Bulletin Signup
Is there anyone that you would like to suggest receive this Bulletin as a way to recruit new members from other schools and states? Please feel free to forward the Bulletin to them or send their e-mail to Editor Tom Reynolds at the following address:
treynold@worldpath.net. |
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88th Concert Festival
HOTEL
ACCOMMODATIONS
BED & BREAKFAST
OPTIONS - KEENE, NH
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88th Concert Festival
KEENE, NH
AREA RESTAURANTS
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NEMFA Calendar 2014-2015
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January 19, 2015 - POSTMARK DEADLINE Acceptance to Concert Festival. After 2/1/2015, no forms will be accepted.
March 19-21, 2015 - Concert Festival, Keene High School, Keene, NH.
June 6, 2015-Executive Board Meeting, 10:00am, Holiday Inn Express, Brattleboro, VT
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 | President's Message -
Sal Cicciarella
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January, 2015
Dear Colleagues,
Happy New Year to you and yours!
As 2014 becomes a faint memory we look forward to renewed goals and promises for 2015.
As we begin to nourish our musical spirit through performances and activities the benefits of the hard work of many educators is inspiring. This is certainly true as we recognize our students' achievements as they attain their own personal and musical goals accomplished at the NEMFA Solo & Ensemble and in our March Concert Festivals.
The 88th NEMFA Concert Festival at Keene High School, Keene, New Hampshire is scheduled for March 19-21, 2015. Please visit our NEMFA web site for the latest concert festival information with new registration forms and procedures for easier membership access. Please look for our new student Concert Festival Performance Certificates available at the registration desk in Keene.
Keene is located in the Monadnock region of Central New Hampshire and a short ride from the Route 91 highway corridor offering a myriad of travel, hotel, and dining experiences. Nearby there are many areas which offer fine shopping for all tastes.
Our host, Thomas Martin has done an outstanding job preparing to welcome our student musicians and colleagues. The NEMFA executive board would like to express our deepest appreciation to those many people who have devoted endless hours to ensure a friendly and musical experience for all participants. Thank you to the entire Keene High School Music Department, district, administration, staff, parents, and hosts.
Rob Gattie and John Kuhner served as hosts for the Solo & Ensemble Festival held in Hartford, Vermont and in Cheshire, Connecticut. Final selections of students accepted into our festival were made possible through the dedicated work of Steffen Parker, our managers, and members of the executive board. Special thanks are extended to member, Sue Gattie, who unselfishly assisted those in need at the S&E Adjudication site.
Tony Brackett, President-Elect/Orchestra Manager, has prepared a report for our members detailing the Violin Virtuosic Repertoire experience at the recent Solo & Ensemble Festival. A formal written evaluation for possible future implementation is expected this spring and is presently a pilot program deeming further discussion. As always, we welcome comments and suggestions concerning this topic to Tony Brackett or myself. Please read his complete report which can be found in this bulletin.
Our managers have again organized challenging programs for our student performers. Tony Brackett, Caleb Pillsbury, and Peter Roach, managers of the orchestra, concert band, and chorus, have promised a positive musical experience for the ensembles being conducted by outstanding directors in our profession.
Please be sure to read the Ensemble Manager's Comments page found later in this bulletin for further information relating to their ensembles.
Be sure you are familiar with our on-site hearing policy. Chorus Manager, Caleb Pillsbury has implemented new scheduling improvements insuring an efficient, positive and musical pre-festival experience. More details will follow shortly.
Finally, I want to extend my sincerest gratitude to Tom Reynolds for his proactive work during the recent loss of the NEMFA Web Site. It was through his dedication and hard work that enabled the site to be on line once again in a timely fashion. I am also grateful to Steffen Parker who is continuing his work on the development of our new web site which will be unveiled in the immediate future. We thank them both for their positive, influential responses and successes to the technological challenges of the past few months.
I look forward to greeting you in Keene, New Hampshire, and anticipate a wonderful reunion by old friends and meeting new friends. Let your voices be heard and contact us with any questions and concerns. Our connections to music are strong and continue to grow with your positive support through experiences for our students and colleagues of NEMFA!
Sincerely,
Sal Cicciarella
President, NEMFA
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 | Secretary's Report -
Gail Reynolds
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MINUTES OF THE NEMFA EXECUTIVE BOARD MEETING
December 12, 2014
Comfort Suites Cheshire, CT.
The meeting called to order by President Sal Cicciarella at 7:13 P.M.
In Attendance: Sal Cicciarella, Gail Reynolds, Bill Sittard, Frank Whitcomb, Tom Reynolds, Steffen Parker, John Kuhner, Peter Roach, Tony Brackett, Caleb Pillsbury, Rob Gattie.
Member Apologies: N/A
Guests: Social Media Manager: Kevin Lam.
Minutes from the September 6, 2014 meeting were read by Gail Reynolds.
Executive Secretary-Treasurer, Bill Sittard reported that NEMFA remains in good financial standing. He reported that he will consult with the NEMFA financial advisor to explore reallocating some funds to improve performance. A motion by Steffen Parker to accept the report passed unanimously.
