TMTA State Convention Ensembles

Sharon Herning, NCTM,chair

sharon@herningpianostudio.com
210.414.1363

Each year, over 1500 Texas music students in well over 100 ensembles perform at the TMTA State Convention in June, easily making the ensemble program the largest, most popular Student Affiliate convention event.Ensembles are often composed of duet teams playing on up to fifteen pianos, although other instruments are sometimes used. Ensembles often appear in costume and must perform by memory.
Performance Date:                             June 15-17, 2012
                                                            TMTA Convention, Arlington TX

Audition Date:                                    February 25, 2012

Entry fee:                                            $15

Directors: To be announced in January. Teachers interested in directing a convention ensemble must have prior directing/conducting experience. A video sample of a teacher's conducting may be requested (i.e. conducting a choir, directing a small ensemble, teaching and conducting a duet to students in a private lesson, etc.). 

SAMTA is allowed to have two Texas-American ensembles (1st - 8th grades) and one High School ensemble (8th - 12th grades) perform at the State Convention. Repertoire will be announced at the first general meeting.

Students who wish to participate in the ensembles must meet the following criteria:

1. Must be a current Student Affiliate member and must meet theory eligibility – please check with the Theory Test Coordinator to determine eligibility.
2. Learn AND memorize the ensemble music by the audition date. This year's audition date will be SaturdayFebruary 25, 2012. The registration form (available from the SAMTA website)and non-refundable registration fee of $15 are also due at this time.
3. Attend 3 out of 4 scheduled local rehearsals. Rehearsals are normally an hour long, held between the end of April up to the State Convention. Attendance at the dress rehearsal at convention is mandatory. Additional rehearsals at convention may be scheduled if necessary.
4. Provide their own costumes which are selected by the convention ensemble coordinator.

Teachers must submit names and grade levels of participants via email to the convention ensemble coordinator by January 31. A schedule for auditions will be sent to teachers prior to the February audition date.

Alternates: After the maximum number of allowable students has been reached for a particular ensemble, remaining students may be designated alternates. Alternates must attend all but one scheduled rehearsal.  Alternates who do not perform at the convention will have their participation fee refunded.

Please refer to the TMTA-SA Handbook for additional rules and requirements for each ensemble. Failure to meet any of the criteria may mean dismissal from the ensemble program.