UMEA NEWS
Jr. High/Middle School Festivals
UMEA now offers three state festivals for the junior high and middle school level. These include the State Jr. High/Middle School Concert Band Festival, State Jr. High/Middle School Orchestra Festival and the new State Jr. High/Middle School Jazz Band Festival. The audition deadline for each of the State Junior High Festivals is January 13, 2017An additional audition adjudicator has been added for each festival in 2017. This will facilitate giving specific comments for each recording instead of just scoring and ranking the ensembles.All application and audition information is posted on the UMEA website. There are several changes to the Concert Band Festival specifically this year. See the information letter for each festival for more detail.All applications and audition recordings for each of the three festivals must be postmarked by January 13, 2017.
UMEA also sponsors the State Jr. High Honor Choir. Registration for this event was completed on October 14, 2016.
For more information about UMEA festivals for junior high/middle school students, go to: umea.us/festivals.php and click on the festival you are interested in.
UMEA Elections
UMEA elections will be held online, starting mid-January and ending on Febuary 4 at noon. Those who have no email address on file with UMEA will receive paper ballots. New members or lapsed members who register at the UMEA Mid-Winter Conference in St. George will receive ballots at that time. We are still waiting for information from a few candidates, and the election page on the UMEA website will be updated periodically. You can view candidates' photos, biographies and statements at:umea.us/board.php
UMEA Mid-Winter Conference
The UMEA Mid-Winter Conference will be held February 3 & 4 at the Dixie Conference Center in St. George, Utah. Renowned music educator and humorist, Dr. Tim Lautzenheizer, will be on hand and NAfME Western Division President, Russ Sperling will be the keynote speaker.
A conference edition of the Utah Music Educators Journal should arrive late December/early January, containing information about sessions, presenters and performances. Information about St. George hotels and special rates for conference attendees is also included in the journal.
The online conference registration site should soon be updated and ready for pre-registration. Conference grids, showing the schedule of events, will also be available online later this month. Conference information may be accessed at: umea.us/conference.php
Robert D. ColemanUtah Music Educators Assn.Communications Director 5084 S 150 EOgden, UT 84405 801 479-5736; 801 814-4854 (mobile)rcoleman50(a)comcast.net