Band Manager, Peter Roach presented his list of potential conductors for EB for approval: James Miller (U. Mass), Andrew Boysen (UNH), Craig Kirchhoff (U of Minnesota), Larry Gookin (Central Washington U.), Kevin Sedatole , (Michigan State U.), Beth Peterson (Ithaca College), Quincy Hillard (U. of Louisiana, Lafayette), Brian Balmages, and Jerry Junkin (U. of Texas at Austin). Following discussion, Mark Camphouse (George Mason, VA) was added to the list. A motion by Tony Brackett to approve the list passed unanimously.
Orchestra Manager, Tony Brackett reported that all is going well with his conductor, Robert Lehmann (U. of Southern Maine). He reported that he has a signed contract from Dr. David Becker (Texas Tech.) for the 2016 Concert Festival Orchestra and a verbal contract for 2017 from John Eells. Tony reported that the Wagner parts received from the library were problematic. The parts consisted of several sets of different editions that didn't match within the section and in some cases, the score. Additionally, many parts were compromised by editing and age. The problem has been corrected for this festival. Tony recommended that the library parts should not be used in the future. Frank Whitcomb suggested that the compromised Wagner parts be removed from the library after this concert. Tony reported that all the string parts for the program are bowed. He said that at the festival, he will be sharing a pianist and may need to share a percussionist with the band. A motion by Steffen Parker to accept the minutes passed unanimously.
Chorus Manager, Caleb Pillsbury reported that conductor Blackstone has prepared performance notes for the chorus. The rehearsal tracks are up on website and ready to go. The folders are ready. A motion by Gail Reynolds to approve the report passed unanimously.
Concert Festival Host, Tom Martin's report was presented by president Cicciarella. He reported that all spaces needed at the school for the Concert Festival are reserved and all is on track to date. The school food services and told him that they are not able to provide meals for the NEMFA students and that he is in negotiation with other two other providers. Tom Martin said that he expects to have the two estimates ready for approval by next week. He requested ticket price information and the procedure for posting information on the NEMFA web site.
Bulletin Editor and Website Manager, Tom Reynolds reported that he expects to have the new bulletin ready in January and it will include the membership list. He will contact host, Tom Martin for contributions to the bulletin.
Website Development Progress. Steffen Parker reported that he and Tom Reynolds have worked together to enhance the visual appeal of the new site. He reported that both he and Tom will share access to posting on the site. Steffen reported that he had expected that the website would go up Wednesday after the southern S&E Festival but that it will not be done to satisfaction by then. He asked for the board to decide to either move forward as planned or to retain the current website for a while longer. After discussion, it was decided that the new website will be launched in March.
Social Media Manager, Kevin Lam clarified some of the technical terms for social media sites to the EB. He said that he will be active at the S & E southern site promoting social media and taking video of student performers. He showed the EB a poster that he created. It displays the social media sites and access numbers. The poster will be prominently displayed at the S&E festival.
Solo and Ensemble Festival Co-Managers' Report: Rob Gattie and Steffen Parker, with southern S&E Host, John Kuhner. Rob reported that the northern S&E Festival went smoothly with normal attendance despite the poor weather. It was mentioned that there were several eighth graders who registered to adjudicate. John Kuhner, southern site S&E host, briefed the EB about facility-related matters for Saturday. Clarification was made regarding the procedure for recruiting more students to adjudicate on an instrument that had low S&E registration numbers. It was reiterated that the window for recruiting additional student musicians would occur right after S&E registration closed via communication with sponsors of potential students. Steffen reported that there were no concerns raised this year by EB members about low registration in any instrument.
Solo and Ensemble Fee Structure Proposal- Steffen Parker. Steffen explained the complexity of the current S&E fee structure to the EB. He proposed that the EB clarify the fees and improve on the communication of such fees to sponsors. He suggested that the EB act on his proposal and present its findings at the March General Membership Meeting. Following discussion, it was decided that Steffen will rework and clarify the fee structure and present his findings to the EB for approval via email so that it will be ready for presentation at the March Membership meeting.
Violin Virtuoso Adjudication Report - Tony Brackett. Tony reported that he was pleased with the trial procedure for adjudicating the virtuoso violins this year. He reported that there were more violinists adjudicating in the southern site than in the northern site. Mr. Brackett recommended that NEMFA extend the virtuoso option to all instruments represented in the NEMFA S&E Festival and have solo lists prepared for possible forums in March, finalized at the June meeting and implemented in next year's S& E Festivals. Tony volunteered to be coordinator of those efforts like he was with the violin virtuoso list. If approved, he further recommended that all the adjudications (virtuoso, standard, and "for adjudication only") should be done solely by the hired adjudicator. Following discussion, a motion made by Tony Brackett that he coordinate an effort to designate virtuoso solos for viola, cello and double bass for the S&E Festival and create committees for the process and present a list at the Annual General Membership meeting in March passed unanimously. Tony asked Rob and Steffen to send him a list of the string adjudicators and teachers that may be contacted and invited to participate in the process. John Kuhner suggested that the virtuoso pieces be included on the same list as the non-virtuoso pieces and be designated as virtuoso with an asterisk. Tony agreed. It was clarified that bonus points awarded for virtuoso solos will not count toward NEMFA scholarships awards. It was decided that Tom Reynolds will temporarily remove the string adjudication lists (va, vc & db only) from the NEMFA website in the January bulletin and post an alert that the lists are being revised and will be available online after the Concert Festival.
