Music Teacher Packet INFORMATION AND GUIDELINES

2016 Music Teacher Packet INFORMATION AND GUIDELINES FEMEA Mission Statement The mission of the Florida Elementary Music Educators Association (FEMEA) is to unite and support music educators in order to provide a high quality comprehensive music education for all children. FMEA All-State Elementary Chorus Goals 1. To provide elementary school students with: an exciting, quality choral experience with other students from Florida. an opportunity to share vocal artistry and grow as musicians. an opportunity to work with a guest clinician. an opportunity to sing quality children s choral repertoire. an opportunity to perform at the FMEA Professional Development Conference. 2. To provide an opportunity for elementary music educators to set new standards of vocal excellence in the public and private schools of Florida.

Table of Contents 2016 Chorus Packet Subject Page # FEMEA Mission Statement Cover FMEA Elementary All-State Chorus Goals Cover FEMEA Executive Board 3 General Information 4 Fees 4 Teacher Preparation Check-list 5 Causes for Disqualification 6 Preparing the Audition Package 7 Sample Online Application 8 Sample Invoice/Teacher Contract 9 Audition Recording 10-11 Audition Rubric 12 Letter to Principal 13 Letter to Parent/Guardian 14 Post-Audition Procedures 15-16 Important Reminders - In order to broaden participation and fulfill the mission of FEMEA, a maximum of 5 students will be selected per member. Itinerant teachers must decide how to divide the 5 allowed auditions among their schools; see p.4 - All teachers of students in the All-State Elementary Chorus will be required to purchase a packet of music. Packets are $25 for students and teachers alike. - All-State Auditions must be uploaded to the FEMEA website. Instructions for uploading will be on the website. - When printing the online application, all the student information may not be readily available to you. Enter the information you have, then obtain any missing information. Once you have all the student information, you must enter it into the online application. Then you will print and send the application home for original signatures. The applications with original signatures will be sent to your district chair. - After all (up to 5) student auditions are entered on the website, an invoice/teacher contract will be generated for you and your principal to sign. see p. 9 - Please note that pp. 15-16 are informational only at this point. These pages cover procedures after students are selected for the Chorus.

2016 Chorus Packet, page 3 Florida Elementary Music Educators Association President: Marie Radloff 6050 Scotchwood Glen #107 Orlando, FL 32822 Work: 407-658-6800 x3012261 FAX: 407-658-6801 Cell: 407-616-5097 femeapresident@icloud.com Executive Board 2013-2014 President-Elect: Rosemary Pilonero 695 Rolling Acres Road Lady Lake, FL 32159 Work: 352-751-0111 FAX: 352-751-0117 Cell: 352-418-7891 femeaprelect@gmail.com Past President: Julie Hebert 12511 25 th Ct. E Parrish, FL 34219 Cell: 941-518-7284 director@faae.org District I Chair: Vivian Gonzalez Broward, Miami-Dade, Monroe 6800 SW 60 St. Miami, FL 33143 Work: 305-667-8847 x2180 Cell: 786-301-1154 givian3@gmail.com gonzalezv@dadeschools.net District III Chair: Betty Trascritti Hernando, Hillsborough, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk 1003 S. Sterling Ave. Tampa, FL 33629 Work: 813-356-1645 Cell: 813-579-8368 femeadistrict3@gmail.com District V Chair: Sondra Collins Alachua, Baker, Bradford, Citrus, Clay, Columbia, Dixie, Duval, Flagler, Gilchrist, Hamilton, Lafayette, Levy, Marion, Nassau, Putnam, St. Johns, Suwanee, Union 13708 SW 1 st Lane Newberry, FL 32669 Work: 352-291-4085 Cell: 321-626-9062 femeadistrict5@gmail.com District VII Chair: Dorothy Castle Indian River, Martin, Okeechobee, Palm Beach, St. Lucie 1010 SE 10 th St. Stuart, FL 34996 Cell: 772-341-1116 Work: 772-219-1580 x234 castled@martin.k12.fl.us femeadistrict7@gmail.com Executive Director: Anita Travaglino 18753 Narimore Drive Land O Lakes, FL 34638 Home: 813-240-1970 femeaed@gmail.com District II Chair: Jason Thomashefsky Charlotte, Collier, DeSoto, Gleades, Hardee, Hendry, Highlands, Lee, Manatee, and Sarasota 17000 S. Tamiami Trail Fort Myers, FL 33908 Cell: 215-873-5754 femeadist2@gmail.com jasonet@leeschools.net District IV Chair: Joani Slawson Brevard, Lake, Orange, Seminole, Sumter, Volusia, Osceola 235 Quail Dr. Merritt Island, FL 32953 Work: 321-633-3535 x4000 Cell: 332-432-2770 femeadistrict4@gmail.com joanislawson@gmail.com District VI Chair: Beth Ann M. Delmar Bay, Calhoun, Escambia, Franklin, Gadsden, Gulf, Homes, Jackson, Jefferson, Leon, Liberty, Madison, Okaloosa, Santa Rosa, Taylor Wakulla, Walton, Washington 4800 Highway 2321 Panama City, FL 32404 Work: 850-767-5462 Home: 850-819-3954 delmabm@bay.k12.fl.us bethanndelmar@gmail.com All State Chorus Coordinator Robert Todd 1175 Middle River Dr. Fort Lauderdale, FL 33304 Work: 754-322-5400 Cell: 954-665-6377 rdtfl@aol.com robert.todd@browardschools.com

