Achieving Success as a SCMEA Division I Chairperson:

A Professional Journey Through the 2018-2019 Music Festival Season

Sponsored by
Suffolk County Music Educators’ Association (SCMEA)
Mr. Michael Baur and Ms. Danielle Schulman,
SCMEA Co-Vice President for Festivals - Instructors

Chairpeople play an intricate role in the success of the SCMEA festival season. They will be involved in
formal training sessions, executive board meetings, walk-through events, ensemble rehearsals/auditions, a
concert and the wrap up meeting.
These individuals will experience the importance of prior planning, organization, professional
communication and more. The skills developed will assist them in the facilitation of a successful SCMEA
festival season.

In-Service Course Description

This course will provide new and former chairpersons with essential skills, information, and professional
development necessary to provide a positive All-County Festival experience for the music students of Suffolk
County.
Chairpersons will:
➢ Develop a working knowledge and understanding of the “Chairperson Handbook.” In turn they will
develop ensemble specific criteria for selection of musicians and the cooperation to create a balanced
ensemble
➢ Attend trainings to gain skills and information regarding the nomination system (SCMEAfest) and the
SCMEA email system (Microsoft 365)
➢ Be present at one executive board meeting to ensure that they are knowledgeable about the inner
workings of the organization
➢ Successfully communicate with teachers and administrators to prepare for festival weekend. This
comprised of ensuring that all students are adequately prepared, audition rooms run efficiently, and
rehearsals are a positive learning experience for all ensemble members
➢ Build their professional leadership and organizational skills required to effectively maintain order
throughout the season
➢ Work alongside conductors and SCMEA officials to make certain that a positive learning experience is
had by ensemble musicians
➢ Organize professional reflections, evaluate effectiveness of policies and procedures, and discuss
suggestions for future festivals. These topics and other relevant thoughts/information will be shared at
the Wrap Up meeting in April 2019 with executive board members and chairpeople throughout Suffolk
County
 Timeline: (40 Course Hours)
Wednesday, October 10, 2018:
Location: Longwood Central School District, Longwood High School
Time: 5:00pm - 7:00pm
Topic: All-County Chairperson Introduction Training Seminar 1 / SCMEA Executive Board Meeting
➢ This training will focus mainly on the technology portion of chairing an All-County Festivals.
Participants will receive training in the SCMEAFEST online entry nomination system for the selection
of All-County ensembles.
➢ Participants will also receive an overview in using Microsoft Office 365 for email
communication.

Tuesday, October 30, 2018:

Location: Central Islip School District – Mulligan Elementary School
Time: 5:00pm - 7:00pm
Topic: All-County Chairperson Training Seminar 2
➢ This training will focus on the selection process; including selection criteria, division-specific
guidelines, and appropriate instrumentation and balance.
➢ Chairpeople will pick up All-County nomination/commitment forms and receive instructions on
preparing student envelope packets.
➢ Chairpeople will have the opportunity to begin organizing commitment forms and preliminary
selections.

Saturday, November 17, 2018:

Location: Central Islip Mulligan Elementary School
Time: 9:00am - 1:00pm
Topic: All-County Training Seminar 3 / Selection Day
➢ Chairpeople will receive final instructions for ensemble selection and complete their selections
through the SCMEAFEST online student entry system.
➢ Chairpeople will collect necessary documentation from the SCMEA Executive board that
provides details of the festivals for the students.
➢ Chairpeople will print sets of labels for student folders and attendance purposes.

December 2018:
Location: specific to chairperson
Time: 9:00am-10:30am
Topic: Selected Musician Folder Production
➢ Chairpeople will create selected musician folders to be distributed in January 2019
➢ Chairpeople will ensure that all folders have instrument/vocal specific music, letters from
executive board members, chairperson letter, DVD/CD forms and percussion chart, if applicable

Monday, January 7, 2018

Location: TBD
Time: 4:00pm-7:00pm
Topic: Folder Organization and Preparation for Distribution
*Please Note: Chairpeople who are unable to attend one of the training sessions may attend Folder
Organization and Preparation for Distribution. For this they will receive three hours of coursework.*
 SCMEA Executive Board Meetings

* Please Note: Chairpeople must attend one SCMEA Executive Board meeting. Listed below are the scheduled
meetings for the 2018-2019 festival season. All meetings will take place between the hours of 7:00pm-8:30pm*

Wednesday, October 10, 2018

Location: Longwood Central School District - Longwood High School
Wednesday, November 7, 2018 (general membership meeting)
Location: Connetquot Central School District – Connetquot High School
Wednesday, January 16, 2019
Location: Middle Country Central School District – Middle Country High School
Wednesday, February 13, 2019
Location: Smithtown Central School District – Smithtown High School
Wednesday, April 3, 2019 (general membership meeting)
Location: Bayport Blue Point Central School District – Bayport Blue Point High School
Wednesday, May 15, 2019
Location: Miller Place Central School District – Miller Place High School
Friday, June 14, 2019 (general membership meeting)
Location: TBD

Rehearsal and Concert Site Walk-Through and Discussion

January-February, 2019 (specific dates TBD):
Location: Rehearsal sites / Concert site (specific to each Division and Level)
Time: 4:00pm - 6:00pm
Topic: Rehearsal / Concert Site Walk-Through and Discussion
➢ Chairpeople will meet with the SCMEA Vice President for Festivals, Assistant Vice President
for Festivals and Rehearsal/Concert Host Director / Liaison to discuss the requirements and
necessary details pertaining to the March rehearsals/concert.
➢ Chairpeople will be submitting percussion needs, seating chairs and any other necessary
requirements for their ensemble.

All-County Festival Rehearsal Dates/Times

Division I Band, Orchestra, Chorus
Rehearsal will be held at West Islip – Udall Road Middle School
Saturday, March 2, 2019, 7:30am-2:00pm
Friday, March 8, 2019, 2:30pm-7:30pm
Saturday, March 9, 2019, 7:30am-2:00pm

All-Country Festival Concert Dates/Times

Division I Band, Orchestra, Chorus
Concert will be held at Centereach High School
Sunday, March 10, 2019, 11:30am- 3:30pm
 All-Country Wrap Up Meeting and Discussion
Wednesday, April 3, 2019:
Location: Bayport Blue Point Central School District – Bayport Blue Point High School
Time: 5:00pm - 7:00pm
Topic: All County Chairperson Festival Evaluation Meeting
➢ The final meeting is a roundtable discussion for Chairpeople to discuss their All-County Festival
experiences.
➢ Topics will include the evaluation of their festival experience, suggested changes for future
festivals and strategies that proved to be valuable throughout their festival experience.