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Batavia High School Music Department

Choir Newsletter; February 26, 2016

2/26/2016

0 Comments

 
Choir parents and families,
Here's this week's newsletter. Key points and new information are in bold type.​

A link to each post will be sent through the choir Twitter and Facebook accounts, to whatever parent emails I have on file, and to the students through Google Classroom. 

The beginning section will always be about curricular choir and the following information will pertain to the extracurricular activities, so you only need to read what applies to your student.  The most updated and comprehensive calendar is always on bataviamusic.org. ​
Curricular Choir:
  • What an amazing set of concerts this week! All of our choirs made me so proud! I hope you enjoyed it as much as I did!
  • Assignments: Students in all choirs can be working on the MusicTheory.net due Tuesday and GLE's due next week on Friday, 3/4. Any past due assignments from Semester 2 only are fair game as well. 
  • Difficulty level progress in SRF (Updated 2/19): Our average difficulty level keeps climbing! The average level for all 125 students moved from 1.26 in the first week up to 3.02 on the most recent assignment. Very few students are at level 1 (though, I'm happy they are if it is the appropriate challenge for them!), and many students are regularly working at level 4 or even 5. SRF has 6 possible levels, so there's plenty of room to grow, even for our most advanced singers. Here are some breakdowns: All 9th graders are averaging 2.56, Varsity is 2.48, Treble is 3.50, and Chamber is 4.55.
  • We are starting the process of auditions for next year's choirs. See the "Audition info for 2016-2017" section for details!

Showchoirs & Pop A Cappella
  • Here is info for tomorrow's performance at the Gala. This includes all call times and performance times, as well as a map to the venue. Students were told to bring their costumes home tonight. Please contact me if they left anything behind!
  • Here is info for the Showtime Concert on 3/2 as well as the dress rehearsal on 3/1. 
  • Here is info for Glenwood High School's "The Event" competition on 3/5. I will update these pages as new info comes out, so please don't just print the page. I'll mark the time on the page whenever there is an update. Here are other documents we've sent home with the kids: Here's costume info, and here's more general info. 
  • Several parents have emailed or called, asking how they can help. We will need at least two, or ideally four, parent volunteers for each competition. We ask that they ride the bus with us both ways, monitor the homeroom, and on rare occasions, deal with ill children. They will, if they ask, be able to watch the show from out in the audience and then meet back up with us after, and they will get free admission to the competition as our chaperone. We still need help for March 5 (Glenwood HS, Chatham, IL). Sign up here, or email me at peter.barsch@bps101.net if you would like clarification. 
  • Please get those participation fees in. Note that the $135 building fee is assessed through Powerschool. None of that money goes toward the Showchoir itself; it goes to pay for the facility, lights, heat, etc. The $300 fee is how we pay for the music, choreography, costuming, etc. All transportation fees and registration fees are paid by BHS. To pay this, please enclose a check to Batavia High School in a labeled envelope. Have your student drop it into the black lock-box in the choir room. The fee was due by the start of rehearsals on November 9. Any show choir student who has not paid the fee by the first competition will not be allowed to compete. For information about the BPS101 fee waiver policy, please see this page. ​

