The Virginia Music Teachers Association
Fall 2017 Conference and Competitions
"Something for Everyone…"

"Something for Everyone..." is the focus of this year's VMTA Fall 2017 Conference and Competitions to be held Oct 26-28, 2017 (Thursday through Saturday) on the campus of George Mason University in Fairfax, VA.

You spoke and we listened! Ingrid Clarfield is our Conference Artist. The Opening Session on Friday morning features remarks from Ms. Clarfield and the movie Take a Bow which chronicles her life story as a musician, how she overcame paralysis, and how she continues to thrive in her career. In addition, she will be presenting a pedagogy session (The Road to Chopin) Friday afternoon, a masterclass with students of various ages and abilities on Saturday morning, and a showcase of her publications with Alfred Music on Saturday afternoon. Alfred Music has graciously agreed to fund that showcase in part.

Other suggestions from last year's conference evaluation have been implemented as well, including a less crowded schedule and ending the conference late Saturday afternoon to accommodate those of us who are Church Musicians to return home in time for Sunday morning services.

The complete conference schedule is at VMTA Fall 2017 Conference and Competitions Schedule. Inevitably, the schedule is subject to change. Updates will be sent via periodic e-mails or visit the VMTA website listed above.

PRELIMINARY CONFERENCE SCHEDULE

Conference Fees

VMTA members:

• Early Bird registration (deadline Sept 30, 2017, 11:59 PM) - $80.00
• Registration after September 30, 2017 - $100.00
• Daily registration - $30.00

Non-members

• Early Bird registration (deadline Sept 30, 2017, 11:59 PM) - $100.00
• Registration after September 30, 2017 - $125.00
• Daily registration - $45.00
• Individual Workshops for non-members - $15.00 per workshop
• Concert tickets for non-members - $15 per person per concert

Full registration includes:

• all workshops
• 1 ticket to the Concerto Winners' Concert Friday night (additional tickets are available for $15 each)
• the Commissioned Composer concert (Sat, Oct 28, 4:00 PM)
• a hospitality table throughout the day
• post-concert nightcaps on Friday night (1 complimentary drink, then cash bar)

Daily registration includes:

• all daily activities
• Hospitality table

To register online and pay via check or PayPal, click HERE.

Hotel Information

We have made arrangements with 2 hotels within 3 miles of George Mason University:

Hampton by Hilton Fairfax City, 10860 Fairfax Boulevard, Fairfax VA 22030, (703) 385-2600.

• 15 rooms
• 2 double beds
• $ 139.00 per room per night plus 12% tax Thursday night
• $ 99.00 per room per night plus 12% tax Friday night
• Included: complimentary breakfast, complimentary high-speed internet access, free parking, free local calls, fitness center, and a business center open 24 hours. All rooms are equipped with microwaves and refrigerators, iron and ironing board, coffee maker, hairdryers, and security safes.
• Cut-off date: October 12, 2017

Call the Hampton Inn at 1 (703) 385-2600, option 2, on or before Thursday, October 12, 2017 to make a room reservation. Identify yourself as part of the Virginia Music Teachers Group (Group Code - VMT). All reservations must be guaranteed with a major credit card. The hotel will not hold any reservations unless secured by a credit card.

You can also reserve a room online. Click HERE, then:

• Select the dates
• Go to Special rates
• Enter Group Code (NOT "Promotional Code"): VMT

The rooms for the group will automatically display and you can reserve right away.

The link works well - I tested it myself. Be sure to enter VMT in the Group Code box, not the Promotional Code box.

Reservations for all guests must be received on or before Thursday, October 12, 2017. After October 12, 2017, the hotel will release any unreserved rooms for general sale. At the hotel's discretion, reservations may be accepted at the Virginia Music Teachers group rate on a space and rate available basis.

Courtyard Fairfax Fair Oaks, 11220 Lee Jackson Memorial Highway (Rte. 50), Fairfax, VA 22030, (703) 273-6161.

• 40 Rooms
• King with fold-out sofa
• $109.00 per room per night plus 12% tax
• Included: free high-speed internet, free parking, fitness center, bistro. All rooms are equipped with mini-refrigerators
• Cut-off date: October 5, 2017

Call Marriott Reservations at 1 (800) 321-2211 or (703) 273-6161 on or before Thursday, October 5, 2017 to make room reservations. Identify yourself as part of the Virginia Music Teachers Association Fall 2017 Conference and Competitions Room Block group. All reservations must be guaranteed with a major credit card. The hotel will not hold any reservations unless secured by a credit card.

Book your group rate for Virginia Music Teachers Association HERE. This link works well. I tested it by making my own reservations and those of Ingrid Clarfield.

Reservations for all guests must be received on or before Thursday, October 5, 2017. After October 5, 2017, the hotel will release any unreserved rooms for general sale. At the hotel's discretion, reservations may be accepted at the Virginia Music Teachers Association Fall 2017 Conference and Competitions Room Block's group rate on a space and rate available basis.

George Mason University

Getting to George Mason University:

• Go to gmu.edu.
• In the Search box, type in "Directions to GMU".
• Click on "Campus Maps and Directions".
• On the banner at the top, click on "Fairfax" (you can also find "Maps" from that same banner - choose "Fairfax" from the drop down menu).
• Choose from the drop-down menu.

Parking is available in a parking ramp next to the deLaski building. Rates are per hour with a maximum rate of $15.00 per day. For those of you who have electric cars, there are charging stations in the parking ramp.

2017 Conference Guest Artists: Ingrid Clarfield, Elizabeth Blades, Richard Masters, Linda Monson, Paulo Steinberg.

John Winsor, Commissioned Composer (Sat, Oct 28, 4:00 PM)

• Title of the Composition - "The Phoenix"
• Performers - Hardwick Chamber Ensemble members John Winsor, clarinet; Natalia Goodloe, violin; Dionne Smith, cello; Jeanette Winsor, piano.

I look forward to seeing you at these events!

Elizabeth (Beth) Caluda, President-Elect
139 Bell Haven Circle
Stephens City, VA 22655
540-247-9829
ecaluda@su.edu