Auditions – March 12 & 13
Callbacks – March 15
Rehearsals – March 19-May 2
Show dates – May 3 & 4
Callbacks – March 15
Rehearsals – March 19-May 2
Show dates – May 3 & 4
More information will be distributed at a later date!
Friday, December 22, 2017
Thursday, December 7, 2017
Triptych Concerts 2017
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…starting tonight with our Honors Triptych Concert!
Here is a reminder of our performance schedule:
Concert Choir
Thursday, December 7 – Honors Triptych Concert, 7:00pm, East Gym.
Concert Choir student report time is 6:15pm in the Chorus Room.
6th Grade Chorus
Monday, December 18 – 6th 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!
7th Grade Chorus & Men’s Ensemble
Monday, December 18 – 7th Grade Triptych Concert, 6:30pm, East Gym.
7th Grade & Men’s student report time is 5:45pm in the West Gym.
8th Grade Chorus & Mixed Vocal Ensemble
Monday, December 18 – 8th Grade Triptych Concert, 8:00pm, East Gym.
8th Grade & Mixed 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!
***************
We are in need of poinsettia plants to be donated to Gregory for our grade-level Triptych concerts on December 18! If you are able to donate a plant on Thursday, December 14 or Friday, December 15 please sign up here.
***************
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 12/7 7:00pm:
6th Grade Triptych 12/18 12:45pm:
6th Grade Triptych 12/18 2:00pm:
7th Grade Triptych 12/18 6:30pm:
8th Grade Triptych 12/18 8:00pm:
Looking forward to seeing you all at our Triptych Concerts!
Monday, November 13, 2017
Solo & Ensemble Festival 2018
Dear Chorus Families,
ALL 7th & 8th grade chorus students, and 6th grade chorus students in Concert Choir, have the opportunity to participate in this year’s Solo and Ensemble Festival to be held Saturday, February 17, 2018 at Granger 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 of the aforementioned 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 17, the student(s) will perform the solo or ensemble for an adjudicator who will give him/her a rating 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? How is music chosen?
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 soloist or ensemble will sign up for one 10 to 15- minute help session per week that best fits their schedule. Sign up sheets will be posted for the help sessions beginning in December; in addition, students will need to sign up for one session after Thanksgiving break to participate in the music selection process with Mr. Pfenninger. Unless a student is studying with a private voice instructor and has already chosen a piece with him/her, attendance at these once-a-week sessions is mandatory.
Are there any costs involved in participation?All vocal entries must be accompanied by a pianist. We are happy to contract qualified accompanists for our students. There will be a $30.00 fee for this service. The fee covers two rehearsals with the accompanist 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 for the accompanist fee until called for in early February. 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 accompanying 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 $9 per vocal solo ($13 for piano soloists) and $5 per ensemble member. This fee must be paid at the time the student signs up. Please make checks payable to Gregory Middle School and make sure your student’s name and phone number appears on the check. We will pay the IGSMA fee in one large check.
Students must have an original copy (not photocopied) 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. If you choose to purchase your own original, please check with Mr. Pfenninger prior to purchasing to make sure it is the correct version/voicing.
ALL 7th & 8th grade chorus students, and 6th grade chorus students in Concert Choir, have the opportunity to participate in this year’s Solo and Ensemble Festival to be held Saturday, February 17, 2018 at Granger 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 of the aforementioned 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 17, the student(s) will perform the solo or ensemble for an adjudicator who will give him/her a rating 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? How is music chosen?
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 soloist or ensemble will sign up for one 10 to 15- minute help session per week that best fits their schedule. Sign up sheets will be posted for the help sessions beginning in December; in addition, students will need to sign up for one session after Thanksgiving break to participate in the music selection process with Mr. Pfenninger. Unless a student is studying with a private voice instructor and has already chosen a piece with him/her, attendance at these once-a-week sessions is mandatory.
Are there any costs involved in participation?All vocal entries must be accompanied by a pianist. We are happy to contract qualified accompanists for our students. There will be a $30.00 fee for this service. The fee covers two rehearsals with the accompanist 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 for the accompanist fee until called for in early February. 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 accompanying 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 $9 per vocal solo ($13 for piano soloists) and $5 per ensemble member. This fee must be paid at the time the student signs up. Please make checks payable to Gregory Middle School and make sure your student’s name and phone number appears on the check. We will pay the IGSMA fee in one large check.
Students must have an original copy (not photocopied) 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. If you choose to purchase your own original, please check with Mr. Pfenninger prior to purchasing to make sure it is the correct version/voicing.
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 17. 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, so please check your calendar today and report any known conflicts when submitting your form. 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 and memorize 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 of the music.
What do you need to do as a parent?
1. Encourage your student to participate and work hard.
2. Provide prompt transportation to and from the contest site and any practices the student may need. 3. Be responsible for the accompanist fee and participation fee.
If you are interested, please complete and turn in this sheet along with a check totaling the entry fees indicated by Friday, November 17, 2017.
All solos and ensembles will be scheduled between 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. on February 17. 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, so please check your calendar today and report any known conflicts when submitting your form. 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 and memorize 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 of the music.
What do you need to do as a parent?
