sponsored by the
Southwest Region of the

The idea started during a conversation in the spring of 2004 when ACDA-PA Southwest Region Chair Lisa Jaworowski and Youth & Student Activities Repertoire & Standards Chair Dr. Robin Lind were discussing the needs of the students and directors in the Southwest Pennsylvania region.  What came of the discussion was that while there are many opportunities for senior high school students to perform at festivals, as well as junior high honor choirs, and elementary song fests, there wasn't anything in our area that specifically addressed the needs of the most daunting of times in a singing boy's life - the voice change.

After a little bit of research, it was discovered that other regions in the state were beginning to see this need as well, and had organized some workshops and festivals for young men.  Modeling some of what is done each year at the Mansfield University young men's festival led by former ACDA-PA president Dr. Peggy Dettwiler, the beginnings of what is now known as the "Mucho Macho Music" festival took form.

Now entering its fourth year, the festival has brought together as many as 175 singers in grades 6-9 from all across the Southwest Region to join in a day of music and confidence-building during the most uncertain time of vocal change.  Past guest conductors include:

• (2004) Dr. Kenneth Phillips, professor of music at Gordon College in Massachusetts, who is a specialist in adolescent vocal training and the author of "Teaching Kids to Sing"

• (2005) O. David Deitz, ACDA-PA vice president, and teacher in the Central Dauphin School District near Harrisburg. and who has served as the interim choral director at Bucknell University

• (2006) Eileen Hower, ACDA-PA president-elect, and middle school chorus and music teacher in the Central Columbia School District in Bloomsburg, PA; whose choirs have performed at many ACDA and PMEA conferences and events.

• (2007) Dr. Lon Beery, New York ACDA Middle School R&S Chair, composer and arranger of adolescent male repertoire, director of the Syracuse Men's Glee Club, and music teacher at Spry Middle School in Webster, New York.

Additionally, the festival provides an opportunity for a partnership with the choral program at  Westminster College, New Wilmington, PA.  Dr. Robin Lind, director of choral activities, brings her Men's Chorus to the festival each year as featured guest performers.  The Men sing for the participants, but also sit in rehearsal with the boys, encouraging them, and providing a vocal model for what is to come once the voice change takes place.  Dr. Lind also uses several of the chorus members in the afternoon at a vocal master class session for the participating directors, so that there is a professional development opportunity for the directors in addition to the enriching activities for their students.

North Hills Junior High School, 10 minutes north of the city of Pittsburgh, serves as the site host each year. Shaun Cloonan, 8th grade chorus teacher, organizes the on-site facilities for the day, along with fellow music department members Susan McKinney, Harriet Valliant, Heidi Kohne, and Areta Kalogeras.  The North Hills School District Food Service department provides a lunch for the day, and the festival ends each year with a short informal closing performance in the auditorium for participating directors and any families who may be picking their students up at 3:00PM.
 

Festival Contacts:

Shaun Cloonan SW Region Chair & Site Host North Hills Junior High School

Dr. Robin Lind Director of Choral Activities Westminster College

Bill Gesin Festival Registrar Jefferson Middle School

 

About MMMV

We are thrilled to announce that this year's guest conductor is Dr. Christopher Kiver, director of the Penn State Glee Club and Chamber Singers.  Chris also serves as R&S Chair for Men's Choirs for ACDA-PA, and has a wealth of knowledge and experience in working with male choral groups.

     A bonus feature of this year's festival is that we will have the opportunity to see and hear a performance by The Hi-Lo's, a select 16-voice ensemble made up of singers from Dr. Kiver's Penn State Glee Club.  The Hi-Lo's will join with the Mucho Macho regulars, the Westminster Men's Chorus, in singing with the middle school participants during rehearsal and performance throughout the day, providing vocal models and confidence for the boys in this uncertain time of vocal development.

 

2008 Information and Forms

Promotional Flyer (pdf)

Registration Packet (pdf) - informational letter, director form, student application form

ONLINE DIRECTOR REGISTRATION - Click here to register electronically!

 

Closing Performance Archival Recordings
Click on the file below to hear the Mucho Macho IV men singing at the end of this year's festival.  All files are in MP3 format and can be downloaded to MP3 players/iPods, or locally to your hard drive to make your own CD.

  Fillimiooriay (mp3)
  Colorado Trail (mp3)
  Go Down, Moses (mp3)
  'Til the Walls Come Down (mp3)

Photos from MMMIV

2007 Festival Repertoire

Fillimiooriay (Irish-American Folk Song; arr. Lon Beery) TTB Alfred 24012 Colorado Trail (American Folk Song; arr. Donald Moore)  TTB BriLee BL162 Go Down, Moses (spiritual; arr. Judy Arthur) TTB BriLee BL292  'Til the Walls Come Down (Lon Beery)  TTB BriLee BL434

2007 Information and Forms

2007 Program (pdf)

Welcome Letter from Registrar Bill Gesin (pdf)
Festival Schedule (pdf)
Student Medical Form (pdf)
Directions to North Hills Junior High School (pdf)
Invoice (doc)
ACT 48 Credit Form (pdf)
ONLINE DIRECTOR REGISTRATION - Click here to register electronically! REGISTRATION IS CLOSED.

Promotional brochure (pdf) - open to see the schedule and read Dr. Beery's bio
Registration Packet (pdf) - includes informational letter, Director Form, and Student Applications
Promotional Flyer (pdf)