MSVMA - Weekly Notes

Weekly Notes 10/28/2021

Thursday, October 28, 2021 2:22 PM | Hannah Miller (Administrator)

Have you wanted to work toward an advanced degree or participate in a non-degree choral music institute or workshop? Does study in the areas of choral conducting, composition, with emphasis on choral/vocal music, vocal music education and church music with vocal/choral emphasis sound interesting?

For more information, visit msvma.org/CarolynLeepScholarship.

The Carolyn F. Leep Scholarship was established in 1988 in honor of Carolyn‘s service to the Michigan School Vocal Music Association.

Scholarships are awarded to MSVMA members and must be used by the end of the next calendar year. Applicants must have at least three years teaching experience in Michigan and be able to return to MSVMA activities after using the scholarship.

Applications will be reviewed by the Carolyn F. Leep Scholarship Committee which is chaired by the Past President Angel Gippert. Applicants may be asked to participate in a video conference interview arranged at a mutually agreeable time.

Application deadline is November 15.

Apply Now

Michigan Music Conference 2022 Registration Open

MMC Registration Form

MMC is back! The Michigan Music Conference returns in person January 27 - 29, 2022. Registration is now open. The conference is held in Grand Rapids with sessions and performances being held at DeVos Place, Amway Grand Hotel and the J.W. Marriott. Inspiring presentations will be presented by our MSVMA colleagues and our headliner, Edith Copley, a regents’ professor emeritus at Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff where she served as director of choral students from 1993-2021.

In addition to educational sessions we will also have musical performances from our 6-7-8-9, high school traditional and jazz honors choirs and time to gather as we celebrate the members of MSVMA with election results, 2022 MSVMA Teacher of the Year and social time to get together with friends and colleagues. More details will follow, but be sure to place these dates on your calendar and plan to join us at MMC 2022.

Submitted by Wendee Wolf-Schlarf

Western Michigan University is hosting säje for the Jazz Masters Concert Series on Friday, November 5 at 8:00 PM in Dalton Recital Hall!

The concert will also feature WMU Advanced Jazz Ensemble, Gold Company, Western Jazz Collective, and Christian Euman.

Tickets available: https://wmumusic.ludus.com/index.php

Submitted by Elizabeth Townsend

ACDA-Michigan chooses Virginia Kerwin as the Maynard Klein Award winner for 2021

The Maynard Klein Award for Distinguished Service to Choral Music in Michigan is presented by ACDA-Michigan in recognition of artistic excellence and a lifetime of leadership in the field of choral music. The 2021 Maynard Klein Award was given to Virginia Kerwin on October 23 at the state conference held at Central Michigan University.

Ms. Kerwin is the founding artistic director and conductor of Voca Lyrica, an adult treble choir based in Big Rapids. She taught elementary general music for 7 years (New Jersey and Michigan), secondary vocal music for 15 years (Big Rapids Public Schools) and served as adjunct professor at Central Michigan University and Grand Valley State University. Ms. Kerwin additionally served as teacher/conductor for institutions such as, Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp, Michigan Ambassadors of Music, MSVMA Honors Choirs, and The University of Michigan All-State Camp at Interlochen, with presentation and performance honors from ACDA Michigan and Central Division Conferences, Michigan Youth Arts Festival and the Midwest Music Conference.

Ginny recently retired as the Executive Director of the Michigan School Vocal Music Association after serving in that position for 20 years. Ginny was instrumental in developing MSVMA’s current adjudication system. She contributed significantly to the growth and development of the Michigan Music Conference and the Michigan Youth Arts Festival having served as board chair of these organizations. Ginny also served on the ACDA Michigan Board as Northern Lower Peninsula Representative and Women’s R&S Chair (now known as the R & R chair position). She received many accolades throughout her career, but most notably, she was recognized by MMEA as Administrator of the Year and by MSVMA as Teacher of the Year. She can now add Maynard Klein Award winner to her long list of accolades. Ms. Kerwin is truly a trailblazer, mentor, an outstanding educator who inspires (still), champion of choral music, empowering leader, conductor, and amazing woman, colleague, wife, mother, daughter and friend...read more.