Audition info for 2016-2017!
Over the course of this year, one of the things that I heard about most was the disappointment over last year's curricular choir audition process. Of course, many people won't be happy with the results of an audition. It is clear though that many students didn't feel like the last year's audition process gave a clear picture of who they are or what they could do. With that in mind, here are some changes to the process:
  • I will be the one making decisions. Since I'm the one who has worked with your student all year, I'll be the one making decisions about what is best for each student and for the overall program. 
  • We will not have a one-on-one "Audition". All of the factors under consideration will be things that the students can prepare at home, or have been working on over time.  
  • I have discussed this with students individually and in class. I didn't want this to be a surprise to anyone, and I wanted the students to have as much of a say as possible. Several of the factors listed below are based on student suggestions. 
  • Here are the factors I'll be including in my decision-making process: 
    • Screencastify videos: We will record several "takes" of music that we performed. The recordings will be made in class, with everyone singing together. (This process started today). The idea is that since students sing together in class daily, the assessment should be done similarly. Students will then take home the recordings they made, assess themselves using this rubric, and submit the one video they feel is their best. This will allow me to assess not only their pitch and rhythm accuracy, but also their tone quality, consonant energy, and attention to expressive elements. 
    • SightReadingFactory: Not only will I pay attention to how they have scored on their SRF assignments, I'll also take into consideration the difficulty levels they've chosen for themselves. Are they challenging themselves to improve? Or are they just trying to get by without really trying to get better? Obviously a perfect score on very easy lines won't be as attractive as an attempt at lines with an appropriately challenging difficulty level. 
    • The overall voicing and structure of the groups: Not only do I have to find the best fit educationally for all of my students, I also have to create a course structure where we have the right voice parts covered so we can perform music of appropriate difficulty and educational content. I need to make five viable choirs; that means I need to determine the number of kids in each class and each voice part accordingly. 
    • Rehearsal technique: I reserve the right to consider a student's rehearsal technique. This will be a secondary consideration because of the qualitative nature. Essentially this will help serve as a tie-breaker between two equally capable kids. 
  • I will be happy to discuss any student's audition after the list is posted, but I won't discuss how any other student did.  I'd be happy to review any student's video or SRF materials with them to help them see what helped or hurt them. I will not tell them about how any other student did, however. Many excellent students will get beat by others and not move to the advanced choirs. All students can trust that their videos and scores will remain confidential. 
  • I'd be happy to take any questions about the process, especially before the audition process begins. I will start reviewing videos around Thursday, 3/3. I am open to listening to suggestions until that time. Please contact me with questions. 
  • I expect to release next year's lists before Spring Break in conjunction with the Band and Orchestra lists.

2015-16 Concerts​​​
  • Tuesday, May 3: Spring Choir Concert (Please note this change)
  • Tuesday, May 17: Music Senior Awards night (Please note this change)
  • Other Important Dates: 
    • Wednesday, March 2: Showtime!  NEXT WEEK!
    • Feb 29-3/11: Choir placement decisions

Did you notice that SHOWTIME is next week?? Good!

0 Comments

Gala performer info

2/24/2016

0 Comments

 
Here are the details for our students who are performing at the Gala this Saturday. 
  • Students can wear "Business Casual" when not performing. 
  • The call times for each group are listed below. Please be there no earlier than 5pm, and no later than the listed time. After your last group has performed, you are free to leave. 
  • Before you leave, please check out with the adult in charge of the pub room in writing.
  • Please don't eat before your listed time.
  • The elevator is available for transport of larger instruments and equipment.  Students are asked to use the stairs at all other times during the evening.
  • Students will have access to a conference room for instruments/cases, coats and belongings. Double doors on the main floor.
  • The pub room will be available to students to hang out and to eat in.  It is located on the main floor across from Coat Check.
  • The food and drinks will be located to the back of the Veranda Room (Large white room on main floor) beyond the silent auction and raffle baskets. Tables are also located there and students can eat there and hang out. Please try to keep all the areas and their belongings orderly.
  • Please gather, ready to perform, in the pub room 15 minutes before your performance time. Fishermen’s is concerned about the transitions between ensembles and the crowds at the back of the loft room. So we will try to minimize the bottle necks.
  • Before you leave, please check out with the adult in charge of the pub room in writing.
  • If you are able, please stick around to help take things down at the end of the night. 
Costume info:
  • SWINGSINGERS will wear their Gray/purple suits. Hair should be out of your face, but does not need to be done as dramatically as normal for competitions. Please arrive already dressed, since you are the first of the choirs. Changing rooms will be available for after your performance, but the fewer of us that have to change the better. 
  • LEGACY will wear the Silver dresses. Hair should be out of your face, but does not need to be done as dramatically as normal for competitions. You may arrive in costume if you would like. Changing rooms will be available for after your performance, but the fewer of us that have to change the better. 
  • POP ACAPPELLA will wear all black (shoes, socks/nylons, pants/skirt, belt, shirt, etc.) Colorful bow ties will be provided. The boys will wear them as ties, and the girls will wear them as accents (in their hair, etc.)
Schedule: 
  • Doors open to the public at 6 pm.
    • Call for Chamber Orchestra is 6 pm.
  • Jazz combo performs 6-6:50 pm.
  • 7 pm: Call time for SWINGSINGERS, Jazz Ensemble, & Jazz Workshop.
    • Students in those groups eat at that time. 
  • 8:00: Call time for LEGACY and POP ACAPPELLA. 
    • Students in those groups eat at that time. 
    8:10: Jazz Ensemble performs (featuring solo by Laura H).
  • 8:30: SWINGSINGERS performs.
  • 8:40: Jazz Workshop performs.
  • 9:00: POP ACAPPELLA performs.
  • 9:10: Jazz Ensemble performs (featuring solos by Hannah B and Justin K).
  • 9:35: LEGACY performs.
  • ​9:45: Jazz Workshop performs (featuring solo by Matt S).
  • 10:05: Jazz Ensemble performs (featuring solo by Kyle B).​
  • Before you leave, please check out with the adult in charge of the pub room in writing.
  • 10:35: Hawaii Raffle drawing & Raffle basket winners announced.
  • 10:45: Jazz Ensemble performs.
  • 10:45: Checkout.
0 Comments

