17 minute read
News from Our Board of Directors
from 2022 March TEMPO
Band Performance
Nick Mossa nmossa16[at]gmail.com
Congratulations to the students of the 2022 NJMEA All State Symphonic Band and Wind Ensemble! It was such a joyful experience to see New Jersey’s talents on full display and to celebrate the tremendous work of New Jersey music educators and their students. The concert on February 26 at NJPAC was a thrilling success as the two bands put on stellar performances under the batons of Ray Cramer and Jay Gephart. New Jersey should be so proud to have such high quality student musicianship on display, especially as we emerge from such abnormal times in music education!
Every year it takes many dedicated individuals to put together the All State Band experience for our students. We are grateful for our All State Band managers - Deb Knisely (who is also our auditions chair), Pamela Ferrali, and Joshua Oldham - who support our conductors and manage the day-to-day preparations to help the students get the most out of their time in the ensembles. I’d like to thank our rehearsal conductors - Dr. Todd Nichols and Dr. Bill Berz for preparing our students at their first rehearsals. Thank you to Joe Cantaffa for organizing our chaperones and for his leadership, expertise, and professionalism. The members of the All State Committee, led by committee chairperson Tyler Wiernusz, deserve many thanks for the myriad obstacles and hurdles that were overcome in order to ensure our students could have the best possible experience this year. Thank you to Scott Visco, our percussion coordinator, for always setting up our percussionists with everything they need and lastly, we are grateful for the two schools that graciously provided rehearsal and audition space - Bridgewater Raritan High School and JP Stevens High School. You can expect next year’s band solo list to be published in the next edition of TEMPO Magazine.
It is not lost on me that most band teachers in the state do not have a student that they sponsored for New Jersey All State playing in their band at home. However, it is worth noting that each student that performed in the All State bands is a product of their entire music education including all the knowledge gained from all of their music teachers over the years. There is excellence in band rooms all over the state with students young and old, even if it is not on display within our All State Bands and our work as band directors has always been and remains so valuable for our students and communities - keep up the great work!
Some of that great work was shared at the NJMEA conference in February, as well! I hope you found value in your time at the conference, which featured some great band performances and sessions. Each year, NJMEA seeks applications for clinicians, vendors, performing ensembles, and presenters to share growth and perspective over the course of our few days together. Please consider preparing your students or yourself to share a performance or a presentation offering for next year. Keep up to date with TEMPO Express, TEMPO magazine, and the NJMEA website for updates and information in the coming months if you may be interested in putting something together. Thank you, and I wish you and your students all the best in the coming (warmer) weeks ahead!
Choral Performance
Mike Doheny michaeldoheny70[at]gmail.com
As we continue to navigate between a return to live performance and maintaining everyone’s health and safety, the NJ All State Choruses have managed to thrive in new and unexpected ways. Thank you to all of you who have kept faith in the organization and have continued to give your dedication despite all the challenges!
In February, we were treated to a fabulous performance by our All-State Treble Chorus. Meeting virtually for their first three rehearsals, and singing together only twice before the performance, the Treble Chorus’ brilliant concert was quite an achievement. Dr. Brandon Williams from Rutgers University conducted an outstanding program, and we were indeed glad to have the brilliant James Lubrano accompanying the chorus. Many thanks to managers Alex Minter and Amanda Blutner, who had the double responsibility of overseeing the technological end of the virtual rehearsals as well the usual duties of live rehearsals and performance. Congratulations and bravo to all involved!
Meanwhile, we are busy getting ready for auditions for the 2022-23 choruses. We are planning and hoping for a “normal” year… fingers crossed! At press time, we were not quite ready to announce our conductors, but they have been selected, and you and your students will absolutely not be disappointed! Your Choral Procedures Committee is hard at work preparing for the virtual auditions. Registration and audition submission is open for students until March 25, and for teachers until March 31. Judging will be done April 28-30. Please keep checking our website and your emails for ALL information and updates. If you have any questions, please email me at michaeldoheny70@gmail.com.
WANTED! Conductors, Recordings, and Rehearsal Venues!
• We are accepting nominations for the conductors of the 2023-24 All State Choruses. Please see the information elsewhere in this magazine or in your Tempo Express for more details.
• We would like to borrow your old recordings of All State Chorus concerts to add to our digital archive. Please email me (michaeldoheny70@gmail.com) or Barbara Retzko (barbararetzko@hotmail.com) and let us know what years/ ensembles you have and what format (record, cassette, CD, mp3).
• We are in search of rehearsal venues for the 2022-23 All State Chorus. Region II schools strongly preferred. Please contact me (michaeldoheny70@gmail.com) if you think you may be able to host!
