Guidelines for Program Chairs

FALL FESTIVAL – GUIDELINES FOR CHAIR

September:
Verify that the venue is booked and that our MTAC Certificate of Liability is on file with them. Be sure to obtain early morning contact numbers in case nobody is around to open the facilities.

After all the applications are received:

Review the program budget. Work within the budget constraints at all times. Chairs are encouraged to secure a $200 surplus.
Collate all the information from the application forms in one combined spreadsheet to start developing the programs.
Start with the teachers’ special requests. Try to distribute each teacher’s students among neighboring programs. Avoid scheduling a large number of students from the same teacher in one program – preferably a maximum of 5 students.
Programs should be about 45- 50 minutes each. Pay close attention to the performance times listed for each student. Allow for transition time between student performances. Plan on a 15 to 20 minute break between recitals. Allow a 45 minute of set-up time before the start of the first program. It serves as a safety period in case of a delay in opening of venue and allows time to label the seats.
Divide the day into programs and shuffle the performers to achieve the best program order – mainly from young to older and/or from easy to advanced. Difficulty of repertoire overrides the age but exceptions may be valid. Try to start the program with a fairly secure beginner and end the program with a fairly virtuosic piece.
Make sure that teachers have submitted the correct application fees. Fees have to be paid before students perform.
Notify teachers of their students performance time at least 7 days before the event, but preferably sooner. Include a link for a map, details about the venue and parking.
Type the programs and the cover page. The cover page could be repeated for each program and the individual programs (Program 1,2,3 etc), inserted on the inside. This is more cost effective than printing all the program pages in one booklet. A simple one page program is also acceptable for each scheduled program.
Programs are usually printed one week in advance. Prepare the programs and box them according to programs 1,2,3 etc. Print approximately 2 – 3 times the number of participants per program.
Make signs to direct the audience to the recital hall if necessary.
Participation certificates, ribbons, flowers or any other means of recognition for participation within the program budget. can be presented.
Prepare a short welcome for the audience, introduce yourself and tell them a bit about the program (see more below).
Make one more last contact to be sure the hall will be open and ready in the morning.
Be sure to have enough helping hands to get you started in the morning.

The Day of the Recital:

Prepare the front rows for student performers; stickers (easily removable type) with performance numbers and student names. Students are seated in the front rows according to their performance number. Seat the students to allow for supervision of the younger, and sometimes restless, little students if possible. Have a helper teacher take care of seating the students as they arrive.
The announcer should be able to project their voice and be comfortable in front of an audience.
At each program –
- welcome the audience
- introduce yourself and any co-chairs
- say a few words to explain the program
- ask the audience to turn of all electronic devices
- mention no videos or photos of unrelated students and no flash photography
- no exit or entry during a performance
- recognize participating teachers – ask them to stand
At the end of each program, ask students to come up to receive their flower and certificate and remain standing for a photo opportunity.

After the Fall Recital:

⦁ A Financial Summary has to be completed within two weeks of the event. Submit the summary together with the teachers’ checks, to the Treasurer. Chairs are encouraged to secure a $200 surplus.
⦁ Copy the President on the Financial Summary.
⦁Within one week after the competition, send a list of participants to the president and the Achievement Awards Recital chair. Please indicate any registered students who were not able to participate.

WINTERFEST – GUIDELINES FOR CHAIR

September:

After consultation between chair and assistant chairs, contact and secure either two or three judges depending on the budget constraints ($350 each for a full day usually). The judges should ideally have experience to judge both strings and piano. Provide judges with details about the time, date and venue. To be confirmed and updated about two weeks before the event.

November:

Verify with branch president that the venue is booked and that our MTAC Certificate of Liability is on file with the venue site. Be sure to obtain early morning contact numbers in case nobody is around to open the facilities.

After all the applications have been received:

Review the program budget. Work within the budget constraints at all times. Chairs are encouraged to secure a $200 surplus.

Collate all the information from the application forms in one combined spreadsheet to start developing the programs.
Start with the teachers’ special requests. Try to distribute each teacher’s students among neighboring programs. Avoid scheduling a large number of students from the same teacher in one program – preferably a maximum of 5 students.
Programs should be about 45- 50 minutes each. Pay close attention to the performance times listed for each student. Allow for transition time between student performances and for judges to finish writing comments. Plan on a 15 to 20 minute break between recitals. Allow a 45 minute of set-up time before the start of the first program. It serves as a safety period in case of a delay in opening of venue and allows time to receive and instruct the judges..
Divide the day into programs and shuffle the performers to achieve the best program order – mainly from young to older and/or from easy to advanced. Difficulty of repertoire overrides the age but exceptions may be valid. Try to start the program with a fairly secure beginner and end the program with a fairly virtuosic piece.
Make sure that teachers have submitted the correct application fees. Fees have to be paid before students perform.

