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[email protected]. |
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NEMFA Calendar 2018-2019
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March 21-23, 2019 - 92nd Concert Festival, Woodstock Academy, Woodstock, CT
June 1, 2019 - Executive Board Meeting, 10:00am, Holiday Inn Express, Brattleboro, VT
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President's Message -
Marjorie Rooen |
February, 2019
Dear Membership,
I am looking forward to the 2019 NEMFA Concert Festival at The Woodstock Academy in Woodstock Connecticut March 21-23. Most, if not all the information you need is on line, including tickets for the performances. Both Amy Ranta and Lauren Churchill have been wonderful to work with in this effort.
We will have a Director's Forum to discuss our revamped Constitution and By-Laws. This revamp has been a 2.5-year process, and this is the final draft approved by the Executive Board. We will be answering any questions you may have at this time. There will be a vote by the membership at our General Meeting. There will be a link on the NEMFA Website at the beginning of March so you can read it ahead of time before the vote.
See you in March!
Sincerely,
Marjorie Rooen
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Secretary's Report - NEMFA Executive Board
completed by Steffen Parker for Lyvie Beyrent
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New England Music Festival Association
Executive Board Meeting
Americinn
375 Voluntown Rd, Griswold, CT 06351
Time: 7:30ish December 7, 2018
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Call to Order
- 7:52 PM by President Marj Rooen
- Roll Call
- Members: Scott Benson, John Deeb, Marj Rooen, Bill Sittard, Sal Ciccarella, Danielle Conerty, Rob Gattie, Steffen Parker, John Kuhner; Guest: Lauren Churchill
- Association Member Comments
- None
- Minutes September 8, 2018 - Frank Whitcomb (move, accept, vote)
- Correction of location to The Woodstock Academy
- MOTION to accept (Deeb / Benson): Approved
- Board Member Reports:
- Executive Secretary/Treasurer - Bill Sittard
- We have a balance of $6106.81 at start of weekend
- Morgan-Stanley & Checking account amounts in alignment with past December reports
- MOTION to accept (Rob Gattie / Scott Benson): Approved
- Past President - Sal Cicciarella
- In discussion with Jennifer Chambers (Hanover High School) on possible Concert Festival there
- President Elect - John Deeb
- No report
- Bulletin - Tom Reynolds
- Not present: No report
- Solo & Ensemble Festival - Steffen Parker & Rob Gattie
- Mr. Gattie: Good Northern S&E; Two more vocal solos adjudicators in the north, two more string adjudicators in the south; Typical concerns shared by sponsors in the week in between, but nothing unusual and none that requires any board action
- Mr. Kuhner asked what those concerns were in general; Mr. Gattie & Mr. Parker responded with examples
- Solo & Ensemble Performance Selection process - Steffen Parker
- Mr. Parker presented a set of procedures to follow for selecting the Solo & Ensemble Performances to be featured in the Concert Festival
- Discussion involved making sure that only nomination come from any adjudicator and that only the board be involved in the decision making
- MOTION to accept with those clarifications (Gattie / Deeb): Approved
- Member Services/Background Checks- John Kuhner
- Mr. Kuhner asked that we change our background check from the basic one to the complete one offered by LexisNexis
- Change would almost double the individual cost
- Discussion included the need to provide due diligence for our students, sponsors and supporters
- MOTION to have our background checks done in this manner (Gattie / Parker): Approved
- Librarian - Frank Whitcomb
- Not present: No report
- Chorus Manager - Eddie Wilkins
- Not present: No report
- Orchestra Manager - Scott Benson
- Mr. Benson noted that Alan Tinkham has agreed to be our Orchestra Conductor for 2020
- He also noted that he will be asking Brian Norcross to be our Orchestra Conductor in 2021
- Band Manager - Danielle Conerty
- Ms. Conerty reported that all is set for this year
- She also noted that Dr. Beth Peterson has agreed to be our Band Conductor in 2020
- Festival Hosts - Amy Ranta & Lauren Churchill
- Ms. Churchill reported for The Woodstock Academy;
- Tickets & t-shirts on sale now online
- Percussion equipment being supplied by Majestic percussion and that slightly used equipment will be for sale afterwards
- Maps, hotels & directions ready for website
- Recording engineer has been contracted (has done festivals before)
- 375 beds ready for guests; Forms being collected for background checks; Awaiting student list (to be sent on February 1st )
- Mr. Cicciarella ask about the timing of choral hearings: Mr. Parker responded that they depend on available space, number of pianos, number of volunteer adjudicators
- Mrs. Churchill noted that their Booster Club will be offering pre-ordered food for student lunches on Thursday. The form to be included with other pre-festival mailings
- President's Report - Marjorie Rooen
- Membership Directory (Online info and/or form at S & E Festival)
- Ms. Rooen noted that it was in-progress and would be valuable as an aide to members to learn each others and network better
- She noted that it would need to be password-protected
- Liability Insurance
- Mr. Sittard noted that we have an NEMFA general liability policy for our events
- He noted that NEMFA would pay for a board member's membership in the NFHS Music Association to fall under their personal liability insurance
- Email scams
- Ms. Rooen said that the recent use of our board emails for spam & scams has been investigated
- Centennial Celebration
- Committee Members
- Ms. Rooen noted that only Mr. Thomas Reynolds and Mr. Parker had volunteered to serve on this committee.
