New Website

Foxboro Students and Families,

As of Summer 2019, we have a new website for the Foxboro High School Vocal Music Program. 
As a result this website is being discontinued and will no longer be updated.

I invite you to visit the new website at the following link:
www.foxborochoir.weebly.com

The twitter account for Foxboro Vocal Music is still active and can be followed at : @foxborochoir

Thank you,
Mr. Raymond

May Choir Updates

May Choir Updates:

MONDAY:  Seniors last day -- optional bring in breakfast/snack items to celebrate

Final Chamber Choir Rehearsals This Week:

Monday and Thursday 2:00-3:00pm (Seniors if you can make any of Monday's rehearsal after your drive around the common feel free)

Chamber Concert Thursday May 23

Treble Choir and Chamber Choir will perform (alongside several other instrumental ensembles)

(all singers expected to go whether you're performing or not) 

Call time for performers: 6:15pm

Foxboro Music Pot-Luck Banquet: Friday May 24

Please visit/share the following link with your families to sign up to bring something:  

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0a49aaa723a2fb6-annual

Leadership 2019-2020

- If you are interested in being a section leader for the upcoming school year, you should submit a letter of intent that discusses your views on the importance of leadership and/or why you feel you are ready or a good fit to be a section leader.  The length of the letter is up to you and it can be typed or handwritten.

- You can submit these letters to me in person or via email anytime between now and June 7

- If you are chosen to be a section leader, we will have a meeting before the end of the year, as well as one in August, and once the school year starts, all section leaders of Band, Orchestra, Choir meet every Friday at 6:45am starting in September.  

- If you are interested in running for a major EBoard position in the Fall, you must first become a section leader.

- Email me if you have any questions

Jazz Auditions

- Vocal Jazz Ensemble audition sign up sheet will be posted on Monday in the music wing hallway, please sign up for a time on either Wednesday, Thursday, or Friday afternoon (June 5, 6, 7)

Summer Vocal Music Opportunities

Jazz Workshop: June 24-28  (highly recommended for vocal jazz/lab jazz singers)

Registration: http://foxboroughjazzcamp.weebly.com/

SIMC: Work as a counselor and get resume and volunteer experience working with children! 

(June 24-July 12)

Open to any high schooler in the music program (great experience for section leaders!)

Doesn't cost anything, you can opt to do 1, 2, or all 3 weeks

Registration: simc.info

South Shore Children's Advanced Summer Choir (run by Mrs. Oberoi)  (July 15-19)

http://www.southshorechildrenschorus.org/summerprograms/

Let's have an outstanding rest of the school year!  

-Mr. Raymond

POPs 2019: Adventure to Ancient Greece

Foxboro Choir Parents and Families:

Next weekend, May 4th and 5th is the annual Foxboro High School POPs weekend in the FHS Gym.  This themed and student-run event involves the entire music program and is a fantastic showcase of our many performance ensembles from our Choir, Band, Orchestra, Jazz, and Vocal Jazz groups.  This is an exciting and very family friendly event to attend.  This year's decoration theme is: "Adventure to Ancient Greece"

Saturday POPS: 7:00pm (student call time is 6:15pm)

Sunday POPS: 1:00pm (student call time is 12:15)

There are still reserved floor table seat tickets available for both Saturday night and Sunday matinee.  They can be purchased as a whole table (8 seats) for $50.  A Half Table (4 seats) for $28.  Individual Table Seats are $8.

General Admission--Bleachers can be bought in advance or the day of either concert and they are $5 (these never sell out)

If you wish to purchase any tickets in advance, please email: foxboroughpops2019@gmail.com.

Looking forward to an exceptional and memorable weekend of music!

-Mr. Raymond

FHS Concert Choir Spring Performances

As a reminder, and for your planning purposes, I am listing here the major Concert Choir performance events for the Spring.  Please email me if you have any questions.

Thursday February 14: 5:00pm - Choir Exchange with UMass Lowell

This event begins at 5:00pm and is free and open to anyone who wishes to attend.  We are looking to serve pizza that night, so I could use some parent volunteers to help!  The event will end approximately 7:30pm.

Thursday March 5: 6:30pm - Choralpalooza

Annual combined grade 5-12 choir concert

Thursday April 4: 7:00pm - Spring Concert

Saturday April 6: 2:00pm & 4:00pm - MICCA FESTIVAL

This is an essential date for all choir members.  We will be traveling by bus to Norwood High School for the MICCA choral festival.  Treble Choir performs at 2:00pm, Concert Choir performs at 4:00pm.

