NHS Chorus - nhschorus

If you would like to purchase a DVD of last night's concert, please send in $10 (cash/check made out to American Cancer Society) and email me (colette_reed@gwinnett.k12.ga.us) with your order.  Thank you for supporting Relay for Life & NHS Chorus!

Thank you for a fantastic concert last night!  Students, you continue to inspire me with your hard work, talent, and dedication.  I am so proud of each and every one of you!  Parents, I cannot thank you enough for your support.  Many parents worked behind the scenes to help the show come off without a hitch and I would like to especially thank Diane Fisher, DeAnn Crawford, Catherine Reidy, May & Larry Thompson, Jan Brookes, Gwenda Booth, and many many others.  You are wonderful and so appreciated!

If you took any pictures from last night’s concert or reception, please share them on the website—we’d love to build a great 2011-2012 photo album.  Please contact me if you need help adding pictures.

As we approach the end of the year, we have several housekeeping concerns to wrap up.  First, all rented uniforms must be returned, cleaned, and on a hanger by Wednesday, May 9.  Unreturned uniforms will result in an obligation and the price of the uniform must be paid in full.  Any sheet music issued to students must also be returned to Wednesday May 9.  Please help by turning in these items as soon as possible!

Don't forget that you can "Like" NHS Chorus on Facebook!!  All parents, students, alumni, and community members are welcome to join our fan page.  It's just another great way to connect with Chorus @ Norcross!!  www.facebook.com/nhschorus

Thank you again for a great Spring Show!

"Like" our chorus fan page @ www.facebook.com/nhschorus!

See you there!

Mandatory Dress Rehearsal

The spring show dress rehearsal is this Tuesday, May 1 from 2:25-5:30 in the NHS theatre.  Please bring your chorus show outfits so we can practice transitions

Chorus Show Outfits

Each class has been assigned to wear special chorus outfits to coordinate with their songs.  Please ensure you have the following items.  All outfits must be dress code—girls will need to wear cardigans or blazers if their tops are too strappy.

1^st Period (Norcross Singers)

Girls: Black & White dresses

Guys: Jeans, White dress shirt with pink tie

2^nd Period (Beginning Mixed Chorus)

Girls: Colorful Spring Sundresses

Guys: White button down, jeans

Chamber Choir

Girls: Little black dresses (LBD), black or red dress shoes

Guys: Tux or black suit (like spies)

1^st Period & Chamber Choir Men (Man of Constant Sorrow)

Overalls/Jeans and flannel shirts

1^st Period Men & 2^nd Period Men (SpongeBob)

Hawaiian Shirts, khakis/jeans, flip flops

All (For final song, Circle of Life)

Black top with sleeves, jeans

Help Needed!

Please visit the website to sign up for the following areas of need:

Pass out programs

DVD table

Audience monitors

Dessert banquet set-up

Desserts & Drinks for the banquet (all students are required to bring in at least one baked good)

Senior Honors

All SENIORS: The senior profile sheet filled out (below) along with your

senior and baby pictures are due by MONDAY APRIL 30

Name

College

Intended major

NHS chorus activities/awards

Thank Yous/Dedications

Baby & Grad pictures

For more information about lettering, see the attached Word document

We are coming into the home stretch for our Spring Concert and that means rehearsals!  Please ensure that you are present and have all transportation arranged for the following mandatory rehearsals.

Wed 4/18    All Women

2:25-3:45 1^st Period & 2^nd Period Women: Sister Act

3:45-5:00 1^st Period & CC: When I Fall in Love

Wed 4/25    All Men

2:25-3:45 1^st Period & 2^nd Period & CC Men: Spongebob Square Pants

3:45-5:00 1^st Period & CC Men: Man of Constant Sorrow

Tues 5/1   Dress Rehearsal

      2:25-5:30

      Please bring your concert clothes for approval & grade

Rehearsal recordings for personal practice will be available by the end of the week.  Thanks!

