National Fraternity of Student Musicians

Fifty-three piano pupils from Mary Couey, Barbara Laurendine, Amy Morgan, Sally Pehler and Connie Sullivan studios registered as candidates for membership in the National Fraternity of Student Musicians, sponsored by the National Guild of Piano Teachers, Teacher Division of the American College of Musicians.

This group of young pianists recently performed in the National Piano-Playing Auditions, held at Christ United Methodist Church and Dauphin Way Baptist Church.

International division honorees, with 15-20 memorized pieces, were Hope Driskell and Connie Ng. National honorees, with 10-14 memorized pieces, were Kasey Ammons, Abby Arensberg, Anna Arensberg, Caroline Belue, Kynsy Bixler, Erin Brown, Katie Brown, Marie Cain, Ian Copeland, Megan DeVoe, Taylor Allene Godbee, Davina Ho, Vivian Ho, Todd Lamb, Morgan Lancaster, Whitney Myers, Natasha Novikov, Momo Ohta, Ashley Osburn, Makayla Parker, Amanda Peterson, Julie Rensink, Samantha Simpson, Carley Smith, Macey Turner, Abby Vaughn, Casey Vaughn, Rebekah Waldo, Parker Watts and Kaitlin White.

State division honorees, with 7-9 memorized pieces, were Rebecca Jolly and Kimberly Wendland. District division honorees, with 4-6 memorized pieces, were Tosin Ajomale, Toyosi Ajomale, Jonathan Arbour, Madeleine Boudreaux, Hannah Hashimi, Mary Maud Meacham, Victoria Morris, Sarah Pehler, Matthew Scelsi, Anna Van Derwood and John Van Derwood.

Local division honorees, with 2-3 memorized pieces, were Emily Grimes, Nicholas Haggard and Mindy Harvey. The hobbyist diviSion honoree was Linda Kroutter. Duet division honorees were Elizabeth Null and Jessica Peterson, and MaKayla Owens and Matthew Owens.

Special awards went to Tay lor Godbee for completing her fifth year playing at international and national levels. She received her five-year composer pin. Nicholas Haggard, Mindy Harvey, Natasha Novikov, Anna Van Derwood and John Van Derwood received the Guild Founder's Plaque.

Host families wanted ASSE International, formerly American Scandinavian Student Exchange, is seeking exchange student host families for the 2008-2009 school year.

Students participating in the academic school year programs will arrive in August and stay for either a semester or a full school year. Time commitment for families is 10 months for the 2008-2009 academic year.

Host families are required to provide a separate bed and three meals a day. All ASSE students bring their own spending money and are fully insured.

Visit ASSE International's Web site at www.asse.com. For information on becoming a host family, contact the Southern regional office at
800-473-0696 or e-mail asseusasouth@asse.com.

Band director honored Sidney Dedeaux, Baker High School band director, was elected to membership in the American School Band Directors' Association at the recent national convention held in Wisconsin.

The ASBDA is a national organization composed of professionally trained directors and teachers of school bands, whose purpose is to advance and improve music education.

At the national convention, members participate in discussions, listen to speakers, and attend technique demonstrations and clinics.