October 30, 2009
Dear Parents,
Hopefully we can get back to a more regular schedule (MS Publisher format) in November. I have given the students a copy and it is attached (go to November). It is also listed below.
Here are the snack folks and the rehearsal schedule for November for swing choir.
| Festival Schedule | |
|---|---|
| Time | Itinerary Item |
| Mon., Nov. 2 | Lauren Knicl |
| Wed., Nov. 4 | Zoe Lambert |
| Mon., Nov. 9 | Vivian Li |
| Wed., Nov. 11 | no school |
| Mon., Nov. 16 | Michelle Liu |
| Wed., Nov. 18 | Cody Locke |
| Mon., Nov. 23 | Andrew McGowan Snack |
| Wed., Nov. 25 | no school |
| Mon., Nov. 30 | Emma Ngati |
Try to stay healthy!
Erin Stegall
Choral Director
Grades 6-8, Macomb Schools
October 29, 2009
Dear Parents and Students,
Please find the attached HS choir lesson schedule for next week. Thanks and have a great weekend!
October 28, 2009
Dear parents and faculty,
Attached is the lesson schedule for next week for choir. The students all have a copy and if they were absent, it is hanging on the outside of the choir room door. Faculty, I will put a copy in your boxes.
Thanks so much!
October 27, 2009
Dear parents,
Attached you will find the information for the choir booster poinsettia sale and the Billy Elliot Spring Musical Trip. Children received the information today in class, but we appreciate you encouraging them to sell plants as well. The trip to Chicago to see Billy Elliot on Saturday, April 24th is optional. Please let us know if you have any questions that are not addressed in the attachments. Again, if you can't open the attachment, your children received this today.
Thanks so much!
Erin Stegall and Melanie Butcher
October 27, 2009
Dear Parents and Students,
Please see the information below regarding the IMEA District Music Festival on Saturday, November 7th at WIU. This festival is for those students who auditioned and were selected to attend.
Thanks!
From: Mrs. Butcher
To: Parents and Students
Re: District IV Choral Festival
When: Saturday, November 7th – All Day
Where: WIU – Choir rehearsals will be in COFAC Recital Hall
Arrive: Seating at 8:00 am
Rehearse: 8:15 am to 12:00 pm
Lunch: 12:00 pm to 1:30 pm (I suggest leaving campus as the Union will be busy!)
Rehearse: 1:30 pm to 4:00 pm
Concert Time: 4:30 pm – Western Hall
Admission for the concert: adults $3.00, students $2.00
*Indicates all state required pieces
Remember that you must take your music, pencil and a black folder with you.
Robe: You are responsible for bringing your robe. Bring dress clothes to wear underneath your robe. You will need to leave it in your car or have your parents bring it to you before the concert. If so, they should meet you at 4:05 pm outside the main entrance of Western Hall.
Attire: Nice clothes during the day and under your robe.
Top Scores: Sometime during the day, they will announce who received the top score for each vocal part (i.e. Sop 1, Sop. 2, etc). These selected people will then audition (that day) on the National Anthem and may be selected to sing at the State Basketball tournament in Peoria.
Group Picture: There will be a group picture for singers from Macomb High at 4:10 pm outside the main entrance of Western Hall.
Performance: You need to be in your seat by 4:20 pm The performance will be at 4:30 pm at Western Hall
There will be a small admission fee to get into the concert ($3 adults/$2 students). They usually sell commemorative T-shirts listing all participates names and Commemorative Plaques with the student's name and CD recordings of the concert.
Bring your choir robe.
Rehearsal Site: COFAC Recital Hall; seating, 8:00 am
Morning Rehearsal: 8:15 am – 12:00 pm
Lunch: 12:00 pm – 1:30 pm, off campus (arrange your own ride)
Afternoon Rehearsal: 1:30 pm – 4:00 pm, COFAC
Concert: 4:30 pm, Western Hall (adult $3, student $2)
Remember: You are responsible for your robe, folder & music.
