Welcome Back @ChapaChoir! Sept 2020
Maternity Leave, Guest Teacher, Handbooks/Form & Calendar
Dear Chapa Choir Parents/Guardians,
As many of you already know I am on maternity leave (starting from mid-summer). I plan on returning by November 2020 if all goes as planned.
While I am on maternity leave, Mrs. Jessica Moore will be our Guest Teacher. As of the first day of instruction, she will take over our classes.
Jessica Moore is a highly qualified, previously certified, retired music/choir teacher. She is looking forward to working with your child to achieve his/her highest potential. She plans on using a variety of teaching strategies to create an engaging, learning environment. I will be working closely to assist Mrs. Moore in making this transition smooth. Mrs.Moore will be made aware and provide any special accommodations/services that your child currently receives in the classroom.
This year we will have some adjusting to do both with state guidelines and with me away for the first nine weeks. Please refer to our Chapa Choir Handbook (PDF) for many of the general questions about our choir program. Note that most choir dates/events are provided (Google Calendar) for reference but are tentative with details subject to change. We will be using mainly digital documents and communication so PLEASE be sure to keep your email records up to date with our school throughout the entire school year. We will begin the year with a paper form to get the ball rolling but from here on we will be using email/digital communication with our online newsletters and remind texting program. Also, please only use online payment methods this year (no cash/check).
If you have any questions please feel free to contact Mrs. Moore and she will answer all that she can.
Sincerely,
Mrs. Garcia
Director of Chapa Choirs
Please Welcome our Guest Teacher Mrs. Moore
Mrs. Moore graduated from Trinity University where she studied Music Education. She taught music for 8 years. She now owns a luxury wedding planning firm with offices in Austin and San Antonio. She met her husband at the middle school she was teaching choir at, 18 years ago. She is a mom to 4 kids, ages 10-17. She has a black lab and 3 cats and loves living in Buda, where you see someone you know almost every place you go!
NOTE: Chapa Choir will be following all Hays CISD Covid-19 Policies (Including but not limited to instruction and performances)
HANDBOOK HIGHLIGHTS
Choir on Schoology
Students will have synchronous and asynchronous learning opportunities while distance learning. Students that cannot participate in synchronous learning will be able to complete their assignments on their own time but must turn them in within a designated time-frame. Distance learning topics include, but aren’t limited to: Social-emotional learning topics/team building activities Individual rhythm reading and sight reading Aural training Classical solo study Small ensemble study Individual music theory curriculum: Breezin’ Thru Theory Choral music part-learning Score reading Conducting Research on music-related topics
In Person Choir Singing (PPE)
Our daily rehearsals will look quite different this year. We will make the best of this situation, rise to occasion, and continue learning together! CHANGES TO THE ROOM: Students will not use binder cabinets. All choir materials will be kept in backpacks. There will not be pencils or pens to loan. Students will need to keep two pencils and a highlighter in the choir folder for class. Each student will have a chair with a music stand instead of risers. (YAY chairs!)
Face shields are more for eye/splatter protection and do not adequately address the aerosol spread caused by singing in closed spaces. Students are welcome to wear face shields in addition to masks if they choose, but it is not required. Gloves are not required in the choir classroom.
A singer’s mask has been produced by the Broadway Relief Project. While these masks are quite expensive, they do allow for more space and more freedom in breathing. Proceeds benefit the Broadway Industry. (link below)
A similar singer’s mask with biofilter capability is produced by My Music Folders (link below)
Below are links to instructions for making your own "Singer Style" mask if you're more of a DIY person.
Students do not have to use a “singer-style” mask. A fabric or disposable mask is just fine (the disposable masks are more comfortable for singing). Students that choose to use a “singer style” mask should only use it for choir class.
@Chapa Choir Beginning of the Year Checklist
1. Sign up for Remind choir group as soon as possible!
2. Fill out online google form below for student/guardian information and handbook acknowledgement by Fri. Sept. 18th 2020
3. Pay Choir Supply/T-Shirt Fees on RevTrak Online by Oct. 2nd 2020
4. Be sure to follow any @ChapaChoir Social Media &/ that emails from Mrs. Moore, Mrs. Garcia or Smore are not blocked by the email address you provide to the program/school/district.
