There have been many emails and face-to-face conversations about the new KMEA All-State Middle Level Choir online audition process. Contrary to the unknown author's quote, there has been more doing than talking. Auditions are over, judging is complete, and students have been selected to become members of the 2013 choir.
The seeds of this transition were planted when I served as an adjudicator for one of the 2011 ACDA honor choirs. The process was unbelievably easy; I logged onto my computer in the evening, sipped on a cup of tea, and listened to a few dozen auditions. I repeated this process several times until the task was completed. Why should this process be limited to only national choirs? The KMEA leadership and Troy Johnson, KMEA Web and Technology Manager, were supportive and willing to pursue the idea. During the 2012 KMEA ISW, there were conversations with many people. Shortly after that, the "getting it done" started happening:
- May ~ a survey was sent to teachers who had submitted students for the ML Choir
- June ~ Troy began writing the program
- July~ the program was rolled out in Topeka during the KCDA Convention
- August ~ teachers started registering online
- September ~ auditions were uploaded
- October ~ online judging happened
Thanks to your 'doing' and not just 'talking,' we have another great choral opportunity in place for your singers. Our guest conductor is Janeal Crabb Krehbiel. As many of you already know, Janeal is the founder and director of the Lawrence Children's Choir. She has held seminars at colleges and universities, directed camps and festivals, and published many articles about choral music for children and youth. In March 2000, Janeal was the guest conductor for the National 2000 Children's Choir at Carnegie Hall. She conducted the 2007 National Children's Choir at Carnegie Hall and the Lawrence Children's Choir in a premier performance at that same venue. Janeal is an active member of ACDA, MENC, KMEA, and Chorus America. She is the past president of the Kansas chapter of ACDA. She organized the Kansas Honors Children's Choir and directs honors choirs, regional, and all state honor choirs for children and junior high students throughout the United States. In July 1999, her colleagues in Kansas ACDA awarded her the Harry Robert Wilson Award in recognition of her outstanding contribution to choral music. In December 1999, Janeal was awarded the Outstanding Middle Level Music Educator for Northeastern Kansas. She was inducted into the KMEA Hall of Fame in May 2012. For more information about our guest conductor please visit the KMEA website.
[Webmaster's note: All-State Clinician information will be posted later in the year after we have received materials from all the clinicians.]
We are music teachers, which mean we are doers. Although, we are darn good talkers, too! The doing never ends. Please take note of the following points as you are preparing your singers for the choir:
- Participation fee of $50 per student must be sent to:
KMEA Ensembles Manager
Randy Fillmore
4221 W. 26th Terrace
Lawrence, KS 66064 - Fees must be postmarked by November 30, 2012. More info regarding fees is available on the KMEA website: ksmea.org/mlchoir/fees.php
- Check the KMEA website for the complete repertoire list.
- Students should have their music memorized when they arrive in Wichita on February 22. This will allow them to enjoy 'making music' with Ms. Krehbiel rather than learning pitches, rhythms, and texts.
- Notify me immediately if a student is unable to fulfill his or her role as a member of the choir so an alternate can be invited to participate; this includes up until Thursday, February 21. Do not allow an undecided student to create a void in the choir.
- Remind your students that being a member of this choir is a privilege and an honor. They can focus on the 'doing' and not the 'saying.' Less than 25% of students who auditioned were invited to be a member.