⦁ Notify each teacher of their student’s performance time and include a link for a map, details about the venue and parking and include a reminder for students to bring their music books with measure numbers marked.
⦁ Contact judges to confirm the length of the recital day, the venue, their arrival time and parking arrangements
⦁ Type the programs and the cover page. The cover page could be repeated for each program and the individual programs (Program 1,2,3 etc), inserted on the inside. This is more cost effective than printing all the program pages in one booklet.
⦁ Programs are usually printed one week in advance. Prepare the programs and box them according to programs 1,2,3 etc
⦁ Make signs to direct the audience to the recital hall.
⦁ Write a few words to use as an introduction and explanation of the Sonata Sonatina program and an introduction of the judges
⦁ Request a check for each judge from Treasurer
⦁ Plan food for judges and chairs who are there all day – coffee, tea, water, breakfast items, lunch items
⦁ Prepare a folder for each judge containing:

1. Competition guidelines and age categories
2. The program without student names
3. A comment sheet with student number and repertoire at the top
4. A judging sheet for deliberations and personal comments
5. Include a personal thank you note with their check

⦁ Reconfirm arrangements with judges
⦁ Make final contact to be sure the hall will be open and ready in the morning.
⦁ Be sure to have to helping hands to get you started in setting up and receiving the judges

The Day of the Competition:

Prepare the front rows for student performers; stickers (easily removable type) with performance numbers and student names. These stickers are updated for each performance as new students arrive. Students are seated in the front rows according to their performance number. Have a helper teacher take care of seating the students as they arrive. Seat the students to allow for supervision of the younger, and sometimes restless, little students if possible.
Collect all music from students as they arrive and adhere stickers (easily removable type) with performance number and name to each book. Place the books in a stack according to performance order and hand to judges.
Judges are asked to convene in the judges refreshments room after each program. Make an announcement to allow them to exit first before the audience. It allows for privacy of student teacher associations and encourages impartial judging.
The announcer should be able to project their voice and be comfortable in front of an audience.
At each program –
- welcome the audience
- introduce yourself and co-chairs
- say a few words to explain the program
- introduce the judges
- ask the audience to turn of all electronic devices
- mention no videos or photos of unrelated students and no flash photography
- no exit or entry during a performance
- ask audience to allow judges to exit before anyone else at end of program
- recognize participating teachers – ask them to stand

Scoring and calculating the winners and HM:

50% of the participants within each age category will be selected as winners. The goal of this competition is to allow all age levels equal opportunity to be a winner. One Honorable Mention recipient is chosen from each age category.

After the competition:

One day after the competition, do a group email to all participating teachers announcing the winners and honorable mention recipients (listing the teachers represented by these students, separately at the end) and include information on when trophies will be available and where to pick up judges’ comments.
One day after the competition, order the number of trophies needed and include the list of names for name plates. Ribbons or certificates (depending on budget contraints), can be presented to the Honorable Mention recipients.
One day after the competition, send the winners and honorable mention list to Website coordinator for publication
Write a thank you note to the judges.
Within one week after the competition, do a Financial Summary and send this, together with the teachers’ checks, to the Treasurer.
Within one week after the competition, send a list of participants to the President and the Achievement Awards Recital Chair . Please indicate any registered students who were not able to participate.

This job can be split between four people to make it easier to handle:

One person to do the scheduling, make the students seating name tags and student music books name tags
One person to plan, type and print the program, do the signs and do the financial report and run the program on the recital day
One person to plan and supervise the judges’ (and working teachers’) food and drinks.
One person to handle all the trophies and plaques and name plate orders as well as pick up the trophies.

SONATA/SONATINA COMPETITION – GUIDELINES FOR CHAIR

September/October:

December:

After all the applications have been received:

Review the program budget. Work within the budget constraints at all times. Chairs are encouraged to secure a $200 surplus.

Collate all the information from the application forms in one combined spreadsheet to start developing the programs.
Start with the teachers’ special requests. Try to distribute each teacher’s students among neighboring programs. Avoid scheduling a large number of students from the same teacher in one program – preferably a maximum of 5 students.
Programs should be about 45- 50 minutes each. Pay close attention to the performance times listed for each student. Allow for transition time between student performances and for judges to finish writing comments. Plan on a 15 to 20 minute break between recitals. Allow a 45 minute of set-up time before the start of the first program. It serves as a safety period in case of a delay in opening of venue and allows time to receive and instruct the judges..
Divide the day into programs and shuffle the performers to achieve the best program order – mainly from young to older and/or from easy to advanced. Difficulty of repertoire overrides the age but exceptions may be valid. Try to start the program with a fairly secure beginner and end the program with a fairly virtuosic piece.
Make sure that teachers have submitted the correct application fees. Fees have to be paid before students perform.