- Mr. Cicciarella offered to serve on the committee as well
- Chair for the Committee
- Currently no one has volunteered for this position
- Unfinished Business
- By Laws
- Initial proposal shared by Mr. Frank Whitcomb via email
- Mr. Gattie presented that proposal to the board
- Discussion: several points raised by board members:
- Needs to include Executive-Secretary
- Refund policy
- Correction on which members should be listed as elected (President-Elect, Secretary and three managers, others to be appointed
- Some semantics, spellings, etc. to be corrected
- Mr. Gattie & Mr. Whitomb to resubmit for board approval via email
- A vote by membership planned for March meeting
- Instrumental Ensembles
- Ms. Rooen tabled this disucssion
- New Business
- New Southern S & E Festival hosts, Griswold HS
- Mr. Parker & Mr. Gattie said all is ready; Great site and supportive teachers
- Host for 2020 Concert Festival
- Mr. Cicciarella asked if others knew of anyone interested
- Membership
- Mr. Sittard & Mr. Parker reported that the number remains about the same with the usual transitions of some returning or joining anew and some leaving
10.
Future Dates
- Saturday December 15, 2018 S & E Festival - Snow Date
- Unneeded this year
- 2019 Concert Festival- Woodstock Academy, Woodstock CT, March 21-23, 2019.
- See Section 5:l above
- Future Concert Festival Dates:
2020 Concert Festival; March 19-21
2021 Concert Festival; March 18-20
2022 Concert Festival; March 17-19
2023 Concert Festival; March 16-18
11.
Any other business that could not be brought to the President before the setting of this agenda?
- None was reported
12.
NEMFA Executive Board Comments
- None was reported
13.
Adjournment
MOTION made (Parker / Gattie) @ 9:33: Approved
Respectfully submitted,
Steffen Parker
for the Recording Secretary
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Future NEMFA Concert Festival Dates
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March 21-23, 2019 - The Woodstock Academy,
Woodstock, CT
March 19-21, 2020
March 18-20, 2021
March 17-19, 2022
March 16-18, 2023
Be sure to mark these dates into your calendars. We are always in need of host schools for our concert festivals. If you have never hosted a NEMFA Concert Festival at your school, please consider doing so. It is a very rewarding experience for any school to be a host, and most every NEMFA Concert Festival has had a positive effect on the host school's music program for a long time after the festival is over. It is also a great way to raise funds for your local school program. Please contact President Marjorie Rooen if you have any further questions about hosting a NEMFA Concert Festival.
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2019 NEMFA Concert Festival - March 21-23, 2019
The Woodstock Academy, Woodstock, CT
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The 2019 NEMFA Concert festival will be held from
March 21-23, 2019 at The Woodstock Academy, in Woodstock, CT. ALL FESTIVAL EVENTS ARE AT THE WOODSTOCK ACADEMY, SOUTH CAMPUS (not North). It is hosted by in 2019 by Amy Ranta & Lauren Churchill, co-hosts. Band, Chorus and Orchestra concerts are on Saturday, March 23rd. This year's Festival Fee is $105 per student. Looking forward to seeing you all there!
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2019 NEMFA Concert Festival - Tentative Schedule
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This is a tentative schedule, subject to further revisions:
Thursday, March 21st
10:00 AM - Registration Opens - Lobby
10:00 AM - 12:30pn - On-Site Hearings - Assigned Rooms - Choral Remedial Session - Assigned Room
1:30 PM - General Meeting - Auditorium
2:15 PM - Rehearsals
Band: Band Room - Chorus: Auditorium - Orchestra: Chorus Room
2:30 PM - String Reseatings - Classrooms
5:00 PM - Band & Orchestra Dinner - Cafeteria
5:45 PM - Chorus Dinner - Cafeteria
Band & Orchestra Rehearsals Resume - Same locations
6:30 PM - Chorus Rehearsal Resumes- Auditorium
7:30 PM - Director's Forum - Meeting Room
8:15 PM - Host Family Meeting - Gymnasium
9:00 PM - Students & Hosts Meet - Gymnasium
11:00 PM - Curfew
Friday, March 22nd
8:00 AM - Directors' Hospitality - Meeting Room
8:30 AM - Rehearsals Begin - Same locations as Thursday
8:30 AM - Past Presidents' Meeting - Conference Room
10:00 AM - Executive Board Meeting - Conference Room
12:15 PM - Chorus Lunch - Cafeteria
12:45 PM - Band & Orchestra Lunch - Cafeteria
12:45 PM - Chorus Rehearsal - Auditorium
1:15 PM - Band & Orchestra Rehearsal - Same locations
2:30 PM - Annual NEMFA Meeting - Meeting Room
5:00 PM - Hosts Pickup Students - Gymnasium
5:00 PM - Solo & Ensemble Performers - Dress Rehearsal - Auditorium
6:00 PM - Directors' Reception - Headquarters Hotel
11:00 PM - Curfew
Saturday, March 23rd
8:30 AM - Directors' Hospitality - Meeting Room
9:00 AM - Luggage Drop-off - Gymnasium
9:30 AM - Band Dress Rehearsal - Auditorium; Orchestra Rehearsal - Band Room; Chorus Rehearsal - Gymnasium
11:00 AM - Band Rehearsal - Band Room
11:30 AM - Orchestra Dress Rehearsal - Auditorium
12:30 PM - Chorus Lunch - Cafeteria
1:00 PM - Band & Orchestra Lunch - Cafeteria
Band & Orchestra Students change - Gym Locker Rooms
1:30 PM - Band & Orchestra Rehearsals - Morning locations
Band & Orchestra Warm-ups - Gymnasium
2:00 PM - CONCERT - ORCHESTRA & BAND
3:00 PM - Chorus Students Change - Gym Locker Rooms
3:30 PM - Chorus Warm-ups - Morning locations
4:00 PM - CONCERT - CHORUS
6:00 PM - Festival Concludes
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2019 NEMFA Concert Festival - Headquarters Hotel
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COMFORT INN & SUITES
16 Tracy Road, Dayville, CT, 06241, US
Phone: (860) 779-3200 Fax: (860) 779-9113
100% Smoke Free Hotel
REMEMBER TO MENTION NEMFA TO GET A SPECIAL RATE!