5. Feel free to contact Mrs. Moore / Mrs. Garcia directly (email is best) anytime there is a question or concern as soon as possible so we may best serve you and your students’ education.
Until November , please contact Jessica.Moore@hayscisd.net
Choir Office Phone: (512) 268-8500 Ext: 47831
Late Oct & Beyond Email: Kylee.Garcia@hayscisd.net
@Chapa Choir Calendar of Tentative Events 2020-2021
Due to Covid-19 and State/District Guidelines all dates, and details are tentative at this time. We have several dates reserved and placed on this list to serve as a planning reference for this school year. We will be providing updates via emailed newsletters/social media for each event as they approach included which specific ensembles will be invited to the additional events. Underlined events are required/graded performances for the entire choir program. Note that Varsity Ensembles are traditionally invited to several of the additional events as a requirement.
Please also subscribe to our digital version on Google Calendar!
Fall 2020
- Fall Solo & Ensemble Performances TBA (Late Oct/Early Nov)
- Wed. Dec. 2nd 5-9 PM: Kyle Christmas Tree Lighting (CMS Caroling Time TBA) @ City Square Park
- Wed. Dec. 9th 6-7 PM: Winter Chapa Choir Concert @ Hays PAC
- Sat. Dec 12th 9AM- 4 PM: Choir Caroling Tour w/LHS & SMS @ Kyle Community
Spring 2021
- Fri. Jan 15th 4:30 – 6:30 PM: CMS/SMS All-Region Choir Practice @ LHS Choir Room
- Sat. Jan 23rd 8AM- 3PM: Audition Day- All-Region Choir @ McCormick MS
- Sat. Feb 6th 8AM- 6PM: Clinic & Concert- All Region Choir @ Austin PAC
- Fri. March 5th 8AM- 5PM: Pre-UIL Choir Festival (CMS Time TBA) @ Hays PAC
- Mon. Mar 29th 7:30AM- 6:00PM : UIL Concert & Sight-Reading Choir Evaluations- Day 1 (CMS Time TBA) @ Austin PAC
- Tues Mar 30th 7:30AM- 6:00PM: Concert & Sight-Reading Choir Evaluations UIL – Day 2 (CMS Time TBA) @ Austin PAC
- Thurs. April 22nd 4-11PM: Opera by Night Trip w/LHS & SMS @ Austin Long Center
- Tues. May 18th 6-7PM: Spring Chapa Choir Concert @ Hays PAC
Just FYI of some Items yet to be reserved or may not occur this year:
- LHS Home Coming Game Nat’l Anthem Performance w/ LHS & SMS: Unknown
- After School Choir Socials either at CMS or LHS: Unknown
- School Day Assembly Performances (Veteran’s, Hispanic Hert., Black History, etc.): Unknown
- San Marcos Sights & Sounds Caroling Performance: Early December
- District Solo & Ensemble Competition: March/April on campus after school in music wing or a Saturday Morning event.
- Basketball/Volleyball (Spurs or TXST) Choir Performance Trips: Unknown (Fall or Spring)
- Six Flags Trip: Late April or May
- Beginner/JV Choir Festival Performance(s) @ZDTS or Central Texas Choir Festival in Seguin or Kyle, Early May
- End of Year Splash Party (Pool Party) – Last day of School w/SMS @ Kyle Pool 4:30PM
Please be sure to have all your contact information up to date throughout the year and feel free to reach out if you may feel you may have missed something or if you have any questions. Keep in mind that everyone’s health and safety is our top priority. Thank you for your patience and understanding.
Contact Chapa Choir
Email: jessica.moore@hayscisd.net
Website: https://linktr.ee/chapachoir
Location: Chapa Middle School, Dacy Lane, Kyle, TX, USA
Phone: (774) 478-6401
Facebook: facebook.com/chapachoir
Twitter: @chapachoir