New England Music Festival Association, Inc.
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March - June 2020 | Volume LXXXIV, No. 3
President's Message
Marjorie Rooen 

New England Music Festival Association President
marjrooen@yahoo.com
(802) 442-6024
July 2020
Greetings NEMFA Members!

I hope everyone is staying safe and healthy! As we go through these difficult times, I would like you to know we are thinking of all of you and moving forward with your best interests in mind. The Executive Board has been busy since the COVID-19 shut down. NEMFA will be having our Solo and Ensemble Festival this year using audio files and feedback from our professional musicians as we always do. This will also be in an audio format. The feedback portion has always been one of the best things about the Solo and Ensemble Festival.
We are planning our Concert festival but exploring a different way to proceed. We do not have a school host at the moment, but we are looking at other options. There will be a new website this year! It should be ready by September. NEMFA is well aware of some changes in music programs that are being put into place at the different schools. We are keeping these issues at the forefront of our decision-making process. We would like to hear from you with your suggestions and concerns as we proceed.

Have a safe and wonderful summer!!
June 2020 - Orchestra Report
Scott Benson
Orchestra Manager
bensons@norwalkps.org
The 2020 NEMFA Orchestra was made up of students from thirty different sponsors across New England. Although they did not have the opportunity to meet in person, each student’s invitation to be part of the ensemble still represents a significant musical accomplishment, and these students – and their teachers and families – are to be commended for their preparation and dedication to their art. ... Click Here to Read Full Report
June 2020 - Band Report
Danielle Conerty
Band Manager
conertyd@hartfordschools.net
The New England Music Festival Association is proud to present Dr. Matthew Westgate, the Director of Bands at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, as the conductor of the 2021 NEMFA Festival Band! To read his bio, click here.

To read the rest of our Summer 2020 Band update from Danielle Conerty, click here.
June 2020 - Chorus Report
Dr. Eddie Wilkin
Chorus Manager
ewilkin@arsu.org
The New England Music Festival Association is proud to present Dr. David N. Fryling, the Choral Director at Hofstra University, as the conductor of the 2021 NEMFA Festival Choir! To read his bio, click here.

To read the rest of our Summer 2020 Choir update from Dr. Eddie Wilkin, click here.

Walter Beeler Project
Do you remember your NEMFA concert festivals from the 1960's? If so, we could use your help with a research project is underway that is examining the life and legacy of the legendary band director at Ithaca College, Walter Beeler.

Mr. Beeler guest conducted the NEMFA Symphonic Band twice: in 1961 in Rutland, Vermont and in 1968 in Barre, Vermont. Anyone who might know someone who attended either of those festivals either as a teacher or as a student and might be able to remember how well Mr. Beeler interacted with our students at this time, no matter how small the memory, is urged to contact me by email at treynold@worldpath.net or by phone at (617) 529-9402. Thank you so much for any assistance that you might be able to provide in this request!
Lowell Mason House Report - July 2020
With the exterior of the house now mostly completed, the focus now is on the restoration and renovation of the interior of the Lowell Mason House. Several initiatives have been recently completed such as the development of new mission and vision statements, an update to the marketing plan of the house, and updates to the website at http://www.lowellmasonhouse.net . The Lowell Mason House has raised over $400,000.00 up to this date to complete the restoration of the house, to turn it into a study museum and a meeting place. We are grateful to the 15 music educators associations around the United States that have made contributions towards its restoration, including the New England Music Festival Association. ... Click Here to Read Full
John Philip Sousa National High School Honor Band Festival Rescheduled for June of 2021
The Sousa Foundation is proud to present the 14th biannual edition of the John Philip Sousa National High School Honor Band from June 23-26, 2021, showcasing high achieving musicians from across the US. Due to the cancellation of the 2020 festival, all students that were accepted, have automatic acceptance into the 2021 festival, however we are accepting another full round of auditions as well. Check us out at http://www.sousanhsband.com . We are very pleased to announce that Michael J. Colburn former conductor of the "President's Own" United States Marine Band and former New England Music Festival Association Guest Conductor and Student member from Vermont will lead the 2021 John Philip Sousa National High School Honor Band Festival. It will take place at The Bromfield School in Harvard, MA with a performance at Mechanics Hall in Worcester, MA. We are hoping to get as many auditions as possible this year! Our goal is to represent all 50 states!