We invite your school to participate in the tenth annual Middle School HonorsFest. This is a wonderful opportunity for your advanced middle school musicians to perform interesting and challenging music with other talented students in District 4. The 2010 Middle School HonorsFest will be held on Saturday, February 27th, 2010.

Honors Choir - requests that directors nominate up to nine students with an equal distribution of choral parts. Rate your students by section in terms of ability in case we have to limit the number of applicants in a particular section to balance the group. Please only send students of the highest musical quality.

Other notes - Please recommend mainly eighth grade musicians for Honors Orchestra, Band, and Choir.  If needed, we will balance the sections with seventh graders. Please moderate percussion nominations!!

To ALL - Each music director is responsible for his/her students’ medical forms. Please use your school’s emergency medical form. Each director or director designee must bring the medical forms to each rehearsal and performance.

Please enclose a copy of your OMEA card with your school’s application.

NOTE - We would like all directors to participate in the rehearsals by offering organizational assistance or by singing/playing in the ensemble.  Thank you for your interest in this exciting project!

December  -  Application forms available online and hard copies sent out.

Friday, December 18th                ***Deadline for postmark of applications.***

Monday, January 11th                 4:30 p.m. Meeting for all band & string directors at
                                                       Harding Middle School - details to follow. Refreshments served.
                                                       Purpose: Discuss instrumentation, auditions & Distribute music.
                                                       There will not be a Choir Director’s meeting before

                                                       the first rehearsal on  February 4, 2010; music will be

                                                       mailed/delivered to your school.

Friday, January 15th                  Announce membership of Honors groups.

Monday, February 1st                 6:00-9:00 p.m. - Rehearsals for Band ONLY at Rocky River Middle School
                                                   Seating/Audition Info to Follow.

Thursday, February 4th              6:00-9:00 p.m. Orchestra rehearsal at Rocky River Middle School

Saturday, February 27th            Full day rehearsal and concert @ Westlake Performing Arts Center
                                                                9:00 a.m. - Directors arrive and sign in.
                                                                9:30 a.m. - Honors Students arrive and sign in.
                                                                10:00 a.m. - Rehearsals begin.
                                                                1:00 p.m. - OMEA will provide lunch
                                                                4:00 p.m. - HonorsFest 2010 Concert begins.

Please download the Application PDF file below for all the information.

All participating directors must be OMEA members. Enclose a copy of your OMEA card with the application.   Home-schooled students need the approval of the director in their school district.  Directors must provide their school health form for each student.   Directors should be present for the February evening rehearsal and HonorsFest rehearsal and Concert.

OMEA District IV HonorsFest concert will be at Westlake High School at 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, February 27, 2010. 
All three groups will rehearse from 10:00 a.m. to 4 p.m. on that day.  Lunch and snacks will be provided.  Students may be recommended for more than one ensemble, but must state a preference.  Students will be selected for only one ensemble due to concurrent rehearsals on the final rehearsal/performance day.

Please send the application and a $20.00 check (payable to: Treasurer OMEA 4) to the appropriate District IV Honors Committee chairperson.  All applications should be postmarked by Friday, December 18, 2010.  There will be an email announcement of the Honors Ensemble membership on  January 15, 2009.  The application check will be returned if the student is not accepted into the Honors Ensemble.   

Please direct your questions to the Honors Fest Chairperson:  Brian Griebel at brian.griebel@lakewood.k12.oh.us  or call him at  216-529-4261

Hello OMEA District 4 Middle School Directors!

The 2010 Honors Festival for Band, Choir and Orchestra students is set for Saturday February 27 at Westlake High School.  The rehearsal will be Monday, February 1 for the band and Thursday, February 4 for the Choir and Orchestra.  The rehearsals will be held at Rocky River Middle School.  Please select your top 8th grade students to parcipate in what is sure to be an outstanding musical experience.

We have three outstanding clinicians this year: Mr. John Venesky for band Youngstown State and South Range Middle School; Dr. Craig Resta from Kent State for orchestra; and Dr. Phillip Silvey from Baldwin Wallace for the choir.  We are indeed lucky to have such wonderful clinicians.  Please send your top students’ applications to the appropriate chair (Lisa Richards – choir; Mark Awad – band; Tammy Kuntz – orchestra) Their contact information is listed in the Director’s letter.  If you have questions or concerns related to the individual group please direct them to those chairs as well.  General questions or concerns will be handled by Brian Griebel.

Thank you for taking the time to make this experience happen for you students.  Please remember that the deadline for applications is before Winter Break or December 18th