John Adams’ 200 year old dream is realized! In this day, there are so many of our nation’s young people free to study music and arts, it is inspiring. Our forefathers brought us more than freedom from oppression, they brought to us freedom to expand our knowledge and enrich our lives, as well as those of our students.

One enrichment to your music program, is the opportunity to involve your students in the Solo Ensemble Festivals. It is time before the December 21, 2007 deadline date to discuss with your students the opportunity brought to them by the Solo Ensemble Festivals in late February and March. There is no better way to give your high music achievers a goal to learn on their own, improve their skills, as well as inprove their leadership abilities, than to involve them in the Solo Ensemble festivals.

This year we have many Festivals in differing Areas, on February 29, March 1, 8, 22, and 29. You are welcome to register students in any Festival that meets their needs.

There are a few regulations that you need to be sure your students understand as they begin making their partner and music selections.

1. Art music, as opposed to Jazz or Pop, must be performed.
2. Solos are not required to be accompanied, but those that are will be more musical in
   presentation and will be more likely to obtain the ‘sought for’ scoring.
3. Solos are not required to be memorized, but are more impressive if they are performed from memory.
4. Each instrumental ensemble member must have their own part. No parts can be doubled. Ex: four students cannot play a duet. They could be entered twice as two separate duets and each play the same duet, but they cannot double.
5. Vocal ensembles may have up to three singers on a part, but no more than three.
6. No electronic devices are to be used at all.
7. No conductors can be used except for large percussion ensembles.
8. Duets and ensembles must be composed of students from the same school.

Directors, get your budding artists registered on solochair.com for this inspiring experience. It will be a day for their memory books.

Registration is found at solochair.com. If you are not familiar with this site and need any help, be sure to contact me for assistance. It is of the utmost importance that your students have this opportunity. To this goal, I am at your service.