The Day of the Competition:

Prepare the front rows for student performers; stickers (easily removable type) with performance numbers and student names. These stickers are updated for each performance as new students arrive. Students are seated in the front rows according to their performance number. Have a helper teacher take care of seating the students as they arrive. Seat the students to allow for supervision of the younger, and sometimes restless, little students if possible.
Collect all music from students as they arrive and adhere stickers (easily removable type) with performance number and name to each book. Place the books in a stack according to performance order and hand to judges.
Judges are asked to convene in the judges refreshments room after each program. Make an announcement to allow them to exit first before the audience. It allows for privacy of student teacher associations and encourages impartial judging.
The announcer should be able to project their voice and be comfortable in front of an audience.
At each program –
- welcome the audience
- introduce yourself and co-chairs
- say a few words to explain the program
- introduce the judges
- ask the audience to turn of all electronic devices
- mention no videos or photos of unrelated students and no flash photography
- no exit or entry during a performance
- ask audience to allow judges to exit before anyone else at end of program
- recognize participating teachers – ask them to stand

Scoring and calculating the winners and HM:

After the competition:

One day after the competition, do a group email to all participating teachers announcing the winners and honorable mention recipients (listing the teachers represented by these students, separately at the end) and include information on when trophies will be available and where to pick up judges’ comments.
One day after the competition, order the number of trophies needed and include the list of names for name plates. Ribbons or certificates (depending on budget contraints), can be presented to the Honorable Mention recipients.
One day after the competition, send the winners and honorable mention list to Website coordinator for publication
Write a thank you note to the judges.
Within one week after the competition, do a Financial Summary and send this, together with the teachers’ checks, to the Treasurer.
Within one week after the competition, send a list of participants to the president and the Achievement Awards Chair. Please indicate any registered students who were not able to participate.
This job can be split between four people to make it easier to handle:
One person to do the scheduling, make the students seating name tags and student music books name tags
One person to plan, type and print the program, do the signs and do the financial report and run the program on the recital day
One person to plan and supervise the judges’ (and working teachers’) food and drinks.
One person to handle all the trophies and plaques and name plate orders as well as pick up the trophies.

BAROQUE FESTIVAL – GUIDELINES FOR CHAIR

March:

Verify that the venue is booked and that our MTAC Certificate of Liability is on file with them. Be sure to obtain early morning contact numbers in case nobody is around to open the facilities.

After all the applications are received:

Review the program budget. Work within the budget constraints at all times. Chairs are encouraged to secure a $200 surplus.
Collate all the information from the application forms in one combined spreadsheet to start developing the programs.
Start with the teachers’ special requests. Try to distribute each teacher’s students among neighboring programs. Avoid scheduling a large number of students from the same teacher in one program – preferably a maximum of 5 students.
Programs should be about 45- 50 minutes each. Pay attention to the performance times listed for each student. Allow for transition time between student performances. Plan on a 15 to 20 minute break between recitals. Allow a 45 minute of set-up time before the start of the first program. It serves as a safety period in case of a delay in opening of venue and allows time to label the seats.
Divide the morning into programs and shuffle the performers to achieve the best program order – mainly from young to older and/or from easy to advanced. Difficulty of repertoire overrides the age but exceptions may be valid. Try to start the program with a fairly secure beginner and end the program with a fairly virtuosic piece.
Make sure that teachers have submitted the correct application fees. Fees have to be paid before students perform.
Notify teachers of their students performance time at least 7 days before the event, but preferably sooner. Include a link for a map, details about the venue and parking.
Type the programs and the cover page. The cover page could be repeated for each program and the individual programs (Program 1,2,3 etc), inserted on the inside. This is more cost effective than printing all the program pages in one booklet. A simple one page program is also acceptable for each scheduled program.
Programs are usually printed one week in advance. Prepare the programs and box them according to programs 1,2,3 etc. Print approximately 2 – 3 times the number of participants per program.
Make signs to direct the audience to the recital hall if necessary.
Participation certificates or other means of recognition for participation within the program budget, can be presented.
Prepare a short welcome for the audience, introduce yourself and tell them a bit about the program (see more below).
Make one more last contact to be sure the hall will be open and ready in the morning.
Be sure to have enough helping hands to get you started in the morning.