MORE INFO
The Comfort Inn & Suites Dayville, CT hotel is located off Interstate 395 near the Quinebaug River. Come experience our friendly service and cozy accommodations.
Amenities include:
Free WiFi
Free hot breakfast
Free parking
Indoor heated pool
Fitness center
Smoke Free
Pet Friendly
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2019 NEMFA Concert Festival - Area Restaurants and Hotels
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Local Restaurants
Sweet Evalina's Stand 688
CT-169, Woodstock, CT 06281
860-928-2206
Courthouse Bar and Grille
121 Main Street, Putnam, CT 06260
860-963-0074
Black Dog Bar and Grille
146 Park Road, Putnam, CT 06260
860-928-0501
Vanilla Bean Café
450 Deerfield Road, Pomfret, CT 06258
860-928-1562
Grill 37
37 Putnam Road, Pomfret Center, CT 06259
860-315-5640
85 Main
85 Main Street, Putnam, CT 06260
860-928-1660
The Crossings Restaurant and Brew Pub
45 South Main St, Putnam, CT 06260
860-928-3663
Someplace Special
58 South Main St, Putnam, CT 06260
860-928-6660
Giant Pizza
64 Providence Pike, Putnam, CT 06260
860-928-0060
Giant Pizza
43 Westcott Road, Danielson, CT 06239
860-774-0058
Heirloom Food Company
630 North Main St, Danielson, CT 06239
860-779-3373
Jade Garden Chinese Food-Putnam
319 Kennedy Drive, Putnam, CT 06260
860-928-5351
Jade Garden Chinese Restaurant-Danielson
749 N Main Street, Danielson, CT
860-774-7100
China Star
205 Kennedy Drive, Putnam, CT 06260
860-928-1688
The Thai Place
241 Kennedy Drive, Putnam, CT 06260
860-963-7770
Zip's Diner
Rt 101 and 12, Dayville, CT 06241
860-774-6335
Bills Bread and Breakfast
149 Providence St, Putnam, CT 06260
860-928-9777
Main Street Grille
172 Main Street, Putnam, CT 06260
860-928-3336
Jessica Tuesday's
35 Main Street, Putnam, CT 06260
860-928-5118
Woodstock Grill and Pizza
41 CT-171, Woodstock, CT 06281
860-963-7757
Sherwood's Restaurant and Bar
35 CT-171, Woodstock, CT 06281
860-963-2080
Pizza 101
16 Mashamoquet Road, Pomfret Center, CT 06259
860-928-5566
Coffee
Baker's Dozen
24 Mashamoquet Road, Pomfret Center, CT 06259
860-928-6469
Ben's Beans Coffee Roasters
164 Main Street, Putnam, CT 06260
774-402-4238
Vanilla Bean Café
450 Deerfield Road, Pomfret, CT 06258
860-928-1562
Victoria's Station Café
91 Main Street, Putnam, CT 06260
860-928-2600
Numerous Dunkin' Donuts Putnam, Dayville, Danielson, Woodstock
Hotels and Inn's-Other than host hotel
The Inn at Woodstock Hill
94 Plaine Hill Road, Woodstock, CT 06281
860-928-0528
B & B at Taylor's Corner
880 Rt-171, Woodstock, CT 06260
860-974-0490
The Mansion at Bald Hill
29 Plaine Hill Road, Woodstock, CT 06281
860-974-3456
La Quinta Inn and Suites
18 Pratt Road, Plainfield, CT 06374
860-564-1010
**This hotel is about 25 minutes from The Woodstock Academy. Right off of highway 395. About 10 minutes from host hotel.
AmericInn by Wyndham
375 Voluntown Rd, Griswold, CT 06351
860-591-9481
**This hotel is about 35 minutes from The Woodstock Academy. Right off of highway 395. About 20 minutes from host hotel. Also, about 20 minutes to Foxwoods Casino.
