2013-2014 Skutt Catholic High School Choir Department Guidebook 2013-2014 COURSE DESCRIPTIONS CONCERT CHOIR - This performance oriented class will study sophisticated choral literature and build upon part singing in choral music. Students will have the chance to audition for the Nebraska All State Choir and other Honor Choirs, in addition to competing as an ensemble at the District Music Contest. (Instructor recommendation required for All State, Honor Choir, and District Music Contest auditions.) The Concert Choir is showcased at Choral Concerts throughout the year, in addition to select Masses, Baccalaureate, and graduation. Concert Choir students will sing a variety of music throughout the year, and will have the opportunity to audition for Vivace show choir and Hawkappella men’s choir. HONORS CONCERT CHOIR - Juniors and Seniors with may apply for this class during the spring of the previous year. Honors credit is issued to students who have been a member of the Concert Choir for four semesters and have received permission from the instructor. In addition, the student must complete a research project in conjunction with each of the four concerts. Honors Concert Choir students will sing a variety of music throughout the year, and will have the opportunity to audition for Vivace show choir and Hawkappella men’s choir. VIVACE - Show Choir is a select singing and dancing ensemble. Auditions will be held in the spring with the opportunity for new students to audition in the fall. Show Choir will meet on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday during E Period - 6:45 a.m. - 7:30 a.m. DEFINITIONS OF MANDATORY PERFORMANCES HAWKTOBER CONCERT - Mandatory performance and attendance for all Concert Choir members on Sunday, October 13th at 2:00 p.m. in the Skutt Catholic Commons. The Concert Choir, Vivace, and selected acts will perform a variety of repertoire. Early report time for all students will be necessary for a warm-up, and times for this will be given at a later date. Concert attire for this performance is choir robes. Under the robes students are asked to wear black pants, socks and dress shoes, with their Concert Choir T-shirt. Vivace members will have their own performance attire. CHRISTMAS CONCERT - This year we will present our Christmas Concert on Sunday, December 15th at 2:00 pm in the Skutt Catholic Commons. This concert will be an excellent way to celebrate the season with family and friends. The concert will feature Christmas music as well as some more contemporary works. Concert attire for this performance is choir robes. Under the robes students are asked to wear black pants, socks and dress shoes, with their Concert Choir T-shirt. Vivace members who are not in concert choir will wear all black. MUSIC DEPARTEMENT PANCAKES AND POPS CONCERT - This concert features more contemporary music. The Pancake Man will be here from 11:00 – 2:00 helping us raise funds for our departments. This performance will feature the SCHS choirs and bands on Sunday, February 16th at 2:00 p.m. in the Skutt Catholic Commons. There may also be an opportunity for a few select soloists to perform on the concert as well. Concert attire for this performance is choir robes. Under the robes students are asked to wear black pants, socks and dress shoes, with their Concert Choir T-shirt. Vivace members who are not in concert choir will wear all black. DISTRICT MUSIC CONTEST - This is a mandatory festival run by the state of Nebraska. Solo and Small Ensemble performance days are yet to be determined, but Concert Choir will compete on Friday, April 25th and Vivace will compete on Saturday, April 26th. As soon as the schedule has been set, information will be sent home to parents. The event is a great learning tool and benchmark for us on the amount of work we have achieved. Concert attire for this performance is choir robes. Under the robes students are asked to wear black pants, socks and dress shoes, with their Concert Choir T-shirt. The public is encouraged to attend and there is an admission charge. Vivace members will have their own performance attire. SPRING CONCERT - The final major performance of the year once again will feature the Concert Choir and Show Choir, as well as the soloists and small ensembles who received a Superior rating at District Music Contest. We will also present awards to several of our outstanding students. The concert will take place on