KMTA ALL-STATE PIANO ENSEMBLE
Register your students now to participate in the 2011 All-State Piano Ensemble.
All-State Registration Form
All-State Guidelines
*GUIDELINES FOR STUDENT SELECTION*
This year's 2011 All-State event will be held in conjunction with the 2011 KMTA Conference, October 16-18 at Eastern
KY University. Students in grades 6-12 of KMTA member teachers are eligible. Students must be in method level 3 or
above to participate as a 5th grader. This year promises yet another year of fun and excitement with music that will
challenge and motivate students. If you have not entered students in the past, this is the year to begin. Repertoire will
include a wide range of styles and levels that offer the usual exciting dimension of ensemble playing.
PARTICIPATION IN THE ALL-STATE PIANO ENSEMBLE PROVIDES YOUR STUDENTS WITH THESE
BENEFITS:
• A reinforcement of rhythmic skills
• Heightened skill of listening to all parts of the music
• A deeper understanding of interpretation and expression
• A rewarding experience of sound and style exploration
• The fun of making music with other piano students/teachers
• A great sense of responsibility to the group
IF YOU ARE ENROLLING STUDENTS FOR THE FIRST TIME, HERE'S WHAT TO EXPECT: it is like playing in
an orchestra, a band, or a jazz combo. Each player contributes a special musical part to create a whole. Individual parts
may be single lines of music, but a single-line part does not mean easier. There is the added responsibility of interacting
with the other players---the balance, the pulse, the interpretation---all skills we are eager for our students to achieve in
order to become fine musicians. STUDENTS OR TEACHERS DO NOT NEED TO HAVE PRIOR TECHNOLOGY
EXPERIENCE.
HERE ARE THE DETAILS:
THE KEYBOARDS will be 88-key digital pianos equipped with multiple sounds allowing students to experience "playing
in an orchestra”.
THE ENSEMBLE MUSIC is packaged with a conductor's score and individual parts; therefore, it is not practical for
participating teachers or students to buy the music. The All-State Committee will purchase the music; a music rental fee is
included in the registration fee. Students will return the music after the concert, and the scores become a part of the
KMTA ensemble library. After registrations are received with level of students indicated on the form, individual parts for
each student will be mailed to the teacher to distribute.
SOFTWARE RECORDINGS are provided for most of the repertoire and will be posted on the KMTA website. These
allow students to listen to the complete orchestration and hear the interaction of different parts. It is not required that
students practice with the software prior to the conference, but if the opportunity is available, take advantage of it. The
individual parts may be isolated. They may be played back on:
• Instruments or modules with a disk playback feature and general MIDI sound;
• A computer equipped with a general MIDI sound source and a program that plays back accompaniment software.
(If you or your students don't have access to instruments that provide software playback, there may be other resources in
the community.
• Many churches, schools, and universities have keyboards or keyboard labs that have software playback features.
Check on the possibility of arranging time for your students to practice with the software.
• If your local music store carries instruments that provide disk playback, check on the possibility of having your
students stop by the store and practice with the software recording.
• Check with other teachers in your community who have any of the setups listed above and "barter" some lab time
for your student to practice with the software.
REHEARSAL SCHEDULE: Students are required to attend all rehearsals and workshops at the conference. All
participating students will receive an information packet that will include rehearsal and workshop schedules for Sunday,
Monday, and Tuesday at the all-state registration.
TROPHIES: Trophies are awarded students for ongoing participation in All-State.
GUIDELINES FOR CHOOSING AND PREPARING STUDENTS FOR THE 2011 KMTA ALL-STATE PIANO
ENSEMBLE:
• Eligibility: mature 5th grade students (At least in level 3 of a method series) through 12th grade
• Preparation: teachers must prepare students during summer months so they will be ready to play. Rehearsals are
few, and there is no time to teach after arrival. If a student is not prepared at the rehearsals, the committee may ask that
they not perform. PLEASE HAVE STUDENTS PREPARED.
REGISTRATION: THE FEE OF $60 PER STUDENT IS TO BE PAID AT THE TIME OF REGISTRATION AND
IS NON-REFUNDABLE. TEACHERS MUST SEND ONE CHECK FOR ALL THEIR STUDENTS MADE
PAYABLE TO KMTA. We cannot accept checks from parents. Use the pullout registration form in this journal to register
your students. Students will be divided into groups representing different levels of training. Levels will be determined
from information requested on the registration form, so it is very important to fill out this portion of the form. All Student
registrations must be postmarked by June 1, 2011. A confirmation letter, the music for each participating student, and an
accompaniment disk of the ensemble music will be mailed as soon as all registrations are received and music assigned.
