DISTRICT I

Illinois Music Educators Association

District I

Fall Newsletter

Click Here for PDF of this Newsletter

Dear IMEA District I Directors,

I hope this fall finds you recharged, refreshed, and excited to be back in front of your students making music.  The season of IMEA is upon us, and I ask you to take a few moments not only to read this brief letter, but to explore the IMEA website links included so that you can have access to the most current and accurate information regarding District I.   To that end, this “letter” is two simple paragraphs and a brief list; all of the other information you need is available on the website, and I encourage you to find it.  Your District Leadership team is working diligently to avoid bombarding you with email this fall; we need you to do your part and seek out information on the website.

I am always happy to answer any questions you may have, and I look forward to serving you in the coming year.  Thank you for your commitment to IMEA and your time in reading the information below.

 - Justin Sisul

District I President

imeadistrictone@gmail.com

630/719-5855 (school)

708/278-5219 (cell)

Things Every Director Needs to Know

1) Update your profile!!  Directions for this can be found in the Spring Newsletter at http://www.ilmea.org/Dist.1.SpringNL.09.shtml 

2) Ensure that every music teacher in your building/district has a profile and has a current and accurate email address in the RNS system.  It has come to our attention that in many schools, one director handles all of the nominating – this eliminates any and all communication with the other directors in your building.  Again, every director must have his or her email in the RNS system!!

3) All information regarding audition procedures and materials will be found in your division links.  Senior Division, you can follow this link: http://www.ilmea.org/Dist.1.SRInfo.09.shtml and Junior Directors follow this link: http://www.ilmea.org/Dist.1.JRInfo.09.shtml. If you have a question not answered in these sites, email the area rep or myself.  It is imperative that you read the information listed on those pages so that you are fully prepared for auditions this fall!

4) Adjudicator Pay – beginning this year, if you are a District I Director who is judging your own “division” – i.e., a high school band director judging District I senior flutes – your pay will be $75.00.  This is to align more closely with other districts in the state, as well as to recognize the idea that our participating directors are expected to be present at auditions; an honorarium is appropriate to compensate additional time judging, but it will be reduced from the rate that a judge who is not a District I Director receives.

5) Senior Division Audition Procedures – as voted on via email last spring, there are some changes to the large-entry categories.  Senior Band will be recording large entry rooms; senior chorus will be holding callbacks for top scores at the District Festival.  Details are being finalized, and you will receive updated information as soon as possible.  This will NOT change your students’ preparation for the audition; it will be a change in the way we schedule and adjudicate. 

6) We are in need of an Orchestra Representative for the Senior Division immediately.  If you are a high school orchestra director willing to step up, please contact Justin Sisul right away; if you would like to suggest someone for this role, please talk to Justin also.