"Take Note"
Carmel High School Choir Newsletter -March 11, 2024
Evening of Show Choir - This Week
Wednesday, March 13 at 7pm (Open Dress Rehearsal for Carmel Clay School Students & Staff - show ID at door for entry)
Thursday, March 14 at 7pm - General Public
CHS Auditorium - reserved seating - tiered pricing $10-$20 - all show choirs will perform:
Accents, Ambassadors, Allegro, New Edition
Purchase Tickets here:
https://secure.payk12.com/school/Carmel---Performing-Arts/671/events
If you have any trouble with tickets, please contact
Mrs. Natalie Cook ncook@ccs.k12.in.us 317-846-7721 x7085
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!
Volunteers needed to help with the Evening of Show Choir. PLEASE click this link to sign up.
(Act 1 - Allegro & New Edition, Act 2 - Accents & Ambassadors)
24-25 Choir Rosters Posted Friday, March 15
Starting at 8:30pm, on Friday, March 15th, students will be able to log into www.carmelchoirs.org to view their choir assignments for the 2024-2025 school year. A link to the lists will be posted on the homepage of the website.
This is always a very exciting day for some students, and a very difficult day for others. It also tends to be the same emotional roller coaster for parents. We take this opportunity to remind all of you that Carmel’s Choir Program is one of the largest, and therefore most competitive, programs in the entire country. It is particularly competitive for girls. Many girls dream of making it into Accents or Ambassadors, and some never will. There are only about 25 spots for girls in Ambassadors and around 50 for girls in Accents. There are over 300 girls in the choir program, so you can see that the odds are not high that many girls will make it.
Please know that we MUST determine placements in the various choirs by evaluating the student’s performance in their audition and on how we have seen them perform in class throughout the year. If we start to base placement off of anything else, we are setting up the program for extreme favoritism and an eventual lowering of the overall quality of the groups. We cannot just pick the “outgoing kids” who volunteer to help and who have parents who often volunteer. This would be completely unfair and goes against everything that we stand for as educators. We sometimes take “seniority” into consideration, but only when scores are nearly equal. The audition process is complex and includes many components. Of course, students need to sing well and in tune, but beyond that, they must show excellent musicianship skills in their knowledge of music theory, rhythmic and melodic sight-reading, and in tonal memory. For the competitive show choirs, they must also prove that they can learn choreography quickly and execute with high energy and enthusiasm. We have many students who sing beautifully, but struggle with these other parts of the audition process and those lower scores cause them to not make those upper level groups. We also have many students who are fabulous dancers, but are still struggling with their vocal technique and therefore do not make the competitive show choirs.
Students get very nervous in the one-on-one audition and sometimes, unfortunately, do not sing or sight-read to the best of their ability. Although this is always disappointing when it happens, we cannot just boost their score based upon what we see each day in class. If we did that, what would be the point of auditioning at all? Part of being ready for the highest-level ensembles at Carmel, is being able to make it through the audition process and conquer those nerves.
Please know that as choral directors with a combined 45 years of experience, the students’ proper placement and positive experience is at the very heart of every decision that we make. It is so important that students are placed in an ensemble that is the right level for them. They need to feel comfortable and able to contribute. They also need to be challenged to continue to grow. If they are placed in an ensemble that they are not ready for, they will realize very quickly that everyone around them is moving at a faster pace, and they will feel out of place and discouraged. This is a terrible position to put a student in. If they are placed in an ensemble that is too far below their level, they won’t feel challenged and will not continue to improve musically. Just because a student “wants” to be in a certain group, does not mean it is the best place for them to be, or that they are ready to be there. We also know better than the students what the expectations are of each choir, so sometimes students may think they are ready for an ensemble, but we recognize that they are not. It is our job to use our professional training and knowledge to best determine their proper placement.
We realize it is hard to not “get what we want when we want it”, or to “not be with all our friends”. We realize there will be some broken hearts this week. This is always a very difficult week for us as well. We ask you, as parents, to use this as an opportunity to help your sons and daughters find perspective. Discuss with them the positives of continuing to work towards goals. Try to help them see the ways that they can step into leadership in whichever ensemble they are in. Try to remind them that they joined choir because they have a passion for music and performing, and no matter what group they are in, they will still have that opportunity. One of our favorite reminders at this time of year is that “if it doesn’t open, it’s not your door”.
Here at Carmel High School, even our most introductory ensembles get opportunities that most advanced ensembles at other high schools do not. No matter what ensemble students are in, they will learn quality literature. They will get to work with nationally known clinicians and choreographers. They will make new friends and develop a community of friends who share their love of music. They will get to wear amazing costumes and have the chance to perform for thousands of people. They will be challenged and nurtured by teachers who care for them and help them to reach their full potential. These are core beliefs that we are committed to providing for all of our students. If they truly want to make music, grow as a performer, meet friends, and have great performance opportunities, they will get this opportunity no matter which ensemble they are in.
