SMS Choir Update: WINTER BREAK!

SMS Choir Students & Parents,

Its hard to believe that I'm grading finals!  This semester has flown by!  Kicking off the semester with the Choir Picnic and performances at the Jewish Community Center, then to the Fall Concert with our alumni, then Cabaret, next hosting the All-District Choir Festival, then Heritage Singers performing with Kenny Rogers, and finally an OUTSTANDING Holiday concert--we have been busy but, we have been AWESOME!

In addition to our Holiday concert we also collected to help SMS families in need this holiday season.  This year we had more struggling families than ever (32 families, 10 of them homeless).  I'm proud to announce that our daily collection, combined with some very generous donations from our audience at the concert, resulted in a donation total of over $2400!  We were able to help each SMS family!  Thank you for showing so much care for your fellow Raiders!

Finally, thank you for all of your hard work and dedication to making SMS Choir one of the best high school choir programs out there!  I hope Winter Break gives you a chance to sleep-in and spend time with family and friends.  Happy Hanukkah to those families who begin celebrating tonight!  Happy Holidays to all of you!

Looking forward to great second semester!

Peace.
Cates

Congrats SMS All-State Choir members!

Congrats to:
Sarah Stevens
Nico Caruso
Will Cockriel

For making to 2011/12 Kansas All-State Choir. For a complete list visit: www.ksmea.org.

Holiday Concert

Sing in the season with SMS Choirs in their annual holiday celebration!

7:00p Concert

6:15p student call time (students must arrive on time to receive full credit)

Reminder:
Concerts are not optional. Conflicts must be approved in advance as excused to receive a make-up assignment. Our performances are out "unit tests" and are integral to success in choir. Conflicts like work, no ride, I forgot etc are I excused. No make up will be given.

What to wear:
1st act: normal concert dress
2nd act: holiday wear. No jeans, no tennis shoes, bight, cheery and festive.

There will be a reception following the concert with visit from Santa AND frosty!

Choir Update: December 9, 2011

A CAPPELLA TRIP DEPOSIT DUE TODAY
The $100 deposit for the A Cappella Choir St. Louis trip is due today.  If you did not submit your payment at school or mail to Tom Heathcote you may also pay online via PayPal.  Our PayPal currently reads "choir patrons" however you may still submit your payment online.  To pay using PayPal: CLICK HERE.  If you would like go on the trip but aren't prepared to make the inital deposit at this time you may add yourself later, however, you will owe the total due to that point.

HOLIDAY DECORATING THIS SUNDAY
This Sunday from 3-5p we will "deck" the auditorium for our Holiday concert.  Please come and help decorate.  If you have: duct tape, staple guns, extension chords, artificial christmas trees you aren't using this year, clear lights (not LED) and hot glue guns--bring them.  Items that you'd like returned should be marked with your name.  Enter through the back door to the band room.  WE NEED YOUR HELP!  This activity is worth CHOIR LETTER POINTS.

REQUIRED HOLIDAY DRESS REHEARSAL MONDAY
We have a required (150 point) dress rehersal for our holiday concert on Monday from 3-5 in the auditorium.  This dress rehersal is for ALL CHOIRS.

HOLIDAY 2011: A Celebration of Traditions and Cultures
Our annual holiday concert this Tuesday, December 13, at 7:00p in the auditorium.  Admission is FREE.  Friends and family are welcome!  There will be a reception following the concert complete with a visit from Santa!

Choir info

• Call time: 6:15p (in concert attaire--ready to warm-up).
• What to wear:  choirs will wear normal concert attaire for the first half of the concert.  The second half students should wear "festive holiday wear"--no jeans, no tennis shoes, no shirts with logos (think Gap/Old Navy Holiday commercial minus the jeans).  Scarves and fun hats are good!  Nothing that lights up or jingles. 
• This concert is required for ALL CHOIRS (200 points).  Conflicts should have been communicated in advance.  Student must be in attendance for the entire concert for receive full credit.

SWEET DEAL FUNDRAISER
The turn in date for the SWEET DEAL fundraiser is Monday, December 12.  After students turn in their money they will be issued their $10 Three Women and an Oven coupons.  Students should deliver coupons the week of December 12.  Money earned from this fundraiser will be applied to individual student choir accounts.

