String orchestra directors who wish to participate in Orchestra Division events must be a member of SCMEA. To become a member of SCMEA, you must pay dues to the National Association for Music Education (MENC). By joining MENC, you are automatically a member of SCMEA. Please visit the Links page to find a link to MENC (The National Association for Music Education).
Rules Governing Solo & Ensemble Festival
Sponsoring is the same as for All-State/Region Orchestras:
All students must be enrolled for 1 unit of credit in their school string orchestra class if the same is offered at the school they attend.
Sponsorship for Orchestra Division activities, including Solo & Ensemble and Concert Festival, is the responsibility of the school string orchestra class teacher. In schools where there is no such class offered, sponsorship may be assumed by the private teacher provided this teacher is a member, in good standing, of the SCMEA Orchestra Division. An orchestra conductor who conducts an orchestra outside of a school situation may assume responsibility for sponsoring if there is no string or orchestra class offered in that student's school, and if that student does not study privately with an SCMEA Orchestra Division member. The sponsoring teacher in all cases must be a member of the SCMEA Orchestra Division by the date the application is submitted and participate at the Region and/or All-State event where the student is performing.
All sponsoring string teachers will serve as chaperones for their students at all activities: NO EXCEPTIONS.
All students must be pre-registered and have all fees paid.
There will be NO SUBSTITUTIONS for students who are registered by name for solo, duet, or ensembles. Ensembles who are registered under one name (for example, "The Bluebird Quartet" ) may allow substitutions as the name printed on the certificate will be the name of the ensemble.
Students should arrive 30 minutes before their assigned time of performance.
One copy of the music must have measures numbered and be presented to the judge ahead of time.
It is recommended that all solos be memorized.
No photocopies.
No adults may perform with the groups, with the exception of piano accompanists.
No students may be added to the group who are not regular members of the same group.
Large ensembles with 9 or more students performing will register for Concert Festival and small ensembles with 8 or less students performing will register for Solo and Ensemble.
A description of group and solos will be included for judges’ information. (This form will be at the registration area.)
