Dodgen Middle School Orchestra

Georgia Music Educators Association SOLO & ENSEMBLE FESTIVAL 2005 INFORMATION and REGISTRATION FORM

The GMEA Solo & Ensemble Festival will be held Saturday, October 8th at Smitha Middle School. Solo & Ensemble Festival is an event for which students prepare a solo or small ensemble performance for a musical judge who gives a written evaluation and rating (I, II, III, IV or V). Solo and small ensemble preparation and performance are valuable musical experiences, very different from the school orchestra experience. It offers an additional performance opportunity and enhances the development of individual musicianship.

SOLO If your child studies with a private instructor they should plan to play a solo. Please arrange this with your child's instructor as soon as possible for maximum preparation time. The instructor will provide you with appropriate music and will help you find a piano accompanist (show this letter to your child's private instructor). GMEA rules state that if there is a piano accompaniment part written for the solo your child selects, you must have an accompanist for your festival performance. Your child will register for the solo with this form through the Mabry Orchestra.

ENSEMBLE Many small ensembles have already been formed this year. If your child decides to perform in an ensemble, I will help them choose music and prepare for this event, but complete readiness is ultimately their responsibility. Ensembles are expected to rehearse at least once a week. Rehearsal times vary due to member schedules, but mornings between 8:00 and 8:45 seem to work best. Please help your child take membership in an ensemble seriously as other students will be involved. It will be a great opportunity to practice working with a group, being dependable and responsible and exercising self- discipline. I reserve the right to disqualify any group that is not fully prepared. There is a non-refundable entry fee of $5.00 for solos and $3.00 per participant for chamber ensembles. Please make checks payable to Mabry Middle School. The fee must be deposited in the black receipt box at the entrance to each commons in a receipt envelope labeled with your child's name, homeroom teacher and "Orchestra Solo and Ensemble". Give the completed registration form to Mr. Doemel. Students may participate in no more than 2 events. The fee must be paid for each event. The deadline for turning in the form to Mr. Doemel is Friday, September 2nd. The festival day schedule runs from 9:00 a.m. until 5 p.m. and performance times will not be available until the week before, so please plan accordingly. Most performance times will be in the morning or early afternoon. Transportation will not be provided by Mabry Middle School. I hope you take advantage of this valuable and exciting musical experience for your child. Please email questions to Chris Doemel at [email protected] or call 770-928-5546 extension 431

------detach and return by Friday, September 2nd ------

______(print student name) has my permission to participate in the Solo & Ensemble Festival on Saturday, October 8th at Smitha Middle School. I understand and agree to follow the conditions outlined above.

Please check the appropriate event(s): ______SOLO X $5.00 = ______

______ENSEMBLE(S) X $3.00 = ______Students may participate in no more than 2 events. Total amount enclosed ______

Parent Signature______