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.
- ILMEA All-State lists are out. Unfortunately, none of our singers made state this year. We're very excited for Madeline Rydholm, however, who earned a spot in the Future Music Educator's Seminar! Maddie is one of about 50 future music teachers from around the state who will attend workshops together and even attend some of the same Professional Development sessions that the other BHS music teachers and I will be in. I've had three students attend this in the past, and all have found it tremendously rewarding. Congrats also BHS Orchestra's Alyssa Gao who made it to state on violin!
- MusicTheory.net (MTN): Students have assignments on MusicTheory.net to work on issues like note ID, key signature ID, Intervals, ear training and more. These are due every Tuesday. Those will show up in PowerSchool under the "Written Assignments" category. Here's a link if you want to give it a try! These assignments can always be re-done for a better score. I expect students will get better at these skills as the year goes on, so they are welcome to go back and fix old grades. The next MTN's are due Tuesday, 12/8.
- The Grade Level Expectancies (GLE's) will also use SightReadingFactory, as it is important for the test to look like what they've been practicing. On weeks when GLE assignments are due, the normal Thursday assignments will no be there. Instead, students will have two SRF drills that are matched to the difficulty level of their choir. These GLE drills will be due on certain Fridays at 5pm. The next GLE is due on December 11, and is now available on each student's SRF Dashboard. Also, SRF now has an iPhone app, so assignments can be completed that way. No Android yet!
- The syllabus for all choirs is on the choir page of the BataviaMusic.org. Students received a hard-copy in class. You should have been shown the syllabus and signed off on it. You can see if your student has turned theirs in by checking PowerSchool for the "Syllabus Contract" assignment, due 9/4.

- Madrigal Season is fast approaching! Performances are Friday and & Saturday, December 11-12 at 7pm.
- Here is the remaining schedule regarding this event:
- Thursday, Dec 10: Festival of Carols Dress Rehearsal at Shannon Hall (3-6 pm, estimated)
- Fri-Sat. Dec 11-12: Festival of Carols at Shannon Hall; 7pm performances
- Tickets are almost sold out! 89% of the tickets are gone! Saturday is almost sold out, and Friday is getting there! Get your tickets HERE.
- We had a Parents' Meeting about the Festival of Carols in the choir room on Thursday, 10/8. Here is the Powerpoint from that evening.
- All volunteer sign-ups are on the www.BataviaMusicBuffs.org (Click Volunteer Sign-up). If you have any questions about how you might help, please contact Mr. Barsch at peter.barsch@bps101.net.
- You can still reserve tickets at http://www.bataviafineartscentre.org/tickets/
- Click on "Purchase Individual Tickets" and then click the "Buy Tickets" icon next to the Batavia Music logo. Tickets are available free of charge. You really don't want to miss it!
- BHS Choir kids will be on stage this Saturday & Sunday in the BFAC. They have put together One Acts, with students both acting and directing! Come support Adi, Sarah, Justin, Marcelo, Matt, Natalie, Cam, Cassady, Meghan T, Joe, John, Emily, Ian, and Megan R! Break legs!
- The Fox Valley Childrens Chorus is performing on Sunday afternoon, and will feature several current BHS Choir kids!

- In its 7th year, 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!
- Watch the Buffs website for more Gala details as they become available at bataviamusicbuffs.org.
- It takes over 50 volunteers to make this event a reality, so we'd love to have your help!

- Showchoir rehearsals are underway! 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. 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.
- We had a Parents' Meeting about Show Choir in the choir room on Thursday, 10/8. Here is the Powerpoint from that evening.
- The most updated and comprehensive calendar is always on bataviamusic.org. Just select the groups you are interested in, and you'll see their rehearsal and performance schedule. If you find what you believe to be an error or discrepancy, please bring it to my attention!
- Volunteer sign-ups for Show Choir will be set up on www.BataviaMusicBuffs.org soon.
- Tuesday, December 8: Kaleidoscope Concert Dress Rehearsal – During school day
- Wednesday, December 9: Music Department Kaleidoscope Concert
- Thursday, Dec 10: Festival of Carols Dress Rehearsal at Shannon Hall (3-6 pm, estimated)
- Fri-Sat. Dec 11-12: Festival of Carols at Shannon Hall (Chamber & Treble) 7pm performances
- 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
- Tuesday, May 17: Music Senior Awards night
- Other Important Dates:
- Wednesday, March 2: Showtime!
- March 7-11 Curricular Choir Placement Auditions
- ...that Festival of Carols tickets are almost gone? And that Kaleidoscope tickets are available? Good!