Centerville Choirs Audition Packet Includes instructions for: Women s Choir Men s Choir Bella Voce Symphonic Choir Forte This packet must be turned in by Wednesday, March 6 th
Greetings! Congratulations on taking your first step toward becoming a member of a 2019-2020 Centerville High School Choir. These ensembles have excelled because of the involvement of many talented students like you! Centerville Choirs are a true company, meaning a troupe of performers who often perform as separate subgroups, but sometimes perform together. The Centerville Choirs consist of the following groups: Forte A Cappella (Honors optional see CHS Course of Study) Perform pop a cappella music with solo microphones with limited choreography. Singers must exhibit an advanced vocal and musical ability. Will perform for the community and perform/compete at a music festival. Open to students grades 10-12* Novae (After school a cappella Group) Auditions separate. Stay tuned for upcoming info. Perform pop a cappella music with microphones with limited choreography. Singers must exhibit an advanced vocal and musical ability. Will perform for the community. Open to students grades 9-12 Symphonic Choir (Honors optional see CHS Course of Study) Members will perform the highest level of Mixed (Men and Women) Choral literature. Singers must exhibit an advanced vocal and musical ability. Will typically compete at OMEA Contest and perform in the community, especially during the holidays. Members will travel to New York City in November 2019 to perform at Carnegie Hall. Open to students grades 10-12* Bella Voce Members will perform the highest level of Women s Choral literature. Singers must exhibit an advanced vocal and musical ability. Will typically compete at OMEA Contest and perform in the community. Open to students grades 10-12* Women s Choir and Men s Choir Non-auditioned choirs. Open to anyone wanting to get the beginning choral experience. Incoming freshmen will be placed into these two ensembles. Open to grades 9-12. *In rare exceptions a 9 th grader may be accepted into one of these groups. Members of the Centerville Choirs will receive the highest level of vocal training to best prepare them for superior performances and success in festivals or competition. Therefore, students who are chosen to become members of the Centerville Choirs are expected to rehearse and perform at a high level of excellence. Although there are many talented students auditioning this year (including past members, who must reaudition), there are a limited number of available positions in the choral ensembles. If students are not selected to make the group, this does not in any way indicate a lack of valuable musical talent. Thank you for your interest in the Centerville Choirs. We look forward to hearing and seeing your audition! Sincerely, Ben Spalding and Kelly Korpusik Centerville High School Choral Directors ben.spalding@centerville.k12.oh.us, kelly.korpusik@centerville.k12.oh.us
AUDITION REQUIREMENTS & INFORMATION 1. Anyone that is currently in the choir program and NOT interested in auditioning for Forte will audition during their regular choir class time on Monday and Tuesday, March 18 th & 19 th. 2. Anyone that is NEW to the choir program and/or interested in Forte must sign up for an audition time outside of the choir room, C190. Location: All auditions and callbacks occur in the CHS choir room, C190. Callbacks for Forte will be Wednesday, March 20 th from 6-9 pm* in the choir room *9 pm is not a definitive end time If you can t make one of these dates please see Mr. Spalding or Mrs. Korpusik to set something up. Callback Posting: We will post names of students who are being asked to come to Forte callbacks on the choir website by the end of the day on Tuesday, March 19 th. CURRENT CHOIR STUDENT AUDITION PREPARATION o Prepare Laudate Pueri - learning tracks are available on www.centervillechoirs.org and the sheet music is available in the choir room. o Prepare your assigned solo in Laudate Pueri. We will let you know your section during class. o Students may be asked to perform a few vocal warm ups with Mr. Spalding or Mrs. Korpusik. NEW TO CHS CHOIR AUDITION PREPARATION o Prepare a song that best shows off your voice. o Song may be of any style. o Memorize one verse and one chorus from the selected song or approximately a minute of a song. o Rehearse the song a cappella (without accompaniment). o In addition to your prepared solo, start learning the callback music (if you are interested in Forte). o New choir students do NOT need to learn Laudate Pueri and only need to learn the Forte callback songs if they are interested in that group. ANY STUDENTS THAT ARE AUDITIONING FOR FORTE o Prepare a song that best shows off your voice. o Song may be of any style. o Memorize one verse and one chorus from the selected song or approximately a minute of a song. o Rehearse the song a cappella (without accompaniment). o In addition to your prepared solo, start learning the callback music (see below). CALLBACKS FOR FORTE o The call back songs are available inside the choir room now. See Mr. Spalding or Mrs. Korpusik to get a copy or visit the choir website www.centervillechoirs.org to print them and to listen to the learning tracks. There are two songs this year for Forte callbacks Feel Good & Shallow. o On Wednesday, March 20 th, we will help everyone with the selected pieces for callbacks in the choir room from 3:00 until 4:00 pm. Please come if you ve received a callback (not required). o Callbacks will take place on the same day as the rehearsal at 6:00 pm Wednesday, March 20 th.
