Update from Vanda Skadden, Past President, 1991 & Lifetime

CASTA Service Award 1999 

(Written to Andrea Meyers, President)

I am fine. I have already done one Solo & Ensemble contest. I was hoping sometime to be assigned with you! Just thought it would be fun to visit again. I am judging large group in Longmont on April 12 with Michelle Ewer, and next week am conducting a festival orchestra in Loveland with Bob Kreutz. So, I still get to see people now and then! 

I did not go to CMEA this year because we were gone. I have a few private students which I enjoy very much, and I still play in two local orchestras. We traveled to Scandinavia last summer for three weeks (even got as far as St. Petersburg, Russia). Everywhere we went we heard music! We visited Sibelius' home (out in the woods near Helsinki), and heard a concert given by some very talented college students near his home. 

We plan a trip to the Holy Lands next February with the minister of our church. So, a trip to Israel, and Oregon are in the coming plans. 

You probably know that my oldest daughter, Javan Carson, conducts the prep orchestras for DYAO. (BRAVO JAVAN!) My two little grandsons are musical. Quinn Carson (age 6) has played cello for two years! I am so excited. My youngest daughter, Gayla, is a practicing speech/voice therapist in Philadelphia. We are hoping that she and her husband will be moving closer soon. 

Guess that's my news! I read about you now and then, and hear that you (Andrea) have conducted or judged somewhere. So, you are very busy. 

Another reason to thank you for forwarding my former students message to me! Thanks for being a dear friend. 

Love, 

Vanda 

>> P.S. I want to tell you that the former student from 1986 runs the East Cascades Orchestra Festival in Bend, Oregon, and since we have been e-mailing, he has asked me to come and be one of the judges next April!! I have accepted! I really enjoy conducting and judging. I think it will be so much fun to see how things are in Oregon!