Round the Regions

CJMEA

Central Jersey Music Educators Association cjmea.org

January was an incredibly busy month for CJMEA with seven incredible ensembles performing at four different concerts. The region symphonic band, wind ensemble, orchestra, percussion ensemble, mixed choir, treble choir, and high school honor band all performed beautifully. Our students were very fortunate to work with some amazing conductors who helped them grow musically with fantastic repertoire. Our high school conductors this year were:

Professor Timothy Schwartz, Rowan University – region orchestra

Professor Greg Giannascoli, New Jersey City University – region percussion ensemble

Professor Heidi Sarver, University of Delaware – region symphonic band

Professor Scott Jones, The University of Ohio – region wind ensemble

Professor Joseph Higgins, Rowan University – high school honor band

Lorraine Lynch, Roxbury High School – region mixed choir

Professor Nicholas McBride, The College of New Jersey – region treble choir

Of course we cannot go without thanking our division chairs and all of the managers who volunteered their time to make these events a success for the students. The time they give is significant and we are all grateful. If you are interested in becoming involved with any of these ensembles, please get in touch! We would love to grow the number of teachers in our region that take a leadership role in the region and honors ensemble experiences.

I’d also like to make everyone aware that CJMEA houses instrumental music repertoire libraries. All of the music we purchase for our region ensembles is housed in various locations. Thanks to the hard work of a few individuals we are almost done cataloguing the music and will make it available once we do. We are working diligently to post all of our library listings on the CJMEA website. CJMEA teachers are welcome to borrow a piece from this library if needed. Until we are able to post our catalogues on the website, please feel free to reach out to our division chairs to inquire as to whether or not a piece is available. All of their contact information is on www. cjmea. org.

As we move through the winter months, it becomes time to think about our executive board for next year. This is an election year, meaning the positions of president-elect, treasurer, and secretary are open. If you are interested in serving in one of these positions and would like to run for election, please contact our current president-elect, David Westawski at dwestawski@cjmea.org. Additionally, we are always looking for people to help and assist with our division chairs for high school band, choir, and orchestra as well as intermediate band, choir, and orchestra. If you have an interest in serving in that capacity, please contact me, Adam Warshafsky, at awarshafsky@ cjmea. org.

This brings me to the most important, yet unfortunate news I sadly must share with you. Our beloved treasurer, Susan Belly, has passed away. Sue dedicated everything she had to bringing music to children’s lives both as a teacher and as a member of our executive board. She gave immensely of herself to CJMEA not just as our treasurer, but as an advisor to me and the rest of the board. We will miss her terribly and our hearts go out to her family and friends.

NJSMA

North Jersey School Music Association njsma.com

Congratulations to all students who successfully auditioned for the NJSMA region bands and to all the directors that helped with auditions, rehearsals and concerts. NJSMA would not be able to provide these wonderful opportunities for students without the support and encouragement from their sponsoring directors.

The Junior High School Concert will be March 5, 2017 at a site to be determined. Russell Branch, band director in Mendham Township, will conduct the Intermediate Band, and the Junior Band will be under the direction of David Martin, retired band director from Hanover Park.

This year’s High School Region Concert Band Festival will be held March 21-23. Hosts include Verona, Parsippany Hills, Hanover Park, Bergenfield and Randolph High Schools. The Junior High School Concert Band Festival will be held April 26th at West Essex High School and Westwood Jr./Sr. High School. Thank you to all our hosts and all participating ensembles. Special thanks to our festival coordinators John Maiello, Pete Bauer and James Lawrence.

The sixth annual NJSMA Elementary Band Festival will take place on Saturday, May 6, 2017 at South Orange Middle School. Sixth graders from North Jersey that have been nominated by their directors will rehearse and perform a concert in a one-day festival. Bands will be conducted by Dan Halpern, H.B. Whitehorne Middle School, and Janell Kallimanis, SussexWantage Regional School District. Special thanks to our festival coordinator Jennifer Wise and librarians Dan Halpern and Brian Michalowski.

Please check www.njsma.com for updated and detailed information. Band Division

North Jersey School of Music Association

SJBODA

South Jersey Band And Orchestra Directors Association sjboda.org

The past few months have been very exciting and rewarding for the members of SJBODA. On January 8th our Senior High School Orchestra and Junior High String Ensemble performed at Rowan University and the following week our Senior High Wind Ensemble and Senior High Symphonic Band performed at the same venue. Their music was beautiful and the result of the many excellent music teachers and programs throughout our region. The conductors for these concerts were Michael Ludwig (Montclair

University), Matthew Dell (Rowan Youth Orchestra), Joe Higgins (Rowan University) and Mark Kadetsky (Fernwood Avenue MS). The coordinators for these performances were Rhea Fernandes (Eastern Regional HS) and Amanda Latkis (Hamilton Township Schools). The managers of the Orchestra and the String Ensemble were Lia Boncoeur (Rowan University), Lisa Harkisheimer (Rowan University), Shannon Bradley (Rowan University) and Mariah Cottrell (Rowan University). The managers for the Wind Ensemble and Symphonic Band were Erika Zeiters (Millville Public Schools), Christopher Evans (Middle Township Public Schools), Anita Collings (retired, Egg Harbor Township Schools) and Jon Porco (Absegami HS). Our hosts for these concerts were Sal Scarpa and Rick Dammers. The equipment manager for both of these events was Karyn Park (Williamstown MS).

