Update 10/17/13

Here are a few updates from choir this week:

 

Election Results
It was a busy rehearsal on Tuesday. With the most excitement being our choir presidency elections. Here are the results:

 

President: Sydney N.

Vice President: Madylaine J.

Secretary: Ainsley F.

 

Congrats to them and a big thank you to all those who ran!

 

Solo Auditions

On Tuesday, we also discussed solo auditions which will be on October 29. I have included tracks and sheet music for each solo as well as the descant. We will not be spending time during rehearsal learning these solos. So if your choir member would like to audition on the 29th, please have them listen to the practice tracks at home and be prepared on the 29th.

 

Piano Duet

If any of our choir members are budding pianists, I have an opportunity for them. I have included some sheet music of a bell part from one of our songs on the Practice Tracks tab. What I would love to see is one of our choir members playing that part on the piano in the highest octave possible on the piano. I will begin "auditioning" choir members for this part after November 12 when our accompanist begins to join us. Once again, all practicing and learning of this piano part will need to be done at home.

 

Participation Contract Reminder

This is just a friendly reminder to everyone about the Attendance & Participation Contract that everyone signed on the registration form. One of the points on the contract states that it is the choir parent's responsibility to arrange rides to and from rehearsals/classes and performances. I don't want to make a big deal about this, and I know there are extenuating circumstances; but I am not able to leave the school until every child has been accounted for. More often than not, that gets me home about 20-25 minutes after the rehearsal ends. For those who come to pick up their choir member from rehearsal, if you could please try your best to be at the school to pick your child up promptly at 4:45 pm, I will do my best to get them out the door right on time as well.

 

Whew! That's all for this week. I hope everyone is having a safe and enjoyable Fall Break!

Choir Presidency Elections

Remember that choir presidency elections are on Tuesday! I need to have short paragraphs from each contestant prior to rehearsal along with a brief statement of permission from their parents. All candidates will read their statements to the choir before we vote. For more information, please see the ANNOUNCEMENTS tab on the website.

Things are rolling along and everyone is catching on to our songs really well!

 

Have a great weekend!

Marcato Update - 10/3/13

A few updates and some information for choir members:

 

Website

Some new things have recently been added to this website including the calendar for the remainder of 2013 on the "Calendar of Events" tab, as well as some information about choir presidency elections on the "Announcements" tab. We also have a Facebook page where you can stay in touch with all things Morgan Valley Voices. Search for "Morgan Valley Voices" and get connected.

 

Presidency Elections
We will hold elections for choir presidency on October 15 during rehearsal. Here is some information you and your choir member need to know about presidency elections: (All of this information can also be found on the Announcements tab on the website.)

 

If your child is interested in running for choir presidency, please have them write a short paragraph stating which position they would be interested in and why they feel they would be a good choice to fill that role. These paragraphs need to be emailed or given to me prior to rehearsal on October 15. I will also need parental permission for each child running for choir presidency stating that you've read the requirements and will allow your child to run for the presidency.

The requirements for presidency members are as follows:

President -- Must be in 5th or 6th grade
If there is enough interest, we will also elect a Vice President who will assist the President in fulfilling their duties.
-Help will room set up, as needed (arrive at 5-10 minutes prior to 3:45 start time)
-Lead games during and before rehearsal, occasionally
-Help with choir parties (choir awards)
-Give reminders to Mrs. Farmer about choir birthdays

-Set an example for all other choir members
-Assist as needed

Secretary -- Can be in any grade -- 3rd through 6th
-Take attendance at each rehearsal
-Help with room set up, as needed (arrive at 5-10 minutes prior to 3:45 start time)
-Make sure that all folders are collected at the end of rehearsal
-Help clean up and room and replace everything that was moved during rehearsal.
-Set an example for all other choir members
-Assist as needed

Choir Accompanist

We are in need of an accompanist for our Christmas Concert. If you are interested, please contact me as soon as possible so that I can get the music to you. We would need the accompanist to begin attending rehearsals on November 12.

 

Thanks to all of our choir members for another great week at rehearsal!

Marcato Update - 9/26/13

We had a great rehearsal on Tuesday and I'm already hearing some great things in choir! Everyone is working hard and learning a lot! (and hopefully having a lot of fun, too!)

