Onondaga County Music Educators’ Association Junior High School Festival General Membership Meeting Saturday, January 25, 2014 Eagle Hill Middle School

I. Call to Order The meeting was called to order at 10:05.

II. Secretary’s Report – Dave Wilber (Skaneateles)

The minutes were not read.

III. Treasurer’s Report –Alison Miles

Alison reported that membership is down a bit so please encourage colleagues to join. Currently there are around 60 members. Last year we had over 100. Membership forms are available. Membership dues help fund our scholarships so it is important to join. The budget is in good shape. At the April membership meeting, we will discuss the allocations for fees, food, etc…for the conductors and teachers. Please send any thoughts to Alison.

IV. President Elect’s Report- Trish Hollis (Baldwinsville) A. Festival Audition Reports 1. Senior High – Alison Miles (Fabius-Pompey)

Alison reported that these auditions ran smoothly. We had a new vocal procedure so that added a little bit of complication. Alison mentioned that we had SU students on site to help with tabulation of scores. This was extremely helpful and cut back on the work the host had to do.

a. Vocal Audition Report – Alison Miles

Alison reported that this was the first year that we did the vocal jazz audition at the same time. Feedback had been very positive about this. Anyone else with thoughts should contact Colin Keating.

Kevin Dimmel asked about the chromatic scale requirement. There was some confusion as to exactly what the students should play. We will work on creating a sheet for the judges so they know exactly what to ask the students.

2. Junior High – Brian Tulowiecki (Chestnut Hill MS)

Sky Harris reported that these auditions went well. There was a little concern with the weather but everything went well. We still are experimenting with the new vocal guidelines but overall that went well.

Priscilla Babilonia mentioned that she did not receive the accompaniment CD. Kitty Popow mentioned that there were directions in the packet on how to obtain the CD. We will work on how to get the vocal accompaniments on the web site.

Kevin Dimmel asked about the scale requirement. Is it 3 #’s and 3 b’s or any seven? Teachers are preparing their students differently. Jim Dumas recommended that we list the scales on the form as they do on a NYSSMA form and have the students circle the seven scales that they prepared.

3. Jazz – Chuck Penfield (Pine Grove MS)

The jazz auditions are February 10. The deadline of January 24 has passed. We are in need of Junior High Brass students. There is an easier improve requirement now.

B. Festival Reports 1. Senior High- Joe Filio (Liverpool)

Jim Dumas reported that everything is going well. He mentioned that the manuals are very helpful.

2. Junior High – Ron Kurtz (Eagle Hill MS)

Ron reported that everything is going well and any help with stage set up is greatly appreciated.

3. Elementary – Maria Hare (Jordan-Elbridge)

Everything is on schedule for this festival.

4. Jazz – Dave Wilber (Skaneateles) Dave reported that they are working on the festival and everything is on schedule. The conductors are:

Senior High Jazz Band – Mike Benedict Junior High Jazz Band – Tony Mastrobattisto Vocal Jazz Ensemble – Dave Brown The festival is April 11 and 12 and the concert is at 2:00.

C. NYSSMA Festivals

1. Solo and Ensemble Festival – Jennifer Greene (FM) Becky reported that this is an all inclusive festival which will be held on May 1 and 2. Registration should be up in mid February. It is also a NYSSMA training site. Jennifer will work the schedule if you have students and are doing the training as well. The fees are the same.

2. Major Ensemble – Dave Wilber (Skaneateles)

Dave Wilber reported that all is on schedule for this festival. The dates are April 8 (choral groups), 9 and 10 (instrumental groups). There are already 23 Instrumental groups signed up. If we get more instrumental groups we may go to three days for instrumental groups. There are currently 3 vocal groups registered.

D. Festival rotation for 2014 – 2015.

Sr. High Auditions – CBA – November 21 and 22 Jr. High Auditions – Faith Heritage – December 12 and 13 Jazz Auditions – Solvay High School – February 9 Sr. High Festival – West Genesee High School – January 9 and 10 Jr. High Festival – Henninger High School – January 23 and 24 Elementary Festival – Diocese of Syracuse at Nottingham HS - ? Jazz Festival – Jamesville-DeWitt High School – April 17 and 18 NYSSMA Solo and Ensemble – Baldwinsville but may have construction Issues (any volunteers) NYSSMA Majors – Tony Mastrobattisto reported that Westhill HS may host this festival next year.