On Site Festival Choral Hearing - Caleb Pillsbury. Caleb reported that the hearing set up is in control. Gail Reynolds volunteered to help organize and oversee ushering students into hearing rooms.
Determining Policies for NEMFA Events - Steffen Parker. Steffen articulated concerns of the S&E Co-chairs regarding policy in regard to the virtuoso violin trial adjudication process at the S&E Festival. After discussion, no motion or action was taken.
Member Service Chair Report & Performance Certificates- John Kuhner. John reported that in the north, S&E certificates were available at the registration table. Some sponsors took them, some did not notice the certificates, and several sponsors said that they generate their own certificates. The EB agreed that it is difficult to ensure that all sponsors are offered certificates at registration because of the high activity in that area. Bill will try to improve on getting the certificates to sponsors tomorrow and report on how it went. It was decided that the Concert Festival certificates will be included in the sponsors' packets which will be handed to them at the CF registration table in March. Bill will get the certificates to host, Tom Martin.
The Maine Connection Progress Report- Tom Reynolds. Tom reported that he discovered that several teachers have events that conflict with the NEMFA Concert Festival. He plans to continue contacting and sharing information with the Maine teachers in hope that a few will be able join for next year. He (as well as Frank Whitcomb) is waiting for the updated membership lists from Bill and Steffen. Bill indicated that his list is ready. Steffen's list will be complete after tomorrow's S&E festival.
NEW BUSINESS
1. Tony Brackett reported that he had a strong lead for a possible host for the 2017 Concert Festival.
2. President Cicciarella requested that the EB update their contact information and email it to him.
3. President Cicciarella asked Bill to confirm that all contracts for the 2016 Concert Festival conductors and accompanist were received.
3. Bill Sittard recommended that NEMFA increase the Concert Festival fee to cover an increase in the CF expenses. Following discussion, a motion by Steffen Parker to increase the Concert Festival fee to $99.00 passed unanimously.
UPCOMING DATES:
- 2015 Concert Festival Keene NH: March 19-21, 2015
- Executive Board Meeting, Friday March 20, 10AM.
- Annual General Membership Meeting, Friday March 20, 2:30 PM.
MEETING ADJOURNED at 9:25 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
Gail Reynolds
Recording Secretary |
 | WEBSITE STATUS UPDATE - www.nemfa.org | 
With the help of Jeff Schiller, an administrator of the Information Systems and Technology - MIT App Inventor Department at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, we were able to make a last-minute save of our old website before we lost the entire thing due to a server shutdown. Jeff moved the site to one that software designers use for development purposes called Github. He was able to do this so that there was no cost to the organization whatsoever.
The only downside of this new site is that it is a static site that is not easy to update. Jeff Schiller and I have worked together to make sure that all the pertinent information is now online for our upcoming Concert Festival in Keene, NH from March 19-21, 2015. The site will not be updated between now and the Concert Festival unless a major adjustment needs to be made, and I will be working with Jeff to do that. The things that you need right now for the Keene festival are on the NEMFA website in the same places that you have been able to find them in the past: Student Handbook, Schedule, School Interior and Exterior Floor Plans, Directions to the School and Headquarters Hotel, Hotel Information, Ticket, T-Shirt, and Recording Order Forms, Area Restaurants, and History Book Order Form. You may still direct parents and students to this site if they need to access any of these forms or information.
This website is a temporary fix that will be replaced by a new website being designed by Steffen Parker, which will eventually be using the same website name - www.nemfa.org. This temporary fix allows us to now be able to roll out the new website with an information session at the upcoming NEMFA Concert Festival in Keene, NH. Steffen has worked very hard to make it a more user friendly website that will help you to access the information that you need more clearly and easily. The online Concert Festival Registration is still done using the same direct online link that will allow you to login using the Account Name and Password previously provided, and your NEMFA ID: www.musicfestivalsoftware.com/nemfa
We sincerely appreciate your patience as we work to get all of this sorted out! See you all in Keene, March 19-21!
Sincerely,
Tom Reynolds
NEMFA Webmaster and Bulletin Editor
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| Future NEMFA Concert Festival Dates
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March 19-21, 2015 - Keene, NH
March 17-19, 2016 - Guilford, NH
Be sure to mark these dates into your calendars. We also need host schools for these concert festivals. If you have never hosted a NEMFA Concert Festival at your school, please do consider it. It is a very rewarding experience for any school to be a host, and most every NEMFA Concert Festival has had a positive effect on the host school's music program for a long time after the festival is over. It is also a great way to raise funds for your local school program. Please contact President Sal Cicciarella if you have any further questions about hosting a NEMFA Concert Festival, |
| Report on Violin Virtuoso Program |
In December NEMFA hosted a pilot program allowing violin students to perform from a list of ten "virtuoso" pieces. This list was comprised of solos that are technically and musically far more challenging than the solos found on NEMFA's standard list and was created by a volunteer committee of string teachers and educators of NEMFA members. It was my privilege to adjudicate the 11 students who performed pieces from the virtuoso list. Students were rewarded up to 7 bonus points for their efforts.