Sunday, May 4th at 2:00 pm in the Skutt Catholic Commons. There is always something special at this concert that makes it unique from our other concerts. Concert attire for this performance is choir robes. Under the robes students are asked to wear black pants, socks and dress shoes, with their Concert Choir T-shirt. Vivace members will have their own performance attire. BACCALAUREATE - All members of Concert Choir will participate in the choir at the graduating seniors’ Baccalaureate Mass on Friday, May 16th at 7:00 pm. The music will be learned in class with senior Choir members singing the cantor parts. Concert attire for this performance is choir robes. Under the robes students are asked to wear nice dress clothes. GRADUATION - All members of Concert Choir and Vivace will participate in the choir at Graduation on Saturday, May 17th at 2:30 pm. The music will be learned in class. Concert attire for this performance is choir robes. Under the robes students are asked to wear nice dress clothes. STUDENT LEADERSHIP WITHIN THE DEPARTMENT CONCERT CHOIR PRESIDENT - The Concert Choir President will be elected by their peers. Excellent musicianship, leadership skills, and a willingness to work as a motivator within their section and the choir as a whole are the desired qualifications for choir president. They are a conscientious individual who is responsible for: * Mark attendance at the start of class - gathered from section leaders * Direct in class if the teacher is playing accompaniment or if there is a substitute for the class. * Be familiar with all music to be performed by the choir. * Make phone calls to choir members if necessary * Meet with the director and rehearse music to be presented to choir * Help organize fund raisers CONCERT CHOIR VICE PRESIDENT - The Concert Choir Vice President will be elected by their peers. Excellent musicianship, leadership skills, and a willingness to work as a motivator within their section and the choir as a whole are the desired qualifications for vice president. They are a conscientious individual who is responsible for: * Maintain organization of all choir robes and stoles - before and after each concert. * Be familiar with all music to be performed by the choir. * Make phone calls to choir members if necessary * Meet with the director and rehearse music to be presented to choir * Help organize fund raisers * Assume the duties of the Choir President if they are absent CONCERT CHOIR SECTION LEADERS - Each section of the choir will have section leaders chosen by the director. Excellent musicianship, leadership skills, and a willingness to work as a motivator within the section and the choir as a whole are the desired qualifications for section leaders. Section leaders must take responsibility for the following actions: * Speak quietly to their sections during rehearsals if they have a helpful suggestion. * Maintain a quiet and professional attitude in their section during the rehearsal in the unlikely event that unnecessary talking has begun. * Rehearse the section on days devoted to sectionals. * Lead sectional rehearsals and arrange outside sectionals if needed. * Take attendance in their section daily * Be familiar with the section's required music and prepared to sing for the section as needed * Make phone calls to section if necessary * Help organize fund raisers “Good leadership consists of showing average people how to do the work of superior people” John D. Rockefeller CO-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES WITHIN THE DEPARTMENT PRIVATE VOICE LESSONS - Everyone is encouraged to seek private or group lessons from Mr. Storm or a private instructor in town. These private instructors do cost money, and that amount varies; however, the benefits are tremendous. Those students who are serious about improving and gaining more opportunities in the department should seek this out as a definite option. I will do my best to suggest private teachers to the students interested. CANTORS AND NATIONAL ANTHEM SINGERS - Interested students audition for Mr. Storm Tuesday, August 20th after school, and those selected will be assigned dates and Masses to cover. Cantors will be assigned a duet partner and National Anthem singers may be solos, duets, or any other combination of appropriate voice parts. MUSICAL - A joint project between the vocal music department and theater department. Auditions are held in May of