Vocal Jazz Ensemble Updates

Vocal Jazz Ensemble:

Happy New Year To Each Of You!!

We have rehearsal THIS Tuesday evening, Rhythm Section 5:30-6:30, Full Ensemble 6:30-8:00

(PLEASE group text and send reminders!)

We are now entering a pivotal month of rehearsals as we prepare for Berklee Saturday (Feb 10)

- PREPARATION IS EVERYTHING!  You should be practicing your parts and solos regularly (daily if possible)

We have a LOT of work ahead of us if we are going to perform at an elite level, I expect each of you to be super focused and prepared in every rehearsal this month.

- Everyone including rhythm section MUST attend all Tuesday evening rehearsals leading up to Berklee:

(1/2, 1/9, 1/16, 1/23, 1/30, 2/6)

Rhythm Section will rehearse 5:30-6:30, Full Ensemble 6:30-8:00pm

- Rhythm Section, please be prepared and have the three Berklee songs learned and ready to rehearse

- Soloists need to be chosen: I hope you have been practicing during the break. 

If we don't have strong soloist(s) for Rolling In The Deep it will need to be cut

- Every section should try to schedule weekly sectionals through the month of January

(I'm happy to attend these sectionals if I'm available)

- Clinic with Ned Rosenblatt: January 24, 11:00-12:30 (Full Ensemble)

- BERKLEE FESTIVAL: Saturday February 10 (ALL DAY Event) - More Details Coming Soon

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If I need to miss a Tuesday evening rehearsal due to the birth of my child, I will notify you, and you will still be rehearsing with either Mr. Bush, Mrs. Oberoi, or another adult covering.  I will expect you to still rehearse at a professional level.

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See you at Tuesday evening rehearsal,

Concert Choir Updates!

Concert Choir:

Happy New Year to each of you and your families!  We have a very busy next few months ahead.  I want to draw your attention to some important updates:

Treble Part Tracks are now up on Dropbox, Concert Choir Tracks coming very soon

Sectional attendance is ESSENTIAL.  Please makeup any sectionals that you missed from the week before break.

SECTIONALS this week

- Tuesday: Soprano & Alto

- Wednesday: Tenor (boys) & Bass

- Thursday: Makeup

Senior Districts (Friday-Saturday 1/5-1/6)

- Make sure you turn in your Med Form

- You will receive an email with full updates on Tuesday (Bus will depart 7:00am Friday)

- Concert Saturday (Parent pickup after concert)

STEP UP NIGHT (Monday 1/8)

- Must attend event! Arrive 6:00pm

- More details to follow

See you Tuesday!  Happy New Year!

Vocal Music Updates Dec 4-8

Vocal Music Updates: Dec 4-8

After School Schedule

Monday: Sop & Alto Sectional

Tuesday: 2:30-4:00pm VJE Rehearsal 

w/Hale observing (no sectionals)

Wednesday: 2-3pm Choir Rehearsal w/Hale

(Rehearsing in the Band Room)

Thursday: Tenor & Bass Sectional

Friday: Makeup Sectional

HALE School Visit: Tuesday-Thursday 

Combined Rehearsal Wednesday 2-3pm

Concert Wednesday: 6:00 Call Time

Thursday morning rehearsal in Auditorium

8th Grade Concert This Thursday Night

Consider coming out to support!!

Next week: Winter Concert Thursday

Call Time 6:00pm Room 122

Contact me/sign up for a National Anthem if you are interested

-Mr. Raymond

Next Week Schedule: Hale School Visit

NEXT WEEK, 

For your planning purposes:

Choir Sectionals/After School (2:00-2:45)

Soprano - Monday

Alto - Tuesday

Full Group Rehearsal - Wednesday 

Tenor/Bass - Thursday

Makeup - Friday

HALE VISIT

Vocal Jazz Ensemble Tuesday 3-4:30

Rehearsal Wednesday After School 2-3pm

Concert At 7:00pm, Call Time 6:00pm

(In Full Concert Attire)

Thanksgiving Week Updates

Thanksgiving Week Updates:

-  Monday morning's rehearsal, guest alumni music major Jess Erving will be teaching a lesson in Concert Choir, please arrive on time, we will begin at 7:30am

- There will be regular Vocal Jazz Ensemble evening rehearsal 6:30-8:00 this Tuesday

- Junior District Practice Sessions after school Monday and Tuesday this week

(no regular sectionals this week)

-  Anyone who wishes to audition to for Junior Districts needs to notify me by Wednesday

Current list includes: Maddie C, Audrey, Joe, Brielle, Meaghan C, Kyla, Ella

-  Wednesday, Concert Choir will sing the national anthem altogether at the Pep Rally, 

please wear your choir shirts!

