As I reflect a few weeks ago, the in-between moments really are the most valuable parts of a conference to me.
What most struck me, at this weekend’s Michigan Music Conference, was how many times I ran into someone and had a quick chat that felt less like a catch-up and more like a continued conversation. Again and again, we were able to jump past pleasantries and into real conversation.
Part of it, I’m sure, is social media, which does a good job taking care of the pleasantries and personal updates, which we could then skip.
Part of it is probably the nature of music educators – we bond quickly and deeply to our fellow travelers, through a combination of open hearts and a need for colleagues when we are so often isolated in our own school buildings.
And the third part is, of course, longevity. With 16 years of attending this or similar conferences, festivals, contests, and meetings, there are many people with whom I’ve shared many meals, connecting dozens of times over the years. This community is a deep and consistent blessing. They’re my people and I’m theirs.
The chance to continue this conversation was, indeed, a blessing and why I didn’t even mind attending exactly zero sessions at the conference.