October 25, 2009
Dear Parents,
So sorry if you are getting duplicates of this note as I am sending it to several distribution lists. Just a reminder that auditions for the 2009 Holiday Festival of Choirs Children's Chorus are tomorrow (Monday, October 26th) and Tuesday, October 27th at 5:00 pm in the Edison School Choir Room 113. Any child with a treble voice (girls and unchanged boys) in 4 – 8 grade is eligible. The auditions will conclude in an hour and we do require a parent there for the brief parent meeting at the beginning. Children only need to attend one day of the auditions (not both). Nothing needs to be prepared for the audition and if your child does not make the choir, your check will be returned. I have again attached the permission slip that will need to be completed and turned in at the audition if you have not already done so.
A list of the children who made the choir will be made available at all the local schools and I hope to get it sent out via email as well. Our first rehearsal is Thursday, November 5th at Edison School. If you have a junior high student auditioning, we understand that they will be a few minutes late to the 3:00 pm rehearsals at Edison school.
Thanks so much for your interest and please stay healthy!
Sincerely,
Erin Stegall
Children's Choir Coordinator
October 23, 2009
Dear Parents and Students,
Doug and Candace March have been gracious enough to host a bonfire next week for any High school choir student. Since this will occur during Parent/Teacher Conferences, I will be unable to attend and therefore this is not to be considered an "Official Choir Event". I am just passing along the information to parents and students. Mr. and Mrs. March do plan to have other parents there to help chaperone. Please see the information below. Thanks! Mrs. Butcher
When: Thursday, October 29th from 6:30 to 9:30 pm
Where: 11610 N 950th Rd. Macomb (Alexis's house) (directions will be posted in the choir room)
Bring a snack/drink to share with everyone (there will be a sign-up sheet in the choir room)
Hotdogs and s'mores will be provided
In the event of rain, the bonfire will be canceled.
October 20, 2009
Dear Parents and students,
Our next rehearsal for Madrigals, Jazz voices, and Men's Ensemble will be Tuesday, November 3, because of the Nick Page visit/concerts, Olympic Conference, and parent-teacher conference.
From: Mrs. Butcher
To: Parents and Choir Students
Re: Olympic Choral Festival
When: Monday, October 26, 2009; concert at 7:00 pm
Where: WIU University Union, Grand Ballroom
The Olympic Choral Festival will be Monday, October 26, 2009. This is a required event. Students will load the buses immediately following lunch (12:20 pm). Students will need to bring money for dinner. Students can also pack lunches/dinners, if they prefer. No student will be allowed to leave the WIU Union during the dinner period.
| Festival Schedule | |
|---|---|
| Time | Itinerary Item |
| 12:20 pm | Students load buses at east doors immediately following lunch (do not report to 6th hour). |
| 12:40 pm | Arrive at University Union. Drop off belongings at holding rooms |
| 1:00 pm | Special session in COFAC Recital Hall with the Western Illinois University Singers |
| 2:00 pm | Full rehearsal begins in Grand Ballroom with Dr. Stegall |
| 5:00 pm | Full rehearsal concludes. Evening meal in University Union food court. Change clothes. |
| 6:45 pm | Students report to their seat in the Grand Ballroom |
| 7:00 pm | Concert in Grand Ballroom* |
| 8:00 pm | Concert concludes – Students ride home with parents. There will not be a bus returning to the HS. |
Students will need to bring the following:
* Parents are welcome and encouraged to attend the performance.
Thanks!
October 16, 2009
Dear Students and Parents,
Have a great weekend!
October 15, 2009
Dear parents,
Next week is a busy music week for our students. Here is a detailed schedule.
Thanks so much and good luck to the students with all of their performances!
Thanks!
Erin Stegall
Choral Director
Grades 6-8, Macomb Schools
October 13, 2009
Dear Parents,
During the month of October, we have so many "special weeks" that is it difficult to run a normal lesson schedule. Next week, we will be having rehearsals and assemblies with our guest artist, Nick Page on Wednesday and Thursday (October 21 and 22nd) and the next week is Parent teacher conferences.
I am using this time for students who have missed lessons to have "choir lesson amnesty weeks" where I will let them make up one missed lesson. In addition, we are beginning to discuss preparations for the February 20th, 2010 Solo/Ensemble contest. So, some lesson time will be used to help students pick selections. If a child is studying voice privately, I will assume that their private teachers will get them a suitable folk song or art song. All repertoire must be 28 measures long.
These lessons will be scheduled on an individual basis.
Thanks so much!