 *Mark Your Calendars*

Saturday 12/2 - Junior District Auditions, 12:45 meet up at Ahern

Tuesday 12/5 - Concert Choir Rehearsal with Hale (2-3pm), Vocal Jazz Rehearsal 3:00-4:30pm

Wednesday 12/6 - CONCERT with Hale School 7:00pm (Concert Choir and Vocal Jazz Ensemble Performs)

Thursday 12/14 - WINTER CONCERT

Choir Weekly Updates

Choir Weekly Updates:

After school schedule:

Mon: Sop & Alto Sectional

Tues: Tenor & Bass Sectional

Wed: Student-led Districts Practice

Thurs & Friday: Districts Practice

Sight Singing Assignment 2 Due Today (Sunday)

Senior District Auditions: Saturday 

(Meeting at FHS @ Noon)

Turn in Junior Districts Form & Money Now!

Tour Check #1 Due

This week...

Focusing on Beati Omnes, Famine Song, and The Ocean....working for balance and blend and unified vowels and breathing

Coming soon...

November 22, Full Choir National Anthem

December 2, Junior District Auditions 

December 14, Winter Concert

Jazz Updates and Reminders

Lab Jazz Choir and VJE:

Concert Week is upon us!  Make sure you are taking care of your voices this week by getting ample sleep, resting your voices, and making healthy choices!

Weekly Schedule:

Tuesday's Essential Dress Rehearsal:
(come early if you can, must make this rehearsal if you intend to perform Thursday)
Lab Jazz Choir 5:30-6:30 
Vocal Jazz Ensemble: 6:30-8:00pm
(come early to warm up!)

Thursday Jazz Day:
Jazz Session with Tucker: 2:00pm-4:00pm
Dinner at Corey Hall's House for all Jazz Students: approx. 4:00-5:30
Back to FHS to Change 5:30-6:30
Warmups 6:30
Concert 7:00pm

If you have not done so, check out Tucker's website: 

www.tuckerantell.com

Get Excited!!

-Mr. Raymond

Jazz Updates!

Vocal Jazz and Lab Jazz Choir:

Fall Jazz Concert: Thursday November 9th, 7:00pm

(featuring both Jazz Choirs and both Jazz Bands)

Evening Dress Rehearsals:

Tonight (10/31), and Tuesday (11/7)

Lab Jazz Choir - 5:30pm-6:30pm (both days)

Vocal Jazz Ensemble - 6:30pm-8:00pm (both days)

Concert Day: Thursday November 9th

After School Session with Guest Artist, Tucker, 2-4pm (all students)

Following the afternoon session, all jazz students are invited to a brief dinner being hosted by the parents of our drummer, Corey Hall (Liz Hall's house) from approx 5-6pm.  Students can be transported by their parents, or there will be several upperclassmen on hand to provide rides (if this is okay by all parents of younger students).  This dinner is for all jazz students, faculty, and guest artist.  Address and other details coming in the next couple of days.

After the dinner, we will return to the school, change, warmup, and the show will start promptly at 7:00pm.

If you have any questions about any of this, please email me!

-Mr. Raymond

Weekend Updates and Winter Curriculum

Singers, please read through carefully for information about the Winter Curriculum, as well as important updates.

UPDATES:

- Sight singing factory assignment 1 due by 10:00pm today (Sunday).  As of now, there are still several of you who have not completed it, and some who have not registered for the program.  Email me now if you are having trouble.  It will be marked late if not turned in by tonight.

