21 minute read
Prelude to the 2022 FMEA Professional Development Conference
We can’t wait to see you back, face-to-face, January 12-15, 2022, in Tampa
Important Dates
(Subject to change)
Nov. 13, 2021 Hotel Room Cancelation Deadline: 5:00 pm
The FMEA Professional Development Conference is one of the largest music education professional development events in the United States. In addition to approximately 250 clinic sessions and concerts, it is host to 22 all-state ensembles featuring Florida’s top band, orchestra, chorus, guitar, Orff, and popular music students conducted by world-class conductors and teachers.
Nov. 15, 2021 Hotels will charge your credit card a nonrefundable deposit for the first night of each room.
Dec. 12, 2021 Preregistration closes at midnight. Payment must be postmarked on or before December 4 if you are paying by check. Preregistration is by credit card only after December 5.
Dec. 17, 2021 All school lodging checks are due, payable to the hotel where reservations were made for you and/or your students.
Dec. 17, 2021 The final deadline for discounted hotel blocks. Unsold rooms in the FMEA blocks are released back to hotels.
It is attended by more than 10,000 people, including secondary music directors, elementary music teachers, music supervisors, college students, college music teachers, school administrators, K-12 students performing in the all-state ensembles, students and professional musicians performing with invited performing ensembles, exhibitors, and parents and family members of performing students.
So many reasons to participate:
«An exhibit hall with world-class exhibitors providing products and services for music educators and students
«More than 2,800 music teachers and 200 administrators
«More than 120 sessions, covering a variety of topics for all music educators, with on-demand access to recordings after the conference
«Performances and mini-concerts from some of Florida’s top music programs
All registration information must be entered online, beginning September 18 at
flmusiced.org/flmusicapps/conference/
register. At the end of the online form, you will have the opportunity to print an invoice to send in with a check until one week before the preregistration deadline or to pay online instantly with a credit card until the preregistration deadline.
Please Note: To assist our members, their students, and chaperones as they visit exhibit booths, all badges will have a barcode encoded with contact information. Attendees will be able to allow exhibitors to scan their badges rather than manually writing information on contact cards or mailing lists at their booths. In order to maintain a positive relationship with our exhibitors who can benefit your students through scholarships, new equipment, sheet music, software, and more, we ask that you please provide the ACTUAL, CORRECT MAILING
ADDRESS and EMAIL for each of your
students and chaperones and do NOT simply enter your school address or other incorrect information.
Registration Fees
Description
Director/Member Collegiate Member Retired Member Non-Teaching Spouse Non-Teaching Spouse of Retired Member Paid Chaperone Free Chaperone All-State Student Preregistration Rates: Sept. 18-Dec. 11 On-Site Rates:
$138 $168 $58 $88 $0 $0 $73 $98 $0 $0 $53 $73 $0 $0 $63 $93
Tri-M Student
$38 $38 Preconference Workshop $58 $68 Preconference Workshop (First-Year Teacher) $25 $25 Concert Tickets $15 $15 VIP Member $0 $0 VIP Preconference Workshop $0 $0 Leadership Workshop – Student $38 $38 Leadership Workshop – Chaperone $0 $0 Student Experience – Student $38 $38 Student Experience – Chaperone $38 $38 To take advantage of early discounted rates, you must register and pay before the deadline. Note: If you are mailing a check to the FMEA office to pay for your registration, it must be postmarked early enough so that it will ARRIVE in the FMEA office before the preregistration deadline.
REGISTRATION POLICIES
1. All participants—directors, students, chaperones, and guests—must be registered for the conference. 2. Only directors may register their groups or pick up registration materials if preregistered. 3. All participating students must be chaperoned. As required by FMEA and FSMA, at least one chaperone other than a director is required for every ten (10) students or fraction thereof; however, FMEA policy allows for one free chaperone for every six (6) students or fraction thereof. 4. An additional paid chaperone may be registered for (a) each six (6) students registered or (b) for each allstate rehearsal site where registered students are performing. 5. If a participating student is not accompanied by the director from that student’s school, then the principal from that school must furnish a letter designating the person from the school or school district who is to be in charge of that student. The letter should be addressed to the FMEA executive 3. Refunds must be requested in writing (email is acceptable). 4. All requests for refunds must be received no later than January 31, 2022. Requests received after that date will not be processed. 5. All refunds will be issued after the conference is completed. 6. Concert tickets are nonrefundable.
director, must explain the extenuating circumstances preventing the director from attending, and must be submitted with registration materials. The school will be notified of approval. 6. Student observers are not allowed to attend the conference. If any student observers are brought to the conference, the offending school’s participation in the conference may be eliminated the following year. (Tri-M students registered and participating in sessions or working for the all-state concerts are exempt from this rule.) 7. All school music teachers must register for the conference as FMEA directors and be current members of the FMEA. This includes directors of invited performing groups, mini-concerts, and session presenters. All-state conductors from Florida schools, colleges, or universities must also be
FMEA members. No current music teacher may register as a chaperone.
