Division Chair News

THE NEW JERSEY MUSIC EDUCATORS ASSOCIATION a federated state association of NATIONAL ASSOCIATION for MUSIC EDUCATION

News From Our Division Chairs

Administration

Ronald P. Dolce 732-574-0846 rdolce561@aol.com

Wow! Half of the school year is completed. Winter concerts are done and we hope that most of you have had a time to rest over the winter break and were able to spend some time with friends and family and refresh the mind as well as the soul. It is hard to believe that the second half of the school year is about to begin as we prepare for the spring musical, concerts and trips.

The administrators have been preparing for the workshops to come this spring. We have already completed two workshops of the five scheduled this year for the general membership. Our first workshop in October, “Nuts And Bolts: Advice On How To Be Successful As An Arts Supervisor” presented by Peter Griffin, Supervisor of Music from the Hopewell Valley School District. A power point presentation was shown with suggestions to the membership about the different aspects of being a music supervisor. Many suggestions that were contributed by the membership made for an interesting meeting.

Our second workshop, held in December, “Making The Case For Dance And Theater,” presented by Louis Quagliato from the West Orange Public Schools assisted by Ron Dolce, retired music administrator, Rahway Public Schools, gave the membership a look at how dance and theater programs may be held in their schools. Many questions were asked by the members and contributions for discussion were given about how these programs were existing in their programs.

Our February 3, 2017 meeting/workshop will be facilitated by Joe Akinskas as he presents “Arts And Special Education”. This workshop will explore ways in which the music supervisor can help the music teacher with possible ways to work with special needs students in their music classroom. Guests will be invited with their administrator to this meeting and seating is limited. Members of the higher education community will also be invited so a discussion can be held about the needs of the music teacher and the special need students in their classroom.

The NJMAA meetings are held at the “Rutgers Club” on the campus of Rutgers University in New Brunswick. The meetings begin at 9:00 am with hospitality breakfast at 8:30 am. If you have not joined as yet, it is not too late. Check out our website at www.njmaa.org for information.

NJMAA continues to reach to the supervisors, program directors, building administrators and coordinators of music to become active members of the association. Being able to share knowledge with colleagues can only strengthen the music programs in our schools and help us to understand issues and concerns that we face throughout the school year. As members, we are each a resource of information and this information can be easily shared to help solve any problem or concern.

Come join us and become a member. Share your thoughts and become a resource as we support an important part of the education of our students.

continued on page 8

THE NEW JERSEY MUSIC EDUCATORS ASSOCIATION a federated state association of NATIONAL ASSOCIATION for MUSIC EDUCATION

News From Our Division Chairs

Band Performance

Al Bazzel 856-358-2054 fenwayfollwer5@comcast.net

Auditions for the 2017 All-State Bands will take place on Saturday, January 21st, at JP Stevens High School. The snow date for the auditions is Sunday, January 22nd. The first rehearsal will be on Thursday, February 2nd at South Brunswick High School from 5:00-9:00 p.m. The snow date for the first rehearsal is Thursday, February 9, 2017. Students will be receiving emails from their region officials confirming eligibility. Application forms must be submitted online. Students will need to print and complete the signature page and return it to their sponsoring director along with their audition fee. Sponsoring directors will also need to complete a directors form found on the NJMEA website. More information will be distributed at the region auditions.

The 2017 All-State Band Concert will be held on Saturday, February 25, 2017 at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center in Newark. Keith Brion, Music Director of his own New Sousa Band, will conduct the wind ensemble. Richard Blatti, Director Emeritus, School of Music and Professor Emeritus, Conducting and Ensembles from The Ohio State University, will conduct the symphonic band. We look forward to seeing you at the rehearsals and concert at NJPAC.

