from Aimee Beckman-Collier
aimee.beckmann-collier@drake.edu  

Thanks to all who attended North Central’s conference, Beyond the Notes, and to those who served as session presiders, choir hosts, and assistants with various aspects of the conference. Special thanks to those who served on the conference planning committee, including:

• Program Chair – Mark Lehmann (IA), who deserves great praise for his dedication to ACDA and for the wisdom, energy, and good humor he provided throughout the almost four year planning process.
• Interest Sessions/Immersion Day – Rhonda Fuelberth (NE) and Kelly Truax (IA)
• Reading Sessions – Linda Vanderpool (IA)
• Honor Choirs – Lynn Seidl (WI)
• Facilities/Equipment – Rodger Trader (WI) and John Choi (WI)
• Hospitality – Matt Huth (IA) and Carol Dahle (WI)
• Registration – Matt Wanner (WI)
• Performing Ensembles - Tim Wurgler (WI)
• Publicity – Susan McAllister (WI)
• Folksong Project – Kevin Meidl (WI)
• Program Book Advertising – Sheri Fraley (NE)
• Exhibits – Tom Mielke (WI)
• Graphic Design and a whole lot more – Judy Eckenrod

I offer gratitude to the following, who handled special duties fabulously:
• Housing Coordinator – Christina Conn (WI)
• Accompanist Coordinator – Herb Berendsen (WI)
• Activities at First United Methodist Church – Scott Foss (WI)

Honor Choir Coordinators
• Children’s - Bev Mattingly (WI)
• Middle Level Boys - Marcia Russell (WI)
• Middle Level Girls – Teresa Schroepfer (WI) and 
• High School - Cory Schneider (WI)

Thanks, too, to Jeff Holcomb and the Greater Madison Convention and Visitors Bureau, without whose support the conference could not have happened; to Rudy Lienau, Steve Schroeder, and the staff at the Overture Center for the Arts, whose professionalism and kindness made the conference so enjoyable to plan and attend, and to the companies who provided huge support, including Michelle Gutoske and J. W. Pepper, Emily Crocker and Hal Leonard, the General Mills Foundation, and Lorenz Music.

Finally, an extra-huge thank you to Lee Nelson, whose musicianship and leadership made the process of rehearsing To Be Certain of the Dawn, as well as its exceptional performance, a life-changing experience for the 360 students involved in that project.

Aimee