the previous school year. Acting, staging, singing, dancing, costumes, sets, props, and a host of other things highlight the experiences gained from being a part of the SCHS musical. Cast size depends year to year on the show selected and the number of students interested. Rehearsal hours depend on the part for which you are chosen. We are still looking for stage crew and other production crew personnel. Please see Mr. Storm or Mr. Schnitzler for information. ALL-STATE - Interested students checked out music and materials at the end of May and have been working on their own all summer. Students will have several opportunities to work with Mr. Storm individually and in small groups to help improve their chances for selection. All-State sectionals will take place before school on Mondays for women and on Tuesdays for men. All-State Auditions take place via online submission due Saturday, October 12th and those selected for the festival will travel to Lincoln on November 21-23 to participate. HONOR CHOIRS - Interested students audition in September and October via recorded submission for several different honor choirs. Information will be made available to students. Each honor choir requires different music to be learned - some ask for a solo, while others send excerpts for students to audition on. Those selected to participate will be responsible for costs of travel and registration. Students can audition for multiple choirs. RIVER CITY CONFERENCE FESTIVAL - In accordance with the conference, a music festival will be held every year. This year’s honor choir and band festival will be held in Beatrice on Monday, February 3rd. The festival will run during the school day and there will be a performance in the evening at Beatrice High School. We will send 5-6 quartets. HAWKAPPELLA - The SCHS Vocal Music Department is proud to have a developing men’s choir. The group will hopefully perform several times during the year. Some performances may include National Anthem singing at sporting events, the Hawktober Concert, Pops Concert, District Music Contest, and the Spring Concert. The group will decide on its rehearsal schedule, but will hopefully meet once to twice a week outside the school day. A meeting will be held in August to form this group. “Only those who risk going too far can possibly find out how far one can go.” T. S. Eliot DISTRICT MUSIC CONTEST - All students interested in auditioning for All-State should anticipate taking a solo or ensemble entry to contest. The Solo and Ensemble portion of this state-sponsored event is optional to all choir students at SCHS. This contest is run in conjunction with the Large Group contest on Friday and Saturday, April 25th – 26th. This is an opportunity for those who have been taking private voice lessons to perform their literature. Contest is a great way to receive constructive and positive comments on a student’s individual work. Students who participate truly gain a wonderful experience and much more vocal strength. This festival is encouraged of those who are very interested in pursuing better opportunities within the department. If you plan on participating, Mr. Storm must be notified by February 12th so that accompanists can be contacted and registration can take place. SUMMER CAMPS - There are a number of great educational opportunities that take place during the summer. They are hosted at various colleges and universities throughout the Midwest. I would encourage anyone who has the financial means to plan ahead for these camps and workshop opportunities. Anticipated dates for 2013 camps are: June 8-14 UNL Showchoir Camp University of Nebraska - Lincoln, Nebraska June 15-21 Showchoir Camps of America Millikin University - Decatur, Illinois July 7-13 Showchoir Camps of America Heidelberg College - Tiffin, Ohio July 13-19 Butler Showchoir Showcase Butler Community College - El Dorado, Kansas July 25-27 Buena Vista Showchoir Camp Buena Vista University - Storm Lake, Iowa PRIVATE PERFORMANCES – Throughout the year, we are called upon to perform for special banquets, dinners, parties, functions, fundraisers, etc. The choir that performs for these events will depend on the time of the year, the event, and the request made by the patron. These events are not required, but certainly help us maintain a positive image in our community. To best represent ourselves, the maximum number of students possible to represent us