The majority of these students would have been accepted into the Concert Festival Orchestra without the bonus points. For a couple of students this pilot program actually secured them a spot in the orchestra, for others it placed them very high up on the roster.
This trial, however, does not guarantee bonus points to every student who performs from the virtuoso list. Students are first adjudicated based on how well they perform the piece and later, at the discretion of the adjudicator, bonus points may be awarded. A couple of students performing from this virtuoso list did not receive bonus points, nor were they accepted into the Concert Festival Orchestra because the pieces were either too difficult for them or were not properly prepared. It is important for teachers and students alike to carefully select a solo that is at an appropriate level for the student. If a student is not ready to tackle a solo from the virtuoso list please perform from the standard list.
Because this pilot program was so successful and offered incentive to those students who chose to challenge themselves by performing more difficult literature, the Executive Board has agreed to extend this pilot program next year to violas, celli, and string basses. I will be forming committees to look at the repertoire lists for the other stringed instruments and create standard and virtuoso lists. This will all be done electronically, via email. If any string teachers would like to participate in this process, please contact me ASAP at ambclarinet@gmail.com or call me at 646.456.9041. Congratulations to all the violin students who performed.
Tony Brackett
Orchestra Manager |
| PLEASE REVIEW:
NEMFA now allowing Eighth Graders to participate in the Solo/Ensemble Festival! |
Special Announcement
The NEMFA Executive Board has unanimously passed the following new policy effective immediately!!
To allow 8th graders to participate in the Solo and Ensemble Festival provided they follow the existing policy understanding that they cannot be considered for acceptance in the Concert Festival. They will have the option to perform the same piece in 9th grade and be considered for the concert festival if all criteria for acceptance is followed.
For additional questions and concerns please contact:
Tony Brackett, Orchestra Manager NEMFA
ambclarinet@gmail.com
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| 2015 NEMFA Chorus Conductor -
Dr. Jerry Blackstone
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Grammy® Award-winning conductor Jerry Blackstone is director of choirs and chair of the conducting department at the University of Michigan School of Music, Theatre & Dance where he conducts the Chamber Choir, teaches conducting at the graduate level, and administers a choral program of 11 choirs. In February 2006, he received two Grammy® Awards ("Best Choral Performance" and "Best Classical Album") as chorusmaster for the critically acclaimed Naxos recording of William Bolcom's monumental Songs of Innocence and of Experience. In 2006, the Chamber Choir performed by special invitation at the inaugural convention of the National Collegiate Choral Organization in San Antonio, and in 2003 the Chamber Choir presented three enthusiastically received performances in New York City at the National Convention of the American Choral Directors Association (ACDA). In addition to Blackstone's choral conducting work at the University, he has led operatic productions with the University of Michigan Opera Theatre, including productions of Janacek's The Cunning Little Vixen and Strauss's Die Fledermaus. For significant contributions to choral music in Michigan, he received the 2006 Maynard Klein Lifetime Achievement Award from the ACDA-Michigan chapter.
Blackstone is considered one of the country's leading conducting teachers, and his students have received first place awards and been finalists in both the graduate and undergraduate divisions of the American Choral Directors Association biennial National Choral Conducting Awards competition. He has appeared as festival guest conductor and workshop presenter in 30 states as well as New Zealand, Australia, Hong Kong, and Shanghai. Guest appearances for 2012-13 include festivals and conference presentations in Ohio, Texas, Wisconsin, Maryland, New York, California, Florida, New Jersey, Iowa, South Carolina, Virginia, Massachusetts, Georgia, and Michigan.
In 2004, Blackstone was named conductor and music director of the University Musical Society Choral Union, a large community/university chorus that frequently appears with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra and presents yearly performances of Handel's Messiah and other major works for chorus and orchestra. In March 2008, he conducted the UMS Choral Union and the Detroit Symphony Orchestra in a special performance of Bach's St. Matthew Passion. Choirs prepared by Blackstone have appeared under the batons of Valery Gergiev, Neeme Järvi, Leonard Slatkin, John Adams, Helmuth Rilling, James Conlon, Nicholas McGegan, Rafael Frühbeck de Burgos, Peter Oundjian, and Itzhak Perlman.
As conductor of the University of Michigan Men's Glee Club from 1988-2002, Blackstone led the ensemble in performances at ACDA national and division conventions and on extensive concert tours throughout Australia, Eastern and Central Europe, Asia, South America, and the United States. The recently released U-M Men's Glee Club CD, I have had singing, is a retrospective of his tenure as conductor of the ensemble.
Santa Barbara Music Publishing distributes Blackstone's acclaimed educational video, Working with Male Voices, and publishes theJerry Blackstone Choral Series, a set of choral publications that presents works by several composers in a variety of musical styles.