2016 Chorus Packet, page 4 FMEA All-State Elementary Chorus Information and Fees Before submitting application forms and audition recordings, please read the contents of this packet thoroughly. The packet contains everything you need to know to assure a successful All-State Elementary Chorus experience. We invite you to contact any of the FEMEA Executive Board members (listed on p. 3) with questions you may have. 2015 FMEA All-State Elementary Chorus Information Conductor Student Eligibility Teacher Eligibility Student Participant Requirements Dr. Don Ester is professor of music education at Ball State University in Indiana. He has taught in public schools as well as at the university level. He was previously the Director of Choral Activities in the Bloomington, Illinois Public Schools. Dr. Ester is a frequent guest conductor and clinician for choirs of all ages. He has conducted All- State Children s Choirs in Indiana, South Dakota and Colorado. He has presented over 150 clinics throughout the nation and served as guest conductor for over 100 festival choirs. He founded and directed the White River Youth Choir. Dr. Ester s research and publications focus on music literacy pedagogy, the child and adolescent voice and instructional strategies. He has served on the board of the Indiana Choral Directors Association and the Indiana Music Educators Association. He is a past National Chair of the Society for Music Teacher Education. He has received many awards in his career. Dr. Ester is an accomplished pianist and vocalist and serves as Praise and Worship Leader at First Presbyterian in Muncie, Indiana. Elementary students with unchanged voices in 4 th and 5 th grades that are currently participating in an elementary school or home-school association music program. Any music teacher who wishes to nominate students enrolled in a DOE course that he/she personally teaches, for the FMEA All-State Elementary Chorus MUST pay their NAfME, FMEA and FEMEA ($30) dues by September 15, 2015. The music teacher must hold full active membership in FEMEA. Each FEMEA member may nominate as few as one or as many as five students for the chorus. Itinerant teachers must abide by the same policy. Therefore, the itinerant teacher must decide how to divide the 5 allowed auditions among their schools. Be recommended by the music teacher of record for that school and the principal. Sign a participant s contract in which the student agrees to demonstrate appropriate behavior while at the convention center. Memorize all music by January 13, 2016. Wear black dress pants or slacks (no jeans), a white long-sleeved shirt or blouse that can be tucked in (no t- shirts) and black low-heeled or flat dress shoes for the concert performance. Participate in all rehearsals and the concert to be held in Tampa from Wednesday January 13, 2016, through the concert on Thursday, January 14, 2016. 2016 FMEA All-State Elementary Chorus Fees All fees are non-refundable. Fee Amount Due Audition Fee $10.00 per 2016 nominated student Materials Fee FMEA Conference Registration Fee $25.00 per selected 2016 All-State Chorus student. $50 - $80 per selected student(s), and $40 - $60 per applicable chaperon. Music teachers mail 1 school check, PTA check, or money order payable to FEMEA, and not to FMEA, to your FEMEA District Chair (listed on page 3) with the mailing of all audition forms postmarked by September 22, 2015. Personal checks will not be accepted. Music teachers mail fees to Robert Todd, the Elementary All-State Chorus Chair (address on page 3) along with the Participant s Contract(s) postmarked by November 2, 2015. Music teachers pay all conference fees directly to FMEA when registering for the clinic. Via FMEA web site by Dec.11 - student: $50, on site - $80 Paid chaperon by Dec. 11 - $40, on site - $60 Remember, first chaperon is free.

