STONEY CREEK HIGH SCHOOL MUSIC DEPARTMENT FOR DUMMIES Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About the Music Department And Were Afraid to Ask
WHO ARE THE DIRECTORS? BRANDON ULRICH Brandon Ulrich has been teaching at Stoney Creek High School since the school's inception in 2002. Mr. Ulrich serves as Director of Choirs, where he currently directs the Men's Choir, Treble Choir, Concert Choir, Chorale, and Chamber Singers. Mr. Ulrich will complete his doctorate in Choral Conducting at Michigan State University in December 2013. Mr. Ulrich earned his Bachelor of Music Degree from Michigan State University in 2001, where he was the recipient of the Alumni Association's Outstanding Academic Achievement Award for the College of Arts and Letters. He earned his Master of Music in Instrumental Conducting from Southern Oregon University in 2005. He has been honored in Who s Who Among High School Teachers, The National Honor Roll for Outstanding Teachers, the PTSA Founder s Day Award, and as a 2006 Local Wal-Mart/Sam s Club Teacher of the Year. Mr. Ulrich was recently selected to conduct the 2011 TTBB Michigan State Honors Choir. In addition, he is the recipient of several Fellowships, including the Helen R. Bartlett Endowed Scholarship, the Charles K. Smith Fellowship in Choral Conducting, the Dissertation Completion Fellowship, and an MSU Research Enhancement Award. He regularly presents sessions at the Michigan Music Conference, the MSVMA Summer Workshop, and at Church Music Conferences. Mr. Ulrich is called upon as a clinician and adjudicator across the state for both MSVMA and MSBOA. He has served on the Michigan State University College of Music Alumni Board of Directors, and on the MSVMA Full Board and Executive Board. Ensembles under his leadership have performed at the Michigan Music Conference, ACDA State and Central Division Conventions, and frequently perform with the Detroit Symphony and the Detroit Chamber Winds. Mr. Ulrich is an advocate for new music, having established the Stoney Creek Commissioning Project which annually premiers several new works. An active composer, Ulrich is frequently commissioned by ensembles such as the Detroit Chamber Winds. His compositions and scholarly editions are published through Boosey and Hawkes, Colla Voce Music Inc. and Musicatus Press. MEN S CHOIR TREBLE CHOIR CONCERT CHOIR CHORALE CHAMBER SINGERS BUlrich@rochester.k12.mi.us Rev. 10/13 2
LAUREN STANISZEWSKI As Director of Bands at Stoney Creek High School, Lauren Staniszewski works with the Concert Band, Symphony Band, Wind Ensemble, Class Guitar, and the Cougar Marching Band. Mrs. Staniszewski completed her Master of Music degree in Music Education from the University of Michigan in 2011. She also received her undergraduate degree with honors from the University of Michigan in 2006, double majoring in Clarinet Performance and Music Education. She has been honored in Who s Who Among High School Teachers, received Sigurd I. & Jamila H. Rislov Foundation Award in 2004 and 2006, and has served as a guest clinician and coach for many schools throughout Michigan. Outside of the classroom, she has presented multiple sessions at the Michigan Music Conference in Grand Rapids and has served as a board member for the University of Michigan Band Alumni Association. She continues to stay active musically through freelancing, playing in local area ensembles, teaching privately, and volunteering for community events. CONCERT BAND SYMPHONY BAND WIND ENSEMBLE MARCHING BAND CLASS GUITAR LStaniszewski@rochester.k12.mi.us Rev. 10/13 3
ANN O BRIEN Color Guard Instructor Ann O'Brien is honored to work with the talented kids in the SCHS Cougar Marching Band! Ann has been instructing high school color guards for the past 8 years. She is thrilled to be coaching the fantastic Stoney Guard for her second year. Ann has a bachelor of Performing Arts, with a major in Musical Theater from Oakland University and has many credits onstage with Meadow Brook Theater, as well as Lexington Music Theater, Abreact Theater, Ringwald Theater, and Greenfield Village. Ann is currently pursuing a doctorate of law from University of Detroit Mercy School of Law, with which she intends to practice entertainment law, including family and probate law. Rev. 10/13 4
CHOIRS MEN S CHOIR Men s Choir is a yearlong class, open to all male students new to the Choral program. All incoming 9th grade males regardless of ability must take Men s Choir. Men s Choir students sing in 3 and 4 part harmony and a heavy focus is placed on music literacy, breath management, vocal technique development and vowel placement. Students will sing in a variety of languages and styles and will perform several times a year in addition to Choral Festival and Solo and Ensemble Festival. MEN S CHOIR UNIFORM: $10.00 cleaning fee due each year payable at registration Tuxedo Tie Cummerbund Cuff links White wing tip tuxedo shirt Black socks Black dress shoes TREBLE CHOIR Treble Choir is a yearlong class, open to all female students new to the Choral program. All incoming 9 th grade females regardless of ability must take Treble Choir. Treble Choir students sing in 3 part harmony and a heavy focus is placed on music literacy, breath management, vocal technique development and vowel placement. Students will sing in a variety of languages and styles and will perform several times a year in addition to Choral Festival and Solo and Ensemble Festival. TREBLE CHOIR UNIFORM: $10.00 cleaning fee due each year payable at registration Long black dress Pearl necklace Black shoes - must be closed toed Rev. 10/13 5
