A note from the Executive Director of the Michigan Schools Band and Orchestra Association:
Good day to all of the MSBOA Family!
It is the time of year when we celebrate the finest high school arts students in Michigan with the Michigan Youth Arts Festival (MYAF) held on the campus of Western Michigan University.
Events start on Thursday May 9 and continue through Saturday May 11. All events are FREE and open to the public!
I would like to point out a few of the MSBOA portions of the MYAF:
Thursday night: Opening Concert – All of the disciplines are featured. MSBOA will spotlight the Percussion Ensemble from Churchill HS.
Friday night : Gala Concert – The opening fanfare will be performed by all of the Brass players from all of the ensembles – The fanfare will be “Exuberance” by Scott Boerma which was commissioned by MSBOA for last year’s 50th MYAF Anniversary.
Also performing in a pre-concert recital will be the Grandville HS Saxophone Quratet, the Chelsea HS Woodwind Quintet and the Novi HS Brass Quintet.
Featured on this concert will be the Concerto Competition Soloists: Lydia Roth on Flute from the West Michigan Home School Association, Claire Ross on French Horn from East Kentwood HS, Hanna Rumors on Cello from Portage Central HS, and Stephanie Pestana from the Michigan Music Teachers Association. The Grand Rapids Youth Symphony conducted by John Varineau will accompany these wonderful soloists.
Saturday: Collage Concert – All of the above small ensembles plus the Northview Jazz Combo, the Ann Arbor Skyline HS French Horn Duet, and the Chelsea String Quartet will be featured.
Saturday Honors Concert –
The MSBOA / MYAF Honors Jazz Ensemble directed by Robbie Smith,
The MSBOA / MYAF Honors Band conducted by Robert Spradling – Kevin Culling, MSBOA’s Teacher of the Year for Band will conduct “Procession of the Nobles”
and The MSBOA / MYAF HonorsOrchestra conducted by Gregory Cunningham – Amy Marr, MSBOA’s Teacher of the Year for Orchestra will conduct “Hoe Down from Rodeo”
will be featured.
A special highlight will be the first performance by a MSBOA Jazz Ensemble of MSBOA’s newest commissioned work:”Gospel According to Jack” by MSBOA member Chris Kauffold. The composition is in honor of Jack Saunders, a long time director at Central Michigan University and adjudicator for MSBOA. Jack frequently served as a clinician for MSBOA Adjudication Workshops and his influence and insight into the adjudication process is still felt by many of our adjudicators.
Throughout the 3 days there will be Art displays, Vocal Music performances, Theatre productions, Video presentations Dance Concerts and much more!
A big . . . . no make that . . . HUGE . . Thank You to Paul DeRubeis for all of his work on behalf of MSBOA to make this event possible.
We urge all members to take the time to be a part of this unique event and to be surrounded by some of the finest student musicians in the country!
—
Paul Lichau,
MSBOA Executive Director