E-Mails: March 2010

Choir Dates [Grades 6-8] for the Remainder of the Year

March 31, 2010

Dear Parents,

The spring is a busy time, so I thought I would take the opportunity to write down

2010 Upcoming Events, Grades 6-8
Date Event
Fr-Sun, Apr 9-11 MHS Musical The Music Man (just an FYI) I will give extra credit for students who give me a program from the musical. It must have their name on it to get credit.
Wed, Apr 14 Choir Boosters Scholarship applications due
Mon, Apr 19 Choir Boosters Scholarship auditions – 3:10-5:30 pm in the high School choir room. Grade 7-11 students who performed a solo at Solo/Ensemble Contest do not need to audition, but they do need to get their paperwork in.
Sat, Apr 24 Choir Incentive Trip to Billy Elliot
Fri, Apr 30 Set up for IESA Organization contest after school
Sat, May 1 IESA Organization contest – required for 7th and 8th grade choir and band students
Wed, May 5 High school spring concert (just an FYI)
Thu, May 6 Last Choir Boosters meeting of the year – 5:00 pm, HS choir room
Tue, May 11 Grades 6-8 spring choir concert – Required for all grade 6-8 choral students. 7:00 pm, Fellheimer Auditorium
Tue, May 25 Junior High Variety Show auditions after school – optional for 7th and 8th grade students
Wed, Jun 3 Junior High Variety Show during the day (usually afternoon; time TBA)

Erin Stegall
Choral Director
Grades 6-8, Macomb Schools

Music Man Preview at Lincoln and Edison Schools

March 31, 2010

Dear Parents and Students,

The following students have been asked to sing at Lincoln School and Edison School to preview The Music Man on Friday, April 9, 2010. Below is an itinerary for the morning. Students will provide their own transportation to and from school and back to the high school. Students will need a parent note for the office, giving them permission to attend and to either drive themselves or ride with another student. I would also be willing to drive students back and forth- just indicate that in your note. Students- we will wear our musical t-shirts that morning.

Thanks!

Mrs. Butcher

Involved Students

  • Ben Burdick
  • Amanda Miller
  • Josh Keck
  • Chris Umphryes
  • Jeff Mooney
  • Zac Pettit
  • Jackson Axley
  • Alexis March
  • Laura Deveraux
  • Ashley Stear
  • Amanda Axley
  • Abby Dace
  • Cassidy Depoy
  • Maggie McGowan
  • Patricia Pircon
  • Gabrielle Filipink
  • Shannon Roon

Itinerary for Lincoln and Edison Previews

Friday, April 9, 2010

  • 7:40 am – Arrive at Lincoln and meet in the office
  • 7:50 am – Performance in the Lincoln gym
  • 8:20 am – Depart for Edison
  • 8:30 am – Arrive at Edison
  • 8:45 am – Set up auditorium stage
  • 9:00 am – Performance for Edison School
  • 9:30 am – Performance ends
  • 9:50 am – Check in at MHS office

Performance Order

  1. Ya Got Trouble – Ben and Chorus
  2. The Sadder but Wiser Girl – Ben and Josh
  3. Pick a Little & Good Night Ladies – Girls and Quartet
  4. Til There Was You – Amanda (Edison only)
  5. Shipoopi – Josh and Chorus, not dancers

Choir Update

March 29, 2010

Good Morning!

  1. The choir lesson schedule for this week is attached.
  2. Rehearsals – No Mads/Men's this week or next. Jazz Voices will rehearse on Thursday from 3:10-4:00 pm
  3. There will be a Choir Boosters meeting this Thursday, April 1, at 5:00 pm in the choir room. (No, this isn't an April Fool's joke. ☺)
2010 Upcoming Events, MHS
Date Event Location & Time Involves
Fri-Sun, Apr 9-11 HS musical – The Music Man Fellheimer Auditorium interested students
Fri, Apr 16 IHSA Organizational Contest Macomb High School, all day all students (required)
Mon, Apr 19 Choir Booster scholarship auditions Choir Room, 3:05-5:00 pm interested students
Saty, Apr 24 Billy Elliot choir trip to Chicago   interested students
Wed, May 5 HS Spring Choir Concert Fellheimer, 7:00 pm all students (required)
Sat, May 22 HS graduation – Concert Choir will perform Western Hall, 7:30 pm all Concert Choir members (required)

Thanks and have a great week!

