November 2-4, 2023
Our Clinicians
Handbells: Mrs. Patti Short
Mrs. Short is an experienced handbell clinician who is regularly invited to music festivals across the country. A resident of the Walla Walla area and former handbells teacher at Walla Walla Academy, she enjoys working with young people to bring out the best quality of musicianship. Currently retired from teaching, she now dedicates more time to help handbell groups and teachers to master the skill of handbells. 
Band: Chandran Joel Daniel
Mr. Daniel holds a masters in Music Education from the South Carolina School of the Arts at Anderson University. He is an experienced band director in the public and private system, including Hinsdale Adventist Academy in Chicago. Mr. Daniel comes with high recommendations from his former students and colleagues from Chicago. He enjoys working with youth and is always excited about helping his students excel. 
Strings: Miss Emelie Flores
Miss Flores holds a master in Violin Performances from the University of Maryland. She is an active faculty member at Spencerville Adventist Academy, where she leads the choirs. 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 returns in 2023 to direct the CCOSDA-HVA festival string ensemble after her successful debut last year as the first string director in our festival. Miss Flores' goal in her own words: "My goal is to teach music as a tool to glorify God and cultivate our gifts for Him not just in performances, but in everything we do." |
General announcements for participants
This also applies to handbells. Every school must bring their own set of bells, tables, mallets, etc.
How can schools participate?
Our invitation is for schools from the Chesapeake Conference, neighboring 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 $35. It will cover Festival expenses (clinicians, T-shirts, food). Accommodations in the dormitories may also be provided at no extra cost. What categories can students participate? Choir, band (woodwinds, brass), handbells/chimes, and strings. |
Additional Information
Dress Code
Students may carry cellphones but are not allowed to use cellphones during rehearsals, performances, neither inside school buildings including the cafeteria. Students are free to use cell phones in the open campus areas during the breaks.
- Students may use regular school-approved attire during rehearsals.
- For Friday night vespers, church attire is preferred.
- 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.
Students may carry cellphones but are not allowed to use cellphones during rehearsals, performances, neither inside school buildings including the cafeteria. Students are free to use cell phones in the open campus areas during the breaks.