OAKE National Conference

I have returned from the OAKE National Conference which was held in Washington, DC. This organization is a group of music educators who adhere to the Zoltan Kodaly pedagogy. My masters degree was in music education with a Kodaly emphasis; hence, my specialty area is in "Kodaly". I have a fondness for this group and have met many amazing musicians.
Of course, a music conference is filled with just that MUSIC!
The organization has a theme song called "Harmonia Mundi". It is sung at all gatherings of Kodaly educators and, since everyone singing is a music teacher of some sort, the music is glorious! The words are: "We gather here together with joyful heart and mind. We raise our voices ever our distant souls to bind. To remember in this moment of friendship, love, and joy, that music made together may one day heal mankind." To stand and watch people's faces as they are singing this is quite an experience. The faces are nearly blissful.
All sessions are music oriented and there are concerts throughout the day.
Thursday night the Washington DC Men's Camerata performed. They were quite good. Of course, Kodaly educators only promote quality music and I love listening to men's choruses so I knew this would be a great concert. A favorite that they sang was Biebl's "Ave Maria" [NAXOS BIS-CD-533 Track 11]. It just swells and encompasses the listener.