Melanie Butcher, Choral Director
Macomb High School
1525 S. Johnson
Macomb, IL 61455
Phone: 309/833-6255
Fax: 309/836-1034

8th Grade or HS Ticket Available

March 26, 2010

Dear parents,

We had an eighth grade student who is selling their ticket to the choir trip. Is there anyone who would like for their child to attend Billy Elliot in Chicago for the choir incentive trip on Saturday, April 24th The cost is $125.00 for the ticket.

Thanks!

Erin Stegall
Choral Director
Grades 6-8, Macomb Schools

Reminder About Tonight's Concert

March 26, 2010

Dear parents,

Just a reminder that tonight (Friday, March 26th) is the Edison Fine Arts Expo concert and it is a required concert grade.

Students are to wear their Macomb Music Shirts and black pants/shoes/socks. Parking will be at a premium as it is a busy event for Edison School. Please plan accordingly. ☺

Here is a brief rundown of the evening:

2010 Edison Fine Arts Expo
Time Itinerary Item
6:10 pm
Call time
  • Students arrive
  • "Choir only" students are to sit in chairs behind the risers
  • Sixth grade students in choir and band are to sit with the band
6:30 pm
Concert begins
  • Expo Choir
  • Sixth grade band
  • Sixth grade choir

After the concert, the students are dismissed. If students choose to stay at the Expo, they must have a parent with them to supervise them.

Thanks, and see you this evening!

Erin Stegall
Choral Director
Grades 6-8, Macomb Schools

Lessons, Camp Scholarships, and rehearsals

March 19, 2010

Dear Parents,

  1. The choir lesson schedule for next week (March 22-26) is attached.
  2. Macomb Choir Boosters Camp Scholarships – I have attached a letter/form that was sent home with students last week regarding Choir Booster Camp Scholarships. A student must be registered for choir next school year (2010-2011) in order to be eligible for a scholarship. Scholarships may be used at any summer choir camp. However, many students opt to attend WIU's summer music camps because of its quality and convenience. Below is a link to the WIU summer music camp website. On this link you will also find an application for a Performing Arts Society Scholarship.
  3. Rehearsals this week – Tuesday, Men's at lunch and Mads from 5:00-5:45 pm; Thursday, Jazz Voices from 3:10-4:00 pm

Enjoy the rest of your break and see you next week!

Melanie Butcher, Choral Director
Macomb High School
1525 S. Johnson
Macomb, IL 61455
Phone: 309/833-6255
Fax: 309/836-1034

Fine Arts Expo Concert Letter Attached

March 10, 2010

Dear Parents,

Attached you will find details regarding the Friday, March 26th Fine Arts Expo Concert at Edison School. We will also be giving a hard copy of this letter to the students in class in case you can't open our attachment.

Have a great spring break with your families!

Erin Stegall
Choral Director
Grades 6-8, Macomb Schools

Choir Booster Camp Scholarship Information

March 9, 2010

Dear Parents,

Attached is the Macomb Choir Booster scholarship information. Students who are given a scholarship may go to any choral/vocal camp of their choice. We highly recommend WIU's camp, University of Illinois' Summer Youth Music, and Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp. However, there are many outstanding experiences for young singers. The applications are due Wednesday, April 14th and the auditions are Monday, April 19th (after school) in the high school choir room. Any 7th – 11th grade student who performed a solo at the solo/ensemble contest does not have to audition, but does need to meet the April 14th Scholarship deadline.

For the junior high students (and incoming junior high students), WIU is a nice choice because of the commuting option. ☺ Plus, I teach at the camp so I can help my students along, which is always a plus!

Below are the website for the recommended camps. Most of these camps have on line registration.

Thanks so much!