Saturday May 4 (7:00pm) & Sunday May 5 (1:00pm) POPS 2019

Our annual music department POPs production.  This is a showcase of our music program which includes Concert Choir.  This is an outstanding family friendly event (Theme: Ancient Greece!)

Thursday May 23: 7:00pm - Chamber Concert

This is a concert that will include Treble Choir and Chamber Choir

Berklee Jazz Festival Saturday!

This Saturday is the annual Berklee High School Jazz Festival! 

The Foxboro Vocal Jazz Ensemble will be performing at 2:00pm (1:30 warmup) at the Hynes Convention Center (connected to the Prudential building) in Boston.  This should be a very exciting performance, and we hope you can join us if you are available or happen to be around Boston this Saturday.  If you wish to attend, I would recommend you take the rail/T in and arrive slightly early to ensure a good seat (seating can sometimes be limited).  This festival is completely free to attend.

Additionally, we are excited to announce at the festival we will be premiering a brand new Kerry Marsh commissioned arrangement of a funk/fusion song called "I Remember" at the festival as the last tune in our set.  

We hope to see you there!  Email me if you have any questions

Very best of luck to all the vocal jazz ensemble students involved!

-Mr. Raymond

January Vocal Music Updates

January Vocal Music Updates:

- We recently held our annual Choir Step-Up night!  Thank you to all involved especially the 8th grade singers and families who joined us as well as the high school singers for all of your positive energy and hard work to make this a very successful event!

Major Upcoming Events:

Senior Districts - Friday and Saturday January 11-12
- Participating students need to turn in a med form
- Bus will depart 7:30am sharp on both days
- We will return via bus approximately 6:00pm on Friday
- There will not be a return bus on Saturday, students need transportation home after the concert
- Please consult the info sheet for all information related to the schedule and what to bring

All-State Auditions - Saturday January 26
- Singers auditioning for All-State will be leaving FHS by bus at 7:30am on Saturday
- Bring everything you need for All-State AND Berklee
- After auditions are over, singers will be brought straight to Boston to the Berklee Jazz Fest and will travel home from Berklee with the rest of the group later that evening after the festival is over

Berklee High School Jazz Festival - Saturday January 26  (Vocal Jazz Ensemble)
- Meeting at Foxboro High School at 7:30am
- Those auditioning for All-State will travel separately and join the group in Boston later after auditions
- The entire festival will take place at the Hynes Convention Center attached to the Prudential building and is completely free to attend -- you do not need a ticket
- VJE members only need to either pack a lunch or bring money for lunch and dinner
- Our performance is at 2:00pm, with a warmup time approx. 1:40, it is recommended you arrive early to get a good seat as the place can fill up
- We will find out our exact performance room on the day of the festival (it will be on the 3rd floor)

EVENTS COMING SOON:
Friday Feb 1 - Australia Jazz Gala (Vocal Jazz Ensemble)
Thursday Feb 14 - Concert Choir Exchange With UMass Lowell
Thursday March 5 - Choralpalooza
Thursday April 4 - Spring Concert
Saturday April 6 - MICCA (at Norwood High School, Treble Choir 2:00pm, Concert Choir 4:00pm)

Weekly Updates 12/17-12/21

Let's finish out the 2018 calendar year on a high note!

SECTIONALS:

Soprano & Alto Sectional Today (Monday)

Tenor & Bass Sectional Tuesday

Makeup Sectional Thursday

(If you cannot attend the sectional today, please email me now and go either Tuesday or Thursday)

ASSEMBLY CONCERT WEDNESDAY:

Come to school in full concert attire ready to perform

We will have a "run-through" first block with band and orchestra

Performances will take place 2nd and 3rd blocks

Program will be announced soon (we will likely sing 3 pieces)

CAROLING ON THE COMMON THURSDAY:

Caroling will begin at 6:00pm on the Common (then move to the Doolittle home)

Please come out and sing and be a part of this longstanding town tradition (plus there will probably be hot chocolate!)

