Ernest A. Becker, Sr. Middle School
9151 Pinewood Hills Drive Amy Smith, Principal
Las Vegas, Nevada 89134 Chris Greathouse, Assistant Principal
(702) 799-4460 Dan Lediard, Dean of Students
Fax (702) 799-4470 Sonia Houghton, Dean of Students
September 2009
Dear Choir Parent,
Your child has expressed an interest in auditioning for the ACDA/CCSD Middle School Honor Choir. This choir is made up of approximately 120 of the finest middle school choral students in our school district. The information in this letter will help you and your child decide if you can make the necessary commitment to make this one of the highlights of your child’s musical experience here at Becker Middle School.
The auditions will take place at Green Valley High School on Saturday, September 26, 2009, from 8:00am to 5:00pm. Students must make their own transportation arrangements. Students will be notified of their actual audition times by Thursday, September 24, 2009. In order to audition, students must be able to attend the rehearsals listed below. Students are only allowed one unexcused absence during the October 1, 8, 13 & 15 rehearsals. However, attendance is MANDATORY for October 20, 21 & 22 rehearsals and concert, and no students are allowed to be absent for those dates - no exceptions. Students must attend several pre-audition rehearsals that will be set at a later date. These rehearsals are essential to ensure your child is prepared for his/her audition. Students who are not prepared will NOT be allowed to audition for Honor Choir.
This year the conductor for the ACDA/CCSD Middle School Honor Choir will be Greg Gilpin, well-known ASCAP award winning choral composer, arranger and conductor. Mr. Gilpin resides in Indianapolis, IN, where he is also busy as a studio musician and in the recording industry. The audition process is very challenging. Students must be able to sight-read rhythmic clapping exercises, sing back intervals a cappella, and sing their own voice part in an audition piece against a taped piano accompaniment as if you were singing a solo.
STUDENTS MUST BE ABLE TO ATTEND THE FOLLOWING REHEARSALS:
Auditions: Saturday, September 26, 2009 at Green Valley High School
8:00am-5:00pm, set audition times announced by Thurs., September 24, 2009
Rehearsals: Thursday, October 1, 2009 North / South 4:00pm-6:00pm
Thursday, October 8, 2009 North / South 4:00pm-6:00pm
Tuesday, October 13, 2009 North / South 4:00pm-6:00pm
Thursday, October 15, 2009 North / South 4:00pm-6:00pm
Mandatory Tuesday, October 20, 2009 Combined rehearsal 3:00pm-6:00pm at Green Valley HS
Rehearsals:
(10/20-10/22) Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Rehearsal w/conductor 8:00am-3:00pm at Ham Concert Hall
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Rehearsal w/ conductor 3:00pm-5:30pm
@ Ham Concert Hall 6:30pm concert call 7:00 pm concert
Concert Info: Thursday, October 22, 2009
Artemus Ham Concert Hall (UNLV) at 7:00pm
Free to the public, anyone welcome!
If you feel that your child would be a great asset to this performance group, please have him / her pick up an Audition Application Form and complete the following areas: Name, School, Address, Concert Height, Choral Experience and Student and Parent Signature. Please also read and sign the Honor Choir Agreement Form (back side of form). There is a $5 audition fee per student and there is a $10 participation fee per student if your child ends up making the ACDA / CCSD Middle School Honor Choir that would be due at the first rehearsal. Application Forms, Honor Choir Agreement Forms and $5 audition fees should be returned to Mrs. Lori Pitt NO LATER THAN Monday, September 14, 2009. Please make all checks to Becker MS.
The entire audition process has been uploaded onto the Honor Choir website. The audition process is provided for you on page 6 of this packet. You may practice as much as you like by getting online at:
www.CCSDHonorChoir.com
I look forward to working with your child to prepare for this event. If you have any questions about the ACDA / CCSD Middle School Honor Choir, please call me at 799-4460, ext. 4050.
Sincerely,
Mrs. Lori Rodowick-Pitt,
Choral Director – Becker Middle School