REFUND POLICIES
1. Full registration refunds are available for cancellation requests made through December 15, 2021. 2. No registration refunds will be made for cancellations made after December 15, 2021, except for emergency situations. These will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
CHAPERONE REGISTRATION
Chaperone registration is based on the following rules:
Elementary Students « For each elementary student registered, one free chaperone and one « paid chaperone may be registered. Any additional attendees must purchase a guest pass at on-site registration for entry into the convention center.
Middle School and High School Students « For every six students registered, one free chaperone and one paid chaperone may be registered. No other chaperones may be registered until « the seventh student is registered. Any additional attendees (chaperones or guests) must purchase a guest pass at on-site registration for entry into the convention center.
Exceptions « If you have students in more than one performing ensemble, you may pay for a chaperone for each performing ensemble in which you have regis« tered students. If you have students from different schools, you may pay for a chaperone for each school for which you have registered students.
Chaperones are not allowed to bring other children who are not participating
in an all-state ensemble. Only registered students, teachers, and chaperones wearing a conference badge are allowed in and around the rehearsal areas. Directors are asked to make sure their chaperones are aware of this policy before agreeing to serve as a chaperone.
Security Procedures
The Florida Music Education Association is working with the Tampa Police Department and Allied Security at the Tampa Convention Center (TCC) to enhance the conference experience for the students and attendees.
GREAT NEWS! In order to help keep attendees safe, there will be a heightened security presence throughout the TCC and at various hotels. All entrances to the TCC will be patrolled by uniformed officers of the Tampa Police Department and uniformed Allied Security personnel. They will be patrolling the TCC as well. The Tampa Police Department will be at the crosswalks between Marriott Tampa Water Street and the TCC, at concerts, and patrolling some of the downtown hotels during rehearsals.
All attendees (this includes members, chaperones, and student participants) must wear their conference badge during the conference once the authorized registrant obtains the conference packet.
Please be prepared for random bag and/or purse searches. It is encouraged, if at all possible, to use a clear bag, similar to those used at sporting events, for entrance.
Enjoy the Conference Experience.
Health Information
We are watching the COVID-19 Delta variant situation closely. FMEA is committed to the health and safety of our attendees and will make every effort to develop plans and policies to instill confidence in your ability to attend safely.
At a minimum, we plan to follow CDC recommendations and guidelines that are in place at the time of the conference.* For example, if the CDC is still recommending that everyone in high-risk areas wear a mask while indoors regardless of vaccination status and Tampa is still a high-risk area at the time, we will follow that recommendation and require masks in all indoor facilities.
As we get closer to the conference, the health information page on the FMEA website will be updated to keep our membership, all-state students, chaperones, and other conference attendees informed about what to expect during the conference.
Tampa Convention Center (TCC)
“Ready Together” plan « TCC holds a Global Biorisk Advisory Council (GBAC) « « « « Star Facility accreditation Frequent sanitation and disinfectant of all restrooms Continuous cleaning of all touchpoints Overnight electrostatic cleaning of all areas used COVID-19 branded signage in all common areas and « pre-function spaces Maintain 6-feet physical distancing in pre-function and common areas
*In the event the CDC recommendations differ for vaccinated and unvaccinated, we plan to meet or exceed all recommendations for the vaccinated, and will attempt to implement as many recommendations for the unvaccinated that are possible given limitations in regard to available facilities, budget, and various other factors.
Greetings! It’s that wonderful time of year when we start planning for our very special conference event. The Florida Music Education Association has contracted the following Tampa hotels for the January 12-15, 2022, Professional Development Conference. Please telephone your hotel of choice directly from the list below beginning Sept. 25, 2021, at 9 am EDT. Guest rooms at the contracted rates are available until the room block is full or until the cancellation deadline of Nov. 13, 2021, at 5 pm. If your hotel of choice is sold out, please continue to try to make a reservation until Nov. 13, 2021, as FMEA attendees will periodically release surplus guest rooms.