Any solo suggestions must to be submitted to Bruce Yurko, Solo Chair, or corresponding region representatives. The recommendation must include a copy of the solo, the solo it should replace, and rationale for the change. The region representatives for the committee are: Region I – Darrell Hendricks, Lewis Kelly, Gregory Mulford; Region II- Brian Toth, Chris Vitale, John Zazzali; Region III- Nichole Delnero, Phil Senseney and Tom Rafter.

Choral Festivals

Donna Marie Berchtold 609-476-6241 x1013 berchtoldd@hamiltonschools.org

The 64th Annual NJMEA Middle School – Junior High Choral Festival Dates are scheduled for the spring of 2017. Donna Marie F. Berchtold, chairperson, and choral/instrumental director at the William Davies Middle School, Mays Landing, along with Karen Blumenthal, choral director at Von E. Mauger Middle School, Middlesex, NJ will co-coordinate and host the Middle School Choral Festivals again for this year.

The Festivals are currently scheduled to be held at two separate locations. The first event (South Site) will be held at Rowan University on March 1, 2017. The deadline for applications is February 3, 2017. The second event (North Site) will be held at Rutgers University on May 24, 2017. The deadline for applications is April 24, 2017. The time of each event is 9:15 – 1:30 pm.

The application forms are on the NJMEA web site, however, they can also be found in this January edition of TEMPO Magazine.

A maximum of ten (10) registrations will be accepted at each site. The Registration Fee per school group will be $150.00 for either site.

Each participating choral group will receive written and aural evaluations by the adjudicators, along with a plaque from NJMEA which recognizes the commitment and involvement by the school, its chorus, and the director(s).

Any schools interested in participating in either of these events, should be sure to complete the application form in this January issue of TEMPO magazine, or online at www.njmea.org.

Anyone with questions or concerns may contact Donna Marie at: berchtoldd@hamiltonschools.org, 609-625-6600, x 1013, or 609-2267751.

continued on page 10

THE NEW JERSEY MUSIC EDUCATORS ASSOCIATION a federated state association of NATIONAL ASSOCIATION for MUSIC EDUCATION

News From Our Division Chairs

Choral Performance

Kathleen Spadafino 732-214-1044 kspadEB@aol.com

All-State Mixed Chorus enjoyed two wonderful concerts in November. The incredible and inspiring direction of conductor Rollo Dilworth, in collaboration with accompanist Anthony Rafaniello, made this musical experience unforgettable for all students involved. Many thanks to our preparation conductors Tom Voorhis, Wayne Mallette and Patick Hachey, who volunteered many hours sharing their talent with our students. Our Atlantic City experience was super smooth this year, despite changes in venue for the performance. Joe Cantaffa, our production manager, kept everyone on task and with the help of Michael Saias, got us everything we needed immediately. I cannot thank our managers, Michelle Sontag and Matthew Lee, enough for the zillions of hours they spent making sure our chorus members were safe and supervised. The Choral Procedures Committee ran the Governor’s Award auditions and an open Choral Procedures Committee meeting, where everyone’s voice was heard as we discussed future issues. Michael Doheny and Debbie Sfraga (housing coordinators), Hillary Colton (head chaperone) and David Westawski (transportation) worked seamlessly with production, chaperones and students in a most professional manner. Because of everyone working together Friday afternoon, a potentially chaotic schedule was smooth and relaxed. Good work, team!

But wait, there’s more! The All-State Treble Chorus will be performing at NJPAC on Saturday, February 25th along with the AllState Bands. This concert will still happen even though there is no NJMEA convention. Rehearsals for the Treble Chorus have already begun with preparation conductors Hillary Colton, Jamie Bunce and Matthew Lee. The chorus will meet their conductor Eleanor Daley at the concert weekend in East Brunswick. Please contact me to chaperone or attend the concert.

Remember – Eastern NAfME Division is happening in Atlantic City, April 5-8, 2017! Early registration is open now!! We have fabulous clinicians and choirs representing choral excellence in New Jersey! Come and cheer on your colleagues!

