Southern Division.

The fall Virginia MTA conference was held in Richmond, featuring conference artist, Scott Beard, NCTM. Clinicians Walter and Carol Noona presented a workshop entitled "When the Downbeat Teacher Meets the Offbeat Student."

Local associations in the area also have been active. Northern Virginia MTA received the 2004 MTNA Local Association of the Year Award. Each year NVMTA presents scholarship awards in excess of $7,000, including a new scholarship for concerto competition winners and outstanding composition festival participants.

The Peninsula MTA hosted Grace MacFarlane, who presented the program "Exploring the Romantic Style in Teaching Elementary through Early Advanced Literature." Also, plans are underway to host a music marathon as a new scholarship fundraiser. Central Virginia MTA featured Barbara Lister-Sink, NCTM, author of Freeing the Caged Bird.

Richmond MTA presented Seymour Bernstein, NCTM, in a workshop "Pedaling--The Soul of the Piano." A master class featuring three RMTA students followed the workshop.

The Alabama MTA conference spotlighted Cliburn silver-medallist, Santiago Rodriguez, as its featured clinician. Other noted clinicians included violinist Sally O'Reilly, noted Bach specialist Virginia Hutchings, Vicky King, author of Playing the Piano Naturally, composer/arranger Susan Ogilvy and Julie Romeo from Brook Mays Music Company.

--Diane Higgins, NCTM

Charlotte, North Carolina