Submitted by Wendee Wolf-Schlarf

Regional Honors Choir/State Auditions Registration Deadline | October 29

Virtual Pre-Festival Video Submission Deadline | November 5

6-7-8-9 Honors Choir Fees and Forms Deadline

District Festival Transfer Request Deadline | November 15

Weekly Notes 10/21/2021

Thursday, October 21, 2021 2:03 PM | Hannah Miller (Administrator)

We are asking members to help gather current state-wide information on masking mandates and recommendations. The responses from this form will add one more valuable data source for our Board of Directors as we move forward toward implementing mitigation strategies for District Solo and Ensemble and Choral Festivals. We understand that these considerations not only affect our students, but whether or not judges are willing to judge our events. There is much to consider and many strong feelings on both sides of this topic, so we are hoping to get feedback from as many members as possible. Thank you!

Click here to compete the survey.

Regional Honors Choir/State Auditions Registration Deadline | October 29

District Festival Transfer Request Deadline | November 15

Weekly Notes 10/14/2021

Thursday, October 14, 2021 3:18 PM | Hannah Miller (Administrator)

We are asking members to help gather current state-wide information on masking mandates and recommendations. The responses from this form will add one more valuable data source for our Board of Directors as we move forward toward implementing mitigation strategies for District Solo and Ensemble and Choral Festivals. We understand that these considerations not only affect our students, but whether or not judges are willing to judge our events. There is much to consider and many strong feelings on both sides of this topic, so we are hoping to get feedback from as many members as possible. Thank you!

Click here to compete the survey.

Join us for Chamber Choir Festival!

November 8

West Site

East Grand Rapids HS, East Grand Rapids

November 16

East Site

Varner Hall, Oakland University, Rochester

October 20

Registration deadline

Our Chamber Festivals encourage ensemble singing and sharing of ensemble literature. These non-adjudicated events provide a concert arena for performance by middle, junior and high schools. Participating ensembles share and learn together and from each other.

There is no required piece for participation. Select music appropriate for solo and ensemble festival. Participants are encouraged to sing at least one selection a cappella. Performance should be 15 minutes or less.
The number of participants in each group should reflect the character and style of ensemble music. The recommended guideline is between 4 and a maximum of 24 performers.
Schools may send a maximum of two groups.

Ensembles performing in Chamber Choir Festivals must be seated in the concert hall for the duration of the Festival. This is an educational experience for all participants. Ensembles that do not attend the Festivals as listeners are subject to sanctions from Festivals by the MSVMA Board.

For more information, contact Director of Specialized Festivals Lyn CieChanski at lynciechanski.msvma.org.

Register Now

All Events for the Virtual Pre-Festival will be "comments only"

Registration Requirements

Students should be enrolled in grades 6 to 12 and members in good standing in their school's vocal music program.
Choirs typically must be comprised of 17 or more students. However, large ensembles (6-20 singers) are welcome to participate in the virtual choral festival this year.
The submission fee for each event is $25.
The registration deadline is October 15.

Register Now

High School Honors Choir Audition Deadline | October 14

Virtual Pre-Festival Registration Deadline | October 15

Chamber Choir Festival Application Deadline | October 20

Musical Theatre S&E Festival Registration Deadline | October 20

*Updated Survey Link*

Dear music education colleague,

I am writing to ask you to participate in a survey study about COVID-19 and secondary ensemble enrollment. The purpose of this research is to describe enrollment changes in school choral programs comparing the pre-pandemic year (2019) with this current year (2021-2022). Please click here to take the survey: https://msu.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_86Qb8BDOmAPmgGG

This research will have important implications for understanding how choral ensembles are faring amidst the ongoing disruptions to schooling normalcy represented by the pandemic. The survey should take about 10 minutes to complete. Participation is voluntary and all results will be anonymous/confidential. You also may stop participating at any time. You may also choose not to participate at all or you may refuse to answer certain questions.

If you have concerns or questions about this study, please contact the researcher (Ryan D. Shaw, 333 W. Circle Drive, East Lansing, MI 48824; rshaw@msu.edu).

If you have questions or concerns about your role and rights as a research participant, would like to obtain information or offer input, or would like to register a complaint about this study, you may contact, anonymously if you wish, the Michigan State University’s Human Research Protection Program at 517-355-2180, Fax 517-432- 4503, or e-mail irb@msu.edu or regular mail at 4000 Collins Rd, Suite 136, Lansing, MI 48910.

I deeply appreciate your help with this important research.

