VOICES. A Note from the President. October Our Mission: Providing Support and Encouragement for Musical Opportunities.

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1 October 2012 VOICES A newsletter from DGS Choral Boosters Our Mission: Providing Support and Encouragement for Musical Opportunities A Note from the President Welcome to the school year! Everyone has hit the ground running and your Choral Board is ready to support another great year of the choir program at DGS. We have over 250 students in the choir program this year. As this newsletter goes out we are not only having the first choral performance at the Fall Concert on October 18 th, but IMEA auditions already occurred on October 9 th. Our year is also filled with lots of activities and we welcome everyone to join us in whatever capacity you can to support the Choral Boosters and the DGS Choir Program overall. We have needs for everything from event volunteers to help with setting up, serving, baking treats, ushering for events, and more. Please read through the newsletter for more specific information. In addition, I would like to extend a personal invitation to everyone to come to one of our monthly Choral Booster meetings this year. We welcome your ideas and feedback. As a service organization, our goal is to help provide volunteers and funding for many of the events throughout the school year costumes, choreographers, clinicians, field trips, special events, etc. Parent involvement is crucial to growing our organization and supporting the directors. Our Choral Booster meetings are generally held on the second Monday of every month. It s a great way to stay connected with what your son or daughter is doing, get to know other parents, and help to make the DGS Choir program even better! Please contact me or any other board member if you have questions or concerns. We are looking forward to a great school year! Rita Bair DGS Choral Boosters President

2 Save the Dates South High School Choir Calendar Igniting a passion for the arts in every learner Month Day Event Time Place Ensemble October 18 Choir Concert 7:00 PM Auditorium DGS Choirs November 12 Choir Boosters 7:00 PM B124 Parentes 17 IMEA Senior Festival All Day TBA Select Students December 10 Choir Boosters 7:00 PM B124 Parents 13 Holiday Concert 7:00 PM Gymnasium DGS Choirs 22* CSO Performance TBA Symphony Center Madrigals Singers January Choir Boosters 7:00 PM B124 Parents 10 Middle School Choir Festival 3:30PM- 7:30PM Aud./Music Suite/Cafe DGS Choirs 28 Class of 2017 Open House 6:30PM Auditorium Madrigals 30 Vocal Festival All Day Music Suite DGS Choirs *(Final date TBD in November by CSO)

3 A Few Thoughts on Singing Why is it Valuable for your Teen? Singing is an art of the mind and soul. It can improve a teen s health or even career skills. Singing is also great fun! Singing a meaningful text can make a teen more emotionally healthy and optimistic. Teens need positive messages and the time to reflect. Music and text can help one discover their thoughts and feelings about life in a meaningful way and help foster an emotionally healthy personality. Singing gives teens a great amount of pleasure, regardless of their level of your skill. Relaxation and happiness can be experienced while singing. It is an inexpensive means to add meaning and positive experiences to their day. It is social a social activity and brings teens together. Singing together in a group develops teamwork in a unique and satisfying way. We know things that relax us are good for our health and fitness. Singing helps to increase the capacity of our lungs and blood flow. It requires breathing techniques that are beneficial for all. A correct posture and breathing technique often leads to better overall health. Singing translates to good physical as well as mental health, just like walking and running. If one wants to be a great singer, it requires an immense amount of self-discipline, loads of hard work, and consistent practice. The advantages of singing can groom an individual to develop a solid work ethic so that they will be successful in many endeavors they pursue. Voice Lessons: Is my Student Ready to Start Private Voice Lessons? If your son or daughter is interested in developing their voice further and they seem to have a passion to sing, it may be the right time to pursue private lessons. If they have a natural, pleasant tone quality and are gaining skill in matching pitches accurately, they most likely will have success in developing and improving their solo voice. Often teenagers enter high school with a simple, pleasant tone quality and a basic skill in matching pitch or hearing harmony. It is amazing to see the growth in teens when these basic skills are developed with a private teacher. As they learn to support their voice with their breath and focus their sound, they will develop a noticeable tone quality change within the first few months of lessons. The more they want to sing and improve, the more they will practice the techniques they are learning. The more they are motivated to practice, the more they will see improvement in their singing voice. We believe that all singers can benefit from lessons. If your son or daughter is having trouble matching pitch, lessons may spark a new understanding and they will see improvement. Sometimes the individual attention is all that a student needs to make a leap in their musical understanding. If you have questions about your son or daughter in regards to private voice lessons, please feel free to contact a choir teacher for advice. Your student may start lessons during the second semester by filling out a voice teacher request form in the choir room. Information about lessons and prices are included on the form. Our current voice teachers are: Todd Diehl, Colleen Lingenfelter, Holley McKee, Ingrid Mueller, and, Joleen Sievers.

