CHORAL MUSIC ENSEMBLES. Freshman Ensembles

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1 CHORAL MUSIC ENSEMBLES Freshman Ensembles Choir (#150/157*) Don t miss this opportunity to be involved with one of the most active groups at Hersey! Join the choral music program, which features four choirs under the direction of Ms. Sara Michael: Treble Choir, Women s Chorale, Concert Choir, and Chambers Singers. All rehearsals for these groups are held during the class day, thereby allowing students to be involved in the many other activities that Hersey has to offer (sports, drama, student government, cheer leading, etc.). In addition, many of the singers also perform in the show choirs, OnStage and Ladies First, as well as the Charles Dickens Holiday Carolers. These more specialized ensembles do rehearse after school and in the evenings. For more information, check Hersey s website. (*Freshmen boys enroll in #157.) This course satisfies the District 214 Fine Arts Requirement. Harmony and Arranging (#187) This course is designed for students who either have previous background in music, or who have an interest in music. Students will use music technology and will learn the basics of alternative instruments, such as guitar and piano, in order to complete projects. Students will study music fundamentals, including melody, harmony, rhythm, instrumentation, conducting, sight singing, and analysis, as they apply to music literature. Students projects in composition and arranging will help students develop a deeper understanding of music, and further develop musical interest. This course satisfies the District 214 Fine Arts Requirement. TREBLE CHOIR (Referred to as Beginning Choir in registration) - The enrollment in this choir includes freshmen/sophomore girls. This is the only choir in which freshmen girls may enroll. The curriculum is based on singing two-four-part music including classical, Broadway/pop, folk, etc. The curriculum includes music theory as well as instruction in vocal technique and sight singing. Students will be voice tested as well as receive written tests on music theory. CONCERT CHOIR - This choir includes female (sophomore - seniors) and male (freshmen - seniors) voices. This is the only choir in which freshmen boys may enroll. The curriculum includes four+ part music including classical, folk, Broadway/pop, with the main emphasis on classical literature. Music theory is included in the curriculum as well as vocal technique and sight singing. Students will be voice tested as well as receive written tests on music theory. VARSITY CHOIR Incoming Freshmen boys should register for this choir. If we have enough boys in a given year, we will have a men s only choir. If not, they will be placed in Concert Choir. ONSTAGE - This group is our competitive mixed show choir and is auditioned in the Spring. Show choirs both sing and dance. Enrollment is open to sophomore - senior girls and freshmen - senior boys. Students meet for rehearsals generally outside the school day on one evening per week during the fall semester and two evenings per week from January through March. Competition season runs from January through March. During this time, the group will attend a variety of show choir competitions on designated weekends. There may be additional time commitments asked of the students at the discretion of the director. This is a 9th period class assignment and as such, students receive a grade based on attendance and participation. Auditions in May. LADIES FIRST - This all-female show choir includes freshmen - seniors and is auditioned in the spring. This show choir is directed by Robert Deason. See OnStage description for explanation of curriculum, competition, rehearsals, etc. Auditions in May. COMMERCIAL BREAK - All male a cappella ensemble which is auditioned in the spring. They rehearse one/two evening(s) per week. Currently, not a competitive group, this group will perform at school and community events and includes freshmen senior boys. The group is directed by Andrew Sickel. Auditions in May.

