A Thank-You Letter from the AOSA President
"Rhythms of the River, the beat goes on! We are still basking in the glow of a wonderful time at the 2010 AOSA Professional Development Conference in Spokane! Over 1400 happy participants (including industry members, conference workers, registered attendees, and performing ensembles) were treated to outstanding hospitality and some of the finest Schulwerk offerings in the world. Thank you so much, Spokane! Extra 
special thanks to National Conference Chair Sue Mueller and to Local Conference Co-Chairs Karen Baldwin and Linda Honn for the countless hours of planning that went into making this conference a success!
Sincere thanks and congratulations go to:
- The nearly 100 excellent presenters, who provided wonderful musical experiences throughout the three days
- Dragon Jam Band, directed by Doug Edwards, who performed during registration
- Olivia, Alexander, Suzanna, and Tommia Pakootas, the Coeur d’Alene Tribal Dancers, who opened the conference with an exciting welcome dance
- Judy Hafso and the Saint George’s School students, for their outstanding portrayal of "Rhythms of the River"
- The Coeur d’Alene Youth Marimba, who "wowed" us, under the direction of Sally Eilering-Sorenson
- Kirsten Belloni and the Grace Christian School Recorder Ensemble, who provided us with beautiful models of recorder playing
- Rebecca Neibarger, who led us so eloquently in "Viva La Musica" at the Welcome Ceremony
- The dynamic Nza, directed by Matthew Kelly
- Fremont Teed Elementary Orff Percussion ensemble, Anita Edwards, director;
- The Paul Winter Consort, who once again graced us with a beautiful concert
- The thrilling Tak Ka Di Mi Duo of Glen Velez and Lori Cotler
- Shirley McRae, upon receipt of the AOSA Distinguished Service Award
- Peter and Mary Alice Amidon, our newest AOSA Advocates
Every event was of the highest caliber, and all of the children’s performances were amazing!
I’d like to share these notes from some of our conference participants:
"My husband and I want to say Thank you so much for your wonderful hospitality and this impressive conference we can join this year. It was a great time for us. I am glad to see in which intensive kind of working the AOSA is committed to the Orff Schulwerk and to Carl Orff as a composer as well. Thanks so much for this all."
Frau Ute Hermann, Director of the Carl Orff Foundation
"The Spokane Conference was outstanding! The hard work and careful planning by you, the board, and AOSA staff reaped good dividends. We really liked the new scheduling. Hopefully, it will continue at next year's conference as well."
Bob and Laura Bergin, Sweet Pipes
Thank you again, Sue, Karen, and Linda. Your personal commitment to the AOSA 2010 Professional Development Conference in Spokane is a testament to the possibility that Orff Schulwerk presents. From the sessions, to the Welcome Ceremony, to the banquet, no detail was left to chance. It lived and breathed and pulsated with the energy of the Orff Schulwerk community in the Northwest.
Thank you to all of the Local Conference Committee Chairs and Workers. The conference reflected the pride and ownership of a team, a community effort, to bring the best possible offering for conference attendees – food for the soul and the mind; challenge to leave the comfort zone; beauty to inspire. On behalf of the membership of AOSA, I extend our deepest gratitude and compliment you on a superb conference!"
Sincerely,
Julie Scott
AOSA President