Frequently Asked Questions: This page contains answers to common questions of regional directors.
- Contact information for 2004-2005 Western Region Chorus
- What do I need to know to participate?
- All about our 2005 Conductor . . . AND Accompanist
- Who is participating this 2005 season . . .
- Regional Director Letters and Information
- Ticket Information
- CD Ordering Information
- IN CASE OF SNOW - CHECK HERE FOR UPDATES
- Directions to Western CT State University - White Hall - Ives Concert Hall
- PAST PROGRAMS
- CHORUS MUSIC SELECTIONS FOR 2005 and Rehearsal CD info
- So what do you think about auditions?
Contact information for 2004-2005 Western Region Chorus
THIS PAGE HAS BEEN UPDATED JANUARY 27, 2005
Deana W. Saunders
Chorus Co-Chair
Madison Middle School
4360 Madison Ave.
Trumbull, CT
06611
(203)452-4499
fax- (203452-4490)
saunderd@trumbullps.org
Dave Ebert
Chorus Co-Chair
John Read MS
486 Redding Road
Redding, CT
06896
djebert@optonline.net
Jennifer Ginsberg
Festival Chair
Middlebrook School
131 School Road
Wilton, CT
06897
ginsbergj@wilton.k12.ct.us
What do I need to know to participate?
First, you must be a MENC/CMEA Member. As a school choral director, you can
become a member through menc.org or ctmea.org. There is a membership fee and
with membership you will receive a subscription to Teaching Music and MEJ,
Music Educators Journal, as well as discounts on some related supplies.
Without membership, your students cannot participate in the festival.
With your membership you will receive the CMEA HANDBOOK in August or
September. This publication is filled with useful information. It also
contains the application form for your school to apply to the festival.
There
are separate forms for chorus, band and jazz band. There is also a school
registration form with a fee which you can also find in the handbook. Your
audition criteria is on the page following the chorus form.
Please include your email address on the form.
After you send in your application and registration, you will be mailed an
information letter along with the total number of students you will be
allowed to bring.
The students names, selected by you, should be emailed to the chairperson
and
the health forms and contracts (in the handbook) should be mailed. (The
spellings you email will be in the program.)
After the chair receives the forms, you will be mailed your music and any
other information you need to prepare the kids.
Rehearse with your students at least once a week in the months prior to the
event to ensure the students readiness for good rehearsals and a concert on
the weekend of the festival.
As the date approaches, you will be sent a schedule breakdown of the two
days. It remains relatively the same year to year. (You can also find it on
this website.)
A director must remain with the students you send on both days of the event.
All about our 2005 Conductor . . . AND Accompanist
2005
Ellen Gilson Voth, conductor
Connie Scavone, piano
A VERY SPECIAL THANK YOU TO CONNIE AND ELLEN, ALL THE DIRECTORS FOR
PREPARING THE STUDENTS AND OF COURSE THE STUDENTS!
THE FESTIVAL WAS A GREAT SUCCESS!
Who is participating this 2005 season . . .
Madison Trumbull
John Reed Redding
Middlebrook Wilton
Hillcrest Trumbull
Eastern Greenwich
Newtown MS Newtown
Bedford MS Westport
David Wooster Stratford
Seymour Seymour
Hellen Keller Easten
Jockey Hollow Monroe
KLHT Stamford
Ponus Ridge Norwalk
Middlesex Darien
Wooster School Danbury
Thurgood Marshall MS Bridgeport
Regional Director Letters and Information
CMEA
WESTERN REGION MIDDLE SCHOOL FESTIVAL
DIRECTORS� SCHEDULE
Feb., 2005
Dear Director:
The Western Regional Festival is almost here! Enclosed are directions to
Western Connecticut State University and a letter to the students. Please
make copies of both for your students.
Tickets will be purchased and distributed the Friday evening of the
festival. You have the responsibility of passing these tickets on to your
students. Bring cash or checks made out to CMEA for $5.00 per ticket with
you on Friday. If you have already sent in advance ticket orders, Laura
Coletti (ticket chairperson) will have your tickets to give you on Friday
evening.
Anyone who wishes to order a CD of the concert should fill out the enclosed
CD order form and give it to Jim Carter (CD chairperson) on Friday evening
or
Saturday morning.
CDs are $15 and checks should be made out to WCSU.
PLEASE NOTE THE FOLLOWING:
At no time during the festival should students leave White Hall. You or a
representative should be in White Hall and supervising students at all
times. Please be willing to step in and help with any number of duties
including: running sectionals, assisting in rehearsals, running errands,
helping with furniture/equipment set-up, supervising students, and many
other
assorted tasks. Your willingness to help is greatly appreciated!
The schedules for Friday and Saturday are as follows: (Please note � this
is
the directors� schedule. The students� schedule is printed in the student
letter.)
Friday, March 4
3:30
� Please enter White Hall on the side assigned for registration:
5th Avenue � Band and Jazz Registration / 7th Avenue � Chorus Registration
� Directors should assist their students with:
Registration
Depositing their belongings in the assigned rooms
Finding their rehearsal rooms so that they are ready to begin promptly at
4:00.
