Choir Academy Application 2017-2018 At Desert Shadows Middle School Application Deadline: Friday, December 16, 2016 Please select your first and second choice: Desert Harmony Melody Men Bravo (See course descriptions on attached pages) If not placed in your first choice Choir class, are you willing to be placed into another choir? Student Name: DOB: M F Address: City: Zip: Parent (Guardian): Home Phone: Work Phone: Cell Phone: Email Address: What grade will your child be in during the 2016-2017 School Year? School your child currently attends: Choir Teacher s Name & Contact Email: Parent Signature: What previous musical training and experience has your child had in this area (i.e., when, with whom, how long)? Include details. Has your child earned any awards for their musical abilities? YES NO If you answered yes to the above, please explain the details. Along with your application please: 1. Submit a one-paragraph, hand-written statement by the student explaining Why I want to enroll in the Choir Academy at Desert Shadows Middle School. Attach additional sheet for this answer. Return completed application and additional materials by to the front office or mail packet to; Music Academy c/o DSMS 5858 E. Sweetwater Avenue, Scottsdale, AZ 85254
Choir Academy Ensembles Desert Harmony Desert Harmony is the advanced mixed chorus at Desert Shadows Middle School. Admission is open following a successful vocal audition and admission into the Desert Shadows Middle School Academies of Choir. Students primarily perform two, three, or four-part choral literature from the medieval through contemporary musical periods. Students perform in three major concerts per year along with special performances for the community throughout the year. Advanced skills in musicianship are stressed including vocal training, music theory & history, and sightreading skills. Desert Harmony received a first place gold award at the 2012 and 2103 Heritage Music Festival in Anaheim, California, and 1 st place awards at the 2014-2015 Forum Festival in Los Angeles. Vocal audition and application submission are required for acceptance. Bravo Bravo is an ensemble specializing in musical theatre literature. Students will study and perform a variety of musical theatre selections. These performances will consist of extensive vocal work and choreography. Students perform in three major concerts over year along with special performances for the community throughout the year. Advanced skills in musicianship are stressed including vocal and dance training, music theory & history, and sight-reading skills. Vocal audition, callback dance audition, and application submission are required for acceptance. Melody Men Melody Men is an all boys choir. Students will study and perform a variety of music from contemporary to barbershop music. Skills in musicianship are stressed including some vocal training, music theory and history. Sight singing skills are optimal but not mandatory. **Please note that students with a successful vocal audition who are not accepted into Bravo are automatically accepted into Desert Harmony and Melody Men for boys. Students accepted into Bravo may also be in Desert Harmony with parental and administrative approval.
Vocal Audition Dates & Times Auditions will be set up once the written application is submitted. Saturday, December 17th, 1pm to 5pm Tuesday, December 6th, 3pm to 6pm Saturday, January 14th, 1PM -5PM Tuesday, January, 10th, 3PM-6PM DANCE AUDITION INFORMATION FOR BRAVO: Students will learn a short song and choreography to be performed in small groups. Students should plan to dance in tennis shoes, jazz shoes, or character shoes. Your student will need to be here the full 2 hours; please plan accordingly. Saturday, December 17th 10AM-12PM Saturday, January 14th, 10AM-12PM Choir Academy Application Checklist 1. Submit a completed application to the Desert Shadows Middle School front office or mail packet to the school. 2. Once your completed application is received you will receive an email with the link to the signup genius. 3. All students will be notified whether or not they are accepted no later than January 30th. Notifications will be sent to parent email addresses indicated on the academy application from mkahn@pvlearners.net AUDITION PROCEDURE: Auditions will take approximately 15 minutes and will consist of the following components: Vocal Range Check Rhythmic & Melodic Sight-Reading Example Tonal Memory (singing back notes played on the keyboard) Required Vocal Solo: My Country Tis of Thee (First Verse, A Cappella, without accompaniment) ** See attached music to help you with this Prepared solo of the student s choice (A Cappella or you may bring your own accompaniment CD) If auditioning for Bravo, a Musical Theatre song is recommended. QUESTIONS? Contact Michele Kahn, Director of Choirs, by emailing mkahn@pvschools.net or calling the DSMS front office at 602-449-6800.
Please note there are many recordings of this song on the Internet to help you prepare. Please let your music teacher know if you are having trouble with this. What is the time commitment for my child in the Academy? Below is a general list of events and activities that take place throughout the year. Our meeting at the end of the year will provide you with more details about these events: Mini-Retreat (August) Winter Festival of Choirs performance (December) Vocal clinics and workshops in preparation for HHS choir auditions (Jan.- Mar.)
Pre-Tour Concert (February or March) PVUSD Arts Festival performance Spring Tour of California (March) Academy Solo and Ensemble recital (March/April) Spring Festival of Choirs performance (May) Choir Awards Night (May) Various Community performances and festivals (on going) Music Academy Solo and Ensemble Performances We invite you to join us this year to watch our current Academy students perform and join our DSMS choir family! Performances are at 6:30PM in the DSMS Multipurpose Room. You will be able to chat with Ms. Kahn and current Academy families about the DSMS Choir experience. November 15 2016: DSMS Open House for Incoming 6th graders at 6PM Wednesday, December 14 2016: Winter Concert at DSMS Cafeteria 6:30PM Saturday, December 3, Paradise Valley Mall 1pm