2010 CMSA Convention Information

By Seattle Mandolin Orchestra
August 22, 2010 - 9:15 am

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2010 Classical Mandolin Society of America Convention, hosted by the Seattle Mandolin Orchestra

Seattle, Wash. — The Classical Mandolin Society of America and the Seattle Mandolin Orchestra invite you to attend the 24th Annual CMSA Convention, October 13-17, 2010 at the Marriott Seattle Airport hotel.

Guest Artists and Activities:

Mike Marshall
Duo LaRé (Chris Acquavella & Nate Jarrell)
2010 En Masse Orchestra, Dr. Jim Bates conducting
Seattle Mandolin Orchestra
9th Annual Norman Levine CMSA Playing Contest
7th Annual Mandolin Instructor's Workshop taught by Chris Acquavella
New this year! Thursday! - Mandolin Orchestras over Lunch performances
Saturday Open Microphone Performances
Gala Buffet Banquet
Vendors
Seminars and Workshops
Jamming, and the usual networking and talking mandolin and guitar for 5 straight days!

The Convention will begin at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, October 13 and conclude at Noon on Sunday, October 17.

Hotel Reservations:

You are responsible for making your own reservations at the Marriott Seattle Airport Hotel!

Marriott Seattle Airport Hotel
3201 S. 176th St.
Seattle, WA 98188

The CMSA Convention Rate is $99/night if reservations are made before September 21, 2010. This rate is good 3 days before of after the convention as well. Self parking is $8 / day. For reservations, you can:

Click Reservations

Go to the CMSA web site or the Seattle Mandolin Orchestra website to click on the hotel link.
Call 1 (800) 228-9290 to talk to the national Marriott reservation group.
Call (240) 241-2000 to talk to the hotel directly. Be sure and ask for the CMSA Convention Rate.

Travel Information:

Arriving by car: (NOTE: The Marriott online hotel reservation says the "self-park" rate is $18/day. This is NOT correct. If you bring your own car, the correct rate is $8/day.)

Arriving by air:

A courtesy shuttle from the airport to the hotel will be available.

Convention Scholarships:

Any full-time student is encouraged to apply for a CMSA Convention Scholarship.

Convention Volunteers:

If you would like to be a convention volunteer, please send an email to Sue Lesser or call her at (206) 595-7206 or please make a note on your registration form.

Mandolin Orchestras over Lunch:

This year's convention will feature a Thursday concert over lunch featuring up to 4 mandolin orchestras. Each orchestra should plan to play a 15-minute set. Slots are limited. If you are interested in this, designate yourself or one of your orchestra members to be the contact and note this on your registration.

Open Mic Session:

There will be an Open Mic session on Saturday from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Sign up for this Open Mic session will be at the registration table in Seattle.

7th Annual Mandolin Instructor's Workshop:

Be part of the CMSA's Mandolin Instructor's Workshop and learn how to teach mandolin and / or improve your instructing skills! The instructor for the Mandolin Instruct! or's Workshop this year will be Chris Acquavella.

This workshop will take place prior to the convention on Tuesday, Oct. 12, starting at 6:00 p.m. and continuing on Oct. 13 at 8:30 AM. This seminar is separate from the Convention and requires a registration fee of $40.

9th Annual Norman Levine Playing Contest:

If you wish to play in the Thursday night Playing Contest, review the contest rules for the judging criteria.

Also, please notate your registration form with your interest in participating in this contest.

Vendors:

This year, vendors are asked to sign up directly with the Host Committee.

For the smaller vendors and for those that can't be at the Convention, the Seattle Mandolin Orchestra will be hosting a table for individuals who wish to sell their CDs, music arrangements, etc. If you are interested in putting a few items up for sale at the SMO table, please contact Jory to get details and reserve space.

Convention Registration:

Registration fees are the same as last year. Early registration (before 9/21) is $130 for an attendee playing in the En Masse Orchestra and $90 for a non-playing attendee. After 9/21, registration fees are $50 higher.

Early registration rates end on Tuesday, September 21. Save $50 by registering early.

Click map pin for directions to the Seattle Airport Marriott, 3201 S. 176th St., Seattle, Washington.

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Reader Comments

violmando

August 23, 2010 02:32 PM

Either the Registration Information is misleading or CMSA did not do what it said it would do at the last convention; offer scholarships in case of need. I am not able to go this year, partially due to finances, mostly due to the distance and a disabled husband, but I would not fit into the "full time student category" for scholarship aid. Yet I was told at the 2009 Convention here in Dayton that there would be small amounts of aid available for members in need. If so, that should also be listed or people will not apply. You want folks to come, you need to mention this as well. It may be one reason that many folks only join the years that they are atending the convention as well. Think about it.
Yvonne in Yellow Springs, OH

M2Lou

August 25, 2010 02:57 PM

I'd like to clarify the issues behind Yvonne's comment.

We do indeed have scholarships for full time students. Those guidelines are clearly posted on our website. The scholarship covers the cost of convention registration, not travel or housing.

We also offer comped registrations for "hardship" situations. In the interest of confidentiality, we don't publish this openly, nor do we publicly recognize the recipients. If someone has a situation where they would attend the convention but can't afford the cost of registration, all they need to do is contact me at CMSAPresident@classicalmandolinsociety.org to start the process.

To my knowledge, CMSA has never denied a "hardship" requests.

Lou