Hello Elementary Music Teachers! We are so excited to offer our elementary students a chance to participate in the 3rd annual VMEA All Virginia Orff Ensemble! We happily extend to you the invitation to offer your school the opportunity to join approximately 50 other elementary students in a unique Orff experience.  Teachers who would like to participate are directed to choose up to 6 students from 5th or 6th grade who are able to play Orff instruments on the beat with excellent hand position and keep their part when playing in an ensemble.  Students should be able to sing on pitch and be willing to move or dance with or without a partner. We will accept registrations on a first-received, first-registered basis. We will keep everyone updated on your registration status as we receive them. Once the group has reached its max of 50 students, we will inform members through district reps, our websites, and social media that we are no longer accepting registrations.

Overview

The All Virginia Orff Ensemble is an incredibly unique performance opportunity for our elementary students’ pursuing their developing artistry and self-discovery through music.  

Our All-Virginia Orff Ensemble event is the only event like this in the state of Virginia. This event provides an exciting growth experience for students, a rewarding concert for both parents and teachers, and a chance to network and positively associate with elementary music educators from the 16 districts in Virginia that are part of VMEA. The event will take place on November 20, 2024 as the opening concert for the 2024 Professional Development Conference at the Norfolk Waterside Marriott Hotel in Norfolk, VA. Rehearsal for this concert will run from 1:00 - 6:00 PM on November 20, 2024, and 8:00 –11:00 AM on November 21, 2024, with the performance following at 11:30 AM to kick off our annual VMEA Professional Development Conference.

Within this application you will find:

1) Conductor Information

2) Event and Payment details

3) Music Teacher/Student Registration Form

4) Student Medical Information Form.

Please take the time to read over the documents, review the dates, and inquire about any/all questions or concerns you may have. Music and hotel information will be sent once your registration forms and payment are received. A block of rooms has been set up for this event at a reduced price.  If you have not chosen your students yet, you may send their information as soon as you have their commitment to participate. 

Your participation is encouraged! Completed registrations must be submitted no later than September 21, 2024. If an extenuating circumstance prevents your school from being able to register before the cut-off date of October 19, 2024, please contact Cheryl Baker as soon as possible. 

If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact Cheryl Baker. We look forward to receiving your registration packets!

Very Respectfully,

Cheryl Baker                                    

All-VA Orff Ensemble Coordinator      

Colin Powell ES                               

Cherylbaker15@gmail.com              

clbaker@fcps.edu

702-755-1139

 

Stefan Castro

VEMEA President

scastro@rcps.us

540-223-5944

 

The Conductors

Sandy Lantz and Gretchen Wahlberg have taught elementary music in Florida for over 38 years. They have conducted All-County performances in Polk and Osceola counties. In 2016, Sandy and Gretchen were clinicians and conductors for the inaugural All-State Orff Ensemble in Tampa, FL for the Florida Music Educators Association conference. They also directed the first annual FEMEA South Regional Orff Ensemble. For over 20 years, they have co-taught Level I teacher training courses sponsored by the Central Florida Orff Chapter, Stetson University, Florida Gulf Coast University and Florida International University. They have co-taught workshop sessions at National Orff Schulwerk conferences, as well as numerous state music conferences throughout the US. Together they have written the books, “Drum It Up”, “Creative Bits with Children’s Lit”, “Strum It Up”, "S'More Bits with Children’s Lit”, and “Mixing It UP”.

The All-Virginia Orff Ensemble for VEMEA is an exceptionally rare VEMEA performance ensemble that affords our young students an opportunity very few get to experience in Virginia. The conductors and coordinators work in tandem to develop a program suited to the Conductor’s unique teaching methods and stylistic preferences, while offering the participants an engaging and challenging Orff experience.  

 

Event Details

• Guest Conductor: Gretchen Wahlberg and Sandy Lentz
• Date: November 20-21, 2024.
• Location: Norfolk Waterside Marriott Hotel, Norfolk, VA.
• You are allowed to select up to six (6) students from your highest elementary grade level.
• Reference recordings will be provided to each director. Directors must ensure that each student has his/her music and instrument part prepared for performance and memorized prior to November 20, 2024.
• Teachers will need to be present with their students for the duration of the event.  If a chaperone will be attending, please be sure to follow your school’s permissions and procedures.
• Parents are not allowed in the rehearsal room until the performance unless they are serving as a chaperone
• Students are encouraged to bring a water bottle (labeled w/ name).
• Students and Directors will be provided with snacks.
• Student attire for the concert will be an All-Virginia Orff Ensemble T-shirt which will be given out the day of the event, black pants or skirt, black socks or hosiery and black shoes.  Directors are encouraged to check outfits prior to November 20th. *
• On the first day of the event, check-in will be from 12:30-1:00 PM. Practice will run from 1-6 pm on Wednesday. Practice will begin at 8:00 AM on Thursday morning.  Doors will open for concert seating on the second day at 11:00 AM.; the concert will start at 11:30 AM.

Note*: As a VMEA endorsed honors ensemble, professionalism and preparedness are vital to the success of the event. The Guest Conductors and Coordinator reserve the absolute right to deny participation to any student or teacher whose conduct and/or dress detract from all participants’ mutual and equitable experience. Please review and emphasize this with your selected students and their families. 

Payment Information

·      School registration fee will be $25.00 per school which covers VMEA fees, venue fees, and provides music and a t-shirt for the teacher.

• Student registration fee will be $30.00 per participant, which provides our budget for the entire event (honorariums, snacks, music copyright fees, t-shirts, etc.).
• There is $139.00 participation fee for non-VMEA/NAfME directors. If you would like to participate and are not a member yet, you may register for VMEA/NAfME at www.nafme.org.   
• Send one check from your school or sponsoring PTO/PTA that covers the total amount (School fee, student fees, and any non-VMEA/NAfME educator fees).
• Checks are payable to VEMEA.  If your secretary has any problems, they may make the check payable to VMEA.
• All materials must be submitted by Friday, September 21, 2024 and either paid online OR mailed to: 

Music Teacher and School Registration

By signing below, the music teacher commits to bring students to participate in the 2024 All Virginia Orff Ensemble Event held on November 20-21, 2024 at the Norfolk Waterside Marriott Hotel. The music teacher understands that they, or a school-approved chaperone, will remain in the rehearsal area with their students at all times.

Total Fees

$25.00 School Fee

$30.00 per student Registration Fee

$139.00 NAfME Non-Member fee (if applicable)

A PayPal invoice will be automatically generated and sent to the email address at the top of this form.

If paying by check:
- Print invoice and mail with check to:

VEMEA Treasurer
attn: Ernest Stokes
Butts Road Intermediate
1571 Mt. Pleasant Rd.
Chesapeake, VA 23322

If paying by card: 

- Click "Pay Invoice" and follow instructions.  You do not need a PayPal account to pay with a credit/debit card.