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NEMFA Concert Festival - March 21-23, 2019
Lunch Information
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The Woodstock Academy Music Department is very excited to be hosting the festival this March! In an effort to make your lives easier, you can preorder lunch for you and your students for the first day of the festival, Thursday, March 21st.
Click here for a direct link to the Lunch - Grinder Form. We know that it can often be difficult to find a place to stop along the route to the host site, so this year you can preorder grinders (sub sandwiches) and not have to worry! Your order will be waiting for you when you arrive. Please fill out the order form and return it, along with payment, to the address indicated on the form. We look forward to seeing you in March!
Directors/Sponsors: Please remind your students that the t-shirt, tickets, recording and photos order forms are all on line. Please check:
http://www.nemfa.org for links.
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2019 NEMFA Concert Festival - Ticket Order Form Links
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Please use the following online direct link to complete orders for TICKETS:
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2019 NEMFA T-Shirt/Apparel Order Form Links
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OR Choose weblink on nemfa. org (same form)
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2019 NEMFA Concert Recording Order Form Links
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2019 NEMFA Group Photo Order Form Links
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2019 NEMFA Concert Festival - Directions to
The Woodstock Academy
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If using GPS, please enter 150 Route 169, Woodstock, CT 06281. DO NOT simply input Woodstock Academy because we have 2 campuses. We are at the SOUTH campus.
Click on this link for a campus map.
DIRECTIONS TO THE WOODSTOCK ACADEMY FROM SOUTHERN CT
Take I-95 N to exit 76- LEFT EXIT
STAY IN THE LEFT LANE- to merge onto I-395-N
Take I-395-N to exit 45- Kennedy Drive, Putnam, CT
Take a right at the end of the exit ramp and follow to the 2nd traffic light
Take a left at the second traffic light and go over bridge, Woodstock Avenue. Continue straight at the 4-way stop sign.
Continue straight at the traffic light.
Continue on Woodstock Avenue (RT-171) for approximately 2.5 miles.
Take a left onto Norwich Worcester Tpke (RT-169)
The Woodstock Academy will be approximately half of a mile up the road on your right. Please take the 4th driveway into The Center for the Arts.
DIRECTIONS TO THE WOODSTOCK ACADEMY FROM WESTERN CT
Take I-84W to exit 69
Take a right at the end of the exit ramp-Route 74 E
Continue on RT 74 E for approximately 7 miles until it intersects with RT-44
Take a left onto RT-44 E
Continue on RT-44 E into Pomfret. The road will split to RT-44 and RT-101. Stay in left lane and take a left to continue on RT-44
At the stop sign, take a left to continue on RT 44
Go straight at the 4-way stop sign intersection to RT-169 N
The Center for the Arts will be on your left approximately 2 miles from 4-way stop sign intersection.
DIRECTIONS TO THE WOODSTOCK ACADEMY FROM MA
Take the Massachusetts Turnpike I-190E towards Boston/Worcester
Take exit 10 to I-290 toward I-395 Worcester/Auburn/MA-12
Keep left to take the MA-12 N ramp toward I-395 S/Worcester/I-290 E/US-20 E/Oxford/Auburn/Webster/Providence/MA-146 S.
Keep left to take the I-290 E ramp toward I-395 S/US-20/Oxford/Worcester
Follow I-395S to exit 45- Kennedy Drive, Putnam, CT
Take a right at the end of the exit ramp and follow to the 2nd traffic light
Take a left at the second traffic light and go over bridge, Woodstock Avenue. Continue straight at the 4-way stop sign.
Continue straight at the traffic light.
Continue on Woodstock Avenue (RT-171) for approximately 2.5 miles.
Take a left onto Norwich Worcester Tpke (RT-169)
The Woodstock Academy will be approximately half of a mile up the road on your right. Please take the 4th driveway into The Center for the Arts.
DIRECTIONS TO THE WOODSTOCK ACADEMY FROM ME
Take I-95S to Massachusetts
Take exit 59 for I-495 S towards Worcester, MA
Take exit 25B for Interstate 290 W toward Worcester
I 290 W changes to 395 S when entering CT.
Follow I-395S to exit 45- Kennedy Drive, Putnam, CT
Take a right at the end of the exit ramp and follow to the 2nd traffic light
Take a left at the second traffic light and go over bridge, Woodstock Avenue. Continue straight at the 4-way stop sign.
Continue straight at the traffic light.
Continue on Woodstock Avenue (RT-171) for approximately 2.5 miles.
Take a left onto Norwich Worcester Tpke (RT-169)
The Woodstock Academy will be approximately half of a mile up the road on your right. Please take the 4th driveway into The Center for the Arts.
DIRECTIONS TO THE WOODSTOCK ACADEMY FROM NH
Take I-93S to I-293 S/Everett Turnpike, follow signs for Interstate 293 S/Manchester Airport/Manchester/Nashua
Continue onto US3-S
Use the right lane to take exit 30A-30B-31 for I-495/MA-
110 toward Marlboro/Lawrence/Chelmsford. Keep right at the fork to continue on Exit 30B, follow signs for I-495 S/Marlboro and merge onto I-495 S
Take exit 25B for Interstate 290 W toward Worcester
I 290 W changes to 395 S when entering CT.
