June 1, 2017

Dear NY/ACDA Middle School Honor Choir Parents and Participants,

Congratulations on being accepted into the Summer Middle School Honor Choir, sponsored by the American Choral Directors Association of New York State (NY/ACDA)! This exciting event takes place at the Hilton Albany on Saturday & Sunday, August 12 and 13, 2017 as part of the summer music conference co-sponsored by the New York State School Music Association (NYSSMA) and NY/ACDA.

CONDUCTOR: Our guest conductor this year is Dr. Andrea Ramsey, Associate Director of Choral Studies at the University of Colorado Boulder. A composer, conductor, music educator and native of Arkansas, her teaching experiences range from work with adolescent and children’s voices to frequent guest conducting of all-state and honor choirs. As an active member of ACDA, ASCAP, and NAfME, Andrea believes strongly in the growth of young people as musicians and human beings through the experience of performing meaningful choral music. We are very honored to have her with us this summer!

HILTON ALBANY: Our rehearsal and performance site is the Hilton Albany. You are not required to stay at the Hilton Albany, however it is very convenient as all rehearsals and the concert will take place there. Hotel arrangements should be made on your own as soon as possible, as the hotel fills up quickly for the summer music conference. All reservations must be made online at www.hilton.com. Use group code 1NYSMA. Rates start at $144/night.

PAYMENT AND MEDICAL FORM: The registration fee for participation in the Honor Choir is $125.00 per singer. Payment can be made via Paypal:

OR checks should be made payable to NY/ACDA and mailed to James Ludwig. A notarized medical form must be submitted along with all registration fees and POSTMARKED by Friday, July 6^th.

CONCERT DRESS: Concert dress for each student will be black dress pants, belt, shoes and an honor choir t-shirt, which will be provided upon arrival.

CHAPERONES: Chaperone information and cell phone number must be submitted via e-mail to James Ludwig by July 9. Chaperones may be nominating teachers or a parent who volunteer on a rotating basis to be present for 1-2 hours of rehearsal over the weekend. While we do not expect all chaperones to be present at rehearsals, we ask that chaperones are reachable by cell phone should an issue arise.

NAMETAGS: Students must wear nametags to all rehearsals, which will be distributed at registration. (We will not wear nametags for the concert/photo opportunity.)

Tentative Schedule:
Saturday, August 12

• 12:00-1:00pm – Registration – Hilton Albany Ballroom Foyer
  (Lunch with families prior to arrival)
• 1:00-3:00pm – First Rehearsal – Ballroom A
• 3:00-3:30pm – Break – Snack Provided for Participating Students (Not for Chaperones)
• Second Rehearsal – 3:30-5:00pm Ballroom A
• 5:00-7:00pm – Dinner Break with families.
  Please return promptly. It is critical that every student attend every minute of every rehearsal.
• 7:00-8:30pm – Third Rehearsal –Ballroom A
• Evening free with families.

Sunday, August 13

• 9:00-9:45am – Fourth Rehearsal – Ballroom A (Breakfast with families prior to arrival. Please be punctual.)
• 10:00-10:45am – Open Rehearsal – 10:00-10:45am Open to all Parents, Teachers, Summer NYSSMA Conference Attendees.
• 10:45AM-11:45am – Short Lunch Break with families

Please return promptly. It is critical that every student attend every minute of every rehearsal.

• 11:45am – Pre-Concert Warm-up – Behind Ballroom A
• 12:00pm – Concert – Open and Free to the Public, No Tickets Required

All further correspondence will be via e-mail. Students should practice music daily, as it needs to be memorized! It’s going to be an unforgettable weekend. See you in Albany!

As always, please feel free to e-mail me with any questions at all.     

All the best,
Cyndi Feinman & James Ludwig
NY/ACDA – Middle School Honor Choir Co-Chairperson
[email protected]

Send all mail to:
Herricks Middle School
James Ludwig
7 Hilldale Drive
Albertson, NY 11507

FORMS: 2017 Medical Release Form

May 25, 2017

Dear Elementary Children’s Honor Choir Participant and Parent,

Congratulations! You have been accepted to the 2017 NY/ACDA Elementary Children’s Honor Choir taking place on August 14-15, 2017. Please read this letter carefully as it contains extremely important information.