Reminder:
Students are selling $10 coupons to 3 Women and an Oven Bakery.  They collect the money ahead of time and log their customer name phone and email on their sales log.  Studnets will then turn in the money and sales log to Cates who will then issue their coupons for delivery.

IMPORTANT:  CHOIR ADOPT-A-FAMILY
After Thanksgiving Break choirs have been collecting each day for our annual choir adopt a family program.  Each choir is assigned a Shawnee Mission South family in need this holiday season.  The counseling center works to find these families and determine their "list."  Sadly this year there are 10 families who are homeless and even more in need.  We have agreed to do everything we can to see that each family in need at SMS gets something from our efforts.  At the holiday concert we will be collecting to help our SMS families.  Please share with anyone you may invite to the concert incase they would like to give.  (checks payable to SMS CHOIR)

WHAT'S NEXT

• Sunday, December 11 - HOLIDAY DECORATING - Auditorium - 3-5p
• Monday, Decmeber 12 - HOLIDAY DRESS REHERSAL - Auditorium 3-5p (required - All Choirs - 150points)
• Tuesday, December 13 - HOLIDAY 2011 - Auditorium - 7p concert - 6:15p Call (required - all choirs - 200 points)

SMS Choir Update: December 2

WE NEED YOUR HELP WITH THE ALL-DISTRICT CHORAL FESTIVAL
Each year SM South hosts the Northeast Kansas All-District Choral Festival.  The festival includes hosting rehearsals and performances for over 700 students and over 1000 parents and partrons.  The festival is THIS SATURDAY and we are looking for student and parents voluenteers.  If you are available on Saturday please sign-up in the choir room or email Kaye Heathcote: tomheathcote@gmail.com.

HERITAGE SINGERS TO PERFORM WITH KENNY ROGERS
This Sunday evening our very own Heritage Singers will perform with recording artist Kenny Rogers!  The concert takes place at the Midland Theatre in downtown Kansas City and is part of Rogers' Christmas Tour.  If you'd like to purchase tickets visit CLICK HERE.

"A SWEET DEAL" FUNDRAISER
Before Thanksgiving Break we kicked of "A Sweet Deal" , a fundraider designed to help A Cappella Choir raise funds for their April trip to St. Louis and to help other choir students raise funds for their individual choir accounts (these funds can be used to pay for choir related items--tshirts, ties, character shoes etc).  Students will be selling $10 coupons to 3 Women and an Oven, a local bakery.  Students will collect the money for each coupon ahead of time, log their sale on the sales log provided.  By December 12, students will turn in their money and forms. Students will deliver coupons the week of December 12.

Update - Week of 11/14 (again)

There was an error with the text on the last blog update.  I've resent it in an effort to fix whatever was wrong. 

SMS Choir Update
Week of November 14, 2011

CONGRATS SMS ALL-DISTRICT CHOIR MEMBERS
The following students auditioned for and made the NE Kansas All-District Choir and will now be in the running to participate in the Kansas All-State Choir.

Mikaela Carson
Nico Caruso
Will Cockriel
Heinrich Dettmann
Leah Heathcote
Michael Hicks
Christoph Nevins
Sarah Stevens
Alyssa Stillwell
Elizabeth Trites
Haley White
Adam Winney

A CAPPELLA CHOIR ST. LOUIS TRIP MEETINGS
A Cappella Choir will be taking a short trip to St. Louis April 20-22, 2011.  While all SMS Choir trips are optional, hope is for each A Cappella Choir singer to participate.  For preliminary trip information CLICK HERE (note that the deposit deadline on the trip info is incorrect--we will be posting an updated trip proposal as soon as possible).


Trip Info Meetings---November 29, 2011, choose from two meeting options: 7:15a and 7:00p.

The first $100 trip deposit will be due December 9.

SMS TO HOST NORTHEAST KMEA CHORAL FESTIVAL
SM South hosts the Northeast Kansas Music Educators Association All-District Choral Festival each year.  This year's festival is Saturday, December 3.  This is one of the largest events SMS hosts all year.  During the course of the day close to 2,000 people will be in the building for this event--WE NEED YOUR HELP.  We need parents and students to organize and sell concessions, provide lunch for over 500 students and give general directional information to singers and parents visiting our school.  If you would like to help, please contact Dr. Barb Trites, Booster President at president@smschoir.com.