2016 Chorus Packet, page 5 FMEA Elementary All-State Chorus Teacher Preparation Checklist Please follow these directions thoroughly and call your district chair, or Robert Todd if you have questions (all contact information listed on page 3). Preparation Checklist 1. Pay NAfME, FMEA, and FEMEA dues by September 15, 2015. 2. Seek permission from your principal to participate in the All-State Chorus (sample principal letter provided on page 13). 3. Select students who meet eligibility requirements and communicate with their parents/guardians using the letter provided on page 14. 4. Print online-generated chorus application forms to send home with your students for parents/guardians to sign and fill in or change information. If you don t have all the information needed prior to printing the forms, information added or changed on the forms by the parents must also be added or changed in the website 5. Make two copies of each application form. Keep one copy and enclose one copy and the signed original in your audition package. 6. Secure audition fees from each nominated student. 7. Communicate with your bookkeeper/pta to secure 1 check payable to FEMEA for your students audition fees. One money order is also an acceptable form of payment. 8. Make two copies of the check/money order. Keep one copy and enclose one copy and the original check/money order in your audition package. 9. Once all students are entered online, an invoice/teacher contract will be generated. (Sample on p. 9). This form, signed by you and the principal replaces the old teacher contract. Make one copy for you to keep and submit the one with original signatures. 10. Prepare yourself for the audition recording by reading all instructions carefully and practice reading the script before recording the audition. 11. Secure an acoustic piano tuned to A440. If only an electronic keyboard is available, use the piano setting. 12. Practice playing tonal melody examples at a tempo of quarter note = 75-100. 13. Plan to conduct the audition in a setting that will not be disturbed. 14. Make the recording and listen to it before uploading the recording to the website. Check the following: Can you hear the student? Is there static or distortion? Is the child s voice the dominant voice during the round? 15. Teach and practice the tonal memories along with Are You Sleeping? and America with your students. 16. Make audition recordings. 17. Read the Directions for Submission (page 7) and prepare your audition package. 18. Mail your audition package to your district chair (address on page 3) postmarked by September 22, 2015.

2016 Chorus Packet, page 6 FMEA Elementary All-State Chorus Disqualification There are several causes for student disqualification. Please avoid these mistakes to ensure that your student audition recordings are considered for selection. Logistical Errors Your student auditions will be disqualified if: 1. you are not an FMEA and FEMEA member by September 15, 2015. 2. your paperwork is incomplete. 3. the fees are not attached. 4. requisitions, purchase orders, or personal checks are used as payment for the audition fees. 5. CD s or other physical recordings are submitted for the auditions. 6. the audition paperwork is sent to your district chair postmarked after September 22, 2015. 7. your auditions are uploaded to the FEMEA website after September 22, 2015. 8. you submit more than 5 auditions. Audition Errors Your student auditions will be disqualified if: 1. someone other than the student s assigned music teacher conducts the audition. 2. the teacher sings the starting note or counts in pitch for the student. 3. audition materials from previous years are used. 4. an electronic keyboard (used in a setting other than piano) is used in the audition recording. 5. a metronome is used during the audition recording. 6. the recording is stopped or paused during the audition. 7. the teacher script is not read exactly as written. 8. auditions are not uploaded to the FEMEA website. 9. the name of the student, teacher, or school is mentioned on the audition recording. Dishonesty Your student auditions will be disqualified if the audition has been digitally altered in any way.

