Chesapeake Conference Music Festival
​at Highland View Academy 

April 20-22, 2023

Our 2023 clinicians ...

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  •  Choir: Mr. Belford Hernandez, Belford Hernandez serves on the Faculty of Benedictine University and Downers Grove South High School, where he teaches Choir, Music Theory, and Music Technology. Additionally, he serves as the Music Director of Hinsdale United Methodist Church and Co-Founder and Director of Cantores Community Choir in the Chicago Western Suburbs.
    Belford Hernandez holds A Bachelor of Music degree in Music Education from the Adventist University of Colombia, A Master's in Choral Music Education from VanderCook School of Music, And he is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction from Concordia University.
    Belford Hernandez is in frequent demand as a clinician and guest conductor for festivals in the Chicago area. He also has been a piano collaborator for professional choirs and instrumental ensembles for the American Choral Directors Association and the Illinois Music Educator Association.
    Belford's compositions and arrangements are published by MusicSpoke and performed throughout the United States.
    He lives in Downers Grove, Ill, with his wife, Vielza, and son Kevin.
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  • Band: Mr. Daniel Biaggi, Daniel Biaggi is the current Music Director at Shenandoah Valley Academy. He has
    been teaching music for over twenty years working for the Seventh-day Adventist
    Educational Institutions in both Argentina and USA. He loves working with young people
    motivating them to use their skills to worship God through music. Conducting Choirs,
    Handbells, and Band ensembles has given him the opportunity to visit many countries in
    South-America, North-America, and Europe and share music for the most diverse
    communities and venues. He holds a Master degree in Choral Conducting from
    Zaoksky Adventist University in Russia, and a Master of Arts in Religion from
    Washington Adventist University. Now he is pursuing a PhD in Christian Worship at
    Liberty University in Lynchburg, VA. Besides music, he enjoys doing sports, especially
    soccer, but most of all enjoying family time with his wife Monica and daughter Lala. He
    lives in New Market and enjoys the beautiful Shenandoah Valley.​
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​General Schedule ​
General announcements for participants
  •   As you arrive on campus on Thursday, please go directly to the HVA Church. To check in and receive your name tags/schedule and t-shirts. Handbells please unload your equipment (bells, tables) by the ground entrance to the right of the church building.
  • Questions about dormitory accommodation, late registration, you may contact Ana Nino at [email protected]
  • Sabbath lunch pre-payment link for parents and friends: Visiting families may pre-pay Sabbath lunch by CashApp to $HVA1949
    Lunch or dinner: $9.50

    Remember to keep handy our schedule: www.hvamusic.org/schedule 
 
  • About sheet music. Every participant group is responsible to bring their own sheet music (folders, binders, etc). It is important to have those folders with the school's name on it. Most likely someone will leave behind music once the festival is over. 

    Instruments and stands. Every band participant must bring their own instrument (except for timpani and bass drum ;) and your music stand. Teachers, you may calculate bringing one music stand per two students. Also, please mark your stands with your school name. You may add a tape or paint with the school name if it does not have any.

    Same applies to handbells, every school must bring their own set of bells and tables., mallets, etc. 
  • HVA campus is an indoor cellphone free zone. We highly recommend to our visitors not to use cellphones while inside of any campus building including the cafeteria and church (except for dormitories and gym).
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Handbells: Mr. Eric Engen,  Mr. Engen is a music educator, mathematician and a private pilot instructor. He has more than 20 years of musical experience with different instrumental ensembles. Mr. Engen loves teaching bells and is happy to return to his former conference as Handbells clinician. Mr. Engen is coming from Blue Mountain Academy where directs the La Sonnette Handbell touring group. He is one of the most experienced handbell director and supporter who have participated in the Toledo Ringfest (Handbells festival) for the past 21 years in Toledo, Ohio. 
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  • Strings: Miss. Emelie Flores,  A Washington Adventist University alumnus and currently completing master studies in Violin from the University of Maryland. She has been recently appointed as the choir and strings director at Spencerville Adventist Academy. Miss Flores has been an active member of the New England Symphonic Ensemble and continues actively performing in the area and around the country. Miss Flores will be the first Strings clinician for the CCOSDA as 2023 inaugurates Strings as part of the festival. It is Emilie’s goal to teach music as a tool to glorify God and cultivate our gifts for Him not just in performances but in everything we do. 
​How can schools participate? 
Our invitation is for Schools from the Chesapeake Conference, neighbor conferences, and home-school students to spend two days full of music experience while making new friends. Teachers and principals are welcome to register your students on our website. The participation fee this year is $30. It will cover Festival expenses (clinicians, T-shirts, food), and accommodation in the dormitories may also be provided at no extra cost.  

What categories can students participate?
Choir, band (woodwinds, brass), handbells-chimes, and strings. 

 General Schedule ​

Repertoire List 2023

Note for music teachers and directors: Each school must purchase original music according to group needs. Music directors can preview music here
Choir
​1. Let Everything That Hath Breath - Joel Raney 
2. Praise His Holy Name-Keith Hampton 
3. Give Me Jesus -arr. Rollo Dilworth
​4. This Little Light of Mine- arr. Mark Patterson
Band
​1. In Endless Song. Robert Lowry/arr. Randall D. Standridge - Wingert-Jones Publications
2. Crown Him with Many Crowns. Arr. James Swearingen - C L Barnhouse Company
3. Flourishes. William Owens - FJH Music Company
4. Alleluia. Daniel & Monica Biaggi (not ready yet).
Handbells
Title: Composer: Arranger: Octaves: Level: Jeffers Order #
1. How Can I Keep from Singing Lowry, Robert Sherman, Arnold B. 3-6 3-
2. They'll Know We Are Christains By Our Love Scholtes, Peter Wagner, Douglas E. 3-5 2
3. All Things Bright and Beautiful Traditional Tucker, Sondra 2-3 2 MCGB506
4. Festive Intrada, A Dobrinski, Cynthia 3-5 2 MSPHP5200
5. Wade in de Water Spiritual Ingram, Bill 3-5 2
Strings
1. Amazing grace - D. Funderburk
2.Dance of the Tumblers by R. Korsakoff
​3. Rhosymedre - R.V. Williams
Some recommendation for participants schools about..
Dress code
Students may use regular school-approved attire during rehearsals, for Sabbath performance, black pants, a white long-sleeved shirt, a black bowtie for boys, and a black dress for girls. Groups with different performance attire are welcome to represent their schools with their performance attire. 
Cellphone use
Students may carry cell phones but will not be allowed to use them during rehearsals or performances, nor inside school buildings/gymnasium/cafeteria. Students are free to use cell phones in the open campus areas. 
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