Choir Newsletter; February 19, 2016

2/19/2016

0 Comments

 
Choir parents and families,
Here's this week's newsletter. Key points and new information are in bold type.​


A link to each post will be sent through the choir Twitter and Facebook accounts, to whatever parent emails I have on file, and to the students through Google Classroom. 

The beginning section will always be about curricular choir and the following information will pertain to the extracurricular activities, so you only need to read what applies to your student.  The most updated and comprehensive calendar is always on bataviamusic.org. ​
Curricular Choir:
  • Assignments: Students in all choirs can be working on the MusicTheory.net due Tuesday and the Sight Reading Factory due next Thursday. Any past due assignments from Semester 2 only are fair game as well. We had GLE's due last week, so if your student's grade took a plunge, see if they completed their GLE 5a & 5b!
  • Difficulty level progress in SRF (Updated 2/19): Our average difficulty level keeps climbing! The average level for all 125 students moved from 1.26 in the first week up to 3.02 on the most recent assignment. Very few students are at level 1 (though, I'm happy they are if it is the appropriate challenge for them!), and many students are regularly working at level 4 or even 5. SRF has 6 possible levels, so there's plenty of room to grow, even for our most advanced singers. Here are some breakdowns: All 9th graders are averaging 2.56, Varsity is 2.48, Treble is 3.50, and Chamber is 4.55.
  • Our focus for this concert cycle will be on vowel shape and tone quality. We are also paying special attention to some non-English languages (Italian, German, Japanese, and French), and each group has a song in compound meter (Each "big beat" is broken up into 3 smaller notes rather than 2: 6/8, 9/8 and 12/8 time are examples). While we always want to get the notes right, we'll be paying special attention to our blend and healthy tone production. Wish us luck!


Picture
It's almost concert time!
Our Batavia Music Festival is next week!
 This year, we are having combined concerts all next week. All concerts start at 7 pm and call time for choir students is 6:30 pm:
  • Concert 1: Both Chorales (Freshmen & Alpha), plus the Concert Orchestra and Symphonic Band
  • Concert 2: Treble Choir and Varsity Choir, plus the Sinfonietta, Symphony, Concert Band and Wind Ensemlble
  • Concert 3: Chamber Singers, plus the Wind Symphony and BHS Philharmonic
We'll top off the week with performances at the Gala on Saturday night, featuring Swingsingers, Legacy, and our new pop a cappella group, plus Jazz Ensemble, Jazz Workshop and Philharmonic Orchestra!

Help Needed! We are still in need of ushers for next week's concerts.
Please sign up here!