Follow I-395S to exit 45- Kennedy Drive, Putnam, CT
Take a right at the end of the exit ramp and follow to the 2nd traffic light
Take a left at the second traffic light and go over bridge, Woodstock Avenue. Continue straight at the 4-way stop sign.
Continue straight at the traffic light.
Continue on Woodstock Avenue (RT-171) for approximately 2.5 miles.
Take a left onto Norwich Worcester Tpke (RT-169)
The Woodstock Academy will be approximately half of a mile up the road on your right. Please take the 4th driveway into The Center for the Arts.
DIRECTIONS TO THE WOODSTOCK ACADEMY FROM VT
Take I-89S to I-91S into Massachusetts
Follow I-91S to Massachusetts Turnpike I-190E towards Boston/Worcester
Take exit 10 to I-290 toward I-395 Worcester/Auburn/MA-12
Keep left to take the MA-12 N ramp toward I-395 S/Worcester/I-290 E/US-20 E/Oxford/Auburn/Webster/Providence/MA-146 S.
Keep left to take the I-290 E ramp toward I-395 S/US-20/Oxford/Worcester
Follow I-395S to exit 45- Kennedy Drive, Putnam, CT
Take a right at the end of the exit ramp and follow to the 2nd traffic light
Take a left at the second traffic light and go over bridge, Woodstock Avenue. Continue straight at the 4-way stop sign.
Continue straight at the traffic light.
Continue on Woodstock Avenue (RT-171) for approximately 2.5 miles.
Take a left onto Norwich Worcester Tpke (RT-169)
The Woodstock Academy will be approximately half of a mile up the road on your right. Please take the 4th driveway into The Center for the Arts.
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2019 NEMFA Chorus Manager
Eddie Wilkin
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 Chorus Program
for Concert Festival 2019
Cry out and shout - Knut Nystedt
Weep o mine eyes - John Bennet
Laetatus Sum - J. Michael Haydn
Got a mind to do right - David Morrow
The Garden of Love - Rodney Money
Flight Song - Kim André Arnesen
My Song - Ēriks Esenvalds
Dear Colleagues and Friends,
I hope this letter finds each and every one of you well, at a time of new! In the midst of coming back from summer fun, relaxation, and rejuvenation we find our selves back in the classroom with new students, new music, a new view on a journey!
As I enter my new role as Chorus Manager for the New England Music Festival, I reach out to you with a new welcome and thank you! Thank you for all that you do for all of our excellent students and communities. What you do in the classroom is life-changing for so many of our students all across New England! Thank you.
I will be reaching out to many of you in regards to helping me with the new job. Please contact me if you would like to help me this year as part of the Chorus Committee, On-site Hearing, etc. (email: [email protected]).
Our conductor for the 2019 concert festival is Dr. TJ Harper, Chair and Director of Choral Activities from Providence College in Providence, Rhode Island. As an active conductor in both the United States and International countries, he has chosen a program that highlights both the Soprano and Altos, and Tenors and Bass sections by selecting an SSAA and TTBB piece for the concert. The music selected for the program provides challenging and educating musical selections. Please refer to the list below. Dr. Harper is looking forward to working with your students and our wonderful organization.
I hope all is well!
Keep Smiling,
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Conductor, pianist, and singer Eddie Wilkin encourages all to find their artistic voice through music. He comes to this philosophy from past experiences at home, in school, and through his recent musical activities.
Eddie studied Music Education at Castleton University (formerly Castleton State College), located in Castleton, Vermont. As a result of the opportunities he had with the ensembles under the supervision of Sherrill Blodget and Glenn Giles, he realized that he wanted to pursue conducting. After graduating with a Bachelors degree of Music in Music Education, he went on to pursue a Masters degree in Choral and Orchestral Conducting from the University of Rhode Island where he studied with Mark Conley, Ann Danis, Gene Pollart and Brian Cardany. Currently, he is finishing up at Castleton University for a second Masters in Music Education with a focus on The Community Choral experience and warm-ups designed for the aging singer. He has also accepted admission to the Doctorate of Education program at the University of New England to study Transformational Leadership.
During his undergraduate and graduate career Eddie has been an active conductor of large choral and instrumental groups such as Concert Choirs, Chamber Ensembles, Symphony Orchestras, Wind Ensembles, as well as Chamber Strings.
Currently, he is the Director of Choral Activities at Fair Haven Union High School, in Fair Haven Vermont. He is also the Artistic Director and founder of The Slate Valley Singers (a community chorus), the Conductor for the Rutland City Band, and at the Union Church of Proctor in Proctor, Vermont. Previous conducting appointments have been with Lakes Region Youth Orchestra, Grace Church in Rutland Vermont, and as a guest with The Philharmonic Orchestra "Mihail Jora" of Bacau, Romania. Professional appointments include President of the Green Mountain Music District, VT-ACDA Student Activities Chair, and the NEMFA- Choral Manager.
Eddie thoroughly enjoys working with all ages of vocal and instrumental ensembles with varied sizes and experience levels.
For more information: www.edwardwilkin.com
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2019 NEMFA Chorus Conductor
Dr. Todd J. Harper
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T. J. HARPER is the Chair of the Providence College Department of Music, Associate Professor of Music, and Director of Choral Activities at Providence College in Providence, Rhode Island. He is the 2015 Professor of the Year and recipient of the Joseph R. Accinno Teaching Award.
