Greene County Music Educators Association
Joyfully serving the band and choir students of Greene County Pennsylvania
Programs & Events
Small Ensembles
* Students must have their registration form and fee turned in BEFORE they can start participating in any of the small ensembles. *
2019-2020 Schedule
FALL
Registration Forms and Fees Due: Friday, September 20
First Week of Small Ensemble Rehearsals: September 30 - October 4
Last Week of Small Ensemble Rehearsals: December 16-20
Fall Small Ensembles Concert: Wednesday, December 18 @ 7:00 PM (Dress Rehearsal @ 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM)
Carmichaels Area High School Auditorium
SPRING
Registration Forms and Fees Due: Monday, January 6
First Week of Small Ensemble Rehearsals: January 13-17
Last Week of Small Ensemble Rehearsals: March 16-20
Spring Small Ensembles Concert: Thursday, March 19 @ 7:00 PM (Dress Rehearsal @ 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM)
West Greene High School Auditorium
FALL
Registration Forms and Fees Due: Friday, September 20
First Week of Small Ensemble Rehearsals: September 30 - October 4
Last Week of Small Ensemble Rehearsals: December 16-20
Fall Small Ensembles Concert: Wednesday, December 18 @ 7:00 PM (Dress Rehearsal @ 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM)
Carmichaels Area High School Auditorium
SPRING
Registration Forms and Fees Due: Monday, January 6
First Week of Small Ensemble Rehearsals: January 13-17
Last Week of Small Ensemble Rehearsals: March 16-20
Spring Small Ensembles Concert: Thursday, March 19 @ 7:00 PM (Dress Rehearsal @ 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM)
West Greene High School Auditorium
About...
The Greene County Music Educators Association (GCMEA) is always looking for ways to provide quality educational experiences for our music students throughout the county. With the wide range of ability levels present amongst our students in the band and choir programs in each school district, the large group and full band and choir classes students take during the school day don’t always address each and every one of their needs. The BEST way to do this is for students to take private lessons on their instrument or voice, but these can cost students and parents $30 or more per week per hour-long lesson.
To help provide this more focused and individualized instruction for Greene County’s band and choir students, the GCMEA has established a county-wide small ensembles program! Students are able to participate in small, like-instrument/voice groups in the Fall and Spring with instruction provided by specialists on the particular instrument or voice they are teaching. These groups will focus on the fundamental elements of playing or singing for THEIR instrument or voice (embouchure, breathing, tone production, technique, diction, etc.) as well as application of these fundamentals to appropriate music that will challenge each student at their current ability level. Students are then able to transfer this strong foundation they have developed to their home district band and choir classes, and, more importantly, the students are all getting better individually!
The Greene County Music Educators Association (GCMEA) is always looking for ways to provide quality educational experiences for our music students throughout the county. With the wide range of ability levels present amongst our students in the band and choir programs in each school district, the large group and full band and choir classes students take during the school day don’t always address each and every one of their needs. The BEST way to do this is for students to take private lessons on their instrument or voice, but these can cost students and parents $30 or more per week per hour-long lesson.
To help provide this more focused and individualized instruction for Greene County’s band and choir students, the GCMEA has established a county-wide small ensembles program! Students are able to participate in small, like-instrument/voice groups in the Fall and Spring with instruction provided by specialists on the particular instrument or voice they are teaching. These groups will focus on the fundamental elements of playing or singing for THEIR instrument or voice (embouchure, breathing, tone production, technique, diction, etc.) as well as application of these fundamentals to appropriate music that will challenge each student at their current ability level. Students are then able to transfer this strong foundation they have developed to their home district band and choir classes, and, more importantly, the students are all getting better individually!
Participation, Practices and Performances
The small ensembles program is open to all Greene County middle school and high school band and choir students and runs for two semesters: October through December in the Fall and January through March in the Spring. Each small ensemble meets one day a week for one hour for about 10 weeks each semester. Practices are held in the Waynesburg Central High School music rooms, and students/parents are responsible for transportation to and from practices. At the end of each semester, the small ensembles put on a public performance. Once signed up, it is expected that students will make every effort to attend ALL scheduled practices and performances. Students are also responsible for having their own instrument/equipment for the ensemble(s) they are participating in – see your Band/Choir Director if you have any questions or need assistance with this.
The small ensembles program is open to all Greene County middle school and high school band and choir students and runs for two semesters: October through December in the Fall and January through March in the Spring. Each small ensemble meets one day a week for one hour for about 10 weeks each semester. Practices are held in the Waynesburg Central High School music rooms, and students/parents are responsible for transportation to and from practices. At the end of each semester, the small ensembles put on a public performance. Once signed up, it is expected that students will make every effort to attend ALL scheduled practices and performances. Students are also responsible for having their own instrument/equipment for the ensemble(s) they are participating in – see your Band/Choir Director if you have any questions or need assistance with this.
$ Fees $
To make this program accessible to all band and choir students, affordable fees have been established to help cover the cost of instruction while keeping them SIGNIFICANTLY under what it would cost for weekly private lessons. The total cost per semester is $40 for participation in one ensemble, $60 for participation in two ensembles, and $75 for participation in three or more ensembles.
To make this program accessible to all band and choir students, affordable fees have been established to help cover the cost of instruction while keeping them SIGNIFICANTLY under what it would cost for weekly private lessons. The total cost per semester is $40 for participation in one ensemble, $60 for participation in two ensembles, and $75 for participation in three or more ensembles.
Choose the Ensemble That's Right for YOU!
Students are strongly encouraged to sign up for and participate in an ensemble that aligns with their primary instrument/voice. Students may sign up for multiple ensembles but should be certain they have the time to commit to all practices and performances, as well as necessary individual practice time, before doing so. Students are also allowed to join an ensemble on a non-primary instrument/voice but should be prepared to put in extra individual practice time when doing so.
The Ensembles that are currently offered are Flute Ensemble, Clarinet Ensemble, Saxophone Ensemble, Brass Ensemble, Percussion Ensemble, String Ensemble, Jazz Ensemble, and Choir Ensemble. Meeting days and times, resources, and more information for each small ensemble can be found by clicking on the appropriate link or picture below:
Students are strongly encouraged to sign up for and participate in an ensemble that aligns with their primary instrument/voice. Students may sign up for multiple ensembles but should be certain they have the time to commit to all practices and performances, as well as necessary individual practice time, before doing so. Students are also allowed to join an ensemble on a non-primary instrument/voice but should be prepared to put in extra individual practice time when doing so.
The Ensembles that are currently offered are Flute Ensemble, Clarinet Ensemble, Saxophone Ensemble, Brass Ensemble, Percussion Ensemble, String Ensemble, Jazz Ensemble, and Choir Ensemble. Meeting days and times, resources, and more information for each small ensemble can be found by clicking on the appropriate link or picture below:
If you have any further questions, please contact your Band/Choir Director or Mr. Jeremy Olisar (Small Ensembles Coordinator) at jolisar@cgsd.org.