2016 Chorus Packet, page 7 FMEA Elementary All-State Chorus Audition Packet There are very specific directions regarding the contents of your audition package. Following these directions will help to ensure that your student auditions are given the opportunity to be heard by the judges. What must be sent to the district chair? 1. Do not submit CDs Remember, each recording will be uploaded to the FEMEA website, so you will not be sending CD recordings to your District Chair. Instructions are on the website when you log in to upload your recordings. 2. Applications Pack one complete application form with original signatures (in blue or red ink) for each nominated student. Pack the Invoice/Teacher Contract, signed by you and your principal. 3. Fees Pack one school check, PTA check, or money order made payable to FEMEA for the appropriate amount of the audition fee(s) ($10 per nominated student). Note: FMEA is a separate organization. Checks made payable to FMEA cannot be accepted. 4. Copies Pack one copy of the original school check, PTA check or money order made payable to FEMEA for the appropriate audition fee amount ($10 per nominated student). Pack one copy of each application form for each nominated student. What should the music teacher keep The FEMEA Executive Board advises music teachers to keep records of the following materials. 1. Keep one copy of each of the original student audition recordings on your computer or personal recording device. 2. Keep one copy of each of the original student application forms. 3. Keep one copy of the original school check, PTA check or money order made payable to FEMEA used to pay the student audition fee(s). 4. Keep one copy of the invoice/teacher contract.

2016 Chorus Packet, page 8

2016 Chorus Packet, page 9 Florida Elementary Music Educators Association 2015-2016 FMEA All-State Invoice/Teacher Contract: Elementary Chorus Check here if handicap access is required ABC Elementary School 1234 Lane Anywhere, Florida 56789 (123) 867-5309 Fax: ( ) - Music County School Type: Elementary (k-5) Director(s): FMEA/NafME# Director Cell Phone: ( ) - Director E-Mail: Principal Name: FEMEA District: Years director has taught at this school FMEA All-State Eligibility: Any elementary student participating in FMEA All-State music be a 4 th or 5 th grade student with an unchanged voice registered at the above named public or private school. Students must also be listed on the class roster of a music class taught by the above named director. A home-schooled student must either be a regularly participating member in an ensemble of their home school association or enrolled in a public or private school class for that ensemble. By signing below, we certify that these All State Elementary Chorus applicants are enrolled in a music class taught by the above named teacher. The teacher is a member of the Florida Music Educators Association and the Florida Elementary Music Educators Association with membership dues paid before September 15, 2015. All parties understand that the teacher must be registered for the 2016 FMEA Professional Development Conference and be present and supervise All-State students during student check-in and assigned rehearsal monitoring sessions. We understand that the final decision on which student(s) are accepted will be made at the state level based on high scores. By submitting this application, we agree to abide by the rules of the All-State Clinic/Conference. In addition, the teacher agrees to take responsibility for the following tasks: 1. Download and read the entire All-State Elementary Chorus Information Packet. 2. Read and follow instructions, meeting postmark deadlines. 3. Keep parents informed of expectations and costs involved. 4. Purchase a packet of music. 5. Thoroughly practice the music with his/her student(s). 6. Be sure his/her students know their part designations and are taught the correct part, critical for their success. 7. Be the assigned teacher of record for the students auditioned. 8. Enter students from a public or private school, or home-schooled students who are currently enrolled in your elementary school music program and entered by the FEMEA member-teacher of record for the school. Print this page and add appropriate signatures in blue or red ink. Mail this page and 1 audition fee(s) school check or money order made payable to FEMEA to your district chair.

2016 Chorus Packet, page 10 FMEA Elementary All-State Chorus Audition Recording Teacher Directions 1. Read the script verbatim. 2. Start the recording 3. The student will echo melodies a cappella using the syllable loo at = 75 100 bpm. 4. Play the melodic example only one time. 5. Do not stop the recording until the audition is complete. 6. Are You Sleeping? will be sung a cappella as a round at = 90-100 bpm. The student will begin and the teacher will enter after two measures. Sing only one time. Breath marks are included. 7. Be sure the student is closer to the microphone than the teacher during Are You Sleeping? The student s voice should be dominant on the recording. 8. The final part of the audition is the prepared song America, which will be sung a cappella at = 90-100 bpm. The student should sing the vocal line as written. Do not alter the rhythm or pitches. Breath marks are included. Audition Script 1. Before you turn on the recording, Teacher say; We are going to make a recording for the FMEA All-State Elementary Chorus audition. When I start the recording, we will record all of the audition without stopping the recording. Do not say your name, my name, or our school name during the recording. 2. Start the recording Part 1: Tonal Melodies (adapted from the concert program) 3. Teacher says I will play Melody 1 on the piano. Echo the melody, using the syllable loo. 4. Teacher play Melody 1 on the piano 5. Student echo sing Melody 1. 6. Teacher says I will play Melody 2 on the piano. Echo the melody, using the syllable loo. 7. Teacher play Melody 2 on the piano. 8. Student echo sing Melody 2. 9. Teacher says I will play Melody 3 on the piano. Echo the melody, using the syllable loo. 10. Teacher plays Melody 3 on the piano. 11. Student echo sing Melody 3. Audition continues on next page.

