Attention all 7th and 8th Grade Chorus Parents & Students,
I wanted to further emphasize a great event that is coming up for any interested students. On Saturday, November 3, Neuqua Valley HS will be hosting the IMEA (Illinois Music Educators Association) District IX Junior Festival. The festival will consist of some of the top band, orchestra, and chorus students from the western suburbs. The students rehearse with a highly qualified guest conductor throughout the day, and then perform in a concert at the end of the day. This year's choral conductor is Emily Ellsworth, the artistic director of Anima (formerly the Glen Ellyn Children's Chorus) and one of the nation's leading choral educators. Students who take part learn a lot from the experience, getting to perform alongside over 250 other singers, making new friends, and experiencing music in a very powerful way.
For students who are interested, there is an audition process in order to be selected for the festival chorus. Auditions will take place on Saturday, September 29 at Yorkville Middle School in Yorkville. Help sessions will take place at Gregory prior to the audition so that students are prepared for the audition material. Students who will be auditioning should plan on attending the help sessions, which will be:
Monday, September 10, 3:10-4:00pm
Monday, September 17, 3:10-4:00pm
Monday, September 24, 3:10-4:00pm
(Thursday, September 27, 3:10-4:00pm, for students who would like additional assistance)
If students successfully pass the audition process, rehearsals to prepare the concert repertoire will take place on:
Monday, October 1, 3:10-4:00pm
Thursday, October 11, 3:10-4:00pm
Monday, October 15, 3:10-4:00pm
Monday, October 22, 3:10-4:00pm
Monday, October 29, 3:10-4:00pm
(Thursday, November 1, 3:10-4:00pm - if needed)
I strongly encourage 7th and 8th graders to consider auditioning for the festival, as it truly is a highlight of the year for those students who are selected. If interested, a signed permission slip is due back to Gregory no later than Monday, September 10. For a permission slip and audition packet of materials, click below:
IMEA Audition Information, Permission Slip and Music
Thanks!!