• Teacher Portion of the Registration Form: indicate if you wish to participate in the teacher ensemble and your T-
shirt size.
• Student Portion of the Registration Form: For returning students, indicate the Group level and most recent year in
which the student performed. For new students, list a recent piece performed by the student including title and composer.
This will allow the committee to assign each student to the most appropriate group level. (Group A is comparable of level
3 in a method book.)
*************************************************************************************
SAMPLE LETTER TO PARENTS REGARDING THE KMTA ALL-STATE ENSEMBLE EVENT
*************************************************************************************
WHAT IS IT? The All-State Ensemble event of the 2011 KMTA Conference will be held at Eastern KY University with
rehearsals beginning Sunday morning, October 16. The concert performance will be on Tuesday, October 18. Students will
spend Sunday and Monday in rehearsals, workshops, and other beneficial activities. Students must be present for the
entire ensemble event from Sunday noon until after the 10:30 am concert on Tuesday. The concert is open to the public.
Though this requires students to miss two days of school, they will receive exceptional training during this time.
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS? To name a few…an opportunity to develop more confidence, assurance, and
responsibility through group involvement, reinforcement of rhythmic skill, interpretation and listening skills, and a definite
motivator through the sheer fun of making music with other students from across the state.
REGISTRATION DEADLINE: Because we need to assign music to students by early summer, the registration deadline
is June 1. The cost of $60.00 per student includes an All-State T-shirt and rental of all the required music. Information
about the motels in the area will be forthcoming.
PLEASE RESPOND to discuss the possibility of your children participating in the All-State Event.
(END OF SAMPLE LETTER)
**************************************************************************************
TEACHERS: If you have questions about the All-State Ensemble, please write or email the following ALL-STATE
ENSEMBLE TEAM CO-CHAIR:
Register your students now to participate in the 2011 All-State Piano Ensemble.
All-State Registration Form
All-State Guidelines
*GUIDELINES FOR STUDENT SELECTION*
This year's 2011 All-State event will be held in conjunction with the 2011 KMTA Conference, October 16-18 at Eastern
KY University. Students in grades 6-12 of KMTA member teachers are eligible. Students must be in method level 3 or
above to participate as a 5th grader. This year promises yet another year of fun and excitement with music that will
challenge and motivate students. If you have not entered students in the past, this is the year to begin. Repertoire will
include a wide range of styles and levels that offer the usual exciting dimension of ensemble playing.
PARTICIPATION IN THE ALL-STATE PIANO ENSEMBLE PROVIDES YOUR STUDENTS WITH THESE
BENEFITS:
• A reinforcement of rhythmic skills
• Heightened skill of listening to all parts of the music
• A deeper understanding of interpretation and expression
• A rewarding experience of sound and style exploration
• The fun of making music with other piano students/teachers
• A great sense of responsibility to the group
IF YOU ARE ENROLLING STUDENTS FOR THE FIRST TIME, HERE'S WHAT TO EXPECT: it is like playing in
an orchestra, a band, or a jazz combo. Each player contributes a special musical part to create a whole. Individual parts
may be single lines of music, but a single-line part does not mean easier. There is the added responsibility of interacting
with the other players---the balance, the pulse, the interpretation---all skills we are eager for our students to achieve in
order to become fine musicians. STUDENTS OR TEACHERS DO NOT NEED TO HAVE PRIOR TECHNOLOGY
EXPERIENCE.
HERE ARE THE DETAILS:
THE KEYBOARDS will be 88-key digital pianos equipped with multiple sounds allowing students to experience "playing
in an orchestra”.
THE ENSEMBLE MUSIC is packaged with a conductor's score and individual parts; therefore, it is not practical for
participating teachers or students to buy the music. The All-State Committee will purchase the music; a music rental fee is
included in the registration fee. Students will return the music after the concert, and the scores become a part of the
KMTA ensemble library. After registrations are received with level of students indicated on the form, individual parts for
each student will be mailed to the teacher to distribute.