The Day of the Recital:

Prepare the front rows for student performers; stickers (easily removable type) with performance numbers and student names. Students are seated in the front rows according to their performance number. Seat the students to allow for supervision of the younger, and sometimes restless, little students if possible. Have a helper teacher take care of seating the students as they arrive.
The announcer should be able to project their voice and be comfortable in front of an audience.
At each program –
- welcome the audience
- introduce yourself and any co-chairs
- say a few words to explain the program
- ask the audience to turn of all electronic devices
- mention no videos or photos of unrelated students and no flash photography
- no exit or entry during a performance
- recognize participating teachers – ask them to stand
At the end of each program, ask students to come up to receive their certificate and remain standing for a photo opportunity.

After the Baroque Festival:

⦁ A Financial Summary has to be completed within two weeks of the event. Submit the summary together with the teachers’ checks, to the Treasurer. Chairs are encouraged to secure a $200 surplus
⦁ Copy the President on the Financial Summary.
⦁ Within one week, send a list of participants to the President and the Achievement Awards Recital Chair. Please indicate any registered students who were not able to participate.

SPRING FESTIVAL – GUIDELINES FOR CHAIR

April:

Verify that the venue is booked and that our MTAC Certificate of Liability is on file with them. Be sure to obtain early morning contact numbers in case nobody is around to open the facilities.

After all the applications are received:

Review the program budget. Work within the budget constraints at all times. Chairs are encouraged to secure a $200 surplus.
Collate all the information from the application forms in one combined spreadsheet to start developing the programs.
Start with the teachers’ special requests. Try to distribute each teacher’s students among neighboring programs. Avoid scheduling a large number of students from the same teacher in one program – preferably a maximum of 5 students.
Programs should be about 45- 50 minutes each. Pay close attention to the performance times listed for each student. Allow for transition time between student performances. Plan on a 15 to 20 minute break between recitals. Allow a 45 minute of set-up time before the start of the first program. It serves as a safety period in case of a delay in opening of venue and allows time to label the seats.
Divide the day into programs and shuffle the performers to achieve the best program order – mainly from young to older and/or from easy to advanced. Difficulty of repertoire overrides the age but exceptions may be valid. Try to start the program with a fairly secure beginner and end the program with a fairly virtuosic piece.
Make sure that teachers have submitted the correct application fees. Fees have to be paid before students perform.
Notify teachers of their students performance time at least 7 days before the event, but preferably sooner. Include a link for a map, details about the venue and parking.
Type the programs and the cover page. The cover page could be repeated for each program and the individual programs (Program 1,2,3 etc), inserted on the inside. This is more cost effective than printing all the program pages in one booklet. A simple one page program is also acceptable for each scheduled program.
Programs are usually printed one week in advance. Prepare the programs and box them according to programs 1,2,3 etc. Print approximately 2 – 3 times the number of participants per program.
Make signs to direct the audience to the recital hall if necessary.
Participation certificates, ribbons, flowers or any other means of recognition for participation within the program budget. can be presented.
Prepare a short a welcome for the audience, introduce yourself and tell them a bit about the program (see more below).
Make one more last contact to be sure the hall will be open and ready in the morning.
Be sure to have enough helping hands to get you started in the morning.

The Day of the Recital:

Prepare the front rows for student performers; stickers (easily removable type) with performance numbers and student names. Students are seated in the front rows according to their performance number. Seat the students to allow for supervision of the younger, and sometimes restless, little students if possible. Have a helper teacher take care of seating the students as they arrive.
The announcer should be able to project their voice and be comfortable in front of an audience.
At each program –
- welcome the audience
- introduce yourself and any co-chairs
- say a few words to explain the program
- ask the audience to turn of all electronic devices
- mention no videos or photos of unrelated students and no flash photography
- no exit or entry during a performance
- recognize participating teachers – ask them to stand
At the end of each program, ask students to come up to receive their flower, ribbon or certificate and remain standing for a photo opportunity.

After the Spring Festival:

⦁ A Financial Summary has to be completed within two weeks of the event. Submit the summary together with the teachers’ checks, to the Treasurer. Chairs are encouraged to secure a $200 surplus
⦁ Copy the President on the Financial Summary.
⦁ Within one week, send a list of participants to the President and the Achievement Awards Recital Chair. Please indicate any registered students who were not able to participate.

ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS RECITAL – GUIDELINES FOR CHAIR

Throughout the year:
Collect the names of participants in our various branch recitals/competitions – preferably in alphabetical order to simplify the process of checking participation – as listed by teachers on their AA Recital application forms. Ask the various chairs to send you their list of participants.
Be sure a recital venue has been secured and is paid for in advance.