V. Community Groups A. Phil Sterling – Community Connections Report from the High School Festival meeting. Phil is interested in stirring interest in performing opportunities for students graduating from high School. Will their last concert in High School be their last concert. The first community band Phil played in was in Liverpool in 1974. Phil had a student once who was not going to sign up for band so he set up a community band for former students and teachers. Community groups provide the opportunity for the students who may not have been the highest achieving to continue playing their instrument. Symphoria wants everyone to know that they support the public school programs and want to know how to communicate with those teachers.

B. Jon Garland/Catherine Underhill – Symphoria Catherine Underhill reported on the activities that Symphoria has to offer. Symphoria has just celebrated their first anniversary. Symphoria is owned and operated by the musicians. There are 52 musicians currently in the group. The operating budget is small but growing. Symphoria is looking for fund raising opportunities if anyone has any ideas. Symphoria recently instituted a policy that students 18 and under are welcome to attend concerts for free. Symphoria is performing concerts in different venues to bring the orchestra into the community. There will also be two young peoples concerts. Symphoria has an education series to promote music with younger students (middle school). Symphoria is collaborating with SUNY ESF on a program. This program will be held on March. There is also a program featuring electronic music at the Westcott Theater on February 8.

C. CNY Day of Percussion – OCC, April 12 Jim Petercsak from the Crane School of Music, applications due Feb. 18. Contact Jen Vacanti for more information ([email protected]) VI. Committee/Groups A. Scholarship Program – Colin Keating

Report from the High School Festival meeting. Colin reported that this was his first year as the scholarship chair. We had 12 applicants. Colin changed a few of the procedures and would like to see more applicants in the future. If anyone receives the material about the scholarship auditions, please share them with others in your building.

This year’s scholarship winners are:

Adina Martin – Vocalist – Marcellus Jayde Martin – Violin – Fayetteville-Manlius Erin Dower – Clarinet – West Genesee

Honorable Mention – Kelton Burnside – Cello – West Genesee Honorable Mention – Mary Nickson– Vocal – Fayetteville-Manlius

Kevin Dimmel reported that the jazz scholarship is being offered this year. It is available to a senior who is in their school jazz ensemble and is going into music in college. The amount is 500.00. Anyone interested should send a CD or email to Kevin.

B. OCMEA Library Report – Brian Ackles

Brian is continuing to work at the library to sort the music. It is available through Media connect. There is quite a bit of music which is not filed yet. There is a wealth of music available to be used by OCMEA teachers.

C. Kitty Popow – Vocal Task Force

Kitty reported that 9 people were in attendance at the meeting. Vocal people are leaning towards accessing solochair the same way instrumental teachers do to help eliminate some errors. This should help make the process easier at the end of the auditions. There will be some other changes based on information learned from the audition process. Tony Alvaro is putting the CD accompaniment on the web site.

Kitty would like someone to take over the chair position on the vocal task force.

VII. President’s Report A. NYSSMA News – Joe Sugar Day (NYSSMA Day) Monday, March 3. Anyone interested in going please let Becky know. B. New or re-elected officers: Michael Brownell is now President Elect: Michael Salzman appointed 2nd VP: David Brown begins 3rd year as zone 3 representative.

C. NAfME

President-elect balloting on line in January. All National Honor Ensembles – 78 students from New York (50 plus 28 Students to fill in blanks from other states)

D. Summer Conference – August 10 – 12, 2014

Instead of a directors concert band this year there will be a directors jazz band directed by Dave Wilber.

E. April School Music News will piggy back with 2014 NYSSMA Directory. Must be a valid NYSSMA member by March 1 to be included.

G. Laurie Orestano-James is the advocacy person at NYSSMA. She can help teachers with issues at their schools (APPR, etc…). Her email is [email protected].

VIII. Additional questions or concerns

Becky Bizup reported that festival manuals will be updated. Becky Pethybridge from Lafayette is chairing this effort.

Becky Bizup mentioned Norm Buskey’s recent passing. Fayetteville Manlius will be having a tribute concert for Norm on March 25. Anyone interested in being a part of that concert should contact Becky or Jennifer Greene.

The spring meeting is on April 28.

IX. Adjournment

The meeting was adjourned at 11:00.