4 Class Credit Director Gender Grades Simultaneous Auditions Level School Day Performances Prerequisites Time Required Concert attire Choirs At-a-Glance Freshmen Boys Choir Y JB 9 1 Y 4 N $ Freshmen Girls Choir Y LC 9 1 Y 4 N $ Freshmen Girls Select N TBD 9 FG 1 N 5 N $ Concert Choir Y LC/JB 10,11,12 2 Y 4 Y $ Chamber Singers N BH 9,10 CC,FB 2 L 4+ Y $$ Treble Choir Y LC 10,11,12 3 Y 4 Y $ Treble Ensemble N JB 11, 12 TC, AC 3 L 4+ N $$ Star Spangled Banner N JB 11,12 3,4 N 4+ N N/A A Cappella Choir Y JB/LC 11, 12 4 Y 10+ Y $ Madrigal Singers N LC 11, 12 TC,AC 4 L 10+ N $$$ Overtones N BH All Any 2 Y 4 N $ Star Spangled Banner performers are selected by audition in the fall and are scheduled to sing at various school events. Star Spangled Banner Soloists must be enrolled in A Cappella Choir * Music Theory is not a performance group but is listed here for informational purposes Directors: JB - Joy Belt-Roselieb, LC - Laura Coster, BH - Belford Hernandez, TBD - to be determined Simultaneous: FG-Freshmen Girls, CC-Concert Choir, FB-Freshmen Boys, TC- Treble Choir, AC-A Cappella Choir Level: 1-Little to No experience, 2-Some experience 3-Intermediate experience,4-advanced performers/knowledge School Day: Y - Class, N - Before/After School, L - Opposite a lunch period Concert attire: $ - 0-$30, $$ - $30-$90, $$$ - $90-$200

5 Freshmen Boys Choir Freshmen Girls Choir Freshmen Girls Select Overtones Concert Choir Chamber Singers Treble Choir A Cappella Choir Treble Ensemble Madrigal Singers Music Theory Open to all freshmen boys whether or not they have had previous vocal music experience. The class focuses on the development of basic singing skills, tone development, part singing, and reading music. Special attention will be given to challenges of the male voice during times of transition and voice part changes. Responsible for four evening concerts during the year. Additional performing opportunities will be provided during the school day. Open to all freshmen girls whether or not they have had previous vocal music experience. Class focuses on the development of basic singing skills, tone development, part singing, and music reading. Responsible for four evening concerts during the year. Additional performing opportunities will be provided during the school day. A volunteer organization which meets outside the school day and is open to freshmen girls. Membership is based upon auditions held in the second month of school. Music performed is a variety ranging from chamber music to popular styles. Performances include school and community events. Concurrent membership in freshmen Girls Choir is required. A volunteer organization that includes all boys currently enrolled in choir. The music performed is a variety with some choreography. Activities include school and community performances. Rehearsals are held during class once per week. There is an occational extra practice before a performance. Open to sophomores, juniors and seniors who have good basic vocal abilities and part singing skills. Focuses on the development of ensemble singing, good tone quality, clarity of diction, and expressive singing. The choir studies music representing a variety of musical styles and periods. Participates in three evening performances, a spring show, and additional program, festivals, and concerts during the school day. A volunteer choral ensemble open to members of Treble, Concert, and Freshmen Boys Choir. Membership is based upon audition. This group sings a wide variety of music ranging from show tunes to madrigals. This mixed ensemble performs at various community events and rehearses during a resource center opposite a lunch period. Auditions are held in the spring for the following school year. An advanced choral group for sophomore, junior, and senior girls. Students are placed in Treble Choir through audition. Choir works on refining choral techniques, improving sight reading skills, and developing independence in part singing. Class will study three or four part treble literature representing a variety of music styles and periods. Activities include four evening concerts, a spring show, programs and festivals during the school day, and selected solo/ensemble performance opportunities. The choir rehearses daily and requires some extra time commitments for special rehearsals and performances. Open to juniors and seniors, the most advanced choral class. Membership requires good vocal technique, part reading, and sight reading skills; students are selected by audition. A Cappella Choir performs choral literature representing a variety of musical styles and historic periods. Activities include evening concerts, programs for school and community events, choral festivals and the annual production of a Broadway musical. The organization rehearses daily and requires extra time commitments for special rehearsals and performances. A volunteer organization open to members of the Treble Choir and A Cappella Choir. Membership is based upon audition. The music performed is a variety ranging from chamber music to popular styles. Activities include school and community performances. Rehearsals are scheduled during a resource period opposite a lunch period. Auditions are held in spring for the coming year. A volunteer organization open to juniors and seniors who are members of A Cappella or Treble Choir. Membership is based on audition and willingness of students to commit to an active rehearsal and performance schedule. Group performs a wide variety of music ranging from Madrigals and Chamber music to various popular styles with a show choir format. Activities of this vocal ensemble include performances at many school and community events throughout the year. Rehearsals are scheduled during a resource center opposite a lunch period and some evenings; auditions are held in the spring for the coming year. Purchase of performance attire is required. This course is offered for students who have a serious interest in music and want to improve their comprehension of music. Course objectives include study of the basic elements of music, notation, harmony, and analytical techniques with emphasis on ear training and sight-reading. Students use the Fine Arts Computer Lab two days per week for individualized music theory skills tutorials. Individualized projects focus on historical background, composition, and arranging. The first semester may be taken for 1/2 unit of credit. This course is scheduled as an Early Bird class (7:00-7:50 A.M.). Transportation is not provided for this class.

