Announcing the 2017 Gregory Musical...

Auditions – March 13 & 14
Callbacks – March 16
Rehearsals – March 20-May 3
Show dates – May 4 & 5

More information will be distributed at a later date!

Triptych Concert Information - December 6 & 20

Dear Gregory Chorus families,

‘Tis the season for our winter Triptych Concerts – we are excited to perform for you and hopefully fill you with holiday spirit!

Here is a reminder of our performance schedule:

Concert Choir
Tuesday, December 6 – Honors Triptych Concert, 7:00pm, East Gym.
Student report time is 6:15pm in the Chorus Room.

6^th Grade Chorus
Tuesday, December 20 – 6^th Grade Triptych Concerts, 12:45pm and 2:00pm, East Gym.
Parents with last names A-G are encouraged to attend the 12:45pm performance; parents with last names H-Z are encouraged to attend the 2:00pm performance. Parents, if your assigned time does not work for you, no worries…simply come to the other concert time!
We are also still in need of some extra flashlights to use for our performance; if you have another to share, please bring it in with your child as soon as possible so we can begin rehearsing with them. They will be returned after the concerts. 

7^th Grade Chorus & Men’s Ensemble
Tuesday, December 20 – 7^th Grade Triptych Concert, 6:30pm, East Gym.
Student report time is 5:45pm in the West Gym.

8^th Grade Chorus & Mixed Vocal Ensemble
Tuesday, December 20 – 8^th Grade Triptych Concert, 8:00pm, East Gym.
Student report time is 7:15pm in the West Gym.

Attire for all Triptych concerts is nice, dress clothing (please no jeans, t-shirts, sweatshirts, leggings, gym shoes, etc.)…colorful, holiday coloring is encouraged!

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We are also in need of poinsettia plants to be donated to Gregory for our Triptych concerts!  If you are able to donate a plant on Friday, December 16 or Monday, December 19 please sign up using the steps below.

1) Click this link to see our SignUp on SignUp.com: http://signup.com/go/QRDdK2
2) Review the options listed and choose the spot(s) you like.
3) Sign up! It's Easy - you will NOT need to register an account or keep a password on SignUp.com.

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Finally, for any family or friends who are unable to physically attend any of our Triptych concerts, we will be offering a live internet video stream of each! Feel free to share the following links… 

Honors Triptych 12/6 7:00pm:
http://thecube.com/e/690605
Stream code: 6aws3eu

6th Grade Triptych 12/20 12:45pm:
http://thecube.com/e/690609
Stream code: p2arzvs

6th Grade Triptych 12/20 2:00pm:
http://thecube.com/e/690610
Stream code: rasr4x5

7th Grade Triptych 12/20 6:30pm:
http://thecube.com/e/690613
Stream code: xnammtr

8th Grade Triptych 12/20 8:00pm:
http://thecube.com/e/690614
Stream code: s9hfe7f

Neuqua Valley Open Rehearsal Night - November 1

Attention 8th Grade Chorus Students & Parents...

A cool event is happening at the Neuqua Freshman building next Tuesday night, November 1, from 5:50-7:50...an open rehearsal of the Neuqua WildScats and World Voices. This is a tremendous opportunity for current 8th graders to observe and participate in a rehearsal of two Neuqua vocal groups, both of which are options for students entering their 9th grade year next year. Free pizza and beverages will be served between the two groups' rehearsals for any 8th grade student who chooses to attend! :)
If you would like to participate in this HIGHLY RECOMMENDED event, please click on the following link and enter your name by Friday morning, October 28:

Neuqua Open Rehearsal Sign-Up Form

This is a night not to be missed...hope you can make it!

ILMEA District IX Junior Chorus

To all students who auditioned for the ILMEA festival chorus...you worked hard to prepare and we are proud of your completion of the audition process. It was a competitive audition, so be proud of yourself for going for it!

Congratulations to these Gregory singers (click here) for being selected to the 2016 ILMEA District IX Junior Festival. 

For those students selected, we will be meeting for the first time tomorrow, Monday, October 3, from 3:10-4:00 in the chorus room. If you are unable to attend, please let me know.

Thanks, and again congratulations to our selected students!