CONCERT CHOIR Concert Choir is a yearlong class. It is an intermediate level mixed choir (male and female combined) open by audition only. Students build upon the skills gained in Treble or Men s Choirs to sing more challenging and vocally demanding literature. Concert Choir sight reads at the intermediate level, students are encouraged to participate as soloists in Solo and Ensemble Festival, and will perform at several concerts throughout the year including Choral Festival. CONCERT CHOIR UNIFORM: $10.00 cleaning fee due each year payable at registration Girls: Long black Dress Pearl necklace Boys: Tuxedo Tie Cummerbund Cuff links Girls: Black shoes must be closed toed Boys: White wing tip tuxedo shirt Black socks Black dress shoes WOMEN S CHORALE Women s Chorale is a yearlong class; it is an advanced female voice choir of 32 singers and is open by audition only. Many of the students in Women s Chorale study privately, and they are strongly encouraged to perform at Solo and Ensemble as soloists. Women s Chorale performs at several concerts throughout the year in addition to Choral Festival and sight reads at the advanced level. WOMEN S CHORALE UNIFORM: $10.00 cleaning fee due each year payable at registration Long black Dress Pearl necklace Black shoes must be closed toed Rev. 10/13 6
CHAMBER SINGERS Chamber Singers is a yearlong class and sight reads at the advanced level. It is the most advanced mixed choir, singing with 4-10 parts. There are 30-32 singers in the group open by competitive audition only. Most students study privately and are expected to perform at Solo and Ensemble as soloists. In addition to concerts and Choral Festival, the Chamber Singers are often called upon to perform in conjunction with the Detroit Symphony on major choral works and could be performing at state music conferences and other events in the area. CHAMBER SINGERS UNIFORM: $10.00 cleaning fee due each year payable at registration Girls: Long black dress Pearl necklace Boys: Tuxedo Tie Cummerbund Cuff links Girls: Black shoes must be closed toed Boys: White wing tip tuxedo shirt Black socks Black dress shoes UNIFORM POLICY FOR CHOIRS Choir students are given their uniforms to take home for the academic year in a garment storage bag. Students are responsible for hemming their dresses and pants. WHAT CHOIR EVENTS TAKE PLACE DURING THE YEAR? Michigan Music Conference, Detroit Symphony, other Annually our choirs are asked to perform at other events such as the Michigan Music Conference (a state conference for music educators), performances with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, Rochester Symphony Orchestra or other orchestras. Rev. 10/13 7
BANDS CONCERT BAND Concert Band is a yearlong class, consisting mostly of 9 th graders. Concert Band is a skill building ensemble where the focus is tonal, technical development and conductor sensitivity. Concert Band performs several concerts throughout the year and at Band Festival. Students will also be encouraged to participate in Solo and Ensemble. CONCERT BAND UNIFORM: $10.00 cleaning fee due each year payable at registration Black vest Bow tie White wing tip tuxedo shirt Black pants Black socks Black shoes (girls shoes must be closed toed) SYMPHONY BAND Symphony Band is a yearlong class, open to 10th 12 th graders and 9th graders by audition. Members are expected to have their music well prepared for rehearsals and a high emphasis will be placed upon individual preparation. Symphony Band performs standards from the Wind Band repertoire at several concerts throughout the year and at Band Festival. Many members of the Symphony Band study privately, and students will be strongly encouraged to participate in Solo and Ensemble Festival as soloists and in small ensembles. SYMPHONY BAND UNIFORM: $10.00 cleaning fee due each year payable at registration Girls: Long black dress Pearl necklace Boys: Tuxedo Tie Cummerbund Cuff links Girls: Black shoes - must be closed toed Boys: White wing tip tuxedo shirt Black socks Black dress shoes Rev. 10/13 8