� Once rehearsals have begun, please go immediately to the directors�
meeting room (downstairs). This is in a different room from last year.
4:00
� Directors� meeting downstairs. EVERYONE MUST ATTEND. Please come
prepared with your school calendar for the year 2004-05 and ideas for
conductors. Also, please think about volunteering to assist with next
year�s
festival.
From 5:15 on
� Dinner will be provided for the directors in the downstairs. Please
eat dinner when your students are in rehearsal. Remember, when your
students
are on a break, you must be supervising them. (Band and jazz students eat
from 5:15 to 5:45; chorus students eat from 5:45 to 6:15)
8:00
� Ensembles are dismissed. Please do not leave until all of your
students have been accounted for.
Saturday, March 5
(Please note: we have purposely left the times ambiguous until we receive
input from the conductors after the first day of rehearsal.)
9:00
� Registration (same as Friday)
from 11:30 on
� Lunch will be provided for the directors in the faculty lounge.
� Volunteers will be needed for concert set-up.
3:00
� Doors open.
3:30
� Concert begins.
� All students must stay until the end of the concert. We will need
volunteers to monitor the rehearsal rooms. We are trying to arrange for the
groups to watch each other�s performances on monitors.
� We will need volunteers to help with tickets, program distribution,
ushering, music collection and clean-up. Please stay with us for an entire
sweep of the premises to make sure nothing is left behind.
IMPORTANT NOTE ABOUT THE WEATHER
In case of inclement weather, it may be necessary to cancel one or both days
of the Festival. Please call the WCSU music department (203-837-8614) for a
recorded message if you are in doubt.
Thank you for your help. In the event that I have forgotten to include
something in this letter, please feel free to contact me with any questions.
Jennifer Ginsberg
Festival Chair
ginsbergj@wilton.k12.ct.us
CMEA
WESTERN REGION MIDDLE SCHOOL FESTIVAL
Feb., 2005
Dear Student:
We hope that you have prepared your music well. Ask your teacher for help.
The Festival depends on you knowing your music! Remember to bring your
music
on both days of the Festival. It will be collected at the conclusion of the
concert on Saturday. You will be held responsible for all the music that is
assigned to you. Please remember that you have been chosen to represent
your
school. Your teachers expect you to exhibit your finest musicianship as
well
as your best behavior. Let�s work together to make this an outstanding
experience!
Listed below are important dates and information. Please read them
carefully
and share this letter with your parents. We look forward to seeing you on
March 4 and 5 at Western CT State University.
Pre-Festival rehearsal on Friday, March 22.
� Please eat a good snack before arriving at the University.
� Attendance is mandatory.
� Bring your music and a pencil.
� Bring a bag dinner and beverage. No glass bottles.
� Dress is casual.
� If you ordered tickets in advance, they will be waiting for you on
Friday
� If you did not purchase tickets in advance, bring cash or a check
made out to CMEA for $5.00 a ticket and give it to your teacher. Remember
there is a limit of 3 tickets per student. It is not possible for your
parents to buy tickets at the door on the day of the concert Please arrange
to take care of it Friday afternoon. Your teacher will give you the tickets
before you go home Friday night
.
SCHEDULE FOR FRIDAY
3:30 Registration
4:00 Full rehearsals
5:15-5:45 Dinner (band/jazz)
5:45-6:15 Dinner (chorus)
Sectional rehearsals
7:00-8:00 Full rehearsals
8:00 Dismissal
Pre-Festival rehearsal on Saturday, March 5
� Attendance is mandatory.
� Bring music and a pencil.
� Bring a bag lunch and a beverage. No glass bottles.
� You can order a CD of the concert in advance or your parents can
order one in the lobby after the concert.
� Dress is casual for the rehearsals.
� Bring your concert dress clothes with you.
Dress for the Festival Concert (Changing rooms will be made available.)
Females: Dress or skirt and blouse.
Males: Jacket (if you own one), dress shirt and tie, shoes.
NO JEANS OR SNEAKERS
SCHEDULE FOR SATURDAY (exact times will be announced that day)
9:00 Registration
Full and sectional rehearsals
Lunch
Full and sectional rehearsals
Change clothes for the concert
3:30 Concert
You need to remain at the Festival for the entire concert!
Remember to turn in your music after you perform.
You will be charged for parts that are not returned.
5:00 Approximate conclusion of concert
A NOTE TO PARENTS ABOUT THE CONCERT:
The doors will open at 3:00. Seating is by general admission. We would
advise you to arrive at that time in order to get the most desirable seats.
IMPORTANT NOTE ABOUT THE WEATHER:
In case of inclement weather, it may be necessary to cancel one or both days
of the Festival. Please call the WCSU music department (203-837-8614) for a
recorded message if you are in doubt. Do not call this number for other
Festival information. If you have questions about the Festival, ask your
teacher, or you may email me at ginsbergj@wilton.k12.ct.us.
