AN INVITATION TO THE 2015 MMEA

ELEMENTARY CHORAL FESTIVAL CLINIC

We are pleased to invite your students to this years choral event for your Choir-hungry students the Michigan
Music Education Association (MMEA) Elementary Choral Festival Clinic. This event is open to all 4th-6th grade
students.
The purpose of the MMEA Elementary Choral Festival is to promote children's joy of singing. Choral members
will have an opportunity to perform high quality choral literature under the direction of expert master clinicians.
Our goals are to further develop children's musicianship skills, nurture a deeper appreciation of the choral art
through communal singing, and foster a life-long love of choral singing.
Festival Logistics: This year, MMEA is hosting 5 Elementary Choral Events around the state!
Date/Location: The date for the south eastern part of the state will be Saturday, October 17, 2015, to be held at

Erie Elementary School, 42276 Romeo Plank Rd, Clinton Township, MI 48308.
The event will be hosted by Erie Elementary School Music Teacher, Erica Latowski and Graebner Elementary
School Music Teachers, Susan Rosso
Cost for participation is $15 per student which covers registration and a snack.
Lead Clinician: Our clinician for this year will be Mr. James Pecar. Mr. Pecar is currently the director of the
Chippewa Valley High School choir program. The students at Chippewa Valley High School have the
opportunity to participate in 4 choral ensembles, various a capella ensembles, a yearly musical and several
events to sing throughout the community. Choirs earn top ratings at area festivals and raise thousands of
dollars a year for the Autism Society of Macomb County.
Guest Ensemble: The guest ensemble will be the Chippewa Valley High School Varsity Choir.

How to View this Event: This non-adjudicated clinic experience provides an opportunity for students to
experience a first step towards choral ensemble singing. We realized that some of you are still functioning on a
traditional elementary schedule. Others have established choral groups during or after school. Regardless of
set-up, bring an entire group, or, hand select students you want to encourage for future musical endeavors.
The point islets get kids singing!!

Schedule for this event will be as follows:

8:30 AM Registration begins

9:00 AM Warm-ups
9:10 AM Clinician, Mr. James Pecar, Choir Director, Chippewa Valley HS.
10:00 AM Group one Sectional with Mr. Pecar Group 2 Snack break
10:30 AM Group 2 Sectional with Mr. Pecar Group 1 Snack break
11:00 AM Whole Group run through of music
11:30 AM Quick rest break
11:45 AM Performance for family and guests. End of Event.

Literature: Teachers are encouraged to expose their students to the literature before the event to enhance their
experience, but extensive song preparation is not mandatory to participate.
Shine on Me: Rollo Dilworth
Three Quotes by Mark Twain: Andrea Ramsey
I Am : Melanie Horne
NOTE: A hard copy of each piece will be provided for all participants at the event on 10/17, but teachers will
be responsible for rehearsal copies prior to the event. Students will be given a copy to use event day, which
they must return as it will be used throughout the state for other Festivals.
Music Preparation: Please prepare your students as you feel led. Clearly, the more familiar they are with the
pieces in advance, the more successful they will feel at the festival. Singers will be randomly divided into Part 1
and 2, so if you have the opportunity to prepare the music in advance, introduce both parts to them.
Forms: Please go to the web site http://www.mmeamichigan.org/ where you will find a sample Student
Permission Slip that you can edit and pass along to your choir members and their parents. There is also a School
Registration form/payment that needs to be returned when you arrive on October 17th. Student # estimates are
due via email by Friday 10/9/15!! Thank You!
Registration and Payment: Please mail your check to Michigan Music Education Association,1006 W.
Washington Ave., Jackson, MI 49203 One check per school, please, made payable to MMEA (Michigan
Music Education Association).
Teachers can register their entire group at with one check or if it works better for you, parents can register their
own students. Forms are provided for both.
Parents and Chaperones: Please provide one or two chaperones (teachers or parents) per school; we
recommend one for every 5 children. (If you are bringing a group as a teacher.)
Please forward this email/letter to a teacher you think may be interested in this event with4th-6th grade singers.
Call/email me anytime with any questions you may have. We look forward to seeing you at the festival.
Susan Rosso, Southeastern MI site chair (586) 215-9315 susan.rosso@uticak12.org

MMEA is pleased to recognize Music Resources of Toledo, Ltd (TITLE SPONSOR) and JW
Pepper & Son, Inc (MUSIC SPONSOR) as the sponsors for this years Elementary Choral
Festivals. These great companies are committed to advancing the quality of music
education in Michigan and beyond!

www.musical-resources.com

www.jwpepper.com