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.