Erin Stegall
Choral Director
Grades 6-8, Macomb Schools

Choir Update

March 8, 2010

Dear Parents and Students,

  1. Congratulations to those students who attended IHSA Solo and Ensemble Contest on Saturday! Special congrats to Lydia Lewis, Amanda Miller and Kimmie Nott for receiving a "Best of the Day" award. Thank you to those parents who helped out in the homeroom area.
  2. Rehearsals this week – Tuesday: Men's/Mads. Thursday: There will not be Jazz Voices rehearsal due to the Olympic Band Festival.
  3. Music Study – Attached you will find a parent and a student letters regarding a music study at WIU. Amanda Stevenson, a WIU graduate student, is working on her thesis in vocal sight singing and is looking for students to participate in the study. There are two permission slip (a student and a parent slip) attached. I am asking all students to return the permission slip stating that they will participate and or will not participate in the study. If you have any specific questions, you may email her at: AR-Stevenson@wiu.edu

Thanks and have a great weekend!

Melanie Butcher, Choral Director
Macomb High School
1525 S. Johnson
Macomb, IL 61455
Phone: 309/833-6255
Fax: 309/836-1034

Choir Reminders

March 5, 2010

Dear Parents,

Solo and Ensemble reminders: (Saturday, March 6)

  1. We will load choir bus at 6:05 am and leave from the parking lot at 6:15 am Mr. Wetmore has decided to leave at 6:00 am Most of the students in choir and band will ride the choir bus. A handful of students in choir and band who play before 9:00 am will ride the band bus. They already know who they are.
  2. There will be a sign out sheet in the homeroom area for those parents who want to take their child home after their event. Only a parent can sign them out.
  3. Madrigals – We will wear our Madrigal outfit. Pearls and button covers/cuff links will be in the homeroom area, unless you bring yours from home.
  4. Be sure to have your original copy with numbered measures. Don't forget to wait after your event and return the score to the homeroom area.
  5. Concessions will be available. Don't forget money for food. J
  6. Clothing – Please be sure to wear nice looking, appropriate clothes for your event.
  7. Chaperones – Thank you for volunteering your time! Below is a list of those individuals:
    • Robbie Keck – bus
    • Gym Helpers
      • Sue Adams
      • Kathleen ODB – 9:00-11:00 am
      • Cheryl Baker – noon on
      • Candace March
      • Julie Anne Pickett 9:00 am
      • Jim & Peppi Kenny 1:00-3:15 pm
      • Jennifer Rabchuk
      • Doug & Cheryl Rossio – 12:00-3:00 pm

Also, choir lesson schedule for next week is attached.

Have a great weekend!

Melanie Butcher, Choral Director
Macomb High School
1525 S. Johnson
Macomb, IL 61455
Phone: 309/833-6255
Fax: 309/836-1034

Western Illinois Summer Music Camps

March 4, 2010

Dear Parents,

Mrs. Stegall and I are big proponents of students attending summer / vocal camps. We can't express to you how much the students gain by being immersed in a culture of music and singing. So many things pull at their interest and attention during the school year, summer camps allow see them get to focus on one thing—making music.

The Macomb Choir Boosters is kind to provide scholarship for students to attend music camp. Though a scholarship amount is yet to be determined from the choir boosters, last year we awarded scholarships in the amount of $150.00 and higher. There are a few organizations who also have provided scholarships in the past. The Macomb Women's Club and The Western Illinois University Performing Arts Society offers scholarships for students attending Western Illinois University's Summer Music Camp. For Macomb Choir Booster Scholarships, we typically have auditions in April, so please be looking for that information soon.

The web site for Western Illinois Summer Music Camps is now available on line. http://www.wiu.edu/summermusiccamps/

If you have any further questions or concerns, feel free to contact the camp directly at:

Summer Music Camps
Sallee Hall Room 202
Western Illinois University
1 University Circle
Macomb IL 61455

Phone 309-298-1505

Fax 309-298-1499

E-mail SM-Camps@wiu.edu

We also recommend other summer music camps. Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp and Interlochen Music Camp in Michigan and University of Illinois Summer Music Camps are also outstanding. They do cost more than WIU's camp, but offer a wonderful experience. Students may use their Macomb Choir Boosters Scholarship for any choral or vocal camp their choice.

Please encourage your children to take advantage of this opportunity!

Sincerely,

Erin Stegall
Melanie Butcher

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