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Monday, October 31, 2016

Week 8 News and Notes

Singers, 

WEEK 8 NEWS AND NOTES

- Turn in your Districts form and money ASAP -- Very Important!!!

- SECTIONAL SCHEDULE -- 
Monday-Districts, Tuesday-Soprano, Wednesday-Districts, Thursday-Alto

- Friday--Cookout!  Meeting at 4:30pm at Ahern, Cookout starts at 4:45, then national anthem rehearsal after that, and then we sing altogether at the game 6:30pm (more details to come)

- Tour Check #1 Due This Week!

- Make sure you have all the Winter Pieces, and create a playlist with recordings from Dropbox

- 10 Days Until The Fall Jazz Fest Concert! Thursday November 10, 7:00pm 
mark your calendars!

Looking ahead...
- Tuesday November 8, LSDO Workshop, Choir goes to Ahern in the afternoon (details soon)
- Thursday November 10, Fall Jazz Concert, 7:00pm (featuring Marcus Printup)
- Saturday November 19, Senior Districts Auditions
- Thursday December 15, Winter Concert

Friday, October 28, 2016

Announcements!

Singers:

Congratulations to all of you on a memorable performance last night!  I am very proud of every one of you, including the level of professionalism you demonstrated in working with the singers from King Philip.

We are now moving into our Winter Curriculum along with our Curriculum for MICCA.  Please start to listen to the reference recordings on Dropbox as often as possible.

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

- Next Friday--Cookout!  Meeting at 4:00pm at Ahern, Cookout starts at 4:45, then national anthem rehearsal after that, and then we sing altogether at the game 6:30pm (more details to come)

- NEW SECTIONAL SCHEDULE -- posted on a tab on the top of the website, mark your dates!

- Turn in your Districts form and money on Monday -- Very Important!!!

- Tour Check #1 Due Next Week!  Now's the time to decide if you are going this year or not

- Come out to the Army Band and Choir Concert SUNDAY at 2:00pm, consider coming in to volunteer your time to assist, students are meeting at 10:30am (you won't be needed the whole time)

- Fall Jazz Fest is less than 2 weeks away: Thursday November 10 -- mark your calendars!


Have a wonderful weekend!  Enjoy yourselves, and start listening to the Winter Curriculum music--and ladies especially start listening to the Women's Pieces!

Very Proud Of You,
Mr. Raymond

Thursday, October 27, 2016

Schedule For This Afternoon

Concert Choir Singers:

Here is the schedule for this afternoon's rehearsal.  Please read it through, and be ready to help/assist accordingly:

3:00 KP arrives, we'll bring them to the auditorium, (they'll set their stuff down in the chairs)
3:15, Combined Choir full warmup on the risers
3:30, Combined Rehearsal on Magnificat Begins
4:45, Finish Magnificat Rehearsal, set the stage with Risers and Shells to the front
5:00, KP Singers Rehearse on risers
5:30-6:30, Dinner Break, time to Eat and Change (KP Singers will move their belongings to the Band Room, FHS Singers store your stuff in Room 122)
6:30, Choir Meeting and Warmup in the Band Room
7:00 Concert Begins (we will begin the Concert with FHS Choir on Risers--not walking out, we will take a quick photo at the start and then get started)

See you after school!  Come right down to the Auditorium to help if you are available!  You won't need to change into concert attire until the dinner break.

Thanks,
Mr. Raymond

Tuesday, October 25, 2016

Concert Updates and Cookout Date

Singers:

The Fall Cookout Has Been Reschedule To Friday November 4 
(Time TBA--Likely Early Afternoon Around 4:00pm with game either 6 or 7pm)

Two more days until the Voices and Strings Fall Concert!!!

NOW IS THE TIME TO....
- Check and make sure your concert attire is clean and ready, and that you have black dress shoes!
- Get your Magnificat music in order in a black binder
-GET SLEEP and take care of yourself, drink water, rest, and stay healthy
- Bring in $5.00 if you are getting pizza/salad Thursday evening

THURSDAY:
- Dress Rehearsal: 3:15-5:30
- Dinner Break: 5:30-6:30
- Concert Warmup: 6:30
- Concert Begins: 7:00 (Order Will Be FHS Choir, KP Choirs, intermission, Orchestra, Vivaldi)
- (Wear Your Choir Shirt To School)

Sectional Makeup Tuesday After School
District Practice Wednesday After School

We will start our Winter Curriculum and MICCA selections for Concert Choir Friday!