Audition info for 2016-2017!
Over the course of this year, one of the things that I heard about most was the disappointment over last year's curricular choir audition process. Of course, many people won't be happy with the results of an audition. It is clear though that many students didn't feel like the last year's audition process gave a clear picture of who they are or what they could do. With that in mind, here are some changes to the process:
  • I will be the one making decisions. Since I'm the one who has worked with your student all year, I'll be the one making decisions about what is best for each student and for the overall program. 
  • We will not have a one-on-one "Audition". All of the factors under consideration will be things that the students can prepare at home, or have been working on over time.  
  • I have discussed this with students individually and in class. I didn't want this to be a surprise to anyone, and I wanted the students to have as much of a say as possible. Several of the factors listed below are based on student suggestions. 
  • Here are the factors I'll be considering: 
    • Screencastify videos: After next week's concerts, we will record several "takes" of music that we performed. The recordings will be made in class, with everyone singing together. The idea is that since students sing together in class daily, the assessment should be done similarly. Students will then take home the recordings they made, assess themselves using this rubric, and submit the one video they feel is their best. This will allow me to assess not only their pitch and rhythm accuracy, but also their tone quality, consonant energy, and attention to expressive elements. 
    • SightReadingFactory: Not only will I pay attention to how they have scored on their SRF assignments, I'll also take into consideration the difficulty levels they've chosen for themselves. Are they challenging themselves to improve? Or are they just trying to get by without really trying to get better? Obviously a perfect score on very easy lines won't be as attractive as an attempt at lines with an appropriately challenging difficulty level. 
    • The overall voicing and structure of the groups: Not only do I have to find the best fit educationally for all of my students, I also have to create a course structure where we have the right voice parts covered so we can perform music of appropriate difficulty and educational content. I need to make five viable choirs; that means I need to determine the number of kids in each class and each voice part accordingly. 
    • Rehearsal technique: I reserve the right to consider a student's rehearsal technique. This will be a secondary consideration because of the qualitative nature. Essentially this will help serve as a tie-breaker between two equally capable kids. 
  • I will be happy to discuss any student's audition after the list is posted, but I won't discuss how any other student did.  I'd be happy to review any student's video or SRF materials with them to help them see what helped or hurt them. I will not tell them about how any other student did, however. Many excellent students will get beat by others and not move to the advanced choirs. All students can trust that their videos and scores will remain confidential. 
  • I'd be happy to take any questions about the process, especially before the audition process begins. I will start reviewing videos during the week of 2/29. I am open to listening to suggestions until that time. Please contact me with questions. 
  • I expect to release next year's lists before Spring Break in conjunction with the Band and Orchestra lists. 

Showchoirs
  • Here is info for Northridge on 2/20. I will update these pages as new info comes out, so please don't just print the page. I'll send out an email update to the show choir parents whenever there is an update to the pages. Here are other documents we've sent home with the kids. Here's costume info, and here's more general info. 
  • Several parents have emailed or called, asking how they can help. We will need at least two, or ideally four, parent volunteers for each competition. We ask that they ride the bus with us both ways, monitor the homeroom, and on rare occasions, deal with ill children. They will, if they ask, be able to watch the show from out in the audience and then meet back up with us after, and they will get free admission to the competition as our chaperone. We still need help for March 5 (Glenwood HS, Chatham, IL). Sign up here, or email me at peter.barsch@bps101.net if you would like clarification. 
  • Please get those participation fees in. Note that the $135 building fee is assessed through Powerschool. None of that money goes toward the Showchoir itself; it goes to pay for the facility, lights, heat, etc. The $300 fee is how we pay for the music, choreography, costuming, etc. All transportation fees and registration fees are paid by BHS. To pay this, please enclose a check to Batavia High School in a labeled envelope. Have your student drop it into the black lock-box in the choir room. The fee was due by the start of rehearsals on November 9. Any show choir student who has not paid the fee by the first competition will not be allowed to compete. For information about the BPS101 fee waiver policy, please see this page. 

2015-16 Concerts​​​
  • Tuesday, February 23: BHS Music Festival­ Concert 1 (Chorale & Alpha) 
  • Wednesday, February 24: BHS Music Festival­ Concert 2 (Treble & Varsity) 
  • Thursday, February 25: BHS Music Festival­ Concert 3 (Chamber) 
  • Tuesday, May 3: Spring Choir Concert (Please note this change)
  • Tuesday, May 17: Music Senior Awards night (Please note this change)
  • Other Important Dates: 
    • Wednesday, March 2: Showtime! 
    • Feb 29-3/11: Choir placement decisions
Did you notice we have concerts next week? Good!
0 Comments

Choir Newsletter; February 12, 2016

2/12/2016

0 Comments

 
Choir parents and families,
Here's this week's newsletter. Key points and new information are in bold type.​


A link to each post will be sent through the choir Twitter and Facebook accounts, to whatever parent emails I have on file, and to the students through Google Classroom. 