Fall Choral Concerts - October 6

Our Fall Choral Concerts are just around the corner! Here is all the pertinent information:

Thursday, October 6, 2016 in the Gregory East Gym

6:30pm concert:

6th Grade Chorus

Men's Ensemble

Mixed Vocal Ensemble

Concert Choir

***6th Grade Chorus report to the West Gym at 5:30pm; Men's/Mixed/Concert Choir students not in 6th Grade Chorus report to the chorus room at 5:45pm.

8:00pm concert:

7th Grade Chorus

8th Grade Chorus

Men's Ensemble

Mixed Vocal Ensemble

Concert Choir

***7th Grade Chorus and 8th Grade Chorus report to the West Gym at 7:15pm; Men’s/Mixed/Concert Choir students not in 7th or 8th Grade Chorus should report to the chorus room between concerts.

Attire is the gray "Gregory Music" polo shirt, black dress pants (no jeans, leggings, capris, shorts, or skirts), black dress shoes (no gym shoes), and black socks.

Students are required to stay for the duration of their assigned concert (6:30pm concert will be approximately 35 minutes; 8:00pm concert will be approximately 45 minutes). Students in Men's Ensemble, Mixed Vocal Ensemble, and Concert Choir are required to perform at both concerts.

8th Grade Musicians of Distinction (MODs)…if you are able to help with setup, we will be beginning at 4:30pm in the East Gym.

Parents…we are also in need of some pre-concert supervision in the chorus room prior to both concerts. If you are interested in being an extra set of eyes, please email Mr. Pfenninger and let him know for which supervision (5:45pm or 7:15pm) you would be able to assist. Thank you!

Looking forward to seeing you at our first concert of the year!

Concert Choir 2016-17

Thank you to everyone who auditioned...your preparation and talent were fantastic and very much appreciated!

Congratulations to the following members of this year's Gregory Middle School Concert Choir: 

Gregory Middle School Concert Choir 2016-17

The first Concert Choir rehearsal will be Thursday, September 8, from 6:55-7:45am. Please enter through door #4, be on time, and bring an empty folder (separate from your chorus folder), pencil and your Assignment Notebook!!

Important Beginning of the Year Chorus Reminders

Dear Gregory Chorus Students and Parents,

It has been a terrific start to the school year in Gregory Chorus. Welcome to our new families, and welcome back to our returning ones! Just a few reminders about important chorus information and upcoming dates...

· Parents – if you have not already done so, please take a minute or two to fill out the following online form by this Friday, September 2 (you will need to know your child’s chorus class period to complete this):

Chorus Student/Parent Information Form

(click the highlighted link above)

· Please bookmark the chorus website in your browser, and check it regularly:

http://www.GregoryChorus.org

It will be the main portal for posting all important information regarding the Gregory Chorus program throughout the year. Also, since it is in 'blog' format, submitting comments or questions on the site is allowed and encouraged!

· Gregory Chorus will also be using the Remind messaging service to send out reminders and other important announcements as they approach. It is recommended that all parents subscribe to this service on their cellphones, especially parents of students in our extracurricular ensembles. The service is free and private – no phone numbers are exchanged when receiving messages.  To use the service utilizing your cell number or email address, subscribe here. If you would instead like to use the Remind app on your smartphone, instead of having text message/email alerts, click here to download it.

· If it has not already been turned in, the Chorus Calendar Acknowledgment Form is due by FRIDAY, September 2. If you need a copy to print and sign, click here. Many thanks for putting our performance dates on your family calendar and for recognizing the importance of our concerts.  As an added convenience, if you would like to automatically subscribe to the Gregory Chorus calendar on your smartphone, tablet, or computer, click here (iCalendar format).

· Additionally, if it has not already been turned in, the Chorus Uniform Contract/Polo Order Form is also due by FRIDAY, September 2. Families new to the Gregory music program, or students who are looking to purchase a new shirt, will need to enclose their payment of $12 with this form as well.  Forms have been distributed to students in all chorus/band/orchestra classes (combo students can order their shirt through band/orchestra class, and do not need to order a separate chorus shirt).  Even if you already own a Gregory music polo shirt, the form still needs to be turned in. Extra forms are available for students here.

