Orchestra Division Invited Program Spotlights

Updated 3/28/2024
The evaluation and selection processes are under review and may be refined. Updates will be final prior to the June 1 Part 2/3 deadline.

Orchestra Division Invited Program Spotlight

Eligibility

1. Director must be an active member of TMEA
2. The program must represent a school located in the State of Texas.
3. The program must be eligible to participate in UIL Concert and Sightreading Evaluation.
4. The director must be in their 4th or longer school year as the primary director of the group for HS, or in their 3rd or longer school year as the primary director of the group for MS.
5. The program is ineligible to enter the Invited Orchestra Process if the program was selected as an Honor Orchestra for the previous convention year. Example: If an orchestra from the campus was selected as an Honor Orchestra for the 2024 convention then all orchestras from the campus are not eligible to submit for the Invited Program Spotlight for the 2025 convention.
6. The program has not received an invitation to perform at the Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic in the past year.
7. If a program has been selected to be an Invited Program Spotlight group, then it is ineligible to apply or be selected for 3 years (HS) or 2 years (MS).
8. The program cannot apply or submit for Invited Program Spotlight and Honor Orchestra in the same performance year.

Entry Process

Application Submission

1. Application process will include:
   1. Recommendations
      1. School Administrator (principal, fine arts director)
      2. Two recommendations from music professionals who have knowledge and experience with the applying program
   2. UIL History - A list of UIL pieces performed and ratings (high school – 4 years; middle school 2 years)
   3. Director resume
   4. Program resume – may include the following:
      1. Why this program should be selected and what your vision and/or plan is for a TMEA Invited Spotlight Clinic/Performance if selected (REQUIRED)
      2. Unique opportunities offered to students
      3. Socio-economic challenges
      4. Private lesson/masterclass program
      5. Community Involvement
      6. How program enrollment numbers reflect program strength, retention, and growth
   5. School enrollment
   6. Program enrollment
   7. School Socio-Economic Status
2. Performance Component will include:
   1. Recordings of choice
      1. High School Level Group – 12-15 total minutes of music
      2. Middle School Level Group – 8-10 total minutes of music
   2. Performers should be full time students enrolled in the orchestra program
   3. Recordings should be of complete pieces
   4. Recordings should be from any live performance from current school year
   5. Recordings should not be engineered, edited or tampered with in any fashion
   6. Private recording sessions, studio recordings session, multiple recordings of the same selection in one concert are not allowable
   7. All selections must be recorded and submitted in a digital format.
      Acceptable recording formats for upload:
      1. m4a (AAC-LC); Sample rate: 48000 Hz; Stereo; Bitrate: 256 kbps, constant
      2. mp3 Sample rate: 48000 Hz; Stereo; Bitrate: 256 kbps, constant
      3. WAV (Uncompressed); Sample rate: 44,100 Hz; Stereo; 16-Bit (required)

Evaluation and Selection

1. Two rounds of evaluation
   1. Round one (June) evaluations
      1. Evaluations will be done virtually in a determined time period
      2. Each panel member will evaluate the programs based on the submitted performance and application
   2. Round two (July) evaluation based on performance and application
      1. Evaluations may be done virtually in a determined time period
      2. Once the panel has listened to the recordings, the committee will meet to discuss and make a final determination of selected programs
   3. Invited Program Spotlight orchestra programs will be announced on Thursday during the Texas Orchestra Directors Association Convention
2. In the event that fewer than six ensembles submit an application then the selection process will default to only the second round of evaluation
3. 5 member selection committee
   1. Made up of educational orchestra directors
      1. Committee should have geographical representation of the state
      2. Committee members should not have a direct interest with the programs which have applied
      3. Committee members should represent directors from both high school and middle school
4. Because this is not a competition, no written comments, rubrics or point totals will be provided to the applicants.

Selected Invited Program Spotlight

1. All program nominees may be recognized at the Orchestra Division meeting at TMEA.
2. The selected Invited Program Spotlight will present a clinic/performance program at the TMEA convention. This clinic performance will be done in a ballroom setting.
3. The invited Program Spotlight session will be scheduled by the Orchestra Division Vice-President in consultation with the TMEA Executive Board.
4. The invited program director will agree to complete their session within the 50 minute allotted time. This includes introductions, applause, and presentations.
5. The setup time for the session 30 minutes prior to the beginning and the stage clearing time at the end of the session is 10 minutes.
6. The session will be scheduled in a ballroom. TMEA will provide a grand piano, chairs, music stands, conductor podium and music stand, and if required, up to 2 - 8" tall 4'x 8' platforms, 2- 16" tall 4' x 8' platforms.
7. All instruments and equipment must be provided by the ensemble and must fit in one box truck. Only one truck is permitted.
8. TMEA prohibits any organization from soliciting exhibitors for use of instruments or equipment during the convention.
9. Possible format for clinic/performance presentation:
   1. Question/Answer session (panel discussion)
   2. Rehearsal Lab performance
   3. Ensemble performance followed by short lecture and question/answer period
   4. New music concert/presentation

Application Deadlines

1. Online application process opens April 1. Application button will appear below.
2. Part 1 must be completed by is 11:59 pm (CT), May 1.
3. Part 2 must be completed, printed, and include the signature of the director with the permission of the school principal by 11:59 pm (CT), June 1.
4. A letter from the school superintendent (or designee) stating the ensemble will be allowed to perform at the TMEA Convention.
5. Print and sign the application then digitally upload the form including the superintendent letter in one PDF file to TMEA on the website application.
6. Deadline to complete Parts 2 and 3 including the signed application and all digital uploads is 11:59 pm (CT), June 1.

Help?

For more information contact: TMEA Orchestra Division Vice-President - orchestravp@tmea.org