If students would like feedback on how they can continue to improve in future auditions, the choir instructors will be available during SSRT and before or after school during the fourth quarter. They can reach out to their director and set up a time to discuss their strengths and weaknesses one on one to help them reach their future goals in the Carmel Choir Department. Since this was a closed audition process between the students and teachers only, we will conduct audition feedback meetings with students only, as they will truly be the only ones who can think back on their audition and understand the critique. Their own self-evaluation is another important step in this process. Students are welcome to even record the feedback so that they can share it with their parents or private instructors. Teachers will not be replying to emails or phone calls regarding audition placements until after Spring Break, and we ask you to please respect our privacy during this much-needed down time.
We have had a wonderful year getting to know these students, and we are looking forward to more fabulous opportunities to make musical memories in the 2024-2025 school year. Thank you for your trust in us as teachers and thank you for your continued support for the program.
Sincerely,
Kathrine Kouns, Kyle Barker, & Anna DeBard
Directors of Choir
Carmel High School
Amazing performances at the Brownsburg Bulldog Spectacular
Congratulations to Ambassadors, Accents, New Edition, & Allegro on their fabulous performances this weekend at the Brownsburg Bulldog Spectacular! Check out some great photos of the weekend at this link: Photos of Brownsburg Bulldog Spectacular
Ambassadors
Grand Champion Large Mixed Division
Best Vocal
Best Choreography
Best Costumes
Outstanding Female Soloist: Gabi Bradley
Best Performer: Kathleen Williams
Accents
First Runner Up Large Treble Division
Best Performer - Krishaa Motycka
New Edition
Second Runner Up Festival Mixed Division
Best Performer: Kameron Johnson
Allegro
First Runner Up Festival Treble Division
Best Vocals
Best Performer: Myah Yost
Info for Choir Seniors
It's hard to believe that our Seniors are in their final semester as members of the Carmel Choir Program. It is an annual tradition to honor our Senior class at our Spring Concert and Awards Ceremony at the end of the year. Our Seniors will sing one final song together at the final concert, and they will perform the Carmel Alma Mater at the Graduation ceremony. In addition, we will put together a wonderful keepsake book featuring photos and biographies of each choir senior. Senior students can click on the link below to download music for their final performances, and to find where to upload their photos and bios - DUE BY MARCH 15.
SENIOR SCHOLARSHIPS
The Carmel High School Choral Department, along with CHS Ovation is pleased to offer the following scholarships to students who have been part of their choir program during their time at the high school.
1) Round of Applause Award ($500 scholarship, 2 awards given) - This award recognizes students who have been involved in a CHS choir program for four years and who have demonstrated a consistent commitment, high level of enthusiasm, and positive attitude towards CHS choral department activities. Recipients will be selected by the directors of the CHS Choral Department. Minimum GPA = 3.0
2) Standing Ovation Award ($1000 scholarship, 3 awards given) - Recipients of the Standing Ovation Scholarship will have been a member of either the CHS Accents or CHS Ambassadors choral programs, and will have demonstrated their commitment to choir-related activities outside of the classroom. Recipients will be selected by the directors of the CHS Choral Department. Minimum GPA = 3.5
3) CHS Choral Department Peer Recognition Award ($1000 scholarship, 1 award given) - this scholarship is available to a senior in a CHS choir whose peers believe they have exemplified leadership, outstanding commitment, and dedication within the program. A list of qualified applicants will be presented to peers in the choir program to vote on. Minimum GPA = 2.5
If you are interested in applying, please fill out your application through the link below. All applications are due by midnight on March 17th.
Yale Whiffenpoofs in Concert
The Yale Club of Indiana kindly extends an invitation to you for a special concert at Newfields.
We are welcoming the Whiffenpoofs, the world's oldest acappella group, to Indianapolis. They are a talented group of Yale seniors that tours internationally. Our very own acappella group, Select Sound, has been invited to be the opening act for the Whiffenpoofs and we are honored to be a part of this amazing show. The concert will begin at 7:30pm on Wednesday, March 20. Tickets can be purchased here, and you can find out more about the Whiffenpoofs here.
Senior Slideshow & Booklet Layout
Looking for a few volunteers to assist with creating the Senior Slideshow for the end of the year awards ceremony, and to help with the layout of the Senior booklet of photos and bios. If this is within your skill-set and you are interested in helping, please email Katie Kouns at kkouns@ccs.k12.in.us and she can give you more information.
4th International Rising Star Performing Arts competition online
If you sing, act, dance, play piano, compose music, or have another unique talent, you are invited to submit your performance video to the 4th International Rising Star Performing Arts competition online! It’s a great competition for the first-timers as well as advanced students! Choose from various categories, levels, and age groups, including older beginners. Categories include solo, duet, ensemble, concerto, choir, composition, parent/child act. Submit your performance video recorded within the current school year by April 27, 2024. With numerous nominations, everyone receives an International Award! More info: https://www.internationaltalentacademy.org/events/carmel-arts-rising-star-competition-online/
Show Choir Camps Of America 2024
Every year many of our students participate in an amazing opportunity to hone their singing and dancing skills, while making new and wonderful friends. Show Choir Camps of America is a fabulous music enrichment opportunity that is available within a short drive. You can find the information at www.showchoircamps.com . All three of the Carmel Choir directors have all been participating in Show Choir Camps of America for many years, and we have taken hundreds of students. All of the students that we have taken have had an incredible time and grown tremendously as young performers. The clinicians who will work with the students throughout the week are extremely accomplished. Some have performed on Broadway or at Disney, others are well-known choreographers and vocal directors from across the country. Getting to learn from these people is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and it’s less than a four hour drive from Carmel. Our head choreographer for Accents and Ambassadors, Dwight Jordan, is one of the founders of the camp.