will best portray our department. Therefore, when asked and called upon to help out and perform, you are strongly encouraged to volunteer as often as you can. More information will be given when known. Parents interested in having Skutt Catholic choir members sing at an event should call Mr. Storm at (402) 333-0818 ext. 1170 to discuss and reserve the date. Some of this information is not set in stone. Life is full of change and so will we be. This is an accurate attempt to encompass all of the events, activities, and opportunities you will have during the 2013-2014 school year. Please be responsible and notify me as early as possible about any conflicts. If there are problems, there is more flexibility if I know enough in advance. We have some incredible experiences ahead of us. Let us all understand our commitment to the program and to each other. Together we will achieve great things. Chris Storm Chris Storm, Director of Choirs and Piano V.J. & Angela Skutt Catholic High School W-402-333-0818 ext. 1170 H-402-715-5273 - no calls after 8:00 pm please C-712-259-1160 - no calls after 8:00 pm please Email - cjstorm@schools.archomaha.org VARSITY LETTER REQUIREMENTS Students have the opportunity of earn a Skutt Catholic High School varsity letter for their participation in choral music. Students must be in their second full year of choir participation in order to apply for a varsity letter. 1. A SCHS Choir Letter will be awards to any choir student who has earned 200 points during the current school year. Choir students who earn 200 points will have made a significant contribution to the vocal music program, the school, and the community. Points will not carry over from school year to school year. 2. Students must also submit documentation of any community activities outside of choir. Parish or church involvement must include a very brief letter (1-2 sentences) from one of the leaders at your church stating your involvement. 3. Applicants must submit a brief, typewritten, essay about the impact singing and music has had on their life. It should touch on several of the various activities they have participated in, and discuss what they have learned through their experiences. This essay should be more than one-half page, but needs not be longer than one page. Name____________________ YEARS OF CHOIR MEMBERSHIP _____Freshman Year (30 points) _____Sophomore Year (25 points) _____Junior Year (20 points) _____Senior Year (20 points) CONCERTS _____Hawktober Concert (20 points) _____Christmas Concert (20 points) _____Blair Choir Invitational (10 points) _____Pops Concert (20 points) _____Spring Concert (20 points) _____Solo within a choir (10 points) OTHER ENSEMBLES _____Vivace (30 points) _____Hawkappella (25 points) _____Feature Solo/Duet at a Concert (15 points) FESTIVALS _____Honor Choir(s) (10 points each) ____BOCH Honor Choir ____Hastings Honor Choir ____Doane Honor Choir ____Nebraska Wesleyan Honor Choir ____Wayne Honor Choir _____RCC Conference Festival (15 points) Grade_____ School Year - 2013-2014 2014 DISTRICT CONTEST _____DMC Recital (10 points) _____Excellent Small Ensemble (10 points) _____Superior Small Ensemble (15 points) _____Excellent Solo (15 points) _____Superior Solo (20 points) LEADERSHIP _____Section Leader (20 points) _____Choir Officer (15 points) ACTIVITIES OUTSIDE CHOIR _____Private Voice Lessons (20 points) _____Summer Music Camp (20 points) _____Singing the National Anthem (10 points) _____Parish Cantor/Choir Member (10 points) ALL STATE/NATIONAL _____All-State Audition (15 points) _____All-State Choir (30 points) _____Regional ACDA Honor Choir (30 points) MUSIC MINISTRY _____First Semester (25 points) _____Second Semester (25 points) _____Cantor (10 points) _____TOTAL POINTS EARNED All documentation must be submitted to Mr. Storm no later than Thursday, May 1, 2014. Late applications will not be considered for lettering. Due to the late date of District Contest, letters will be recognized at the Spring Concert, but awarded in the weeks following. **This is meant to help the students track their involvement through the school year. The final application sheet will be made available to students in early April so that there is ample time for them to complete all requirements.