjunction with the NFMC convention. They were chosen by professional judges during the  Federation's annual Junior Festival at Rock Springs Baptist Church in Easley and sponsored by the Easley Piano Teacher's Forum.  The alternates were Erin Batson, Lydia Nalley and Ashlyn Tollison.

Watch out for this...

Be sure to check out the schedule for the convention in June - especially June 26th because a member of Crescent Music Club will present "Unforgettable Moments On and Off Stage".  Shirley Sarlin, well known actress will reprise some of the scenes she has done in various plays over the years.  She will also tell some funny things that happened off stage during those performances.  It's a great one-woman show that you won't want to miss!

Essay Winner

The Greenville Harmony Junior Club member Sarah Martin won the NFMC essay with her composition called "Music...The Colors of Life".  Sarah is the state winner for South Carolina. Her teacher is Ann H. Guest, president of the senior club that sponsors Sarah's club - The Greenville Woman's Music Club.  Thank you Sarah for your hard work.