Southeastern Louisiana University

Registration underway for 14th Southeastern Music Festival July 9-20

Contact: Christina Chapple

5/15/07

     HAMMOND – Registration is underway for the 2007 Southeastern Music Festival at Southeastern Louisiana University.

     Sponsored for the 14th year by the university’s Community Music School, the Southeastern Music Festival is scheduled for weekdays July 9-20 at the university’s Ralph R. Pottle Music Building. SMF hours are 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. during the first week and 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. during the second week.

     SMF is open to students ages 8-17 (third grade through high school), said Director Patrick Tuck. 

     “Participants receive private lessons, large ensemble experience, concerts, master classes, chamber music studies, and music rudiment and theory classes all provided in a supportive and encouraging environment,” Tuck said.

     CMS Director Kenneth Boulton said each of SMF’s six instruction areas will have its own coordinator and schedule of activities, which will run concurrently in the morning.

     “It will be like having six camps in one,” Boulton said.  “In the afternoon, we will become one big camp. Students will receive theory and other academic music instruction, and participate in the festival choir.”

     The extended hours during the second week will include special evening recitals featuring soloists and performances by SMF chamber ensembles. “The festival culminates in a gala concert, featuring the SMF Concert Band and the SMF Choir along with SMF chamber ensembles and individual participants,” Tuck said.

     Southeastern faculty serving as area coordinators are Tuck, music theory area; Richard Schwartz, SMF Concert Band, band instrument area; Yakov Voldman, SMF Chamber Orchestra, orchestral instrument area; Raisa Voldman, piano area, and Patrick Kerber, guitar area. An Southeastern alumnus, Amy Prats, will head the voice area and the SMF Chamber Choir.

     SMF is again offering performance scholarship opportunities to students in grades 9-12.  To apply, students should submit a CD or cassette recording of one musical performance on their chosen instrument (or voice) along with their festival application.

     The tuition of $325 covers t-shirts, recreation, meals, liability insurance, and campus health services. Families enrolling more than one child in the all-day session will receive a $50 discount per student on the registration fee.

     A $75 non-refundable deposit is due with registration materials by June 25, with the balance due on the first day of camp.  A $25 late fee will be assessed after the deadline.

     Students can also choose to participate in morning sessions only from 8 a.m. – noon.  The cost for the morning-only session is $150 with a $40 non-refundable deposit.