• Annual Conference
• From the Chair
  
• Member News and New Members
  
• Minutes from Business Meeting in Greenville
  
• Position Opening: Breve Notes Editor
  
• Position Opening: SEMLA Web Editor
  

The autumn foliage of South Carolina provided a beautiful backdrop as SEMLA members gathered at Furman University for the chapter's 2001 Annual Conference. Over the course of three days (November 1-3) forty-seven attendees renewed acquaintances, met new members, enjoyed interesting presentations and generally had a great time, thanks in no small part to the efforts of Laurel Whisler (Furman University), Chair of the Local Arrangements Committee, and Mayo Taylor (Center for Popular Music, Middle Tennessee State University), Chair of the Program Committee. The festivities began Thursday evening with the opening reception, which was sponsored by the Music Library Service Company.

Following opening remarks by Janis Bandelin, Director of the Furman Libraries, the Friday program began with a presentation by Ed Komara. Ed, formerly of the Blues Archive at the University of Mississippi, returned from his new position at SUNY-Potsdam to share tips and knowledge about being published with his talk, "The Art of the Publishing Deal: Elements of Publication for Music." Jay Bocook, arranger and marching band director at Furman University, then spoke about "The World of the Marching Band: Arranging and Directing."

Midday Friday was spent in downtown Greenville. After touring the Peace Center for the Performing Arts, conference participants gathered in the Center's 2,100 seat concert hall for a talk on the history of the Greenville Symphony presented by the Symphony's Executive Director, Bob Howard. Before returning to the vans for the trip back to Furman for the afternoon sessions, everyone explored downtown, dining at one of the many establishments in the area.

Local music was the focus of the afternoon session, "Music of the Carolinas." Jennifer Ottervik (University of South Carolina), spoke about "African-American Music in South Carolina," including information about USC's Center for Southern African-American Music. A preliminary webpage for the Center can be found at http://www.sc.edu/library/music/csam/index.html. South Carolina native William Walker was the focus of a presentation by Harry Eskew, who spoke on Walker's life and his famous tune book, "Southern Harmony." This collection, one of the most popular in the South before the Civil War, was the first to include several well-known folk hymns. Finishing the session was Gary Boye (Appalachian State University), presenting on another Carolinian, North Carolina banjoist Earl Scruggs.

The final paper of the day was presented by John Druesedow (Duke University), entitled "'Home Sweet Home,' the most popular song of the 19th century?" SEMLA members then adjourned to the evening banquet at the Peddler Steak House, where good food and good company were the highlights of the evening.

Saturday saw a panel of librarians, moderated by Dennis Clark (Vanderbilt University), discuss recent construction projects in their libraries. Lois Kuyper-Rushing (Louisiana State University), Joyce Clinkscales (Emory University), and David Hursh (East Carolina University), along with Dennis, shared their experiences, made all the more vivid with pictures and plans.

Of course, no meeting is complete without the traditional business meeting. The meeting opened with a moment of silence, observed in memory of Edie Tibbits (East Carolina University), who passed away Sept. 15. Among the other items discussed was the possibility of hosting a national MLA meeting in Memphis in 2006. Recent retirees Roy Magers, Harry Eskew, and Laura Dankner were acknowledged; donations in their honor may be sent to the SEMLA Secretary/Treasurer. Also recognized were the recipients of the 2001 SEMLA Chapter grants: Alicia Martin, a library school student at Louisiana State University, and Lee Richardson, currently in her first year as Music Cataloger at the University of North Florida. Election results were announced, with Rashidah Hakeem (University of Mississippi) and Stephen Mantz (Davidson College) becoming new board members. Sarah Dorsey (University of North Carolina-Greensboro) assumed the position of Chair, succeeding Neil Hughes, whose good work was acknowledged by all.

Next year's meeting will be at Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge.

Stephen Mantz
Music Librarian
Davidson College

Since this is my first chair column, I am slightly intimidated by what has come before, so please bear with the new voice. I can hear Neil now: "Intimidated? What is she talking about?" I have to say I will miss Neil's cleverly crafted words of wisdom (or "ramblings" as he calls them). I'll try to be wise now and again. But as I said in Greenville, the wit will be wetter.

Before I get into the meat of this column, I just want to say how cool I think SEMLA is and how lucky I feel that in order to do my job I am REQUIRED to spend time with y'all (see, this yankee is getting the hang of it after 7 years!). That is the way I feel about MLA too, only bigger. What a lovely (or cosmic, as I say) miracle, and how fortunate we are that our jobs seem to be SEMLA-FIED! So, that said, on with it!