Prior to coming to the University of Michigan in 1988, Blackstone served on the music faculties of Phillips University in Oklahoma, Westmont College in California, and Huntington College in Indiana. He holds degrees from the University of Southern California, Indiana University, and Wheaton College.
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| 2015 NEMFA Chorus Manager
Caleb Pillsbury
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Congratulations to all students performing in the 2015 New England Music Festival Chorus!
This promises to be a truly outstanding choir. We are very fortunate to have Dr. Jerry Blackstone from the University of Michigan conducting the chorus this year.
Please make sure to include your student's heights in your registration to help save time in creating the seating chart.
In the next few weeks Steffen Parker will contact you with a half hour time slot for your schools Onsite Hearing during the 2015 Concert Festival in Keene, New Hampshire. Organize your transportation in order to arrive earlier then your audition time so your students have a chance to relax and warm-up before their hearing. Students should bring a bag lunch - the first festival meal will be Thursday's dinner.
Included in this bulletin is a copy of the NEMFA Chorus Onsite Hearing Policy and Process. Please read it over to ensure your students feel prepared for their Onsite Hearing.
2015 NEMFA Chorus Onsite Hearing Details:
* Onsite hearing rubrics with student names will be available at the registration table or emailed to teachers ahead of time. Extra rubrics are available in hearing room and can be filled out by adjudicator if lost. * Students will assemble in the Keene High School Auditorium and create 4 lines, one for each voice part. Double quartets will be assigned then sent to one of three Onsite Hearing Rooms. * Students may use music during their Onsite Hearing. * Solo auditions for Dominus vosbiscum, Veni Sancte Spiritus, and The Road Home will be heard during the Onsite Hearing. Each room will create a short list which will be given to the conductor for the final decision for the concert performance. * Students may audition for more than one solo * Students wishing to be considered for a solo should prepare the following selections: o Dominus vobiscum - measures 3-20, open for Tenors & Basses * Note: Solo continues on pages 7, 12, 13 & 14 o The Road Home - measures 24-41, open for Sopranos & Altos o Veni Sancte Spiritus - * Soprano: measures 19-26 * Note: Solo continues on pages 8 & 10 * Alto: measures 19-26 & measures 71-73 * Note: Solo continues on pages 8 & 10 * Tenor: measures 71-73, measures 114-117 & measures 149-152 * Bass: measures 114-117 & measures 149-152
Dr. Blackstone has included very concise notes for the students, please check to ensure students have numbered all measures and have all markings written into scores before the first rehearsal.
Link to Dr. Blackstone's notes: https://drive.google.com/viewerng/a/cesuvt.org/viewer?a=v&pid=sites&srcid=Y2VzdXZ0Lm9yZ3xtbXUtbXVzaWN8Z3g6MmI4ZjE3MjE3ODYxMThlNw
Rehearsal tracks, model performances, pronunciation IPA and audio files can be found:
https://sites.google.com/a/cesuvt.org/mmu-music/nemfa-tracks
Rehearsal tracks can be downloaded here:
https://sites.google.com/a/cesuvt.org/mmu-music/nemfa-tracks/nemfa-music-files
If you are interested in assisting with the Onsite Hearing process by adjudicating, accompanying or organizing students in the auditorium please contact me at caleb.pillsbury@cesuvt.org
I am looking forward to seeing you once again in Keene..!
Most Sincerely,
Caleb Pillsbury
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| 2015 NEMFA Orchestra Manager -
Anthony Brackett
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The 2015 New England Music Festival Concert Orchestra has been selected. Music will be mailed out as soon as everyone has accepted the invitations.
Dr. Robert Lehmann, Associate Professor of Violin and Director of Strings and Orchestral Activities at the University of Southern Maine, has selected a wonderful and diverse program for this year's orchestra. Richard Wagner's Prelude to Die Meistersinger, the Danzón No. 2 by Arturo Marquez and Bedrich Smetana's Three Dances from the opera The Bartered Bride will keep everyone's fingers quite busy. Dr. Lehmann has conducted All-State Orchestras and youth orchestras all over the country and is very excited to work with our orchestra in Keene, NH. A superb violinist, Mr. Lehmann was on the conducting staff of the Greater Boston and Empire State Youth Orchestras, has conducted All-State Orchestras from Maine to California, is first violinist of the Meliora Quartet and concertmaster of the PORTOpera. Please visit his website: www.maestrolehmann.com.
Please listen to these pieces on YouTube while learning your music. As is tradition, all string players are invited to audition for principal seat within their assigned section. The seating audition will be excerpts from the concert music and performed for members of the orchestra committee and myself. All students assigned first chair as a result of the Solo & Ensemble are required to take the seating audition. If a student from the back of the section wins the audition by playing significantly better than the assigned principal, that player moves to seat number one and all other students move back one chair until all seats have been filled. Contact me should you have any questions regarding this opportunity. Winds, brass and percussion students do not audition for seating. The conductor, orchestra manager and orchestra committee reserve the right to reseat any section by audition or assignment should they feel this change would benefit the orchestra as a whole.
