December Concert Line-Up

Gregory Chorus

2012 December Concert Line-Up

(all Triptych concerts are in the Gregory East Gym)

Saturday, December 1, 2012

Performance at the Builta Elementary School “Gingerbread” Event – 10:00-10:45am

Men’s Ensemble and Mixed Vocal Ensemble

Report time is 9:30am at Builta Elementary School, 1835 Apple Valley Rd, Bolingbrook

Thursday, December 6, 2012

Honors Triptych Concert – 7:30pm

Concert Choir (Men’s and Mixed Vocal Ensembles will NOT perform on this concert)

Report time is 6:45pm in the West Gym

Monday, December 10, 2012

6th Grade Triptych Concerts – 12:30pm and 2:00pm

6th Grade Chorus and Men’s Ensemble

Students will report to the East Gym after 6th grade lunch (11:55am)

The 12:30pm performance is for families with last names A-L;

the 2:00pm performance is for families with last names M-Z.

7th Grade Triptych Concert – 6:30pm

7th Grade Chorus

Report time is 5:45pm in the West Gym

8th Grade Triptych Concert – 8:15pm

8th Grade Chorus and Mixed Vocal Ensemble

Report time is 7:30pm in the West Gym

Attire for all performances is “festive dress clothes” – NO JEANS, T-SHIRTS OR GYM SHOES OR REGULAR UNIFORM.  Boys should wear ties.  Bright, seasonal colors are encouraged!

Print and return the slip at the bottom of this sheet by Tuesday, November 27 (worth 10 points)

November and December Calendars

The following are rehearsal calendars for combo students and extracurricular ensembles for the months of November and December...

Combo Schedule, November-December 2012

Extracurricular Ensemble Schedule, November-December 2012

Solo & Ensemble Festival Information

All 6th, 7th, & 8th grade chorus students have the opportunity to participate in this year’s Solo and Ensemble Festival to be held February 23, 2013 at Crone Middle School. Learning a solo or an ensemble and performing for a judge is an important step on the road to musical independence. Many students have already expressed an interest in participating, and it is time now to sign up and make the commitment to this outstanding learning opportunity. This is not a required activity, but ALL students are encouraged to consider participating; students in Concert Choir are especially encouraged to take part.

What is solo and ensemble festival?
Once the student indicates interest, we will help him/her choose a piece. Each student works on his/her piece during the next few months with Mr. Pfenninger or, if they have one, a private vocal instructor. On February 23, the student(s) will perform the solo or ensemble for an adjudicator who will give him/her a rating (which could earn the student a medal) and provide a written evaluation of the performance. When the student is well- prepared, this is always a positive learning experience. This is not a competitive situation, but an opportunity for musical growth for students at any ability level. Parents and friends are invited to attend the performance.

How does each student prepare?
The student does the majority of the work. Starting in January, Mr. Pfenninger will be available after school to work with students on their music. Each student will sign up for one 10 to 15-minute help session per week that best fits his/her schedule. Sign up sheets will be posted beginning in December. Unless a student is studying with a private voice instructor, attendance at these once-a-week sessions is mandatory.

Is there any cost involved in participation?
All students performing a solo/ensemble must be accompanied by a pianist. There will be a $25.00 fee for this service. The fee covers practices with the pianist as well as the performance on the day of the contest. The fee is paid directly to the accompanist – please do not send a check to school until the rehearsals with the accompanist begin. Any student wishing to find his/her own accompanist is welcome to do so, but please be careful to choose a person who has experience playing accompaniments for students; we do NOT recommend having students accompany other students.

You are also responsible for paying an entry fee. The entry fee pays for the judges, the cost of transporting and renting pianos, and other details that cost money when putting on a large event such as the Solo & Ensemble Festival. The cost is $8.50 per solo and $4.50 per each ensemble member. This fee must be paid when you turn in this form to us. Please make checks payable: Gregory MS Music. We will pay the IGSMA fee in one large check.

Students must have an original copy (not Xeroxed) of the piece of music they choose to perform. This is the "judge’s copy" and is required for each solo or ensemble. Students may borrow this ‘original’ from Mr. Pfenninger, or purchase their own copy.

Will it take the whole day?
All solos and ensembles will be scheduled between 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. on February 23. Some special scheduling needs can be met if we know early enough, for example, “morning only because we have a wedding that afternoon.” Please do not request afternoon because you like to sleep in. The closer we get to the actual contest date the more difficult it becomes to make changes in the scheduling. The students will be at the performance site about 1 1/2 hours total for the solo and/or ensemble experience: warm-up, performance, and waiting for the ratings.

What do you need to do as a student?

1. Meet with your private teacher or Mr. Pfenninger to choose a solo and/or ensemble. Music selection sessions will begin after Thanksgiving break.
2. Work on your music (don't wait until February!) and do your best.
3. Make sure you get plenty of help from Mr. Pfenninger or your private teacher.
4. Always come to the help sessions you sign up for, starting in January. These sessions are NOT optional.
5. Make sure that the measures are numbered on your original copy. 

What do you need to do as a parent?

1. Encourage your student to participate and work hard.
2. Provide transportation to the contest site and any practices the student may need.
3. Be responsible for the accompanist fee and participation fee. 

If you would like to participate, please return the last page of this form and payment in an envelope with your child’s name on it by Tuesday, November 27, 2012.