Hang in there everyone, and keep up the good work. Your dedication to your craft during this time is impacting so many young lives. BRAVO to all of you for your incredible work ethic, and I look forward to seeing you at All State Chorus events this year!
NJ ALL-STATE CHORUS CONDUCTORS WANTED
The New Jersey Choral Conductor Selection Committee is in the process of choosing conductors for the 2023 Mixed Chorus and the 2024 Treble Chorus. Why not make this the year you submit your application?
CONDUCTOR SELECTION: NJ ALL STATE CHORUSES
Who is eligible?
What is required?
Where do I send my materials?
Current NAfME members in good standing. New Jersey Choral Educators. Submit a DVD and/or links to posted videos of your choral conducting of THREE selections - not to exceed 12 minutes - (please see below for required selections - include a list of these selections), a proposed program not to exceed 30 minutes of music, your resume, and a letter of intent which states why you feel you are the best candidate for this position. Please indicate the group for which you would like to be considered Nicole Snodgrass, Selection Committee Chairperson Cherokee High School 120 Tomlinson Mill Road Marlton, NJ 08053 nsnodgrass@lrhsd.org
What is the due date?
April 15, 2022
Anything postmarked after this date will be returned to sender. What happens next? The Conductor Selection Committee will review the submitted materials. Once the videos have been reviewed, all paperwork is read and assessed. The rubrics are collected, scores tallied and the lowest score is chosen. We use the same numeric scoring system as in the NJ All-State Chorus auditions. The chairperson does not participate in the scoring, but acts to organize the packets, give process direction to the committee members and provides the results to the Choral Procedures Committee. The chairperson does not share any information regarding the materials submitted and the panel is requested to keep their reviews confidential. To date, this system has worked with great success.
A WORD ABOUT THE MATERIALS YOU SUBMIT
*You must submit one selection from the NJ-ACDA high school required repertoire list. (Below is the link to the list.) https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1e6f8GGUg05z7z6RehQjDUnYXhz8adA56t7dzuNtWku4/ htmlview?pli=1 *Second piece - from your school repertoire, your school group. *Third piece – your choice – any ensemble. (Region, County, Honors) The required piece and the second piece MUST be your school ensemble. Your conducting must be visible throughout the recording. If you wish to be considered as the Mixed Chorus conductor, your 3 pieces should demonstrate Mixed Chorus repertoire. If you wish to be considered as the Treble Chorus conductor, your 3 pieces should demonstrate Treble Chorus repertoire. Please use your best judgment when submitting materials for consideration. Ask colleagues to review your work. Bring in all kinds of people to give you feedback! Consult the All-State conductors who have gone before you for critique and advice. Remember that we are looking for a conductor, so it does not work to your advantage if your video does not include considerable evidence of your conducting! The panel cannot assess your conducting if your group is filmed from the rear of an auditorium and all that is seen is your back! You may submit work representative of different ensembles in your school, but NO MORE THAN THREE selections. Good Luck!!! We look forward to hearing from you.
K-12 Ed Tech & Innovation
Shawna Longo shawnalongo[at]gmail.com
Fellow Music Educators!
Please consider participating in the 2022 NJMEA Music Technology Expo! This year's expo will be held at Lakehouse Recording Studios in Asbury Park, New Jersey. This world class facility will allow our student composers, producers and songwriters to present their work in an inspiring space that will provide an incredible culminating experience for all of our student technologists. Your students will have the opportunity to:
• Observe a live recording session with world class performers and audio engineers • Participate in workshops that teach them how music technology is leveraged throughout a professional creative studio • Present and have their work adjudicated by leaders in our local and national music industry • Connect with other student musicians from across NJ
Our planning committee this year has really worked hard to ensure all of your students have an environment that values and celebrates music creation across all genres & presentation mediums. We truly hope to see you at the event and cannot wait to hear some of your students' work!
The registration deadline for the event is March 7th so please speak with your administrators now to reserve a spot! Please note that this festival is most appropriate for grades 6-12, but any students are welcome to attend whether they are submitting work or not. Please go to the NJMEA website for more information under the "festivals" tab.
School Name:
School Address:
Director’s Name :
Home Address: City:
Email:
The 67th Junior High/Middle School Choral Festival Application Form
City:
State: School Phone:
Home Phone :
Zip: Zip:
NAfME Membership #: Expiration Date: _______________ (Please include a photocopy of your NAfME card)
Name of performing group:
Voicing: Number of singers:
Number of rehearsals per week: Please check the appropriate category below:
(during school: (evening): (before school): (after school):
Will participate at Rowan University, (South Site) March 17, 2022: 9:15 - 1:30 pm: (Snow date: March 18th)
Will participate at Rutgers University, (North Site) May 25, 2022: 9:15 - 1:30 pm:
We can arrive at: We must depart no later than:
Proposed Program (Time limit: Not to exceed 10-12 minutes, no more than 3 titles) THIS SECTION MUST BE COMPLETED AT THIS TIME! Please Print or Type Legibly
Selection (Maximum of 3)
1.
