IHSA

IHSA Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes - 2006-07

Music Advisory Committee

May 2 , 2007

The Illinois High School Association Music Advisory Committee met at the IHSA office in Bloomington, on Wednesday, May 2, 2007. Committee members present were: Kris Cox, Petersburg (PORTA); James Holmes, Monticello; Janet Ward, Morrison, and Jon Montgomery, DuQuoin. Carl Winfrey, Chicago (Crane); Jennifer Davis, Activities Director, Downers Grove (South); Ann Espel, Main South (Park Ridge) and Matt Seaton, Mt. Carmel were unable to attend. Paul Kimpton, Hinsdale South H.S., presented a special report. IHSA Assistant Executive Director Susie Knoblauch conducted the meeting.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS RECOMMENDATIONS

SOLO/ENSEMBLE

None made at this time

ORGANIZATIONAL

1.         Item VIII-D-3-g- SIGHT READING

            Recommendation: It is recommended in vocal sight reading only that ten (10) minutes shall be allowed for the group to do the following: music is distributed to the students, the director offers verbal remarks about the music, everyone is allowed to sing through the music one time only, a chord is given to re-establish the key/tonality of the music, the choir sings (a cappella) for adjudication, music is collected.

            Rationale: Many young singers do not have a reference point in which to relate when beginning the sight reading process. Currently students are not allowed to sing a scale in order to get the key in their mind and voice prior to sight reading. This recommendation to the process shall positively contribute to the sight reading format in choir.

Approved

2. Item VIII-J-1-ACCOMPANIMENT

Recommendation: Add - Recorded accompaniment may not be used.

Rationale: This statement will clarify an interpretation not addressed in the terms and conditions.

Approved

3. Item VIII-A- NUMBER OF PARTICIPANTS

Recommendation: Groups that fall below the minimum numbers may still perform and receive comments only. They may not be eligible for sweepstakes points.

Rationale: Due to academic eligibility or illness a student may withdraw from an ensemble which then would limit the rest of the group from performing. This recommendation would allow them to continue to perform and receive adjudication to enrich the educational experience yet not be eligible for team awards.

Approved

4. Item II-A- DATES

Recommendation: State Organizational Contest shall be held on Friday and Saturday:
2008-09 April 3-4
2009-10 April 16-17
2010-11 April 15-16
For 2007-08 – Due to conflicts with the Music Educators National Convention and ACT Tests a site could petition the IHSA to host on April 4-5

Rationale: The week of state series revolves around Easter (Weeks 40, 41, 42 or 42)

Approved


ADMINISTRATIVE RECOMMENDATIONS

1.       Recommendation to continue to utilize the online entry program used for solo and ensemble and organizational contest. Jon Montgomery will continue to improve and provide the tech support to the IHSA. Steps will be taken to continue to update and improve the process.

2.        Recommendation to have a music host managers meeting. A managers meeting can detail the use of the technology and make managers more comfortable at using the technology and program in preparation to host contests. A “how to host” manual may also be presented to the host sights.

3.      Recommendation to encourage sites to continue to develop a host rotation. The committee discussed the concern of some sights being too small and some being too large. There is also concern that some member schools are not taking their turn in hosting or assisting to manage the contests.

4.        Recommended to continue to have Mike Madonia serve as the IHSA/NFHS representative.

5. Recommended to have the selection committee provide feedback to schools who submit pep band CD’s.

6. Recommended to have a sub committee review the sight reading materials and investigate having local directors write sight reading music. The goal being that the quality will improve and the cost effectiveness would be better than the current purchase system for sight reading music.

7. A concern regarding the use of accompanists at the solo and ensemble contest was discussed. Many schools are having difficulty fielding enough accompanists. Some suggestions were to recruit more accompanists or have 1 room where the accompanist and judge stay all day to adjudicate students from the same school. The committee discussed the use of smart music and the implications it may have on addressing the lack of accompanists.

8. There was a discussion of the use of a director in chamber choir. Currently student directors are allowed in chamber choir but not madrigals because Chamber Choirs can be a larger ensemble (up to 24) and a student conductor may be used. It would be considered inappropriate for a director to choose to move a madrigal group into the chamber choir JUST to add a student director. The literature styles are different.

9. The committee discussed the rule requirement that all scores be published. Some directors have asked if a student can write their own score. The committee agreed that all scores need to be commercially published. Scores still will not be provided in Jazz and Show Choir.

10. Recommendation to clarify the rule interpretation regarding measures. Repeat measures should be added to the total for the 64 measure requirement.

11. Recommended that a point of emphasis address IHSA Solo/Ensemble rule VIII.A.7 – events shall consist of a minimum of 64 published measures or a performance time of at least 90 seconds. Some adjudicators are only addressing the measures and not the 90 seconds.

12. Information was presented on the NFHS Music Association membership http://www.nfhs.org/web/2006/08/music_association.aspx
Membership is available for all IHSA member schools and included an attractive insurance incentive.

13. The committee heard a recommendation from Paul Kimpton from Hinsdale South High School. Paul will be piloting a program next year at his contest sight that will provide schools with contest data that can be used to improve student performance. A proposal for a session titled Making extracurricular music contest – Curricular at IMEA has been submitted.

14. The IHSA will work on using pictures on the music rules book that also represent solo and ensemble and organizational contest. Traditionally the pictures used have been of pep bands and state final vocalists. Schools can submit contest photos electronically to Susie Knoblauch at the IHSA (sknoblauch@ihsa.org).

15. IHSA member schools are reminded to communicate with the IHSA Official Rep in their building that enters their school into the appropriate contest by November 1. Directors are also reminded to promptly meet all deadlines so sight managers can prepare accordingly. The current computer entry program will lock a school out of entering if they do not meet deadlines.

16.       A review of the total schools entered in Solo and Ensemble and Organizational contest is listed below:
            2006 Contest              S/E                 Org
            AA                               80                    59
            A                                 88                    60
            B                                  123                  76
            C                                 89                    63
            D                                 95                    30

            2007 Contest              S/E                  Org
            AA                               66                    57
            A                                 83                    63
            B                                  119                  87
            C                                 88                    60

The class D participation in organizational Contest is significantly lower than the other classes. Class D is maintaining a strong number in solo and ensemble. The committee needs to review the classifications and consider recommending that the lower end of the class A, B, and C schools move down a class.

17. Nominations shall be accepted for the National Federation Music Educator of the Year Award. Members of the advisory committee were given nomination forms. Any member school interested in making a nomination can contact Susie Knoblauch at the IHSA. This year’s nomination shall focus on outstanding orchestra music educators in the state of Illinois.

18. The Advisory Committee recognized and thanked James Holmes and Kris Cox for their service to the IHSA.

The next advisory committee meeting will be held on Wednesday April 30, 2008.