Sincerely,

Ryan Shaw

Weekly Notes 10/7/2021

Thursday, October 07, 2021 4:04 PM | Hannah Miller (Administrator)

All Events for the Virtual Pre-Festival will be "comments only"

Registration Requirements

Students should be enrolled in grades 6 to 12 and members in good standing in their school's vocal music program.
Choirs typically must be comprised of 17 or more students. However, large ensembles (6-20 singers) are welcome to participate in the virtual choral festival this year.
The submission fee for each event is $25.
Invoice and payment must be postmarked by October 15. Purchase orders are accepted.
Video submissions are due by Nov. 5.
Video MUST be titled "School Name, Ensemble Name".
Directors must upload a PDF of their sheet music via the Dropbox request link. Measures must be numbered. Music must be titled "School Name, Ensemble Name, Song Title"
Participants will receive their comments and clinics by Dec. 15, 2021.

Register Now

6-7-8-9 Honors Choir Audition Deadline | October 8

High School Honors Choir Audition Deadline | October 14

Virtual Pre-Festival Registration Deadline | October 15

Chamber Choir Festival Application Deadline | October 20

Musical Theatre S&E Festival Registration Deadline | October 20

The Adjudication Conference has been cancelled due to issues that we have been unable to resolve. The Conference will be rescheduled. Updates will be provided in Weekly Notes and on our website.

Thank you,

Pam Pierson, Director of Adjudication
Kelli Falls, Adjudication Scheduling Coordinator

Dear music education colleague,

I am writing to ask you to participate in a survey study about COVID-19 and secondary ensemble enrollment. The purpose of this research is to describe enrollment changes in school choral programs comparing the pre-pandemic year (2019) with this current year (2021-2022). Please click here to take the survey: https://msu.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_0OGP8nYSzyGR1ml

This research will have important implications for understanding how choral ensembles are faring amidst the ongoing disruptions to schooling normalcy represented by the pandemic. The survey should take about 10 minutes to complete. Participation is voluntary and all results will be anonymous/confidential. You also may stop participating at any time. You may also choose not to participate at all or you may refuse to answer certain questions.

If you have concerns or questions about this study, please contact the researcher (Ryan D. Shaw, 333 W. Circle Drive, East Lansing, MI 48824; rshaw@msu.edu).

If you have questions or concerns about your role and rights as a research participant, would like to obtain information or offer input, or would like to register a complaint about this study, you may contact, anonymously if you wish, the Michigan State University’s Human Research Protection Program at 517-355-2180, Fax 517-432- 4503, or e-mail irb@msu.edu or regular mail at 4000 Collins Rd, Suite 136, Lansing, MI 48910.

I deeply appreciate your help with this important research.

Sincerely,

Ryan Shaw

Weekly Notes 9/30/2021

Thursday, September 30, 2021 3:18 PM | Hannah Miller (Administrator)

All Events for the Virtual Pre-Festival will be "comments only"

Registration Requirements

Students should be enrolled in grades 6 to 12 and members in good standing in their school's vocal music program.
Choirs typically must be comprised of 17 or more students. However, large ensembles (6-20 singers) are welcome to participate in the virtual choral festival this year.
The submission fee for each event is $25.
Invoice and payment must be postmarked by October 15. Purchase orders are accepted.
Video submissions are due by Nov. 5.
Video MUST be titled "School Name, Ensemble Name".
Directors must upload a PDF of their sheet music via the Dropbox request link. Measures must be numbered. Music must be titled "School Name, Ensemble Name, Song Title"
Participants will receive their comments and clinics by Dec. 15, 2021.

Register Now

The Adjudication Conference has been cancelled due to issues that we have been unable to resolve. The Conference will be rescheduled. Updates will be provided in Weekly Notes and on our website.

Thank you,

Pam Pierson, Director of Adjudication
Kelli Falls, Adjudication Scheduling Coordinator

Greetings Teachers! We are excited to announce that our high school vocal competition is now open and we are accepting entries. First-round video entries are due November 1, 2021.

Please visit our website HERE for more information about the competition and entry details. Please share this attachment widely in emails, school enews, and your social media pages.

