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All About Chorus
All About Chorus Groups
Chorus students are expected to attend each Semester performance and are invited to sing any other event unless it is an “Advanced Chorus-only” event. Parents are requested to send a note or email to Ms. Turgeon 1-2 weeks in advance if a student has a concert, rehearsal, or performance conflict.
Chorus Performer responsible for all class work and projects, and expected to sing in each of
the Semester concerts and at other events by invitation. Performers are considered to be
Chorus members.
Non-Performer responsible for all class work and projects, but not expected perform at
concerts. Non-Performers are not considered to be Chorus members.
Advanced Chorus (optional) Advanced Chorus meets on Fridays after school from dismissal until 4:30pm. Offered for students who wish to sing more complicated music and get more experience singing harmonies. Advanced Chorus members are responsible for all Chorus duties and are often given opportunities to perform in special events to represent APS and Springdale Park. All 4th and 5th graders are invited to participate in Advanced Chorus—the only requirement is parental permission (via note or email) to stay after school on Friday afternoons and acceptable rehearsal behavior. There is no audition necessary for any Music@SPARK ensemble.
Uniform/Concert Attire
The uniform is the Music@SPARK polo shirt, black pants, black socks and black shoes.
The Music@SPARK shirt order form can be found linked athttp://springdaleparkmusic.blogspot.com/
Chorus Commitment
Chorus students are expected to attend regular rehearsals as scheduled. Regular Chorus will not have after school rehearsals unless we are preparing for special events or under extraordinary circumstances. Sometimes during the school day we will have extra rehearsals during our Specials/Spanish block as we get closer to concerts. These rehearsals are worked out among the Specials/Spanish teachers and approved by the principal.
Practice Tips:
YES! Chorus members should practice daily! The guideline for instrumental practice is about 30 minutes per day (excluding weekends). Your singer may need to devote more or less time to their Choral music, depending on their memorization skills and singing habits. Usually 10-20 minutes of focused practice each day will help young singers develop good singing habits, and regular practice makes memorizing words to songs much easier. You’ll be surprised at how quickly they improve with regular practice. The good news is that singing practice can be done just about anywhere! In the car, the shower, while washing dishes (do kids even do that anymore?) or with friends. Chorus members are expected to work on our P.A.S.T.A principles (see below) as well as memorizing words, melodies, and choreography for songs.
The best way to practice is to spend 10-20 minutes each day on your assigned songs.
- Spend the first few minutes warming up using our P.A.S.T.A. principles, singing a major scale on Do Re Mi and warm-ups we do in class.
- Identify small sections of the music that need improvement, including words or pitches that are tricky.
- Isolate trouble spots in the music and set a goal to improve one or two of those areas.
- Start working on hard sections slowly and increase your tempo until you feel comfortable.
- Don’t be too hard on yourself.
- End your practice session by singing music you enjoy!
P.A.S.T.A. principles
Posture—singers should develop the habit of standing or sitting with proper body alignment for singing,
even when they’re learning or practicing a song!
Air--singers must take a low, full breath to allow the voice to make its best sound. If you notice your
shoulders or chest moving too much, concentrate on taking several “belly breaths”.
Shape--tall vowels and a dropped jaw help singers blend their voices with other and create the most
beautiful sounds. Pay particular attention to AH and OO. Also, singers must be careful to
pronounce beginning, middle, and ending consonants in a way that allows the audience to
understand what is being sung. Singers must also watch their conductor so that all crisp
consonants are sung at the same, precise time.
Tone--different styles of music require different tones of voice for singing. The singing tone used when
singing a folk song should not be the same as the tone you use for pop music or classical styles.
Articulation--this concept deals with how the actual music is sung with expression, dynamics, and style so
that the meaning of the music is expressed.
OTHER OPPORTUNITIES:
Atlanta Young Singers: http://aysc.org/ Atlanta Boy Choir: http://www.atlantaboychoir.org/
APS Honor Chorus
The APS Honor Chorus is a showcase group for all APS elementary schools. This is a group for which 4-6 excellent singers from schools throughout the district can be selected, and this group has represented Atlanta Public Schools all over the state, in movies, and for district functions. A few years ago the APS Honor Chorus were part of the movie A Perfect Holiday with Queen Latifah. SO COOL! This year they have another big event with a famous European musician.
APS Honor Chorus requires a full-year commitment, and Fourth and Fifth graders are eligible to audition. The APS Honor Chorus rehearses every Thursday from 3:30-5:30pm. Auditions will be October 5th between 3:30-5:30pm at Deerwood Academy. The audition song is “America (My Country ‘Tis of Thee)”.
GMEA Statewide Elementary Honor Chorus
The Georgia Music Educators Association Statewide Elementary Honor Chorus is a yearly event for excellent choral singers from all over the state of Georgia. Each elementary Chorus teacher may register 4-6 students for the event, which will take place Friday and Saturday, October 28th and 29th at the First Baptist Church of Jonesboro in Jonesboro, GA. Participants must miss school on Friday, October 28th to attend the event in its entirety; however, this will be considered an excused absence (school business).
This event requires a big commitment for singers to learn the music in advance—Ms. Turgeon will hold several coaching sessions, and you may purchase a practice CD along with the sheet music. Registration for the event is $30, music will cost approx. $12, and the practice CD costs $20 (families may choose to share a CD). Despite the cost and the time commitment the GMEA Honor Chorus is an amazing opportunity for singers to meet kids from all over Georgia who share their passion for singing and music, plus each choir will be working with widely-known choral conductors Craig Hurley and Phillip Shoultz.
Go to http://www.gmea.org/Divisions/Elementary/SEHC.htm for more information.