I hope that you have been checking the All-State Chorus section of the website – www.njmea.org. The 2017 All-State Chorus Audition Bulletin will be available for you in late January. Please read all the information and be aware of deadlines! If it is your turn to judge (that means your last time was 2013) please clear your calendar for these dates – Saturday April 22nd and Saturday April 29th. We will email you another reminder. All-State Chorus is a great experience for your students to meet others who love singing as much as they do, challenging repertoire and a chance learn from top conductors. Every year I hear from our students that this experience has changed their lives! It is such a privilege to take part in this process. Please email me at KSpadEB@aol.com and get involved!

Early Childhood Education Amy Burns 973-493-5797 aburns@fhcds.org

There are many upcoming professional development opportunities for early childhood and elementary music educators. Two events to bring attention to are: • February 25: New Jersey School Music Association (NJSMA) Elementary Division will host a Saturday morning workshop that will offer several rotating sessions, featuring inspiring clinicians and topics. http://www.njsma.com/elementary/elementaryhome.html continued on page 12

THE NEW JERSEY MUSIC EDUCATORS ASSOCIATION a federated state association of NATIONAL ASSOCIATION for MUSIC EDUCATION

News From Our Division Chairs

• April 5-8: The 2017 Eastern Division Conference in Atlantic City will feature some amazing elementary/early childhoodfocused presenters such as John Jacobson, Missy Strong, Lisa Wichman, Craig Knapp, Abigail Connors, Cherie Herring,

Elizabeth Bucura, Sharon Burch, and so many more! Don’t miss this wonderful event hosted by NJMEA! Register today at http://www.nafme-eastern.org/index.php

In addition, this past fall NJSMA held a wonderful workshop featuring Denise Gagne, The Copeland Grade 6 Orff Ensemble, and The Two Ukes. A post-event wrap up of the workshop is found in this issue’s article titled, “Great Day with Denise Gagne!”. If you would like to view a webinar that features the highlights from this webinar, and where you can earn 1 PD for viewing it and writing up a summary about it, then please feel free to email me at aburns@fhcds.org to ask for more details.

Guitar Education

Thomas Amoriello tom@tomamoriello.com 908-342-7795

Happy 2017! This will be another great year to encourage your students to give the guitar a try!

I would like to thank guitarist Kevin Eubanks for granting an interview exclusive to TEMPO Magazine that you can read in this issue. I would also like to apologize to Bradley Colten for misspelling his last name as Colton in the October 2016 TEMPO Article, Lost and Found:

Guitar Manuscripts in the Library of Congress.

Thank you to all of the educators who attended my ukulele workshop, Four Strings of Joy at the NJEA Convention in Atlantic City on November 11, 2016.

It is important to please spread the word to the teachers who you know in NJ and mark your calendars for May 6, 2017 as this will be the 4th annual NJMEA Guitar Festival at The College of New Jersey in Ewing, NJ which will feature the chosen students conducted by Loren C. Fortna as well as a featured guest artist recital from classical guitarist Candice Mowbray. http://www.candicemowbray.com/

Please see the October issue of TEMPO or visit the Guitars in the Classroom Portal at njmea.org for more information about the 2017 NJMEA Honors Guitar Ensemble Auditions.

2017 NJMEA Honors Guitar Ensemble

Auditions: February 11, 2017 at The College of New Jersey (Music Dept.), 2000 Pennington Rd., Ewing, NJ 08628 Ewing, NJ 9:00-1:00 pm (snow date Sunday, Feb. 12th @ Bayonne High School, 667 Avenue A, Bayonne, NJ 07002 12:00-3:00 pm) Rehearsal 1: April 1, 2017 from 9:00-12:00 pm at:JP Stevens High School, 855 Grove Ave, Edison, NJ 08820 (snow date, at: Bayonne High School, 667 Avenue A, Bayonne, NJ 07002, April 2nd from 4:00 -7:00 pm) Rehearsal 2: April 29, 2017 from 9:00-12:00 pm at: Bergen Academy, 200 Hackensack Ave, Hackensack, NJ 07601. Rehearsal 3: May 6, 2017 at The College of New Jersey (Music Dept.), 2000 Pennington Rd., Ewing, NJ 08628 Ewing, NJ 11:00-11:45 am.

