CONSTITUTION AND BY-LAWS of the MIDDLE SCHOOL CHORAL SECTION of the NORTH CAROLINA MUSIC EDUCATORS ASSOCIATION ARTICLE I - NAME AND RELATIONSHIPS

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1 CONSTITUTION AND BY-LAWS of the MIDDLE SCHOOL CHORAL SECTION of the NORTH CAROLINA MUSIC EDUCATORS ASSOCIATION ARTICLE I - NAME AND RELATIONSHIPS Section 1. Name: The name of the organization shall be the Middle School Choral Section of the North Carolina Music Educators Association, an affiliate of the MENC: The National Association for Music Educators which is an affiliate of the National Education Association. Section 2. Relationship: This organization shall maintain a close relationship with the North Carolina Music Educators Association, the North Carolina Association of Educators, the North Carolina State Department of Public Instruction, the MENC, the American Choral Directors Association, and with other organizations devoted to the cause of music education. ARTICLE II - OBJECTS AND FUNCTIONS Section 1. Objects: (a) The advancement of musical concepts and education throughout North Carolina on the Middle School and Junior High levels, grades six (6) through nine (9). (b) The fostering of a closer relationship among the choral directors and general music teachers throughout North Carolina, thereby bringing an interchange of ideas beneficial to all. Section 2. Functions: (a) The Middle School Choral Section shall encourage and promote music education in North Carolina by means of clinics, festivals, workshops and other activities sponsored or approved by the Middle School Choral Section. (b) The Middle School Choral Section shall promote a membership drive each year at the city, county and/or regional levels. The purpose of the drive is to make contact with all Middle School Choral music teachers, particularly new teachers and those transferring from out-of-state aware of the organization. ARTICLE III MEMBERSHIP Section 1. Active membership may be granted to any individual engaged in Middle School Choral music education in North Carolina and is a member of the North Carolina Music Educators Association. Section 2. The right to vote or hold office is reserved to active members. ARTICLE IV DUES Active membership in the North Carolina Music Educators Association shall be the only dues requirement in the Middle School Choral Section of the North Carolina Music Educators Association. 1

2 ARTICLE V GOVERNMENT Section 1. The Executive Committee of the Middle School Choral Section shall be comprised of the following elected positions: Chairperson, a Chairperson-Elect, Secretary, Student Activities Coordinator, All-State Coordinator, Honors Chorus Coordinator, and five (5) Members-at- Large. The Immediate Past Chairperson will join the Executive Committee when working apart from the membership. Section 2. The term of office for all elected officers shall be for a period of two (2) years. Section 3. Vacancies in all elective offices shall be filled upon the recommendations of the Executive Committee of the Middle School Choral Section, until an election for the unexpired term is held at the next regularly scheduled general meeting of the membership. Section 4. For the purpose of serving current needs in large choral MPAs, such as the regional Music Performance Adjudication, offered by the Middle School Choral and Choral Sections of the North Carolina Music Educators Association, the state of North Carolina shall be divided into eight regions as follows: (a) East #1 shall consist of the following counties: Chatham, Durham, Franklin, Granville, Harnett, Johnston, Lee, Orange, Person, Vance and Wake. (b) East #2 shall consist of the following counties: Beaufort, Bertie, Camden, Chowan, Craven, Currituck, Dare, Edgecombe, Gates, Greene, Halifax, Hertford, Hyde, Lenoir, Martin, Nash, Northampton, Pamlico, Pasquotank, Perquimans, Pitt, Tyrell, Warren, Washington, Wayne and Wilson. (c) East #3 shall consist of the following counties: Bladen, Brunswick, Carteret, Columbus, Cumberland, Duplin, Hoke, Jones, Moore, New Hanover, Onslow, Pender, Robeson, Sampson and Scotland. (d) Central Region shall consist of the following counties: Alamance, Caswell, Davidson, Forsyth, Guilford, Randolph, Rockingham, Stokes, Surry and Yadkin. (f) West #1 shall consist of the following counties: Anson, Cabarrus, Davie, Mecklenburg, Montgomery, Richmond, Rowan, Stanley and Union. (g) West #2 shall consist of the following counties: Alexander, Alleghany, Ashe, Burke, Caldwell, Catawba, Cleveland, Gaston, Iredell, Lincoln, Watauga and Wilkes. (h) West #3 shall consist of the following counties: Avery, Buncombe, Cherokee, Clay, Graham, Haywood, Henderson, Jackson, Macon, Madison, McDowell, Mitchell, Polk, Rutherford, Swain, Transylvania, and Yancey. Section 5. Regions will be identical for Regional Choral MPAs/Workshops and Solo-Small Ensemble MPAs. Section 6. The Executive Committee and/or the Middle School Choral Section membership by majority vote may combine regions and/or districts or divide existing ones to better serve the need of teachers and students in choral activities offered by the Middle School Choral Section. 2

