Directors:
It’s here!! The 2017 SCMEA Professional Development Conference is this coming weekend, February 2-4 at the Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center and USC Alumni Center in Columbia, SC! We are excited to offer a wide range of clinics and performances, both through the Band Division and At-Large sessions, that will inspire and motivate directors at all levels. A link of the Band Division events are included in this post, but you can find the full schedule of events by downloading the SCMEA Mobile App through your app store.
A reminder, our Master Recital Competition will be held in the USC Alumni Center Ballroom at the conclusion of our Business Meeting on Saturday. The start time is set for 6:00PM and we hope the time and location change will enable more of you to come out and hear some of our most talented young musicians in this ideal setting.
We will also have several performances scheduled in the Exhibit Hall and I want to encourage all of you to take time to visit our exhibitors throughout the Conference. Without the support of our exhibitors, the convention would not be possible and they are vital to our success.
The General Session on Friday, February 3 will feature the Canadian Brass as well as the ever-popular Dr. Tim Lautzenheiser. In addition, our very own Cameron Watkins will receive the SCMEA Outstanding Young Music Educators award and Glenn Price will be inducted into the SCMEA Hall of Fame. We hope you will make plans to attend! We will also have our 3rd Annual Jazz Social, which will feature the USC Left Band Big Band, and the SCMEA Directors Jazz Band with special guest artist Wayne Bergeron. This year, we are happy to announce that this event will take place in the USC Alumni Center, with beverages and heavy hors d’oeuvres provided by Yamaha and Pecknel Music Company. The performances will being at 8 PM.
Below is a complete list of the Band Division events. I have also included several maps that I hope you find helpful. Parking will be across the street in the parking garage and there will be a daily fee. Please note that parking on Saturday will be very difficult. In addition to our scheduled events, there will be the Elementary Honor Choir and a USC Men’s Basketball game, please plan accordingly. I look forward to seeing you this weekend in Columbia!
Sincerely,
Leah Cordé, President-Elect
South Carolina Band Directors Association
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Click Here for a schedule (PDF) of Band Division Events
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Click Here for a Columbia Convention Center Map
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Click Here for a Convention Center Floor Plan
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Click Here for a Hilton Columbia Center Floor Plan