DATE CHANGE: MASTERWORKS SOLO AUDITIONS/MUSICAL AUDITIONS
Auditions for this year's musical "THE DROWSEY CHAPERONE" have been moved to November 21 after-school.  Due to this change Masterworks Solo Auditions will be Monday, November 28, after we return from Thanksgiving Break.  Information concerning musical auditions is available on the call board in the music hall way by the auditorium.  Masterworks solo auditions are open to any SMS Choir senior who has a classical solo prepared for the audition.

HERITAGE SINGERS TO PERFORM WITH KENNY ROGERS!
While many students may not recognize the name Kenny Rogers he is an extremely well known country music/adult contemporary artist.  Our very own Heritage Singers has been invited to perform with Rogers for his Holiday Concert in Kansas City on December 4th.  If you would like to purchase tickets to see Kenny, but more importantly Heritage Singers CLICK HERE for more information.

A SWEET DEAL!  3 WOMEN AND AN OVEN COUPONS: TRIP/INDIVIDUAL STUDENT ACCOUNT FUNDRAISER
November 21 & 22 will mark the kick-off of our SWEET DEAL FUNDRAISER.  SMS Choir students will sell $10 Coupons to 3 Women and an Over (voted Kansas City's BEST bakery--and in my opinion they have the best Carrot Cake on the face of the earth).  While the fundraiser is targeted to A Cappella Choir students who would like to raise money for their trip to St. Louis, any student may participate.  Non-A Cappella Choir singers who participate will be raising money for their individual choir student account.  This account can come in handy as we look ahead to trips for next year or the purchase of required choir-related items (dresses, tuxes, character shoes etc.).  Look for details via email and passed out in class.


COMING SOON
Musical Auditions - November 21 - After-School - Choir Room - Open to all students
A Cappella St. Louis Trip Meeting - November 29 - 7:15a or 7:00p - Choir Room - All A Cappella Student/Parents

AWESOME Cabaret!

Congrats to everyone who helped with or sang in this years Cabaret! It was awesome!

What's Next??
A Cappella Choir: South Area Choral Festival
Nov. 8, 7p, call 6:15p, SMS Gym
(Required for AC Choir-200 pts)

AC Choir FREE Kauffman Tix!

The KC Friends of Chamber Music have offered 60 FREE tickets to see the world famous men's ensemble, Chanticleer at the new Performing Arts Center. The concert is Saturday, November 5 at 8p in the Helzberg Hall of the PAC. Students must provide their own transportation. Ms. Willbanks and Mr. Linson will chaperone. The first 60 students to sign up in the choir room will receive a ticket.

Weekly Update

SMS Choir Weekly Update
Week of October 24, 2011

 

Evening of Cabaret
Evening of Cabaret is an night of outstanding solo and small group cabaret performances from SMS Choir students.  The evening also features delicious appetizers and desserts.  This year's Evening of Cabaret is Friday, November 4, 2011 in the SMS Cafeteria.  Doors open at 6:30p and the performance begins at 7:00p.  For a list of this year's performers CLICK HERE.

• Tickets
• Evening of Cabaret tickets go on-sale this Wednesday!  Tickets may be purchased from an SMS Choir student or by visiting the http://www.smschoir.com/.  Ticket Prices: $6 in advance, $7 at the door, $5 for students and senior citizens (children under 10 are free).  Each Cabaret performer is asked to sell 5 tickets per act in which they are singing (eg. 2 songs = 10 tickets).
• Food Donations
• Each choir is assigned a food item to bring to stock our dessert and appetizer bar.  For a detailed list CLICK HERE.  All items should be delivered to the cafeteria no later than 5:15p on November 4.
• We need your help!
• Because Evening of Cabaret benefits ALL SMS Choir students we are asking for your help, even if you aren't performing in this year's Cabaret.  From set-up, clean-up, serving food, taking tickets etc. there is a job for EVERYONE.  Also--this is one of the first volunteer opportunities through which a student can earn points toward earning a Letter in choir.  If you would like to help:  students may sign-up on the sign-up sheet in the choir room and parents can email Michelle White, Choir Boosters VP of Hospitality: hospitality@smschoir.com

Got Questions?
We are always working to communicate as clearly as possible.  If you have questions about SMS Choir related info please don't hesitate to contact us.  General choir information questions can go to Cates mailto:dustincates@smsd.org  - 816.304.0073.  General boosters questions to Dr. Barb Trites, Choir Boosters President: president@smschoir.com.  Additional contact information for parent class representatives and other booster board members may be found on the Boosters page of http://www.smschoir.com/.

