Middle School Chorus Schedule and Information
Dear Parents,
As we approach the concert season, it is important to ensure that all required dates and times are understood. Please read this sheet and take special care to notice the information regarding the concert times and performance attire. We are trying a completely different format for this concert and appreciate your patience on that evening as we see if this format will work for our school. Thank you!
Mr. Koharchik
Move Up Day (7th and 8th Grade ONLY) – Tuesday, May 16 – 11:30 AM
Students will be called to the office at approximately 11:20 AM. We will sing two or three numbers for the upcoming 6th graders (current 5th graders). The band will also be playing. Arrangements will be made to guarantee students have a lunch period if the Move Up Day performance interferes with their normal lunch schedule. More information about Move Up Day will be discussed in class once I learn it, so pay attention!
There is no specific performance attire for this event, just come to school looking “nice.”
Dress Rehearsal (7/8 Grade, & 6th HONORS CHORUS) – Tuesday, May 23 – 3:00 – 4:00
* There is NO Dress Rehearsal for the regular 6th Grade Chorus! We meet as a full ensemble for each class rehearsal and there is no need for an additional rehearsal after school.
This rehearsal is MANDATORY for all 7th and 8th Grade Chorus students and members of the 6th Grade Honors Chorus. It is the only chance that we have to put all chorus periods together prior to the concert. Students will need to be picked up from the Middle School no later than 4:10. 6th Grade Honors Chorus students will be finished earlier, and can be picked up at 4:00.
The Dress Rehearsal will follow the format of the concert, with the 6th Grade Honors Chorus going first, followed by the 7th and 8th Grade Mixed Chorus.
In-School Concert – Wednesday, May 24, 2017 – 9:00 AM
This concert will be presented to the student body of the Middle School. The 6th Grade Honors Chorus will begin, followed by 6th Grade Chorus, and then the 7/8 Chorus. We may not perform ALL of the selections from the evening concert as time is limited for this performance. Students will be seated in the auditorium with their homerooms until it is their time to perform, as we did in December. There is NO specific performance attire for this concert, just be sure to look “nice.”
Concert – Wednesday, May 24, 2017 – 7:00 PM & 8:00 PM
* Due to the large number of students in the Middle School choirs, we will be having TWO separate concerts on the same evening. We are asking parents to plan on attending the concert in which your son or daughter is performing. At the conclusion of the 6th grade concert, we kindly ask parents to exit the auditorium promptly and allow those attending the 7/8 concert to enter.
* Concert #1 (7:00 PM) will include the 6th Grade Honors Chorus and 6th Grade Chorus.
* Concert #2 (8:00 PM) will feature the 7th and 8th Grade Mixed Chorus.
Information about Call Times is on the back!
Evening Concert:
Call time for the 6th grade students is 6:45 PM. They must report to the large ensemble room by that time. Parents are invited to begin filling the auditorium at 6:30 PM. See the concert attire below for more information.
Call time for the 7th and 8th grade students is 7:30 PM. They must report QUIETLY to the large ensemble room by that time. There WILL BE a concert going on in the auditorium during that time. Parents are asked to patiently wait in the lobby or outside until the 6th grade concert concludes. I am expecting parents to be able to begin filling the auditorium at7:45 PM. The concert will begin at 8:00, or once everyone is seated. See the concert attire below for more information.
The concert is MANDATORY. Students who are unable to attend either the concert or the dress rehearsal must turn in a written excuse at least a week ahead of the event. This is in accordance with the choral handbook that was explained at the beginning of the year. The handbook can be found online by visiting Mr. Koharchik’s website from the Middle School page (www.freeport.k12.pa.us).
** As you know, seating in the auditorium is limited. Please consider carefully who you would like to bring with you to the concert.
Concert Attire (Same as December Concert):
Girls - Black skirts or dress slacks or similar school appropriate bottom
White blouse or shirt or similar. NO PRINTING ON SHIRT!
Boys - Black dress pants, black socks, and black shoes
White dress shirt and long tie. Any tie you’d like… but no printing on shirt!
The rule of thumb is that it must be school appropriate, and black from the waist down; white from the waist up. Men must wear a long tie. No images or graphics on your shirts or blouses.
2016-2017 Senior High Chorus Handbook
2016-2017 Middle School Chorus Handbook
Abbreviated Handbook with Parent Signature Page (Middle School Only)
6th Grade Chorus
In the 6th Grade Chorus, students develop fundamental skills in proper singing technique including but not limited to posture, breath management, vocal production, diction, and tonal matching. They will be introduced to music-reading skills using solfeggio and will study music from a variety of musical genres. The students will present a Holiday and a Spring Concert in conjunction with the 7/8th Grade Mixed Choir. At least one after-school dress rehearsal is required for each concert. After-school dress rehearsal attendance and evening concert attendance is mandatory.