Well, what a wonderful meeting we had in November! I have to say that my view of Greenville, South Carolina is greatly adjusted after this meeting. Great eats, beautiful weather, surrounding hills adorned with fall gloriousness, not to mention the excellent coffee houses. Seriously, Laurel Whisler (Furman University) did an outstanding job as local arrangements chair, taking care of the myriad details with charm and good cheer. She even drove a van for the first time without hardly complaining! Laurel and her team of local arrangers certainly deserve our warm and fuzzy thanks! We had a delicious and delightful welcome on Thursday evening with a reception kindly given by Dana Jaunzemis of Music Library Service Company (MLSC). Thanks to her and MLSC for this generosity--including those great tote bags--and for all they do for us.

Appreciation also goes out to Furman University and Janis Bandelin for a warm welcome to their beautiful campus the next morning. The program committee with Mayo Taylor (Middle Tennessee State University) at the helm deserves kudos. I was very impressed with the variety and excitement of the offerings: from the world of bands and Donald Trump to music in the Carolinas to various facility sagas and back! I won't thank each person by name as I have already thanked them under separate cover. But a couple of highlights for me included Ed Komara (SUNY--Potsdam, and winner of the SEMLA Golf Open) imitating Donald Trump and live banjo music from Gary Boye (Appalachian State University). Also, since I was one of those people who made it through music school without ever playing in a band of any sort, the revelation of the world that I missed by Jay Bocook was most entertaining and enlightening! I'm definitely going to check out bands in my next lifetime! Then the Peace Center, and . . . wait, I'm doing it. Suffice to say it was a great meeting all around. Did I mention the coffee houses?

Some other highlights included a first for SEMLA. We awarded the initial SEMLA Travel Grant thanks to some help from MLA. Our grateful recipients, Alicia Martin (Loyola University) and Lee Richardson (University of North Florida) were seen being wrapped in the warm arms of SEMLA. Welcome to both and congratulations again!

Kudos also to our Best of Chapters nominating committee, Rashidah Hakeem (University of Mississippi, Chair), Rosario Barrios (Loyola University) and Lynne Jaffe (Crowne Pointe Business Information Center, Atlanta). They nominated another SEMLA winner, "The Bill Russell Jazz Collection: A Private Collection Opens to the Public," presented by Alfred Lemmon and Nancy Ruck (Historic New Orleans Collection). Y'all come to the session in Las Vegas (Wednesday, February 20th at 3:00) and cheer them on!

At our business meeting in Greenville, Neil was most efficient by being uncharacteristically un-loquacious. The results of the very close election--ably run by Member-at-Large Margaret Kaus (University of Tennessee)--were announced, with congratulations going to our new Secretary/Treasurer Steve Mantz (Davidson College) and our new Member-at-Large Rashidah Hakeem. Thanks to David Hursh (East Carolina University) and Rosario Barrios for running. Don't go away, though, there is always more to do for SEMLA. Thanks go to our outgoing Member-at-Large, Margaret. And what can I say to thank our outgoing Secretary/Treasurer Lynne Jaffe who has kept our books and our notes together since 1997? Thank you, Lynne!

You should also know that Lynne sent a check of $400.00 to MLA honoring the life of Edie Tibbits. My most vivid memory of Edie is as a library detective in her presentation in Columbia, South Carolina in 1997. I remember enjoying her creativity and realizing the depth and value of her work. She is missed. Your generosity speaks volumes and I believe Edie is touched.

We have position openings for both Web Site Editor and Newsletter Editor. By the time you read this those will be well under way. Position descriptions and application instructions appear elsewhere in this issue. Good luck to those who apply and thank you for your willingness to be considered. Perhaps I'll be announcing the new people at our meeting in Las Vegas.

Next fall we have the distinct pleasure of meeting in Baton Rouge at the home of our distinguished member Lois Kuyper-Rushing (Louisiana State University). Program Chair Rashidah Hakeem and Lois are already scheming! Should be a good one! More on this in Vegas, I'm sure.

The important business of hosting a national MLA meeting in Memphis in 2006 will be on our plate soon. Anna Neal (University of Memphis) is for it, most importantly, and support from all of us is there. All I need to do is write an official invitation to MLA, which should happen soon. More on that in Las Vegas, which reminds me: our next meeting is Wednesday, February 20th starting at 7PM. As you might have already heard, our meeting will be short and sweet so as to allow a group pilgrimage to boldly go where no SEMLAITE has gone before.