2016 Chorus Packet, page 11 Audition Script, Continued Part 2: Are You Sleeping? 12. Teacher says Now we will sing Are You Sleeping? as a round. I will give you the starting pitch on the piano and you will begin. I will enter after you begin singing. We will sing the song one time. 13. Teacher plays starting pitch (F) one time. Do not play the melody on the piano or sing the pitch. 14. Student sings the first two measures of Are You Sleeping? a cappella. Teacher enters at the beginning of Are You Sleeping? and sings with student as a round. Part 3: America 15. Teacher says Thank you. Now you will sing the song America all by yourself. This is your starting pitch. 16. Teacher plays starting pitch (F). Do not play the melody on the piano or sing the pitch. 17. Student sings America a cappella. America 18. Teacher says Thank you. This is the end of the audition.

2016 Chorus Packet, page 12 FMEA Elementary All-State Chorus Audition Rubric Tone Quality Vocal Technique: Vowels Pitch: As printed on the page Tempo: = 75-100 beats per minute (bpm) Rhythm: As printed on the page Tone Quality Vocal Technique: Vowels and Consonants Pitch: As printed on the page Tempo: = 90-100 beats per minute (bpm) Rhythm Breath Control Maintains Key Scoring rubric for Part 1: Tonal Memories 1-3 4 Points: 3 Points: 2 Points: 1 Point: 0 Points: Clear, centered rich tone Head voice for entire Head and Chest Chest voice for Speaking voice in head voice for entire measure voice present most or all of measure Does not complete measure. Free of pushing or Raspy and/or Pushed or strained example Free of pushing or sliding unsupported Sliding, pop or sliding Tone is breathy or thin Broadway Style is present Tall, rounded oo vowels Accurate pitch and intonation for entire measure Matches and maintains appropriate steady tempo as played by teacher Accurate rhythm for entire measure. Clear, centered, rich tone in head voice throughout Free of pushing, sliding, pop, country, or Broadway styles Closed oo vowels 1 pitch error in measure (includes being sharp or flat) Matches and maintains tempo as played by the teacher Teacher played too fast or too slow Matches rhythm as played, but teacher plays incorrectly Open tone but not oo vowel (too ah, oh, etc.) 2 pitch errors in measure (includes being sharp or flat) Does not match tempo as played, but maintains tempo consistency Matches tempo as played, but speeds up or slows down 1 rhythm error in measure Closed ew vowel pitch errors in measure (includes being sharp or flat) Does not match tempo as played and does not stay consistent 2 or more rhythm errors in measure Does not complete example 4 or more pitch errors (includes being sharp or flat) Teacher does not play correct pitches (and makes no attempt to correct mistakes) Sings an octave down Does not complete example Does not complete example Does not complete example Scoring Rubric for Parts 2: Are You Sleeping? & 3: America 4 points 3 points 2 points 1 point 0 points Head voice throughout Speaking voice Tone is breathy or thin Does not complete song Free of pushing, sliding, pop, country, or Broadway styles All tall, rounded vowels Correct execution of diphthongs Clearly enunciates beginning and ending consonants. Accurate pitch and intonation throughout Maintains appropriate steady tempo throughout Accurate rhythm throughout Takes breaths ONLY at indicated breath marks Holds last note for full value Maintains F-Major throughout Mostly tall vowels 1 or 2 diction errors 1 or 2 pitch errors (includes being sharp or flat) Maintains steady tempo at less than 90 bpm Head and chest voice present Excessive vibrato Pushing Nasal sound Free of sliding pop, country, or Broadway styles Some tall rounded vowels 3-4 diction errors 3-4 pitch errors (includes being sharp or flat) Maintains steady tempo at more than 100 bpm Chest voice for most or throughout Raspy, pushed or strained Sliding, pop, country or Broadway style Vowels are spread or closed. 5 or more diction errors 5 or more pitch errors (includes being sharp or flat) Inconsistent throughout 1 or 2 rhythm errors 3 or 4 rhythm errors 5 or more rhythm errors 1 extra breath OR does not hold last note for full value Maintains F-Major for at least 75% of song. 2 extra breaths 1 extra breath AND does not hold last note for full value Maintains F-Major for at least 50% of song. 3 or more extra breaths 2 extra breaths AND does not hold the last note for full value Maintains F-Major for at least 25% of song. Does not complete song Wrong pitch throughout Sings an octave down Does not complete song Does not complete song Does not complete song Does not complete song Incorrect key throughout Does not complete song Maintains own part in Are You Sleeping Maintains own part throughout Maintains own part for at least 75% of song. Maintains own part for at least 50% of song. Maintains own part for 25% of song. Does not complete song

