CHS Choir Update #21
A Weekly Update from the CHS Choral Department
Greetings CHS Choir, Family & Friends!
I hope this week's newsletter finds you each of you enjoying this wonderful weather on this and some extra time off this weekend.
Students have only been back in classes for nine days and they are already making some incredible strides as members of their ensembles and as individual performers. If these last two weeks are any indicator, our upcoming Masterworks Concert is going to be an event you are not going to want to miss.
In addition to this wonderful work, students have also been working to learn and perfect solos they intend to for use during this year's BISD Vocal Solo & Ensemble Contest. Registration is currently underway and we over 55 students interested in participating in this process. We are thrilled to see so many interested in this contest opportunity.
Lots of great information has been included in this week's newsletter for your review, including information about the Varsity Men's Trip to Louisiana, our MasterWorks Concert (Feb 7th), our trip to Nashville, and so much more. Please continue reading below to learn more about upcoming special events and other important opportunities for you and/or our students in the very near future.
Warmest Regards,
Eric L. Cooley, director
CHS Choral Department
This Week in Choir
Monday
- No School/Scheduled Activities
- Chorale Rehearsal with CHS Band (4:30-6:30 PM)
- Solo Solfege Labeling Due (During Class)
- Varsity Rehearsal with CHS Band (7:50-8:35 AM)
- Varsity Women: 7:45-8:10 AM, All Men: 8:10-8:35 AM
- Show Choir Rehearsal (4:30-7:00 PM)
- Yearbook Pictures (During Class)
- Jeans and Blue Choir T-Shirts
Varsity TB Choir Trip Update
Next Wednesday, January 29th, the members of the Varsity Tenor-Bass Choir will be traveling to Monroe, Louisiana to participate in "Men Sing Aloud," a regional performance festival hosted by the University of Louisiana (Monroe) School of Music for tenor-bass choirs. The festival will culminate in a performance on Thursday, January 30th, led Dr. Amon Eady from Central Michigan University at 6:00 PM
Because of the incredible fundraising efforts and the generous support CHS Choir Booster Club, we have been able to cover many of the costs required for student participation in this trip. The only fee students are asked to cover will assist us in securing their meals while away from school. This fee is only $25. This fee has already been assigned in CutTime to each student's account and is currently open for payment.
Payments may be made to the CHS Choir Booster Club using Cash, Card, or Fundraiser Credits. All trip fees should be submitted no later than Monday, January 27th. Students in need of additional financial consideration in order to participate in this trip are asked to speak with Mr. Cooley as soon as possible.
BISD Vocal Solo & Ensemble Contest Update
Over the past two weeks, students have been selecting and becoming familiar with individual vocal repertoire that they will present as part of their Individual Music Learning Project and/or this year's BISD Vocal Solo & Ensemble Contest on Thursday, February 20th.
The goal is to help students develop personal confidence and performance skills in a through more individualized learning and performance experiences. In addition to this experience as wonderful opportunity to build personal communication and performance skills, students who participate in the “Official Contest” have the opportunity to earn points for their letter jackets and “Outstanding Performer” distinctions in their division. Juniors and Seniors performing "Class One" solos and students performing "Class Two" solos are eligible to compete for scholarships in this year’s BISD Honors Recital on Friday, February 28th at 6:00 PM.
Currently our records indicate that over 55 students have expressed a desire to participate in this year's vocal contest. This contest is a great opportunity for choir members to build their skills as a singer and to receive feedback regarding their individual growth and development as a performer. We are thrilled to see so many students engaging in this process this year.
Registration for the Official Contest will run through Tuesday, January 28th at 4:15PM. All students that wish to participate in the official contest are asked to return their forms and audition entry fees ($30) by this time. Students wishing to use fundraiser credits to offset the cost of participation should indicate this on their forms when turning them in. Paper copies of the registration forms are available in the CHS Choir Room for those that need them.
Frostiana: Seven Country Songs
On Friday, February 7th, the choirs of Centennial High School and Crowley High School will join forces to present a special performance of "Frostiana" by Randall Thompson. This performance will feature the poetry of Robert Frost, accompanied by the CHS Wind Ensemble under the direction of Mr. Shawn Murphy.
This performance is open to the public. Doors open at 6:30 PM, Performance begins at 7:00 PM. Donations will be collected at the door in support of the music enrichment programs offered by each of the programs involved in this performance.
Please mark your calendars and make plans to attend. This will be a performance you are not going to want to miss!
Friday, Feb 7, 2020, 07:00 PM
Centennial High School and Burleson Collegiate High School, South Hurst Road, Burleson, TX, USA
RSVPs are enabled for this event.
Frostiana Rehearsal Schedule Reminders
In order to facilitate the effective preparation of this repertoire, a few additional rehearsals will be required of our students.