Your black folder has:

• A label with your name, school and assigned voice part
• Choral music (6 pieces)
• Medical form to be completed, notarized and returned by July 1.

REGISTRATION FEE: A registration fee of $125 is due by July 7, 2017. You can pay on-line via PayPal:

Or mail the check (made payable to NY/ACDA) to:

Eric Williamson
c/o Brooklyn Youth Chorus
179 Pacific Street
Brooklyn, NY 11201

Please note: Scholarship recipients should submit the fee notated in their scholarship award letter.

Late payments will not be accepted. Please contact Eric Williamson as soon as possible if you will not be able to submit payment by the deadline.

MEDICAL FORM: Included in your packet is a medical form. It must be completed, notarized and returned to Eric Williamson by July 7, 2017. 

HOUSING: Housing arrangements must be made individually. You are not required to stay at the Hilton Albany, however it is very convenient as the Tuesday rehearsal and concert will take place there. Hotel arrangements should be made on your own as soon as possible, as the hotel fills up quickly for the summer music conference. Here is the hotel code: 1NYSMA. Currently the starting rate is $144 a night. All reservations must be made online at www.hilton.com. 

CHAPERONES: Chaperone names must be submitted with the chorister’s information form. Chaperones will have the opportunity to volunteer to be available for portions of the rehearsals, the Monday evening dinner and other events throughout the two day period. While we do not expect all chaperones to be present at rehearsals, we ask that chaperones are reachable by cell phone should an issue arise.

NAMETAGS: Students must wear nametags to all rehearsals, which will be distributed at registration. (We will not wear nametags for the concert/photo opportunity.)

REHEARSALS: All students participating must attend all parts of all rehearsals in order to participate in the concert. Students will not be excused from any part of any rehearsal. There are no exceptions to this rule. Please be prompt and remember to bring your music, 2 sharpened pencils, and a refillable water bottle (water only) to all rehearsals. NO GUM! Remember to use your best listening, concentration and singing skills while working with Mr. Leck.

REHEARSAL/PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE: All Monday rehearsals will be held on the College of Saint Rose campus [Massry Center for the Arts building, 1002 Madison Avenue, Albany, NY 12208] and the Tuesday rehearsal and concert will take place at Hilton Albany [30 Lodge St, Albany, NY 12207] as part of the New York State Summer Music Conference. 

The tentative schedule for Monday, August 14, 2017 is:
11:30AM – 1:00PM Registration (Lunch before on your own.) – College of Saint Rose
1:00PM – 5:00PM Rehearsal (Students should bring a snack for the break.) – College of Saint Rose
5:00PM – 6:30PM Dinner (Provided for choristers) – College of Saint Rose
6:30PM – 8:00PM Rehearsal – College of Saint Rose

The tentative schedule for Tuesday, August 15, 2017 is:
10:30 – 1:30PM Rehearsal and short lunch break – Hilton Albany
2:00-2:45 PM Concert – Hilton Albany

CONCERT DRESS: Singers will wear the festival T-Shirts with blue jeans (knee-length skirt or pants are acceptable—please no shorts). T-shirts will be distributed to the singers at registration. T-shirts must be tucked in and are only to be worn at the concert. Please make sure hair is clean and out of your face, with limited jewelry worn. Please avoid scented perfume, cologne or hair products due to allergies.

Additional information will be sent via email throughout the summer. If you have any questions in the meantime, do not hesitate to contact me.

Thank you and we look forward to seeing you in August!

Sincerely,
Eric Williamson
Elementary Children’s Honor Choir Coordinator
Brooklyn Youth Chorus, Chorus Manager
179 Pacific Street
Brooklyn, NY 11201
[email protected]

FORMS: 2017-NY-ACDA-Elementary-Honor-Choir-Medical-Release