· Every chorus student will need to provide the following materials for chorus class:

- Assignment notebook – to be brought daily

- A two-pocket folder (separate from other subject folders); inside this folder, include some lined paper and at least one pencil. These materials will reside in a folder cabinet in the chorus room.

- The folder/paper/pencil will be checked in class on FRIDAY, September 2, and will be worth 10 points. One point will be deducted for each day the folder/paper/pencil are late, so please be sure to have your materials ready by Friday.

· Concert Choir, Gregory’s honors-level auditioned treble-voice choir, will be holding auditions this Thursday, September 1 and Friday, September 2, after school. All treble-voiced students (girls and unchanged boys) are encouraged to try out! Sign-ups for a 4-minute audition timeslot are posted in the chorus room, but will fill up quickly, so interested students are encouraged to find a time as soon as possible. Students will also need to bring in a signed permission slip/participation contract (click here if you need a copy) prior to their audition – students will NOT be allowed to audition without the form signed by a parent/guardian. The first rehearsal will be on Thursday, September 8, from 6:55-7:45am. For more information about Concert Choir, see the information posted below.

· Men’s Ensemble, Gregory’s premier all-male vocal group, will begin rehearsals on Tuesday, September 13, from 6:55-7:30am. No audition is required, and all boys at Gregory (including those not in chorus) are encouraged to check it out! Interested students should sign up in the Chorus Room and return a permission slip/participation contract. For more information about Men’s Ensemble, see the information posted below.

· Mixed Vocal Ensemble, Gregory's pop ensemble, will begin rehearsals on Wednesday, September 14, from 3:10-4:00pm. For more information about Mixed Vocal Ensemble, see the information posted below.

· 7th and 8th grade chorus students interested in auditioning for the ILMEA Music Festival should turn in their form by Friday, September 9. Click here for the audition packet & parent signature form. For more information about the festival, consult the information posted below. Each school is limited to nominating only 10 students from each voice part (soprano, alto, and baritone) for the audition process, so interested students should turn their permission slips in as soon as possible prior to September 9 to guarantee their audition place. This is a HIGHLY recommended event for our 7th and 8th grade students...please consider auditioning and taking part in this terrific festival!

Extra- and co-curricular vocal opportunities at Gregory:

Concert Choir is Gregory’s auditioned honors chorus, and is open to any chorus student at Gregory with a treble voice (i.e. girls or unchanged boys). Repertoire consists of advanced middle school and high school level music from a wide variety of genres and cultures. The group rehearses on Mondays and Thursdays before the school day, and performs at various additional events throughout the school year (see the Gregory Chorus calendar for the additional Concert Choir performance dates).

Men’s Ensemble is a non-auditioned group open to male singers (changed and unchanged voices) at Gregory. The ensemble’s one weekly rehearsal alternates on a week-to-week basis between Tuesday mornings before school and Wednesdays after school. Rehearsals focus on the special needs of the changing male voice, and students have fun performing a challenging but entertaining repertoire of music from a wide variety of genres.

Mixed Vocal Ensemble is Gregory's co-ed extracurricular ensemble. The goal of the group is to provide an outlet to students in Concert Choir or Men’s Ensemble who want an additional, more pop-oriented co-ed performance opportunity. Repertoire will consist of contemporary and classic pop tunes, Broadway medleys, show choir selections, jazz standards, and holiday carols, amongst others. The ensemble will rehearse once a week on an alternating schedule with Men’s Ensemble – Wednesdays after school, then Tuesdays before school. Interested students must be members of either Concert Choir or Men’s Ensemble in order to participate.

The ILMEA (Illinois Music Educators Association) Music Festival is an additional opportunity for seventh and eighth grade students. The festival is a single daylong activity on Saturday, November 5 where students work with a special guest clinician in a large choir of over 200 of the best singers from the western Chicago suburbs. At the end of the day, a concert is performed for parents, friends, and teachers. Auditions will be held at Yorkville Middle School in Yorkville on Saturday, October 1. Rehearsals for ILMEA will begin in early October, one day per week after school. This is a HIGHLY recommended event for our 7th and 8th grade students...please consider auditioning and taking part in this terrific festival!

