TENNESSEE MUSIC EDUCATION ASSOCIATION
CONCERT FESTIVAL
The TMEA State Concert Festival was created to provide a performance venue
for those wind and string instrumental programs that have been recognized by
their regional associations as having attained the highest level of excellence
in stage performance and sight reading. Qualification is by the
ensemble receiving a Superior rating at Regional Concert Festival during the
spring of the previous year. The festival consists of a performance of up to 25
minutes which is given taped constructive feedback by a panel of world-class
music educators. As this is a celebration of instrumental music in our State, no
ratings are given. At the conclusion of the stage performance, each ensemble
will have a 15-minute clinic with a member of the panel.
Dear TMEA Ensemble Conductor
If your ensemble received an invitation to the state concert festival it is because you qualified by receiving a superior rating at your 2011 concert festival. However, this year ensembles can qualify using superior ratings from either 2011 or 2012 concert festivals. Those ensembles that wish to use their 2012 rating as the qualifying rating will receive an invitation on site at there area festival. In order to accommodate the additional number of bands that may qualify we will accept the first 32 responses we receive.
In order to register you must return the R.S.V.P. card that you will eventually find on the TMEA website. That card will not be available for download until 9:00 AM EST on April 2 following the last concert festival in Tennessee. With this system bands that qualify in 2012 will have the same chance at receiving a timeslot as bands that qualified in 2011.
You will download the form at www.tnmea.org/Concert_Festival (starting on
April 2) and send it along with the $300 registration fee to the address on the form. The 32 earliest postmarked responses we receive will be scheduled. These postmark times will be adjusted for time zones.
Clinicians
Carl (Jeff) Bianci, Conductor, American Youth Philharmonic, Washington D.C.
Dr. Tim Rhea, Director of Bands, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX
Dr. Charles Menghini, President, Vandercook College of Music, Chicago, IL
George Edge, Director of Bands, Grove City High School, OH
As you can see this years panel of clinicians is extraordinary and I hope that bands will make plans to attend long before their place in the schedule is confirmed. Trends show us that it is likely that every band that wishes to attend this educationally beneficial event will be scheduled.
I look forward to hearing your ensemble in April!
Lafe Cook
State Band chair, TMEA
Please contact Lafe Cook with suggestions, ideas, etc. Proposed document will be presented to TMEA Council Band Caucus for review at 2009 Summer Council Meeting