7th and 8th Grade Mixed Choir
In 7th and 8th Grade Mixed Choir, students gain an understanding of singing technique including but not limited to posture, breath management, vocal production, diction, and care of the changing voice. They also gain an understanding of ensemble skills, music-reading skills using solfege, and music literature from a variety of musical traditions. The students then use these skills to prepare a wide variety of music for a Holiday and a Spring Concert. At least one after-school dress rehearsal is required for each concert. After-school dress rehearsal attendance and evening concert attendance is mandatory.
Senior High Concert Choir
Senior High Concert Choir is an elective course in which emphasis is placed on proper vocal techniques that develop the natural voice. Additional instruction will be provided in music theory. Students continue to develop sight-singing skills. Students continue to develop and hone appropriate choral musicianship, including balance and blend, the ability to use proper dynamics and phrasing, and to sing in the style of the composition. Students are exposed to a wide variety of choral literature that is performed in a Holiday and a Spring Concert. At least one after-school dress rehearsal is required for each concert. After-school dress rehearsal attendance and evening concert attendance is mandatory.
Freeport Area Women's Ensemble
The Freeport Area Women's Ensemble will be in its fourth year this school year. It is an extra-curricular ensemble whose members are selected by audition; however any female student interested in performing high-level choral music is permitted to audition. Students in grades 7 through 12 are eligible for membership in the ensemble. Past membership in the Women’s Ensemble does not guarantee membership. The members of the Women's Ensemble strive to become sensitive, well-rounded musicians through the development of vocal and ensemble proficiency and corresponding creative ability. Ensemble members also develop more advanced musicianship skills, and acquire a broad knowledge of historical musical styles to perform with a high degree of artistry. The ensemble will perform at regularly scheduled concerts at the high school in addition to outside venues as scheduling permits. Each member of the Women’s Ensemble will be required to purchase the performance attire (red dress and black shoes). Attendance is mandatory at all rehearsals and performances. Rehearsals are every Monday from 3:00 until 3:45 PM. (**Membership in the Concert Choir is NOT a requirement for the Women's Ensemble.)
Freeport Senior High Show Choir – Forte!
Freeport’s show choir, “Forte!”, is selected by audition, and involves singing and dancing at a high level of energy and musicality, performing at various venues throughout the year and bringing a new element of choral performance to the Freeport community. Students will be expected to attend rehearsals on Tuesday evenings from 7:00-9:00 PM. Opportunities will exist for student choreography, leading sectional rehearsals, and incidental solos. Member of the ensemble will be required to purchase the performance attire.
Armstrong County Junior High Chorus
Armstrong County Junior High Chorus is an honors chorus that is comprised of students in grades 7-9 from the six schools in Armstrong County. This honors chorus is a one day festival held at a different participating school location each year. Each participating director conducts and rehearses the ensemble. Members are selected through audition.
Armstrong County Chorus
Armstrong County Chorus is an honors chorus that is comprised of students in grades 10-12 from the six schools in Armstrong County. Membership in Armstrong County Chorus is determined through audition. Auditions usually take place in mid-September, are strictly voluntary, and open to all choir members in grades 10-12. Participation in County Chorus is required for participation in District Chorus.
PMEA District III Chorus
District III Chorus is an honors chorus that is comprised of students in grades 10-12 from approximately 35 school districts. A different school hosts this event each year. A guest conductor of local or national renown is brought in to rehearse and conduct the chorus for two and a half days with two culminating performances. Membership in District Chorus is first determined by auditioning for Mr. Koharchik and those audition results are then used by a selection committee with representatives from each county involved. Only participants of County Chorus are eligible for District Chorus. Auditions usually take place in mid-September. Being selected as a member is extremely prestigious, and the audition experience is invaluable. Auditions for this event are strictly voluntary and open to all choir members in grades 10-12. Once selected for District Chorus, students use given music to audition for each successive level: Regional Chorus, All-State Chorus, and All-East Chorus.
Mucho Macho Music Festival – A young men’s song festival
The Mucho Macho Music Festival is an annual event sponsored by the American Choral Director’s Association. The festival is open to male singers in grades 6 through 9. Participants are selected through audition and will prepare music prior to the festival. The festival takes place at North Hills High School and students spend a school day singing under the direction of a guest conductor, culminating in a closing concert. The experience is enhanced with the inclusion of collegiate male singers who participate side by side with the younger males and provide a good example of life-long commitments to choral music for men.
Sweet Harmony Music Festival
Sweet Harmony is much like the Mucho Macho Music Festival, however, it is designed for girls only from grades 6-9. It is also sponsored by the American Choral Director's Association. The festival will be held in November.