Performance May 6, 2017 @ TCNJ (no snow date)

Ensemble Performance 12:00 pm Student Showcase 12:30 pm Guest Artist 1:00 pm

Personnel:

Loren C. Fortna, conductor; NJMEA Guitar Festival Directors: Thomas Amoriello & Keith Calmes Please feel free to share any classroom guitar news with tamoriel@frsd.k12.nj.us

continued on page 14

THE NEW JERSEY MUSIC EDUCATORS ASSOCIATION a federated state association of NATIONAL ASSOCIATION for MUSIC EDUCATION

News From Our Division Chairs

Opera Festival Michael Kallimanis 973-208-3004 MrKOrchAuditions@aol.com

A Wonderful Day at the….Opera!

The 2016 All-State Opera Festival concert took place Saturday, November 19, 2016 at Paramus HS, hosted by Chorus Director Nicole Cascione. A full day of events was capped off with the concert featuring arias, choruses and orchestral movements from various operas. Theresa Carlomagno, Northern Valley Regional HS at Old Tappan, was the highest scoring student from auditions held Friday, Oct. 28, 2016. She sang “The Black Swan,” from Gian Carlo Menotti’s The Medium. For her efforts, she was awarded the C. Scripps Beebee Scholarship of $500 and the Governor’s Award for Arts Education in Opera. Elisabeth Kuipers, Eastern Christian HS, was the second highest scorer with a distinction of “Honorable Mention.” This festival is the only high school program of its kind in the United States (as far as it is known), and the only NJMEA-sponsored program that provides a cash award from the Beebee Scholarship fund.

The highlight of each year’s festival is the morning master class given by a World Class Opera star. Wendy White, a 23-year veteran of performing leading roles on the Metropolitan Opera stage, gave the 35 students in attendance an incredible insight to her musical journey in addition to the mechanics of vocal technique. Six students performed for Wendy White: Theresa Carlomagno, Elisabeth Kuipers and Erin

Chang, Hillsborough HS; Hannah Smith, Tenafly HS; Angie Lovato and Grace Meharg, both from Hawthorne Christian Academy.

Four chorus numbers were performed in the concert. To start off, Nicole Cascione conducted a rousing rendition of “The Star Spangled Banner,” followed by “Van, pensiero,” (Nabucco, Verdi), conducted by Chad Flynn, Pompton Lakes HS Chorus Director. Another ensemble number was “The Humming Chorus,” (Madama Butterfly, Puccini), conducted by Haddonfield Memorial HS Chorus Director, Polly Murray. Chad Flynn also conducted the Grand Finale, “Libiamo ne’ lieti calici” (La Traviata, Verdi) with Theresa Carlomagno in the role of Violetta and 2014 scholarship winner/Governor’s Award recipient, Joshua LeRose, singing the role of Alfredo. Joshua is a graduate of Paramus HS and currently a Voice Performance major at Rutgers University.

Anne Paynter, Hawthorne Christian Academy Chorus Director, took on the responsibility of festival solo accompanist and Carl Faust, Fort Lee School District, handled accompanying the chorus numbers. Both accompanists followed the students to a T which in turn embellished their performances.

The Paramus HS Orchestra, Judith Wilkes, Director, has been the Orchestra-in-Residence since the festival moved to Paramus some 10 years ago. Another orchestra director expressed an interest in performing, so the New Milford HS Orchestra, Julia Berenshtein, Director, joined the event. New Milford performed the “Prelude to Act I,” of La Traviata (Verdi) and “Hopak,” from The Fair at Sorochinsk (Mussorgsky). Paramus played “Madamina,” from Don Giovanni (Mozart) and “Sempre libera degg’io,” another selection from La Traviata.