6 Top Ten Reasons to Volunteer with the Choral Boosters 10. Warm Fuzzies What can I say? We are a great bunch of people! 9. It feeds your passion Ok, let s be real, you will be feeding your kid s passion and everyone else gets lemonade and cookies! 8. It is totally flexible We would never presume to ask for your help at every event and fundraiser but if every family joined us two times per year we would be more then covered! 7. Here is where I have to admit that I could only come up with 9, let s just keep it between us, ok?! 6. Another outlet for your fabulousness Ever feel like your boss, your kids and maybe even your spouse, are just not feeling the love for you? Come join us and you will feel the love and gratitude! 5. It is educational This is the place to find out just how much digestive by-product your child has been shoveling about their fellow students, teachers and parents! ;-) 4. It connects you to your child s choral community This is the place to come and start putting names to all the faces you have been seeing here at DGS choir events. 3. Your good intentions are recognized and rewarded We love to meet the new parents and keep up with all our old pals. 2. Make good or at least good enough friends Who else are you going to truly be able to celebrate your son or daughter s musical geekdom with but other proud parents of musical geeks? 1. Opportunity to change the world The more the merrier and happiness truly does change the world! Please keep your eyes and ears open to opportunities to come join us and change the world one music student at a time! There will be reminders of dates and times, as well as calls to sign up for events throughout the season. Check out the calendar of events and save us a date or two (or three ) Kristen Meek - Choral Booster Volunteer Coordinator - kt2meek@comcast.net

7 Contribute Your Time Work at Middle School Festival Put your special talents to work through Choral Boosters! Usher Grade School Choir Show Provide baked goods for events Work on publicity or fundraisers Join the Board & Serve on a Committee Help with Robe assignments Help with costumes for the musical Help backstage Help document our year, take pictures or video Choral Volunteer Opportunities It takes a lot of coordination and teamwork to run the fantastic programs that we enjoy in our choir department. Please consider volunteering your time for one of these events! Middle School Choir Festival January 10, 2013 Volunteers are needed to work shifts ushering middle school students. (2:45pm-4pm, 4:30pm - 5:15pm, 5:15-8pm) Choir Banquet May 17, 2013 Volunteers are needed to work in setting up decorations and clean up. Photographer: Volunteers are needed to take pictures for Choral Boosters (your own equipment). Please contact the Choral Booster Volunteer Coordinator, Kristen Meek via at kt2meek@comcast.net to let us know if you can volunteer this year for any of these and other events.