-  District forms and money are due by November 1st.  After November 1st, it will be first come first served until I reach the maximum number allowed

-  A schedule for November and December has been emailed to you, please look it over carefully and plan accordingly for your sectionals and district practices

- Please bring your Faure Requiem scores Monday, we will be turning them in

WINTER CURRICULUM:

As of this week, you should have the following music in your folder:

- Star Spangled Banner (for Thanksgiving Pep Rally)

- My Heart Is Offered Still To You (Senior District Audition Piece)

- O Sing Ye To The Lord (Junior District Audition Piece)

(Winter Term Repertoire)

- Beati Omnes

- Famine Song 

- The Water is Wide 

- The Ocean 

- As Long As I Have You

- Nda Wana 

See you Monday!

Brian Raymond

Choral Director

Foxboro High School

http://foxborochoir.blogspot.com

Quick Friday Updates!

Singers, Happy Friday!

- Senior District Practice After School Today:

Optional--but highly recommended if you are serious about auditioning!

- Senior District Forms and Money are due November 1

If you do not turn in your form/money by Nov 1, it will be first come first serve until I reach the max 6 singers per voice part (per district rules)

- Sight Singing Factory, first assignment due Sunday by 10:00pm, (there are still 14 people who haven't registered for the program!)  If you are having trouble please email me.

- I am finalizing the Winter Curriculum this weekend, I will have a full update soon, and will be upgrading Dropbox with recordings, and providing a new sectional schedule.  Curriculum will consist of 5 tunes (4 of which are acapella):

- Beati Omnes

- Famine Song

- Water is Wide

- (Contemporary Arrangement)

- Nda Wana (South African Piece)

Have a great weekend!

Concert Week Updates!

Hi Singers!  Some Reminders...

Register for Sight Singing Factory and Complete Assignment By Friday (due Friday)

TODAY:

- Make sure you have your black binder

- Make sure you have your full concert attire clean and ready for tomorrow

- Make sure you get sleep tonight--don't stay up late!

 - Get any baked goods/snack items for tomorrow

THURSDAY MORNING:

- Eat Breakfast and Lunch!!! Don't Skip Them!

- Bring your entire concert attire to school (you can elect to put it in your locker, or I can take some outfits in the closet of the choir room)

- Bring any donated snack/baked items to school (your parents can also drop them off in the afternoon after school)

- Wear your choir shirt to school perhaps!?!?

THURSDAY AFTERNOON/EVENING:

- Rehearsal with KP, 3-5PM in the Auditorium 

- Dinner with KP and Changing Time: 5-6:30pm

- Warmups in the Band Room 6:30pm

- Concert Begins 7:00pm

Have fun!  Look up as much as you possibly can to be fully engaged in the experience! (sing by memory if you can!)

I am so proud of all of you and the work you have put in, this is going to be a very memorable evening!

-Mr. Raymond

Quick Reminders!

Concert Choir Families, a few quick reminders:

Tonight (Thursday): We have our combined rehearsal with King Philip HS.  Bus leaves at 5:30 sharp, rehearsal goes from 6-8, and we will return promptly.

If possible please help me ensure that everyone eat before they come on this trip to rehearse tonight!  They should also bring water and/or a water bottle to stay hydrated (as well as their music and pencil)

Tomorrow: (Friday) Cookout/National Anthem

Meeting at Ahern at 5:15pm, Cookout followed by combined national anthem at the football game for all singers grades 8-12

Next Thursday: Still looking for parent volunteers!

Next week on Thursday is our first concert, we will be hosting the King Philip HS Choir as well as having our own Choir and Orchestra students for dinner prior to the concert.  Are there a couple of parent volunteers to help: 1. pick-up and order pizza and 2. to help with serving to the students?  Let me know if you're able to help out.

We also need donations of "snacks" to go along with the pizza- so baked goods, individual chips, fruits... those kinds of things.  Those can be dropped off before 5PM on Thursday 10/26.  If you bake anything can you please list any particular ingredients that could be allergy related (nuts etc)

Next Thursday Schedule: October 26

Voices and Strings Concert: 

Students Rehearse 3-5pm, Combined Dinner FHS Choir & Orchestra & KPHS Choir 5-6pm, Warmup 6:30, Concert 7:00

Any questions, please let me know!

Thanks!

Brian Raymond

Choral Director

Foxboro High School

http://foxborochoir.blogspot.com

Seeking Parent Volunteers!

