About the Elementary Choir Festival
About the Elementary Choir Festival
Each year the San Juan Music Educators Association brings elementary students together from Whatcom, Skagit, San Juan, and Island counties. Participating teachers prepare their students ahead of time by rehearsing 5 two-part or unison pieces. Then on one Saturday each spring, those students unite to form the San Juan Region Elementary Choir while working with some of the most inspiring guest conductors within our region and beyond. We love the sound of so many young voices working together!
In 2024-25, we plan to run two short sessions of the same festival - morning or afternoon. When registration opens, directors will indicate which session they prefer. The coordinator will do her best to balance the sessions based on director preference, the variety of districts represented, and overall numbers.
2024-25 Guest Conductor: Nicole Maramba, MS Choir Teacher (Renton) and Teacher-Conductor of Northwest Girlchoir
Accompanist: Connor Bennion
General Logistics
Date: Saturday, March 22, 2025
Morning Session: 9:00 - 12:00 (check in 8:30 - 8:45 AM with 11:30 AM concert)
Afternoon Session: 1:00 - 4:00 (check in 12:30 - 12:45 PM with 3:30 PM concert)
Where: either CTK Community Church in Bellingham or Ferndale High School – Stay tuned!
Coordinator: Laurie Bianco, Skyline Elementary, Ferndale SD, [email protected]
Host: Denice Saxman, Central Elementary, Ferndale SD, [email protected]
Repertoire 2024-25
The Star-Spangled Banner, Arr. Moses Hogan
Be The Change by Marc Kaplan and Colin Britt, in unison, free download here https://www.justicechoir.org/songbook/
Banaha - arr. Russell Robinson, Heritage Music Press, Publisher ID 15/3463H, SSA, 2-part round
Bee! I'm Expecting You!, by Emma Lou Diemer, AMP Publisher ID: AMP0004, unison version
The Dream Keeper, Rollo A. Dilworth, Publisher ID 08745611, 2-Part version
Sisi Ni Moja, by Jacob Narverud, Santa Barbara Music Publishing ID SBMP1439, SA version
Registration Info/Entry Fee
Registration window: January 9 – January 24, 2025
Notification of Morning/Afternoon Session Assignment: by January 31, 2025
Entry fee: $10 per student
Clock hours will be available, and all SJMEA teachers are invited with or without their students. Elementary teachers should watch their email for registration information.
We look forward to hearing our students all together at this great event!
Each year the San Juan Music Educators Association brings elementary students together from Whatcom, Skagit, San Juan, and Island counties. Participating teachers prepare their students ahead of time by rehearsing 5 two-part or unison pieces. Then on one Saturday each spring, those students unite to form the San Juan Region Elementary Choir while working with some of the most inspiring guest conductors within our region and beyond. We love the sound of so many young voices working together!
In 2024-25, we plan to run two short sessions of the same festival - morning or afternoon. When registration opens, directors will indicate which session they prefer. The coordinator will do her best to balance the sessions based on director preference, the variety of districts represented, and overall numbers.
2024-25 Guest Conductor: Nicole Maramba, MS Choir Teacher (Renton) and Teacher-Conductor of Northwest Girlchoir
Accompanist: Connor Bennion
General Logistics
Date: Saturday, March 22, 2025
Morning Session: 9:00 - 12:00 (check in 8:30 - 8:45 AM with 11:30 AM concert)
Afternoon Session: 1:00 - 4:00 (check in 12:30 - 12:45 PM with 3:30 PM concert)
Where: either CTK Community Church in Bellingham or Ferndale High School – Stay tuned!
Coordinator: Laurie Bianco, Skyline Elementary, Ferndale SD, [email protected]
Host: Denice Saxman, Central Elementary, Ferndale SD, [email protected]
Repertoire 2024-25
The Star-Spangled Banner, Arr. Moses Hogan
Be The Change by Marc Kaplan and Colin Britt, in unison, free download here https://www.justicechoir.org/songbook/
Banaha - arr. Russell Robinson, Heritage Music Press, Publisher ID 15/3463H, SSA, 2-part round
Bee! I'm Expecting You!, by Emma Lou Diemer, AMP Publisher ID: AMP0004, unison version
The Dream Keeper, Rollo A. Dilworth, Publisher ID 08745611, 2-Part version
Sisi Ni Moja, by Jacob Narverud, Santa Barbara Music Publishing ID SBMP1439, SA version
Registration Info/Entry Fee
Registration window: January 9 – January 24, 2025
Notification of Morning/Afternoon Session Assignment: by January 31, 2025
Entry fee: $10 per student
Clock hours will be available, and all SJMEA teachers are invited with or without their students. Elementary teachers should watch their email for registration information.
We look forward to hearing our students all together at this great event!