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SIGNIFICANT CONTRIBUTIONS BY SMEA TO THE EDUCATIONAL AND CULTURAL HERITAGE OF THIS PROVINCE SINCE 1957: SMEA was founded as a Non Profit Organization April 24, 1957. SMEA was designated as the third Special Subject Council of the Saskatchewan Teacher's Federation (1957). Student Chapters were established at the University of Saskatchewan and University of Regina. Resource booklets 'Exploring the Voices', 'Exploring the Instruments', 'Exploring Melodic and Harmonic Patterns' were developed and provincially distributed by Dr. Leslie Bell. SMEA was appointed advisors for the Department of Education with respect to teacher certification, music curriculum and accreditation classes. The Rj Staples Summer Music Camps at Fort Qu'Appelle were initiated in 1959. SMEA organized and directed a 1,000 Voice Massed Choir (1957 - 1966). The Provincial Orchestra Group, which included the Saskatoon Junior Symphony and the Provincial Band Group was initiated in 1960. 'All Glory Laud & Honour' was composed by Rj Staples. 'Sask. Sings' songbooks and radio broadcasts, were written and directed by SMEA members in celebration of Saskatchewan's Diamond Jubilee (1965). SMEA organized a provincial Band Director's Association as well as a provincial Choral Director's Association SMEA organized the first Saskatchewan Music Conference which included representatives from the Junior Concert Society, the Band Director's Association, the Choral Director's Association and the Music Festival Association in the late 1960's. SMEA sponsored Summer Orchestra Workshops (1964 -1992). SMEA sponsored Summer Band Workshops (1970 - 1991). The Provincial Orchestra Group and the Provincial Band Groups became known as the Provincial Honour Group Project in 1974 and have continued on an annual basis since. SMEA sponsored and premiered a Canadian High School Choral Competition in 1978. SMEA sponsored and premiered a Saskatchewan String Commission by T. Schudel in 1979. SMEA sponsored and premiered a Canadian Band Commission which was won by M. Floyd in 1980. SMEA sponsored and premiered six Canadian Choral Commissions by A. King in 1981. SMEA sponsored and premiered a Saskatchewan Senior Band Competition in 1982. SMEA sponsored and premiered a Saskatchewan Junior Band Commission in 1983. SMEA sponsored and premiered a Saskatchewan Instrumental Ensemble Competition in 1984. SMEA sponsored and premiered a Saskatchewan Choral Commission by E. Raum in 1985. SMEA sponsored and premiered a Canadian Choral Classroom Musical Commission in 1986. SMEA sponsored and premiered a Canadian Senior Band Commission by M. Adaskin in 1987. SMEA sponsored and premiered a Canadian Orchestra Commission by M. Forsyth in 1988. SMEA sponsored and premiered a Canadian Choral Commission by N. Telfer in 1989. SMEA sponsored and premiered a Canadian Instrumental Ensemble Competition for Brass which was won by F. Clarke in 1989. SMEA sponsored and premiered a Canadian Instrumental Ensemble Competition for Strings which was won by L. Purves in 1989. SMEA sponsored and premiered a Canadian Instrumental Ensemble Competition for Percussion which was won by D. Chast in 1989. SMEA provided music curriculum development information and member donated resource materials to Zambia, Africa in 1990. SMEA sponsored and premiered a Canadian Senior Choral Commission by K. Nicholas in 1990. SMEA sponsored and premiered a Saskatchewan Instrumental Ensemble Competition in 1991. SMEA sponsored and premiered a Canadian Senior Band Commission by S. Rogal in 1992. SMEA sponsored and premiered three Saskatchewan Teen Composers Competitions in 1993. (Categories included the following: eleven years of age and under; twelve years of age to sixteen years of age, and seventeen years of age to nineteen years of age.) SMEA sponsored and premiered a Saskatchewan Choral Commission in 1994. SMEA sponsored Summer Brass Days (1989 - 1991). SMEA sponsored Summer String Workshops (1985 - 1993). SMEA provided support for the Northern Saskatchewan International Children's Festival (1991 - 1994). SMEA provided support for Unifest. SMEA has compiled classroom materials, musicals, band and orchestra scores in their library holdings at the Stewart Resource Center at the Saskatchewan Teacher's Federation. SMEA has compiled choral and vocal literature which is housed in the library holdings at the Saskatchewan Choral Federation. SMEA developed and distributed Music Directories (choral and band) and Clinician Lists. SMEA developed and distributed Teachers Resource Handbooks. SMEA recorded, produced and distributed an ORFF VHS featuring Jos Wuytack. SMEA researched, produced and distributes the VHS, 'I Was Born Here...In Ste. Madeleine', which documented the Metis way of life in Ste. Madeleine, Manitoba. SMEA researched, produced and distributes 'Songs of the Northern Plains' songbooks and audio cassettes. SMEA researched, produced and distributes 'Metis Songs' songbooks and audio cassettes. SMEA researched and provided La Commission Culturelle Fransaskoise with the original drafts for a 'French Song' songbook. On behalf of the Canadian Music Educators Association, SMEA distributed to all members the 'Canadian Artist Series' - which includes 12 Audio Cassettes and Instructional Information. SMEA developed the Rj Staples Memorial Scholarship in 1970 and Frank Connell Memorial Scholarship in 1980. SMEA recognizes volunteer contributions with the SMEA Outstanding Achievement Award and the Honourary Life Membership Award. SMEA has participated in arts related joint projects and conferences with Saskatchewan Education Through Art, Saskatchewan Drama Association and Dance Sask Inc. SMEA has participated in music related joint project and conferences with the Saskatchewan Band Association, the Saskatchewan Choral Federation, the Saskatchewan Music Festival Association and the Saskatchewan Orchestral Association. SMEA has provided leadership in the design and creation of the music web site - www.musiceducationonline.org SMEA has provided leadership on the Board of Directors of CMEA and ISME. SMEA is a member of the National Coalition for Music Education. SMEA has developed a Scope and Sequence/Standards document for use with the music component of the Arts Education Curriculum. SMEA has participated in the development and evaluation of the Provincial Arts Education Curriculum. SMEA is the sponsoring organization for The Heart of the City Piano Project, which presently provides free piano instruction for Inner City Schools in Saskatoon. Member Organizations of SMEA now include the Saskatchewan Registered Music Teachers Association; the Saskatchewan Carl ORFF Chapter; the Suzuki Piano Teachers Association; the Provincial Division of the Canadian Music Competitions and Music for Young Children. |
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