Ramblings by GeorgeMy big concern is that many choruses do not use the electronic mail and the Web Site (http://amcachorus.org) offered to us for quicker response to ongoing changes in our organization. It has been an observation that less than 30% have the courtesy of acknowledging receipt of the information and that most don't realize the benefit of making the AMCA an effective, strong entity in the formation of male choruses. We must strive to get better, and this is the time to tell your representatives your thoughts on the changes in our governance for the future. The organization is interested that everyone has a voice, so all can claim the association as their own. If we take the time to share and care, we can all benefit in renewed success. Other issues that have already surfaced such as, recruiting, attendance at concerts, guest appearance opportunities, addition of new choruses, memorization, use of music during concerts, uniforms, and AMCA logo merchandise will also be discussed or committees will be set up to evaluate them. We hope all districts will share in the responsibility by having members become part of the new organization and/or committee. Every chorus and district will also need to have a Historian to work with the International Historian plus a music committee. It's time we complete the sharing of our libraries because of the lack of music from publishers or the consolidation of it. There will be ongoing opportunities for all to share their talents besides their voices. I would also like to start a team, with representatives from each chorus and district, to reach out to choruses who might have left the AMCA for whatever reason (even our Canadian brothers in AMCO), to encourage them to rejoin the NEW, EXCITING AMCA. Let's take FELLOWSHIP, GOOD SINGING AND SERVICE to another level by adding FUN in all that we do. Feel free to contact John, Ric or me, if you need more clarification. George Pecor, President AMCA Web Site InformationEd Armbruster AMCA Choral Composition ContestThe goal of this competition is to encourage original songwriting for Male Chorus and to award outstanding efforts in this genre. AMCA is in a position to offer cash awards of up to $500, opportunities for premier performances by member choruses, and presentation of winning compositions to publisher contacts. The AMCA Web site (http://amcachorus.org) has links to the contest rules (http://amcofa.org/contestinfo/AMCAContestGuide05.pdf), and a contest entry form you can print (http://amcofa.org/contestinfo/AMCAContestEntry05.pdf). Don Crouch Scholarship Winners
Gavin Bidelman is this year's AMCA Lester Axdahl Scholar, having received the highest rating of all applicants reviewed by this year's panel of evaluators. This is Gavin's second consecutive AMCA award. A second-year music student at the University of Michigan with a dual major of music theory/sound engineering, Gavin continues to excel both academically and musically. In addition to serving as the U of M's Men's Glee Club Music Librarian, he recently was elected to that club's executive board, responsible for overseeing the club's overall budget and merchandise sales. This summer Gavin toured with the Glee Club to the British Isles, where he soloed in such venues as the church at St. Martin-in-the-Fields. Following his undergraduate work at the U of M, he plans to pursue a doctorate in music theory and composition in preparation for teaching at the university level. Gavin is sponsored by Lansing's Men of Orpheus of the Great Lakes District.
"After my first taste of the male chorus experience, I had to have more." These were the sentiments of Joshua Andrew in high school. Today, he is in his junior year at the University of Wisconsin, Eau Claire, where he is preparing for a career in music education. In addition to his membership in the UW-Eau Claire's Singing Statesmen, he is a member and secretary of the student chapter of the American Choral Directors Association and secretary of the university's Concert Choir. Joshua's intimate involvement in music has enabled him to attend ACDA's divisional and national conventions and a divisional convention of the Wisconsin Music Educators Association. This summer, he attended the 2004 National Seminar of the Intercollegiate Men's Chorus, Inc., which, in his own words, "provided valuable opportunities for me to grow as a musician and appreciate the terrific music of men's choruses from throughout the United States.² In addition to being selected by the AMC of A for a scholarship award, he was honored with the Caldwell Johnson scholarship from UW-Eau Claire for his ³dedicated service to the music department." Joshua is sponsored by the Singing Statesmen of the Upper Midwest District.
Seth Boyd is a senior music education major with an emphasis in choral education at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire. He is a member of the Singing Statesmen, AMC of A's student chorus at UW-Eau Claire, and the Concert Choir, the top vocal ensemble at the university, with which this summer he participated in a tour of Spain and France. Seth's ultimate goal is to teach music at the primary education level and is committed to ³being a music teacher who gives students the chance to create a sound more glorious than they ever dreamed possible." Seth is dedicated to forging relationships with children, having served as study club volunteer with a group of middle school students, and mentoring through the Big Brothers/Big Sisters organization. He has also served for several years with the YMCA summer/after school program. He is a member of the student chapter of the ACDA and the Wisconsin Education Association. Seth is sponsored by the Singing Statesmen student chorus of the AMC of A's Upper Midwest District.
This year's award is Timothy Buchholz's second, having been awarded the Lester Axdahl award in 2003. During his first year at Western Michigan University, he was accepted into the university's jazz ensemble, the Gold Company, singing with the group at the International Association of Jazz Education convention in Los Angeles. In addition, Tim performed with the Gold Company Sextet, a select group of current and former Gold Company members on a tour of Latvia and Estonia. Tim is also a member of WMU's premier University Chorale with which he sang as part of the opening performance night at the Gilmore International Keyboard Festival. Tim was recently awarded the Dean's Summer Research Grant from the Lee Honors College at Western Michigan University, a grant he will use to conduct research for his debut album, his senior thesis project. Tim is a member of and sponsored by the Kalamazoo Male Chorus of the Great Lakes District.
Tyler Meaton is the product of Lansing's Waverly High School music program, which is no stranger to the AMC of A scholarship program. Past Waverly singers have received AMCA scholarships and continue to affirm the validity of music to the development of exceptional character, as well as the value of our scholarship program. Tyler's goals at the University of Michigan are to hone his skills in vocal music performance as he works toward his goal of communicating his love for both theater and music on the Broadway stage. Long-term, his aspirations are toward helping serious students at the high school level realize their potential in the vocal arts. This summer, he competed in the Michigan State Festival, achieving firsts in all his events. Tyler has also been active as soloist with the Reflections, Waverly High School's advanced honors choir, in a pop concert featuring a variety of popular music of recent and distant vintage. He entered the University of Michigan's music program in the fall of 2004. Tyler is sponsored by Lansing's Men of Orpheus of the Great Lakes District. Don Peterson Rochester to Sponsor UMW Big Sing 2005Ed Armbruster New York Pennsylvania Big Sing 2004Michigan District Big Sing 2005 |
