Michigan Music Conference

By Deborah Reed

WKTV Managing Editor

Robel Abebe performs with the All-State Jazz Band at the MMC (Courtesy, Sho Dembinski)

Robel Abebe, senior at East Kentwood High School, performed with the All-State Jazz Band at the 19th annual Michigan Music Conference (MMC) last weekend.

“Congratulations to Robel Abebe, who performed with the All-State Jazz Band last Saturday!” said EKHS Band Director Sho Dembinski in a school social media shout-out.

“Robel was selected from over 2,000 students to play with this band, and spent Thursday and Friday at the Amway Grand in Downtown GR to prepare for his concert. Way to go, Robel!”

The All-State Jazz performance was held Saturday, Jan. 27 at 3 p.m. in the Amway Ambassador Ballroom.

MSBOA All-State

The MSBOA All-State program was established during the 2005-06 school year.

Advancing to the All-State program is a competitive process and requires talent and diligence. Being accepted to All-State is considered one of the highest honors a high school musician can receive.

Students must prepare a 10-minute recorded audition that includes sight-reading, an announced etude and a series of scales. Auditions are submitted using only an identification number with no reference to the student or school.

The auditions are then evaluated by an adjudicator and placed in order. The required number of instruments is then selected to fill each section in the five All-State ensembles: Middle School String Orchestra, Middle School Band, High School Full Orchestra, High School Band and High School Jazz Ensemble.

Approximately 2,500 students audition each year for 400 seats in the All-State ensembles.

In January, the students assemble for two and a half days of rehearsal with nationally recognized conductors. All-State ensembles then perform in a concert held Saturday of the MMC.

Michigan Music Conference

“The purpose of the Michigan Music Conference is to provide relevant professional development and
vibrant musical experiences that support music education for educators and their students,” states the MMC website.

Featuring school ensemble concerts, performances from Honors Choirs, All-State Bands, and Orchestras; sessions for in-service and pre-service teachers; professional development clinics; hands-on technology workshops; and association membership and business meetings, MMC attendance draws approximately 9,000 teachers, administrators, students, speakers, and guests each year.

By Sarah Cavanaugh

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (Jan. 8, 2013) –Almost 2,000 music students representing every middle and high school in the state of Michigan will attend the Michigan Music Conference from Thursday, January 16 through Saturday, January 18 at The Amway Grand Plaza Hotel and DeVos Place. The mission of the conference is to provide support and professional development to educators and vibrant musical experiences for their students, from elementary to college level.

Betsy Purcell, MMC Association and Conference Manager, is proud of the wide range of students attending the 2014 event.

“This year’s attendees and performers include members of the Michigan All-State Band and Orchestra, Michigan Music Educators Association Honors Composition Concerts, Michigan School Band and Orchestra Association All-State Band and Orchestra Concerts and Michigan School Vocal Music Association Honors Choir Concerts.”

A conference highlight for all attending students and families, as well as the general public, will be a free performance of the 338th Army Reserve Band (USARC) at DeVos Performance Hall on Thursday, January 16.

Attendees may also work towards their Michigan music teacher certification credits during the conference. Betsy Purcell adds that she appreciates the support of the musical arts from the city of Grand Rapids year after year.