Update: Friday, 3/30

CONTEST SOLOISTS
Reminders

• All accompanist fees must be paid before April 14.
• All soloists are responsible for securing 2 real copies of their songs.  One copy for the accompanist and one for the judge.  Judges copies must also have number measures.  Using photocopies and judges music without measure numbers will result in disqualification by KSHAA. 
• Soloists who are borrowing books from the SMS music library must locate, label and number those books immediately.

PRE-FESTIVAL CONCERT NEXT THURSDAY
Our Pre-Festival Concert is Thursday, April 5, at 7:00p, in the SMS Auditorium.  This concert is to prepare our large ensembles to go to State Large Ensemble Festival which will take place on April 18 at Blue Valley Northwest High School.  Student call time for the concert will be 6:15p.  The concert is required for all choir students (200 points).

RAIDER REVUE AUDITIONS
Auditions for this year's Raider Revue will be Thursday, April 12, after-school, in the choir room.  Audition sign-ups are in the choir room. 
Audition Details

• Students may audition with a total of 4 numbers (2 solos and 2 duets or small groups)
• Variety and creativity is key!
• Music does not need to be memorized, however it MUST be prepared.
• Vocal performances must have some sort of accompaniment, no tracks.
• If you would like to have the Raider Revue band play with you (drums, bass, guitar, piano) you must give a copy of your music to Cates at the time of your audition.
• Our theme for this year's group numbers is "British Invasion"--solo acts are encouraged to try to keep with the theme, but, quality, variety and creativity are most important.
• IMPORTANT:  Ms. Willbanks will not be playing for those students who do not practice with her in advance.

REGIONAL SOLO/ENSEMBLE
Regional Solo/Ensemble Festival is Saturday, April 14 at Blue Valley High School.  The schedule for the event has not been published, however, students participating in multiple ensembles and a solo should plan to be there from morning until late afternoon.  Once the schedule is released it will be available in the choir room and at http://www.smschoir.com/.

A CAPPELLA CHOIR ST. LOUIS TRIP MANDATORY MEETING
A mandatory meeting for the A Cappella Choir St. Louis Trip will take place Tuesday, April 17.  In an effort to have everyone attend we will have the meeting two times--once at 7:00a and once at 6:30p.  Both meetings will take place in the choir room.  At the meeting will will turn in health forms, copies on student insurance cards, review SMS Choir Trip Rules and pass out our final itinerary. 

  

UPCOMING EVENTS
Pre-Festival Concert - April 5, 7:00p; SMS Auditorium; Call 6:15p
Regional Solo-Ensemble Festival - April 14, Blue Valley High School; Schedule TBA
State Large Ensemble Festival - April 18, Morning Performances; BV Northwest HS
For an up-to-date calendar of events check the homepage of www.smschoir.com.

Update: March 26, 2012

SMS Choir Students & Parents:
We are in full "contest mode"in SMS Choir!  Weather this is your first year in choir or you are a returning member, please pay close attention to all of the information provided on blog posts and in class--you don't want to miss any details!

Peace.
Cates

SOLO/ENSEMBLE RECITAL TOMORROW!
We will host our annual Solo/Ensemble Recital tomorrow, March 27, beginning at 6:30p in the choir room at SMS. Student call time is 6:15p.

The recital will feature all SMS Choir soloists and small ensembles planning to perform at Regional Solo/Ensemble Festival.  Each ensemble and soloist will perform one of their two pieces for two judges.  Judges will provide written, constructive comments for performers to use to polish their numbers before the festival on April 14.

Performers must dress up for the recital (we will not wear choir robes, choir dresses etc.).  Students do not have to stay for the entire recital.  Parents, friends and family are welcome to attend.