Choirs under the direction of Dr. Harper have performed at the 2017 National Association for Music Education (NAfME) Eastern Division Conference in Atlantic City, NJ, the 2014 NAfME National Conference in Nashville, TN, the 2013 American Choral Directors Association (ACDA) New England Collegiate Choral Conference in Keene, NH, the 2012 ACDA Eastern Division Conference in Providence, RI, the 2011 NAfME Eastern Division Conference in Baltimore, MD, and the 2010 Rhode Island Music Educators Association (RIMEA) Spring In-Service Conference. International performances by invitation include Austria (2015), Czech Republic (2015), Spain (2013), and Italy (2011).
Dr. Harper maintains an active schedule in the US and abroad as a guest conductor, clinician, and jury member. Recent engagements include residencies, guest conducting, lectures and master classes in China, Argentina, Sweden, Italy, Spain, Costa Rica, Mexico, Germany, South Korea, Thailand, Taiwan, Indonesia, Chile, Venezuela and honor choirs throughout the US.
Dr. Harper is a Board Member for the International Federation of Choral Music (IFCM), the Chair of the ACDA Standing Committee on International Activities and the Director of the ACDA International Conductors Exchange Program (ICEP). He is the Past-President of the Rhode Island Music Educators Association (RIMEA). He is the immediate Past-President of the Rhode Island chapter of the American Choral Directors Association.
Dr. Harper's research interests have led to funded research projects exploring voice-science in the choral rehearsal; the music of Johannes Brahms at the Brahms Institute in Lübeck, Germany and the Musikverein in Vienna, Austria; the music of Maurice Duruflé at St.
Peter's Abbey in Solesmes, France; and the folk music traditions of the Korean Peninsula at Dankook University in Seoul, South Korea. His publications have appeared in the ACDA Choral Journal, the IFCM International Choral Bulletin, the NAfME Online Choral Forum, and the RIMEA Music Education Journal-RIMER. Dr. Harper is also a contributing author to Student Engagement in Higher Education: Theoretical Perspectives and Practical Approaches for Diverse Populations. (Routledge)
Dr. Harper received the Doctor of Musical Arts degree from the University of Southern California where he graduated with honors. He received the Master of Arts in Choral Conducting from California State University, Northridge and the Bachelor of Arts degree and Choral Conducting from California State University, Fresno. He taught in the California public school system for six years and was honored for excellence in teaching in Who's Who Among America's Teachers. As a member of the Pi Kappa Lambda National Music Honor Society, NAfME, ACDA, Chorus America, NCCO and IFCM, Dr. Harper is an advocate for the promotion of undergraduate and graduate music education and choral music in the public schools.
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2019 NEMFA Orchestra Manager -
Scott Benson
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Dear Colleagues,
As I write this, our district has just cancelled all after-school activities due to the looming polar vortex. On such a day, mid-March and the first hints of spring seem an eternity away, but we all know how quickly the few weeks left until this year's Concert Festival will pass. Final preparations are underway, and I am eager to greet the students and sponsors of the 2019 Festival Orchestra when we all meet at The Woodstock Academy.
The upcoming 2019 Concert Festival Orchestra will be under the baton of Dr. Kathleen Horvath, whose biography is below. On the faculty of Case Western Reserve University, she has a wealth of experience as a conductor and as a soloist on the bass. She also conducts research into preventing performance-related injuries through correct positioning of the body, and develops teaching methods that facilitate accurate development of correct playing posture. She brings a unique set of skills and knowledge to the NEMFA stage, and I eagerly anticipate the work she does with our students.
The program Dr. Horvath has selected is exciting and challenging for every section: Wallingfor Riegger's "Dance Rhythms for Orchestra," the second and third movements of Howard Hanson's "Symphony No. 2," and Aaron Copland's "Hoe-Down." If you have a student who will be part of the orchestra, I hope you will guide them in exploring recordings and scores of these works to excite them and help better prepare their parts.
Finally, I'd like to ask anyone who might be willing to run a sectional with some of the orchestra students to please email me and let me know which groups you'd be comfortable with...whether it's "just the flutes," "the entire brass section," or something in between, any offer is greatly appreciated. I'm not certain yet if these sectionals will prove necessary, but I'd like to try to prepare for them ahead of time. Thank you in advance for your assistance.
As always, if you have any comments, questions, complaints, or suggestions regarding the NEMFA orchestra, please do not hesitate to be in touch. I look forward to seeing you all in March!
Sincerely,
Scott Benson
NEMFA Orchestra Manager
Director of Orchestras, Brien McMahon High School
Norwalk, CT
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2019 NEMFA Orchestra Conductor -
Dr. Kathleen A. Horvath
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Dr. Kathleen A. Horvath, Associate Professor of String Education and Pedagogy joined the Case faculty in 2001. Her duties on campus include teaching undergraduate and graduate level courses in music education, string pedagogy, supervising student teachers, directing the Case/University Circle Symphony Orchestra, and the Case Camerata Chamber Orchestra. She holds a Bachelor of Music from the Eastman School of Music (Double Bass), a Master of Arts in Performance and String Pedagogy and Doctor of Philosophy in Music Education from The Ohio State University.
