Welcome!
You are now a member of one of the M.E. McKeown Performing Arts Ensembles! I welcome you on this journey and I look forward to making this year an exciting and rewarding experience for all involved.
It is the Music Department’s hope that this brief packet will give both musician and parent an overview of the vocal performing groups and what to expect in the upcoming year.
Please take a moment to read this together. There are many important dates listed, including concert dates/times, for you to mark on your calendars. .
Thanks in advance for your help and support. Let’s make some music!
Mrs. Audrey Sparta ♫
Director of Vocal Ensembles
♫ Fourth Grade Chorus ♫
All 4th grade students will be members of the 4th Grade Chorus from September –December. All 4th graders will perform together at the Winter Concert!
Why is everyone involved….?
Fourth grade is a year of many opportunities for the students. When they were third graders all students took the recorder as a pre-band experience. Fourth Grade Chorus allows these students to have a choral experience with their peers as well. This will be a group effort to give the students a positive, fun performance experience…and they will not be missing any classroom instructional time.
And if the student does not wish to continue with Chorus….
They only stay in until the Winter Concert is performed. At that point if they feel that they do not want to continue with Chorus for the rest of the year, they do not have to. After their concert obligation, they will spend the designated Chorus time in their classrooms. Written notes from the parents will be required to drop this class as it is a graded course. Notes must be received by January 26, 2012.
Great! Let’s Give It Try! What else do we need to know….
Chorus meets every Thursday from 2:00 – 2:40. Students will report to the cafeteria when instructed by their teachers to do so. They will be assigned #’s, and corresponding folders and music. They will be responsible to bring their folders and pencil (provided for them) to each rehearsal. Attendance will be taken and a grade will be issued on the report card as long as your musician is enrolled in the Chorus.
♫ 5th and 6th Grade Chorus ♫
Students do not need to know how to read music to join. It also does not matter if they were in Chorus before…all are welcomed!
Just the Facts….
Rehearsals
will be on Wednesday from 2:00 – 2:40 in the Cafeteria. Students will have
access to music for each rehearsal.
Students
may join Chorus for the first 4 weeks of rehearsals. After this point if a
student wants to join I ask that they wait until the Spring Concert season that
begins in January to join.
As
with any fine team, rehearsals and practices are important and both need to be
consistent. Bearing this in mind, a student will not be allowed to drop
Chorus after the first 4 weeks of rehearsals. Students
may drop Chorus before the fourth week if their parent notifies me, in writing,
of their child’s decision.
Chorus
is a graded course. Students will be graded on attendance, preparation for
class, knowledge of music and overall musicianship.
♫ CHORALE ♫
Chorale is a select group of singers chosen by audition only. The music performed by this group is of a more involved nature using more complex harmonies and arrangements. This is a graded course.
Just the Facts….
Chorale
auditions are open to any 4th, 5th or 6th
grader that is currently enrolled and participating in chorus.
Auditions
are held during school hours and results are posted within a week of auditions
depending upon the number of musicians auditioning.
Rehearsals
are every Tuesday after school from 2:45 – 4:30 beginning in October and
concluding at the end of May.
This group
is a year commitment. Auditions are held once per year in September. The
director, however, has the option of re-auditioning any member at any time
during the school year if the situation warrants it. Three unexcused absences
will result in the student no longer being a member of the group for the
remainder of the school year.
The Chorale
performs at both concerts and possibly 1-2 additional times during the year.
Musicians
will be given and be responsible for their music and folder. If a Chorale
member is unprepared for rehearsal three times they will no longer be members
of the Chorale for the remainder of the year. Chorale is a graded course.
Additional Opportunities
♫ District Chorus ♫
District Chorus is a group of selected musicians from McKeown, Stillwater, Sandyston-Walpak, Fredon, and the Kittatinny Middle School Chorus. This combined group performs a concert in March at Kittatinny Regional High School to celebrate Music in our Schools Month.
Just the Facts….
5th and 6th
Grade Chorus members will be chosen by the music director in November/December.
Selection is based on student’s musicianship, dependability, and capability to
learn and sing music. There is a limited amount of students allowed from each
school and this number will not be made available until October. Music for
this ensemble will involve a variety of music including music in foreign
languages.
Students,
once accepted, are expected to learn a majority of the music on their own. Of
course, I will be available to guide them. Chorus members will also have an
opportunity to rehearse during certain recess times before the concert.
The District
members will have an opportunity to rehearse with the large group on two
occasions during the school day at Kittatinny High School. I will accompany
them to the school. These rehearsals culminate with a concert the evening of
the final rehearsal. As with all of the other concerts, notes will be sent home
with more specific information as these events approach.
Each
participating member of this chorus will be asked to sign a pledge indicating
their understanding of the level of commitment required to participate in this
group including attendance at mandatory rehearsals.
Concert Dates for 2011/2012**Mark your calendars!**
Winter Concert: Tuesday December 20, 2011 @ 7:00 p.m. (snow date 12/21)
Spring Concert Thursday, May 24, 2012
4th gr. Chorus and Beginner Band @ 7:00 p.m.
Chorale, Advanced Band and 5/6th gr. Chorus@ 8:00p.m.
What to Wear
“Concert Dress” is the same for bands and choruses:
Girls… White, red or green shirt for Winter Concert /white shirt ONLY for Spring Concert
Black pants/skirt/gaucho (NO MINI SKIRTS!)
Black shoes (MAKE SURE YOU CAN SAFELY WALK IN THEM!!)
Nude/ Flesh colored stockings
Boys… White, red or green shirt (no t-shirts, please) for Winter Concert/white ONLY for Spring Concert
Black pants
Black shoes
Ties optional, not required
*Please note: McKeown Dress Code also applies to concert dress.
If you have any problems obtaining these clothing items, please let me know. From experience I suggest that the clothes be chosen and secured by the beginning of November. White tops/black bottoms are the standard dress for the majority of performing ensembles from elementary schools through college. There is always a mad dash for these items in December…please prepare early!
Please feel free to contact the Music Department at any time during the year at 973-383-5300 x418. I will return your call as soon as possible.
Let’s start singing!
Mrs. Audrey Sparta
Director of Vocal Ensembles
♪♫♪