3 ARTICLE VI ELECTIONS Section 1. (a) The Chairperson-Elect and members at large shall be elected by secret ballot in even-numbered years at the annual Fall In-Service Conference, while the outgoing Chairperson- Elect shall automatically succeed to the office of Chairperson. Installation of said officers shall precede adjournment of this conference. (b) The Secretary, the Middle School Student Activities Coordinator, the All-State Coordinator, and the Honors Chorus Coordinator shall be elected by secret ballot in odd-numbered years at the Fall In-Service Conference. Installation of said officers shall precede adjournment of this conference. Section 2. (a) A Nomination Committee composed of the Executive Committee shall prepare a racially balanced slate of candidates for the offices to be elected which shall be presented to the membership by the elections committee at the Fall In-Service Conference. (b) Additional nominations may be made by the Elections Committee and/or from the floor by any active member upon receiving prior consent from the nominee. ARTICLE VII MEETINGS Section 1. The Middle School Choral Section of the North Carolina Music Educators Association shall meet annually at the Fall In-Service Conference and at the annual All-State Festival in the spring. Additional meetings may be approved at these meetings by the membership. Section 2. The Executive Committee shall meet upon the call of the chairperson and must meet prior to the In-Service Conference. ARTICLE VIII - QUORUM AND VOTING Section 1. A quorum shall consist of twenty percent (20%) of the active members registered at the Fall In-Service Conference. Section 2. (a) The election of all officers shall be by secret ballot. (b) All other business shall be voted upon by a counted show of hands, unless secret ballot is requested by an active member present. ARTICLE IX - AMENDMENTS AND BY-LAWS Section 1. The Constitution and/or Bylaws of the Middle School Choral Section of the North Carolina Music Educators Association may be amended with the approval of the Executive Committee first, followed by the approval of two-thirds (2/3) of the membership present at the Fall In-Service Conference. Section 2. The Constitution and/or Bylaws may be added to or deleted upon the approval of the Executive Committee and with the approval of two-thirds (2/3) of the membership present at a regularly scheduled meeting. Section 3. Proposed amendments to the Constitution must be submitted to the entire membership at least thirty (30) days prior to a regularly scheduled conference or meeting. This may be by mail, , journal publication, or website. 3

4 BY-LAWS ARTICLE I - DUTIES OF OFFICERS Section 1. The Chairperson shall preside at meetings of the section, enforce due observance of the Constitution and Bylaws, call meetings of the Executive Committee and select clinicians for Honors Chorus/All-State and appoint committees not otherwise provided for in the Constitution. The Chairperson shall provide the Executive Committee the necessary information pertaining to the carrying out of the responsibilities. When an immediate decision is necessary, he/she shall be empowered to act with the concurrence of the Executive Committee. Section 2. It shall be the duty of the Chairperson-Elect to perform all the duties of the Chairperson in the event of the absence of the Chairperson. Section 3. The immediate past Chairperson of the Middle School Choral Section shall serve as a consultant to the active Chairperson, and shall perform such other duties as are assigned to him/her by the active Chairperson and the Executive Committee. Section 4. The Secretary shall keep minutes of all meetings and shall perform other duties directed by the Chairperson and/or the Executive Committee. Section 5. The Middle School Choral Activities Coordinator shall oversee the planning and execution of all the district and regional choral activities; shall instruct each regional coordinator as to their duties which shall include collecting entry fees, selecting locations and dates, and working with the Executive Committee in planned activities for the choral division of the Middle School Choral Section of the North Carolina Music Educators Association. The Middle School Choral Activities Coordinator will file a complete Financial Report with the NCMEA Executive Director. At the following Fall In-Service Conference the Activities Coordinator will report to the general membership of the Middle School Choral Section the activities of the past year with recommendations for the coming