I hope you all had a wonderful 3-day weekend and are ready for our first concert of the semester: this Thursday at 7 PM in the NHS Theatre.  All chorus students must report at 5 PM for a mandatory dress rehearsal with Peachtree Elementary.  Students will wear their Chorus shirts during school on Thursday and bring their uniforms to the dress rehearsal.  If you haven't picked up your chorus shirt, now is the time to do so!

We need lots of parent help for this concert, so please visit http://nhschorus.shutterfly.com/signup to sign up or email me.  A million thanks in advance!

Feel free to email me at colette_reed@gwinnett.k12.ga.us if you have any questions.  Looking forward to Thursday!
Mrs. Reed

Friday (March 9)– Peachtree Elementary Picnic

Students will report to the chorus room for 5^th and 6^th periods for the Peachtree Elementary visit and picnic.  Please sign up on the website to bring dessert, drinks, or supplies.  Students will sing for each other, ask questions, and then share lunch.  Students will return to class at the end of 6^th period. 

Students who need extra time to make up work due to Monday’s (and Friday’s) absences must arrange with Mrs Reed to miss their normal chorus class period.  Please complete all class work in a timely manner so your grade in your other classes does not begin to slip!

Thursday (March 15)– Rehearsal & Concert

Students: wear your cluster concert tshirts during the day Thursday to advertise the concert.

All students must report to the chorus room at 5:00 PM for a mandatory rehearsal.  We will warm-up together, learn “Dona Nobis Pacem” and then run through the entire concert order.  After rehearsal, we will have time to share snacks, hang out with the Elementary school students, and get changed into our formal concert uniforms. 

The concert begins at 7 PM in the NHS Theatre.  It is FREE and open to everyone in the community, so invite your friends!  The following NHS chorus merchandise will be on sale during the concert, so please bring cash or check to purchase LGPE CDs ($5), Concert DVDs ($10), extra Tshirts ($12) or hoodies ($30).  Thanks for your support!

Feel free to email me with any questions about our upcoming events!

colette_reed@gwinnett.k12.ga.us

https://plus.google.com/u/0/photos?tab=mq#photos/113479432886790189511/albums/5717287612281321713/5717287612009420530

Congratulations to Alexander Barron and Mia Donatien for being selected as the NHS Chorus March start students!

Alexander is by far the most energetic and ready to sing each and every day-which is saying something because we meet at 7:20 AM.  His passion and energy for singing show in the success he has in leading the bass section and his facial expressions while singing.  Keep up the great work!

Mia is one of the most dependable singers in Beginning Chorus.  She quietly leads by example by always following directions, making immediate changes and adjustments to her singing, and helping others in her section.  Mia has earned the March student of the month because she demonstrates excellence day in and day out.  Way to go!

Check out this month's star student's pictures under the pictures and video tab.

Dear Students & Parents,

Thank you so much for your hard work for making this year's LGPE very successful!  I am so proud of how our choruses sounded and behaved.  We will be going over the actual scores during class tomorrow, so stay tuned for results!  I want to especially thank Saroja Goda, Cindy Smith, Norma Zolorzano, and Kevin Maynard for being awesome parent chaperones.  Thanks a bunch and see you all tomorrow!

Mrs Reed

p.s. If you took any pictures @ LGPE, go ahead and add them to the site!
p.p.s. Chamber Choir - we will have a quick results talk (& snack time!) on Wednesday right after school - meet in the chorus room at 2:25 - meeting/rehearsal will end before 3:00.  Thanks!

Parents,

You are welcome to watch our LGPE performance at Lawrenceville United Methodist Church tomorrow.  The performances are held in the main church sanctuary.  The address is 395 West Crogan Street  Lawrenceville, GA 30046.

Performance times:

Beginning Chorus 9:20

Chamber Choir 10:20

Norcross Singers 11:20

Thanks for your support and see you there!

March LGPE Madness!!

1^st Period

Wear NHS Chorus/NHS Spirit Wear for tomorrow’s reception for Mr. Patterson.  We will learn/perfect “Norcross, Norcross” in class and then rehearse “Anyway” one final time with Ms. Hawkins our accompanist.  Report immediately to the chorus room at 2:10 and we will walk together to the Duke House.