For the future, we will need to find another host school for the two-day event. Paramus is very active in hosting County and Region auditions and it is tough to juggle so many activities the music teachers host at their school. We thank Judy Wilkes and Nicole Cascione, in her second year there, who took over for the now-retired Stevie Rawlings, for providing their school as our makeshift opera house! Another problem we run into is the festival concert being on the same day as Region III Chorus auditions so a date change may be in the works. Originally, the festival took place in the spring but there was a major conflict with school musicals. If you would like to host or have suggestions on a concert date, please contact me!

Thank you to all who made the 2016 Opera Festival a success!

continued on page 16

THE NEW JERSEY MUSIC EDUCATORS ASSOCIATION a federated state association of NATIONAL ASSOCIATION for MUSIC EDUCATION

News From Our Division Chairs

Orchestra Performance

Susan Meuse 732-613-6890 susanmeuse@gmail.com

Congratulations to the 2016 All-State Orchestra and Mixed Chorus for two great concerts in November! The students’ hard work really paid off in their performance of such high level music. I hope that many of you had a chance to come to one of the concerts! The Orchestra Procedures Committee would like to congratulate all of the students involved in the All-State Orchestra. We would like to thank all of the people who worked very hard to make both concerts possible. First, we would like to thank our conductor, Gregory Pritchard whose talent inspired these students. We would also like to thank our two Managers, Sarah Donatelli and Jessica Stewart, as well as our Percussion Coordinator Chris Janney. Without their hard work, the rehearsals and performances would not have been a success. Also, we would like to thank Production Manger Joe Cantaffa and Production Assistant Michael Saias who made everything happen and run very smoothly! Thanks to all of the sectional coaches, rehearsal hosts, and chaperones for helping the students have a positive All-State experience. And finally, a big thank you to Housing Coordinators Debbie Sfraga and Mike Doheny and Transportation Coordinator David Westawski who organized everything needed to get all of the students safely to and from Atlantic City. We are in the process of making some changes to the orchestra festivals this year. The middle school/junior high festival will take place on March 8th at Bridgewater Raritan Middle School. The high school orchestra festival will also be taking place in March with a date and location tba. Be on the lookout for a TEMPO Express with final details and the application.

Also in March will be the All-State Orchestra auditions (both Intermediate and High School). They will be taking place on Saturday, March 18th. At this time the Procedures Committee will be meeting to discuss future conductors, solos, and scale requirements. As always, if you are looking to get involved or would like to share some ideas, please let me know!

Retired Music Educators

Kathleen Spadafino 732-214-1044 kspadEB@aol.com

This February there will be no NJMEA conference, so therefore no Master Music Teachers were observed last year. However, now is the time to think about nominating an outstanding NJMEA colleague for our 2018 Master MusicTeacher. Your nomination form, which can be found in this issue of TEMPO as well as on the NJMEA website, is due by March 15, 2017. Put it on your calendar of things to do now so that you can collect your materials to submit by the due date. We all know many great music educators; we talk about them and their work often. Take the time to nominate one this year!

Our first executive committee meeting was held on October 5. Our committee members beside myself are Frank Hughes, president-elect; Beverly Robinovitz, past president/secretary; Dorian Parreott, treasurer; Paul Oster, Ron Dolce, Judy Verrilli and Joyce Richardson-Melech. If you are interested in joining our committee, please contact me for further information.

Our only general meeting of the year will be on Wednesday, May 10, 2017 at 10:15 a.m. Site to be announced – please check the March TEMPO and your newsletter. Plan to join us to re-connect with old friends and discuss the state of music education in New Jersey.