I know I've forgotten something or somebody--please tell me and I'll fix it in the next issue or on SEMLA-L. You'll have to get used to a non-cataloger being chair. Details? What details? I like focusing on the big picture where you get to realize how astounding your life is RIGHT NOW. And how lucky we are that SEMLA is a part of it. Thank you all and see you in Las Vegas!

I'll leave you with a quote, one of my favorites from Albert Einstein: "There are two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle."

Harry Eskew recently served as a music library consultant for Baylor University as part of their preparation for offering a Ph. D. in church music. His article on Johnson's Eclectic Harmony was published in the December issue of Notes.

Arlene Batson-George is Music Librarian at the New World School of the Arts in Miami, and adjunct faculty at Florida Memorial College where she teaches music research courses to undergraduate students. Originally from Trinidad and Tobago, Ms. Batson-George received a Master of Music in Music Industry from the University of Miami and a Master of Library and Information Studies from Florida State University.

Cheryl Benze, a native of Raleigh, N.C., is Music Librarian at Meredith College in Raleigh. She holds a degree in Music Therapy from East Carolina University and a Master of Music Education (Music Therapy) degree from Shenandoah Conservatory of Music. Ms. Benze is also a board-certified music therapist, lately at Duke Medical Center. Other interests include Gaelic music and language and their roots in North Carolina. She is married to Keith, and they have a cat named Mollie.

Chris Durman is Departmental Supervisor at the George F. DeVine Music Library, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, where he oversees circulation, performs reference duties, evaluates items to be added to or withdrawn from the collection, and assists patrons with equipment and materials. Previously he had worked in the Reserve Department at the University's Hodges Library. Mr. Durman is an active folk and popular musician and has performed extensively throughout the eastern Tennessee region. He is currently pursuing a degree in Information Science at the University of Tennessee.

Guy J. Leach holds a BS in Music Education from Bob Jones University; an MA in Musicology from Converse College, where his research focused on 18th century harpsichordist Christophe Moyreau; and an MLS from the University of Michigan, specializing in music librarianship. Previously Mr. Leach worked in the Achives Division of Atlanta's Auburn Avenue Research Library on African American Culture and History, and later was the Technical Services Librarian at Smyrna Public Library, Smyrna, Georgia. He currently serves as the Music and Foreign Languages Liaison at Georgia State's Pullen Library. His personal interests include travel and outdoor activities such as running and inline skating.

Jennifer (J.L.) McDaniel is Interim Music Librarian and a part time professor of voice at Winthrop University. Recently she performed the title role of Purcell's Dido and Aeneas at the University of South Carolina, where she is a doctoral candiate in vocal performance. In the spring semester she will be singing the title role in Suor Angelica as well as giving a recital of all Scottish music. Ms. McDaniel is also the soprano soloist at Quail Hollow Presbyterian Church in Charlotte, N.C.

The Center for Popular Music at Middle Tennessee State University is pleased to announce the appointment of Lucinda Poole Cockrell as Archivist. She brings to the Center more than twenty years experience in acquiring, preserving, curating, and interpreting historic materials. Her responsibilities at the Center include processing, arranging and describing manuscript materials, managing the Center's iconographic collection, providing reference services, and conserving print materials. Ms. Cockrell has a B.S. in Historic Preservation from MTSU and an M.A. in Museum Education from the College of William and Mary in Virginia.

Mayo Taylor
Coordinator, Research Collections
Center for Popular Music
Middle Tennessee State University

1. Minute of Silence in memory of Edie Tibbits and all others whom we have lost this year, both personally and in the September 11^th tragedy.
   
   
2. Minutes
   The minutes of the February 22, 2001 meeting in New York City, New York were approved as written.
   
   
3. Treasurer’s report
   
   

   Income

   Balance as of February 15, 2001		$3,092.21
   Dues ‘01-’02		$ 413.00
   Contributions		$ 190.00
   Contributions in memory of Edie Tibbits		$ 80.00
   Meeting registrations (2001)		$ 931.00
   MLA Chapter Grant Award		$ 500.00
   Total Income		$5,206.21

   
   

   Expenses

   Brochure expenses		$ 211.34
   Postage		$ 95.74
   Breve Notes supplies		$ 59.69
   Greenville Symphony Orchestra Tickets		$ 225.00
   SEMLA Travel Grant Awards		$ 375.00
   Flowers for Edie Tibbits		$ 62.46
   Donation to MLA Fund in honor of Shirley Watts		$ 315.00
   Total Expenses		$1,344.23

   
   

   Certificate of Deposit

   1-year Certificate of Deposit		$2,107.60
   Interest earned to date		$ 108.70
   Total of Certificate of Deposit		$2,216.30
   Net Worth as of October 29, 2001		$6,078.28

   
   Dues reflect amount received since 2/15/01.Dues reflect amount received since 2/15/01.
   