Chamber Choir

You will report to the chorus room at 8:00 for a mandatory rehearsal with our accompanist.  This is our ONLY opportunity to rehearse Jabberwocky with Ms. Hawkins.  Make it count!  Don’t forget our last rehearsal before LGPE is Wednesday from 3:15-4:30.  Check out today’s recording of “Esto les Digo” under pictures and videos—what do we need to work on?

2^nd Period

Rehearse and memorize “Follow the Drinking Gourd”.  This is our final rehearsal with our accompanist so every single second of rehearsal is precious.  Although Wednesday’s mandatory rehearsal was cancelled, there will be an EXTRA CREDIT rehearsal for 2^nd period only from 2:25-3:15.  We need to make one final push before LGPE—you know that any extra time

All Choruses

·   Tshirt and Hoodie money is due Wednesday

·   LGPE Permission forms are due Friday

·   For LGPE on Monday: Bring full concert uniform, $5 lunch, rain jacket

·   We still need 2 more parent chaperones for Monday—Thanks to those who have already signed up.  Don’t miss this opportunity to see your student sing and help support NHS Chorus!

Congratulations to Kasandra Acosta and Jamie Jaramillo for being selected as the NHS Chorus students of the month!  Kasandra is such a positive influence in the Norcross Singers--she shows up early, ready to sing each morning and helps motivate those around her with her attitude.  Jamie is, by far, the most improved chorus member in Beginning chorus.  He doesn't let outside distractions interfere with his progress-he applies that focus and works hard with great results.  Keep up the awesome work, guys! 

Will YOU be selected for next month's star student?  We're looking for hard workers & those who go above and beyond.

LGPE Final Update!

What is LGPE?  LGPE-Large Group Performance Evaluation-is our annual standardized test held in March.  It is a full day field trip.  On March 5, students will report to the chorus room first thing and have a few minutes to get changed into their uniforms.  We will travel to Lawrenceville by school bus to sing two songs that we’ve been working on in addition to a sight-reading test.  We will also be able to watch other choirs from our area perform.  On our way back to the school, we will enjoy a quick lunch.  We will return before the 2:10 bus dismissal.  LGPE is only 6 rehearsal days away so here are the final details for the next two weeks!

Mandatory Rehearsal

Our Mandatory Rehearsal scheduled for February 29 has been cancelled due to a scheduling conflict.  Please ensure your student is present every day next week (Feb 27-March 2) for class rehearsal.  The accompanist will be stopping by a few times and our time with her is crucial!

LGPE Permission Slips

LGPE permission slips were sent home today.  Please fill out the student information on the front, get your parent to sign the back, and then take the form to each teacher to gather their signature.  Forms are due by Friday March 2.  You must turn in the permission slip in order to attend LGPE.

LGPE Schedule

Monday March 5, 2012

7:20    Report to Chorus room & change into chorus uniforms

7:45  Board busses

9:00  Beginning Mixed Chorus Warm up time

10:00   Chamber Choir warm up time

11:00   Norcross Singers warm up time

12:00   Get scores, depart for lunch

1:45  Return to NHS, change out of uniforms

LGPE Chaperones

Three to four parent chaperones are needed for the LGPE trip.  This is a great way to see the kids in action!  If you are available, please sign up under the volunteer tab on our website or email me at Colette_reed@gwinnett.k12.ga.us  Thanks a million in advance!

Optional NHS Chorus Spirit Wear!

If you would like purchase the 2012 Chorus T-shirt or hoodie, all orders and money are due Wednesday February 29. Order forms have been sent home and are available on the website.

Upcoming Cluster Concert

Our next performance will be on Thursday March 15.  We will be presenting our first-annual Cluster Concert with our feeder school, Peachtree Elementary.  Students are expected to be here for a mandatory rehearsal starting at 5:00.  The concert starts at 7:00 PM and is free and open to the community.  More details will come following our LGPE trip.

Thank you for making this year’s LGPE successful. 