year. Section 6. The All-State Coordinator shall work with the Executive Committee and the Middle School Choral Section membership in planning the annual All-State Choral Festival; specifically in selecting locale and dates, securing necessary equipment and materials and accompanist(s) for the event; determining the rehearsal and performance schedule; determining deadline dates or applications, student quotas from each school, participation fees, deadline dates for withdrawals and refunding of monies; auditing by teachers and public; and establishing all rules and regulations governing student and teacher participation in said event. After overseeing the execution of said event, the All-State Coordinator will send a summary of the event s results and will file a complete Financial Report with the NCMEA Executive Director. At the following Fall In-Service Conference the All-State Coordinator shall report on the All-State event with recommendations for the coming year. Section 7. The Honors Chorus Coordinator shall work with the Executive Committee and the Middle School Choral Section membership in planning the annual Honors chorus, securing equipment and materials and accompanist(s) for the event; determining the rehearsal and performance schedule; determining deadline dates for auditions, audition sites, participation fees, deadline date for withdrawals and refund of monies; and establishing all rules and regulations governing student and teacher participation in the event. After overseeing the execution of said event, the Honors Chorus Coordinator will file a complete Financial Report with the NCMEA Executive Director. At the All-State Festival, the All-State Coordinator will report on the event and make recommendations for the coming year. 4

5 Section 8. The Executive Committee shall (a) Administer the business and educational affairs of the Middle School Choral Section and has responsibility for its general policies and program of activities. (b) Fill vacancies in offices by temporary appointments pending regular elections. (c) Plan and develop effective means of promoting music education by working closely with all other sections of the North Carolina Music Educators Association. (d) Serve as the planning committee for the Middle School Choral Section meetings of NCMEA Fall In-Service Conference. Section 9 - The five (5) Members-at-Large (MAL) will serve on the Executive Board. Their duties will be determined by the Chairperson. Members-at-Large must attend three (3) out of four (4) Executive Board meetings each calendar year (January to December). Failure to attend the required number of meetings may result in removal from the Executive Board at the Chair's discretion. The Chair will then appoint a new member to complete the MAL term. ARTICLE II - STANDING COMMITTEES Section 1. The Elections Committee Chairperson shall be appointed by the Chairperson of the Middle School Choral Section and shall consist of at least three (3) members appointed by the Executive Committee of the Middle School Choral Section. Section 2. The Music List Committee will consist of the Music List Chair and the five membersat-large of the MS Choral Section. Section 3. The Communication Committee shall consist of two members appointed by the chairperson. These persons will work with the website and any other communication to the members. Section 4. The Constitution Committee shall consist of at least three (3) members appointed by the Middle School Choral Section Chairperson. Section 5. The Policy and Procedures Committee shall consist of the Executive Committee of the Middle School Choral Section. Section 6. The Music Selection/Commission Committee shall consist of three (3) members of the Section. The committee chair shall be appointed by the chairperson. ARTICLE III - DUTIES OF THE COMMITTEES Section 1. The Elections Committee shall supervise all elections to the end that only active members shall cast secret ballots. It shall also be the duty of this committee to count the votes and announce the results. Section 2. The Music List Committee shall compile a list of choral music for regional choral activities. In addition, this committee will furnish upon request, copies of said information to the general membership of the Middle School Choral Section. Section 3. The Communications Committee shall keep the NCMEA Website current of all Middle School events. Section 4. The Constitution Committee shall review annually the Constitution and Bylaws and make recommendations for revisions and/or amendments. Section 5. The Policy and Procedures Committee shall be charged with enforcing the existing rules and regulations governing choral activities sponsored by the Middle School Choral Section, and in making recommendations to the membership for revision of said activities rules and 5