Be sure to bring pencils, extra strings, rosin, reeds, reed tools, valve oil and any other equipment you made need for your rehearsals. Percussionists are required to bring appropriate mallets. If you can bring small percussion instruments and beaters, i.e. triangles or your favorite snare drum, that would be most helpful. Label all cases and equipment with your name, phone number and email address.
There will be some opportunity for social media interactions with Twitter, Facebook and Instagram by select students. More about this in March.
I look forward to working with you.
Tony Brackett
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| 2015 NEMFA Band Manager
Peter Roach
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We had a great showing at the solo and ensemble festival and are excited to have selected several wonderful musicians from all over New England to come and take part in the Concert Festival this March. We are happy to have Dr. Adam Brennan from Mansfield University as our guest conductor. He has selected a wonderful program and the band will even be performing one of his compositions. Music will be out soon to those musicians in the band. Please prepare your music and bring everything you need for a great music making weekend. I look forward to seeing you all there in Keene NH!
DR. ADAM BRENNAN - Band Conductor
Dr. Adam Brennan is an active composer, arranger, performer and clinician in band and percussion. He is the Director of The Spirit and The Pride of Pennsylvania - The Mansfield University Marching Band, a group for which he writes all music. Dr. Brennan conducts the outstanding Concert Wind Ensemble, and works with the Concert Percussion Ensemble, Mexican Marimba Band, and newly formed MU Steel Pan ensemble. He teaches courses in percussion pedagogy, drill design, and instrumental conducting.
Sincerely,
Peter Roach
NEMFA Band Manager
Band Director, Fair Haven Union High School
Fair Haven, Vermont.
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| 88th Annual New England Music Festival
CONCERT FESTIVAL SCHERDULE
| 88th Annual New England Music Festival
March 19 - 21, 2015
Keene High School
Keene, New Hampshire
FESTIVAL SCHEDULE
THURSDAY, MARCH 19, 2015
BUSES AND CARS/VANS DROP OFF:
Keene High School West Entrance(see map)
ALL VEHICLES MUST EXIT CAMPUS IMMEDIATELY AFTER DROPPING
OFF DIRECTORS, STUDENTS, LUGGAGE and INSTRUMENTS.
Please follow directions to parking.
ALL STUDENTS place luggage in the Large Gymnasium under the first initial of your host last name.
Musicians should drop off their instruments/folders in their respective rehearsal spaces:
BAND: Small Gymnasium (upstairs)
ORCHESTRA: Library
CHORUS - Auditorium - vocalists report to the stage for vocal rehearing room
assignment
Students please remain in your practice areas until the general meeting.
IMPORTANT - DO NOT WANDER ANYWHERE OUTSIDE OF DESIGNATED AREAS!!!
10:00AM-12:45PM --- Vocal Rehearings
10:00AM-12:45PM --- Registration
Directors and Supervisors ONLY - West Lobby
12:30pm - 9:30PM Auditorium Lobby, T-shirts, Concert Tickets, CDs, and
Souvenir Historical Books will be on sale.
1:00PM - Passing Time - ALL STUDENTS/DIRECTORS: Report to Auditorium for general meeting.
1:15PM - 1:45PM --- General Meeting - Auditorium - All Students and Directors/Supervisors
1:45PM - 9:00PM --- Directors Hospitality - Room 603
1:45PM - 2:00PM - Passing Time - Performers report to rehearsal areas
AFTERNOON REHEARSALS:
2:00PM - 5:00PM -- Band - Gymnasium
2:00PM - 5:45PM -- Chorus - Auditorium
2:00PM - 5:30PM -- Orchestra - Library
2:00PM - 3:30PM --- String Re-Auditions - TBA
DINNER - Cafeteria
5:00PM - 6:15PM --- Band & Orchestra
5:45PM - 7:00PM --- Chorus
EVENING REHEARSALS:
6:15PM - 9:15PM --- Band - Gymnasium
7:00PM - 9:15PM --- Chorus - Auditorium
7:00PM - 9:00PM --- Orchestra - Library
7:00PM - 8:30PM - String Repertoire Forum - Room 602, (Band Room)
8:30PM - 9:15PM --- Host Family Meeting - Cafeteria
9:15PM - 9:30PM --- All students:
Report to Gymnasium and pick up luggage where you will meet and leave with
host families.
Host families will stand under the FIRST LETTER of THEIR HOST FAMILY
LAST NAME, posted on the wall.
Large instruments may be secured in the High School Band Room.
!
9:30PM --- Directors Hospitality - Best Western Sovereign Hotel, Keene
11:00PM --- Curfew
FRIDAY, MARCH 20, 2015
NOTE: Today is a Keene School District Teacher workshop day. Please do
not wander out of designated areas. Please park in designated Parking areas.