WIND ENSEMBLE Wind Ensemble is a yearlong class, open by audition only. It is the top performing instrumental ensemble; it performs the most difficult music written for Wind Band. Wind Ensemble has a predetermined instrumentation and most of students study privately. Members are expected to perform at Solo and Ensemble as soloists and members of small ensembles and can expect a rigorous performance schedule which may include concert tours and performances in addition to concerts at Stoney Creek and Band Festival. WIND ENSEMBLE UNIFORM: $10.00 cleaning fee due each year payable at registration Girls: Long black dress Pearl necklace Boys: Tuxedo Tie Cummerbund Cuff links Girls Black shoes - must be closed toed Boys: White wing tip tuxedo shirt Black socks Black dress shoes MARCHING BAND WHAT DO I NEED TO KNOW ABOUT MARCHING BAND? 9th graders who enroll in Marching Band must also enroll in Concert Band (students are allowed to enroll in Concert Band without Marching Band). Marching Band is a class for credit which meets outside of the school day. Marching Band Season: July December Marching Band Registration is held in May to register for the following school year MARCHING BAND UNIFORM: $10.00 cleaning fee due each year paid at Marching Band registration. Full Band Uniforms are provided for each Marching Band student. Marching Band Shoes Gloves Black socks/hose Casual Uniform: Khaki Shorts Marching Band Logo Shirt Light colored shoes White socks Rev. 10/13 9
MARCHING BAND - COLOR GUARD Color Guard, in short, is one of the many sections of Marching Band. Color Guard is for students who would like to provide visual interest to the marching band through different types of movement, use of flags and other props. Students typically have music or dance background. Participants include choir students, instrumentalists that do not play a marching band instrument (such as oboe and bassoon), and students that have an interest in movement and dance but have no musical training. The number of positions available in the Color Guard is based on the size of the wind and percussion sections. Auditions Auditions take place in late April or early May. Flyers are posted around SCHS and Hart MS and the date will be listed on the Music Booster website. Ann O Brien (our Color Guard instructor) typically has 2-3 workshops before the actual audition to teach the students the basics that will be covered in the audition process; these optional workshops prove to be very beneficial. The audition consists of basic body movement and elementary flag technique. Uniforms: The Color Guard uniform depends on the focus of the pregame or halftime show. The uniform is provided by the school, the gloves and shoes by the student. Mini Marching Band Camp All Color Guard members must attend mini band camp Marching Band Camp All Color Guard members must attend Marching Band Camp in Camp Timbers in West Branch Rehearsals/Sectionals Color Guard often holds sectionals during the summer and attends all marching band rehearsals in the summer. School Year Rehearsals/Performances Color Guard members participate in all regularly scheduled rehearsals, performances and events. Fundraising It is common for Color Guard to have a car wash to raise funds to buy new equipment for the upcoming season. Band Banquet At the conclusion of the marching band season Color Guard students can participate in the band banquet. Students must participate in band for three semesters to earn their varsity letter. Color Guard or Marching Band only students earn their Varsity letter after three seasons. The students do not receive a band pin or other awards if they do not participate in an indoor ensemble (concert, symphony, Rev. 10/13 10
Mini Marching Band Camp Takes place at Stoney Creek High School for 3 days prior to Marching Band Camp 3:00pm 6:00pm for all new students and leadership 6:00pm - 9:00pm for all students Marching Band Camp Attendance is mandatory! Camp is held at Camp Timbers (a YMCA Camp with cabins) in West Branch during August (Sunday Saturday). Performance at camp for families on Saturday morning. Transportation: Bus to camp Parents are responsible for collecting their student from camp School Year Rehearsals Monday nights from 6:00 9:00 pm Wednesday and Thursday mornings from 6:30 7:30 am Performances/Events All home football games full uniform Arts and Apples casual uniform Invitational full uniform Festivals full uniform Tree Lighting at The Village of Rochester Hills (every third year rotates with the other two high schools) full uniform Rochester Holiday Parade full uniform Memorial Day Parade (every third year rotates with the other two high schools) - casual uniform End of Season Party: January Held at the school to celebrate the end of the marching band season Band Banquet Held at Addison Oaks in May. Varsity letters, band pins and other awards are presented and the section leaders and drum majors are announced. Composite Photo A Marching Band Composite Picture, with all students in full uniform, is compiled every two years our latest one was taken for the 2010-2011 school year. EXPECTED BEHAVIOR OF STUDENTS IN STANDS DURING FOOTBALL GAMES Students are expected to fully participate during the games by performing stand cheers and chants. The band stays for the entire game, weather permitting. Students are expected to remain in full uniform, sit with the band, in their section, and maintain school appropriate behavior. There is NO eating in uniform except for the Music Booster provided snacks. Rev. 10/13 11