6 regulations. This committee will be responsible for any policy and procedures governing the Middle School Choral. Policy and Procedures can be found on the website. ARTICLE IV - RULES OF ORDER Roberts Rules of Order Revised shall govern all business meetings of the Middle School Choral Section in all cases to which they are applicable, and in which they are not inconsistent with the bylaws or the special rules of order of said organization. MIDDLE SCHOOL CHORAL ACTIVITIES POLICY AND PROCEDURES FAILURE TO OBSERVE THE POLICY and PROCEDURES OF THE MIDDLE SCHOOL CHORAL SECTION FOR ANY EVENT WILL CAUSE THE SCHOOL TO FORFEIT PARTICIPATION IN THE EVENT THE FOLLOWING YEAR. A LETTER WILL BE WRITTEN TO THE SCHOOL PRINCIPAL AND TO THE CHORAL DIRECTOR/TEACHER. A. THE NORTH CAROLINA MIDDLE SCHOOL CHORAL HONORS CHORUS STATEMENT OF PURPOSE. To honor the best singers in our state by giving them the opportunity to perform at the highest possible level of achievement. To provide an outstanding educational experience for both the students and the teachers. To supplement the choral activities offered by the Middle School Choral Section. THE HONORS CHORUS 1. Quota and General Information a. The group should consist of only the most outstanding voices and will be selected by objective auditions. b. Middle School Honors Chorus will consist of 160 singers the top 20 singers in each voice part. Sixth graders enrolled in a middle school 6-8 may audition. c. The Honors Chorus will perform at a session of the Fall In-Service Conference. d. Selection of the conductor will be accomplished by the same process used to select the All- State conductor. e. The Honors Chorus will rehearse for one and a half days prior to its performance. f. The selection of judges for auditions will be based on the same criteria as MPA Judges. g. All students auditioning for a particular voice part shall be heard by the same judge. Results of the auditions will be sent the following week. h. Judges will be paid $ per day plus expenses, as approved by the coordinator. 2. Fees a. Audition fees - non-refundable can be found on the NCMEA website. Click on the Middle School Section hyperlink. b. Registration fee can be found on the NCMEA website. Click on the Middle School Section hyperlink. c. Fees for auditions will be mailed to the local audition chairperson by September 15. 6

7 3. Policy and Procedures a. Dates for the auditions can be found on the NCMEA website. b. Notification of withdrawal must be submitted to the Honors Chorus coordinator no later than two weeks before the performance of the Honors Chorus. c. Registered students are expected to attend all rehearsals, the final concert, and any other activities planned by the Middle School Choral Section officers or Honors Chorus coordinator during the event. d. Each student must know the music thoroughly although not necessarily from memory. There will be a walk through screening by teachers selected by the coordinator prior to the first rehearsal. Students who are deemed not adequately prepared will be sent home with no refund. The school will forfeit participation the following year. e. Each soloist will sing his/her voice part from the designated audition selection. The Honors Coordinator will announce the selection at the May meeting. Soloists will be required to display abilities in sight reading. f. Each director is responsible for the conduct of his/her students at all times. The director should remain on the premises for the duration of the Honors Chorus and attend rehearsals, business meetings, etc., as well as, be with his/her students at night. If the director cannot attend because of an emergency, he/she must notify the Honors Chorus Coordinator and send another faculty member designated by the administration of the school to come in the director s place. This faculty member must also follow the same rules and regulations of the director he/she is replacing. This includes staying on the premises at all times. If the rules and procedures are not adhered to, a letter of reprimand will be sent to the principal and the school will not be allowed to participate the next year. 4. Eligibility Middle School and Jr. High students may register for and/or participate in Honors Chorus auditions, Performance Adjudications, and in All-State Chorus, given that all registration requirements are met as defined on current event registration forms, as well as on the NCMEA website, and in the NCMEA constitution. This shall include, but may not be limited to the following conditions: a. Students are currently enrolled in a Middle School or Jr. High School or enrolled in an alternative educational setting at a parallel age/grade level to Middle School/Jr. High. b. Students are currently enrolled in, or are registered members of an active chorus. An active chorus is defined as a group of at least 4 student-singers who have a publicized, set schedule of regular rehearsals and public performances of published choral literature; clear policies in place as to the requirements for participation and/or the academic grading policy in the active chorus and with a director and/or teacher who is responsible for rehearsal, performance, and rules/regulations/guidelines for student participation. c. The employed, appointed, or publicized director of the chorus must be an active member of NCMEA (paid, up-to-date membership) as of the time of both event registrations and the actual event. d. If a school does not have chorus, choral music, or the academic/musical equivalent as registered course, or the course is not being taught during the academic period during 7