2.
3.
Complete Name of Composer/Arranger
(If any of the above titles are folk songs, please indcate country or region of origin)
Voicing
FEE: $150.00 per group (non-refundable)
FESTIVAL DATES: (Limited to the first TEN (10) Groups on each date)
DEADLINES: Wednesday, February 9, 2022 for Rowan University Thursday, March 17, 2022 (Snow Date: March 18, 2022) Wednesday, April 13, 2022 for Rutgers University South Site: Rowan University TIME: 9:15 - 1:30 pm
SEND TO: Donna Marie Berchtold, Registrar 545 South Buffalo Avenue Wednesday, May 25, 2022
Galloway Township South Egg Harbor, NJ 08215-1720 North Site: Rutgers University TIME: 9:15 - 1:30 pm
EMAIL: firesongwed@gmail.com
FESTIVAL HOST: Donna Marie F. Berchtold & Karen Blumenthal firesongwed@gmail.com Other information including directions and schedules will be mailed.
ALL INCOMPLETE FORMS WILL BE RETURNED! MAKE CHECK PAYABLE TO NJMEA (Do not send cash) CHECKS MUST ACCOMPANY ALL REGISTRATION FORMS Purchase Orders Are NOT Accepted BE SURE TO INCLUDE A PHOTOCOPY OF YOUR NAfME CARD
Retired Members/Mentorship
Kathleen Spadafino kspadeb[at]aol.com
As the music community slowly moves through another difficult year, we retired teachers are will all of you - cheering you on from the sideiines and commiserating as we hear reports from our friends and colleagues. Part of our initiative this year is advocacy, both in our towns and our former schools. Our president, Ron Dolce, has reached out to all retirees through email and hopefully some of you joined us at the February conference where we discussed this topic at length. We also celebrated Karen Gorzynski when she was honored as the 2021 Master Music Teacher. We are constantly working to increase our membership, and we hope you can join us for our Spring General Membership meeting on Wednesday May 18 at 10:15 am. We will be meeting at the Asbury Park Music Foundation and will have a tour of their studios. Please contact Ron at rdolce561@aol.com or myself at kspadeb@aol.com for more information. Come out and join other musicians who are passionate about keeping music alive into the future!
Inclusion/Diversity/Equity/Access
Katy Brodhead njmea.idea[at]gmail.com
At this year's NJMEA Music Conference, the IDEA Committee had the opportunity to meet with many of the outstanding music educators from across our state to share updates and discuss next steps in Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Access.
We are now forming subcommittees that will each support a key initiative to ensure that our association is accessible by and representative of all the educators and students in our state. Email NJMEA.IDEA@gmail.com to learn more or join us in this work!
The IDEA Committee is also conducting a survey to gather information about Music Teacher equity and culturally responsive teaching practices that will be used to guide NJMEA decision-making. All teacher participants who complete the survey will have a link to a certificate of completion worth one (1) hour of Professional Development from NJMEA. Please reach out directly for more information.
In case you missed it, the Central Jersey Music Educators Association (CJMEA) recently added a Diversity & Inclusion position to their board! Division Chair Isaiah C. Mason can be reached at imason@cjmea.org. On March 19th, CJMEA is hosting a virtual zoom professional development session on music and special learners. More information on this *FREE* PD session that is open to all can be found at https://cjmea.org/professional-development.html.
THE HARTT SCHOOL
SUMMERTERM 2022
Jazz for the Common Pianist Greg Babal Music Business I—Starting a Modern Music Label: Contracts and Formation Marcus Thomas Music Business II—Beats Working: Music Publishing and Licensing Marcus Thomas World Music Pedagogy Juliana Cantarelli Vita
SESSION 1 JUNE 27–JULY 1 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
A Ukulele Curriculum from Beginner to Advanced Ken Trapp Jazz for the Common Pianist—NEW Greg Babal Jump Start: Energizing Student Leadership and Programming Within Your Music Program Scott Glaser 2 credits, half-day, 8 a.m.–noon Producing and Marketing Class for Music Teachers Kristin Huffman Low Brass Refresher Matt Russo 2 credits, half-day, 1–5 p.m. High Brass Refresher Daniel Daddio 2 credits, half-day, 8 a.m.–noon Music Business I—Starting a Modern Music Label: Contracts and Formation —NEW Marcus Thomas
We are planning for a full, in-person 2022 Summerterm. The University of Hartford will continue to follow State and CDC guidelines for the health and safety of students, faculty, and staff. Please check the website for updates.
SESSION 2 JULY 5–8 8 a.m.–5 p.m.
