CHS Choir Update #10
A Weekly Newsletter for Friends & Family of the CHS Choir
Greetings CHS Choir Family!
We've made it to November! It is hard to believe that this week marks the beginning of a new month and the final week of the second grading period. While these first weeks have been full of adjustments and challenges, I could not be more proud of the students in our program and their work thus far.
Students are hard at work refining their holiday music and perfecting their solo repertoire for performance during class and learning more each week in the piano lab. It has been inspiring to see them learn and grow in both independence and skill. While many things are far from ideal this year, they are working hard every day to share their best with me and each other.
Grades for this assessment period will close on Friday at 4:15 PM. Students and parents are strongly encouraged to review student grade books in Schoology and complete any missing assignments by Thursday at Midnight. Communications about missing work and students in danger of failing will be sent out by tomorrow morning by 9:30 AM. Parents, your help in encouraging students to take care of these responsibilities is critical to their success and greatly appreciated.
Lots of incredible opportunities coming up just over the horizon, including our BISD Annual Solo Festival, Singing Christmas Cards, a Solo Showcase, and more. Please be sure to check out the rest of this week's newsletter to learn more about upcoming events and opportunities to become more involved in the life and mission of our program. A lot is going on right now and we don't want you to miss a beat.
As always, please do not hesitate to let me know if you have any questions or if I can be of assistance to you or your student in any way.
Warmest Regards,
Eric L. Cooley, director
CHS Choral Department
Coming Up This Week...
- Show Choir Rehearsal - 5:00-7:00 PM
- Piano Lab Day with Ms. K (In-Class)
- All-State Sectionals (Sign Up Here)
- Show Choir Rehearsal - 4:30-5:30 PM
- Piano Lab Day with Ms. K (In-Class)
- All-State Sectionals (Sign Up Here)
- IMLP Recording #3 is Due Today (On Words)
- 2nd Six Weeks Ends
- Solo Contest Registration Forms Due
- National Anthem Performance - 6:45 PM (Chamber Only)
In their own words...
Whether happy or sad, joyful or full of longing, each of these songs gives us hope that there is always something more to the story and that something better is just around the bend. We invite you to join us on this journey of self-discovery and finding our footing in this tumultuous world. Although we may encounter obstacles that test our character and make us question our resolve today, tomorrow is a new day; full of hope and promise.
While this performance will be open to the public, seating will be limited and social distancing guidelines will be enforced at all times. More information about tickets and how to secure your seat for this performance will be released later this week. In the meantime, mark your calendars and make plans to attend and support these incredible young people.
BISD Vocal Solo Festival Registration Info
Over the past three weeks, all of our students have been learning and working to perfect solo singing repertoire as part of our independent music learning project. As they have worked, they have become more familiar with their own voices and sharpened their singing skills along the way. While all students will share their work with me over the course of the next two weeks for feedback and review, many students in our program choose to showcase their work as part of our annual BISD Vocal Solo Festival.
Typically held in February of each year, this year's contest will be held at the end of this month on Thursday evening, November 19th at CHS. Performances will be hosted in person on campus with
Participation in this festival is open to ALL SINGERS in the CHS Choir Program. Preparation and performance for this solo performance opportunity is a great way to build confidence and skill in your individual performance capacity and earn letter jacket points for Choir. All are encouraged to register and participate in this process.
Students are eligible to earn contest superlatives, patches for superior performances, and advancement to our scholarship recital (students in grades 10-12) in February.
Registration for this year's festival will run through Friday, November 6th. All students that wish to participate in the official contest are asked to return their forms by this time. Registration fees ($10) are due by Wednesday, November 11th. Students that wish to participate in this event but need assistance or additional consideration with regards to fees are asked to contact Mr. Cooley ASAP.
Winter Concert Solo Auditions
Each year we feature student soloists performing winter/holiday-themed music for performance on our Winter Concert. Auditions for this year's holiday performances will take place via Flip Grid. Students will learn and prepare a solo then turn in their recordings to Mr. Cooley via FlipGrid for review and consideration.
General Guidelines
All students (unless they choose to accompany themselves) should plan to audition using an accompaniment track. This means they should not include the voices of the main performer or an instrument playing the melody with them throughout the performance. Links to the karaoke tracks should be shared with Mr. Cooley in the comments section of the FlipGrid video submission screen.
Music may be in any style genre for this performance. Please reference THIS LIST for songs that should be avoided. As you make your song selections, please know that we will not feature a song more than once. Should students audition the same song, the best performance (stage presence, vocals, etc.) will be selected.
Choir Fee Payment Reminders
Our target date to have all fee payments processed is Friday, October 30th. For those students/families that requested a payment plan for this year's fees, this is the final date listed in your payment plan. Students/families that require additional time or consideration are asked to communicate this need to Mr. Cooley via email (ecooley@bisdmail.net) as soon as possible.
Student Voice Lesson Info & Application
Still interested in signing up for voice lessons? It's not too late! Click the links below to learn more about this fantastic program designed to support and enrich student learning as part of the CHS Choir Program. Sign-up today!
How to Access CutTime
Still, need to make a payment or clear a choir fee? Visit our CutTime portal to view your student's information and make payments. Parents without accounts can use the information below to request access to the system and begin working with their student's account.
New Parent Account Setup Information
- Go to www.cuttime.net and select “Student/Parent Sign Up” at top of the screen.
- Read the instructions and complete the registration form provided.
- Our Group Name (to be entered in the first blank) is "Centennial HS Choir."
- Your position should be set to "Parent."
- Agree to the Terms and Commitments.
- Click the “Register Now” button.
Questions? Contact Mr. Cooley for support (ecooley@bisdmail.net)
The Choirs of Centennial
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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