Submitted by Cori Somers

Register Now

Weekly Notes 9/2/2021

Thursday, September 02, 2021 3:28 PM | Hannah Miller (Administrator)

MSVMA would like to congratulate and welcome Kelli Falls to our team! Kelli is stepping into the role of Adjudication Scheduling Coordinator. She will be overseeing the Adjudication Conference, in-services, and scheduling of adjudicators for District Festivals and State Solo & Ensemble.

For more information, visit www.msvma.org/Adjudication.

Register Now

Make a difference as an MSVMA volunteer!

Choose a volunteer role and help MSVMA provide exceptional learning experiences for our students. For infomation visit msvma.org/volunteer or complete the volunteer interest form below.

Volunteer Form

If you have questions about renewing your membership, contact the State Office or check out our FAQs.

Weekly Notes 8/26/2021

Thursday, August 26, 2021 4:15 PM | Hannah Miller (Administrator)

Wow, another school year is upon us. After a year that was far too long and a summer that was far too short, it seems unfathomable that the halls of your schools are once again filled with students. Mask mandates, vaccination discussions, angry parents, and reeling school boards have already made 2021-22 an interesting school year and some of you haven't even begun. All of the noise is distracting our MSVMA family from an important fact that I'd like you to focus on for a moment: you matter and make an immeasurable difference in your student's lives.

Russian composer Modest Mussorgsky said, "art is not an end in itself, but a means of addressing humanity." You bring and teach humanity, empathy, and compassion to the youth of our state through the power of music and community building. Keep pushing forward!

I enjoy finding quotes from men and women far wiser than myself, so I will leave you with a message from Johann Sebastian Bach. "I was obliged to be industrious. Whoever is equally industrious will succeed equally well." Keep working diligently to educate, empower, and change lives. MSMVA is here to support you in those goals and help you succeed in every way.

Erik Jacobson
Executive Director

Make a difference as an MSVMA volunteer!

Choose a volunteer role and help MSVMA provide exceptional learning experiences for our students. For infomation visit msvma.org/volunteer or complete the volunteer interest form below.

Volunteer Form

Have you thought about becoming an adjudicator but are unsure of the process? Would you like to know more about adjudication and earn 4 SCECHs (State Continuing Education Credit Hours)?

Make plans to join us at Brighton High School, 7878 Brighton Road, Brighton on Saturday, October 9, 2021 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Clinicians, Dr. Brandon Ulrich, choral adjudication, and Jessica Nieuwkoop, sight-reading adjudication, will lead sessions to increase your understanding of the process including rubric use. Phil Johnson, Conference host, will conduct his Brighton High School and Brighton Scranton Middle School Choirs as they serve as demonstration choirs.

For more information, please contact Director of Adjudication Pam Pierson at pampierson@msvma.org.

MSVMA is providing a “comments only’ virtual choral pre-festival. Utilizing the MSVMA choral rubric, participating choirs will receive adjudicator feedback that will be helpful in preparing for District Choral festivals. Members are encouraged to use selections from their Fall concerts. For more information, visit msvma.org/virtual-pre-festival.

Summer Conference Content Available Until October 31, 2021

Would you like access to the Summer Conference sessions? Registrants can view the content until October 31, 2021 and receive SCECHs.

To register and pay for the Conference, go to msvma.org/summerconference. Options include a Conference Pass with and without SCECHs.

Conference attendance for SCECHs (live-streamed conference and session recordings) will be reported the first week of November and depending on the work volume at the Department of Education, should be visible in your account by the end of the month.

Questions regarding the Conference and SCECHs? Please contact Director of Summer Conference Eric Cadena at ericcadena@msvma.org.

If you have questions about renewing your membership, contact the State Office or check out our FAQs.

Weekly Notes 8/12/2021

Thursday, August 12, 2021 3:30 PM | Hannah Miller (Administrator)

Summer Conference 2021 – The Virtual Edition 2.0

Congratulations to the Summer Conference Committee led by Director of Summer Conference Eric Cadena and staffed by coordinators Helen Hansens and Amy Blevins for their work in presenting Summer Conference virtually to provide an excellent professional development opportunity. Appreciative acknowledgement of IT Manager Hannah Miller for her continuing support of this virtual event. We also are grateful for our room hosts Brooke Arnold, Eliza Beutler, Bridgit Cook, Zach Everly and Erik Jacobson for assisting our presenters during their sessions.

