Music educators back in town

Education

"I'm happy to be the leader of the team that will make EACS the premiere school district in northeast Indiana."Today 2:43 pm

Hoosier-led bills to tackle health care law mandates

Rep. Luke Messer, R-6th, will file a bill to exempt school districts, colleges and universities from insurance mandates and penalties of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.Today 3:00 am

EACS chief will advise on Title I

The new superintendent of East Allen County Schools will have some control over the district’s Title I application, but the administration will have just days to pull it together before the June 30 deadline.Today 3:00 am

IMEA convention performances

All are free except where noted*
Today
10:30 a.m.: Brownsburg Middle School Choir at First Presbyterian Church; University of Evansville Wind Ensemble at Grand Wayne Center Convention Hall C
1:15 p.m.: Eisenhower Choir at First Presbyterian Church
2:15 p.m.: IMEA All-State Elementary Choir at Embassy Theatre
2:30 p.m.: University of Evansville University Choir at First Presbyterian Church; Indiana All-State Jazz Ensemble and Combo at Allen County Public Library Theater
3 p.m.: IMEA All-State Middle School Choir at Embassy Theatre
4 p.m.: Goshen College Women’s World Choir at First Presbyterian Church; Pendleton Heights High School Wind Ensemble at Grand Wayne Center Convention Hall C
*7:30 p.m.: Mr. Jack Daniels Silver Cornet Band at Embassy Theatre (event is open to the public but not free; contact the Embassy for ticket information)
Saturday
9:30 a.m.: Indiana Junior High All-State Band at Embassy Theatre; Zionsville Middle School Orchestra at Grand Wayne Center Convention Hall C
11 a.m.: Richmond High School Orchestra at Grand Wayne Center Convention Hall C
11:30 a.m.: IMEA Honor Band at Embassy Theatre; Ball State University Chamber Choir at First Presbyterian Church
1 p.m.: Creekside Middle School Band at Grand Wayne Center Convention Hall C
2 p.m.: Indiana All-State Orchestra at Embassy Theatre
2:30 p.m.: Kettering High School Eleventh Hour Jazz Choir at Allen County Public Library Theater; Indiana Wesleyan Wind Ensemble at Grand Wayne Center Anthony Wayne Ballroom
5 p.m.: Indiana All-State Choir at Embassy Theatre

About 3,000 music educators and performers and their families will be in the Summit City over the next two days.

They’ll take part in the Indiana Music Educators Association Professional Conference, the third consecutive year the convention has been held in Fort Wayne.

The event includes professional development and instrumental and choral training for music educators from the elementary to post-secondary levels, Executive Director Lane Velayo said.

Most of the conference programs take place in Grand Wayne Center.

Also during the three-day conference, which began Thursday, ensembles from across the state will perform at various downtown locations. The community is invited to enjoy these free performances, Velayo said.

He said strong partnerships with Sweetwater Sound Inc. and IPFW have kept the association coming back to conduct the conference in Fort Wayne. Sweetwater is a sponsor, and IPFW provides rehearsal space and instruments that don’t travel easily for performances, Velayo said.

Visit Fort Wayne also has helped in making meals and after-hours entertainment accessible, affordable and attractive for participants, he said.

sarah.janssen@jg.net