 

Patron Drive Results
Our Patron Drive results are in!  Thanks to all of our SMS Choir students and parents who helped make this year's drive a HUGE success.  Remember:  we accept Patron Donations all year long.  If a business or individual would like to make a donation choir please encourage them to visit www.smschoir.com and become a patron!

Budgeted Goal:  $7,500
Amount Collected: $8,106

Top Collectors (prizes will be delivered next week)

1. Elizabeth Trites  575
   
   
    
   
   
    
   
   
    
2. Caroline Gatti  500
3. Kenzie Waechter  440
4. Maddie Callicott  325
5. Anne Stollsteimer  250
6. Emily Arnold  250
7. Matthew Jackson  250
8. Meg Horner  250
9. Talley Breedlove 245
10. Taylor Pickering  225

Upcoming Events
For a list of current SMS Choir Events visit: http://www.smschoir.com/

• Thursday, November 3
• 3:00pm
•  Cabaret Dress Rehearsal (selected students)
• Friday, November 4
• 6:30pm
•  Evening of Cabaret (selected students - everyone welcome)
• Tuesday, November 8
• 7:00pm
•  South Area Choral Festival (A Cappella Choir - REQUIRED 200 points)
• Saturday, November 12
• All day
•  District/State Auditions (selected students)

CORRECTION: (again) for South Area

A Cappella Choir: this time it was my fault. The last blog post said the festival date was November 3 that was incorrect. NOVEMBER 8 is the correct date. Sorry for the confusion.

Fall Concert Info

SMS Choir: Fall Concert

Important Information

Dress Rehearsal:               Wednesday, October 12; During Seminar

ALL CHOIRS-REQUIRED-150 POINTS (PSAT students excused)

Note:  students will not be asked to wear concert attire at the dress rehearsal

Concert:                                Saturday, October 15;

A Cappella Call: 6p; Other Choirs 6:30p, Concert 7:30p

ALL CHOIRS-REQUIRED-200 POINTS

Note:    All students must remain for the duration of the performance.

Scheduling Conflicts:       Every effort should be made to attend both the required dress rehearsal and the required performance. 

§  Conflicts with the required dress rehearsal and/or performance must be logged by the student on the conflict log by Wednesday, October 12.

§  Only students with excused absences will be given a make-up assignment.

§  School related conflicts will be resolved by Cates and the school coach/sponsor.

Concert Etiquette:              Shawnee Mission South Choirs hold high expectations for their performances.  Please observe the following:

§  No food or drink in the auditorium.

§  Cell phone use, including texting, in the auditorium is strictly prohibited.

§  Additional electronic devices that may make noise must be on silent mode (including cameras)

§  If you must leave the auditorium do so between, and not during a song.

§  Crying and/or noisy children can be calmed in the lobby.

Concert Attire:  Choirs will wear the following for their performance:

§  Varsity Men—assigned blazer, green and gold tie, White long-sleeved dress shirt, dark khaki pants, brown belt, brown dress shoes and dark socks.  All items must be clean and pressed.

§  Women’s Choir—assigned choir robe and stole, under the robe—skirt or shorts (no pants), black closed toe dress shoes (no tennis shoes or boots)

§  Chanticleers—formal dress, black character shoes

§  Heritage Singers—formal dress/tux, black character/dress shoes

§  A Cappella Choir—assigned choir robe and stole, under the robe—men: black dress pants, black socks, black dress shoes; women—shirt or shorts (no pants), black closed toe dress shoes (no tennis shoes or boots)

§  All Choirs--excessive jewelry including large earrings may not be worn, no perfume/cologne or scented lotion, no extreme hair style or color that would specifically draw attention to you

Failure to comply with concert attire guidelines will result in removal from the performance without credit.

Questions?  Contact Cates: dustincates@smsd.org

New SMS Choir Blog: inCHOIRing Minds!

We are replacing our SMS Choir eNote format with inCHOIRing minds a blog that will house communication from Cates about important SMS Choir info!

Thanks for subscribing!
Cates

New SMS Choir Blog: inCHOIRing minds!

We are replacing our SMS Choir eNote format with inCHOIRing minds a blog that will house communication from Cates about important SMS Choir info!