2016 Chorus Packet, page 13 Dear Principal, Your music teacher recently received an invitation from the Florida Elementary Music Educators Association (FEMEA) to participate in a unique music education opportunity for elementary students and teachers. FEMEA is a component organization of FMEA (Florida Music Educators Association). FEMEA will be hosting the FMEA All-State Elementary Chorus in Tampa, Florida January 13-14, 2016. This very prestigious Elementary Chorus for fourth and fifth graders will perform during the annual professional development conference of the FMEA. Each elementary music teacher who is a member of FEMEA may nominate up to five students to audition for the chorus. Your music teacher is required to follow the official FEMEA procedures and has these materials available for your review. FMEA/FEMEA strives to provide relevant and energizing professional development opportunities for music teachers and their students. This All-State Elementary Chorus is the shining example of one such service to membership. There are some expenses involved and we hope that you will assist your parents and your music teacher in securing funding for deserving young musicians from your school. Conductor, Dr. Don Ester is professor of music education at Ball State University in Indiana. He has taught in public schools as well as at the university level. He was previously the Director of Choral Activities in the Bloomington, Illinois Public Schools. Dr. Ester is a frequent guest conductor and clinician for choirs of all ages. He has conducted All-State Children s Choirs in Indiana, South Dakota and Colorado. He has presented over 150 clinics throughout the nation and served as guest conductor for over 100 festival choirs. He founded and directed the White River Youth Choir. Dr. Ester s research and publications focus on music literacy pedagogy, the child and adolescent voice and instructional strategies. He has served on the board of the Indiana Choral Directors Association and the Indiana Music Educators Association. He is a past National Chair of the Society for Music Teacher Education. He has received many awards in his career. Dr. Ester is an accomplish pianist and vocalist and serves as Praise and Worship Leader at First Presbyterian in Muncie, Indiana. In order for your music teacher and students to participate in the All-State Elementary Chorus, your enthusiastic support will be necessary. Because we want the audition process to be as fair as possible, each participating music teacher must adhere to the following guidelines or the audition recordings will be disqualified: 1. Membership dues for the National Association for Music Educators (NAfME), FMEA and FEMEA must be paid by September 15, 2015. 2. The paperwork must be complete. 3. The audition fees must be attached ($10 per student). 4. Requisitions, purchase orders, or personal checks cannot be used. Only school checks or money orders made payable to FEMEA will be accepted. 5. The audition paperwork should be sent to the district chair and the recordings uploaded to the FEMEA website. 6. The postmark must not be later than September 22, 2015. 7. If you have a student or students who are selected, the materials fee of $25.00 per student must be postmarked by November 2, 2015 or the student will not be allowed to participate. Please contact us if you have questions or if we can assist you or your music teacher in any way. Sincerely, Robert Todd, All-State Coordinator 2001 N 54 th Ave. Hollywood, Fl 33021 (954)665-6377 rdtfl@aol.com