Congratulations to Daniel Kim (Cherry Hill High School East) who received the 2017 SJBODA orchestra scholarship and Catherine Madewell (Shawnee High School) who was the recipient of the band scholarship. We wish these students and all of our seniors continued success in their future endeavors.

Our 10th Annual Chamber Ensemble Concert took place on Wednesday, February 8th at Cedar Creek HS. Jon Porco (Absegami HS) was our Chamber Ensemble Coordinator and concert host. The ensemble coaches were Brass: Mike Lynch (Cherokee HS), Percussion: Don Simpson (Hamilton Township Public Schools), Sax: Nick DiSalvio (Westampton MS), Woodwind: Beth Rohaly (RM Bacon ES), Clarinet: Joe Midiri (Black Horse Music), Flute: Sam Brooks (Glen Landing MS), and Tuba/ Euphonium: Tim Trout (Rosenauer and Switlik ES).

Once again our Junior High Band auditions, held at Southern Regional Middle School, were a successful event. The efforts of Tony Scardino (Indian Mills MS) and Joe Jacobs (Ventnor MS), our Junior High Auditions Chairs, were greatly appreciated by teachers and students. With the assistance of Phil Senseney (Southern Regional School District, retired) and Deb Knisely (Cinnaminson HS) they provided a positive experience for all involved. These auditions were hosted by Andrew Wright, Jennifer Hodgson and the Southern Regional TRI-M Music Honor Society Chapter. Joe Brausam (Lacey Township HS) is doing a wonderful job in assisting the conductors and students as the Junior High Band Coordinator. The conductors for the 40th Annual Junior High Band Concert are Shannon Hughes (Northern Burlington County MS) and Andrew Seigel (William Davies MS). Scott McCarron (Delsea Regional HS) and Dominic Scalfaro (Alder Avenue MS) will be the managers. The rehearsals were hosted by Derek Rohaly at Mainland Regional High School and the concert will take place on March 5th at Fernwood Avenue Middle School. Mark Kadetsky will host this event.

The 24th Annual SJBODA Concert Band Festival will take place on Tuesday, March 7th and Wednesday, March 8th at Rowan University. Our festival coordinators are Mike Armstrong (Deptford HS) and Jon Porco (Absegami HS). Rick Dammers (Rowan University) will host this event. The adjudicators are Michael Knight (University of Delaware) and Andrew Yoziak (West Chester University).

The 25th Annual Elementary Honors Band Festival will take place on Saturday April 29th at Shawnee HS. Patrick O’Keefe (Smithville ES) will be our host. Marc Spatz (Atlantic City School District), Ed Cooke (Cinnamnson MS), and Lori Ludlum (Retired) are the conductors for this festival. Our coordinators will be Sue Moore (Mansion Avenue School) and Bill Trimble (Wenonah ES).

The 2nd Annual Elementary String Festival will take place on Saturday, May 6th at Fernwood Avenue Middle School. Rhea Fernandes (Eastern Regional HS) will coordinate this event and Jocelyn Moore (Egg Harbor Twp. Schools) will be our host. Our conductors will be Jacob Weber (Johnson ES) and Mitchell Stowman (Cherokee HS).

The SJBODA Spring Breakfast meeting will take place on Wednesday, May 31st at 9:00 AM at Seven Star Diner. Please contact Patrick O’Keefe at 609-457-0590 or patrickaokeefe@gmail.com if you plan to attend. Please continue to check the Web site, maintained by Derek Rohaly (Mainland Regional HS), for the latest SJBODA updates.

Joseph Jacobs Secretary, SJBODA

South Jersey Choral Directors Association sjcda.net

The South Jersey Choral Directors’ Association held their annual concerts at Eastern

High School on January 28th and 29th. Both choirs sounded beautiful and gave fabulous performances. Concerts were well attended! Conductors Stephanie Berger, of Cinnaminson and Joseph Zachowski, of Washington Township, led their groups, of almost 200 singers each, and ended with a performance of Music Down In My Soul. I would like to thank everyone who contributed to the success of this year’s festival, from audition day to performance day; managers, hosts, teachers, as well as the Board of Directors and Festival Coordinator, Hope Knight. Our Founder’s Scholarship was awarded to Wes Hopkins from Cinnaminson and our first ever Richard M. Smith Scholarship for Music Education was awarded to Jenna Camacho from Cherry Hill. After the final performance, conductors, retirees and other honored guests gathered together for a wonderful meal and celebration at “Ristorante Fieni’s” in Voorhees.

Directors are reminded to attend our Spring Breakfast General Membership Meeting, to held again at the “Crowne Plaza” in Cherry Hill, on April 28th. Professional Development will be offered, as well as an opportunity to discuss the continued improvement of the organization and its events. Please consider attending, and socialize with your colleagues, as we make the push to the end of another successful school year together!

Nancy Dickinson, SJCDA President ndickinson@wtps.org www.sjcda.net