7th and 8th Grade / 1
2018 Caravel Academy Band & Chorus
Music in the Parks - Six Flags America
April 28, 2018
Parent Information
Itinerary
Student Needs
Sign out procedures
Esprit De Corps
Student General Rules
Chaperone and Bus Assignments
Emergency Contact
Competition – What judges look for
Itinerary
5:30-5:45am Arrive at Caravel. Band students must grab their instrument and place under the bus they are riding (flutes and clarinets go on board the bus in the overheads).
Buses leave promptly at 6:00am. Must be dressed for Competition.
8:15 am – arrive at chorus performance location, Middletown High School South
Staff will receive park tickets and food vouchers and will count and begin envelope stuffing in area or on buses depending on space permitted.
Chorus
8:20am Chorus Warm up in Choir Room
8:40am Chorus Performance in Auditorium
Band
10:05am Junior Jazz Band Warm Up in Band Room
10:30am Junior Jazz Band Performance in Auditorium
10:55am Symphonic Band Warm Up in Band Room
11:20am Symphonic Band Performance in Auditorium
11:20-11:40am students will change on buses from competition clothes to park attire
All students will also be given a small snack and bottle of water.
Sign out process at buses during this time. PLEASE BE PATIENT!! Tickets provided to parents signing out student. BE SURE TO TAKE INSTRUMENTS AND ALL PERSONAL ITEMS.
11:45am - Leave for park as soon as we are able. While in route to park, bus captains will distribution ticket envelopes to chaperones for remaining students.
MEALS – there is not a separate location for meals. Each student will receive a meal voucher that can be redeemed throughout the park. Students have the option to pack a lunch and eat on the bus or pack additional snacks for the drive home.
5:45pm Head to the Awards location Six Flags Great Adventure – Movietown Arena
6:00pm Awards Ceremony. Make sure all groups are there on time for the ceremony.
Group picture taken with awards!
After awards may return to enjoy park, go to gift shop and final snacks before leave for home.
8:00pm Head to buses
8:30pm Depart and return to Caravel. We will have students call / text their parent as we get about ½ hour away from school. If your child does not have a phone, they may use a chaperone’s.
Student Needs:
All Students MUST wear their maroon music polo, black pants/skirts (no black shorts or capris please), black shoes (no flip flops), black socks and belt to school Saturday morning.
Students will need their BAND INSTRUMENT and any necessary music
Small carry- on bag for bus:
· Music in the Parks t-shirt
· Bottoms for park (shorts /jeans)
· Walking shoes
· Snacks for bus ride. Students may leave a small lunch bag on the bus. It is a long day and they will only receive a meal voucher for lunch.
· Water for bus ride (please no sodas or energy drinks, all drinks must have closeable lids)
· Sunscreen
· BAND INSTRUMENT – double & triple check is put on bus
· Sweatshirt/sweat pants for bus ride home
· Spending money
Caravel is not responsible for any missing articles such as iPods, game systems, cameras, cell phones or money. No bathing suits permitted – the water park will not be open!!
Sign- Out Procedures after Competition
Students whose parents are driving to the competition separately may take custody of their children after all performances and group pictures have been taken. Students must be signed out prior to students boarding the bus to head to the park. There will not be sign outs in the park.
Forms MUST BE SIGNED by parent/guardian stated would be released to as that relinquishes the CA Music Department’s custody of the student.
We will have groups of chaperones in close proximity of buses to assist with sign outs and distribution of tickets for students NOT continuing the trip on the buses.
· Sign out your student (sign release form)
· Receive your student’s park ticket
· Parents/family members driving up are responsible for purchasing their own tickets
· Get student’s instrument/travel bag off the bus!!
Students not being signed out
The bus captains will receive the tickets for the students on their bus and will distribute the student’s tickets after we have boarded buses in route to Six Flags
Performance Location
Middletown South High School
900 Nut Swamp Rd
Middletown, NJ 07748
Six Flags Great Adventure:
1 Six Flags Blvd, Jackson, NJ 08527
http://sixflags.com/greatadventure
Park will be open until 9:00pm on April 28th
The Caravel Music Boosters are not able to purchase tickets for family members driving separately to the amusement park. You may purchase tickets online or at gate for friends/family. Can also purchase parking pass. Pick up or will call services are available. Also, at the performance location there are often park tickets for sale at a discount so it is worth asking if they are selling tickets at either location (typically they only accept cash or check). The water park will not be open.
Esprit De Corps:
This award is the one they all want. It is an award that exemplifies the best qualities of what the Music in the Parks is all about. This is a special award that is not based on the scores from the competition. The Music in the Parks staff evaluates groups throughout the complete event (from the moment we step off the bus to the way our kids behave in the park to the way our kids behave at the Awards Ceremony) to select the one group that most exhibits pride, spirit, enthusiasm, friendliness, exemplary behavior and teamwork for the competition. As Caravel parents and teachers it is our job to promote these qualities in our students. Winning first place with a Superior rating is always a great achievement however; demonstrating outstanding citizenship is the ultimate award!
Student Rules/Guidelines
1. Caravel Code of Conduct will be enforced. Students must abide by all rules, regulations and policies as stated in the Caravel Academy Student Handbook.