A maximum of five (5) guest rooms may be reserved per teacher and/or parent. Each and all rooms reserved on Nov. 15, 2021, will be charged a non-refundable, one-night fee to the responsible credit cardholder. (Invalid credit cards risk a reservation cancellation.)
We urge any guest holding surplus reservations/rooms to cancel excess reservation(s) as soon as possible and no later than 5 pm on Nov. 13, 2021, and you must secure a cancellation confirmation number. (This courtesy will make surplus rooms available to other guests.) In order to receive complimentary rehearsal and meeting space, you should book guest rooms in the hotel you are using for your group functions.
NOTE: FMEA IS NOT offering a housing bureau service. All participants MUST call the hotels directly beginning Sept. 25, 2021, at 9 am EDT and request the “Florida Music Education Association” room block rate and confirm the guest room rate posted below. We look forward to seeing you in Tampa!
HOTEL – Cutoff date: 11/13/21
Courtyard by Marriott Downtown Tampa
DoubleTree by Hilton Tampa Airport Westshore
Embassy Suites Downtown
Embassy Suites Tampa Airport Westshore
Four Points by Sheraton Suites Tampa Airport Westshore Hampton Inn Tampa Downtown Channel District
Hilton Downtown
Home 2 Suites Tampa Downtown Channel District
Sheraton Tampa Riverwalk Hotel
Tampa Marriott Water Street Hotel (formerly Marriott Waterside) Westin Tampa Waterside
102 East Cass Street, Tampa, FL 33602 (813) 229-1100, ext. 1; Group Code: FMEA Comp. internet; $22 valet only $164 $164 $164 $164
4500 West Cypress Street, Tampa, FL 33607 (800) 514-3956; Group Code: FME Comp. internet; comp. parking $150 $150 $150 $150
513 South Florida Avenue, Tampa, FL 33602 (813) 769-8300; Group Code: FMEA Comp. internet & breakfast; $24 valet only $256 $256 $266 $276
555 North Westshore Blvd., Tampa, FL 33609 (813) 875-1555 #1801; Group Code: FME or FMEA 2022 Comp. internet, self parking, & breakfast $200 $200
4400 West Cypress Street, Tampa, FL 33607 (800) 368-7764; Group Code: FMEA Comp. internet & self parking; comp. shuttle to Tampa airport $146 $146 $146 $146
1155 East Kennedy Blvd., Tampa, FL 33602 (813) 525-9900, ext. 2; Group Code: FME Comp. internet & breakfast; $15 self parking $196 $196 $196 $196
211 North Tampa Street, Tampa, FL 33602 (800) 445-8667, ext. 1; Group Code: FMEA $9.99 internet (comp. for HH); $35 valet $220 $220 $220 $220
1155 East Kennedy Blvd., Tampa, FL 33602 (813) 525-9900, ext. 1; Group Code: FME Comp. internet & breakfast; $15 self parking $221 $221 $221 $221
200 North Ashley Drive, Tampa, FL 33602 (888) 236-2427; Group Code: FMEA Comp. internet $225 $225 $245 $245
700 South Florida Avenue, Tampa, FL 33602 (888) 789-3090; Group Code: FMEA Comp. internet for Bonvoy members; $32 overnight valet; $20 daytime valet $211 $211 $211 $211
725 S. Harbour Island Blvd., Tampa, FL 33602 (888) 236-2427; Group Code: FMEA Comp. internet; $30 valet only
ROOM RATES
Single Double Triple Quad
$210 (up to 5 in room)
$220 (up to 6 in room)
REHEARSALS: SR, Riverwalk Ballroom
Thursday .............................................. 1pm-5pm Thursday ......................................... 7pm-9:30pm Friday ....................................... 8:30am-11:30am Friday ................................................... 1pm-5pm Saturday........................................... 9am-12noon
Thursday ...................................7:45am-11:30am Thursday ....................................1:30pm-4:30pm Thursday .............................................. 6pm-9pm Friday ....................................... 8:30am-11:30am Friday ..............................................1:30pm-4pm
CONCERT: Saturday, January 15, 2022, 11am TCC, Ballroom A All-State Concert Orchestra RESEATING AUDITIONS: TMWS, Salons 5-6
REHEARSALS: TMWS, Florida Ballroom, Salons 5-6
Thursday (Registration)...................8am-8:30am Thursday .................................. 8:30am-11:30am Thursday .............................................. 1pm-5pm Thursday .............................................. 7pm-9pm Friday ....................................... 8:30am-11:30am Friday ................................................... 1pm-5pm Saturday..............................................9am-11am
All-State Elementary Chorus REHEARSALS: TCC, 14
All-State Guitar Ensemble REHEARSALS: TMWS and TCC
Tuesday .................................6pm-9pm, TMWS, 8 Wednesday ............................... 8am-5pm, TMWS, Florida Ballroom, Salons 1-3 Thursday ......................... 7am-10:30am, TCC, 20
ESD = Embassy Suites Downtown HTD = Hilton Tampa Downtown SR = Sheraton Riverwalk TCC = Tampa Convention Center TMWS = Tampa Marriott Water Street WTW = Westin Tampa Waterside