SIGHT SINGING FACTORY ASSIGNMENT 5: Due Friday

LOOKING AHEAD:

Following Holiday Break, Step-Up Night: Monday January 7

MICCA 2019 Performance Times are in: Saturday April 6: 2:00pm and 4:00pm

Choir Updates: Holiday Concert Week

Choir Updates Concert Week (Dec 10-14)

AFTER SCHOOL/SECTIONAL SCHEDULE:

Monday Dec 10: Soprano

Tuesday Dec 11: Alto

Wed Dec 12: Tenor & Bass

Thurs Dec 13: CONCERT DAY (no sectionals)

Friday Dec 14: Makeup Sectional

Holiday Concert Thursday Dec 13: Arrive at 6:00pm, Warmup 6:20pm, Concert 7:00pm

Sight Singing Factory:  Assignment #5 - Due 12/20

Tour Payment #1 - Now Due, submit as a check to "Foxboro Public Schools Music", all ensemble students (9-12) are eligible

Choir Holiday Party: December 15: 4-8pm (Speak to a section leader for details)

SAVE THE DATE: MICCA Saturday April 6, 2019

Upcoming December Dates:

December 13 - Holiday Concert 

December 19 - In-School Assembly Concert

December 20 - Caroling on the Common

Choir Updates December Week 1

Choir Updates Next Week (Dec 3-7)  HAPPY DECEMBER!!

- I am extending SRF Assignment 4 to December 7 - Please complete!

- On Monday, you will receive the Spring Curriculum music.  I will go over all the details including the part assignments for the Spring Curriculum in a separate email.

AFTER SCHOOL/SECTIONAL SCHEDULE:

Monday Dec 3: Soprano

Tuesday Dec 4: Alto

Wed Dec 5: Tenor & Bass

Thurs Dec 6: Junior District Practice (last one before auditions)

Friday Dec 7: Makeup Sectional

Sight Singing Factory:  Assignment #4 - Extending to 12/7 (Bonus points to those who completed on or by 11/30)  Next assignment will be due 12/20

Tour Payment #1 - Now Due, submit as a check to "Foxboro Public Schools Music", all ensemble students (9-12) are eligible

8th Grade Concert: Thursday December 6: 6:30pm at Ahern Middle

Choir Holiday Party: December 15: 4-8pm (Speak to a section leader for details)

Junior District Auditions - Saturday December 8,

Meeting at Ahern 8:50am, we will return approximately 12:45

Upcoming December Dates:

December 6 - 8th Grade Concert (encouraged to attend/support!)

December 8 - Junior District Auditions

December 13 - Holiday Concert 

December 19 - In-School Assembly Concert

December 20 - Caroling on the Common

Choir Updates 11/20

Choir Updates: Next Week (Nov 26-30)

For your planning purposes (plan ahead now to attend sectionals!):

AFTER SCHOOL/SECTIONAL SCHEDULE:
Monday Nov 26: Soprano
Tuesday Nov 27: Alto
Wed Nov 28: Tenor & Bass
Thurs Nov 29: Junior District Practice
Friday Nov 30: Makeup Sectional

NYC Tour Payment #1 - Now Due, submit as a check to "Foxboro Public Schools Music", all ensemble students (9-12) are eligible

Sight Singing Factory Assignment #4 - Due Friday November 30

Junior District Auditions - Saturday December 8, will be leaving in the morning from Ahern Middle (more information coming soon)

Upcoming December Dates:

December 6 - 8th Grade Concert (encouraged to attend/support!)

December 8 - Junior District Auditions

December 13 - Holiday Concert 

December 19 - In-School Assembly Concert

December 20 - Caroling on the Common

Friday Choir Updates 11/16

Choir Updates Friday 11/16

Senior Districts Auditions -- Saturday (11/17), Meeting at 12:30

Best of luck to all the Foxboro students auditioning!

Junior Districts - Please email me to confirm if you would like to audition!  Turn in form and audition money by Thanksgiving break.  Auditions are on Saturday December 8

Sight Reading Factory Assignment 3, due by 10:00pm tonight (Friday 11/16)

Next Week:

Monday - Makeup Sectional directly after school 11-12

If you have missed any sectional since Voices and Strings, come to the makeup sectional Monday!

Tuesday - Pep Rally Performance -- wear your choir shirt!

We will sing the national anthem together as a choir

Vocal Jazz Ensemble - Tuesday afternoon rehearsal 12-1:30pm

Tour Payment #1 - Now Due, submit as a check to "Foxboro Public Schools Music", all ensemble students (9-12) are eligible to go

Upcoming December Dates:

December 6 - 8th Grade Concert (encouraged to attend/support!)