Her research is primarily focused on the prevention of performance related injuries through correct positioning of the body and the accompanying teaching methodology that facilitates accurate development. This methodology fosters efficient performance technique through muscle memory and movement activities with special emphasis placed on the adolescent child. Her recent publications include articles and reviews in Music Educators Journal, Triad, Scroll, Bass World, American String Teacher, Council of Research in Music Education, and the Southeastern Journal of Music Education.
In the summer of 1998 she coordinated and directed the Paul Rolland String Pedagogy Symposium at the University of Illinois and compiled, edited, and authored "The Legacy of His Work: the Paul Rolland String Pedagogy Symposium". In addition, she has authored several sections in books that specifically deal with string education issues and include Teaching Music Through Performance in Orchestra, the String Syllabus, Applications of Research to String Education, and Strategies for Teaching Strings and Orchestra, a MENC publication. Her most recent book project with Robert McCashin, Brenda Mitchell and Joanne Erwin yielded a two volume string class method book entitled New Directions for Strings which is published by FJH Music.
In demand as a clinician, Horvath has presented for ASTA with NSOA Conferences such as the Eastman Symposium and Teaching Teachers: Two Side-by-Side Conferences and has presented at the Midwest Clinic; All Eastern MENC Conference; New York State School Music Association Winter Conference; Ohio Music Educators Conference; Georgia Music Educators Association; Alaska Music Educators Conference; and National Biennial Conferences in Kansas City and Nashville. Most recently presented a seminar on the pedagogy of Paul Rolland at the Universidad de Alcala, Aula de Musica in Madrid, Spain. She has been Artist Faculty at the National String Workshop and the American School of Double Bass since 1999. She has also served as visiting faculty at the South Carolina String Teacher Conference and the New York State ASTA with NSOA Summer String Conference. As a conductor Dr. Horvath has conducted festivals in North Carolina, Arkansas, Alaska, Pennsylvania, Illinois, New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Ohio, Georgia, and Montana. As an orchestral performer and recitalist on the Double Bass she has appeared with the symphonies of Wheeling (WV), Plymouth and New Bedford (MA), the ProMusica Chamber Orchestra of Columbus, Ohio and was a featured soloist at the 1996 Festival of Women Composers International. While in Illinois she was principal double bassist of the Champaign-Urbana Symphony, Opera Illinois, and the baroque Artists of Champaign-Urbana. Currently she performs with chamber groups around greater Cleveland. Dr. Horvath has over seven years of public school string teaching experience in the states of New York, Massachusetts, Ohio, and Georgia. She has served on the faculties of Southeastern Massachusetts University, Ashland University, University of Illinois, and The Eastman School of Music. Active in her profession, she maintains membership in the Ohio Music Education Association, Ohio String Teachers Association, American String Teachers with the National School Orchestra Association, and Music Educators National Conference.
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2019 NEMFA Band Manager
Danielle Conerty
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Dear Colleagues,
Greetings. This year, the band will be conducted by Dr. Cynthia Johnston Turner of the Hodgson School of Music at the University of Georgia. Dr. Turner has selected a fantastic program for the Concert Festival: Symbiopholie! by Jonathan Dagenais, Nurture by Edward Fairlie, American Guernica by Adolphus Hailstork, and Alleluia, Laudemus Te by Alfred Reed. Nurture happens to feature mallet percussion, and as always, this program as a whole presents diverse and frequent opportunities for percussionists. So, please, encourage your students to perform in the Solo & Ensemble Festival on mallets, timpani, and snare drum! I am looking forward to hearing this music come to life with our amazing New England student musicians this coming March 2019 in Woodstock, Connecticut.
It was a pleasure to serve in my first year as the NEMFA Band Manager and I look forward to serving as your NEMFA Band Manager once again.
Sincerely,
NEMFA Band Manager
NEMFA Band Manager
Band Director, Hartford High School
White River Jct., Vermont.
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2019 NEMFA Band Conductor
Dr. Cynthia Johnson Turner
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Cynthia Johnston Turner is in demand as a conductor, conducting and ensemble clinician, and speaker in the United States, Australia, Latin America, Europe, and Canada.
Before her appointment at the Hodgson School at the University of Georgia, Cynthia was Director of Wind Ensembles at Cornell University. Earlier in her career Cynthia was a high school music educator, taught middle school beginning instrumental music in Toronto and choral music in Switzerland. She currently serves as a conductor with the Syracuse Society of New Music, the Austrian Festival Orchestra, and the Paris Lodron Ensemble in Salzburg.
A Canadian, Cynthia completed her Bachelor of Music and Bachelor of Education degrees at Queens University and her Master of Music in music education and conducting at the University of Victoria. Touring with her ensembles inspired her master's thesis on the musical and personal transformations that occur on tours, and her D.M.A. thesis at the Eastman School of Music centered on the music of William Kraft, one of this generation's leading composers. At Eastman Cynthia was the recipient of the prestigious teaching award in conducting. She received the National Leadership in Education Award (Canada), the Excellence in Education Award (Ontario Secondary School Teachers Federation), and the Marion Drysdale Leadership Award (also from OSSTF). She is also the recipient of the Donald A. Reick Memorial Award for research with wearable technologies and music pedagogy, and the American Prize for innovative programming with wind bands.