Concert Choir Families:

Greetings, 

Next week on Thursday is our first concert: Voices and Strings!  As I believe you know, we will be hosting the King Philip HS Choir as well as having our own Choir and Orchestra students for dinner prior to the concert.  We need donations of "snacks" to go along with their pizza- so baked goods, individual chips, fruits... those kinds of things.  Those can be dropped off before 5PM on Thursday 10/26.  If you bake anything can you please list any particular ingredients that could be allergy related (nuts etc)

We also would love a couple of volunteers to help: 1. pick-up and order the pizza and 2. to help with serving to the students!  If you can come a bit early to the concert and help, please email me back and let me know!  It would be greatly appreciated.  Thank you for any time you can offer!

Just a reminder of the upcoming dates and schedule:

This Thursday October 19: Choir rehearsal at KPHS, bus leaves 5:30 and returns a little after 8:00pm

This Friday October 20: FMA Sponsored Cookout and combined national anthem with FHS & 8th Grade Football Game, 5:00pm at Ahern,

(Parent volunteers welcome for the cookout, Let me know and I can put you in contact with FMA Representatives!)

Next Thursday: October 26

Voices and Strings Concert: 

Students Rehearse 3-5pm, Combined Dinner FHS Choir & Orchestra & KPHS Choir 5-6pm, Warmup 6:30, Concert 7:00

Any questions, please let me know!

Weekly News and Notes

Sectionals: Sop-Mon, Alto-Tues, Bass-Wed, Tenor-Thurs, Makeup-Friday

This Week

Thursday (10/19), all FHS singers and orchestra members will travel by bus to King Philip HS for an evening combined rehearsal.  Bus will leave at 5:30pm from FHS and return around 8:00pm (possibly slightly after).  If any of you have a sports game that night and are planning to go after, you must be driven by a parent.  Students can carpool together provided a parent is driving, and permission is given for each student riding via email.

Friday (10/20), Annual FMA Cookout for all FHS and 8th Grade Musicians and Singers.  Please wear your new choir shirts (arriving next Wednesday).  Meeting at Ahern at 5:00, there will be a cookout, followed by combined national anthem at the football game!

Next Week

Thursday (10/26) Voices and Strings Concert!

Rehearsal that afternoon for all performers, 3-5pm

Dinner, 5-6pm for all performers

6:30 Warmup, 7:00 Concert

Choir Performance Attire

Choir dresses/blouses that were ordered should arrive on Monday.  Ties for the men were already distributed--these should be worn with a black suit, plain white dress shirt, and black dress shoes with dark socks.  Once I distribute the ladies' concert attire, please try on the concert attire to make sure it fits comfortably.  Sometimes the floor length dresses need to be hemmed.  If something doesn't fit, we can send it back for a better size, but we may need to wait until after the first concert.

Vocal Health!

The next three weeks contain a lot of singing!  Just like athletes, we must take care of our bodies to ensure we can perform at a high level!  This means making healthy decisions, balancing your time effectively, and getting proper sleep.  

Sight Singing Factory

A full email with registration details will be coming on Monday

Lets have a fantastic productive final full week before our first concert!

-Mr. Raymond

Choir Officers 2017-2018

Congratulations to the following singers on your appointments as Choir Officers for 2017-2018:

President: Kelli McCarthy and Faith Perry

Vice-President: Emily Kaeser and Sophia Prinos

Secretary: Julia Metivier and Jake Parkman

Librarian: Shannon Harding

Choir Midweek Updates!

Upcoming Dates

Next Thursday (10/19), all FHS singers and orchestra members will travel by bus to King Philip HS for an evening combined rehearsal.  Bus will leave at 5:30pm from FHS and return around 8:00pm (possibly slightly after).  If any of you have a sports game that night and are planning to go after, you must be driven by a parent.  Students can carpool together provided a parent is driving, and permission is given for each student riding via email.

Friday (10/20), Annual FMA Cookout for all FHS and 8th Grade Musicians and Singers.  Please wear your new choir shirts (arriving next Wednesday).  Meeting at Ahern at 5:00, there will be a cookout, followed by combined national anthem at the football game!

Thursday (10/26) Voices and Strings Concert!