May:

Verify that the venue is booked and that our MTAC Certificate of Liability is on file with them. Be sure to obtain early morning contact numbers in case nobody is around to open the facilities.

After all the applications are received:

Review the program budget. Work within the budget constraints at all times. Chairs are encouraged to secure a $200 surplus.
Make a list of all participants. (A spreadsheet is useful. Using two columns – one for the first name and one for the last name, it is easy to alphabetize the list).
Verify that each student qualifies for the program based on previous event participation, Check the validity of the various musical periods covered, and make sure that the teacher has submitted the correct application fee.
Make sure that teachers have submitted the correct application fees. Fees have to be paid before students perform.
Order trophies and name plates within one week of the application deadline.
Check with Scholarship Committee if you need to have a plaque done for a Scholarship recipient….if so, place the order for plaque to be done and sent to you. You may also need to request to have a check processed (by our Treasurer) for an Awards Presentation….the board will inform you.
Check with CM Chair to see if there are Senior Medallion recipients that need to be presented with their medallions. Request the medallions be sent to you for presentation at the recital.
Collate all the information from the application forms in one combined spreadsheet to start developing the programs.
Start with the teachers’ special requests. Try to distribute each teacher’s students among neighboring programs. Avoid scheduling a large number of students from the same teacher in one program -preferably a maximum of 5 students.
Programs should be about 45- 50 minutes each. Pay close attention to the performance times listed for each student. Allow for transition time between student performances. Plan on a 15 to 20 minute break between recitals. Allow a 45 minute of set-up time before the start of the first program. It serves as a safety period in case of a delay in opening of venue and allows time to receive and instruct the judges..
Divide the day into programs and shuffle the performers to achieve the best program order – mainly from young to older and/or from easy to advanced. Difficulty of repertoire overrides the age but exceptions may be valid. Try to start the program with a fairly secure beginner and end the program with a fairly virtuosic piece.
Notify each teacher of their student’s performance time and include a link for a map, details about the venue and parking
Type the programs and the cover page. The cover page will be repeated for each program and the individual programs (Program 1,2,3 etc), are inserted on the inside.
Programs can be printed on a home printer over several days or through a professional printer. Fold the programs and box them according to programs 1,2,3 etc
Organize the name plates according to the order of each program. Then attach the name plates to the trophies in this order and place the trophies in boxes accordingly, so that they can be removed at the recital hall and placed in order on a table in front for easy presentation at each performance. This trophy processing takes about three hours to do….so do not underestimate this particular job. Try to watch a movie at the same time to relieve the boredom…. Hint: it is much easier and less cumbersome to organize name plates than to shuffle trophies around.
If necessary, make signs to direct the audience to the recital hall.
Write a few words to use as an introduction and explanation at each program, of what the AA Recital is all about.
Write out a few words to be able to recognize all the CM Honors Students (ask them to stand) at each and every recital…explain the requirements and achievements of Honor Students. Also recognize the CM Senior Medallion recipients. Explain the requirements. This can be done by another willing teacher if preferred.
Write a short speech to recognize the Scholarship Awards students and present them with their awards at a program that suits them and their teachers…..check with the teacher. This presentation can be done by the President if preferred….or one of the Scholarship Awards committee.
Make one more last contact to be sure the hall will be open and ready in the morning.
Be sure to have to helping hands to get you started in setting up!

At the Recital:

Prepare the front rows for student performers; stickers (easily removable type) with performance numbers and student names. Students are seated in the front rows according to their performance number. Seat the students to allow for supervision of the younger, and sometimes restless, little students if possible. Have a helper teacher take care of seating the students as they arrive.
Set the trophies up on a table in the front for each program in the order of performances.
The announcer should be able to project their voice and be comfortable in front of an audience.
At each program –
- welcome the audience and introduce yourself and co-chairs
- explain the Achievement Awards Recital program
- ask the audience to turn of all electronic devices
- mention no videos or photos of unrelated students and no flash photography
- no exit or entry during a performance
- recognize participating teachers – ask them to stand
At the end of each program, ask students to come up to receive their trophy and remain for a photo opportunity.

After the AA Recital:

⦁ A Financial Summary has to be completed within two weeks of the event. Submit the summary together with the teachers’ checks, to the Treasurer. Chairs are encouraged to secure a $200 surplus

SUGGESTIONS:
This job can be split between four people to make it easier to handle.

One person to do the scheduling and make the students seating name tags.
One person to plan, type and print the program, do the signs and do the financial report at the end of the event.
One person to do all the announcements, presentations and introductions at each program.
One person to handle all the trophies and plaques and name plate orders as well as pick up the trophies.