2 PULSE In its third year, this all female a cappella ensemble is open to freshmen thru seniors and is auditioned in the fall. They rehearse after school one day per week. The group is directed by Andrew Sickel. Auditions in the Fall. HEARTBREAK Mixed a cappella ensemble (combines Heart & Soul & Commercial Break). Directed by Ms. Michael and Andrew Sickel. SUPER SINGERS In its fourth year, Super Singers is made up of students of all abilities that come together through music. Choir members will act as companion singers to the special needs students. SuperSingers meets on Thursdays after school during the first semester only. This group is directed by Ms. Michael and is open to all choir members as well as students who are not in choir but interested in entering the field of special education. After Freshman year, you can audition for the following groups: WOMEN S CHORALE - This all female ensemble includes sophomore - seniors girls, Placement in this choir is by audition (in the spring). The curriculum includes ambitious four - six part choral repertoire composed for women only. Advanced music theory, vocal technique and sight singing will be included in the curriculum. Vocal and written tests will be given. This choir may attend the District 214 Music Festival (at the discretion of the District) and have the opportunity to participate in the District VII IMEA Auditions. These ladies are strongly encouraged to take private voice instruction. CHAMBER SINGERS - This mixed ensemble includes sophomore - senior members. This is an auditioned group (spring auditions). The curriculum includes the most ambitious music in terms of part singing as well as choral repertoire which covers all genres. Advanced music theory, vocal technique and sight singing will be included in the curriculum with testing in these areas. This choir will attend the District 214 Music Festival and are required to participate in the District VII IMEA Auditions. Students are required to participate in the Classical Workshop. Students are required to take private voice instruction. Regular choirs are auditioned the week of March 12 for the following school year. Incoming Freshmen girls will automatically be placed in Treble Choir (called Beginning Choir on registration). Incoming Freshmen boys will automatically be placed in Concert Choir. HEART & SOUL - In its fifth year, this all female a cappella ensemble, which includes sophomores thru seniors, is auditioned in the spring. They rehearse one/two evening(s) per week. Currently, not a competitive group, this group will perform at school and community events. The group is directed by Ms. Michael. CHARLES DICKENS CAROLERS - This auditioned mixed a cappella group which focuses on holiday music. This group is auditioned in the Spring and will rehearse once per week during the first semester. The singers are costumed in Charles Dickens period authentic costumes and perform extensively throughout the community during the holiday season. Students in this group must be available for performances evenings and weekends from Thanksgiving thru December. This is a part of Chamber Singers. Incoming Freshmen may not audition for this group.

3 CHOIRS: JOIN THE HERSEY CHOIRS! Sing pop, Broadway, classical and gospel ENSEMBLES Treble Choir (Course 150) (Freshmen ladies only) OnStage (Show Choir) Varsity Choir (Course 157) (Freshmen guys-seniors) Ladies First (Show Choir) Concert Choir (Sophomores-Seniors) Dickens Carolers Women s Chorale (Sophomore-Seniors) Commercial Break (guys acapella) Chamber Singers (Sophomores-Seniors) Heart & Soul (ladies acapella) Pulse (ladies acapella-freshmen eligible) CONCERTS: TRIPS: Fallapalooza (September) Participate in College Choir Festivals Holiday Concert (December) Disney trip every other year Winter Concert (March) Europe trip within two years Spring Concert (May) Don t Forget to Register for Choir Freshmen Males Beginning Mxd Choir 157 Freshmen Females Beginning Choir 150 These classes meet the freshmen fine arts requirement Visit our website Any questions, contact Ms. Michael at sara.michael@d214.org or (847)

4 9 Reasons That You Should Join JHHS Choir Right Now Sing loud and sing proud! If you've always wanted to try your hand at being a musical performer, choir is a great place to start. The open, friendly atmosphere is welcoming to people of all levels of musical ability and is the perfect place to meet new people, try new things, and to really get out of your shell. Here's nine of the top reasons that you slap on a tux or concert dress and join the Hersey choir today! 1. It s a great place to make friends. Countless studies have shown the community-building power that group singing has. Scientists and psychologists say that joining a choir can help you make friends with people faster than joining any other social group. Don t just take the word of the guys in the lab coats; try it for yourself! Singing is the best ice-breaker because the very action forces you to make your voice heard. With enough quality time, you can develop strong bonds anyone, whether it s the person right next to you or the soprano on the other side of the room. 2. You don t need to have the voice of Andrea Bocelli to have a great time. For the vast majority of amateur choirs you ll find (i.e. church, community, college), there is no audition and no experience required. It doesn t matter that everyone in the group isn t a classically-trained vocalist. More people = better sound. This means you don t have to be afraid to sing out! Even if you don t quite hit the note, there s dozens of people around you who did, and there s no damage done.