We are looking forward to seeing you on March 4 and 5.
Sincerely,
Ms. Jennifer Ginsberg
Festival Chair
Ticket Information
Tickets are $5 each and the students are limited to 3. Should a student at
your school only need 2, another student may bring 4 and so on. The check
should be made payable to CMEA.
Tickets often sell out so advance orders are recommended.
CD Ordering Information
CD's are $15 each and checks should be made payable to WCSU.
CD's will be sold at the door of the concert.
2005 CMEA Western Region Middle School Festival
CD Order Form
CD Price - $15.00 each.
Please make checks payable to WCSU.
Mail to WCSU Music Dept
181 White St
Danbury, CT 06810
Or bring to the rehearsal on March 4 at WCSU.
Student Name_______________________________
Director Name ______________________________
School_____________________________________
School Address______________________________
City___________________ Zip ________________
Student Address______________________________
City___________________
State _______Zip_________
Telephone_______________
________ # of CDs @ $15.00
Total enclosed___________
IN CASE OF SNOW - CHECK HERE FOR UPDATES
THE SNOW PLAN
Please call the Western Region Festival Chair - Jennifer Ginsberg - at
203-762-8388 ex. 5292 for a voice message regarding cancelations etc... and
for more information. Or email her at ginsbergj@wilton.k12.ct.us
OR call Western music dept. at 203-837-8614
Directions to Western CT State University - White Hall - Ives Concert Hall
To get to the Midtown Campus
(From the West)
Take Exit 5 off I-84 to first traffic light (Main Street).
Turn right and continue on Main Street to White Street (fourth traffic
light).
Turn left on White Street and continue 1/2 mile. The campus is on the left.
Parking is available in the parking garage on the right.
(From the East)
Take Exit 5 off I-84 to first traffic light (Clapboard Ridge Road).
Turn right and continue on (Clapboard Ridge will turn into Main Street) to
White Street (fifth traffic light).
Turn left on White Street and continue 1/2 mile. The campus is on the left.
Parking is available in the parking garage on the right.
MAP OF THE MIDTOWN CAMPUS
WHITE HALL IS #16
http://www.wcsu.edu/campusmap/mt_map.asp
PAST PROGRAMS
Western Region Music Festival Chorus � Program history
1998
Beverly Jackson, conductor
Corrine Terlecky, piano
program
With a Voice of Singing
Dona Nobis Pacem
Fa Una Canzona (Sing me a Song)
Siyahamba (South African Folk Song)
Bye Bye Blackbird
1999
Al Holcomb, conductor
Tanya Raudszus, piano
program
Cantate Domino
Stars
Viva Tutti
Think On Me
The Storm is Pssing Over
2000
Scott Campbell, conductor
Michael Yachanin, piano
Program
Sail Away
Save the Bones for Henry Jones
2001
Sal Cicciarella, conductor
Chris Shay, piano
program
I Will Rejoice
Three Contemporary Latin Settings
I Am The River
How Can I Keep From Singing
Sail Away
2002
program
Glad We Be This Day
Song of The Sea
Bist du Bei Mir
Bye Bye Blackbird
2003
Stuart Younse, Conductor
Mary Nelson, piano
program
Laudamus Te, from Vivaldi Gloria
Santus From Missa Secunda, Hassler
The Heaven�s are Telling, Haydn
Never Tell Thy Love, Blake
Rhythm of Life, Coleman
2004
Tom Brand, Conductor
Jonathan Pope, piano
Sicut Locutus Est, Vivaldi
Flying Free, Besig
Ma lo We, arr Brand
Praise His Holy Name, Hampton
2005
Ellen Gilson Voth, Conductor
Connie Scavon, piano
Program
Praise the Lord (Cameroon Processional), arr. Ralph Johnson
The Pasture (No. 2 from Where the Earth Meets the Sky), with text by Robert
Frost and music by Z. Randall Stroope
Follow the Drinkin' Gourd - spiritual, arr. Ellen Gilson Voth
Can you hear me? - Bob Chilcott
Gabi Gabi and Siyahamba, from South African Suite - arr. Henry Leck
2006
John Cuk, conductor
Beth Palmer, pianist
Liza (Come a me Eye)* Jamaican Folk Song Carl Fischer
arr Steven Burnett
Shenandoah* arr Linda Spevak Jensen/ Hal Leonard
Sing Praise to God with one Accord Haydn/Arr. Robert Field
Ditson/Presser
Bashana Hab?ah Hirsch, Manor Hal Leonard
arr John Leavitt
CHORUS MUSIC SELECTIONS FOR 2005 and Rehearsal CD info
Please go to the following site for midi files of your rehearsal tracks.
http://www.trumbullps.org/mms/concert.htm
So what do you think about auditions?
Southern Region Chorus went to an audition proces for the first time this
year. Do you have any coomments or information that you wish to share with
the chairs so we can help to guide a discussion on this matter. Or possibly
develop a qustionaire about the topic? If so, email Deana Saunders.