See you in rehearsals...and remember...take care of yourselves and your voices!
Mr. Raymond

Monday, October 24, 2016

Concert Week Updates!

Singers:

WEEK 7 UPDATES:

After School This Week:
Monday: District Practice (Student Run)
Tuesday: Sectional Makeup (Anyone who missed a sectional)
Wednesday: District Practice
Thursday: Concert 

THURSDAY: CONCERT DAY
(Wear Your Choir Shirt To School)

Be Here From 3:15-5:30 For Afternoon Dress Rehearsal before the Concert.
Either Pack A Dinner *or* 
Pizza and Salad Will Be Available for purchase...if you want some please bring $5.00

PLEASERemember to take care of yourselves and your voices! Get a lot of sleep this week and next week.  Conserve your voices, drink water, and rest.  In rehearsal, make sure you are mentally preparing yourself for performance by using a lot of air and breath support and singing out confidently with exceptional vowel shapes and proper balanced positioning.

See You In Rehearsals!  Invite People To The Concert!
Let Me Know If You Need Guest Passes

-Mr. Raymond

Friday, October 21, 2016

Halloween Party!

Concert Choir Students:

I want to send you out a reminder about the Halloween Party coming up tomorrow from 6-9pm.

Our social chair, Kelli McCarthy has coordinated a fun social event (Halloween Party) for this Saturday, from 6-9pm at the South Foxboro Community Center located on the corner of South St. and North Grove St.

This party is not school sponsored or affiliated, and attendance (while encouraged) is entirely optional and voluntary.  The event is a fun, social gathering, and is taking place in a public space.  While I trust that you are all mature enough to make good choices, you are responsible for your actions for this event which includes being respectful of the Community Center Hall.

Even though this is not a school affiliated event, you are expected to abide by all school rules.  Kelli's parents have graciously offered to supervise the event, which will include games, snacks, pizza, and more.  

This is a costume party, so feel free to dress up, however no masks!

Please see the emailed flyer for further details.  Kelli would like the grades to bring the following items:
FRESHMAN: snacks (chips, fruit, ex.)
SOPHOMORES: desserts (cookies, cupcakes, ex.)
JUNIORS: candy (M&Ms, candy corn, ex.)
SENIORS: drinks (soda, water, ex.)

Have fun, make good decisions, and enjoy yourselves!
Just under a week now until our first concert!

-Mr. Raymond

Tuesday, October 18, 2016

Midweek Updates!

Singers:

A few important Midweek Updates please read carefully:

Sectionals Remaining This Week:
Wednesday-Alto, Thursday-Tenors, Friday-Bass

THIS THURSDAY: REHEARSAL @ KING PHILIP
Bus Leaves at 5:30pm, Return to FHS at 8:00pm
Bring Water/Water Bottle and Music
Dress Respectably
Take The Opportunity To Meet Someone New From KP!

NEXT THURSDAY: CONCERT DAY
All Students Should Be Here From 3:15-5:30 For Afternoon Dress Rehearsal before the Concert.
Either Pack A Dinner *or* 
Pizza and Salad Will Be Available for purchase...if you want some please bring $5.00

PLEASE: Remember to take care of yourselves and your voices! Get a lot of sleep this week and next week.  Conserve your voices, drink water, and rest.  In rehearsal, make sure you are mentally preparing yourself for performance by using a lot of air and breath support and singing out confidently with exceptional vowel shapes and proper balanced positioning.

See You In Rehearsals!  Good Work Today Sops/Altos in Your Sectional!
Let's Keep Working Hard!

-Mr. Raymond

Monday, October 17, 2016

Week 7 News and Notes

SECTIONALS/DISTRICTS: 
MONDAY: District Practice
TUESDAY: Soprano
WEDNESDAY: Alto
THURSDAY: Tenor
FRIDAY: Bass

Tuesday Night Jazz Choir 6:30-8:00pm 
(next week Treble 6:00-6:40 Mixed 6:40-8:00)

Thursday: Rehearsal At King Philip Bus Leaves 5:30 (return 8pm)

Friday: Cookout/Anthem Football Game With 8th Grade @ Ahern


Important Upcoming Dates
(next week) Thursday 10/27: FIRST CONCERT: Voices and Strings for Concert Choir
Thursday 11/10: Fall Jazz Concert: Jazz Choirs, Guest Artist: Marcus Printup
Saturday 11/19: Senior District Auditions

See you in rehearsals!
Mr. Raymond

Wednesday, October 12, 2016

Proud Of You!

