July 25, 2010
Dear Parents,
If you are receiving this email, that means that your child signed up for either choir or band and choir on their Fine Arts Choice form last spring. Believe it or not, your choir directors have been hard at work the past couple of weeks planning exciting things for the school year.
If you are unaware, the choir traditionally takes a trip to Chicago on Charter Buses to see a Broadway Show. This trip is optional and by no means required. We allow the students to participate in an annual poinsettia fundraiser to help defray the cost of their trip. In years past our trip has been after the fundraiser, however this year we have a unique situation.
We have secured tickets to see Broadway in Chicago's production of The Lion King musical in Chicago on Sunday, October 24th, 2010. Since this trip occurs a little earlier in the school year than normal, we must collect ticket money sooner. Students will receive detailed information and packets about the trip at the start of school. Tickets are $130.00 and all money will be due on Thursday, September 2, 2010. For those who have taken advantage of the poinsettia fundraiser ticket discounts, this will be handled a little differently this year. Students who sell enough plants to receive a discount will be given a refund check after the poinsettia sale. We are sorry for any inconvenience this may cause however; this show was just too good to pass up. We will be sending out information packets to students on August 25 and 26. Since the start of school can be costly, we wanted to give you a "heads up" on this opportunity, so that interested students can start saving.
Not all parents submitted a working email address, so please spread the word to other choir parents and students. ☺
We are looking forward to a wonderful year and hope that you are having a relaxing summer. ☺
Thanks!
Mrs. Stegall
Choral Director
Grades 6-8
Macomb Schools
July 24, 2010
Dear Parents and Students,
Welcome to Mixed Chorus! We are gearing up for an exciting year and wanted to share some news with your before school starts….
Annual 6-12 grade Choir Incentive Trip: We have secured tickets to see The Lion King musical in Chicago on Sunday, October 24th, 2010. Since this trip occurs a little earlier in the school year than normal, we must collect ticket money sooner. Tickets are $130.00 and all money will be due on Thursday, September 2, 2010. For those who have taken advantage of the poinsettia fundraiser ticket discounts in the past, this will be handled a little differently this year. Students who sell enough plants to receive a discount will be given a refund check after the poinsettia sale. We are sorry for any inconvenience this may cause however; this show was just too good to pass up. We will be sending out information packets to students on August 25 and 26. Please remember this is not an required trip.
Thanks!
Melanie Butcher, Choral Director
Macomb High School
1525 S. Johnson
Macomb, IL 61455
Phone: 309/833-6255
Fax: 309/836-1034
July 22, 2010
Dear Parents and Students,
Hope you are enjoying your summer break! I have a couple of exciting things to share with you before school starts…
Concert Choir Performance at IMEA: I have exciting news to share…. Concert Choir has been selected to perform at the Illinois Music Educators Association All State Conference that occurs at the end of January. I submitted a recording of the choir to them committee and just received word that we were one of a few HS choirs in Illinois to be selected! Our performance date is Friday, January 28th, 2011 in Peoria. It is quite an honor to be selected! Way to go students!
Annual Choir Incentive Trip: We have secured tickets to see The Lion King musical in Chicago on Sunday, October 24th, 2010. Since this trip occurs a little earlier in the school year than normal, we must collect ticket money sooner. Tickets are $130.00 and all money will be due on Thursday, September 2, 2010. For those who have taken advantage of the poinsettia fundraiser ticket discounts, this will be handled a little differently this year. Students who sell enough plants to receive a discount will be given a refund check after the poinsettia sale. We are sorry for any inconvenience this may cause; however, this show was just too good to pass up. We will be sending out information packets to students on August 25 and 26.
Thanks!
Melanie Butcher, Choral Director
Macomb High School
1525 S. Johnson
Macomb, IL 61455
Phone: 309/833-6255
Fax: 309/836-1034
July 5, 2010
Dear Madrigal Singers Parents and Students,
Due to a conflict with the auditorium, the rehearsal originally scheduled for 10:00 am – noon has been moved to 1:00-3:00 pm on the same day, Thursday, August 19. This is in preparation for our performance on Monday, August 23, at 8:00 am for the Opening Day of School for Teachers. Students from every school in the district will also join us. It should be a lot of fun.
Please let me know ASAP if you have a conflict with this new time so that I can find a replacement for the performance.
Hope you are enjoying your summer and I will send more specific information as the day gets closer.
Thanks!
Mrs. Butcher
July 1, 2010
Dear Parents,
I hope you are enjoying your summer! I am writing to you because over the past few days, I have received some comments from parents regarding the band and choir members singing at Heritage Days last week. They were surprised that they had not received any information from me regarding rehearsals/performances and were concerned that I had not coached them.
I know it can be confusing because so many students do sing in choir and participate in the band – a strength of our program. However, the "We Are the Band" performance had nothing to do with the choral program at Macomb High School. Frankly, I knew nothing about the performance. I was surprised when I happened to be at Chandler Park last Friday afternoon and heard the Emcee announced to the crowd that the "Macomb High School Choir" would be performing in 15 minutes. Of course, the announcer had just made a mistake and in fact it was students who are in both band and choir and were performing their song, "We Are the Band".
I am in full support of our award winning band program and I applaud the band members for raising such a substantial amount. I wanted to make it clear that this was an effort by Mr. Wetmore and the band members. Although several of my students in Concert Choir/Men's Ensemble were taking part, I have never been approached to help "coach them" – though I would be happy to help in any way since the band directors are so generous with their students when we need an instrumentalist to join us on one of our choral pieces.
So, I will encourage any of you who have questions to please email me or Mr. Wetmore. I am sure that efforts will be made to improve communications and better clarify any more performances of "We Are the Band".
Sincerely,