December 8 - Junior District Auditions

December 13 - Holiday Concert 

December 20 - Caroling on the Common

The video of the Voices and Strings concert is now live on YouTube!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QxOpRgSErPw

Have a great weekend,

-Mr. Raymond

Friday Choir Announcements 10/12

Choir Announcements Friday 10/12:

Announcements:

-  Next week will follow the same after school schedule.  No sectional on Monday (chance to rest your voices before the evening rehearsal).  Tuesday: Sop & Alto, Wednesday: Tenor & Bass, Thursday: Districts, Friday: Makeup.  Please make sure to attend sectionals...especially if you owe one or more sectionals from past weeks.

-  Monday is the evening rehearsal with NAHS, please arrive in the auditorium by 5:00pm (you can come earlier to warmup/practice).  Please have your music, water, and try to eat something even a light snack before rehearsal!

-  Senior District Audition Priority Deadline (section leaders, juniors and seniors, and past auditioners) is next Friday. (Currently: 3 Soprano Spots Left and 4 Alto Spots Left).  Please turn in your registration form and $15 cash or check (Town of Foxboro Music).  Your spot is not secured until you turn in form and money.

- Sight Reading Factory Assignment #2 is due next Friday.  Those who haven't finished assignment #1 can still turn it in for a late grade if you complete it by next Friday.  After the assignment #2 deadline passes, all grades for assignment 1 will be final.

-  Voices and Strings Concert is less than two weeks away: Thursday October 25!  Make sure you have your concert attire ready.  Bring in money for ties if you haven't already paid, this should go to Jake.  If you still owe money for the T-Shirts or Dresses please turn it in.  Make sure dresses are hemmed and you have comfortable black dress shoes (black socks if necessary).   Make sure you try on your suits/concert dresses this weekend and have them cleaned if necessary.

-  Tune in or set your DVR for WBZ news tonight at 5:00pm!  A story will be airing about the Foxboro music program featuring some of the work of our Jazz Ensemble, Vocal Jazz Ensemble, and Chamber Orchestra.  Matt Light came in to interview as well as Ms. Tedoldi and a few students.  This should be an awesome story!  It will also be available online after it airs on TV.

Have a great weekend!  

Mr. Raymond

Weekly Choir Updates

Weekly Updates 10/8-10/12

- Senior Districts Practices start this week, turn in your forms and money this week if you intend on auditioning

- After School Schedule:

Tuesday: Sop & Alto

Wednesday: Tenor & Bass

Thursday: Senior District Practice 

Friday: Sectional Makeup

- Sight Reading Factory Assignment #1 is now past due—complete asap if you have not already done so

- Next Monday: Evening rehearsal with North Attleboro HS, 5:00pm

- Voices and Strings Concert is October 25

This is just over two weeks away—make sure you are preparing accordingly!

- Dresses will arrive this week, everyone please check and make sure your concert attire is clean and you have dress shoes ready

See you in rehearsals,

Mr. Raymond

Choir Weekly Updates 10/1-10/5

Choir Weekly Updates: Happy October

- I will unfortunately be out Monday, Mrs. Oberoi will be running rehearsal that day

- No Soprano sectional Monday please see the weekly schedule below:

Monday- No Sectionals

Tuesday - Soprano and Alto Sectional

Wednesday - No Sectionals (faculty meeting)

Thursday - Tenor and Bass Sectional

Friday - No School (Cookout at 5 at Ahern)

- New Students: please turn in your Blouse/Skirt sizes ASAP (if you have not already done so!) I’m going to place the order this week

- Turn in money for shirts this week

- Turn in forms and money for Senior Districts

- First Sight Singing Factory assignment is due this Friday 10/5

- Rehearsal with orchestra on Tuesday morning 

(Need leaders to come setup full risers and shells on stage before school on Tuesday, I’ll send a separate email to you about this)

October Upcoming Events:

- Friday 10/5: Fall Cookout/Anthem, Call Time = 5:00pm

-  Monday 10/15: Evening Rehearsal w/NAHS

- Thursday 10/25: Voices and Strings Concert

Choir Weekly Updates 9/23

Choir:

- Please bring in your money for the shirts.  Note the updated prices: Reg/Ladies T=$12, long sleeve=$15

- Please bring in Concert Dress/Necklace money by the end of the week!  Also need your blouse/skirt sizes.