Concert Choir:

I want to mention how proud I am of all of you in your first rehearsal combined with the orchestra!  It is really hard to sing on stage with full orchestra, and you held your own.  I know Ms. Tedoldi and I were really pressing you all for more air and more sound, but I want you to know that I was really pleased with how the first rehearsal combined went.

I got really positive feed back from the college students who were there observing, and Ms. Tedoldi said she was very impressed with the quality of the sound you are producing.

I hope you feel optimistic and positive about our rehearsal this morning.  It was promising!  Keep working on your confidence, air, breath support, and projection, and I think this will be a fantastic concert!

I hope to see many of you at Senior District Practice Today!!!!  Anyone that comes to the practice will get their shirt today (provided that they come in)--everyone else will get there's tomorrow in rehearsal.

Thanks Singers!!! YOU ROCK!! I am proud of you,

Mr. Raymond

Tuesday, October 11, 2016

Week 6 News and Notes

Week 6 News and Notes:

SECTIONALS: (no makeup sectionals this week)
TUESDAY: Soprano and Alto
THURSDAY: Tenor and Bass

DISTRICT PRACTICE:
Wednesday After School 2-2:45pm (off to Ahern select choir rehearsal after that)

Tuesday Night Jazz Choir 6:30-8:00pm

Important Upcoming Dates
(next week)Thurs 10/20: Rehearsal at KPHS, Bus Departs FHS at 5:30 (return 8pm)
(next week)Friday 10/21: Cookout/Anthem Football Game With 8th Grade @Ahern
Thursday 10/27: FIRST CONCERT: Voices and Strings for Concert Choir
Thursday 11/10: Fall Jazz Concert: Jazz Choirs, Guest Artist: Marcus Printup
Saturday 11/19: Senior District Auditions

See you in rehearsals!
Mr. Raymond

Wednesday, October 5, 2016

Midweek Updates

Singers:

It's clear that many of you are starting to feel under the weather.  Take care of your voice!  Get plenty of sleep and drink water and exercise.  You never get to put your instrument away, it's always with you so you must take steps to promote vocal health to be a productive student musician.

Start isolating the hardest parts that are giving you a difficult time and spend time with the part tracks for that particular movement/section.  Next Tuesday we will rehearse with the Orchestra and we want to be ready.  We are also two weeks away from our rehearsal at KP and three weeks from the concert.

Hold student led sectionals when possible--especially Jazz Choir.  If you want me there, let me know.

Shirts and dresses have been ordered!  Bring in shirt money if you still owe any.

Tenor Sectional Thursday

Important Upcoming Dates
Thursday 10/20: Rehearsal at KPHS, Bus Departs FHS at 5:30pm (return 8pm)
Friday 10/21: Cookout/Anthm Football Game With 8th Grade @Ahern
Thursday 10/27: FIRST CONCERT: Voices and Strings for Concert Choir
Thursday 11/10: Fall Jazz Concert: Jazz Choirs, Guest Artist: Marcus Printup
Saturday 11/19: Senior District Auditions

See you in rehearsals!
Mr. Raymond

Saturday, October 1, 2016

Week 5 News and Notes

Singers,

Great progress in rehearsals last week on the Magnificat!  We will look to have at least one rehearsal later this week with the String Orchestra.  Our focus this week will be on Mvt 3: Et Misericordia and the finale Mvt 9: Gloria (allegro section)

Sectionals this week: Tuesday - Bass, Thursday - Tenors
Makeup Sectional: Friday

Senior District Practices This Week: Our Choir Room will be unavailable on Monday and Wednesday of this week, anyone planning to meet should use my office or find another space in the building (such as the cafeteria).  I have a portable speaker you can use.  I will not be able to attend these practices this week, so you will have to meet on your own.  I will be back for practices next week.

T-Shirt Money MONDAY!
Regular and Ladies Cut T-Shirt = $11
Long Sleeve Shirt = $14

Vocal Jazz: Start scheduling your sectionals among each other!  Please email me once your section has met and inform me about what you went over/discussed including any progress you made.

Important Upcoming Dates
Thursday 10/20: Rehearsal at KPHS, Bus Departs FHS at 5:30pm (return 8pm)
Friday 10/21: Cookout/Anthm Football Game With 8th Grade @Ahern
Thursday 10/27: FIRST CONCERT: Voices and Strings for Concert Choir
Thursday 11/10: Fall Jazz Concert: Jazz Choirs, Guest Artist: Marcus Printup
Saturday 11/19: Senior District Auditions