Wishing you and your family a healthy and happy year! We hope to see you April 5 – 8 at the Eastern NAfME Division Conference, or at our meeting in May.

continued on page 18

THE NEW JERSEY MUSIC EDUCATORS ASSOCIATION a federated state association of NATIONAL ASSOCIATION for MUSIC EDUCATION

News From Our Division Chairs

Special Learners Maureen Butler 973-299-0166 mbutler@mlschools.org

In 2015 NJMEA recognized the need to address the topic of special learners by creating a position on the Board, and I’ve been been happy to represent the needs of these students since then. Now, I’m thrilled to announce that five teachers have agreed to join me to form a Special Learners committee whose focus is to provide outreach and support to music teachers throughout New Jersey. Members include Steve Braun from the Center of Lifelong Learning and the Academy Learning Center; Lucia Marone from the Vineland district; Trina McCarthy from Holmdel; Glennis Patterson from Roxbury; and Brian Wagner from Brooklyn. All of them have had significant experience teaching students with special needs, and are providing valuable contributions to our discussions. Thanks to all of them for agreeing to participate in this committee!

If you have questions or concerns about the students you teach and would like help from any of our committee, please contact me at the email address above. Similarly, if you have any topics you’d like to see addressed in TEMPO, send those ideas to us as well.

Summer Workshop Joe Akinskas akinskas@rowan.edu Summer Workshop Coordinator

Summer Workshop X

I am pleased to announce that Summer Workshop X will take place on Tuesday, August 1, 2017, on the campus of The College of New Jersey.

Session Ideas & Presenters needed: At the conclusion of the last nine workshops, participants were asked to respond to an online program survey. The workshop committee utilizes the timely responses as the basis for development of the next event.

The survey results are attached below for everyone’s review, and to serve as a basis for generating the Workshop X agenda. If you see a recommendation that you can facilitate let me know.

Our early deliberations are focused on presenting extended-concentrated sessions in all areas. If you are interested in developing a session, please complete and return the presenter request form, via email, to njmeasummerworkshop@comcast.net or akinskas@rowan.edu , on or before April 1, 2017.

I would also like to take this opportunity to thank last summer’s presenters who truly exemplify the high level of talent we are fortunate to have in New Jersey, and who are willing to share their talents and techniques with our statewide constituency. Take a minute to access our website on the NJMEA conferences link, to scan the pictures which reflect an enjoyable and productive day.

We look forward to another beneficial day for all in attendance. Think summer!

continued on page 20

THE NEW JERSEY MUSIC EDUCATORS ASSOCIATION a federated state association of NATIONAL ASSOCIATION for MUSIC EDUCATION

News From Our Division Chairs

And the survey says… You asked. We listen. What would you like to see at next year’s NJMEA Summer Workshop that you did not see this year/have not seen in the past?

