At the South Central Division meeting at the MTNA National Conference in Albuquerque on March 21, 2010, outgoing Director Celinda Hallbauer installed Charles Jones of Louisiana as Director and Mary Sallee of Oklahoma as Director-elect. The meeting was well attended, with over 35 present. Following the meeting, South Central held its first official division dinner at La Placita in Old Town Albuquerque.

Oklahoma President Sylvia Ryan delivered the official letter of invitation from the University of Oklahoma for the Division Meeting and Competitions, January 15-16 in Norman, OK. Professor Jongwon Ham of the OU faculty will serve as the on-site coordinator. This summer, Division Director Jones will consult with the Oklahoma leadership to finalize the hotel and travel arrangements. The division is fortunate that its excellent team of competition officials will remain the same next year.

South Central is pleased to acknowledge the following national awards from the division:

MTNA State Affiliate of the Year - Louisiana MTA

MTNA Distinguished Composer of the Year - Pierre Jalbert, Texas

MTNA Star/Studio Teacher Award - Jennifer Mansour, Oklahoma

Six Foundation Fellows:

Ann Rye, AR, Charles Jones and the late Ernestine Durrett, LA

W.T. Skye Garcia and Sylvia Ryan, OK, William Westney, TX

South Central has 29 newly certified members since April 2009.

2010 State Conferences:

Arkansas - June 4-5, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville

Helen Marlais, clinician

Louisiana - Oct. 14-15, Northwestern State University, Natchitoches

Peter Mack, convention artist, Christine Barden, clinician

Oklahoma - June 4-5, East Central University, Ada

Robert Weirich, conference artist, Ingrid Clarfield, clinician

Texas - June 10-13, Arlington

Dennis Alexander, clinician