8 which the NCMEA event takes place, no student may participate in that NCMEA event as a representative from that school, as they are not currently a choral music student of that school. e. The hiring/receiving of private voice/musical instruction does not qualify as membership in an active chorus as defined above. All-State and Honors Chorus are choral music events. Students who receive private vocal/musical instruction from an instructor can be registered (by their instructor) for performance/adjudication at their local NCMEA District Solo/Small Ensemble Performance Adjudication - given that the instructor is an active member of NCMEA (paid, up-to-date membership) as of the time of both event registrations and the actual event. The instructor will then be registered as the student s sponsor and must accompany the student to the event. f. A student, who for any reason, is not currently (at the time the NCMEA event takes place) enrolled in chorus, choral music, or the academic/musical equivalent at a school, cannot participate in that NCMEA event as a representative from that school, as they are not currently a choral music student of that school. B. SOLO-SMALL ENSEMBLE MUSIC PERFORMANCE ADJUDICATION 1. Purpose a. To give students and selected small ensembles an opportunity to perform individually for experience and personal evaluation. b. To give the better singers the opportunity to work at a higher level. 2. Eligibility See Policy for Honors Chorus a. All choral directors having entries must be current members of NCMEA. b. All participating students must be regularly enrolled in a single middle school or junior high school administrative unit having the same teacher. c. Only 9th graders enrolled in a junior high school may participate in middle school performance adjudications. 3. Policy and Procedures a. Schools are not limited as to the number of contestants entering. b. A student entered in the Solo-Ensemble MPA will be limited to one prepared selection in the solo MPA, and to participate in two ensembles of unlike nature. c. Schools are expected to register and participate within their own region unless there are legitimate conflicts in MPA dates. If directors believe they have valid reasons to participate outside their region, they must submit their request in writing to the Student Activities Coordinator by December 15; otherwise the request will not be considered. The request must be approved by the Student Activities Coordinator, and then by the MPA chairperson to whom they wish to apply. In no case will a group be permitted to enter more than one Solo-Ensemble MPA per school year. d. A registration form for each school must be completed and mailed to the region chairperson on or before the designated deadline. Student Activities Coordinator will set deadlines (and enforce penalties) for submission of all required MPA forms, titles of selections, etc. See district list by counties. 8

9 e. For solos, duets, trios and quartets, there will be no repetition of repertory by individual students within a three year period. For ensembles, there will be no repetition of repertory by a single director from a single school within a two year period; therefore, directors may not choose the same music for Solo-Small Ensemble and/or MPA within a two year period. f. Notification of withdrawal must be made in writing; notification is acceptable. The full entry fee (100%) will be refunded if notification is postmarked/ ed between Jan. 16 and Feb. 15. Half the entry fee (50%) will be refunded if notification is postmarked/ ed between Feb. 16 and two weeks prior to the adjudication date. No refund will be made if notification is made within two weeks of the MPA date. g. Students or ensembles may participate either for rating and/or criticism. Each entrant or group entering for rating will be assigned an honor rating of Superior, Excellent, Average, Below Average, or Poor to accompany the adjudicator s comments. h. Deadline for application is January 15. i. Qualified adjudicators will be appointed by the Middle School Choral Student Activities Coordinator to judge in a particular region. j. The district chairperson will be required to complete all reports and forward correct copies to the student activities coordinator and the NCMEA Executive Director within forty-five (45) days after the event. Failure to do so will result in forfeiture of the District Chairperson s honorarium. k. Adjudicators will not discuss ratings with choral directors, their singers, or other adjudicators at the MPA site. All inquiries should be addressed to the Student Activities Coordinator in writing. 