WHAT BAND AND CHOIR EVENTS TAKE PLACE DURING THE YEAR? Band and Choir Concerts We hold several music concerts in the school auditorium during the school year, often combining performances of the band and choirs. The Fall Concerts are held in late October, The Winter Concerts in mid-december, the Pre-Festival Concerts in February, and the Spring Concerts in May. In addition, students also participate in festivals that are not held at Stoney Creek, including Band/Choral Festival, Solo & Ensemble Festival, or other concerts with the Detroit Symphony, at conferences, or other special performances. Donations are collected at the door and monies are put into the Music Boosters account, the funds donated at concerts typically pay for clinicians, music, or other needed music department improvements. An after-glow is held in the lobby organized by the Music Boosters with food and drink donations from band and choir families. Pre-Festival Concerts In preparation for Band and Choral Festival, we hold a concert where a clinician is brought in to work with each group on stage after their performance. This combines the experience of festival, where they will be critiqued by judges and a master class, where they get a chance to work with a master musician. The clinician works with each group in front of the parents. It is usually a great learning experience for the directors, who get a fresh set of ears to listen to the groups and the students, who often have concepts they are working on in class reinforced by an outside musician. Parents also enjoy learning what to listen for in a quality performance. Invitational Invitationals are non-competitive festivals where 8-15 bands are invited to perform at a venue. There is typically an adjudicator who gives comments to the band and the group is videotaped. Festivals Festivals are performance events where a rating is given based upon the performance. Festival types include Band Festival, Choral Festival, Marching Band Festival and Solo and Ensemble Festival. Groups who receive 1st division ratings qualify for state finals. Commencement Ceremonies A large combined choir and a combined band perform at the Stoney Creek High School graduation ceremonies in early June. Sings at Baccalaureate Ceremonies This rotates every three years, between the three high schools, and our rotation is such that we either have the choir at Baccalaureate, the band at Baccalaureate, or the Memorial Day Parade. Usually the groups that are performing at commencements perform at Baccalaureate, we combine the Symphony Band and Wind Ensemble for this, and most of the choirs combine as well Rev. 10/13 12
WHAT ARE... Band/Choral Festivals All bands and choirs attend festival in March for a rating. Ratings are given by 3 judges in performance and sight reading Solo and Ensemble Festivals Participation is highly encouraged, and is expected at the upper levels but is optional. However, in some classes written assignments can be waived if a student participates. Entry fee varies based on the size of ensemble Festivals are held off-site on weekends; Friday and Saturdays for both band and choir. Students provide their own transportation Students who choose to do a solo will need to find an accompanist and pay the accompanist lists are available from the Music Directors. Students are adjudicated by an independent judge who will award a rating based on the performance. Students receiving a First Division rating are eligible to move forward to State Solo & Ensemble. NON-CURRICULAR, NO CREDIT MUSIC DEPARTMENT RELATED ACTIVITIES PIT ORCHESTRA FOR SCHOOL MUSICALS The music department in conjunction with the theatre department produces a full scaled musical each spring, with performances usually in late April-early May. Students can audition to play as a musician for the musical, and we call that the Pit Orchestra because the musicians perform in a lowered pit in front of the stage during the shows. Pit orchestra musicians are usually one-on-a-part, and the instrumentation changes for each show, so some years there may be a part for your particular instrument, and other years there may not be. PIT ORCHESTRA DURING SUMMER THEATRE Students also have an opportunity to audition for the pit orchestra for the Summer Music Theatre, which is held at all three high schools on a rotating basis. Rev. 10/13 13