8:30AM - 5:00PM --- Auditorium Lobby, T-shirt Sales, Concert Ticket Sales, CD Sales, Souvenir Historical Book Sales
8:00AM - 5:00PM --- Directors Hospitality - Room 603
MORNING REHEARSALS:
8:30AM --- Chorus - Auditorium
8:30AM --- Band - Gymnasium
8:30AM --- Orchestra - Library
10:00AM --- Cheshire Center Conference Room - NEMFA Executive Board Meeting
11:00AM - 12:30PM --- TBA - A Guide to the New NEMFA Website -
LUNCH - Cafeteria
12:30PM - 1:30PM --- Band & Orchestra
1:00PM - 2:00PM --- Chorus
AFTERNOON REHEARSALS:
1:30PM - 5:00PM --- Band - Gymnasium
2:00PM - 5:00PM --- Chorus - Auditorium
2:00PM - 4:45PM --- Orchestra - Library
2:30PM --- NEMFA Annual All-Member Meeting - Room 602 (Band Room)
5:00PM - All Students: Report to the Large Gymnasium to meet with Host
Families for dinner and the night.
Large instruments may be secured in the High School Band Room.
6:00PM - Directors Reception - Best Western Sovereign Hotel, Keene, NH
9:30PM --- Directors Hospitality - Best Western Sovereign Hotel, Keene, NH
11:00PM Curfew
SATURDAY, MARCH 21, 2015
All Dress Rehearsals Location:
Keene High School Auditorium
STUDENTS ARE EXPECTED TO ARRIVE AT LEAST 15-30 MINUTES
PRIOR TO REHEARSAL TIME. PERCUSSIONISTS: PLEASE ASSIST IN
SET UP OF EQUIPMENT.
8:00AM - 12:00PM --- Directors Hospitality - Room 603
ARRIVALS:
8:15AM - Chorus
9:30AM - Orchestra
11:00AM - Band
NOTE: Band --- Please arrive dressed in concert attire
All Students: Place belongings in the large Large Gymnasium under the first
initial of YOUR LAST NAME.
**DRESS REHEARSALS**
**8:30AM - 9:45AM --- Chorus
**10:00AM - 11:15AM --- Orchestra
**11:30AM - 12:45PM --- Band
10:00AM - 11:15PM --- Chorus Rehearsal Large Gym
11:15AM - 12:15PM --- Orchestra Rehearsal Library
LUNCH
11:15AM - 1:30PM --- Conductors Lunch TBA
12:00 - 12:45 CHORUS
12:45 - 1:30 BAND & ORCHESTRA
12:15PM - 1:30PM --- Chorus & Orchestra change into concert dress
NOTE: The Auditorium must be cleared of all personal belongings by 1:00PM
12:30PM --- Concert Tickets Auditorium Lobby
Pick-Up Reserved Tickets - Purchase Tickets
1:30PM --- Auditorium Doors Open
1:30PM --- Band - Warm-up Small Gym
1:30PM --- Chorus - Report to LargeGym
2:00PM --- Orchestra - Warm-up Library
SATURDAY, MARCH 21, 2015 (continued)
++2:00PM - 3:45PM --- Concert #1 - BAND--ORCHESTRA
3:45PM --- Concert #1 completed. Concert Hall is cleared and reset for Chorus.
3:45PM --- Chorus - Warm-up Small Gym
4:00PM --- Auditorium Doors Open
++4:30PM - 5:15PM --- Concert #2 - CHORUS
5:15PM --- Concert #2 is completed.
Students leave with their families. Any students staying behind until Sunday
morning should meet Mr. Martin for instructions for evening housing.
A list of restaurants in the Keene area is included in the information packet for
your post-concert dining experience in Keene
SUNDAY, MARCH 22, 2015
8:00AM - 9:00AM --- Hosts drop-off remaining students at Main Entrance for
transportation home. Festival completed! |
| CONCERT TICKET ORDER FORM
| 88th Annual New England Music Festival
March 19 - 21, 2015
Keene High School
Keene, New Hampshire
Seating is general admission, not reserved seats.
TICKET ORDER FORM
March 21, 2015 Band/Orchestra Concert 2:00 PM
Keene High School Auditorium
!
March 21, 2015 Chorus Concert 4:30 PM
Keene High School Auditorium
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
CONCERT QUANTITY COST
!
Band/Orchestra ______ @$12.00 $______
Chorus ______ @$12.00 $______
!
TOTAL ______ $______
Total Tickets Ordered Total Amount Enclosed
Student name: ______________________________________________________________
Student school ______________________________________________________________
Student ensemble ______________________________________________________________
Parent street
mailing address ______________________________________________________________
Parent Town/Zip ______________________________________________________________
Parent Phone ______________________________________________________________
Please make checks payable to: KHS ACTIVITY-MUSIC
Please send check, order form, and self-addressed, stamped envelope to:
NEMFA TICKETS
Keene High School Music
43 Arch Street
Keene, NH 03431
NOTE: Ticket orders received after Friday, February 20, 2015 will be held at the door for pickup on the day of the concert.
|
| T-SHIRT ORDER FORM | 88th Annual New England Music Festival
March 19 - 21, 2015
Keene High School
Keene, New Hampshire
T-SHIRT ORDER FORM
!
2015 Commemorative T-Shirt
100% Cotton
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
!
SIZE QUANTITY COST
Small ______ @$15.00 $______
Medium ______ @$15.00 $______
Large ______ @$15.00 $______
X-Large ______ @$15.00 $______
XX-Large ______ @$17.00 $______
______ $______
Total Shirts Ordered Total Amount Enclosed
!