8 Thank you to everyone that participated in the Taffy Apple Fundraiser this month. Over 500 taffy apples were sold in less than two weeks! Please be sure to pick up your taffy apple order after the concert on October 18. We might even have a few extra for sale at that time. Check our website ( or the Choral Booster newsletter to learn of other ways you can help. Together we can achieve our mission of providing support and encouragement for musical opportunities at DGS. MaryBeth Murphy $ Student Accounts $ Don t forget your students can request money from their student account to be used for any approved choir related fees (private lessons, required ensemble apparel, camp, trips, etc.). They need to check their balance on the Student Account list posted in the choir room and complete a Student Account Refund Request Form. The form should be completed and deposited in the choir mailbox in the choir room. Requests will be approved by the appropriate Choir Director reviewed at the monthly Choral Boosters board meeting. Upon approval, a reimbursement shall be made and that amount shall be deducted from the Student Account balance.

9 Choral Booster Executive Board Providing support and encouragement for musical opportunities Name Position Rita Bair President Paul Meek Treasurer Mary Beth Werner Secretary & Membership Laura Coster Staff Tracy Kuerschner Hospitality Mary Beth Murphy Hospitality Maria Copeland Newsletter Tere Cervantes Newsletter **VACANT** Fundraising ** **VACANT** Spiritwear ** Kristen Meek Volunteer Coordinator Carol Fendrick Website Melissa Maguire FOFA Rep Jennifer Robinson FOFA Rep Support your choir student by joining the Choral Boosters! Membership forms are available in this Newsletter, so please fill it out and send it back to Eileen DGS Music Dept. (instructions on the form).

10 You ve Got Mail! The Choral Boosters and directors rely on to circulate a lot of important information. Please help us keep our database up to date by providing us with your address. It is simple to do; just send your name, your students name, the choir(s) they are in and the address where you would like information to go to Mary Beth Werner, Secretary at reswerner@aol.com. To join the Facebook group go to go to groups and look for DGS Choral Boosters. This is an open invitation group. Also, please check out our website

11 Come Join the Downers Grove South Choral Boosters What we do: Annual DGS Musical This is the annual highlight for our students and for the DGS Choral Staff. Choral Boosters assist staff with coordination of costumes, choreographers, clinicians, equipment, copyrighted musical scores, ushers and other needed resources. Communications with Parents Periodic updates & announcements on upcoming events; help coordinate communications with school staff and parents. Choir Concerts Choral Boosters assist staff and students by providing chaperones, coordination assistance and complementary snacks to parents and guests. Special Events and Field Trips Students have opportunities for field trips and special events. This spring students in several select ensembles will have the opportunity to visit Roosevelt University, Millikin University, and the CSO. Additionally, each select choir group performs at a variety of events throughout the year. Choral Booster s support is invaluable to each event s success. VOICES Newsletter A great informational resource and event highlights for staff & parents! Promote Opportunities To students who are pursuing higher education and careers in vocal music. Annual Middle School Choir Festival Choral Boosters assist staff in hosting this event for district middle school students at DGS introducing students to the DGS Choral Program. Annual Music Awards Banquet Choral Boosters purchase awards and organize this event to honor our students efforts and successful achievements during the course of the school year. Annual Vocal Fest Talented students experience and learn how to perform in an audition. Choral Boosters assist staff with logistics and monitoring. Visit us at: By joining the DGS Choral Boosters, you remain connected with your student s interests and activities, help enhance your student s high school experience, and be a positive influence on their future. With your family membership you will receive a Proud Member window decal. Display it PROUDLY on your automobile, home or office! Please join us, the DGS Choral Boosters membership is only $25 per family annually Detach and Send with Membership Simply fill out the form below and either have your student drop it in the mailbox in the Choir Room, or mail to: DGS Choral Boosters, C/O Eileen Sejnost, Downers Grove South High School Music Dept., 1436 Norfolk, Downers Grove, IL Parent Name(s): Student Name(s): Mailing address: Home Phone: Cell Phone: Parent Annual Family Membership Fee: $25 Other donation (thank you!): $ Please make checks payable to DGS Choral Boosters.

12 Please contact Mary Beth Werner at if you are interested in ordering any Spirit Wear.