2. No alcohol, tobacco products, drugs and/or weapons at any time.
3. Under no circumstances may a student leave the Park. Any student leaving the park without a chaperone will face disciplinary action.
4. Follow the trip itinerary- be EARLY. Be in the right place on time with the right attitude, equipment, clothes, etc.
5. Follow appropriate dress guidelines. Performance Dress: Maroon colored shirt w/Caravel logo, black pants or skirt (no Capri’s or shorts), black shoes and socks, and belt. Amusement Park Dress: Caravel music shirt, shorts or jeans (no holes), and comfortable footwear. No bathing suits.
6. A chaperone will be assigned to you for the entire trip.
7. Chaperones and Caravel Music Boosters are not responsible for any lost or stolen electronic devices such as I-pods, phones, cameras, etc. if you have any concerns do not bring these items.
8. Students will be held responsible for any damage to property while on the trip.
9. Participation in this band/chorus event is a privilege, not a right.
10. Students may be sent home for disciplinary, personal and/or medical reasons. Parents may be called to pick-up their student. Students who are facing disciplinary action may lose park privileges.
11. LAST BUT NOT LEAST -- Remember students are being judged on conduct, sportsmanship, courtesy, and manners from the time you step off the bus at the first stop until minutes before the Esprit De Corps award. Caravel has won this award two times. Have FUN!!!
Chaperones Information
We rely heavily on parents as chaperones to help make these trips successful!
Bus Captains – we will have a captain for each bus. This person is responsible for:
- Ensuring all students are present on the bus; taking attendance at every loading / unloading
- Handing out tickets to the chaperons on the bus for the students in their group. These will be given after performances once we embark for the park
- May bring DVD movies to play on the bus…this is very helpful for the drive home!
All Chaperones:
- During the performances, all students will remain together as a group. Chaperones are asked to help ensure all students remain together…reminder we are being judged the entire time so their performance staff will be watching how our students act and behave even when not performing
- While each band student is responsible for unloading their instrument at the performance location, chaperones will be needed to assist with unloading / loading equipment
- Assist during sign out process. This gets very hectic with parents who are looking to sign their child out, students getting their snack, managing changing process so we ask all parents to assist where needed
- We will load the boys on the buses and have them change. Once all are finished we will have the girls change
- Once we arrive at the park, chaperones are responsible for the students in their group
Bus Assignments – is currently in progress and will be finalized prior to the trip. We have three buses where one will be 7th, one will be 8th and one will be blended. Chaperones and the students in their group will be on the same bus.
Key Contacts – In the event of an emergency or information needed, please reach out to Mrs. Busovsky, nurse or chaperones
Kelly Busovsky – Music Director William Merritt – Band Director
302.750.7779 302.757.6104
Barbara Fields – Trip Coordinator Trip Nurse
302.559.1041
Chaperones:
Will be completed once chaperones are confirmed
Competition Details
We are often asked how the students are being judged and awarded. The following information is what has been provided by the Music in the Parks organization:
Awards
The awards presented by MUSIC IN THE PARKS provide an incentive for students in the various performing organizations to strive for musical excellence in their performances. As a reward for these efforts and accomplishments, MUSIC IN THE PARKS presents distinctive and impressive trophies at the Awards Ceremony.
Competition Status and Awards
RATING ONLY: Each organization for Rating Only will receive a trophy with the appropriate rating of superior, excellent, good, fair, or poor.
COMPETITION: Each organization for Competition will receive a trophy with the appropriate rating of superior, excellent, good, fair, or poor and, in addition, will be ranked within their classification.
Overall trophies will be presented to the highest scoring ensemble for Concert Band, Jazz Ensemble, Orchestra (full/string), Choir and Parade Band in the High School division and Middle School/Jr. High and the Elementary division. There must be at least two or more competing organizations within each division for these trophies to be awarded. Groups for Rating Only are not eligible for Overall trophies, but are eligible for the individual awards.
Caravel’s 5th & 6th grade Chorus is classified Elementary School – Grades K-6
Classification:
Class A – accredited school enrollment less than 750 students
Class AA – accredited school enrollment 750 or higher
Class AAA – school age community ensembles and non-accredited schools only
Band is judged on:
· TONE QUALITY: Resonance, Control, Clarity, Focus, Consistency, Refinement, and Likeness of Qualities.
· INTONATION: Chords, Melodic Line, Ensemble, and Individual.
· RHYTHM: Accuracy of Note and Rest Values, Duration, Steadiness, Accuracy of Meter, and Precision.
· TECHNIQUE: Note Accuracy, Attacks, Releases, Articulation, and Legato Style.
· MUSICALITY: Interpretation Style, Phrasing, Tempi, Dynamics, Balance, Blend, and Expression.
Chorus is judged on:
· DICTION: Articulation, clear & concise words
· TONE: Overall sound, variety of tone qualities, appropriate for style of piece & age group
· BLANE & BALANCE: single voices standing out, sections blend together
· MUSICALITY: Sing with line, dynamic contrast, phrasing; does the music come alive
· PRESENTATION: present a polished performance, enter & exit stage gracefully