The Music and Literacy Connection Dee Hansen 2 credits, half-day, noon–5 p.m. Movement-Based Active Learning Through Orff Schulwerk: A Process Developed by Phyllis Weikart Penny Mahoney Music Business II— Beats Working: Music Publishing and Licensing—NEW Marcus Thomas
SESSION 3 JULY 11–15 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
Designing Standards-Based Teaching and Learning in the Arts Dee Hansen July 11–14, 9 a.m.–3 p.m. Extraordinary Ensembles—Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Access Chris Ramos Diverse Learners in the Music Classroom Heather Wagner
SESSION 5 JULY 25–29 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
Instrumental Conducting Clinic Glen Adsit and Edward Cumming World Percussion for Instrumental and Vocal Music Educators Ben Toth 2 credits, half-day, 1–5 p.m. Concert Percussion for Music Educators Ben Toth 2 credits, half-day, 8 a.m.–noon School String Fleet Maintenance Glen Grigel K–12 Choral Music Teaching Edward Bolkovac and Julie Hagen Upper Strings Refresher Melinda Daetsch 2 credits, half-day, 8 a.m.–noon Lower Strings Refresher David Kramer 2 credits, half-day, 1–5 p.m.
SESSIONS 4-5 JULY 18–29
THE HARTT KODÁLY CERTIFICATION PROGRAM John Feierabend, Edward Bolkovac, Connie Greenwood, Jeff Rhone, Gabor Viragh
SESSION 4 JULY 18–22 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
Teaching Children to Create and Conduct Music Glen Adsit Arranging for Choral and A Cappella Singing Andrey Stolyarov World Music Pedagogy Juliana Cantarelli Vita Band Instrument Maintenance Glen Grigel Flute, Clarinet, and Saxophone Refresher Andrew Studenski 2 credits, half-day, 8 a.m.–noon Double Reeds Refresher Michael Raposo 2 credits, half-day, 1–5 p.m. THE FEIERABEND ASSOCIATION FOR MUSIC EDUCATION (FAME) First Steps in Music® Connie Greenwood Conversational Solfege™ Beginning
John Feierabend Conversational Solfege™ Advanced John Feierabend
SUMMERS ONLY MASTER OF MUSIC EDUCATION Earn your MMusEd during the summer.
Choose an emphasis in Pedagogy or Kodály and complete 37–42 credits in just three summers!
hartford.edu/hartt/summerterm
Special Learners
Maureen Butler maureenbutlermusic[at]gmail.com
The February conference was a wonderful opportunity for music teachers to learn more about how to include special learners in their classes. Many thanks to the presenters who shared valuable information and insight!
At this point in the school year, it’s more important than ever that we don’t lose sight of the special learners in our classrooms. Let’s continue to evaluate how they are managing, and seek ways to ensure that they are learning in ways that are meaningful and enriching, in any setting. If you have questions or concerns, feel free to reach out to me. The members of our state Special Learners committee have a variety of experiences and backgrounds, and would be happy to help!
Also, if you’ve developed successful strategies working with special learners that you’d like to share, consider writing about them in TEMPO. Your insight could be just what someone else is looking for!
Orchestra Performance/Festivals
Susan Meuse susanmeuse[at]gmail.com
As I am writing this, we are very excited to be planning in person auditions this year. They will be held on Saturday, March 19 at JP Stevens High School in Edison. Both the High School (ASO) and Intermediate (ASIO) auditions will be taking place at this time. Auditions Chair Sue Mark is hard at work preparing for the event.
Unfortunately, the 2022 Middle/Junior High School Orchestra Festival has been canceled. We are hoping to bring the event back next year and would like to see new groups participate. Please let me know if you are interested!
At the end of April, the ASIO will begin rehearsing. Dr. Arvin Gopal (East Brunswick HS) will be conducting. The group will rehearse and perform in person.
82 Years of Unparalleled Opportunities for Exceptional Music Students
The Philadelphia Youth Orchestra is one of the world’s top youth orchestras. Under the direction of Maestro Louis Scaglione and guidance from prestigious faculty members, students from the tri-state area receive superior technical, musical, performance, and life skills instruction through PYO Music Institute’s six program divisions: Philadelphia Youth Orchestra for ages 15-21; Philadelphia Young Artists Orchestra for ages 13-18; Young Musicians Debut Orchestra for ages 11-17; Bravo Brass for ages 12-21; Prysm Strings for ages 6-14; and Tune Up Philly - Orchestral Pathways Program, an after-school engagement program from 1st-8th grade students.
Audition
The PYO Music Institute hosts auditions throughout the year. For application forms, audition schedules and info visit online: pyomusic.org/audition
Attend
For a full schedule of upcoming performances, please visit pyomusic.org
