SJMEA MS & HS Virtual Solo & Ensemble 2020-2021
Saturday, March 6th, 2021
Click Here to Upload Recordings & Scores
Click Here for Virtual Event Schedule & Zoom Links
WIAA Board Statement and SJMEA Plan
WIAA Statement on Solo & Ensemble 20-21:
"At last week's WIAA Board Meeting, their Board voted to approve the recent WMEA Board recommendation that there be no state solo and ensemble contest in 2021. It is now official; There will not be a state contest for the 2020-2021 school year, in person or virtual. Therefore, regions are welcome to hold events, or not. And if holding an event, it can be competitive or not."
SJMEA Plan:
Many of our school districts (and our nation as a whole) are looking for ways to engage with Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Access for our youth. Some ways include examining grading practices through the lens of equity and making much-needed adjustments; making sure our youth have enough food to eat; and regular check-ins with our kids regarding their mental health and overall sense of well-being. As a region of music teachers, we are excited to respond to our current situation of remote learning by keeping our annual Solo & Ensemble Festival, making it virtual this year, and adjusting it in some ways in order to address this need for equity and access.
With remote learning being extremely difficult for many, many students this year (causing Depression, isolation, Anxiety, etc.) we wanted to offer a festival experience with the purpose of gaining positive and useful feedback from adjudicators. We also want our festival to cater toward multiple ends of the musician spectrum, including our students who might be at a beginner level, up to the students who would normally be working toward winning regional S&E and going to State. We also wanted to open it up to non-traditional opportunities to give our kids the chance to be creative and receive some feedback on their work.
Important Points:
"At last week's WIAA Board Meeting, their Board voted to approve the recent WMEA Board recommendation that there be no state solo and ensemble contest in 2021. It is now official; There will not be a state contest for the 2020-2021 school year, in person or virtual. Therefore, regions are welcome to hold events, or not. And if holding an event, it can be competitive or not."
SJMEA Plan:
Many of our school districts (and our nation as a whole) are looking for ways to engage with Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Access for our youth. Some ways include examining grading practices through the lens of equity and making much-needed adjustments; making sure our youth have enough food to eat; and regular check-ins with our kids regarding their mental health and overall sense of well-being. As a region of music teachers, we are excited to respond to our current situation of remote learning by keeping our annual Solo & Ensemble Festival, making it virtual this year, and adjusting it in some ways in order to address this need for equity and access.
With remote learning being extremely difficult for many, many students this year (causing Depression, isolation, Anxiety, etc.) we wanted to offer a festival experience with the purpose of gaining positive and useful feedback from adjudicators. We also want our festival to cater toward multiple ends of the musician spectrum, including our students who might be at a beginner level, up to the students who would normally be working toward winning regional S&E and going to State. We also wanted to open it up to non-traditional opportunities to give our kids the chance to be creative and receive some feedback on their work.
Important Points:
- This year’s Virtual S&E Festival will be for both Middle School and High School students, combined into one event
- There is a $10 flat rate for every 15 min timeslot
- We are creating two new categories for this year: Composition, including electronically composed music and non-traditional instruments/ensembles, for example: students recording themselves on an app like Upbeat or Soundtrap or Acapella singing or playing multiple parts.
Important Dates/Forms
Flat Registration Fee - $10 per ensemble/solo Step 1: Solo & Ensemble Registration Deadline: Friday, January 22nd, 2021 Registration Form Link Invoice Generator Link Registration Review/Verification Link Step 2: Upload Recordings or Scores - Click Here Step 3: Virtual Solo & Ensemble Event Event Date: Saturday, March 6th, 2021 Click Here for Virtual Event Schedule |
Solo or Ensemble Recordings-Piano accompaniment is not required
-For solo or ensemble, Video submissions are required -Time slots are 15 min. Multiple time slots can be purchased if students need extended times -PDF of score or part will be required during upload Need Recording Space
Wind Work (Whatcom County) and Hugo Helmer Music (Skagit/Island) have set aside free studio space for recordings. Students just need to call and set up a time to come and record their solo.
(Microphones and Video Rec. will be provided on site) Wind Works: (360) 733-5840 Hugo Helmer Music: (360) 757-0270 Need Music for Students
Teachers should reach out to Jacob Scherr at jscherr@mvsd320.org if you have a student struggling to find music appropriate to their playing abilities
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Day of Event Details
-Event will be held over zoom
-Each student/ensemble will get a 15 minute time slot
-Room hosts will play video submitted, clinician with then have the remaining time to work with students
-Students/Ensembles will receive rating however categories winner will not be selected
- Their time slot will consist of:
- A room host (hopefully an SJMEA teacher), adjudicator and student in the room. (Student will be able to invite parents and friends to watch, and we will try to record these if possible)
- Room host will share screen and play the student’s recording of their performance (solo or ensemble)
- Adjudicator will have a rubric to take notes on, and then after the recording is finished, they will work with the student until the time slot is complete
-Each student/ensemble will get a 15 minute time slot
-Room hosts will play video submitted, clinician with then have the remaining time to work with students
-Students/Ensembles will receive rating however categories winner will not be selected
Common Questions
Composition Questions:
Q - Are there any parameters for the compositions?
A - No
Ensemble Questions:
Q - Can a student make a virtual ensemble made up of themselves playing each part?
A - Yes
Are you allowing "virtual ensembles" where videos and audio are edited to create a polished product like we did with SJMEA Virtual Honor Fest?
A - Yes
Q - Can family members or others in their covid safe circles create live videos of them performing together?
A - Yes
Q - Are there any parameters for the compositions?
A - No
Ensemble Questions:
Q - Can a student make a virtual ensemble made up of themselves playing each part?
A - Yes
Are you allowing "virtual ensembles" where videos and audio are edited to create a polished product like we did with SJMEA Virtual Honor Fest?
A - Yes
Q - Can family members or others in their covid safe circles create live videos of them performing together?
A - Yes