(Page 1 of 5, Brief History, 11-03-11) RIO GRANDE VALLEY MUSIC FESTIVAL P. O. Box 104, Mercedes, Texas 78570 Phone: (956) 373-0130, Pres. Web Site: www.rgvmf.com George Rogers, President(I.R.S., I.D. #13-4293992)Anna Jenkins, Treasurer I. W. Henson, Vice President Edy McKenzie, Secretary
- BRIEF HISTORY OF THE RIO GRANDE VALLEY MUSIC FESTIVAL - (Updated 11-02-11, Edy McKenzie)
Commencing with the Music Festival 2005, a newly formed organization dedicated to promote Country and Western, Blue Grass and Gospel music was born.It should be noted that survey of the Valley reveals there are more than one hundred (100) jams each week throughout the Valley.Most of the Jammers are Winter Texans, or Snowbirds, and many are becoming permanent residents.We appreciate the support we have received from the Cities of Mercedes and Weslaco, the Valley Jammers, the Rio Grande Valley Livestock Show, Inc., merchants, businesses, Chambers of Commerce, R. V. and Retirement Parks, and Valley Schools.All activities of the Rio Grande Valley Music Festival are performed by volunteers; more than one hundred volunteers donate their time and effort each year.The participating musicians donate their time and talent, as well.Those who volunteer are dedicated and energetic. Previous to 2005, a Music Festival had been held in February, each year, for fifteen years.In 2005, due to family illness, the leader of that Festival was unable to go forward with preparation needed to get the Festival off-the-ground.The Manager of Rio Grande Valley Livestock Show, Inc., gave I.H. (Ike) Warkentin the opportunity to have a mini-festival during the third week in February, 2005.Ike contacted Geri Clark and Edy McKenzie, and in less than a month, with the help of some additional Valley musicians, they were able to complete preparations for a two day Music Festival at the Rio Grande Valley Livestock Show-grounds, in Mercedes, Texas.
On November 20, 2005, Ike Warkentin, Geri Clark and Edy McKenzie scheduled a meeting, to which the Rio Grande Valley Jammers were invited.The meeting resulted in a decision to form an organization, name it the "Rio Grande Valley Music Festival", and go forward with a yearly music festival.The name "Rio Grande Valley Music Festival" was officially registered with the State of Texas.Trustees and Officers were installed.A Mission Statement and Constitution with Code of Regulations and By Laws were drafted, and reviewed for compliance with I.R.S. and Texas State Laws.Non-Profit Organization status was applied for and granted by the I.R.S. and the State of Texas.A web site was set-up:www.rgvmf.com
Each year, the Rio Grande Valley Music Festival, has grown.In 2006, the Music Festival was scheduled for five days, Wednesday, February 15 thru Sunday Noon, February 19, 2006.The Music Festival has been scheduled the third week in February, for five days, thru 2009.In 2010, the Music Festival was scheduled for six days.In 2007, the Music Festival was able to provide grants for Valley School Music Departments; the amount has increased each following year.In 2012, the dates for the Music Festival will be moved forward to the second week in February; this is necessary because of programs scheduled by the Rio Grande Valley Livestock Show-grounds.The dates for the 2012 Music Festival will be 02-14 thru 02-19-12.
Each year, a fund raiser "Soup 'n Sandwich Dinner, Auction and Jam" is held on the first Thursday in January.This program was commenced in 2006, and was held in the school lunch room at the First United Methodist Church, in Weslaco. The Auction was limited to deserts; the Auction has grown to include items donated by Valley merchants and/or businesses.The attendance has increased each year, and in 2010, the Fund Raiser was moved to the Main Hall at Siesta Retirement Village, 2712 South International Blvd., Weslaco, Texas.This program is serviced by volunteers.
(Page 2 of 5, Brief History,11-03-11) The Music Festival participants include professionals, semi-professionals and Valley Jammers.The Board of Trustees and all activities continue to be performed by volunteers, and the musicians donate their talent and time as well.The number of performance stages has increased from two to five stages, with two additional tents added for Blue Grass, Jammers and Workshops.
