Email To MMEA Members May 26th, 2010

All-State Audition Cost Increase
Instrumental Audition Scoring Change – Give Input!
NEW Process for Jazz Auditions
Dance Line Conflicts with 2010-11 All-State

At the May Board meeting, changes to All-State auditions were approved. Keep reading for details.

All-State Audition Cost Increase
Early auditions will cost $25 per audition, and late $40. Jazz auditions will cost slightly more because of a new format (read more below!). We are doing this to cover the cost of the audition process. Auditions have been losing more than $10,000 the last few years, and other MMEA programs have been "picking up" that cost. The Board decided to stick with our philosophy of programs paying for their costs whenever possible. If you ever want details on MMEA's budget or financials, we're happy to share them with you. Just contact your Regional Representative on the Board (www.mmea.org/board.htm) or send an email to the MMEA office.

Instrumental Audition Scoring Change – Give Input!
This change will impact woodwind, brass, percussion, and string auditions. In the past five years, we have analyzed audition scores, paying special attention to differences between judges (median, range, average, and so on). In some years, our median scores ranged as much as 20 points between judges. Please be reassured that we took these differences into account when we selected students for All-State ensembles.

Our Orchestra and Band Vice Presidents (Michael Watson and Michael Buck) have recommended revising the scoring criteria we use to get more reliability in audition results. They want YOUR input! Send examples of scoring criteria or rubrics you have used in auditions. Participate in a task force this summer to look at the current process and determine ways to improve scoring. If you have input or want to be involved, contact Michael Watson ( Michael@mwatsonmusic.com or 612-245-3432) or Michael Buck ( tubabuck@hotmail.com or 952-334-9379) or send an email to the MMEA office.

NEW Process for Jazz Auditions
Because so many of the Jazz Band members are soloists on their instrument, a new process for Jazz Auditions will be implemented BEGINNING MARCH 2011. Students will still do a live audition at sites with the same elements (etude, scales, improvisation, and sight reading). This will be a proctored audition (neutral observer in the room) that will be recorded. Then jazz specialists for each instrument will score and rank auditions without information on the student or school. Finally, we will still select students at Draft Day to ensure we consider school limits, students with multiple auditions, and other factors in the selection process.

Because this process is more expensive than our other auditions, jazz auditions will cost $30 for early and $45 for late. We will also be limiting the number of metro-area sites that support jazz auditions as a cost-saving measure. All greater Minnesota sites will still hold jazz auditions.

Dance Line Conflicts with 2010-11 All-State
State competitions for Dance Line High Kick will be held Saturday, Feb 19, 2011 which is the same day as the All-State February performances. Both activities REQUIRE participation by the student for the entire day. Because of this, students cannot participate in both activities for the 2010-11 school year. If one of your All-State students also regularly participates in Dance Line High Kick , please take time NOW to talk with the dance line coach or activities director, the student, and parents. This does not impact Jazz/Funk which will compete on Friday, Feb 18 during All-State rehearsals.

We understand that students often participate in multiple activities at school, and encourage leading a well-rounded life. However, we also know that students (and adults!) can't be in two places at once, and sometimes choices are necessary. To support ALL the students who work so hard as members of All-State (and Dance Line…), we ask that students make a thoughtful decision now.