** 2013-2014 Vocal Music Calendar AUGUST 16 20 22 *25 28 Friday Tuesday Thursday Sunday Wednesday Vivace Auditions - Round #2 - 3:30 pm Cantor and National Anthem Auditions - 3:15 pm Hawkappella Meeting - 3:10 pm Vivace Fall Show Choreography - 1:00 - 6:00 pm Mass of the Holy Spirit - 1:45 pm All Interested All Interested All Interested Vivace Music Ministry Volunteers Friday Saturday Monday & Thursday Thursday Thursday Friday Friday Saturday Sunday Wednesday Friday Sunday All-State Registrations Due Choir Department Retreat All-State Weekly Sectionals Begin 7:30-7:45 Freshman Class Mass SCCT Invited Dress All-State Help Session - Skutt Catholic 3:15 pm - 5:00 pm Vivace Fee Due - $100 All-State Help Session - UNO 8:00 am - 12:00 am Vivace Choreography with Ben Eklund - 1:00 pm - 8:00 pm Junior Class Mass All-State Help Session - Skutt Catholic 12:00 - 3:00 pm SCCT Les Miserables Strike and Load Out All-State Students All Choir Students All-State Students TBA Musical Cast & Crew All-State Students Vivace All-State Students Vivace TBA All-State Students Musical Cast & Crew Tuesday Tuesday Wednesday Friday Friday Saturday Sunday Monday Thursday Thursday, Saturday & Sunday Thursday National ACDA Honor Choir Submission Deadline Feast of the Guardian Angel Mass - 9:40 am Mr. SkyHawk - 7:00 pm Choir Department Pregame BBQ Fundraiser All-State Audition Cuts Released at 12:00 pm All-State Auditions DUE Electronically by 11:59 pm Hawktober Concert - 2:00 pm Sophomore Class Mass Grandparent’s Day Mass - 9:15 am Les Miserables Musical Production Les Miserables Musical Production All Interested Music Ministry Volunteers Vivace & Musical Cast All Choir Families All-State Students All-State Students All Choirs TBA Music Ministry Volunteers Musical Cast Members Musical Cast Members Friday Saturday & Sunday Wednesday Sunday Tuesday Tuesday Friday & Saturday Saturday & Sunday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday Sunday Tuesday All Saints Day Mass - 9:40 am Les Miserables Musical Production Senior Class Mass SCHS Open House - Helpers Needed Vivace Booster Lunch - Helpers Needed Vivace Evening Rehearsal - 6:00 -8:30 pm Younker’s Community Day Fundraiser Vivace Choreography with Ben Eklund - 1:00 pm - 7:00 pm All-State Festival in Lincoln All-State Festival in Lincoln All-State Festival in Lincoln Vivace Choreography Workshop with Ben Eklund - 1:00 pm - 6:00 pm Vivace and Big Red Singers Concert - 7:30 pm Thanksgiving Mass - 9:40 am Music Ministry Volunteers Musical Cast Members TBA All Choirs Vivace & Vivace Families Vivace All Choirs Vivace Selected Students Selected Students Selected Students Vivace Vivace Music Ministry Volunteers Thursday Thursday Thursday Sunday Vivace Evening Rehearsal 6:00 - 8:30 pm Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe Mass - 9:40 am Vivace Evening Rehearsal 6:00 - 8:30 pm Christmas Concert - 2:00 pm Vivace Music Ministry Volunteers Vivace All Choirs Sunday Sunday Tuesday Wednesday Monday Wednesday Thursday Saturday Wednesday Friday - Sunday Sunday Tuesday Wednesday Vivace Clinic 1:00 - 5:00 pm Rome Tour Parent/Student Meeting 6:00 pm All School Mass - 9:40 am Vivace Evening Rehearsal 6:00 - 9:00 pm Vivace Grade School Tour - All Day Sophomore Class Mass Concert Choir Booster Lunch Waukee Starstruck Competition - Field Trip - Waukee, IA Junior Class Mass BOCH Honor Choir - UNO Vivace Workshop - 1:00 pm - 5:00 pm Vivace and IWCC Show Choir Concert - 7:30 pm Catholic Schools Week Mass - 9:40 am Vivace All Rome Travelers Music Ministry Volunteers Vivace Vivace TBA Concert Choir and Choir Families Vivace TBA Those Selected Vivace Vivace Music Ministry Volunteers *1 3 6-8 7 12 *12 *14 *15 *16 *21 *22 Saturday Monday Thursday - Saturday Friday Wednesday Wednesday Friday Saturday Sunday Friday Saturday Competition of Excellence - Westside HS, Omaha, NE RCC Choir Festival - Beatrice High School Hastings College Honor Choir Wayne State Honor Choir District Music Contest Entries Due to Mr. Storm Vivace Evening Rehearsal 6:00 - 9:00 pm NCDA Show Choir Festival - Elkhorn South High School Crystal Cup Competition - Elkhorn South HS, Elkhorn, NE Music Department Pancakes and Pops Concert - 2:00 pm Vivace Afternoon Rehearsal 1:00 - 3:00 pm Fields of Talent Competition - Norris HS, Firth, NE Vivace Selected Students Selected Students Selected Students Interested Students Vivace Vivace Vivace All Choirs and Bands Vivace Vivace *1 4 *7 *8 *23 25 26-29 Saturday Tuesday Friday Saturday Sunday Tuesday Wednesday - Saturday Rhythm in Red Competition - Vermillion HS, Vermillion, SD Freshman Class Mass Blair