Pre-Festival Venues are provided, and performed by participating musicians, for major sponsoring Valley merchants and/or businesses. These venues commence in January, prior to the Music Festival in February, each year.
Listed below are the dates, and Officers for the Board of Trustees, for each year of the Rio Grande Valley Music Festival; from 2005 thru 2011.
First:Wednesday and Thursday, February 16 and 17, 2005 (2 Days). The Founding Board of Trustee Officers: Ike Warkentin, President Geri Clark, Treasurer Edy McKenzie, Secretary
Second:Wednesday, February 15 thru Sunday Noon, 19, 2006 (5 Days). The Board of Trustee Officers, effective 04-01-05: Ike Warkentin, President Danny Dee, who resigned and was replaced by Francis Hahn, Vice President Geri Clark, who resigned and was replaced by George Rogers, Treasurer Edy McKenzie, Secretary This year, a Soup 'n Sandwich, Desert Auction, and Jam was organized, and the Music Festival provided Pre-Festival Venues for major sponsoring merchants and/or businesses.
Third:Wednesday, February 14 thru Sunday Noon, February 18, 2007 (5 Days). The Board of Trustee Officers, effective 04-01-06: Ike Warkentin, President Francis Hahn, Vice President George Rogers, Treasurer Edy McKenzie, Secretary This year, for the first time, the Music Festival presented monies for musical equipment to three Rio Grande Valley school music departments, in the amount of $1,000.00 to each school.We anticipated Music Festival growth each year, and anticipated that funds for donations to Valley schools would increase each year (see pages 4 and 5 for listing).
(Page 3 of 5, Brief History, 11-03-11) Fourth:Wednesday, February 13 thru Sunday Noon, February 17, 2008 (5 Days). The Board of Trustee Officers, effective 04-01-07: George Rogers, President I.W.Henson, Vice President Anna Jenkins, Treasurer Edy McKenzie, Secretary. This year, the Music Festival presented monies for musical equipment to eight Rio Grande Valley school music departments and/or youth groups, in the amount of $8,095.00 (see pages 4 and 5 for listing) .
Fifth:February 13 thru Sunday Noon, February 18, 2009 (5 Days). The Board of Trustee Officers, effective 04-01-08: George Rogers, President I.W.Henson, Vice President Anna Jenkins, Treasurer Edy McKenzie, Secretary $10,000.00 was designated to be given as grants to Valley school music departments and/or youth groups (see pages 4 and 5 for listing).
Sixth:Tuesday, February 16 thru Sunday Noon, February 21, 2010 (6 Days). The Board of Trustee Officers, effective 04-01-09: George Rogers, President I.W.Henson, Vice President Anna Jenkins, Treasurer Edy McKenzie, Secretary $13,000.00 was designated to given as grants to Valley school music departments and/or youth groups (see pages 4 and 5 for listing).
Seventh:Tuesday, February 15 thru Sunday 1:00 PM, February 20, 2011 (6 Days). The Board of Trustee Officers, effective 04-01-10: George Rogers, President I.W. Henson, Vice President Anna Jenkins, Treasurer Edy McKenzie, Secretary $20,000.00 was designated to given as grants to Valley school music departments and/or youth groups (see pages 4 and 5 for listing).
Eighth:Tuesday, February 14 thru Sunday 1:00 PM, February 19, 2012 (6 Days).
The Board of Trustee Officers, effective 04-01-11: George Rogers, President I.W. Henson, Vice President Ed Jones, Treasurer Edy McKenzie, Secretary
(Page 4 of 5, Brief History, 11-03-11)
DISBURSEMENT OF GRANTS
The following is a listing of recipients of monies from the proceeds of the Rio Grande Valley Music Festival.All monies in excess of expenses are donated to Valley School Music Departments, and/or youth groups for use in their music programs.
AmountRecipients of Monies
Rio Grande Valley Music Festival, 02-14 thru 02-18-07, $3,000.00:
$ 1,000.00Alton Memorial Junior High School, Mission, Texas. $ 1,000.00Mercedes Independent Schools, Mercedes, Texas. $ 1,000.00Weslaco High School, Weslaco, Texas. $ 3,000.00Total Monies Disbursed.