2016 Chorus Packet, page 14 Dear Parent or Guardian: The All-State Elementary Chorus will perform at the January 2016 Florida Music Educators Association (FMEA) Professional Development Conference in Tampa. Only the finest fourth and fifth grade voices in the state have been asked to audition for this chorus, and your child has been so honored. Your child s music teacher will help to make an audio recording. There is a $10.00 processing fee that must be sent with the paperwork by September 22, 2015. The audition results will be available on the FEMEA website for the music teacher by password by October 19, 2015. The decisions of the judges are final, and auditions will not be re-heard. If your child is selected, there will be an FEMEA (Florida Elementary Music Educators Association) materials fee of $25.00 that will cover music, clinician s fees and rehearsal CD. Additional FMEA Conference fees (online by Dec. 11: - $50.00, on site - $80, (2 nd chaperone $40, on site - $60)] will be required. Check with your music teacher for details. Music and a rehearsal CD will be mailed to the music teacher. All fees are non-refundable. If your child is selected, your child s name and school will be published on the FEMEA web site. You will need to travel to Tampa on Wednesday, January 13, 2016, (chorus check-in: 12:00 p.m.) and you will need to make arrangements to stay for one night, unless you are within commuting distance to the rehearsal and performance site. It is an All-State policy that children who are not in the chorus are not allowed in the rehearsals and FMEA does not permit school age children in the Convention Center except to attend the concert. There are rehearsals Wednesday and Thursday, January 13 and 14, and the concert will be held on Thursday afternoon. A parent or adult guardian chaperone (other than the music educator) must accompany the student during all non-rehearsal times. Housing information will be available for your music teacher in early fall. Dr. Don Ester is professor of music education at Ball State University in Indiana. He has taught in public schools as well as at the university level. He was previously the Director of Choral Activities in the Bloomington, Illinois Public Schools. Dr. Ester is a frequent guest conductor and clinician for choirs of all ages. He has conducted All-State Children s Choirs in Indiana, South Dakota and Colorado. He has presented over 150 clinics throughout the nation and served as guest conductor for over 100 festival choirs. He founded and directed the White River Youth Choir. Dr. Ester s research and publications focus on music literacy pedagogy, the child and adolescent voice and instructional strategies. He has served on the board of the Indiana Choral Directors Association and the Indiana Music Educators Association. He is a past National Chair of the Society for Music Teacher Education. He has received many awards in his career. Dr. Ester is an accomplished pianist and vocalist and serves as Praise and Worship Leader at First Presbyterian in Muncie, Indiana. Because we want the audition process to be as fair as possible, each music teacher must adhere to the following guidelines or the auditions will be disqualified: 1. The teacher s membership in the National Association for Music Educators (NAfME), FMEA and FEMEA must be renewed by September 15, 2015. 2. The paperwork must be complete with the auditions uploaded on the FEMEA website. 3. The audition fees must be attached. 4. Requisitions, purchase orders or personal checks may not be used. Only school checks or money orders made payable to FEMEA will be accepted. 5. The audition paperwork must be sent to the FEMEA district chair; audition recordings uploaded to the FEMEA website. 6. The postmark must not be later than September 22, 2015. 7. If your child is selected, the materials fee of $25.00 per student, Completed Materials Fee Form and Participant s Contract must be postmarked by Monday, November 2, or the student will not be allowed to participate. If you would like for your child to audition for this chorus, please read all the enclosed pages. Complete the student information and the parent permission sections of the application and return both pages and the $10.00 processing fee to the music teacher. Sincerely,

2016 Chorus Packet, page 15 FMEA All-State Elementary Chorus Audition Packet Post-Audition Procedures for Teachers with Students Selected for the Chorus Audition Results A screening committee will select approximately 200 students to participate in the FMEA All-State Elementary Chorus. The 2016 All-State Chorus list will be posted on a password-protected section of the FEMEA website on or before October 19, 2015. All judges decisions are final. No audition recordings will be re-heard. Information for Selected Chorus Students The paperwork for selected students is not included in this packet and will not be mailed to you. You must retrieve this paperwork from the FEMEA website. Student Materials Download the student materials form from the FEMEA website. Complete the student materials form. Include the completed student materials form in a mailing to Robert Todd postmarked by November 2, 2015 (address on page 3). Participant s Contract Download the Participant s Contract form from the FEMEA website. Complete the Participant s Contract form. Include the completed Participant s Contract form in a mailing to Robert Todd postmarked by November 2, 2015 (address on page 3). Teacher Materials Teachers are required to purchase a set of the music and a rehearsal CD for themselves for an additional $25.00. Payment should be included with the materials fee. Remember that it is illegal to copy music. Fees Include a school check, PTA check, or money order made payable to FEMEA for the chorus materials fee ($25.00 per set of student and teacher materials) in a mailing to Robert Todd postmarked by November 2, 2015 (address on page 3). Personal checks will not be accepted. You will receive your receipt via email. A student conference registration fee (online by Dec. 11 - $50.00; on site - $80.00) for each student, payable to FMEA is required. This is transacted separately to FMEA. Shipment of Materials Music packets and rehearsal CDs will be mailed to music teachers directly from JW Pepper. You must meet the November 2 postmark deadline for sending payment to Robert Todd. Deadlines It is imperative that teachers adhere to all deadlines for this process. Teachers who miss deadlines or submit incomplete paperwork will have their students barred from participation in the chorus. In addition, a letter of explanation will be sent to the school s principal. Rehearsing with Your Students You will receive part assignments and rehearsal notes, if the clinician includes them, via email. Please allow ample time to rehearse your students in preparation for the first chorus rehearsal Students are required to have all of their music memorized by January 13, 2016. Post Audition Procedures continued on next page