4. Fees - Current fees can be found on the website. 5. Time Limit - Soloists and ensembles are limited to a six (6) minutes performance. If a selection runs longer than six (6) minutes, cuts must be made and marked by the director. 6. Performance: Soloist a. Confined to soprano, mezzo-soprano, alto, tenor, baritone, bass, and boys unchanged voices. b. Choice material, at the discretion of the director. c. Each soloist is expected to sing from memory. Two selections may be performed if together they do not exceed the time limit. A good performance of one number is preferred. There will be no observers for solo performances. d. A copy of music must be presented to the judge before performing. All cuts must be clearly indicated and measures numbered. e. Duplicated music will not be accepted. Judges will be instructed not to adjudicate soloists using illegally duplicated music. 7. Performances: Ensembles a. May be of three types: male, female and mixed voices. b. May include duets, trios, quartets, etc., and any larger group to 20. c. Duets, trios, and quartets up to double quartets will perform from memory, one selection. Any ensemble of a double quartet or larger will perform from memory, two selections. Any group participating must perform music particularly suited and/or written for the voicing of the group and of sufficient quality as to demonstrate clearly the vocal skills of the performers. Appropriate classifications include, but are not limited to: madrigals, vocal chamber music, selections of the type included on the large MPA list which are suitable for a small group, and barbershop selections. There will be NO OBSERVERS for ensemble performances. d. Copies of scores must be presented to the judge with cuts clearly indicated and measures numbered. 9

10 e. Duplicated music is a violation of the copyright laws and the singer will forfeit adjudication. Section 8. Adjudicators a. Adjudicators (who must be members of NCMEA) will be assigned to each Solo-Small Ensemble Regional Performance Adjudication based on number of students/groups participating. This number will be determined by the Site Chairperson. b. Adjudicators will be asked to be specific in their comments and to give positive, constructive criticism that reflects an understanding of the middle school singer in terminology that the middle school singer can easily understand. c. Adjudicators will be paid $250/day honorarium, plus allowable expenses. d. Adjudicators are selected based on their education, experience, and qualifications at the discretion of the Student Activities Coordinator. 8. Regions: See page 2 of the Middle School Constitution. C. REGIONAL LARGE CHORAL MUSIC PERFORMANCE ADJUDICATION 1. Purpose: a. To provide each performing group with an opportunity to improve and to evaluate its performance by comparison with a set standard of excellence: and b. To provide students and teachers with an opportunity to hear other choral groups from their region. 2. Eligibility See Honors Chorus Policy. 3. Policy and Procedures a. Schools are expected to register and participate within their own region unless there are legitimate conflicts in MPA dates. If directors believe they have valid reasons to participate outside their region, they must submit their request in writing to the Student Activities Coordinator by December 15; otherwise, the request will not be considered. The request must be approved by the Student Activities Coordinator, and then by the Chairperson to whom they wish to apply. Notification of withdrawal must be made in writing; notification is acceptable. The full entry fee (100%) will be refunded if notification is postmarked/ ed between Jan. 16 and Feb. 15. Half the entry fee (50%) will be refunded if the notification is postmarked/ ed between Feb. 16 and two weeks prior to the adjudication date. No refund will be made if notification is made within two weeks of the MPA date. b. Registration forms and fees from each school participating must be completed and mailed to the regional chairperson on or before the designated deadline. c. Change to Notification of withdrawal must be made in writing; notification is acceptable. The full entry fee (100%) will be refunded if notification is postmarked/ ed between Jan. 16 and Feb. 15. Half the entry fee (50%) will be refunded if notification is postmarked/ ed between Feb. 