The PMEA Council TTRR Continuing Education Award is in memory of BJ Stark & Barbara Dooley Fox, supporters of music education. This scholarship will be awarded to a full-time, undergraduate or graduate music education major in an accredited PA institution who has completed at least two semesters. (The amount and number of scholarships available may vary from year to year.)
Criteria for selection
- A minimum of one year as a PCMEA member in good standing with letter of affirmation confirming participation in your PCMEA Chapter (NAfME Collegiate) from your PCMEA Chapter Advisor
- Submission of college transcript reflecting 3.5 GPA or higher
- Demonstration of performance skills (recorded video) or submission of composition(s)
- Presentation of a music education portfolio with sample lesson plans, philosophy, and development of creative instructional activities with a focus on the arts at the center of STEAM
- Participation in at least one PMEA-sponsored professional development program e.g., the Annual Conference, Summer Conference, Webinar, or Regional Workshop.
- Completion of essay that demonstrates leadership and well-defined goals and aspirations towards a career in music education
- Letter of recommendation from at least one music education professor
Applications will be judged blindly by PMEA members with at least one member from the PMEA Council of Teacher Training, Recruitment, and Retention, PMEA EXCOM, and/or PMEA staff.
The PMEA Music-for-Lifelong-Learning Award is in memory of Donald Edward Stark & Paul Francis Fox, engineers and supporters of music education. This scholarship will be awarded to a full-time, undergraduate or graduate science-technology-engineering-mathematics major in an accredited PA institution who has completed at least two semesters. (The amount and number of scholarships available may vary from year to year.)
- The candidate for this award must also be enrolled for at least one semester in a music performance course (i.e. band, chamber music, chorus, jazz or orchestra, earning
Criteria for selection
- 3.5 GPA or higher on college transcripts
- Demonstration of performance skills (recorded video of 2-5 minutes)
- Presentation of a music portfolio with high school and college history of participation in music ensembles and pursuits in creative self-expression, concert programs, and/or evidence of the development of creative activities or projects with a focus on the arts at the center of STEAM
- Completion of essay that reflects musical leadership, community service, and/or the candidate’s rationale and aspirations for the continuation of “music study as a life-skill”
- Response to the question, “How does the study of music enhance your knowledge, skills and depth of understanding for a career in science-technology-engineering-mathematics?”
- Blind judging by PMEA members with at least one member from the PMEA Council of Teacher Training, Recruitment, and Retention, PMEA EXCOM, or PMEA staff
2024 PMEA Annual In-Service Conference
April 17-20, Bayfront Convention Center, Erie
PMEA Innovations Stage
The PMEA Innovations Stage is an opportunity for PMEA members to share experiences they are providing students at the elementary, middle, high school and collegiate levels outside of the traditional PMEA Conference performance track. We’re looking for teachers to showcase innovative opportunities that engage students in meaningful music making experiences in the classroom and ensemble settings from across Pennsylvania, spanning our rural, suburban and urban areas.
Looking for ensembles that:
- Are inclusive of a diverse group of students that represent the school community
- Incorporate non-traditional instrumentation and/or unique instrument/vocal groupings
- Incorporate technology, however not required
- Involves innovative or diverse styles of music (i.e. ethnic, world, modern, etc.)
Ensemble size is limited to no more than 20 students; Selected groups will be given one, 20-minute concert.
Deadline to Submit – Wednesday, June 7, 2023
Eligibility
In an effort to involve as many ensembles as possible, an ensemble appearing on the PMEA Innovations Stage is eligible to perform once every four years (i.e. first year of eligibility for groups who performed at the 2023 Annual Conference will be the 2027 Annual Conference). *No school, organization or director may have a performance group of the same medium appear at consecutive PMEA Conferences. This applies to all ensembles appearing on any concert at the conference.
1. All Teachers submitting an application MUST BE CURRENT MEMBERS OF PMEA.
2. All groups wanting to appear on the Innovations Stage of the 2024 PMEA Annual Conference must complete the following application by the end of the day (11:59 p.m.) on Wednesday, June 7. *Please note that a Submittable account (no cost) is required in order to submit an application. (Information on creating an account can be found below these instructions.)
3. All applicants are asked to submit one or two unedited, live video submissions of the ensemble for a total time of no more than 10 minutes. The submission(s) should highlight the essence of the ensemble. Please do not include any identifying factors in the video or file name. (An excerpt of a piece (or fading out of a piece) is acceptable to fit the allotted time limit of 10 min. total.)
