music in our schools month So, Just What Exactly Are the
“Capitol Concerts?” Linda Meier, Capitol Concerts Coordinator
Is this the year you have a really special group and are look- ing for somewhere they can perform? Do you want to do some interdisciplin- ary team-teaching with another aca-
demic subject? Have the big performance trips become just too expensive? Want to visit our State Capitol and allow your students the opportunity to see what Madi- son can offer including the University of Wisconsin campus, the WI Institute for Discovery, State Veteran’s Museum, Overture Center, Madison Art Museum and on and on? Well, consider applying to perform at the WMEA Capitol Concerts!
Some of you may have heard about them but may not really know what it’s all about.
It started like this…
To both celebrate and promote our art, the month of March has been designated by NAfME (formerly MENC) as “Music In Our Schools Month.” Shortly after this declaration, WMEA began sponsor- ing noon hour performances in the State Capitol second floor rotunda. Today the program has grown to 12 total noon hour concerts that combine two of our state’s greatest treasures, the talent of our state’s young musicians and the splendor of our beautiful State Capitol.
And it works like this…
In September, WMEA submits a request through the Wisconsin Department of Administration (DOA) for 12 specific concert dates. Preliminary information is published in the magazine for WMEA members (see next page). By approxi- mately October 1, a list including those confirmed dates, a “Request to Perform” form and additional information becomes
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available online at
www.wmeamusic.org. Completed forms are due to WMEA by December 1 and all requests receive noti- fication no later than January 15.
Groups are selected based on the following criteria:
1. Considered together, the groups invited will represent all grade levels – elemen- tary, middle, high and collegiate.
2. Considered together, the groups invited will portray a wide variety of types of performing organizations.
3. Considered together, groups from all areas of the state will be represented.
4. In order for as many students to have the opportunity to participate as pos- sible, groups who have not performed at the Capitol in the past will be con- sidered first.
5. All performance requests must go through WMEA Chairperson Linda Meier.
WMEA provides the PA and microphone as well as any chairs needed for your performance. Electricity, choral risers and an acoustical piano are also available upon request. Groups must provide all needed music stands both for students and conductor, all percussion and extra accom- paniment or needed equipment (electrical cords, electronic keyboards, etc.) and all other food/transportation costs.
On your performance day, a WMEA representative will be your MC and assist with questions, etc. as needed. Setup may begin at 11:30 a.m. but all concerts are held from noon until 1 p.m. only. Unfor- tunately, there is NOT a separate warm- up or storage area available and concerts – including a brief warm-up – may NOT begin before the legislature recesses for lunch at noon.
“Capitol Concerts combine two of our
state’s greatest treasures, the talent of our state’s young musicians and the splendor of our beautiful State Capitol!”
So, where do you begin?
1. Check the 12 performance dates avail- able with your school calendar to avoid conflicts with other already scheduled school functions. You will be asked to rank four of the available performance dates in order of preference when you submit your application.
2. Talk with your administration and enlist their support. If accepted, will your school district pay for transporta- tion? If not, would your school parent teacher organization or music support group help? Perhaps you could ask a local community club (American Le- gion or Lion’s Club, Optimist, etc.) if they would fund your trip. Remember, where there’s a will, there’s a way!
3. Fill out the application and submit before December 1.
(And start thinking about what you might program for your perfor- mance.)
And now, you’ve been invited…
CONGRATULATIONS – The date is set! Now you begin your organization, preparation and promotion.
Plan your day. What will your departure and return times need to be? Will you only
September 2013
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