The beginning section will always be about curricular choir and the following information will pertain to the extracurricular activities, so you only need to read what applies to your student.  The most updated and comprehensive calendar is always on bataviamusic.org. ​
Curricular Choir:
  • Assignments: Students in all choirs can be working on the MusicTheory.net due Tuesday and the Sight Reading Factory due next Thursday. Any past due assignments from Semester 2 only are fair game as well. We had GLE's due last week, so if your student's grade took a plunge, see if they completed their GLE 5a & 5b!
  • Difficulty level progress in SRF (Updated 2/5): Our average difficulty level keeps climbing! The average level for all 125 students moved from 1.26 in the first week up to 2.8 on the most recent assignment. Very few students are at level 1 (though, I'm happy they are if it is the appropriate challenge for them!), and many students are regularly working at level 4 or even 5. SRF has 6 possible levels, so there's plenty of room to grow, even for our most advanced singers. Here are some breakdowns: All 9th graders are averaging 2.17, Varsity is 2.41, Treble is 2.94, and Chamber is 4.23.
  • Our focus for this concert cycle will be on vowel shape and tone quality. We are also paying special attention to some non-English languages (Italian, German, Japanese, and French), and each group has a song in compound meter (Each "big beat" is broken up into 3 smaller notes rather than 2: 6/8, 9/8 and 12/8 time are examples). While we always want to get the notes right, we'll be paying special attention to our blend and healthy tone production. Wish us luck!
Picture

Hawaii/$1000 Cash Prize Raffle: 
​
Tickets went home with all choir, band and orchestra students this week!  See the information sheet with the tickets or on line at bataviamusicbuffs.org for details. All sales are due by Feb 16.  Aloha!


Showchoirs
  • Here is info about the Chesterton Competition on 2/13, and for Northridge on 2/20. I will update these pages as new info comes out, so please don't just print the page. I'll send out an email update to the show choir parents whenever there is an update to the pages. Here are other documents we've sent home with the kids. Here's costume info, and here's more general info. 
  • Several parents have emailed or called, asking how they can help. We will need at least two, or ideally four, parent volunteers for each competition. We ask that they ride the bus with us both ways, monitor the homeroom, and on rare occasions, deal with ill children. They will, if they ask, be able to watch the show from out in the audience and then meet back up with us after, and they will get free admission to the competition as our chaperone. The dates we have available are February 13 (Chesterton HS, Chesterton, IN), February 20 (Northridge HS, Middlebury, IN) and March 5 (Glenwood HS, Chatham, IL). Sign up here,or email me at peter.barsch@bps101.net if you would like clarification. 
  • Please get those participation fees in. Note that the $135 building fee is assessed through Powerschool. None of that money goes toward the Showchoir itself; it goes to pay for the facility, lights, heat, etc. The $300 fee is how we pay for the music, choreography, costuming, etc. All transportation fees and registration fees are paid by BHS. To pay this, please enclose a check to Batavia High School in a labeled envelope. Have your student drop it into the black lock-box in the choir room. The fee was due by the start of rehearsals on November 9. Any show choir student who has not paid the fee by the first competition will not be allowed to compete. For information about the BPS101 fee waiver policy, please see this page. 
Picture
Dine in for MUSIC on Wed. February 17th with Enticing Cuisine!  Mention Batavia Music Buffs when you order and Enticing Cuisine will contribute 15% of your order to support BPS 101 music programs.  Order your Chicken Parmesan for 4 by Feb. 16th at 630-761-0399 and pick up between 4-6 pm on Feb. 17th.  Our music students thank you!

Music Scholarships to Aurora University 
Seniors! I got this nice email about scholarships from Lisa Fredenburgh, the Director of Choral Activities at Aurora University. For those of you in Varsity, she's the professor who came out to work with us in October. 

"I hope your semester is off to a good start. I had so much fun with your students last semester. It was nice to see such engaged students. They are lucky to have you at Batavia for sure! 