5 3. Music is stress-relieving. Music is such a strong emotional force. Choir rehearsal will quickly become your favorite part of the day. It is an opportunity to escape your daily stresses and responsibility for an hour and focus on making something beautiful. It s a liberating feeling to not have the weight of the world on your shoulders but to instead be part of a whole and doing something worthwhile. 4. You don t have to wait for a wedding or Oscar nomination to wear a tuxedo or a gown If you like dressing up, then choir is definitely for you. Black gowns and tuxedos are the de facto uniforms for choral performers. Being in a choir means you get to sing and look good doing it, no matter what your skill level is. (And don t worry guys, the ties are clip-on.)

6 5. Choirs perform all kinds of music, not just classical. There are hardly any choirs out there that limit themselves strictly to classical music. Choral music encompasses a wide variety of genera and cultures, and singing in a choir is a fantastic opportunity to expose yourself to music you might not normally come across or chose to listen to. Not every song will be good, but some will be unforgettable. 6. You get to travel to cool places. JHHS Choir offers a good music program and often perform at more events than just a winter and spring concert. It is not unusual for our choirs to travel awesome destinations, both domestic and abroad, to recruit, perform and experience new music.

7 7. You don t necessarily need to know how to read music. Although it s an important skill to learn if you re going to stick with singing for a long time, it is by no means required when you start. Even singers who have been performing for years still don t know how to read music. In choir, you can learn the songs by listening and repeating. These skills of listening and repeating, feeling harmonies, and having an instinct for rhythm are even more important than reading music and can be learned naturally. 8. No expensive instruments required. Singing is without a doubt the most accessible form of music. Many potential beginners to music are scared off by the initial investment of purchasing an instrument and necessary accessories. What do you need to sing? A voice? Check ( ). A place to do it? Check ( ). 9. Choir geeks are the best people in the world. Above all, choir people are just kind of people you want to be friends with. They re super-friendly and want anyone and everyone to join their group. As performers that get by filling a room with their voices, they re talkative and outgoing. They re eclectic and passionate not just about singing, but anything that is cool, creative and interesting. I can t think of a better group of people to spend time with!

8 WHY MUSIC? MUSIC IS A SCIENCE Music is exact, specific, and it demands exact acoustics. A conductor's score is a chart, a graph which indicates frequencies, intensities, volume changes, melody and harmony all at once and with exact control of time. The laws of physics are involved with every tone that is performed. MUSIC IS MATH The organization of notes in music is rhythmically based on the division of time into differing fractions within a measure unit which may vary in length from unit to unit. The mental gymnastics required to perform this must be done instantaneously, not worked out on paper, and with complete coordination of the fingers, lips and other appendages of the body needed to produce that note. MUSIC IS FOREIGN LANGUAGE Terms are in Italian, German or French: and the notation is certainly not English Music is foreign in two ways: (1) it uses foreign terms and (2) it is totally new language built on symbols. It is a highly developed kind of shorthand that uses symbols to represent ideas. The semantics of music is the most complete and universal language MUSIC IS HISTORY Music usually reflects the environment and times of its creation, often even the nationalistic or racial feeling of the country from which it comes. Music has been entwined with religion, royalty and the common man from every area of the earth. MUSIC IS A SOCIAL STUDY Participation in any ensemble involves close relationships, both musical and non-musical, with others. A large performance organization is almost a microcosm of the adult world these students are about to enter. Both musical and non-musical responsibilities are assigned to each member with the success of the entire organization dependent upon each person meeting their responsibilities. MUSIC IS PHYSICAL EDUCATION Music requires fantastic coordination of fingers, hands, arms, lips, cheek and facial muscles, in addition to extraordinary control of the diaphragm, back, stomach and chest muscles which respond instantly to the sound heard in the ears and interpreted in the mind. MOST OF ALL, MUSIC IS ART It allows a human being to take all these dry, technically boring (but difficult) techniques and use them to create emotion. That is one thing science cannot duplicate; humanism, feeling, emotion. That is Why We Believe in Music That is why music is a class That is why one earns academic credit in music Not because we expect to major in music Not because we expect to play or sing all of our lives Not so we can relax Not so we cab gave fun BUT---- So we will be human So we will recognize beauty So we will be sensitive So we will be closer to an infinite beyond this world So we will have something to cling to So we will have more love, more compassion, more gentleness, more good in short, more life Of what value will it be to make a prosperous living unless we know how to live? That is Why We Believe in Music!!