January
Tuesday, January 21st - 4:30-6:30 PM (Chorale w/Band)
Thursday, January 23rd - 7:45-8:45 AM (Varsity Women & Men w/Band)
Tuesday, January 28th - 8:00-8:45 AM (All Women, All Men w/Band)
Tuesday, January 28th - 4:30-6:30 PM (Chorale + Crowley HS Choir)
February
Monday, February 3rd - Dress Rehearsal - 4:30-7:00 PM (All)
Tuesday, February 4th - 4:30-6:30 PM (Chorale Only)
Friday, February 7th - Student Dinner - 4:30-5:30 PM
Friday, February 7th - Final Dress Rehearsal - 5:30-6:30 PM
Friday, February 7th - Concert - 7:00-8:00 PM
GROUP PICTURES - THIS FRIDAY
These will take place during class on Friday, January 24th. All Students are asked to wear their CHS Choir Shirt (Blue) and blue jeans with closed-toe shoes for this picture. Blue jeans should be free of holes.
Students that have not paid for their current year shirt are asked to bring a minimum of $20 with them this week to help secure their shirt for these pictures. Students who have lost their shirts are asked to bring $10 with them to secure a replacement. Shirts are required for this picture. Please let Mr. Cooley know if you have any questions about this event or the uniforms required.
Nashville Update: Final Payment & Trip Meeting Information
Please mark your calendars to attend this year's Spring Trip Meeting on Tuesday, February 18th at 6:45 PM. During this time, we will review our final trip itinerary, sign up for rooms, and address important information related to overnight travel with our department. All students and at least one guardian are required to attend this meeting in order to travel with us in March.
All trip balances are due in full by Thursday, February 6th. Thank you all so much for your timely payments for this month's trip payment. We greatly appreciate your attention and timeliness in attending to these obligations.
Our last product fundraiser for the school year will be held at the end of the month and conclude just before Valentine's Day. Funds from this sale may be used to offset final payments for this year's trip or upcoming events this spring.
We would take another moment to thank the CHS Choir Booster Club for their generous financial support of this experience for our students. Your contribution to this year's trip has helped us guarantee that this will be a trip that our students will not soon forget!
Financial Statement Reminder
Late last week, our Booster Club Treasurers sent out financial statements to all students and families currently enrolled in our program. These statements include all outstanding financial commitments and any fundraising credits that are still available for students to use toward current and future expenses.
Students with outstanding balances are encouraged to settle these prior to the end of the month. Doing so will help ensure that we are able to meet our obligations and serve all students in our program to the best of our ability.
Details about our final product fundraiser will be distributed to students and families in next week's SMORE update. Credits from this fundraiser may be used to clear current balances and/or cover expenses of future activities in which students may be engaged (Solo Contest, Madrigal Festival, Spring Banquet, etc.).
If you have questions about your statement or didn't receive one, please contact our treasurers at treasurer@chschoirboosters.org.
Final Product Fundraiser of the Year
On Wednesday, students will receive information about this year's final product fundraiser. Proceeds from this sale will not only benefit our program but also provide a way for students to directly offset the costs of their participation in program events (Banquet, Solo Contest, Spring Trip, Madrigal Festival, Show Choir Trip, et al). All students are strongly encouraged to participate in this final push to help reduce their fee balance and/or eliminate any financial barriers they may have toward participation in future department events.
Please look for this information to come home with students later this week. Consent forms for participation in this event must be returned in order for merchandise to be distributed to students for sale.
Please Download FlipGrid
This spring, we will be making use of the online feedback and assessment tool called FlipGrid. While this app may be accessed through a web browser, it will be extremely helpful for students to have this app on their phone. We will use it to collect input, feedback and performance information both in and outside of the classroom environment. Thank you in advance for your help with this effort.
Coming Up Soon
- February 6th - BISD School of Choice Night
- February 10th - Show Choir Showcase
- February 11th - Voice Studio Vocal Recital
- February 20th - BISD Vocal Solo & Ensemble Contest
- February 28th - BISD Solo Contest Honors Recital
- March 30th - UIL Community Concert
- April 4th (Saturday) - North Texas Choral Classic
About Us
- Public Announcements - @20670
- Choraliers - @cfk7a
- Con Spirito - @spiritomen
- Cantare - @cantaretc
- Spartan Chorale - @20673
- Chamber Singers - @20672
- Shades of Blue - @ef34
- Spring Trip - @centtrips
Email: ecooley@bisdmail.net
Website: www.centennialhschoir.com
Location: 201 S Hurst Rd, Burleson, TX, United States
Phone: 817-245-0370
Facebook: facebook.com/centennialhschoir
Twitter: @centennialsings