   Donations in memory of Edie Tibbits reflect amount received to date. [N.B. The total donation sent to the MLA Fund in memory of Edie Tibbits was $400.00]
   
   Postage includes mailing of brochure packets to 49 library schools in the United States and Puerto Rico.
   
   SEMLA Travel Grant reflects half payment.
   
   Membership figures as of October 29, 2001
   Individual members: 99
   Institutional members: 5
   
   
4. Web Editor Search
   Search committee has been formed: Neil Hughes, Chair, Karen Jung and Jean Finks. The job ad, after review by the Board, will be posted on SEMLA-L and printed in the next issue of Breve Notes. If you are interested, please apply. If you have any questions, contact Karen Jung. The committee hopes to have someone will be in place by the interim meeting in Las Vegas.
   
   
5. Breve Notes
   Assistant editor Alan Ringwood’s report was read by Neil Hughes. Search committee for a new editor has been formed: Sarah Dorsey, Chair, Laurie Gibson, Diane Steinhaus and Jennifer Ottervik. The committee hopes to fill this vacancy by the interim meeting in Las Vegas.
   
   
6. Chapter Grant winners
   Alicia Martin (Loyola) and Lee Richardson (Univ. of North Florida), Chapter Grant winners were introduced and congratulated. The Chapter hopes to be able to do this again in the future.
   
   
7. Best of Chapters 2002
   Congratulations to Alfred Lemmon and Nancy Ruck of the Historic New Orleans Collection. The MLA Best of Chapters Committee chose their presentation as one of those to be presented at the Las Vegas meeting.
   
   
8. Honoring Retirees
   There are three retirees this year: Roy Magers, Harry Eskew and Laura Dankner. Please send contributions to the new Secretary/Treasurer. A donation in their honor will be made to the MLA Fund after the Las Vegas meeting.
   
   
9. Hosting a National Meeting in Memphis, 2006
   Anna Neal (Univ. of Memphis) sent a favorable report to Neil Hughes. The MLA Board has expressed quite a bit of support for this meeting location.
   
   
10. Election
    The slate was announced:
    Secretary/Treasurer: Stephen Mantz and David Hursh
    Member-at-Large: Rosario Barrios and Rashidah Hakeem
    
    The winners were announced:
    Secretary/Treasurer: Stephen Mantz
    Member-at-Large: Rashidah Hakeem
    
    The Chair congratulated the winners and thanked the opposing candidates.
    
    
11. Old Business
    Thank you to Dana Jaunzemis and the MLSC for underwriting the opening reception.
    Thank you to the Local Arrangements Committee, especially Laurel Whisler.
    Thank you to outgoing board members: Margaret Kaus, Member-at-Large and Lynne Jaffe, Secretary/Treasurer.
    Thank you to Furman University for hosting this meeting.
    
    
12. New Business
    First-time attendees were recognized.
    Future meeting sites: John Druesedow and Duke University ; Joyce Clinkscales and Emory University ; Anna Neal and University of Memphis (Fall 2005, if MLA meets in Memphis in 2006)
    Next meeting: Lois Kuyper-Rushing and Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge. The dates will probably be Oct. 9-11, 2002 during fall break.
    The yellow hammer was passed to Sarah Dorsey.
    Lois Kuyper-Rushing expressed the Chapter’s appreciation and thanks to Neil Hughes.
    

Description: Breve Notes is the newsletter for the Southeast Chapter of the Music Library Association (SEMLA) and is an official publication of the chapter. It is published three times a year, in January, April, and August. The function of the newsletter is to keep members of SEMLA informed and connected between meetings.

Responsibilities: The newsletter editor shall have primary responsibility for the content, preparation, and distribution of Breve Notes. Duties include soliciting items for publication, editing contributions, doing layout, production, and distribution to the SEMLA membership in a timely manner. The editor will work with the SEMLA Web site Editor to mount current issues of Breve Notes on the SEMLA Web site. The editor is responsible for keeping a file of all original SEMLA newsletters published to be passed on to his/her successor. Associate editors may be selected from other SEMLA members by the editor as he or she sees the need.

Qualifications: Personal membership in SEMLA; experience with and/or interest in desk-top editing/publishing software such as PageMaker; strong writing and grammatical skills. Desired qualifications: employment at an institution willing to support newsletter production; personal membership in MLA.