Please make checks payable to: KMBA
Please send check, order form, and self-addressed, stamped envelope to:
NEMFA T-SHIRTS
Keene High School Music
43 Arch Street
Keene, NH 03431
Student name: ______________________________________________________________
Student school ______________________________________________________________
Student ensemble ______________________________________________________________
Parent street
mailing address ______________________________________________________________
Parent Town/Zip ______________________________________________________________
Parent Phone ______________________________________________________________
Additional shirts will be available at the Festival s-m-l-xl $17.00 xxl $19.00
NOTE: Prepaid T-Shirt orders need to be received by February 20, 2015 in
order to receive the pre-paid price.
|
| CONCERT RECORDING ORDER FORM - CD/DVD
| 88th New England Music Festival CD & DVD Order Form
March 19 - 21, 2015
Keene High School - Keene, NH
To order a video or audio recording of the concerts, you may:
1) Visit the sales table on concert day
2) Purchase online at: http://www.ConcertRecordingCompany.com/NEMFA
3) By Mail: Return this order form with check payable to:
Concert Recording Company
55 Eaton Avenue
Meredith, NH 03253
PHYSICAL MEDIA
CD (anticipated 2-CD set) $25 ____ __________
DVD $30 ____ __________
Combo Savings! DVD + CD $45 ____ __________
DIGITAL DOWNLOADS
MP3 Song Downloads $25 ____ __________
MP4 Hi-Def Movie Downloads $30 ____ __________
Combo Savings! MP3 Song and MP4 Movie Downloads $45 ____ __________
TOTAL ENCLOSED $ __________
NAME_____________________________________________________________________
ADDRESS__________________________________________________________________
CITY__________________________________ STATE_______ ZIP__________________
PHONE_________________________
EMAIL (print clearly)__________________________________________________________
Email address REQUIRED for downloads, and for any questions we have about your order NEMFA2015
Thank you! Questions? Call 603-707-2729,
or Email orders@ConcertRecordingCompany.com
CONCERT RECORDING COMPANY, 55 Eaton Avenue, Meredith, NH 03253 |
| SOUVENIR NEMFA HISTORY BOOK ORDER FORM | 88th Annual
NEW ENGLAND MUSIC FESTIVAL -
Keene High School
Keene, New Hampshire 03431
March 19-21, 2015
SOUVENIR PROGRAM BOOK - HISTORY OF NEMFA ORDER FORM
This is a special 80th Anniversary History Book of the New England Music Festival
Association that was recently released! The 2015 Concert Program with all students' names and their schools and sponsors has been inserted into the middle of this book.
PLEASE FILL IN YOUR CHOICE BELOW:
FOR SOUVENIR PROGRAM BOOK - HISTORY OF NEMFA:
No. Books, at $9.00 each = $
Total Enclosed, (total of above amounts) = $
PERSONAL DATA:
NAME:
First: M.I.: Last:
Home Address:
Town/City: State: Zip:
Home Telephone Number (with Area Code):
Please send this form with your check to:
The Bromfield School
NEMFA Souvenir Program Book
NEMFA History Chairperson
14 Massachusetts Avenue
Harvard, Massachusetts 01451
PLEASE MAKE ALL CHECKS PAYABLE TO: "NEMFA"
ALL orders will be held for you at the Registration Table or at the Ticket Office. |
| Lowell Mason House Project
| 
by Thomas E. Reynolds
LOWELL MASON HOUSE REPORT
January 16, 2015
The Lowell Mason House is in the process of raising the necessary $500,000.00 to complete the restoration of the house, to turn it into a museum and a meeting place. Now that the house has been saved and moved, the next step is to restore the interior and exterior of the house and equip it with services, such as electricity, and water.
One major fund-raising project for the Lowell Mason House which also may be used to support music education initiatives in local schools is the Lowell Mason Music Education poster, shown at the top of this article. A beautiful, full color poster designed by Mrs. Barbara Bose, Foundation members are hoping that music educators around New England would be interested in having the poster prominently displayed in music rooms throughout the region. The poster sells for $15.00 each and directly supports the restoration of the Lowell Mason House...however, the Lowell Mason House is open to have student music groups at various schools sell the poster for $15.00, with $10.00 going to the restoration of the Lowell Mason House and $5.00 going to the local music student group as a way of supporting student music education initiatives. We are hopeful that a number of schools will want to take part in this fund-raising project.
Please consider making a tax-deductible donation today. Make checks payable to: The Lowell Mason House, P. O. Box 913 Medfield, MA 02052. Your contribution is tax-deductible as a charitable contribution to the extent provided by U.S. tax law. ·
- Thomas E. Reynolds
|
Once again, we hope that you enjoy this format of the Bulletin. Please feel free to drop me a line at treynold@worldpath.net for any comments or suggestions to improve the Bulletin. It will also have a direct link on our website, www.nemfa.org.Hope that you are having a great school year!
Thomas Reynolds
New England Music Festival Association, Inc. |
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