AUDITION REQUIREMENTS & INFORMATION (CONT D) BEATBOXING AUDITIONS o Beatboxers should come prepared to audition as SINGERS and then also show us a beatbox solo. Beatboxers in our groups must sing occasionally, so you must sing for your audition. o All auditionees should come prepared to beatbox even a little and join in if asked. Don t worry about being great, just don t be scared or shy! Those interested in being the dedicated beatboxers should be ready to solo. o Lack of beatboxing will not keep you OUT of a group, but the competition will be tight. The ability to plan ahead, do even a little, and have some flexibility MIGHT be the difference that gets you IN! Choir auditions have changed from year to year, and they seem to scare a lot of people. PLEASE don t let that be the case for you! Ask questions if you have them. SUMMARY OF AUDITION DATES March 18 & 19, 2019 During school Auditions for current choir students March 18 & 19, 2019 3:00 6:00 pm Auditions for Forte and any new students March 20, 2019 3:00 4:00 pm Review of callback songs March 20, 2019 6:00 approx. 9:00 pm Callbacks for Forte
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS How much does all this cost? o Please reference the attached fee sheet. (They are all estimates.) o You will be provided with fundraising opportunities to help with these costs. There are many people each year that fundraise the entire amount and have no out-of-pocket expenses. What will help me make it into one of the choirs? o Come prepared, not scared. o Sing confidently, and if mistakes happen, recover. o Perform always. o Have a great attitude. There's a lot to prepare here what if I'm confused? What if I need help? o Don't be afraid ASK Mr. Spalding and/or Mrs. Korpusik. What if I don t have the money to do this? o There is financial help available so please ask Mr. Spalding or Mrs. Korpusik about it. o Fundraisers can help you earn your fee. o If you work with us and want to make the group, we won't let money stop you. If I m already in Bella Voce, Symphonic Choir or Forte do I have to re-audition? o Yes, auditions will take place during class.
ESTIMATED FEES Men s Choir, Women s Choir & Bella Voce: $100 Includes: o Music o Uniform rental (tuxedo or gown) o Uniform maintenance fee o Festival/Contest fees o T-shirt $12 additional for Bella Voce Women that need jewelry Symphonic Choir: $100 Includes: o Music Uniform rental (tuxedo or gown) Uniform maintenance fee Festival/Contest fees T-shirt $12 additional for Symphonic Women that need jewelry Approximately $2000 for travel Symphonic Choir has been chosen to sing with Grammy winning composer and conductor Eric Whitacre at Carnegie Hall in New York City November 21 st - November 25 th, 2019. This trip is not required but highly encouraged for ALL Symphonic Choir members since it will help them grow tremendously as musicians. We are very excited to offer this experience to ALL of our Symphonic Choir members. Forte: $1,500 (3 payments of $500) o First Payment of $500 due June 30, 2019. o Second Payment of $500 due after the Fall Fundraiser in September/October. o Final Payment of $500 due in January 2020. o Covers the cost of the Forte Camp and professional recordings, professional videos, arrangements, clinicians, choreographers, etc. Approximately $1500- $2500 for travel Forte has been chosen to perform in Italy in June 2020. The cost of this trip would be approximately $1995 (plus airfare). We are in the middle of working out the details for this trip. If the directors decide not to go to Italy, then we will instead travel to New York City in the spring of 2020. The approximate cost of this trip will be $1500. The directors will have the final decision made before the end of this school year so you will have time to plan accordingly. Whichever trip the directors decide to go on will be mandatory for ALL Forte members. Fundraisers will be available to help with the above costs. There are many people each year that fundraise and have minimal out-of-pocket expenses.