Application: Members of the search committee are: Sarah Dorsey (chair, University of North Carolina Greensboro); Laurie Gibson (Loyola University New Orleans); Jennifer Ottervik (University of South Carolina Columbia); and Diane Steinhaus (University of North Carolina Chapel Hill). Please submit a letter of application, résumé and a list of two references to:

Sarah Dorsey, Chair
SEMLA Newsletter Editor Search
Music Library, UNCG
School of Music
P.O. Box 26167
Greensboro, NC 27402-6167
Email: Sarah_Dorsey@uncg.edu
Phone: (336)334-5610
Fax: (336)256-0155

Deadline: Monday, February 4, 2002. There will be no in-person interviews. The committee’s final selection will be based on the applications. The committee’s selection is a recommendation to the SEMLA Executive Board. The Board will review the recommendation and the SEMLA Chair will notify all applicants of the outcome.

Thank you for your interest in serving SEMLA.

Description: The SEMLA World Wide Web site is an official publication of the chapter. It provides information about the chapter, its relationship to its parent organization (MLA), and current and recent chapter activities. It also provides access to Web sites hosted by SEMLA members and member institutions, and to the online version of Breve Notes, the chapter’s newsletter. It functions as the repository of the official versions of the chapter’s Constitution and Bylaws, and of The Directory of Music Collections in the Southeast United States. The site is dynamic in nature: features and content change periodically at the pleasure of the SEMLA Executive Board in consultation with the Editor.

Responsibilities: Updates the SEMLA Web site in a regular and timely manner and in coordination with the SEMLA Executive Board, to whom the Editor is responsible. Works on the site’s design to ensure currency of all content, compatibility with current browsers, ease of navigation, appropriate graphic design, and to create an accurate and professional representation of the chapter on the World Wide Web. Works effectively with IT staff at her/his employing institution to ensure consistent, ongoing access to the site. Together with the Executive Board, develops and maintains submission guidelines for the site. Encourages new content, appearance, and uses for the site in relationship with the Executive Board, the editor(s) of Breve Notes, the SEMLA membership, and various chapter committees. Responds in a timely manner to e-mail sent to the Editor, or forwards it to the appropriate SEMLA officer or to SEMLA-L. Submits a brief, summary annual report to the Executive Board in time for the chapter’s annual meeting.

The new Editor will be particularly charged with working with the editor(s) of Breve Notes to mount current issues of the newsletter in a timely manner and to include as much of the content (graphic and text, as well as possible links) as possible. Sensitivity to privacy issues connected with the content of the annual directory issue of Breve Notes will be paramount; the Editor will work with the Executive Board and the editor(s) of Breve Notes to ensure that chapter members’ wishes regarding content of that issue are observed. Providing an easy means for members of the Executive Board to update the content of the Chapter Officers’ Handbook will also be an immediate requirement upon assumption of duties.

Qualifications: Required: personal membership in SEMLA; employment at an institution that is willing to host the site on a local server; ability to write and edit basic HTML; knowledge of the common Web browsers and programs for maintaining Web sites: Netscape, Internet Explorer, and an HTML editor; familiarity with Web file formats for graphics and text such as HTML, HTML forms, PDF, GIF, JPG, etc.; experience with a graphic editor or Web graphic tools; ability to edit documents for grammar, punctuation, and clarity. Desired qualifications: basic knowledge of Java or the ability to edit simple Javascripts; professional aesthetic judgement; personal membership in MLA.

Deadline: Completed applications and all supporting documentation must be received in-hand by the chair of the search committee by January 22, 2002.

Application: Members of the search committee are: Jean Finks (Stetson University); Neil Hughes (chair, University of Georgia); and Karen Jung (Southeastern Louisiana University). Please submit via regular mail or an e-mail attachment (Word, WordPerfect, text, or HTML) a letter of application, résumé, list of two references, and memo indicating institutional support for the site from the applicant’s library director or head of systems to:

Neil R. Hughes
Chair, SEMLA Web Editor Search
Cataloging Department
University of Georgia Libraries
Athens, GA 30602-1641
voice: (706) 542-1554
e-mail: nhughes@libris.libs.uga.edu

There will be no in-person interview process. The committee’s final selection will be based on the applications, though there is the possibility that the committee may wish to arrange a conference call with one or more a pplicants. The committee’s final selection is only a recommendation to the SEMLA Executive Board; the Board will review the recommendation and the SEMLA Chair will notify all applicants of the outcome.

Thank you for your interest in serving SEMLA.