For us at AU, it is that time of year again! I am writing to let you know of a great scholarship opportunity for pianists and singers! The deadline for The Musical Excellence Competition Scholarship is quickly approaching (February 19th). You can find all the information about the music scholarships with the links below. Our Musical Excellence Scholarship Competition is open to Vocalists and Pianists. Scholarship winners in each area will be awarded $5000 per year renewable yearly up to $20,000.00. The deadline for application is Feb. 19 and the competition will be held on Saturday February 27, 2016 in Crimi Auditorium at Aurora University. I hope that you will suggest that some of your students apply for this scholarship opportunity or forward this email to them directly. Just a note, if they are not the winner of the competition, you will also be considered for other levels of funding."

Take a look at AU, and see if this is right for you!
2015-16 Concerts​​​
  • Tuesday, February 23: BHS Music Festival­ Concert 1 (Chorale & Alpha) 
  • Wednesday, February 24: BHS Music Festival­ Concert 2 (Treble & Varsity) 
  • Thursday, February 25: BHS Music Festival­ Concert 3 (Chamber) 
  • Tuesday, May 3: Spring Choir Concert (Please note this change)
  • Tuesday, May 17: Music Senior Awards night (Please note this change)
  • Other Important Dates: 
    • Wednesday, March 2: Showtime! 
    • Feb 24-3/1: Choir placement decisions
Did you notice the Music Scholarship offer? Good!
0 Comments

Choir Newsletter; February 5, 2016

2/5/2016

0 Comments

 
Choir parents and families,
Here's this week's newsletter. Key points and new information are in bold type.​


A link to each post will be sent through the choir Twitter and Facebook accounts, to whatever parent emails I have on file, and to the students through Google Classroom. 

The beginning section will always be about curricular choir and the following information will pertain to the extracurricular activities, so you only need to read what applies to your student.  The most updated and comprehensive calendar is always on bataviamusic.org. ​


​Curricular Choir:
  • Assignments: Students in all choirs can be working on the MusicTheory.net due Tuesday and the Sight Reading Factory due next Thursday. Any past due assignments from Semester 2 only are fair game as well. We had GLE's due last week, so if your student's grade took a plunge, see if they completed their GLE 5a & 5b!
  • Difficulty level progress in SRF (Updated 2/5): Our average difficulty level keeps climbing! The average level for all 125 students moved from 1.26 in the first week up to 2.8 on the most recent assignment. Very few students are at level 1 (though, I'm happy they are if it is the appropriate challenge for them!), and many students are regularly working at level 4 or even 5. SRF has 6 possible levels, so there's plenty of room to grow, even for our most advanced singers. Here are some breakdowns: All 9th graders are averaging 2.17, Varsity is 2.41, Treble is 2.94, and Chamber is 4.23.
  • The list for Illinois State Scholars has been announced, and Adi Alley, Maren Flessen, Xander Heine, Amanda Maher, and Ben Zinser were all named, as was the "friend of the program" Mikkel Knutson (Mikkel has been in choir, and was one of the serving peasants at the Festival of Carols this year). We have some smart cookies in choir!
  • Our focus for this concert cycle will be on vowel shape and tone quality. We are also paying special attention to some non-English languages (Italian, German, Japanese, and French), and each group has a song in compound meter (Each "big beat" is broken up into 3 smaller notes rather than 2: 6/8, 9/8 and 12/8 time are examples). While we always want to get the notes right, we'll be paying special attention to our blend and healthy tone production. Wish us luck!

Picture
Hawaii/$1000 Cash Prize Raffle:
​
Tickets went home with all choir, band and orchestra students this week!  See the information sheet with the tickets or on line at 
bataviamusicbuffs.org for details. All sales are due by Feb 16.  Aloha!


Picture
Tickets are now on sale for the Batavia Music Buffs 7th Annual Gala Benefit!
  • Ticket deadline is this Sunday, Feb 7!!
  • The Annual Gala serves as a significant music booster event that raises funds to support the Batavia Music Programs. 
  • This year’s theme centers on Batavia High School, recognized for the 3rd straight year as a Grammy Signature School Semi-finalist!
  • Have an enjoyable evening out while continuing to support our excellent Music Education programs - with a plated dinner, live music, dancing, raffles, auctions and much more! 
  • The Gala will be held on Saturday, February 27th at the beautifully renovated Fishermen's Inn in Elburn, IL.  For event details and to purchase your tickets go to https://www.bataviamusicbuffs.org/product-category/2016-tickets/. See you there!
  • Help! At the Gala, we will be auctioning off baskets full of goodies. These baskets are put together to represent each choir, band, orchestra, etc. We need more donations for the baskets for each of the choir baskets. Please consider helping! No donation is too small!! We are asking $20 per family in cash or in kind. Thanks for the donations that came in this week!