2016-17 Chorus Student/Parent Information Form

Dear Chorus Parents...welcome to Gregory Chorus! An informational packet was distributed to students in class today that includes important details about performance dates and uniform requirements. Please thoroughly read the information contained within the packet and return the bottom portions of the last two pages by Friday, September 2. In addition, please take a minute or two to fill in and submit the following online form by Friday, September 2 as well (you will need to know your child’s chorus class period to complete this). Your responses will be privately recorded. Thank you!
 

Welcome to Gregory Chorus 2016-17

Welcome to Gregory Chorus 2016-17!  Please check back here on Wednesday, August 24 for important startup and calendar information.

8th Graders - Neuqua WildScats Audition Information

Attention 8th Grade Chorus students...auditions for next year's Neuqua jazz vocal ensembles, WildScats, will be taking place on Wednesday, May 18, from 3:30-6:30pm. Interested students need to be enrolled in a curricular chorus, band, or orchestra class at Neuqua in order to participate. Please visit the following link for more detailed information and audition materials:

http://www.neuquamusic.org/choir/wildscats-blue-a-gold

Break a leg!!

Fine Arts Festival - Saturday, May 21

The school year will be wrapping up in a big way with the 2016 District 204 Fine Arts Festival, which will take place on Saturday, May 21 at the Neuqua Valley High School main campus. As communicated at the beginning of the school year, this is a required curricular performance for the members of our grade-level choirs at Gregory. The following choral groups are scheduled to perform:

     6th Grade Chorus (performing with Crone 6th Grade Chorus & Neuqua Treble Chorus) – 11:20-11:40am; students are to report to the Neuqua orchestra room no later than 10:15am for warm-up and rehearsal. 

     7th Grade Chorus (performing with Crone 7th Grade Chorus & Neuqua Varsity Singers) – 10:20-10:40am; students are to report to the Neuqua orchestra room no later than 9:15am for warm-up and rehearsal. 

     8th Grade Chorus (performing with Crone 8th Grade Chorus & Neuqua World Voices) – 9:20-9:40am; students are to report to the Neuqua orchestra room no later than 8:15am for warm-up and rehearsal. 

Gregory's extra-curricular vocal groups (Men’s Ensemble, Mixed Vocal Ensemble, and Concert Choir) will not be performing at the festival. Attire for the day is nice dress clothing (no jeans, gym shoes, etc.).

All choral performances will take place in the Auditorium at the Neuqua Valley HS main campus, and are open to the public…all are invited to attend!

The Little Mermaid Cast List

Thank you to everyone who auditioned. It was a great turnout and we appreciate your efforts and talents!

Congratulations to the following members of the 2016 Gregory Middle School Spring Musical:

The Little Mermaid Jr. Cast List

Rehearsals begin Monday, March 21 at 3:10 in the Chorus Room. Please bring an assignment notebook, pencil, and highlighter.

Great Concerts!

Congratulations to all Gregory singers on an amazing set of chorus concerts last night! Your performances were on point and had the audiences leaving with a smile on their faces. Thank you for all your hard work…and way to go!!

Winter Choral Concert Info

The Winter Choral Concerts will take place on Thursday, February 25, in the Gregory East Gym. The following is the schedule for the evening:

• 6:30pm concert – 6th Grade Chorus, Men’s Ensemble, Mixed Ensemble, Concert Choir; all groups need to report to the West Gym by 5:30pm.
• 8:00pm concert – 7th Grade Chorus, 8th Grade Chorus, Men’s Ensemble, Mixed Ensemble, Concert Choir; all groups need to report to the West Gym by 7:15pm (students performing in the first concert will report at the conclusion of the performance). Students who are NOT in 7th or 8th Grade Chorus but are performing in this second concert will report to the Chorus Room; please bring something to work on.
• Attire for performers is the gray Gregory Music polo shirt, black dress pants (no capris, leggings, skirts, jeans, etc.), black socks, and black dress shoes.  Points will be deducted for students not wearing the correct concert attire, so please be sure to be dressed appropriately.

See you on the 25th!