MUSIC BOOSTERS OUR MISSION We are a "parent fueled" organization whose sole purpose is to support the Stoney Creek High School music program and students' music development through financial and volunteer assistance. WHY SHOULD I BECOME ACTIVE IN MUSIC BOOSTERS? Being a part of the SCHS Music Boosters is a terrific way for you to become involved in the band and choir programs and to show your support for our wonderful students. If a student is currently participating in the music program, then parents are automatically members of the Music Boosters organization. Parents are encouraged to attend the monthly Music Booster meetings and lend a hand in the variety of activities that take place throughout the year. WHERE ARE MUSIC BOOSTER MEETINGS HELD? Monthly Meetings are held in the Choir Room at Stoney Creek. The dates are listed on the Music Department calendars. WHAT DOES THE MUSIC BOOSTER ORGANIZATION DO? Maintains Uniforms Chaperones Events (games, parades, festivals, invitational) Coordinates and prepares concert afterglows Maintains Website E-mails communications to all band and choir member families it is very important you provide a current e-mail address to the VP Communications as we send out a great deal of time sensitive information throughout the year Distributes Music Boosters Newsletter Coordinates scholarship auditions Plans, organizes, and chaperones Band Camp Spearheads Fund Raising Plans and Hosts the Band Banquet Throws and End of the Season Party Organizes and Chaperones Summer trip to Cedar Point Coordinates Spirit wear WHERE CAN I FIND THE MUSIC BOOSTERS WEBSITE? www.rochester.k12.mi.us Stoney Creek High School Music Programs Music Boosters Rev. 10/13 14
THE MUSIC BOOSTERS EXECUTIVE BOARD The Music Boosters Executive Board is made up of the following positions: President Secretary Treasurer VP Choral Affairs VP Activities VP Communications Band VP Communications Choir VP Fundraising A listing of current board members and their contact information can be found on the Music Boosters website. SCHOLARSHIPS WHAT IS THE SCHOLARSHIP PROCESS? Scholarships can be used for private lessons, summer music camps (such as Interlochen, Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp) or marching band camp. Auditions for scholarships will take place at Stoney Creek High School. Any student currently registered in the Instrumental or Choral program at Stoney Creek High School is eligible to audition for this scholarship. Students not planning to continue in the Instrumental or Vocal Music Program for the following school year are not eligible for this scholarship. Students must be registered for a full year ensemble in order to audition for this scholarship. Freshmen, sophomores and juniors are eligible to audition for this scholarship. Piano solos are not eligible for the SCHS Music Booster Scholarship. Prior winners of the SCHS Music Booster Scholarship are eligible to re-audition for this award. INSTRUMENTAL students will play a solo and 1 major scale and/or 1 melodic minor scale chosen by the adjudicator from the MSBOA Proficiency I list, with a maximum time limit of 4 minutes per audition. VOCAL students should sing a prepared solo, with a maximum time limit of 4 minutes per audition. ACCOMPANISTS are not required to play; however your performance will be more enhanced by the use of an accompanist. If you plan to use a recorded accompaniment, be sure you have a quality recording and you must provide a quality CD player that is working properly. Recipients of the scholarship will be notified of their award by letter no later than the week following the auditions. To receive scholarship money, proof of registration for summer camp or a letter from a private lesson instructor will need to be turned in to the Stoney Creek Music Booster Treasurer. In return the recipient will receive a check from the SCHS Music Booster checking account. Rev. 10/13 15
SUPPORT THE TRADITION WHY SUPPORT THE TRADITION? Support the Tradition was established as a way to fundraise for school activities, without the traditional fundraising problems. The initial idea was that people would rather give money directly to the school, which has more impact than if we sell things, and only get a percentage from the profits. With the Support the Tradition concept, parents can donate money directly to the school, where all of it makes a difference to kids at Stoney Creek, and we don t have anyone selling. Many parents get tired of constantly having to buy wrapping paper, oranges, candy, and the list goes on and on, but with Support the Tradition all of those inconveniences are eliminated. 50% of the money raised goes toward athletics, 25% to the music department, and 25% to other clubs and activities at Stoney Creek. Parents can make a donation to Support the Tradition through the Rochester Community Schools Foundation. Please remember that all school fund raising will be to Support the Tradition at Stoney Creek High School. As an organization of Stoney Creek, our board officers and the band directors ask that you Support the Tradition by donating to the fund. The music program will receive 25% of all funds donated. Funds are accepted throughout the year. Rev. 10/13 16