_Showchoirs
  • One more week until the next competition. Here is info about the Chesterton Competition on 2/13. We don't have full details for Northridge on 2/20, but we what we do know can be found on the linked page. I will update these pages as new info comes out, so please don't just print the page. I'll send out an email update to the Showchoir parents whenever there is an update to the pages. Here are other documents we've sent home with the kids. Here's costume info, and here's more general info. 
  • Several parents have emailed or called, asking how they can help. We will need at least two, or ideally four, parent volunteers for each competition. We ask that they ride the bus with us both ways, monitor the homeroom, and on rare occasions, deal with ill children. They will, if they ask, be able to watch the show from out in the audience and then meet back up with us after, and they will get free admission to the competition as our chaperone. The dates we have available are February 13 (Chesterton HS, Chesterton, IN), February 20 (Northridge HS, Middlebury, IN) and March 5 (Glenwood HS, Chatham, IL). Sign up here, or email me at peter.barsch@bps101.net if you would like clarification. 
  • Please get those participation fees in. Note that the $135 building fee is assessed through Powerschool. None of that money goes toward the Showchoir itself; it goes to pay for the facility, lights, heat, etc. The $300 fee is how we pay for the music, choreography, costuming, etc. All transportation fees and registration fees are paid by BHS. To pay this, please enclose a check to Batavia High School in a labeled envelope. Have your student drop it into the black lock-box in the choir room. The fee was due by the start of rehearsals on November 9. Any show choir student who has not paid the fee by the first competition will not be allowed to compete. For information about the BPS101 fee waiver policy, please see this page. 

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Dine in for MUSIC on Wed. February 17th with Enticing Cuisine!  Mention Batavia Music Buffs when you order and Enticing Cuisine will contribute 15% of your order to support BPS 101 music programs.  Order your Chicken Parmesan for 4 by Feb. 16th at 630-761-0399 and pick up between 4-6 pm on Feb. 17th.  Our music students thank you!

Music Scholarships to Aurora University 
Seniors! I got this nice email about scholarships from Lisa Fredenburgh, the Director of Choral Activities at Aurora University. For those of you in Varsity, she's the professor who came out to work with us in October. 

"I hope your semester is off to a good start. I had so much fun with your students last semester. It was nice to see such engaged students. They are lucky to have you at Batavia for sure! 

For us at AU, it is that time of year again! I am writing to let you know of a great scholarship opportunity for pianists and singers! The deadline for The Musical Excellence Competition Scholarship is quickly approaching (February 19th). You can find all the information about the music scholarships with the links below. Our Musical Excellence Scholarship Competition is open to Vocalists and Pianists. Scholarship winners in each area will be awarded $5000 per year renewable yearly up to $20,000.00. The deadline for application is Feb. 19 and the competition will be held on Saturday February 27, 2016 in Crimi Auditorium at Aurora University. I hope that you will suggest that some of your students apply for this scholarship opportunity or forward this email to them directly. Just a note, if they are not the winner of the competition, you will also be considered for other levels of funding."

Take a look at AU, and see if this is right for you!

2015-16 Concerts​​​
  • Tuesday, February 23: BHS Music Festival­ Concert 1 (Chorale & Alpha) 
  • Wednesday, February 24: BHS Music Festival­ Concert 2 (Treble & Varsity) 
  • Thursday, February 25: BHS Music Festival­ Concert 3 (Chamber) 
  • Tuesday, May 3: Spring Choir Concert (Please note this change)
  • Tuesday, May 17: Music Senior Awards night (Please note this change)
  • Other Important Dates: 
    • Wednesday, March 2: Showtime! 
    • Feb 24-3/1: Choir placement decisions

Did you notice that Gala tickets are only on sale until Sunday? Good!
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