Rio Grande Valley Music Festival, 02-13 thru 02-17-08, $8,000.00:
$ 1,000.00Economedes High School, Edinburg, Texas; Folkloric Jaquar. $ 1,000.00Edcouch-Elsa High School, Edcouch, Texas; Mariachi. $ 1,000.00Edinburg Parks & Recreation; Edinburg, Texas; Folkloric. $ 1,000.00Escobares Elementary School; Alan Mayne, Teacher. $ 100.00First Baptist Church, Weslaco, Texas; Choir Tour of Germany. $ 2,000.00Mercedes High School, Mercedes, Texas; Mariachi Group. $ 1,000.00Mission Elementary School, Mission, Texas. $995.00Valley Grande Academy, Weslaco, Texas; Bass Saxophone. $ 8,095.00Total Monies Disbursed.
Rio Grande Valley Music Festival, 02-18-09 thru 02-22-09, $10,000.00:
$500.00Alvarez Elementary ISD School, McAllen, Texas; Drum Band. $ 1,000.00Economedes High School, Edinburg, Texas; Folkloric Jaquar. $ 1,000.00Edcouch-Elsa High School, Edcouch, Texas; Mariachi. $ 2,000.00Edinburg Parks & Recreation; Folkloric Group. $ 1,000.00Escobares Elementary School; Alan Mayne, Teacher. $500.00Martinez Elementary School, Mission, Texas. $ 1,000.00Mercedes High School, Mercedes, Texas; Mariachi Group. $ 1,000.00Our Lady Of Refuge Catholic Church, Roma, Texas. $ 1,000.00Valley Grande Academy, Weslaco, Texas. $ 1.000.00 Veterans Middle School Mariachi Juvenil de America, Rio Grande City, Texas. $10,000.00Total Monies Disbursed
(Page 5of 5, Brief History, 11-03-11) Rio Grande Valley Music Festival, 02-16-10 thru 02-21-10, $13,000.00:
$1,200.00Alvarez Elementary School, McAllen, Texas; Drum Band. $ 500.00Augusto Guerra Elementary, Alamo, Texas. $1,100.00Donna High School, Donna; Jazz Band. $ 1,000.00Edcouch-Elsa High School, Edcouch, Texas; Mariachi. $200.00Martinez Elementary School, Mission, Texas. $3,000.00McAllen Fine Arts, McAllen, Texas. $1,000.00Mercedes Might Tiger Band, Mercedes, Texas. $1,000.00Roma Independent School District, Roma, Texas. $ 3,000.00Valley Grande Academy, Weslaco, Texas. $ 1,000.00Ynes B. Escobar Elementary School, Roma, Texas. $13,000.00Total Monies Disbursed.
Rio Grande Valley Music Festival, 02-15-11 thru 02-20-11, $20,000.00: $1,000.00Alvarez Drum Band, McAllen, Texas. $600.00Augusto Elementary School, Alamo $2,000.00E. P. & R. Dept., Folkloric Group, Edinburg, Texas. $1,500.00Folkloric Dancers, Edcouch-Elsa, Texas. $400.00High School Choir, Weslaco, Texas. $1,000.00Jazz Band, Weslaco, Texas, Texas. $ 1.000.00Mariachi Dancers, Edcouch-Elsa, Texas. $2,000.00Memorial Junior High School Music Department, Alton, Texas. $4,500.00Mercedes I.S.D., Performing Arts, Mercedes, Texas. $1,000.00 Our Lady of Refuge Catholic Church, Roma-Los Saenz, Texas. $1,000.00Roma I.S.D. Choral, Roma, Texas. $1,000.00Valley Grande Academy Music Department, Weslaco, Texas. $1,500.00Ynes B. Escobar Elementary School, Roma, Texas. $18,500.00Disbursed to-date. $20,000.00Designated. $1,500.00To be Disbursed.