ES
Erin Stegall
Choral Director
Grades 6-8, Macomb Schools
October 13, 2009
Dear parents,
Just a reminder that there is another required concert for 7th and 8th graders this month. The Choir boosters, Edison PTO, and Lincoln PTO are bringing in Folk Song artist Nick Page. On Wednesday, October 21st there is a required concert for junior high (7th and 8th grade) singers and high school students. These choral students have prepared pieces to sing with Mr. Page and he will also do a sing along with parents. There is a small time change. The students will be required to be in their seats at 6:40 pm and the concert will begin at 7:00 pm It will be an hour in length. The students should wear their Macomb Music Shirts and jeans (yes, jeans) to this performance.
On Thursday, October 22nd, Lincoln School PTO is sponsoring a Community Sing with Mr. Page at 6:30 pm
Mr. Page will also be working with the Lincoln School Students, Edison School students, and grade level choirs during the day on Thursday, October 22nd and Friday, October 23rd
Erin Stegall
Choral Director
Grades 6-8, Macomb Schools
October 9, 2009
Dear Madrigals and Men's Ensemble,
Tuesday – Chris, Eric, Cory, Josh, Scott, Jeff and Joey
Thursday – Michael, Luke, Alex, Zach, Austin, Ben and Stephen
Hope you are enjoying your weekend!
Thanks!
Mrs. Butcher
October 8, 2009
Dear Parents and Students,
Have a great 4-day weekend!
Thanks!
October 7, 2009
Dear Parents,
By now, you should be hearing those district audition pieces a lot at your home. It is important that the practice alone. They need to be able to sing their part a capella and count it without assistance. All of the students who requested them were given practice CDs.
The audition is Monday, October 12th at Porta Central and we will load/leave at 6:15-6:30 am (not pm as was listed in the concert program). Students are not required to have their music memorized and they should bring it for reference. They will be required to have their scales and triad syllables memorized. I have attached the district master list with starting pitches for each child's tonal skills. Some of the starting pitches for the tonal skills may not be quite right because some vacillated as to which notes are their best, but for the most part they should be ok. I have also attached the procedure for the day (Instructions for Directors) so you know the drill. Our goal is to get them through the audition as fast (but calmly) as possible.
Dress:
They students should dress nicely (super nice school clothes).
Money:
They should bring a few dollars for the Music Boosters Cafeteria food at PORTA.
Return time:
We hope to be home mid day, but one never knows how long the judges will take. It is ok for the students to bring cell phones as long as they have them off until we tell them that they can call you. Porta is in a valley and it is hard to get cell service. We can have them call you once we are about an hour from Macomb.
Please let me know if you have any further questions!
Erin
Erin Stegall
Choral Director
Grades 6-8, Macomb Schools
October 6, 2009
Dear parents,
Attached is the information for the Holiday Festival of Choirs Children's Choir. Any girl and any unchanged boy in 4 – 8th grade is eligible to audition.
We'd love to have you!
Thanks!
Erin Stegall
Choral Director
Grades 6-8, Macomb Schools
October 2, 2009
Dear Parents and Students,
Students, great job at the concert last night! J Below are a few reminders and information regarding choir.
Have a great weekend!
Thanks!
October 1, 2009
Parents,
On Tuesday, October 6th (the night of the fall concert), the doors to the school and Fellheimer auditorium will not be open until 6:30 pm The exception to this rule will be for the Macomb choir Boosters hospitality committee and parents who will be helping with tech at the concert. Please do not come to drop off your children until 6:30 pm or after. This change is for security purposes as there will not be adult supervision until that time. Thank you!
Also, I am looking for a few 7th and 8th grade parents to take attendance and sit with the junior high choirs. I will give you a seating chart and I ask the you take attendance, monitor behavior and sit with the students from 6:30 pm until the end of the concert. Any takers It is a great help to me!
Thanks!
Erin Stegall
Choral Director
Grades 6-8, Macomb Schools
October 1, 2009
Dear Parents,
Due to the choral concert on Tuesday, October 6th, the students who are in band and choir will have choir Monday and Tuesday (October 5th and 6th) and band on October 7th and 8th. Choir only students will have choir each day as usual.
There is no school on Friday, October 9th (Teacher's in service) and Monday, October 12th (Columbus day).
Can't wait to see all of you on October 6th!
Thanks!
Erin Stegall
Choral Director
Grades 6-8, Macomb Schools