Concert Choir Invitational Sing All About It Competition - East HS, Sioux City, IA Spring Show Choreography - 1:00 pm - 6:00 pm Sophomore Class Mass North Central ACDA Honor Choirs - Des Moines, IA Vivace TBA Concert Choir Vivace Vivace TBA Those Selected SEPTEMBER 6 *7 9-12 12 12 13 20 21 *22 25 27 29 OCTOBER 1 1 *2 4 11 12 *13 14 17 24, 26-27 31 NOVEMBER 1 2&3 6 10 12 *12 15-16 *16-17 21 22 23 *24 *24 26 DECEMBER *5 12 *12 *15 JANUARY *5 5 7 *8 *13 15 16 18 22 24-26 *26 *28 29 FEBRUARY MARCH APRIL 8 15 16 *25 *26 Tuesday Tuesday Wednesday Friday Saturday Senior Class Mass District Music Recital - SCHS Chapel - 6:30 pm Holy Week Mass - 9:40 am District Music Contest - Elkhorn District Music Contest - Elkhorn TBA All DMC Soloists/Small Ensembles Music Ministry Volunteers Concert Choir & Soloists Vivace & Soloists 1 2 *4 *16 *17 12/15 12/14 Thursday Friday Sunday Friday Saturday Monday/Thursday Wednesday Varsity Letter Applications Due Light of Leadership Mass - 9:40 am Spring Concert - 2:00 pm Baccalaureate - 7:00 pm Graduation - 2:30 pm at the Holland Center 2014-2015 Musical Auditions Vivace 2014-2015 Auditions Concert Choir Music Ministry Volunteers All Choirs Concert Choir & Vivace Concert Choir & Vivace All Interested All Interested MAY * Graded and/or Mandatory attendance - Problems, please call or see Mr. Storm (712-259-1160 H / 402-333-0818 W) as soon as possible. In the event of missing a mandatory date, a call or message must be received within 48 hours of the event in order for the student to be given make-up work. VOICE TEACHERS/VOICE STUDIOS - This list of teachers are possibilities for those seeking a voice studio. I do not assume that they have openings, but you should be able to find a studio or teacher near where you live. Each has their own charges and they do vary by experience and what you are hoping to get out of your lessons. If you don’t feel you mesh with a particular teacher, look for another one. SNJ Studios Sharon North Jones Joel Johnston Doran Schmidt Plus several more… Dr. Laureen Pickle Kimberly Lomax Anne Tipton Carolyne Jordan Omaha School of Music Michael Dryver Kendra Johnson Joe Manley 140th and Q Street 402-933-1326 2531 N. 61st Street www.kimberlyweiser.com Located in Millard 828 N 41st Ave 7811 Military Road 402-391-2414 605-670-1331 402-312-0899 402-680-0850 402-455-1160 Northwest Omaha 402-557-3446 Accepts very few students - they must be VERY self-motivated Mary Sayre Shelby VanNorstrand Hilltop Studio of Papillion Loree MacNeill The Versatile Voice - Voice Studio Robin Schneider Annette Wallace South 94th Ave. www.vnvoicestudio.com 402-393-5862 402-575-5524 402-708-7899 cwallace4@cox.net 402-896-1228 Please Return This Page by Friday, September 6, 2013 I have read and understand the rules and procedures for the Skutt Catholic High School Choir Department. I know that my son/daughter and I are responsible for the dates and times of all rehearsals, performances, and contests that pertain to my student and his/her ensemble. If a student is in violation of any SCHS Good Conduct policies or policies of the Choir Department, parents will be notified of violations and consequences in a timely manner. Please include $10 for Concert Choir T-Shirt worn for performances. Students in Concert Choir during the 2012-2013 school year do not need to order a shirt, unless they need a different size. Name of student (please print) __________________________ Signature of student________________________________ Name of parent/guardian(please print)____________________ Signature of parent/guardian_________________________ Date____________________________________________ Fundraising - Each choir student (Vivace and Concert Choir) is asked to fundraise $50 for the department through the year. This takes place through various sales to friends and family members. If you would prefer not to participate in these sales, you may send a tax-deductable check to the choir for that amount. Please contact me if you have questions. ______ - We would prefer not to participate in group fundraising efforts for the department. We will send a tax deductable donation of $50 to the choir department by December 1, 2013. Choir Department Retreat Saturday, September 7 9:00 am - 4:00 pm th SC Music Room/Commons All Concert Choir and Vivace Members Should Attend Please bring a sack lunch and water bottle.
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