16 and two weeks prior to the MPA date. No refund will be made if notification is within 2 weeks of the MPA date. d. Each choral group will be permitted to participate in any Regional Choral MPA for criticism only or for criticism and a rating. Each group requesting criticism and rating will be awarded one of the following ratings: Superior, Excellent, Average, Below Average, or Poor. e. Each choral group in Grade II of higher wishing criticism and rating will determine the classification by selecting music from the official NCMEA graded music list. Each choral group will be required to perform a least one selection from the list. If neither of the two selections performed is from the MPA list, the group will be classified at Grade I. 10

11 f. There will be no maximum limitation concerning the size of the choral groups. If a school has more than one choral group of like nature, each will be permitted to enter, provided there is no duplication of personnel within like groups. Such groups need not enter the same classification. A student may participate in two groups of unlike nature (for example: male chorus and mixed chorus). g. Deadline for application is January 15 of each year. h. There will be a minimum number of twenty-one (21) student participants in each group eligible to perform at a Regional Choral MPA (criticism and/or rating). i. There will be no repetition of repertory by a single director from a single school with any ensemble or chorus within a two-year period; therefore, directors may not choose the same music for Small Ensemble and/or Regional Choral MPA within a two-year period. j. The MPA chairperson will be required to complete all reports and forward correct copies to the Middle School Student Activities Coordinator and the NCMEA Executive Director within forty five (45) days after the event. Failure to do so will result in forfeiture of the regional chairperson s honorarium. k. All performance ratings will be listed on the website, as well as the sight-reading superior ratings. 4. Performance a. Each group will prepare from memory two selections of equal difficulty. For those groups wishing to receive ratings, one of the two selections MUST be from the official CURRENT NCMEA MUSIC LISTS. b. All choral directors must deposit their prepared compositions (three copies) with cuts clearly indicated and measures numbered to the regional chairperson prior to performance. c. Duplicated music will not be accepted. d. Ratings will not be posted or announced in the performance area. e. Time Limit: not to exceed ten minutes (10) per entry. f. Failure to observe the policy and procedures of the Middle School Choral Section for any event will cause the school to forfeit participation in the event the following year. A letter will be written to the school principal and to the choral director/teacher. 5. Sight-reading a. Sight-reading will be optional. Directors may select which voicing their groups will sight-sing. Sight-reading will be graded separately from performance and not included as part of the cumulative grade. b. The state coordinator of choral activities shall be responsible for securing and distributing sight-reading material appropriate for all voice classifications. There will be NO OBSERVERS for sight-reading. The procedure will take place in a room close to the performance area. A separate adjudicator will be employed for the sight-reading when necessary. c. Students will enter sight-reading room quietly. Sight-reading materials will be face down in the chairs. Students pick up materials and, once seated, will turn them face up. The director will choose a rhythm pattern for the class. The director can ask the students to identify the time signature. Student-generated questions may be asked and answered by another student or the teacher; however, students may NOT ask specific questions about rhythm pattern itself. Students will be given UP TO thirty (30) seconds to look over the rhythm pattern. At the end of that time, the sight-reading judge will let the group know it is time to begin and the teacher will set the tempo. The teacher may not direct or assist students during the performance of the rhythm pattern. Once the rhythm pattern has been performed, the teacher will choose a melody for the 11