SOFTWARE RECORDINGS are provided for most of the repertoire and will be posted on the KMTA website. These
allow students to listen to the complete orchestration and hear the interaction of different parts. It is not required that
students practice with the software prior to the conference, but if the opportunity is available, take advantage of it. The
individual parts may be isolated. They may be played back on:
• Instruments or modules with a disk playback feature and general MIDI sound;
• A computer equipped with a general MIDI sound source and a program that plays back accompaniment software.
(If you or your students don't have access to instruments that provide software playback, there may be other resources in
the community.
• Many churches, schools, and universities have keyboards or keyboard labs that have software playback features.
Check on the possibility of arranging time for your students to practice with the software.
• If your local music store carries instruments that provide disk playback, check on the possibility of having your
students stop by the store and practice with the software recording.
• Check with other teachers in your community who have any of the setups listed above and "barter" some lab time
for your student to practice with the software.
REHEARSAL SCHEDULE: Students are required to attend all rehearsals and workshops at the conference. All
participating students will receive an information packet that will include rehearsal and workshop schedules for Sunday,
Monday, and Tuesday at the all-state registration.
TROPHIES: Trophies are awarded students for ongoing participation in All-State.
GUIDELINES FOR CHOOSING AND PREPARING STUDENTS FOR THE 2011 KMTA ALL-STATE PIANO
ENSEMBLE:
• Eligibility: mature 5th grade students (At least in level 3 of a method series) through 12th grade
• Preparation: teachers must prepare students during summer months so they will be ready to play. Rehearsals are
few, and there is no time to teach after arrival. If a student is not prepared at the rehearsals, the committee may ask that
they not perform. PLEASE HAVE STUDENTS PREPARED.
REGISTRATION: THE FEE OF $60 PER STUDENT IS TO BE PAID AT THE TIME OF REGISTRATION AND
IS NON-REFUNDABLE. TEACHERS MUST SEND ONE CHECK FOR ALL THEIR STUDENTS MADE
PAYABLE TO KMTA. We cannot accept checks from parents. Use the pullout registration form in this journal to register
your students. Students will be divided into groups representing different levels of training. Levels will be determined
from information requested on the registration form, so it is very important to fill out this portion of the form. All Student
registrations must be postmarked by June 1, 2011. A confirmation letter, the music for each participating student, and an
accompaniment disk of the ensemble music will be mailed as soon as all registrations are received and music assigned.
• Teacher Portion of the Registration Form: indicate if you wish to participate in the teacher ensemble and your T-
shirt size.
• Student Portion of the Registration Form: For returning students, indicate the Group level and most recent year in
which the student performed. For new students, list a recent piece performed by the student including title and composer.
This will allow the committee to assign each student to the most appropriate group level. (Group A is comparable of level
3 in a method book.)
*************************************************************************************
SAMPLE LETTER TO PARENTS REGARDING THE KMTA ALL-STATE ENSEMBLE EVENT
*************************************************************************************
WHAT IS IT? The All-State Ensemble event of the 2011 KMTA Conference will be held at Eastern KY University with
rehearsals beginning Sunday morning, October 16. The concert performance will be on Tuesday, October 18. Students will
spend Sunday and Monday in rehearsals, workshops, and other beneficial activities. Students must be present for the
entire ensemble event from Sunday noon until after the 10:30 am concert on Tuesday. The concert is open to the public.
Though this requires students to miss two days of school, they will receive exceptional training during this time.
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS? To name a few…an opportunity to develop more confidence, assurance, and
responsibility through group involvement, reinforcement of rhythmic skill, interpretation and listening skills, and a definite
motivator through the sheer fun of making music with other students from across the state.
REGISTRATION DEADLINE: Because we need to assign music to students by early summer, the registration deadline
is June 1. The cost of $60.00 per student includes an All-State T-shirt and rental of all the required music. Information
about the motels in the area will be forthcoming.
PLEASE RESPOND to discuss the possibility of your children participating in the All-State Event.
(END OF SAMPLE LETTER)
**************************************************************************************
TEACHERS: If you have questions about the All-State Ensemble, please write or email the following ALL-STATE
ENSEMBLE TEAM CO-CHAIR:
- Lori Hughes
2320 W. Adkins Dr.
Ashland, KY 41102
606-928-3305
lorianne@windstream.net
Kentucky Music Teachers Association
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