Please feel free to email me at Colette_reed@gwinnett.k12.ga.us with any questions

Don’t forget our website! http://nhschorus.shutterfly.com

LGPE

We are rapidly approaching our annual performance review, Georgia Music Educator’s Association (GMEA) Large Group Performance Evaluation (LGPE).  LGPE is our opportunity to be graded on two pieces that we’ve been working on in addition to our sight-reading skills.  Students have been rehearsing daily for this event – feel free to ask what they’re working on!  Our date for evaluation is Monday March 5.  It is a school field trip and we will be gone the entire school day.  We do need at least 2 parent chaperones to help that day, so please check your calendars and let me know if you available to help!  Additional information about LGPE will be sent home next Monday.

Mandatory Rehearsal

In preparation for LGPE will be holding one mandatory rehearsal on Wednesday February 29 from 2:25-5:00.  Each class will sing on the stage with our accompanist while the other classes will fill out peer-evaluations.  Students do not need to wear their concert uniforms for this rehearsal.  Our accompanist will also be visiting our classes that Monday and Tuesday of that week—please ensure your student is present and healthy for those crucial rehearsals!

Cluster Concert

Following our LGPE concert, we will be preparing a concert for the community, the first-annual Norcross Chorus Cluster Concert.  Peachtree Elementary will join us in presenting our LGPE selections and a few extra songs.  Students will collaborate with Peachtree Elementary on Friday March 9 during school and during rehearsal on March 15.  This concert is free and open to the public!

Chorus T-shirts & Hoodies

The Norcross chorus will be selling t-shirts to commemorate our first-ever cluster concert for only $10.  All proceeds from t-shirt sales benefit the chorus program—so order your t-shirt today!

Chorus hoodies featuring our NHS Blue Devil are also on sale.  All hoodies are $30.  Order BOTH the t-shirt and hoodie for $35—what a deal!!!

All t-shirt and hoodie orders and $ are due no later than Wednesday February 29.  Cash or checks made out to NHS Chorus are welcome.  Order forms are available in the chorus office and website.  Thanks for your support!

Parents & Students,

I am happy to announce that next semester we will be offering two additional singing events for selected students!  All registration forms and dues are due by Wednesday December 14 before finals. Please email me @ colette_reed@gwinnett.k12.ga.us with any additional questions! 

For All Men:

Real Men Sing event @ GSU on Thursday January 12.  Join other top select metro-Atlanta High School tenors and basses in this one-day honor chorus at Georgia State University.  For this field-trip, you'll sing in a large men's chorus, recieve male-specific vocal technique instruction, and get to work with top GSU conductors.  The $30 registration fee includes music, lunch and a t-shirt.  We will coordinate a car-pool to drive down to downtown Atlanta together.

For Advanced Chorus & Chamber Choir women only:

Diva Day 2012 @ Chattahoochee High School on Saturday February 4.  Want to learn more about female a cappella singing?  This fun yet intense one-day camp introduces female singers to women's barbershop singing--a style of singing featuring at least 4 part tight harmonies and humorous performances.  There is also a "Song of Atlanta Sing-Off Competition" in which you can audition to singing for the concert--more info included in the packet.  I highly recommend this workshop to improve your singing and listening skills as well as have a blast learning new music!  The $20 registration fee includes lunch and dinner, music, learning CDs and costumes! We can arrange to carpool to this event and we might need additonal chaperones.

Dear Parents,

Thank you so much for your enthusiastic selling – we just wrapped up our best Poinsettia fundraiser yet!  We sold 384 poinsettias, 84 over our goal and almost 200 more than last year!!  We will need lots of help Tuesday afternoon starting at noon to help unload poinsettias from the truck, organize the orders and help distribute poinsettias at the end of the day.  If you can help, please sign up on our new website for a specific time slot.  If your student sold more poinsettias than they can carry, please plan on making arrangements to pick your poinsettia order up that afternoon.  We will be distributing poinsettias from 2 PM until 3:30 PM.