Thank you to our dynamic presenters Jack Bertrand, Lindsay CieChanski, James Cumings, Amon Eady, Sara Emerson, Andrew Hathikhanavala, Brandon Johnson, Meagan Johnson, Phil Johnson, Robert Jordan, Carrie Ledet, Katie McInnis, Saleel Menon, Brennan Michaels, Jessica Nieuwkoop, Sarah Price, Angie Robbins-Badish, Jacob Salisbury, Todd Schreiber, Jed Scott, Jennifer Sengin, Megan Sinclair, Evan Stoor, Amy Voorhees, Margaret Winchell and Kyle Zeuch for adapting their sessions and working with us to help ensure effective content delivery. We appreciate everyone who attended the Conference and helped make this a meaningful learning and networking opportunity.

Highlights included:

Superb Headliner sessions with Dr. Allen Hightower, Director of Choral Studies at the University of North Texas
Exceptionally interesting and diverse breakout sessions
Thought provoking and inspiring remarks by Sarah Stockton, our Teacher of the Year
Generous and continuing support from our sponsors Educational Tours, Inc., Interlochen Center for the Arts, and Musical Resources
Great conversation at the virtual mixer
24 State Continuing Education Clock Hours (SCECHs) certified programming

Summer Conference content and SCECHs will be available until October 31, 2021.To register, visit MSVMA.org and click on the Professional Development tab.

MSVMA is searching for an Adjudication Scheduling Coordinator. This position is responsible for:
- Planning and carrying out our Adjudication Clinic/Conference
- Planning Adjudication In-services for new prospective adjudicators
- Assigning adjudicators for District Choral Festivals, District S&E Festivals, and State S&E Festivals

This is a contracted 1099 position with MSVMA. We are looking for a professional with intimate knowledge of our adjudication processes and experience working with a large number of our adjudicators.

Please contact Executive Director, Erik Jacobson, by Friday, August 13th to be considered.
erikjacobson@msvma.org

Weekly Notes 8/5/2021

Thursday, August 05, 2021 1:44 PM | Hannah Miller (Administrator)

Our Board of Directors and District Managers gathered at East Lansing High School on July 26 and 27 to plan for the upcoming school year. Thank you to these dedicated volunteers for generously sharing their time, ideas and knowledge in preparation for our events and activities. Special appreciation to Director of Summer Conference and Michigan Youth Arts Eric Cadena who was an outstanding and thoughtful host and to his school for the use of their wonderful facility.

MSVMA is searching for an Adjudication Scheduling Coordinator. This position is responsible for:
- Planning and carrying out our Adjudication Clinic/Conference
- Planning Adjudication In-services for new prospective adjudicators
- Assigning adjudicators for District Choral Festivals, District S&E Festivals, and State S&E Festivals

This is a contracted 1099 position with MSVMA. We are looking for a professional with intimate knowledge of our adjudication processes and experience working with a large number of our adjudicators.

Please contact Executive Director Erik Jacobson by Friday, August 13th to be considered. erikjacobson@msvma.org

Weekly Notes 7/22/2021

Thursday, July 22, 2021 2:40 PM | Hannah Miller (Administrator)

Join us for the 49th Summer Conference! Choose from breakout sessions that enhance your knowledge and your students' learning environment. Enjoy sampling repertoire in high school and middle school reading sessions, including recently added titles to the required lists and honors choir repertoire. Connect with new friends and catch up with old friends.

This year we are offering 24 SCECHs! Session videos will be available until October 31 and you can complete them at any time.

To register for SCECHs, click here. You will need your personal identification number to complete your registration. To locate your PIC, login at https://mdoe.state.mi.us/moecs/login.aspx.

Conference Agenda

Registration Fees

Conference Pass $100

Conference Pass + SCECHs $130

Student $65

Retired/Emeritus $65

First Year Teacher $65

First Year Teacher + SCECHs $95

Register Now

Summer Conference is offered virtually within Whova and in-person at our conference hubs, Aquinas College and East Lansing High School. Below is a preview video of the East Lansing High School conference hub, hosted by our Director of Summer Conference Eric Cadena!

Check out the social and networking features before the event starts. For the full conference experience, download the Whova event app today!
Android
IOS

Whova Website Demonstration

Whova Mobile App Demonstration

Congratulations to the winner of the Summer Conference giveaway,
Jack Phillipson from Northview High School!