1. Encourage your student to participate and work hard.
2. Provide prompt transportation to and from the contest site and any practices the student may need. 3. Be responsible for the accompanist fee and participation fee.
If you are interested, please complete and turn in this sheet along with a check totaling the entry fees indicated by Friday, November 17, 2017.
Wednesday, September 27, 2017
Fall Concerts - October 5
Our Fall Choral Concerts are just around the corner! Here is all the pertinent information:
Thursday, October 5, 2017 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 West Gym 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/denim, 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 40 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 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 concerts of the year!
Saturday, September 9, 2017
Concert Choir 2017-18
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:
Congratulations to the following members of this year's Gregory Middle School Concert Choir:
Gregory Concert Choir 2017-18
The first Concert Choir rehearsal will be Monday, September 11, 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!
Tuesday, August 29, 2017
Important Chorus Information and 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...
· Please
bookmark the chorus website in your browser, and check it regularly:
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.
· Please turn in the Chorus Calendar Acknowledgment Form by Wednesday, September 6. If you misplaced the paper copy sent home with students, click here to print and sign a copy. 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, please also turn in the Chorus Uniform Contract/Polo Order Form by Tuesday, September 5. 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 Wednesday, September 6, 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 that date.
· Concert
Choir, Gregory’s honors-level auditioned treble-voice choir, will be holding
auditions Thursday, September 7 and Friday, September 8, 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 Monday, September 11, 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 12, from 6:55-7:45am. 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 13, 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 8. 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 8 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 (6:55-7:45am),
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 (6:55-7:45am) and Wednesdays after school (3:10-4:00pm). 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 (3:10-4:00pm), then Tuesdays before school (6:55-7:45am). 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 11 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, September 30. 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!
Monday, May 22, 2017
Summer Chorus
Neuqua Valley is fortunate to host one of the District #204 Summer Chorus Camps this coming summer. What a convenient opportunity especially for students entering Grades 4-12 living in and around Neuqua. We hope that students and families are looking to invest in this extremely valuable summer program to continue to improve in music reading, listening, and performance skills in a fun, relaxed environment. Specific dates are as follows:
For ALL 204 Students June 12 to June 22 (classes Mon.-Thurs.)
Online registration at:
Registration is OPEN NOW!
Friday, April 28, 2017
The Sound of Music CAST Report Times
The following are report times for the CAST of the Sound of Music during the week of May 1-5: (Students in the musical chorus should disregard these times and use the times listed in the information packet distributed prior to spring break.)
Cast Call Times
Monday, May 1 from 5:30 pm - 9:00 pm.
Tuesday, May 2 from 3:00 pm - 5:30 pm
Wednesday, May 3 - 7:10 am and 5:30 pm - 9:00 pm
Thursday, May 4 from 7:00 am - 8:00 am and 6:15 pm - 10:00 pm
Friday, May 5 from 6:15 - 10:00 pm
Thursday, April 20, 2017
District 204 Fine Arts Festival - Saturday, May 20
The school year will be wrapping up in a big way with the 2017 District 204 Fine Arts Festival, which will take place on Saturday, May 20 at the Neuqua Valley High School main campus. We are excited to be performing with the other choral musicians at Crone MS, Scullen MS, and Neuqua Valley HS! 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 the Crone & Scullen 6th Grade Choruses & the Neuqua Treble Chorus) – 1:20-1:40pm; students are to report to the Neuqua orchestra room no later than 12:15pm for warm-up and rehearsal.
7th Grade Chorus (performing with the Crone & Scullen 7th Grade Chorus & the Neuqua Varsity Singers) – 3:40-4:00pm; students are to report to the Neuqua orchestra room no later than 2:35pm for warm-up and rehearsal.
8th Grade Chorus (performing with the Crone & Scullen 8th Grade Chorus & the Neuqua World Voices) – 9:00-9:20am; students are to report to the Neuqua orchestra room no later than 7:55am 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!
Friday, March 17, 2017
Getting to Know... The Sound of Music Cast
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 2017 Gregory Middle School Spring Musical:
GTK...The Sound of Music Cast List
Our first rehearsal is Monday, March 20 from 3:10-4:30pm in the Chorus Room. Please bring an assignment notebook, pencil, and highlighter.
Our first rehearsal is Monday, March 20 from 3:10-4:30pm in the Chorus Room. Please bring an assignment notebook, pencil, and highlighter.
Wednesday, March 15, 2017
The Sound of Music Callback List
Thank you to everyone who auditioned for this year's Gregory spring musical production of The Sound of Music!
Click here to see the list of students who have been invited to the callback audition on Thursday, March 16.
The callback audition is in the LMC from 3:05 - 5:30 pm. Please bring your number/letter and a recent photograph. The photo will not be returned. Also...review the audition song excerpts, located on the chorus website in the “Practice Tracks” tab. You will sing both again at the callback.
Click here to see the list of students who have been invited to the callback audition on Thursday, March 16.
The callback audition is in the LMC from 3:05 - 5:30 pm. Please bring your number/letter and a recent photograph. The photo will not be returned. Also...review the audition song excerpts, located on the chorus website in the “Practice Tracks” tab. You will sing both again at the callback.
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