 

Just a couple of little things:

 

1. Practice Tracks: I have just added a tab to this website called "Practice Tracks." On this page, I have links to or recordings of some of our songs so that choir members can practice them at home. I will be adding things in the next few weeks as well, so check it often.

 

2. Choir Attendance: Many parents have spoken to me about some conflicts that their choir member has during choir time. I understand how busy everyone is, and I don't want anyone to miss out on being part of choir if they want to be there; however, it is also important that choir members attend rehearsals regularly in order to learn the concert material. So if your child has a conflict with choir, for example Activity Day Groups, that do not occur every week, please let me know so that I know when to expect them at choir. I will ask that those who have conflicts be sure to listen to the Practice Tracks and pay extra close attention during choir rehearsals so that they don't fall behind. As the concert approaches, if I feel that your child is not quite ready to perform, I will contact you and we can discuss it, and if needed they will not perform with us for that particular performance. I may also ask that those choir members miss their other activity as we get closer to concert time and we are making final preparations, but we'll cross that bridge when we come to it. I hope you all understand what I'm saying. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact me.

 

That is all for today. Have a great weekend!

Marcato Information - 9/19/13

Our first rehearsal went great! It was exciting to see so many new faces among us! Hopefully our singers enjoyed themselves. I know I did!

 

Just a few updates from this week:

 

1. Registration Forms - Many of our choir members came with their registration forms at the last rehearsal. That is great, but there are many who still need to turn them in. We will discuss this at the next rehearsal and I will try to get a few copies made to send home with choir members who don't have the registration form.

2. Notes to Teachers - It is very important that you send a note to you child's teacher indicating that they need to come to the stage after school each Tuesday. The teachers will not be able to send them to choir unless they have a note from home changing their normal routine.

 

3. Venue Change - Due to the book fair next week, our rehearsal location will be moved to the Commons Area (by the 2nd & 3rd grade rooms). This will only affect next weeks rehearsal on 9/24/13.

4. Maestro Group Class - For those who aren't aware, Marcato members may be part of a supplemental class that I hold at my home on Wednesdays at 3-3:45 pm. Currently we only have 6 participants in this class. I would love to have more attend with us! This class is not mandatory, but it builds on the concepts we learn in choir. If you would like more information about this class, please contact me. I am able to accommodate a total of 15 students, so there is plenty of room.

 

Thank you for sending your child to choir! Choir is a wonderful way to build confidence and help children express themselves in a positive way. We build strong relationships and improve ourselves through singing together. And I am privileged to be a part of it!

It's time to REGISTER!!

Registration is now open for the 2013-2014 Season of Marcato Children's Choir!! Marcato will be held weekly on Tuesdays beginning September 17. Choir will be held on the Morgan Elementary School Stage.

There's even more good news! For those who may be interested in broadening your child's musical experience, I have created a group class that will serve as a supplement to Marcato Children's Choir. The class is called Maestro. This class is NOT mandatory for members of Marcato, but it is for those who would like to learn even more about music.

To find the registration packet, click HERE to be redirected to the registration information. In order to register for classes, please print and fill out the 2nd page ("Registration Form" page) and keep the remaining pages for your information. I will have a few registration packets at the first choir rehearsal. You can mail or hand deliver the form to:

Morgan Valley Voices
486 West 175 North
Morgan UT 84050

Donations may be made at this time or any time during the season. We are looking forward to a great season of music!!

2013-2014 Season is almost here!

Preparations for the 2013-2014 season of Morgan Valley Voices are well underway! Some final details are still being determined, but once everything is decided, registration will begin (hopefully within the next week). I can say that I will be holding both Marcato Children's Choir as well as the Group Classes. One exciting change to Morgan Valley Voices is the addition of a third group class. Vivo and Vivace will both be held this year as well as a new class--Maestro--which will be a supplement class for members of Marcato Children's Choir and will explore more advanced musical concepts. All group classes will be held on Wednesdays!

So, please watch your email for additional information as well as registration forms for the 2013-2014 season. It's going to be a great year! If you would like to be added to the email list, please leave a comment on this post or send an email to morganvalleyvoices@gmail.com! You can also like Morgan Valley Voices on facebook for updates.