Tagged: festivals
nafmeadmin.
nafmeadminI’ve never hosted a festival before, and I’m being asked to host 5th Grade Chorus Fest for next school year.
What all will I need to consider when planning?
How do I select the guest conductor?
etc.
Any/all advice is welcome!
nafmeadminHello, I’m not sure where you are, but I think your first step should be to talk with the previous host(s). Ask around your district and get input from everybody, especially the teachers that have been there for a while. They probably have a list of people they have been trying to get for an honor chorus, and they will be happy that you asked their opinion.
Jeff
nafmeadminHi,
There is an inexpensive book out by Eph Ehly, former Director of Choral Activities at UMKC who conducted hundreds of choral festivals. The book is filled with practical information for running a festival. It is a brief guide more than a book but it does include some checklists that you might find helpful and is a great reference to have. Amazon link below:
good luck! Jamie Spillane
nafmeadminThe Eph Ely book is excellent and a great recommendation. Hosting a festival is a detail-intensive task for sure. Always work from big to small:
1. Get the date (in consultation with the participating teachers)
2. Get the venue (maybe do this first to see what dates are available)
3. Get the guest conductor contracted (inform him/her the level of ability and the length of the program and how much time there is to rehearse)
4. Select the literature (or approve the conductor’s choices)
5. Audition the choir (or get recommendations from the teachers)
6. Communicate at every step with everyone
7. Hold the festival
Clearly this is a simple list without much detail, but it helps to guide you through the big decisions that affect the smaller ones. I hope this helps a little. Be Well! Chris Peterson
Christopher M. Johnson, Professor of Music Education and Music Therapy, is currently the Chair of the Music Education and Music Therapy Department and Director of the Music Research Institute at the University of Kansas. Johnson earned his Ph.D. from the Florida State University.
Since his arrival at The University of Kansas, Johnson has taught courses in Instrumental Conducting, Teaching Instrumental Music, Managing Behaviors in the Music Environment, Psychology and Acoustics of Music, and Research Methods in Music Education and Music Therapy. Johnson served two terms as the editor of the International Journal of Music Education: Research, the research publication of the International Society for Music Education. He is currently serving his second term on the National Association for Music Educations Executive Committee of the Society for Research in Music Education. He also served on the editorial board of the Journal of Research in Music Education, and one earlier term as the Chair for the MENC Executive Committee of the Society for Research in Music Education. Johnson also served as the Chair for the Research Commission of the International Society for Music Education.
Johnson’s research interests include applied research in music education, and basic research in all aspects of the psychology of music. He has published articles in many journals including the Journal of Research in Music Education, the International Journal of Music Education, the Journal of Music Therapy, Journal of Band Research, Contributions to Music Education, and the Bulletin of the Council for Research in Music Education, among others. Johnson has also been an active member and contributor to the Research Seminar of the International Society for Music Education and World Alliance for Arts Education.
Johnson received a university teaching award – the Ned N. Fleming Award for Excellence in Teaching and received the recognition for Graduate Teaching Achievement from the Center for Teaching Excellence. Johnson was also awarded a lecturing & research award as a J. William Fulbright Scholar and recently received the Ella Scoble Opperman Citation for Distinguished Achievement from the Florida State University College of Music.
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