ATTENDANCE The CHS Choral Department understands that students have many worthwhile experiences from which to choose during their time in school. Conflicts with other events often arise and circumstances come to bear that sometimes require an absence. Therefore, we ask students for 100% attendance accountability rather than 100% attendance. Of course students are expected to be present whenever possible. Listed below are some guidelines to determine what is an excused absence or an unexcused absence. EXCUSED ABSENCES Severe illness (verified by doctor s note in case of dress rehearsal, concert, performance, or excessive classroom absence). Death in immediate family. Participation in family wedding (director must have one month s prior written notice). Participation in family religious ceremony (director must have one month s prior written notice). All excused absences must be reported directly to Mr. Spalding or Mrs. Korpusik in writing prior to the absence. UNEXCUSED ABSENCES No call/no show to rehearsal, dress rehearsal, or performance. No prior notice of conflict. Non-contagious, minor illness (headache, head cold, sore throat, etc.) Work (Failure to give your boss proper notice is not my problem if you do give notice and your boss is uncooperative, please have him or her call me. I have yet to talk to an uncooperative boss.) Babysitting make family arrangements to accommodate your schedule as a student. Out-of-town visitors ( But it s the ONLY TIME I can see Fred ) But I couldn t get a ride Routine appointments that can occur other times (dental/eye exams, doctor checkups, driver s license, etc.) An unexcused absence from a major performance/concert will result in removal from the ensemble. Major performances are those that have been on the calendar all year. ABSENCE PROCEDURE Students who have a conflict that they believe is an excused absence must document this to Mr. Spalding or Mrs. Korpusik in writing prior to the absence (except in cases of accident or medical emergency). Forms can be found in the choir room. The white form should be completed by the student and signed by the parent, then given to Mr. Spalding or Mrs. Korpusik. One copy will be returned to the student.
CENTERVILLE CHOIR CALENDAR At this early time, it is impossible to determine the exact date of each engagement. However, a rough outline is provided. 2019-2020 Choir Calendar as it stands now: Fall Choral Show (All Choirs) October 2019 Forte Recording Long Weekend in October/Fall to record the Forte Album Dates TBD Kettering A Cappella Festival (A Cappella groups) November 8 th and 9 th NYC trip (Symphonic Choir) November 21 st November 25 th 2019 Songs of the Season (All Choirs/Groups) December 2019 Holiday Extravaganza (Forte/SC) December 2019 A Cappella Dates for hosting ICCA/ICHSA (Forte/Novae) January/February 2020 CD Release Concert (Forte/Novae) February 2020 OMEA Preview Concert (All Choirs) March 2020 OMEA District 12 Contest (All Choirs) March 2020 Forte Benefit Concert April 2020 Forte to NYC if we don t go to Italy April 2020 Senior Recognition Concert (All Groups) May 2020 Forte to Italy July 6 th to July 11 th 2020
NAME: CURRENT GRADE: VOICE PART: AGE: GPA: STUDENT E-MAIL: STUDENT PHONE: ( ) PARENT 1 PARENT 2 NAME: NAME: PHONE: ( ) E-MAIL: PHONE: ( ) E-MAIL: I am auditioning for (check all that apply): q Women s Choir q Men s Choir q Bella Voce q Symphonic Choir q Forte q I will be happy with any of the above choirs. Check any CHS ensembles that you have been a part of: Band (any level) q 9 q 10 q 11 Orchestra (any level) q 9 q 10 q 11 Symphonic Choir q 9 q 10 q 11 Women/Men s Choir q 9 q 10 q 11 Bella Voce q 9 q 10 q 11 Forte q 9 q 10 q 11 Novae q 9 q 10 q 11 Community Choirs q 9 q 10 q 11 Check any Middle School Ensembles that you have been a part of: Band q 6 q 7 q 8 Orchestra q 6 q 7 q 8 Choir q 6 q 7 q 8 List two teachers that can be contacted as a reference: 1. 2. Private lessons: YES NO Voice or instrument: If yes, name of teacher: Years: Page 1 of 3
List any other previous musical experience. Please list your planned extra-curricular activities for 2019-2020. Please indicate any potential conflicts with after school and weekend performances. Are there any financial issues that would keep you from paying your choir fees and/or travel expenses? If so, do you have thoughts on how to make that work? In a perfect world, what choir would you love to be in? Why should we consider you for that group? Please include thoughts about your personal character and work ethic. Page 2 of 3
PARENT PERMISSION SLIP This sheet is to be turned in to Mr. Spalding or Mrs. Korpusik with your application by Wednesday, March 6 th. I / we give support for our child to audition for the Centerville Choirs. We have read the audition packet and understand the commitment necessary to be an active member of each of the groups from the aspects of time, effort, and financial contribution. I/we also pledge our support to the Centerville Choral Boosters Association if our child becomes a member of the group. NAME OF STUDENT: Please Print PARENT OR GUARDIAN NAME(S): Please Print PARENT OR GUARDIAN EMAIL 1: Please Print PARENT OR GUARDIAN EMAIL 2: Please Print PARENT OR GUARDIAN SIGNATURE: Page 3 of 3