2016 Chorus Packet, page 16 FMEA All-State Elementary Chorus Audition Packet Post-Audition Procedures for teachers with students selected for the chorus, continued Pre-register for the clinic-conference Pre-register yourself for the FMEA Professional Development Conference. Pre-register your All-State Chorus student(s) for the FMEA Professional Development Conference. Pre-register one free chaperone for each of your All-State Chorus students. Pre-register any additional chaperones for the Conference. Only the 2 nd chaperon is required to pay. Forms will appear on-line at www.flmusiced.org. Pre-Registration is considerably less expensive than on-site registration. Chaperones A parent or designated adult guardian is required to accompany each FMEA All-State Elementary Chorus student to the rehearsal site and to supervise the child at all non-rehearsal times. FMEA will allow one free chaperone per registered elementary student. An additional chaperone may be registered and attend for $40, ($60 on site). (2 chaperones total) Only adults with conference badges will be permitted entry into the Tampa Convention Center except for the concert. Conference Check-in Music teachers must check in with FMEA and pick up badges between 11:00 A.M. and 12:00 P.M. on Wednesday, January 13, 2016. Chorus Check-In The music teacher must accompany their students to chorus registration. Before you depart for Tampa, designate a location to meet your students so that you may avoid confusion at the registration table (i.e., at the hotel or at the main door of the convention center). Registration lines will be arranged alphabetically by the teacher s last name. Teachers who are not present at registration will not be allowed to have students participate in the 2017 All-State Chorus. The school principal will also receive a letter describing the situation. Communication in Tampa The ability to communicate with your students throughout their stay in Tampa is crucial. It is highly recommended that music teachers take the following steps to ensure two-way communication with your students while attending the conference. 1. Make note of the name and phone number of the hotel(s) housing your students. 2. Make note of the chaperone names, home addresses, cell phone and home phone numbers of your students. 3. Provide your chaperones with the name and phone number of your hotel. 4. Provide your chaperones with your cell phone number. 5. Provide your chaperones with an alternate emergency contact number. Proposed Rehearsal Schedule and Performance Wednesday January 13, 2016 12:00-1:00 pm Teachers, parents, and students will check in for rehearsal at the Tampa Convention Center (TCC), 1 st floor. 1:00-6:00 pm Rehearsal (TCC) Thursday January 14, 2016 8:00-10:00 am 8:00 9:45 Rehearsal 10:00 10:30 move to ballroom for General Session 10:30-11:00 am 11:00 11:45 am Perform at General Session Break 11:45 12:45 pm 12:45-1:45 pm Rehearsal Warm-Up and Sound Check - Ballroom 1:45 pm Concert (TCC) Music Teacher Responsibilities while in Tampa It is the sincere hope of the FEMEA that teachers who choose to participate in the FMEA All-State Elementary Chorus will reap the professional development benefits that accompany participation. The rehearsals and the conference will provide music teachers with valuable training in vocal development and choral conducting. This training will enable teachers to transfer learned knowledge into their school choral music programs. Must be registered for the FMEA Professional Development Conference Must attend rehearsals at their designated time Must attend the FMEA All-State Elementary Chorus performance at 1:45 P.M. on Thursday, January 14, 2016.