CONTEST SOLOIST FEES/MUSIC

• The SMS Choir Boosters covers the entry fees for all soloists.  Should a soloist opt to cancel his or her solo a $10.00 cancelation fee will be charged.
• All soloists should have previously arranged for an accompanist to play for them.  All accompanist fees must be paid before the festival on April 14.
• All soloists are responsible for aquiring 2 real copies of their songs.  One copy for the accompanist and one for the judge.  Judges copies must also have number measures.  Photo copies and must without measure numbers will result in soloist disqualification.  Music may be checked our from the SMS Music Library, however, multiple students may be using the same book--Mr. Cates and Ms. Willbanks will not manage the trade off of books--indivudal soloists must do so.
• Photo copies are permissiable for the recital tomorrow, however music must still have measure numbers.

2012-2013 CHANTICLEERS, HERITAGE SINGERS & A CAPPELLA CHOIR RESULTS
Results for Chanticleers, Heritage Singers and A Cappella Choir at available on the bulletin board outside of the choir room and will be posted on the docs page of http://www.smschoir.com/ this week.  Thanks to everyone who auditioned!   The decisions were tough! 

PRE-FESTIVAL CONCERT
Our Pre-Festival Concert is Thursday, April 5, at 7:00p, in the SMS Auditorium.  This concert is to prepare our large ensembles to go to State Large Ensemble Festival which will take place on April 18 at Blue Valley Northwest High School.  Student call time for the concert will be 6:15p.  The concert is required for all choir students (200 points).

inCHOIRing MINDS BLOG UPDATES
Because of this busy time I'll do my best to update the blog a few times a week to keep everyone up-to-date.

UPCOMING EVENTS
Solo-Ensemble Recital - March 27, 6:30p; SMS Choir Room; Call 6:15p
Pre-Festival Concert - April 5, 7:00p; SMS Auditorium; Call 6:15p
Regional Solo-Ensemble Festival - April 14, Blue Valley High School; Schedule TBA
State Large Ensemble Festival - April 18, Morning Performances; BV Northwest HS
For an up-to-date calendar of events check the homepage of www.smschoir.com.

Update: Spring Break Edition

Hope everyone is enjoying SPRING BREAK!  Having a blast with Emmaus at Disney World! :-)

HERITAGE AUDITION LINKS POSTED

Heritage Singers auditions will be Thursday, March 22.  Use the link on the home page of the choir website to access general audition information as well as practice tracks.  CLICK HERE

2012-2013 CHANTICLEERS/A CAPPELLA CHOIR AUDITION RESULTS

I will post audition results on the home page of the choir website as soon as all of the auditions have been reviewed.  Thanks for being patient.  :-)

IMPORTANT - DATE CHANGES

Solo/Ensemble Recital changed to Tuesday, March 27, 6:30p.  Location TBA

Pre-Festival Concert changed to Thursday, April 5, 7:00p, Auditorium

ATTENTION CONTEST SOLOISTS:

Sped a little time over spring break looking at your second solo that must be memorized a week after we return from spring break!  Remember:  the more prepared you are the more confident you will be when you perform.

RAIDER REVUE SOLO/SMALL ACT AUDITIONS

This year's Raider Revue will feature a BRITISH INVASION!  All SMS Choirs will be singing two numbers by artists from Great Britain (The Beatles, Adele, Cold Play, Mika, The Spice Girls, Queen).  We will audition for solo and small group acts shortly after we return from spring break.  All SMS Choir students are encouraged to audition with an act!  Each student may audition with a total of 2 solos and two duets or small groups.  Lead vocals in each group must be a singer in an SMS Choir.  Students from other schools may not perform in your group.  CREATIVE and FUNNY is good!  Solos and small acts are encouraged to keep with the BRITISH INVASION theme, but, QUALITY and ENTERTAINMENT VALUE is the most important.

HAVE FUN AND BE SAFE!

Update 3/1/12

SMSD CHORAL FEST NEXT WEEK
The SM Choral Festival is next Tuesday at SM Northwest. A Cappella Choir should be at our designated warm-up location no later than 6:15p. This event is for A Cappella Choir. Other students may attend, but it is not required.

PAYING FOR CHOIR STUFF
We are making every effort to run any payment for choir-related items thru our website. Cash and checks will only be accepted by Cates if it has been placed in an envelope and is marked with student name, what the payment is for and the amount.

One more week till spring break!!