- Make up any missed sectionals this week, you can double up if need be (we will be working on Kyrie and Credo movements in sectionals this week)

-  Cookout is less then 2 weeks away (Friday October 5), email me now if you and your family will be going out of town (otherwise I expect you to be there)

-  Sight Reading Factory will begin this week, more details coming early this week and in a separate email

-  Have you set up a routine practice schedule outside of rehearsal that works for you?  This is an important way to be staying on top of the music/parts.  If you need help with this, talk to a section leader.

See you Monday!

- Mr Raymond 

Jazz Updates 9/23

Vocal Jazz Ensemble:

Just a reminder, there is an important meeting Monday night for those students and families  interested in going to Australia.  Even if you are still undecided as to whether you are going to go or not, you can attend this meeting for details and information.  

On Friday there will be an in school field trip “rehearsal” with news coverage reporting on th Australia trip, some of you may or may not be interviewed.

This week you should begin ramping up solos and working to try to get more and more off music.  If you still have parts that you haven’t learned—you should set a personal goal to get that done by the end of the week.

Have you gotten together with your section to practice yet??

Looking forward to a strong week of rehearsals...the following week we will add rhythm section on Tuesday nights!

See you Monday!

-Mr Raymond 

Choir Friday Announcements

Choir Friday Announcements:

-  Continue studying the Mass in G -- listen to recordings over the weekend.  Next week (midweek) we will sing through the entire work 

-  Bottle and Can Drive Saturday 9-2pm, taking place at the IGO front parking lot!  Contact a section leader if you need a ride!  Stop by even if you can only make it for an hour or two.

-  Design a choir shirt: www.customink.com  Email your designs to Mr. Raymond!  We will vote on the design next week and start the ordering process!

-  (new students) Concert Dress letters will be going home Monday (and emailed home), you will need to bring in money and indicate your desired size for Dress and Blouse

-  (Optional) Music apparel order forms are available and money is due 9/30

-  Senior Pictures for Pin/Buttons will be taken next Tuesday 9/18 at 5:40pm at the Ahern Football Track

-  Sight Reading Factory assignment 1 due date will be pushed back a week

-  Update your calendars for the annual FMA cookout/national anthem--Friday evening October 5

Have a great weekend!  See you in rehearsals on Monday!

-Mr. Raymond

Choir Midweek Announcements

Concert Choir:

Strong rehearsing this morning, keep working and practicing to get your parts learned!  See you in sectionals!

A few quick announcements:

- Sectionals are under way this week, please email me if you can't make your sectional and plan to come to the makeup

-  Bottle and Can Drive Saturday, taking place at the IGO front parking lot!  Signup sheet is in the choir room

-  Finish Dropbox Assignment//Turn in your syllabus sign off

-  Design a choir shirt: www.customink.com  Email your designs to Mr. Raymond!

-  (Optional) Music apparel order forms are available in the choir room and also attached to an email that was sent out, money due 9/30

-  Update your calendars for the annual FMA cookout/national anthem--Friday evening October 12

-  Consider joining Lab Jazz Choir!

-  Senior Pictures for Pin/Buttons will be taken next Tuesday 9/18 at 5:40pm at the Ahern Football Track

Have a great week!

-Mr. Raymond

Choir Friday Updates 9/7

Concert Choir, 

Thank you for your focus and energy this week!  We're off to a strong start, and I hope you are as excited as I am for the potential of this year's ensemble.  

Some announcements:

-  Please get logged in to Dropbox and access the "opening week assignment" and email it back to me (let me know via email if you are having trouble accessing Dropbox)

-  Listen to the Schubert Mass in G all the way through this weekend--write down a fact about the music or Schubert

- Get a Black Binder if you have not done so--transfer your choir music into it

-  Review syllabus/calendar dates and sign off on the last page and hand it in to me on Monday

-  Sectionals begin Monday 2:15-3:00pm: Sop-Monday, Alto-Tuesday, Tenor-Wednesday, Bass-Thursday, Makeup-Friday

ALWAYS email if you are going to miss a sectional even if you are absent from school

-  Please consider joining Lab Jazz Choir--it's fun!  Email me if you are interested and we can talk about it!

-  We will discuss concert attire and choir T-shirt designs next week.

- Bottle and Can Drive: Saturday 9/15, Sign up on the sheet in the choir room!

I'll be making a parent email list and sending out an email next week!

Have a fantastic weekend!