Connecticut Music Educators Association

WESTERN REGION MIDDLE SCHOOL FESTIVAL

March 2018

Dear Student,

We hope that you have prepared your music well. Ask your teacher for help. The festival depends on you knowing your music! Remember to bring your music and a pencil on both days of the festival. You will be held responsible for all the music that is assigned to you. Please remember that you will be representing your school. Your teachers expect you to exhibit your finest musicianship as well as your best behavior. Let’s work together to make this an outstanding experience!

Listed below are important dates and information. Please read them carefully and share this letter with your parents. We look forward to seeing you Friday (March 16th) and Saturday (March 17th) at Wilton High School.

Pre-Festival rehearsal on Friday, March 16th

  • Please eat a good snack before arriving at the high school.
  • Attendance is mandatory.
  • Bring your music and a pencil.
  • Bring a bag dinner and beverage. No glass bottles.
  • Dress is casual.

SCHEDULE FOR FRIDAY

3:30 Registration. No students may enter the building before 3:15.

4:00-5:45Full rehearsals(Choir: Stage; Band: Band Room; Jazz: Little Theater)

5:45-6:15 Dinner - bring your food to the WHS Cafeteria

6:15-6:30 Meet with your teacher to collect your festival shirt and concert tickets

6:30-8:00 Full or Sectional rehearsals (as determined by the conductor)

8:00 Dismissal

Pre-Festival rehearsal on Saturday, March 17th

  • Attendance is mandatory.
  • Bring music and a pencil.
  • Bring a bag lunch and a beverage. No glass bottles.
  • Wear concert attire to the rehearsal, as follows:

Dress for the Festival Concert

  • Females: black pants/socks/shoes. Concert shirts will be provided.
  • Males: black pants/socks/shoes. Concert shirts will be provided.
  • NO JEANS OR SNEAKERS!

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SCHEDULE FOR SATURDAY

8:45 Registration; No students may enter the building before 8:45.

9:00-10:00 Full rehearsal(Choir: Stage; Band: Band Room;Jazz: Little Theater)

10:00-12:00 Full rehearsal(Choir: Choir Room; Band: Band Room; Jazz: Stage)

12:00-12:30 Lunch – bring your food to the WHS Cafeteria

12:30- 2:30 Full rehearsal(Choir: Choir room; Band: Stage; Jazz: Little Theater)

2:30 Full rehearsal and concert preparation

(Choir: Choir Room; Band-Band Room; Jazz: Little Theater)

3:00 Theater opens for general admission seating

3:30 Concert Begins (Band, then Jazz, then Chorus; 5pm conclusion)

Concert: 3:00 doors open, 3:30 concert starts

A NOTE TO PARENTS ABOUT TICKETS:

Tickets cost $7 if purchased in advance; $10 at the door. An email with a link to pre-order tickets should have been sent to you by your director; if you have not received this yet please contact your student’s director.

CD/DVD SALES:

If you would like recording of the concert, order forms will be available at a table in the lobby before and after the concert. Purchased recordings will typically be mailed to you within 5 weeks of the performance.

IMPORTANT NOTE ABOUT THE WEATHER:

In the unlikely case of inclement weather, it may be necessary to cancel one or both days of theFestival. When in doubt, please check with your student’s music director, who will be given updated information should weather be an issue.

We are looking forward to seeing you on March 16th and 17th.

Sincerely,

Mr. Emre Akter Mr. Rob Thornton

Western Region Co-Directors