Programs for Active Students

All-State for Musicians

Schools appoint their select Senior High students to attend clinics designed to sharpen musical skills while preparing the students to be leaders of their peers in every aspect of life.

Choral clinics are spread over three days. The concluding concerts in the Capitol rotunda are worth traveling to hear. Guest clinicians/conductors have included youth specialists such as Dr. Dwight Gustafson (1994, 1996), Dr. Russell Shelley (1993, 1995, 1998, 2001, 2005, 2008), Richard Shelburne (1999, 2002), Dr. Chris Gilliam (2003), Jerry Maxwell (2006), Darrell Bevis (2007), and Dr. Craig Ralston (2009).

Instrumental clinics are a recent addition and span two days.  The program began with Band, and guest clinicians/conductors have included Dr. Monty Budahl (2006), Dr. Dan Turner (2007), Dr. Steve Allen (2009), and Dr. Richard Nichols (2010).  In 2010 and scheduled concurrently with the band program, West Chester Christian School's String Club worked with KCEA to host string players from across the state for an all-state-like music experience led by guest clinician/conductor Mr. Daniel VanGelderen.  This program aided students, upgrading their skills on violin, viola, cello, and double bass in a string orchestra format.   

For program and music samples from various All-State Choirs and All-State Bands, click here.

For further information on the 2008 KCEA All-State Choir singing at the Memorial Ceremony for Lieutenant Governor Catherine Baker Knoll, click here. 

Bible Quiz

The jump-seat style competition is available for both Junior High and Senior High students each year. Schools arrange quiz meets with other schools while the season culminates with a statewide meet in the spring.

For the 2010 Bible Quiz results, click here.

Civics Days

KCEA's staff leads Senior High government students in a day-long "insider" view of Harrisburg's activities.

Festivals 

Junior High and Senior High students are encouraged to present before their peers and friends individually and in groups.  Each entry is critiqued by a panel of qualified judges.  Students may enter categories in Speech, Bible Preaching/Teaching, Art, Music, and Academic Projects (Home Economics, Photography, and Science). Music groups range from ensembles to choirs and bands.  Speech groups include Group Acting and Reader's Theater.  All entries are matched against tough professional standards to receive ratings of Honorable Mention, Meritorious, Excellent, and Superior.

For access to lists of music pieces previously evaluated and used in KCEA Festivals and speech pieces that are exemplary for use in KCEA Festivals, click here.

Scholarship Fund

A grant program assists low- and modest-income families with tuition costs at the KCEA-affiliated school of their choice.  KCEA receives donations from businesses under Pennsylvania's innovative Education Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) program and distributes those funds based upon the results of a professional need analysis.  Funding levels have allowed KCEA to provide assistance on a sliding scale to about 300 students per year (averaging a total of about $250,000 per year).  Students receiving financial assistance have been residents of 49 counties throughout the state.

For additional general information, click here. (pdf)

For a flyer encouraging banks (and similar) to get involved in this program, click here. (pdf)

For a flyer encouraging insurance companies to get involved in this program, click here. (pdf)

For a flyer encouraging title insurance companies to get involved in this program, click here. (pdf)

For a flyer encouraging publicly owned businesses (including "C" corporations and others that pay the two specifically listed taxes) to get involved in this program, click here. (pdf)

For a flyer encouraging Sub-S/"Pass-Through" businesses to get involved in this program, click here. (pdf) .

For a copy of the simple application by which any business applies to get involved in this program, click here. (pdf)

For a copy of the short guidelines from the state as to how any business can get involved in this program, click here. (pdf)   

Sports Tournaments

KCEA organizes state-wide tournaments in boys soccer and girls volleyball in the fall and boys and girls basketball in the winter.  The tournaments are open to schools of all sizes.

For basketball tournament results, click here.

For soccer tournament results, click here.

For volleyball tournament results, click here.

Written Competitions

Creative writing skills are encouraged through Elementary, Junior High, and Senior High competition. Written test competitions, in all major academic areas, are also held on all three age levels.