Choir Newsletter; November 20, 2015

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

• ILMEA Festivals were a big hit! BHS choir students represented us well in both the Senior Chorus and the first-ever 9-10th grade Chorus. 
• I have seen tremendous improvement in students' skills through MTN and SRF. They are doing hard work, and it is really paying off!
• 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. Note: There will not be MTN due on 11/24. The next ones are due on 12/1. 
• 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 will be available on the student's Dashboard by December 4.  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.

Kaleidoscope tickets!

• An email was sent to all BHS music families on November 12th, detailing the early ticket process for Kaleidoscope.
• 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!

Cheese and Sausage Fundraiser:

• Your student received a catalog and order form this week for a Cheese and Sausage sale fundraiser. 
• Proceeds go to your student's own Charms account for future trips (more on that soon!), and also go to support K-12 music education through the Buffs. 
• The order forms and money are due on Monday the 30th. Full details can be found here. 

Save the Date! The Batavia Music Buffs presents "A Night at the Grammys", this year's Gala event. 

• 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! 

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Madrigals

• Madrigal Season is fast approaching! Performances are Friday and & Saturday, December 11-12 at 7pm. 
• Here is the schedule regarding this event: 
  • Madrigal caroling will take place at Heritage Woods and the Friendship Club on December 2 and at Aliano's (Buffs Dining Night) and at the Holmstad on December 3. Wish us luck! 
  • Thursday, December 3: Madrigal singers (Chamber & Treble) visit Storm, AGS, & Grace McWayne elementary schools. 
  • 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
• Tickets will be available online soon, probably next Friday, November 27. 
• 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. 

Showchoirs

• 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. 

2015-16 Concerts

• Madrigal caroling will take place at Heritage Woods and the Friendship Club on December 2 and at Aliano's (Buffs Dining Night) and at the Holmstad on December 3. Wish us luck! 
• Thursday, December 3: Madrigal singers (Chamber & Treble) visit Storm, AGS, & Grace McWayne elementary schools. 
• 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) 
• Thursday, May 5: Spring Choir Concert (This date is still tentative)
• Tuesday, May 17: Music Senior Awards night (This date is still tentative)
• Other Important Dates: 
  • Wednesday, March 2: Showtime! 
  • March 7-­11 ­Curricular Choir Placement Auditions

Help wanted! ​

• I'd love to update the website and social media with pictures from last year. If you have any you would be willing to see displayed publicly, even if it is a student who has graduated, please send me the picture or a link.
• If you are willing to help in any way, please contact Mr. Barsch at peter.barsch@bps101.net or sign up directly at www.bataviamusicbuffs.org (click "Volunteer Sign-up" from the home page).

Did you notice...

• ...that Kaleidoscope tickets are available? Good!