KEY
Wednesday ......................................2pm-5:30pm Wednesday ........................................... 7pm-9pm Thursday .................................. 8:30am-11:30am Thursday .............................................. 1pm-5pm Thursday ......................................... 7pm-9:30pm Friday ..........................................8:30am-12noon
All-State Middle School Band RESEATING AUDITIONS: HTD, Palma Ceia
REHEARSALS: HTD, Palma Ceia
Thursday .............................................. 1pm-5pm Thursday .............................................. 7pm-9pm Friday ....................................... 8:30am-11:30am Friday ..............................................2pm-5:30pm Saturday......................................8:30am-12noon
All-State Middle School Jazz Band REHEARSALS: WTW, Conch Room
All-State Middle School Orchestra RESEATING AUDITIONS: TMWS, Meeting Room 8
REHEARSALS: TMWS, Meeting Room 8
Thursday .............................................. 1pm-5pm Thursday .............................................. 7pm-9pm Friday ....................................... 8:30am-11:30am Friday ................................................... 1pm-5pm Saturday..............................................9am-11am
All-State Reading Chorus REHEARSALS: ES, Gandy Meeting Room
Thursday ...................................7:45am-11:30am Thursday ....................................1:30pm-4:30pm Thursday .............................................. 6pm-9pm Friday ....................................... 8:30am-11:30am Friday ..............................................1:30pm-4pm
CONCERT: Saturday, January 15, 2022, 8:45am TCC, Ballroom A All-State SSAA Chorus REHEARSALS: WTW, Oasis Ballroom
Thursday ...................................7:45am-11:30am Thursday ....................................1:30pm-4:30pm Thursday .............................................. 6pm-9pm Friday ....................................... 8:30am-11:30am Friday ..............................................1:30pm-4pm
REHEARSALS: TCC, 22
Thursday ..................................12:30pm-4:30pm Thursday .........................................6:30pm-9pm Friday ....................................... 8:30am-11:30am Friday ................................................... 1pm-5pm Saturday........................................... 9am-12noon
All-State Symphonic Orchestra RESEATING AUDITIONS: TCC, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 24
REHEARSALS: TCC, 24
Thursday (Registration)...................8am-8:30am Thursday ........................................9am-11:30am Thursday .............................................. 1pm-5pm Thursday .............................................. 7pm-9pm Friday ....................................... 8:30am-11:30am Friday ................................................... 1pm-5pm Saturday..............................................9am-11am
Thursday ...................................7:45am-11:30am Thursday ....................................1:30pm-4:30pm Thursday .........................................6:30pm-9pm Friday ....................................... 8:30am-11:30am Friday ..............................................1:30pm-4pm
CONCERT: Saturday, January 15, 2022, 8:45am TCC, Ballroom A High School Honors Band RESEATING AUDITIONS: SR, Bayshore Ballroom
REHEARSALS: SR, Bayshore Ballroom
High School Honors Orchestra REHEARSALS: ESD, Skyway Ballroom
Thursday (Registration)...................8am-8:30am Thursday .................................. 8:30am-11:30am Thursday .............................................. 1pm-5pm Thursday .............................................. 7pm-9pm Friday ....................................... 8:30am-11:30am Friday ................................................... 1pm-5pm Saturday..............................................9am-11am
REHEARSALS: HTD, Esplanade Suite
Middle School Honors Orchestra REHEARSALS: SR, Riverview Room
Thursday (Registration)...................8am-8:30am Thursday .................................. 8:30am-11:30am Thursday .............................................. 1pm-5pm Thursday .............................................. 7pm-9pm Friday ....................................... 8:30am-11:30am Friday ................................................... 1pm-5pm Saturday..............................................9am-11am
All Concert Ticket Sales Are Final. No Refunds or Exchanges.
Please make sure you know the exact name of the all-state ensemble for which you need tickets before approaching the ticket sales window.
