Annual Fall Conference 2023
TFMC District VI Fall Conference
New Braunfels Presbyterian Church
October 20, 2023
The meeting was called to order at 10:20 a.m. by President Virginia Kniesner, with the following in attendance: Karen Akkerman, Lois Armor, Brett Bachus, Sue Bachus, Deanna Badgett, Susan Bell, Mara Benitez, Robbie Borchers, Mark Camann, Johanna Clark, Mary Eck, Marcia Edwards, Lois Gerhardt, Judy Gorrell, Spencer Gremmer, Barbara Houde, John Isaacks, Janie Keys, Yulia Klueva, Megan Krejci, Marque McKay, Barbara Perdue, Cindy Peterman, Richard Shelton, Angela Smith, Sherri Stricker, Mary Wittrup.
Opening Ceremonies were held as follows:
Pledge of Allegiance - Spencer Gremmer
Pledge to the Texas Flag - Mary Wittrup
Collect - Barbara Houde
Greetings from the Host Club - Robbie Borchers
District VI Treasurer John Isaacks reviewed the financials for District VI (attached). He reported that this year the district’s web page was paid for by donations and not included in planned expenditures for the year. It was suggested that we all seek donations to help build the district’s financial status.
President Kniesner reviewed activities which have taken place since our June 3, 2023 Board meeting, including her attendance at the TFMC Annual Convention, August 3 - 5, 2023 in Houston (a copy of her notes is attached).
2nd Vice President Judy Gorrell reported on 2024 District VI Festival dates as follows:
6-1 - February 17 at TSU
6-2 - February 10 at SAC
6-3 - January 27 at Arpeggio Music Academy
6-4 - March 2 at TSU
6-5 - March 2 at Hope Presbyterian Church, Austin
There is a need to find another venue for 6-1 and 6-4, since TSU will no longer be available for festivals after the March 2, 2024 event.
Club reports were given as follows:
Mark Camann introduced himself as the new Festival Chair for 6-2
Sherri Stricker, Crownridge Music Club (copy attached)
Angela Smith, Music Club Austin (copy attached)
Richard Shelton for Gonzales Music Study Club (copy of Vida Burnett’s report attached)
Judy Gorrell, Arpeggio Festival Music Club (copy attached)
Lois Armor, Etude Music Club (copy attached)
Sue Bachus, Opus 64 Club
Mark Camann moved to authorize District VI officers to amend the budget to allow a district-wide makeup festival on a Sunday afternoon after March 3. Brett Bachus seconded the motion to allow for discussion. There are currently ways to handle adjudication for those participants who cannot make the set festival date and the district does not finance the festivals. The motion did not pass.
Marcia Edwards requested a committee be established to create a history of our district and festival clubs. Mary Eck, Judy Gorrell and Marcia Edwards will be the nucleus of the committee, and others who are interested can contact Marcia.
Angela Smith, Music Club Austin, presented their club’s Vision and Mission statements as something other clubs might be interested in.
VISION: “To share the gift of music with each other and the community at large and to encourage and support aspiring young musicians.”
MISSION: “We believe in the transforming power of music. Through programming and advocacyt, we strive to advance recognition of music’s importance in enriching the human experience.”
President Kniesner led a memorial service with the assistance of Angela Smith and Judy Gorrell for those in our district who have passed away since our last annual conference.
Sue McCurdy Breuer, Austin (August 31, 1931 - September 29, 2022)
Kenneth Louis Koock, Austin (May 5, 1936 - December 19, 2022)
Klaus Richard Bichteler, Austin (March 15, 1938 - December 21, 2022)
Barbara Mjos, Austin (January 10, 1930 - January 22, 2023)
Nancy Deborah Stephenson Young, Austin (August 28, 1937 - January 28, 2023)
Gary Hallock, Austin (1951 - April 25, 2023)
Edith Creipe Knauer, Austin (October 20, 1925 - July 12, 2023)
Mary Morris Thomason, Boerne/San Antonio (October 29, 1949 - July 14, 2023)
On a motion by Brett Bachus, the business meeting adjourned at 11:50 a.m. We then enjoyed the music of Mara Benitez, guitar, and Karen Akkerman, cello, while partaking of the lovely lunch provided by the members of New Braunfels Music Study Club.
Lois Armor, Recording Secretary
