Poster Janet Galvan
Janet Galvan
Publicity Photo

Spotlight on MMEA All-State Ensembles

Hoj hura hoj!
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Sililiza

Minnesota has one of the oldest and most substantial All-State ensemble programs in the country. Since 1944, Minnesota Music Educators Association has been developing the finest musicians and leaders among Minnesota's most accomplished high school students. This week, Classical MPR is broadcasting and streaming highlights from the MMEA All-State ensembles, recorded in August 2015.

Tune in at 7:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 9: the Women's Choir, under the direction of Janet Galván, Ithaca College.

As an institution, MMEA works to ensure high-quality music education for every student in Minnesota. This is achieved through professional development for music educators, advocacy for music and the arts in schools and festivals and honors ensembles for students in school music programs. The All-State ensembles give high school students the chance to experience a formal audition and an intensive music experience in the form of camp in August and then performances in August and February at MMEA conventions.

Notable leaders of past MMEA all-state ensembles include Antal Dorati, Weston Noble, Dale Warland, Miles ("Mity") Johnson, Paul Christiansen, Frank Bencriscutto, Henry Charles Smith and others.

The selection process:

School music teachers or private teachers first nominate a student. Judges travel to 18 locations around the state to hear auditions of solos, etudes, scales, sight-reading and other skills. Finally, MMEA leadership comes together on "Draft Day" to select student musicians.

Selected students attend a week-long summer camp, during which they rehearse in their respective ensembles. Experts on each instrument or voice type work with students in sectionals, and provide individual instruction on advanced methods. Included in the camp, MMEA provides seminars for students on topics from music careers to college admissions and auditions and music in adult life.

These recordings represent the best of our Minnesota school music programs. Listen for yourself and find out what amazing talent these students bring to this performance.

Tune in all week at 7:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. for new performances from the All-State ensembles.

Monday, Feb. 8: Concert Band, under the direction of Kevin Sedatole of Michigan State University and the Mixed Choir, conducted by Bruce Rogers of Mt. San Antonio College.

• 7:30 a.m. — Gabriel Musella: Don Ricardo

• 4:30 p.m. — Z. Randall Stroope: Go, Lovely Rose

Tuesday, Feb. 9: Women's Choir, under the direction of Janet Galván, Ithaca College.

• 7:30 a.m. — Otmar Macha: Hoj, hura hoj!

• 4:30 p.m. — Jim Papoulis: Sililiza

Wednesday, Feb. 10: All-State Orchestra, under the direction of Mark Russell Smith of the University of Minnesota and the Greater Twin Cities Youth Symphonies.

• 7:30 a.m. — Felix Mendelssohn: A Midsummer Night's Dream, Op. 61 III. Nocturne

• 4:30 p.m. — Richard Wagner: Die Meistersinger: Prelude to Act III, Dance of the Apprentices, and Entrance of the Meistersingers

Thursday, Feb. 11: Men's Choir, under the direction of Jefferson Johnson of the University of Kentucky.

• 7:30 a.m. — Stephen Hatfield: Nukapianguaq

• 4:30 p.m. — Richard Burchard: Dedication

Friday, Feb. 12: Symphonic Band, under the direction of Peter Haberman of Concordia College.

• 7:30 a.m. — David Maslanka: Give Us This Day (Movement II)

• 4:30 p.m. — Percy Grainger: Lincolnshire Posy

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