~ Musical Theater and AP Music Theory sessions ~ I would love to see more sessions focused on working with special needs children, offering specific lessons for various grade levels, especially with autistic students. I would also love to see a session led by a teacher who doesn’t have their own classroom; how they make it work off of a cart. ~ How to teach group ensembles with different levels ~ Recruitment and retention of students in performing arts programs. Electives are becoming more competitive and required electives are making it hard to keep students involved in choir and/or band all four years. How can music teachers keep programs in the forefront in the eyes of administrators, guidance, parents and students? ~ I know we have standards to address and curriculum should be based on them to an extent, but what do studies show are the best elements for a quality music program. If there is a person who did a study on this or collected data from the most successful programs and found out the common elements it would be cool to know what was found. ~ Maybe something on creating your own TPT shop would be nice! ~ I prefer the “teacher led” tech workshops ~ Productive HS PowerPoints to accent the day to day teaching....in any strand; band, choir or general music. ~ Found the J.W. Pepper presentation very helpful and would like it to become an annual offering. Choral music choices were excellent! ~ Ideas for SGO’s in music ~ I loved the focus on African American Spirituals. Maybe next year there can be another focus on a different genre that can enhance music teaching -- film music? Madrigals? American folksong? Or, maybe explore music related to a certain topic -- geography, an emotion, a philosophy, historical event / time, literature… ~ I would love to have someone who is TECH SAVVY demonstrate how to use You Tube videos in elementary vocal music class. A list of age appropriate videos would be great, too. Also, a “make and take” workshop for stations for elementary vocal music class. (Easier said than done, cost wise!) Also, it might be fun to have someone show photos of various vocal music classrooms and see how other teachers organize and decorate. ~ I would love to see a session about activities for students with disabilities, specifically Autism (the WIDE range!) for the SECONDARY level. I find that most sessions about teaching music to students with disabilities only address the elementary level. ~ How to deal with students who are VERY difficult from a behavior standpoint ~ Keep adding more percussion workshops. Bucket drumming was great. Those classes are very inspiring for teaching general and instrumental music, especially when you aren’t a percussionist. ~ A curriculum for shortened classes in Instrumental and General Music. ~ How to address the performance of sacred music in a public school setting. ~ A session on starting a hand bell ensemble could be interesting to explore. ~ Content for district shortened 10-week General Music courses in middle school ~ How to use the Orff process with ABA classes ~ I needed more hands on training of the smart music software. ~ I would like to see a session about fundraising! My school limits the fundraisers that we can do, so we are mostly limited to doing simple bake sales/candy sales. I hear whispers about fundraising all the time, but would like a discussion. Also in this vein, maybe creating/working with a parent organization! I’d also be interested in seeing a moderated discussion about recruitment/retention. Since I am only in year 3, I know there are still a lot of mistakes I am making that, if fixed, could help my numbers grow. I would be interested to see: what are the numbers/percentages like for gym pull-out schools? Class pull-out schools? Choir classes? etc. ~ Beginner instruments…how to produce a sound on beginner instruments ~ I would like to see more the same with regard the previous question. Also, I think that there should be some emphasis on community groups and their related issues. We are the only discipline in a school district that is publicly visible with our concerts, programs, and football games and such. No other academic subject has that visibility. Community groups, I believe, are an extension of that and is an overlooked part of our profession. Community bands, chorus’, theater groups that do musicals, etc. are very popular, but we don’t seem to give them their due.

THE NEW JERSEY MUSIC EDUCATORS ASSOCIATION a federated state association of NATIONAL ASSOCIATION for MUSIC EDUCATION

News From Our Division Chairs

Technology

Marjorie LoPresti 732-613-6969 marjorielopresti@gmail.com

Do you teach music with technology? Do your students students compose and arrange? Plan to attend the “7th Annual NJ Student Music Tech Expo.” This student-centered, science fair style event features exhibits of adjudicated student works as well as hands-on workshops and performances. The event is open students in grades 3-12, and is open to students of all NJMEA members.

Throughout the day, students will explore electronic music-making in hands-on workshops with tech gear, receive training from music industry professionals, and get up close to the action during performances. Student ensembles featuring electronic/technology-based music are invited to perform. “The Expo” will culminate with an awards ceremony to recognize the exemplary works submitted by student participants.

Student projects may be submitted in advance, and will be evaluated by professional composers using a festival rating scale (gold, silver, bronze). Categories include remixes, multimedia, and applied technology projects. Students attending the Expo will have the opportunity to review and rate projects along with the pros, then vote for “best in show.”

Mark your calendar now: “Expo North” will be held on Monday, May 15, 2017 at Rutgers, and the “Expo South” will be on Thursday, May 18, 2017 at Rowan. Visit the Technology link at njmea.org for more info. Registration will open March 1, 2017.

It’s dynamic at The Valley.

With a variety of undergraduate music degrees and a Master of Music Education, more than 20 ensembles, and spectacular performance, practice, and recording facilities, LVC celebrates and supports music like few other colleges.

Annville, PA | Since 1866