- Unedited shall mean NO studio enhancements, edits, or alterations of any type.
- Live video submission shall mean a complete performance of a selected work (except as noted above), whether in a rehearsal room or concert venue, with or without an audience.
4. Each application for performance must be verified by an administrator (principal or superintendent) certifying it is the intent of the group to appear on the conference program, if invited.
5. Directors of the selected groups:
- must be current members of PMEA in good standing
- must be the director of the group on the audition recording.
- who submit multiple ensembles for consideration may only have one ensemble perform at the conference.
6. Groups appearing on the Innovations Stage must be the same ensemble represented on the submission video.
7. The director of the group on the application must remain the director if the ensemble is selected.
8. All groups are reviewed on a strictly anonymous and impartial basis by panels of music educators who serve as adjudicators. No evaluations from the adjudicators will be provided for the auditioning groups.
9. Invitations to appear at the 2024 PMEA In-service Conference will be issued by September 13, 2023.
Deadline: Wednesday, June 7, 2023
Audition Procedures for Performing Groups 2024 PMEA Annual In-service Conference, April 17-20, Bayfront Convention Center, Erie
Application Fee - $25
Window of Opportunity to Submit – Mon., May 1 - Wed., June 7
Failure to comply with the PMEA Conference Performance criteria will result in the performance application not being considered for the conference. All deadlines and criteria must be met. No refunds of performance application fees will be made.
Eligibility
PMEA members of all teaching levels and areas are encouraged to submit an application for consideration to perform at the 2024 PMEA Annual Conference. In an effort to involve as many ensembles as possible, an ensemble appearing at a PMEA Annual Conference is eligible to perform once every four years (i.e. first year of eligibility for groups who performed at the 2023 Annual Conference will be the 2027 Annual Conference). *No school building (i.e. ES, MS, HS), organization or director may have a performance group of the same medium (i.e. choir, band, orchestra, etc.) appear at consecutive PMEA Conferences. This applies to all ensembles appearing on any concert at the conference. (Example: A school, organization or director may not enter a concert choir one year and a woman’s choir the next year.)
Audition Criteria
1. All Teachers and conductors of all performing groups submitting applications MUST BE CURRENT MEMBERS OF PMEA (expiration date of 6/30/23 to submit; 6/30/24 to perform). In the case of faculty ensembles, all performers in the ensemble MUST BE CURRENT MEMBERS of PMEA - No exceptions.
2. All groups wanting to appear in any concert session of the 2024 PMEA Annual Conference must submit the following via the Submittable program during the submission window (Mon. May 1 - Wed. June 7):
A. Completed application for performance *Please note that a Submittable account (no cost to create account) is required in order to submit an application.
B. Application fee of $25 per submission - A quality recording of your ensemble’s performance must be submitted online via Submittable (application fee must be paid with credit card).
C. Unedited live recording of two (2) selections (individual movements of a piece can be considered as separate pieces). Audio only or audio and video - please be sure the conductor cannot be identified if submitting video. Please do not include any identifying factors in the video or file name.
i. Unedited shall mean NO studio enhancements or alterations of any type.
ii. Live performance shall mean a complete performance of each selected work (does not have to take place in front of an audience).
iii. Live performances shall also mean that all accompaniments must be live.
iv. Show choirs/vocal jazz choirs must submit a video file.
D. The date of each performance recording must be included on the application. Recordings must have been made during the 2022-23 school year.
E. Choral & Instrumental Submissions must include two contrasting selections illustrating wide musical variety with a total time limit of 15 minutes.
F. General Music Submissions (i.e. Orff ensemble, recorder ensemble, etc.) must follow the guidelines as above; however, if the group involves visual material and the director feels it would be beneficial, a video may be submitted. The submission must be clean and cannot contain anything that would identify the group or director in any way.
G. Community Groups must follow the same procedures as above; however, eligible groups will be invited at the discretion of the Conference Chair.
H. All audition materials shall be submitted via the Submittable program during the window of opportunity which begins on Monday, May 1 and will close at 11:59 p.m. on Wednesday, June 7.
3. Each application for performance by elementary, middle & high school groups must be verified by an administrator (principal or superintendent) certifying it is the intent of the group to appear on the conference program, if invited (not applicable for college & community group applicants).
4. Conductors of performance groups:
A. must be paid members of PMEA (expiration date of 6/30/23 during the application window and 6/30/24 after July 1)
B. must be the director of the group on the audition recording.
C. who are submitting multiple ensembles for consideration, please note only one ensemble will be invited to perform at the conference.