There are two camps, one in Illinois June 16-22, and another in Ohio July 7-13. Most of our students and staff will be attending the Ohio camp, but they can choose either one. Parents typically drive students to Heidelberg University on the first Sunday morning of camp. Registration begins at 12 pm and all students must be checked in by 4pm. Students will be assigned to a dorm room on campus. They will have one roommate and will be on a floor supervised by a counselor. Students can choose their roommate ahead of time if they have a friend also attending camp, or they will be assigned a random roommate and get to make a new friend.
That first night (Sunday), there will be a guest show choir that will perform for the camp, followed by a meet-and-greet activity for the kids to get to know their counselors and clinicians. Monday morning, students are assigned to a performance group, and they begin rehearsals. These groups are not leveled by ability. In fact, they are a deliberate mix of students from all levels of singing and dancing background so no prior experience is required. Their days are made up of rehearsal with their group perfecting three choreographed songs and one ballad. There are also many workshops available to students throughout the week. Some are vocal, some are related to dance, some are on audition techniques, songwriting, tricks and lifts...you name it. Students can choose one to attend each day, whatever they are interested in. They eat their meals in the campus cafeteria and there's a great selection of food at each meal. Evenings consist of guest performance groups, including show choirs, Broadway performers, college acappella groups, talent shows, etc. Every night is something new and fabulous. They also have dances and social events with the kids. There is a vocal jazz group that the kids can try out for as well as the dance ensemble and talent show I mentioned before.
On Saturday, the final day, each group is assigned a rehearsal time in the morning. Then after lunch (the last meal served in the cafeteria) the concert begins. The concert starts around 1:30pm and usually ends around 3:30pm. Parents, friends and family are encouraged to attend this final concert before taking students home after camp.
Registration is open now and both camps will fill up quickly.
If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to one of the CHS Choir Directors.
Raise Right Fundraising Program
RaiseRight is an AMAZING way to earn funds towards paying off choir fees and trips. 100% of the profit earned by you goes towards your child's account. Multiple people can earn for one student so even out of town friends and family can sign up to support your child. We HIGHLY recommend this great program. All of the details can be found in this google folder at the link below. Natalie Oehler is the parent in charge of this program and she can answer any questions you may have.
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1Ryu9jB2TLiHYcDgukD9RDQ5At_49U8OA?usp=share_link
Contact Natalie Oehler with any questions about this program.
317-690-2157
2023-2024 Choir Calendar
The main dates to be aware of are:
Choral Showcase: Thursday, February 22
Evening of Show Choir: Student Preview 3/13, Public Performance March 14
Ear Candy: Wednesday, April 17
Spring Musical: May 9-11
Spring Concert: Thursday, May 16
Instructions to subscribe to the 23-24 Carmel Choirs Google Calendar
Italy Choir Resource Folder
You can find all information about how to register in the Italy Resource Google Drive .
Mark Your Calendars!
March 13 - Evening of Show Choir Dress Rehearsal (CCS staff and student preview) 7pm
March 14 - Evening of Show Choir 7pm (ACC, ALL, AMB, & NE)
March 20 - Select Sound in concert with the Yale Whiffenpoofs at Newfields 7:30pm
March 23 - Italy Preview Concert 4pm
March 29 - April 7 - ITALY TRIP
April 17 - Ear Candy Concert 7:30pm (SS)
May 9 - 11 - Cinderella Musical
May 15 - Spring Concert Tech Rehearsal 4:15-6:45pm
May 16 - Spring Choir Concert 7pm
May 19 - Choir Awards Ceremony
Important Information For Choir Families
23-24 Parent Resource Google Drive
Support Carmel Choirs
Become an ANGEL Sponsor
Link your Kroger Card to OVATION
Become a corporate sponsor or advertise in our programs
Choir Supply Cost Information
Contact chsovationfinance@gmail.com with questions about supply costs and payments
Contact your individual director with requests for financial aid or alternate payment plans
Subscribe to the 23-24 Carmel Choirs Google Calendar
OVATION BOARD Contact List
Contact your OVATION Chairperson by finding their contact information at this link:
Contact the Choir Directors
Mrs. Kathrine Kouns (Accents, Select Sound, Blue & Gold Company, Expressions)
Mr. Kyle Barker (Ambassadors, Allegro, Greyhound Sound, Counterpoints)
Mrs. Anna DeBard (New Edition, Rhapsody, Applied Music)
Carmel High School Choir Department
Email: carmelchoirs@gmail.com
Website: www.carmelchoirs.org
Location: 520 East Main Street, Carmel, IN, USA
Phone: (317) 846-7721
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/carmelchoirs
Twitter: @carmelchoirs