Fall Bulletin No. 235 - August 2009 - The Iowa High School Music ...

THE MISSION OF THE IOWA HIGH SCHOOL MUSIC ASSOCIATION IS:1. To foster and perpetuate music as an art form and an essential component of the secondaryschool curriculum;2. To organize and regulate festivals that assure fairness and equity and stimulate students totheir greatest possible potential;3. To establish criteria and standards for musical performance that insure the musical/educationalintegrity of Iowa high school music programs;4. To encourage member participation in Association-sponsored events, assuring all participantsof a nonbiased evaluation of their performances;5. To develop programs that bring due recognition to outstanding musicians and performances;6. To provide musical opportunities that will enrich the lives of high school students and aid inthe development of a life-long appreciation of music.IHSMA Festivals DefinedIn January of 2006, the Executive Committee of the Iowa High School Music Association adopted apolicy stating that, “With the exception of the All-State Music Festival, IHSMA Festivals are assessmentsof individual or group achievement whereby every participant has the opportunity to achievethe highest rating.”New Director Orientation SessionsFive High School Music Teacher Orientation meetings will be held in late August and Early September.These meetings are free of charge and will be held from 5-7 PM at the following locations/dates:Monday, August 24, 2009Monday, August 31, 2009Tuesday, September 1, 2009Thursday, September 3, 2009Tuesday, September 8, 2009West Delaware High School, ManchesterBuena Vista University, Storm Lake – Choir RoomHarlan High School, HarlanWashington High School, WashingtonIHSMA Office, BooneEach meeting will cover the rules and regulations of the association, festival dates, registration deadlines,penalty deadlines, registration procedures, and ballots for use at each festival. During the eveningattendees will be acquainted with the mentorship/membership programs available through the IowaChoral Directors Association, the Iowa Bandmasters Association, and the Iowa String Teachers Association.All 1 st , and any 2 nd + year music teachers, or teachers who are new to the state, who may not befamiliar with the policies of the Iowa High School Music Association and the programs offered,are encouraged to attend one of these sessions.Teachers wishing to participate should contact the Iowa High School Music Association either viae-mail: donna@ihsma.org or telephone (515) 432-2013 to ensure that the sessions will be held andthat adequate materials are available.1