Minnesota Chapter Middle School Small Ensemble Day

Happy November, everyone!

Read this wonderful account from Past President, Randy Lee of Minnesota about the wonderful project their state has done for the past 5 years!

ASBDA-MN is proud to announce the successful completion of its 5th annual SMALL ENSEMBLE DAY, SATURDAY, OCTOBER 24, at Southview Middle School in Edina, MN

Thanks to our hosts, ASBDA members, Bob Ouren and Geneva Fitzsimmonds (state chair), we were able to teach 75 middle school band students! With seven ASBDA-MN members and two other hired instructors we were able to offer students this opportunity to receive training and experience performing in small ensembles, such as brass choirs, saxophone ensembles, clarinet choirs, flute ensembles, percussion quintets, etc. Participating schools: Southview, Buffalo, Hermantown, St. Anthony, Morgan Park, Chaska, Woodland, and Valleyview Middle School. Six of those schools have ASBDA member directors. Others were invited. COST TO STUDENTS was ONLY $15. They added on $5 and had a pizza, pop, and cookie lunch. Participating students must have had at least one year of band experience and be in 7th or 8th grade. The surprise of the day was when some members of the MN Orchestra came in to the building, coincidentally, in prep for a Chamber Music event to take place the following day. The clarinet group got a visit from Burt Hara, principal clarinetist of the MN Orchestra, who played briefly for them, talked for a few minutes, and even let a student try his clarinet?!

**SCHEDULE of the day**

9:30-9:50 check in

10:00 Began the day all together to talk about small ensemble playing, to assess needs and attendance (illness? Or surprises), etc. A staff clarinet trio performed briefly. Instructors determined final instrumentation with abilities, experience, age and also practical ways to group students with the staff and facilities available.

10:20 - students break into their ensembles and begin rehearsal, led by ASBDA directors and guest teachers.

11:30 University of MN Brass Quintet performed!

LUNCH HOUR – pizza (Chapter meeting took place while parents and other staff helped supervise students)

1:00 - master classes - A nice woodwind quintet was also formed from the top players.

2:00 More small ensemble rehearsal

3:00 student groups perform. PARENTS, FRIENDS, GRANDPARENTS, AND OTHER GUESTS CAME TO WATCH THE FINAL CONCERT!!

Randy Lee, Event Coordinator

Staff for the day included:

Geneva Fitzsomonds, host, state chair, woodwinds

Katie Sandor, flute

Terri Svec, double reeeds
Paul Isaacs, clarinet

Randy Lee, saxophone

Bob Ouren, host, brass

Eric Anderson, brass

and
Leslie Churchill, brass

Bruce Taylor, percussion, and Josh Greenberg, woodwinds, were hired to help.

And special thanks to Dr. David Baldwin who teaches the U of MN Brass Quintet and arranged their appearance once again!!

Minnesota chapter is also happy to report that our chapter will, as always, do a session at our state convention in February- *"Armed and Dangerous!* Teaching beginning band can be a treacherous endeavor, but whether you are a new teacher or have a few years under your belt, this session will address the unique challenges that come with beginning band programs. A panel of ASBDA members (Terri Svec, Randy Lee, Chris Ravndal, Katie Sandor, and Paul Isaacs) will address topics including: recruitment, instrument selection, retention, scheduling, rapport with building staff/administration, facility use, dealing with vendors and traveling between buildings. This session is sponsored by the MN Chapter of the American School Band Directors Association.

So - what else is going on around the country with ASBDA members making a difference in student's lives - let's hear about it, and share our great ideas with other state chapters! Until next Sunday -

Cindy Swan-Eagan, President

American School Band Directors Association