March is a good time to start making your summer travel plans. Toward the end of Lent and especially during Holy Week, don’t most parish musicians dream about getting away from it all?

Be sure to include the NPM National Convention in Indianapolis on your list of things to do this summer. The 2007 NPM National Convention will feature liturgies, events, and workshops that will renew your spirit, nurture your growth, and strengthen your ministry. If 10 or more people from our chapter register together for the convention, we will receive an additional 10% discount. Contact me if you are planning on attending this year as all chapter discount registrations must be mailed together by the May 25 deadline. To qualify for the chapter discount, all registrants must be members of the national organization. Fore more information on membership at the national level, contact the national office at:

NPM
P.O. Box 4207
Silver Spring, MD 20914-4207

Telephone: (240) 247-3000
E-mail: npmsing @ npm.org

In addition to the convention, the National Catholic Children’s Choir Festival, the National Catholic Children’s Adult Choir Festival, and the National Catholic Handbell Festival all begin on Saturday, July 7 and each concludes with a performance on Monday evening, July 9, in Indianapolis. Details on these festivals can also be found on the NPM website, npm.org. The deadline for registration for these festivals is May 15.

Over the years, NPM has sponsored many educational institutes. NPM offers programs all over the United States for cantors, organists, guitarists, music educators, and pastoral liturgists as well as directors of vocal choirs, handbell choirs, liturgical music ensembles, and children’s choirs. Several events this summer occur in Pennsylvania of surrounding areas. For example, there is a three-day Cantor Express at Duquesne University, and the Choir Director Institute is in Alexandria, VA. A little farther from home is the Guitar and Ensemble Institute, which will be held in Erlanger, KY. The Pastoral Institute will be in Providence, RI. You can contact the national office for more information. It’s also on their website.

I’d also like to remind you that it’s time to collect membership dues for 2007. These dues help with expenses for the newsletter and other mailings we send throughout the year to keep you informed of upcoming events.

As usual, we’ve already begun planning for our next year. If you have any ideas or suggestions as to the type of program you would like, please e-mail me at debbie @ npm-aj.org. You can also contact me by phone at (814) 696-2683.

-Debbie Johnson