Cynthia has commissioned numerous new works for wind band and orchestra, and she continues to actively promote commissions by today's leading and emerging composers around the world. Under her direction, the Cornell Wind Ensemble was invited to perform at the College Band Directors National Association's Eastern Division Conference in 2007 and 2012. In 2008, the Merrill Presidential Scholars at Cornell recognized Cynthia as an outstanding educator, and in 2009, she was awarded the Kaplan Family Distinguished Faculty Fellowship. Her performances have been praised by such composers as Steven Stucky, William Kraft, Steven Bryant, Marc Mellits, Eddie Mora, Dana Wilson, Roberto Sierra, Jesse Jones, and Karel Husa.
From January 2006, Cynthia led the Cornell Wind Ensemble on biennial performing and service tours to Costa Rica that included performances across the country, conducting master classes with Costa Rican teachers, instrument master classes for Costa Rican musicians, and the donation of over 250 instruments to music schools across the country.
Among other recent engagements, Cynthia has guest conducted the National Youth Wind Ensemble of Great Britain, the Syracuse Symphony ("Symphoria"), the National Youth Band of Canada, Concordia Santa Fe, the Ithaca College Wind Ensemble, the Eastman Wind Ensemble, the Latin American Honor Band, the National Band of Costa Rica, the National Orchestra of Heredia, and numerous state honor bands. Cynthia has been invited to present her research with teaching and technology, innovative rehearsal techniques, and service-learning and music performance at numerous conferences nationally and internationally. She is published in such journals as Music Educators Journal, Interdisciplinary Humanities, International Journal of the Humanities, Journal of the World Association of Bands and Ensembles, Fanfare Magazine, and Canadian Winds, and has recorded CDs with the Innova and Albany labels.
Cynthia serves as a board member with WASBE, and is an active member of CDBNA, Conductor's Guild, College Music Society, Humanities Education and Research Association, the National Association for Music Education, and National Band Association.
As Director of Bands and Professor of Music at the Hodgson School, Cynthia conducts the Wind Ensemble, teaches conducting, leads the MM and DMA programs in conducting, and oversees the entire Hodgson band program.
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Lowell Mason House Project
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by Thomas E. Reynolds
LOWELL MASON HOUSE REPORT
February, 2019
At this time of publication, the Lowell Mason House has received exterior painting in historic colors, completing the makeover in the final exterior construction phase, with new siding, windows and doors.
The Lowell Mason House has raised over $375,000.00 now towards the necessary $500,000.00 to complete the restoration of the house, to turn it into a museum and a meeting place. We are grateful to the 15 music educators associations around the United States that have made contributions towards its restoration, including the New England Music Festival Association. The NEMFA Executive Board recently voted to sponsor a window installation at the house, and this donation helped the Lowell Mason House meet a $25,000.00 Challenge Match that a local anonymous resident made, essentially doubling the amount of money that we raised in the last two months.
Construction work continues to progress. The first phase of construction that has been completed included the installation of new steel girder support beams, a new basement floor and windows in it, and a new roof. Upgrades to all windows and doors have been installed. New siding around the entire exterior of the house is now completed. The exterior phase recently completed is the painting the exterior of the house a grey color with cream trim and red doors.
The next phase is to develop the master plan for the interior of the house. We are at the point of bringing utilities into the house now including electricity, water, gas, and HVAC. We are planning to work with a consultant from Old Sturbridge Village in Sturbridge, Massachusetts to help us with plans for floors, ceilings, plaster work, trim, and interior fixtures.
It became my honor to assume being the President of the Lowell Mason House Executive Board in September, 2016 for the next two years.
We have also recently entered into a new partnership with the Mason & Hamlin Piano Company. Mason & Hamlin pianos are being built by hand at its factory in Haverhill, Massachusetts. If you are in need of a new piano, please contact me directly as well and I can get you linked up with Mason & Hamlin.
The mission of the Lowell Mason House is to preserve, restore, and promote Lowell Mason's birthplace as a significant historical and educational resource.
- Partnering with local arts organizations by providing office and meeting space to support the arts and the importance of arts education in our schools
- Building an up-to-date rehearsal and performance space which will include music technology and recording facilities
- Restoring and preserving the house to include a Lowell Mason museum
All cultivated within the home of the Father of Music Education, and fueled by a living endowment, fulfilling Lowell Mason's dream that
"Children must be taught music as they are taught to read."
Thank you so much for your interest and support in this project. As you can see, we are making great progress towards the full restoration of the house. Donations are always welcomed and we can now see the house moving closer to completion. Thank you for considering making a tax-deductible donation today. Please make checks payable to: The Lowell Mason House, P. O. Box 913 Medfield, MA 02052. Your contribution is tax-deductible as a charitable contribution to the extent provided by U.S. tax law. ·
- Thomas E. Reynolds
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Please feel free to drop me a line at [email protected] for any suggestions to improve the Bulletin. Find it also on
www.nemfa.org.
Hope that you are having a great school year!
Thomas Reynolds New England Music Festival Association, Inc. |
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