5. Performance groups appearing at the conference must be the same ensemble represented on the audition recording. If accepted, students in the performing group must be current members of the ensemble (cannot bring back students that were in the ensemble last year, but not this year). Therefore be sure to name the ensemble accordingly, based on who will be performing.
6. PMEA/NAfME acknowledges the wide diversity of performing ensembles and encourages the submission of the following groups:
A. Bands: traditional concert bands, wind ensembles, and jazz bands (no combos)
B. Choirs: traditional choral ensembles of like or mixed voices, chamber choirs, show choirs, vocal jazz ensembles, etc.
C. Orchestras: string or full orchestras
D. Small Ensembles: wind, brass, percussion, string, jazz combos, or vocal small ensembles.
E. Non-Traditional or Emerging Ensembles: mariachi, steel drum, guitar ensembles, technology ensemble, etc.
7. An effort will be made to ensure that invited performing groups will represent a variety of levels, sizes and genres.
8. Groups selected as performing ensembles may be asked to serve as a demonstration group for the conference.
9. If submitting more than one ensemble for consideration, a separate application must be completed and a separate fee must be paid for each ensemble auditioning under the same director. *Please note that if multiple ensembles with the same director are submitted, only one may be selected.
10. The director of the group submitting the application must remain the director if the group is selected. If there is a change in directors, the group will be disqualified, no exceptions.
11. All performing groups are auditioned on a strictly anonymous and impartial basis by panels of music educators who serve as adjudicators. Quality of performance, literature displayed and the potential contribution to the entire content of the conference program will be the determining factors in the final selections. No evaluations from the adjudicators will be provided for the auditioning groups.
12. Invitations to appear at the 2024 PMEA In-service Conference will be issued by the Conference Program Chair in late August/early September. *Please note that you may be asked to share a concert with another performing group. **Please note that performing group concerts are for conference attendees. Groups selected to perform at the conference are strongly encouraged to schedule a concert for their community separate from their performance at the conference.
Deadline: Wednesday, June 7, 2023.
**For technical issues, please contact support@submittable.com
Conference Session Proposal Information
2024 PMEA Annual In-Service Conference, April 17-20, Bayfront Convention Center - Erie
Window of opportunity to submit closes at 11:59 PM on Wednesday, June 7.
PMEA/NAfME members and PMEA/NAfME Corporate Sponsor Member companies are invited to submit educational session proposals for the PMEA Annual In-service & Summer Conferences in the 2024 PMEA Call for Session Proposals. The PMEA Conference Planning Committee will utilize a blind review process for all proposals submitted. The final decision for inclusion in the annual and/or summer conferences will be that of the conference chair. Corporate Sponsor member session proposals must include a note of endorsement (letter/email) from the sponsoring company when submitted. Sponsoring companies will be listed in the program book. *For sessions promoting a specific product, an exhibit booth at the conference is required by the sponsoring company/organization.
Selection Process
The PMEA Conference Planning Committee will be guided in the selection of sessions by the following criteria: quality of presentation (objectives and organization); innovativeness; importance and timeliness of the topic to the field; level of participation for attendees; practical applicability and program balance.
Session proposals will be accepted in the following content areas:
- Adjudication/ Performance Assessment
- Advancing the Profession
- Advocacy
- Career Development/Teacher Resources
- Classroom Music (Elementary, Middle or High School, Theory, etc.)
- Choral
- Collegiate/PCMEA
- Curriculum Development/Assessment
- Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Access
- Early Childhood
- Exceptional Learners
- Guitar/Modern Band
- Health/Wellness
- Higher Ed/SMTE/Research
- Instrumental (Band, Jazz, Strings)
- Leadership/Mentoring
- Other
- Education in Rural/Urban Settings
- Technology
- World Music
Procedure
Complete the following Online Proposal Application Form which includes: Session Title, Description, Type of Session (to include interaction level - panel, lecture, demonstration) and Content Area. Be sure to include a current email address.
Session Participant(s)
- All selected presenters must be current members of NAfME or representatives of PMEA/NAfME Corporate Sponsor companies. No honoraria are paid to educational session presenters.
- All session proposals are reviewed blindly, therefore do NOT include any identifying information in the session description section of the proposal.
- Submission of a proposal is a commitment by all participating individuals to register for the conference at the applicable rate (full conference, daily rate on day of session or attend as an exhibitor).
- Because of scheduling difficulties, individual requests for particular times will be considered, however cannot always be accommodated.
**For any technical concerns with the Submittable, program please contact support@submittable.com