Exciting NHS Chorus news – our new and improved website: http://nhschorus.shutterfly.com is up and running!  Please take a moment to check it out – there is a calendar with our events, forms, sign-up sheets, pictures, videos and more!  It is my hope that it will be a portal and treasure trove of chorus info as well as a place to share pictures, videos and memories of our great chorus program.  If you have any suggestions or comments about the site, feel free to email me, Colette_reed@gwinnett.k12.ga.us

Our Mandatory Dress Rehearsal is TOMORROW (December 1) after school from 2:25-4:30.  All student s in the chorus program are required to be in attendance for it is a part of their Performance Final grade.  We will be rehearsing in the NHS theatre and working out concert logistics.  These next few days are crucial rehearsal days during class time, so please ensure your student is well rested and hydrated.    Now is the time to ensure your student’s formal concert uniform is ready for next week’s concert – please clean!

1^st Period Advanced Chorus and Chamber Choir students – This is just a reminder of your upcoming performances: Monday’s Faculty meeting (2:15-2:45) you are singing “Glory to God” from Messiah.  There is a Chamber Choir rehearsal following the faculty meeting performance until 4:00.  On Tuesday you are singing in the Orchestra Holiday concert.  Call time is 7:00 PM.  Then you are singing in the chorus concert on Wednesday, details are below.  We are caroling at the Forum next Friday, December 9 at 5:00.  If you haven’t signed up with Mrs Reed yet, you need to do so ASAP.

All Students--Our Holiday Concert, Songs for Snow and Mistletoe will be held next Wednesday evening at 7 PM in the NHS Theatre.  This concert is the Performance Final for chorus students.  Attendance is mandatory.  Students must arrive fully dressed by 6:30.  Parents, this is a wonderful program to invite friends and neighbors.  I look forward to seeing all of you there!

The end of the year is rapidly approaching and we have been busy busy busy learning our Holiday music for our next concert!  I cannot thank you all so much for your patience and understanding this Fall due to my maternity leave.  I am happy to report that both me and my daughter Camille are growing and thriving.  We all have so much to be thankful for!

I am writing this letter to update you on our upcoming events.  First some bad news.  Our county budget was cut by 40% for 2011-2012 and we have not been able to fundraise at all this Fall due to my absence.  We are in dire need of funds to continue building a tradition of excellence at Norcross.  For each concert, your student sings 3 to 4 pieces of music at $2 apiece.  There are 85 students in our program and 4 choruses, so in one concert our music costs are at least $510.  Also, our accompanist charges at least $250 for rehearsals for each concert.  I try my best to use existing music in our library or public domain music to help costs, but our students deserve new sheet music and more performance opportunities.  We had amazing success with our Poinsettia fundraiser last year and I hope you will join our efforts this year to help raise funds.

Our healthy and lush poinsettias have at least 5 large blooms and come in a 6½” gold foil wrapped pot.  We are selling our deluxe poinsettias for $10 each.  Each individual student is expected to sell 5 poinsettias.  It is extremely important that each student meet their individual selling goal.  There will be individual and group prizes for the most poinsettias sold.  Please feel free to sell to teachers, neighbors, co-workers, or church members and spread a little holiday cheer while you’re at it!

I hope you will join us for our free Holiday concert, “Songs for Snow and Mistletoe” on December 7, 2011 at 7 PM in the NHS Theatre.  In addition to traditional and contemporary holiday music, the advanced choruses will be collaborating with the NHS Chamber Orchestra to present selections from Handel’s Messiah.  It will be a festive evening and a great event to invite your neighbors and friends.  There will be a mandatory dress rehearsal on Thursday December 1^st from 2:25-4:30.  Please make transportation plans now for your student.  Also, ensure that your student’s chorus uniform is properly hemmed.  I noticed several un-hemmed dresses at the Fall Concert—please hem dresses to the floor with student’s black closed-toe dress shoes taken in account.

You may pre-order your concert DVD for the Fall or Holiday concerts, DVDs are $10 each.  Fall concert DVDs will be delivered sometime next week.

Please feel free to shoot me an email if you ever have any questions or concerns.  Looking forward to seeing you at our Holiday concert and happy selling!  Thanks a bunch!