12 students to sight-sing. The director can ask the students to identify key signature, time signature, and beginning pitch, and can establish the key before the students look over the melody. Again, student-generated questions may be asked and answered by another student or by the teacher; however, students may NOT ask specific questions about the melody itself. Students will be given UP TO two (2) minutes to look over the melody. At the end of the time, the sight-reading judge will let the group know it is time to begin. The teacher can again establish the key and have the students sing the beginning pitch. The director may direct the students with a conducting pattern through the piece, but the teacher CANNOT sing or otherwise assist students in the melodic performance. Once the melody has been performed, students will leave the sightreading room quietly, putting the sight-reading materials face down on the chairs. d. At the conclusion of the sight-reading, members of the group should remain seated until all the music has been handed in and accounted for. The director should caution students to look under chairs and not to forget any personal belongings. The director should be given a few seconds for any instructions he/she wishes to give, and the singers should then be asked to leave quietly and quickly to make room for the next group. e. Groups awarded a superior rating will be given a certificate. 6. Fees - Current fees will be published on the website. 7. Adjudicators a. Three (3) or four (4) adjudicators (who must be members of NCMEA) will be assigned to each Regional Choral MPA. b. Adjudicators will be asked to be specific in their comments and to give positive, constructive criticism that reflects an understanding of the middle school singer in terminology that the middle school singer can easily understand. c. Adjudicators will be paid $ honorarium plus allowable expenses. d. Adjudicators are selected based on their education, experience, and qualifications at the discretion of the Student Activities Coordinator. D. ALL-STATE CHORAL FESTIVAL 1. Purposes a. To give our most outstanding students a chance to participate with other students of like ability in a highly select group. b. To give these students an opportunity to work with outstanding choral directors. 2. Quota a. There will be one 6 th grade Chorus not to exceed 200 students, one Women s Choir not to exceed 200 students, and one SATB Choir not to exceed 200 students. b. The quota for each school will be determined by the All-State Coordinator. Allotment is based on the number of 6 th and 7 th /8th (combined) grade students in the choral program in the school during the grading period at the time of the application. General music students are not eligible for this activity. 3. Fees - $25 non-refundable application fee, and $20.00 per student participant. 4. Regulations a. Each director must submit an official application with $25 fee to the All-State Coordinator by mail no later than September 15. b. The official registration blank signed by the school principal along with necessary fees must be submitted by March 1. Failure to do so will result in a school losing its allotment for that year. 12

13 c. The deadline for withdrawal and refunding of money will be April 1 and will be strictly enforced. d. Notification of withdrawal must be made to the All-State Coordinator, postmarked no later than two weeks before the MPA date. Failure to do so will cause a school to lose its quota for the following year. e. Registered students are expected to attend all rehearsals, the final concert, and any other activities planned by the Middle School Choral Section officers during this event. Failure to do so will result in the school unable to participate the next year. f. Each student must know the music thoroughly although not necessarily from memory. There will be a screening of students by choral teachers who are selected by the All-State Coordinator prior to the first rehearsal. Students who are not adequately prepared will become audits and will not be allowed to sing at the concert. This school will not be allowed to participate in All-State the next year and the school principal will be notified. g. Each director is responsible for the conduct of his/her students at all times. The director should remain on the premises for the duration of the MPA and attend rehearsals, business meetings, etc., as well as be with his/her students at night. If the director cannot attend because of an emergency, he must notify the All-State Coordinator and send another faculty member designated by the administration of the school to come in the director s place. This faculty member must also follow the same rules and regulations of the director who he/she is replacing. This includes staying on the premises at all times. If rules and procedures are not adhered to a letter of reprimand will be sent to the principal. 5. Guest Conductor a. A guest conductor will be chosen from the conductors recommended by the Middle School Choral Section at executive board meetings. b. The selected conductor and the repertory for the All-State event are to be announced no later than the following fall conference. c. The Middle School Choral Section Chairperson shall be notified by the All-State Coordinator immediately in the event of any emergency situation concerning changes. 6. Eligibility See Eligibility Policy for Honors Chorus. 13