NAfME All-National

OPPORTUNITY: The first time Fran Kick spoke to the National Association for Music Education All-National Honors Ensembles was in 2014 at the Gaylord Opryland Resort and Conference Center in Nashville, Tennessee. In 2022, Kristen Rencher, NAfME’s Assistant Executive Director, asked Fran to bring back his interactive, engaging, and entertaining energy to the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center in National Harbor, Maryland. The goal was to create an opening keynote welcome presentation that would bring the All-National Honors Ensemble students together and help put them on the same page for a great event. Including all 550+ total members of the combined:

• NAfME All-National Concert Band
• NAfME All-National Guitar Ensemble
• NAfME All-National Jazz Ensemble
• NAfME All-National Mixed Choir
• NAfME All-National Modern Band
• NAfME All-National Symphony Orchestra

RESULT: Fran’s signature message to “pay attention, respond appropriately, and be more involved in what’s going on” resonated with the students, parent volunteers, national staff, and music educators alike. The Status Game he facilitated during his keynote session with all the students brought to life the powerful lesson to help others and to treat people the way you want to be treated.

IN ADDITION: Fran also presented the opening Keynote to the NAfME Collegiate Forum PreCon.