Rehearsal that afternoon for all performers, 3-5pm

Dinner, 5-6pm for all performers

6:30 Warmup, 7:00 Concert

Choir Performance Attire

Choir dresses/blouses that were ordered should arrive on Monday.  Ties for the men were already distributed--these should be worn with a black suit, plain white dress shirt, and black dress shoes with dark socks.  Once I distribute the ladies' concert attire, please try on the concert attire to make sure it fits comfortably.  Sometimes the floor length dresses need to be hemmed.  If something doesn't fit, we can send it back for a better size, but we may need to wait until after the first concert.

Vocal Health!

The next three weeks contain a lot of singing!  Just like athletes, we must take care of our bodies to ensure we can perform at a high level!  This means making healthy decisions, balancing your time effectively, and getting proper sleep.  

Sight Singing Factory (we will discuss this Friday!)

Our choral program at the middle and high school levels is beginning a new initiative this year aimed at improving music reading for singers at all levels.  We are implementing a very useful online tool called "Sight Singing Factory" that provides an endless supply of melodies for students to sight-read and sing (with customized difficulty levels made into "assignments").  Each student will get a code that they will use to register an email address.  There will be simple "homework" assignments (weekly or bi-weekly) to sing a melody into your phones/ipads/computer that will get recorded and then submitted directly to me (only to be accessed by me).  This will allow me to help singers to improve their reading abilities.  This program has already started at Ahern Middle, and will be starting up for FHS singers at the end of this week.  Students at this point will only be graded on completion of the assignments.

See you in rehearsals!

-Mr. Raymond

Weekly Updates: Happy Columbus Day!

Singers,

Happy Columbus Day!  I hope you are all enjoying your long weekend.

- THIS WEEK:Focusing on Faure Requiem Movements 2 and 6

Sectionals: Tues-Alto, Wed-Bass, Thurs-Tenor,

 Friday's sectional will be for Sops and anyone who needs to makeup a sectional!

SHIRT ORDERS: Turn In Your Money Now!

We will be using Music on the concert you will need a black binder 

Senior District Audition Signup List Is NOW Posted: Audition November 18
$15.00 Audition Fee, If You Get Accepted School Will Pay Your Festival Fee!

NEXT WEEK

October 19: Rehearsal at King Philip (bus leaving at 5:30pm, return around 8:30pm)

October 20: Combined National Anthem With 8th Grade

The Week After...
October 26: Voices and Strings Concert!

Have a great day and a great week!

- Mr. Raymond

Weekly Updates: October 1

Singers,

Happy October!  More strong progress last week, let's keep it up this week!

This month we have our first performance!

- THIS WEEK:Focusing on Faure Requiem Movements 6 and 7

Sectionals: Monday-Sop, Tues-Alto, Wed-Bass, Thurs-Tenor, Fri-Makeup

SHIRT ORDERS: Turn In Your Money By Wednesday!

Coming soon....

October 19: Rehearsal at King Philip (bus leaving at 5:30pm, return around 8:30pm)

October 20: Combined National Anthem With 8th Grade
October 26: Voices and Strings Concert

Have a great Sunday...Go Pats!

- Mr. Raymond

Sunday Announcements

Singers, great progress last week, let's keep it up this week!

I wonder if we can have perfect sectional attendance all week!

Congratulations to Faith on singing the Star Spangled Banner at the Pep Rally last Friday

- THIS WEEK: Focusing on Faure Requiem Movements 2 and 3

- Morning Rehearsal with Orchestra on Thursday

Sectionals: Monday-Sop, Tues-Alto, Wed-Bass, Thurs-Tenor, Fri-Makeup

SHIRT ORDERS:

- Let me know your size and whether you want Regular T, Ladies Cut T, or Long Sleeve

($13 for Reg/Ladies T, $16 for Long Sleeve)

- Turn in your Choir Shirt Money: Cash or Check Made Out to "Town of Foxboro Music"

Concert Dress Order Will Be Placed This Week!

Coming soon....

October 19: Rehearsal at King Philip (bus leaving at 5:30pm, return around 8:30pm)

October 26: Voices and Strings Concert

Have a great Sunday...Go Pats!

- Mr. Raymond