January 24th Choir News

1/24/2025 11:14 am

Choir Updates & Booster Meeting Recap

Hello Choir Families,

Thank you so much for all you are doing to make this program a success. We have had so many volunteers in the past couple of weeks with pictures, costumes closet, glueing, etc. I also wanted to say thank you to the board and all who attended our meeting on Wednesday. I will share an abbreviated version of what we discussed and as always, please reach out with any questions.

Sign Up to Help!

We have a lot going on this semester, and we need you! Please sign up to help with our upcoming concert, competitions, pictures, snacks, costume closet, sewing and concession donations.

Volunteer Sign Ups

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C094AACAC2AABFAC43-51683956-mcauliffe

Concessions

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0D4FAAA92FA0FDC34-54512488-redcarpet#/

Knott’s Registration Due Today!

This is an optional performance, and students will miss school that day. Our performance will be at 11:30 a.m. on the Wagon Camp Stage, and students will have the rest of the day to play on their own in the park. Tickets are $45, bus fee is $10, and the optional meal/drink pass is $45. Students who have a 2025 Knott’s pass may use that instead of purchasing the $45 ticket, but all students must pay the $10 bus fee. Students will wear their choir t-shirt and pants and will NOT be with an assigned chaperone. Permission slips and medical information will be held in the nurses station across from Ghost Rider.

Financials

We are looking pretty solid for this time of the year, but we have a very expensive season coming up. We need to make sure that our concert brings in as much revenue as possible, and if you haven’t paid your dues or requested a scholarship, please consider making a partial donation. Everything helps. Our major upcoming expenses include, bussing, competition payments and our live band.

Room Renovations

We have finally gotten approval to use Prop 28 funds to install new cabinets in the choir room. These will hold costumes we are currently wearing, and each choir will have their own closet to help us stay organized. Boosters will be purchasing new shoe cubbies for the dance room. We are currently using Amazon boxes and free stuff I found on the sidewalk in my neighborhood. I’m very excited to set up our new recording studio courtesy of LAEF. They have purchased all of the equipment, and we are in the process of clearing out the room so we can start setting that up. I’m hoping to have the students recording by the end of the 3rd quarter.

Pictures and Costume Closet

We did ensemble pictures, buddy pictures, and individual pictures last Friday. Thank you to Scott and Rick for taking that on. We are looking for a couple people to help Rick take action shots of the students on Monday, Feb. 10th at dress rehearsal. All of these will be loaded onto Pixie Set and available for purchase. Please add your name to the sign up genius if you can help on the 10th.

Aileen has been hard at work with her team organizing in the costume closet. She usually comes in for about an hour when she has time and just gets done what she can. If you have an hour here and there and like to fold and organize, shoot me an email, and I’ll get you in touch with her. She is also looking for reusable vacuum bags for storage. If you happen to have some you’re not using, send them in!

Costumes

Costumes are purchased by the boosters and saved from year to year to be reused. This allows us to save money on dues and insure that every student looks their best. Please make sure your child is storing their costume appropriately. Things should be hung up or folded nicely. Laundering is your responsibility, and please be careful when doing so. We need your help getting our alterations finished. Studio and Sound Waves girls needing alterations should be taking their dresses to Sunset Cleaners this week OR you can do it yourself if you are able. I need to recruit 4-5 people who can hem using a sewing machine to work on the alterations for the boys costumes. They are wearing jumpsuits, and we need to hem the sleeves and pants for several of the boys. If we get enough help, you would only need to do a handful. Mrs. Schwartz is loaning us a machine so you can work here at the school or take them home.

Outside of Class Rehearsal

We’ve scheduled rehearsal on Monday, Feb. 3 (Studio and Soul Men) and Wednesday, Feb. 5th (Sound Waves). We are looking for one parent from each group to organize snacks for these rehearsals. You would get your purchase approved, purchase the snacks and bring them to the school. Save receipts and the boosters will reimburse. Add your name to the Sign Up Genius, and send me an email when you know what you want to bring.

Competitions

The students LOVE competing! Every year on the end of the year survey, they tell me competition and Knott’s were the funnest activities they did. The show choir community is a really great group, and the kids really enjoy seeing other schools do what they do. I enjoy it because it really pushes the kids to be their best knowing that professionals will be watching them and awarding points. It can be frustrating as it is a very subjective sport. But we try to keep it all in perspective and just focus on giving the best performance we can. Students in Studio Singers, Sound Waves, and Soul Men are required to attend competition. Not attending will not only affect their grade, but the integrity of the group. No one sits the bench in choir, and we need everyone there. Parents are encouraged to attend as well, and information will be sent out on how to purchase tickets to each event. Sixth Sense families are encouraged to attend to not only support, but to get a preview into what is to come. As with everything, I expect our students and families to represent McAuliffe and the choir program well. We are respectful, positive, and prepared always.

Auditions

We will be having auditions for next year’s choir in April. I do not have specific dates yet. All students will audition, regardless of their plans for next year. They will receive a completion grade for turning in all parts of the audition. We will go over the requirements in class and rehearse so students feel comfortable. They will submit their sight reading and vocal audition via video on Google Classroom. Those wishing to audition for Studio Singers will attend an in-person dance audition as well.

Sound Check Close Harmony Festival

Don’t forget to register for Close Harmony Festival! Registration closes on Jan 31st.

https://www.scvachoral.org/close_harmony_festival.php

The link says it’s Feb. 15th, but the date has been changed to Feb. 22nd.

Mark Your Calendars

Friday 1/24-Knott’s Registration Due

Wednesday 1/29 Solo Tryouts due via Google Classroom

Monday 2/3 Studio Singers 9:00-10:15 Soul Men 10:30-12:00

Wednesday 2/5 Sound Waves 2:15-3:30

Friday 2/7-SCVA Vocal Jazz Festival-Sound Check

Monday 2/10-All Choir Rehearsal at Los Al High 4:00-6:00

Tuesday 2/11-Choir Concert Los Al High 6:30