ALL-STATE TICKET POLICY
1. Registered (BADGED) attendees do not require tickets to attend any allstate concert. This includes directors/ members, directors’ non-teaching spouses, performing all-state students, registered chaperones, collegiate student members, retired members, and
VIP guests that you entered as part of your conference registration. 2. All nonregistered (NONBADGED) attendees (parents, family members, guests, etc.) are required to purchase
tickets for any all-state concert they wish to attend. 3. There are no free or allotted tickets.
All concert attendees must either wear their conference badge or purchase a ticket. 4. A director who preregisters online may reserve and prepay for all-state concert tickets for nonregistered attendees for concerts in which he or she has registered all-state students.
If paid for online, these tickets will be preloaded into the director’s registration package. 5. A director who registers on site may purchase all-state concert tickets for nonregistered attendees for concerts in which he or she has registered all-state students during the on-site registration process. 6. A director with all-state students may purchase additional concert tickets for nonregistered attendees for concerts in which he or she has performing students at the on-site registration desk or at a designated ticket sales location at anytime. 7. General ticket sales for all-state concerts will begin at 11 am on Thursday at the FMEA registration desk. There is no requirement that the director or any other registered attendee be the person to purchase tickets after this time. 8. All ticket sales are final. Concert tickets are nonrefundable. 9. For entrance, ticket, and concert purposes, a concert is defined as the pair of ensembles that are performing in the same venue in a common, defined block of time. An example of a concert for purposes of entrance, ticketing, etc., is the 1 pm concert on Saturday for the All-State Concert Orchestra and the All-State Concert Band.
CONCERTS AT THE STRAZ PERFORMING ARTS CENTER
«Registered (BADGED) conference attendees do not need tickets. Badged attendees will be handed a ticket to enter the concert outside the entrance « to the Straz Performing Arts Center. Nonregistered conference/concert attendees (parents, family members, guests, etc.) may purchase tickets for any Straz concert at $15 per ticket at the FMEA registration desk between 11 am on Thursday and 7 pm on
Friday.
On Saturday beginning at 9 am, all remaining tickets for Straz concerts will be sold at the Straz Performing Arts Center ONLY.
Note: Directors need to notify persons for whom they have already purchased a ticket. Tickets are nonrefundable.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Do I get free tickets for my students’ family members to attend the concert?
No. You can pre-order and pay for their tickets when you preregister for the concert, but there are no free tickets.
Can I get free tickets to any concerts?
No. Registered attendees (directors, chaperones, students) are allowed admission to concerts with their name badge, so no ticket is necessary. Attendees that are not registered for the conference (parents, family, etc.) must purchase tickets. For concerts at the Straz Performing Arts Center, registered attendees with their conference name badge will be handed a ticket immediately before they walk in the door.
Can I buy extra tickets anytime?
If you are an FMEA member registered for the conference, you may purchase tickets at the computers in the on-site registration area anytime during the regular registration hours. Everyone else may purchase tickets beginning at 11 am on Thursday.
There are more family members and guests coming to watch my all-state student than I have tickets. How and when do they get tickets?
Extra tickets may be purchased when general ticket sales open. Tickets will be sold at the main registration area and cost $15 each.
Does my 2-year-old or 3-year-old need to buy a ticket?
Everyone who will be taking up a seat will need a ticket. Babies that are being held by an adult or sitting on an adult’s lap for the duration of the concert are welcome without a ticket, but children who are old enough to sit in their own seat will need a ticket.
Michael Antmann, EdD
Chairman, Student Development Committee
FMEA Student Conference Experience &
FMEA Tri-M Conference Experience
The Florida Music Education Association offers two programs to make our conference accessible to students who may not have an opportunity to attend as an all-state student: the Student Conference Experience and the Tri-M Conference Experience.
The purpose of the FMEA Student Conference Experience is to expand access to the annual conference to students from throughout the state. Participating students will interact with amazing clinicians and educators, college representatives, and incredible performing groups. These students will have memorable experiences they can take back and share with their high school music programs. The program will take place on Thursday and Friday of the 2022 FMEA Professional Development Conference. Students will participate in workshops, observe rehearsals, attend College Night, and engage in networking and social activities with their peers.
The purpose of the FMEA Tri-M Conference Experience is to provide students with experiences that will build their leadership and advocacy skills, as well as to expose them to the experiences available at the annual conference. Tri-M participants will be involved with portions of the Student Conference Experience. Tri-M students must preregister for the conference and should follow the Tri-M student schedule. Both programs require chaperones to be present at all times.
One teacher per school may nominate students for these programs, and schools can only submit students for one of these programs. Details, including requirements and deadlines, can be found on the FMEA website. Please feel free to contact me with any questions.
