E-Mails: April 2010

IESA Contest Tomorrow

April 30, 2010

Dear Parents,

Tomorrow (Saturday, May 1st) is the big contest here at school. To reiterate, this is a required grade for the students for 4th quarter.

I have attached all the information you will need

There is a cost for any parent wishing to attend. Please enter through the auditorium entrance. Unless you are working the contest, there is a $2.00 charge for adults and $1.00 charge for students. If you are working, your name tag will be your "pass". Room 151 (Mrs. Palmer's room across from the band room) is contest headquarters. You can get your name tags and any information you might need there. ☺

Uniform – the students need to be "spiffed up" in their Macomb Music Shirts, Black Pants, Shoes and Socks (Shirts must me tucked in). For singing, the girls and boys need to have their hair out of their eyes. We have been deducted points for this is the past. I know it seems picky, but the judges want to see the students emote and see the expressions on their faces when they sing.

Thanks again for all of your help with contest. The biggest help will be having your children prepared, calm and focused.

Erin Stegall
Choral Director
Grades 6-8, Macomb Schools

Swing Choir Auditions for next year

April 28, 2010

Dear friends,

I am sending this attachment for swing choir in a different format because a few of you wrote that you couldn't open the other one. I am also sending it to Sean O'Donnell-Brown who has a way with technology and he might be so sweet as to put it up on the web for us on the choir home page. ☺

Thanks!

Erin Stegall
Choral Director
Grades 6-8, Macomb Schools

Scholarship Letters

April 28, 2010

Dear parents,

We will need booster approval prior to sending out any scholarship letters. Our final booster meeting is Thursday, May 6th at 5:00 pm in the high school choir room. We will send out the letters after that meeting, so you should get them the week of May 10th. Sorry for the delay. We cannot give money until the choir booster approve the scholarships. ☺

Thanks!

Mrs. Butcher

IESA Contest – Volunteer Schedule etc.

April 26, 2010

Attached is the volunteer schedule for Sat. 5/1. If you are not able to work as planned, please contact Barb or myself ASAP so that a replacement can be found. Shortages will make it difficult for the event to run smoothly.

Things You'll Need to Know

  1. All volunteers need to arrive 10 minutes before their shift begins and should check in at the contest office (Mrs. Palmer's room, #151, across from Band/Choir). When you check in you will need to confirm your arrival, obtain your nametag and clarify any additional information.
  2. Duties of the Day
    • Greeter: (at circle drive entrance) Greets all schools as they arrive, connects groups with student guides, directs to homeroom (gym). Schools should not enter the doors to the gym but those immediately to the left – no stairs (Entrance is labeled "N"). Only school groups and their chaperones may enter this entrance. All others must enter through the auditorium doors on the East side.
    • Stage Crew: Will set up the stage for each group prior to their performance. Last crew will set up for HS concert on Sun.
    • Door Monitors:
      • A = Auditorium
        • Volunteer 1 = Admission Table: Only directors, chaperones, and performing groups will get in without admission fees. All other parents, friends, and spectators must enter at the auditorium entrance and pay the admission fees. Students must stay in their uniforms to observe other performing groups—their uniform is their "Pass". If they change out of their uniforms, they will be asked to pay admission. These are IESA rules.
          Admission Fees:
          • Adults: $2.00
          • Students: $1.00
        • Volunteer(s) 2 = Auditorium Door Monitor: Check for paid admissions (hand stamp), close doors just prior to group performance. After a performance begins, the door should only be opened at the conclusion of the performance. (Again, IESA rule). Please also check in with the judges periodically to see if they need anything (pencils sharpened, coffee, water etc.)
      • L = Library Door Monitor: Check for paid admissions (hand stamp), close doors just prior to group performance. After a performance begins, the door can only be opened after the performance is completed. (Again, IESA rule). Please also check in with the judges periodically to see if they need anything (pencils sharpened, coffee, water etc.)
    • Ratings Runner: Take ratings etc. from performance site to contest office (A= auditorium; L= library).
    • Home Room Monitors: Supervise groups in the homeroom (gym); provide directions to groups as needed. Please remind all schools that warm-up/playing is not allowed in the homeroom area.
    • Cleanup: Will be done in each area by the last shift.

If you have problems accessing the schedule or have other questions, please contact:

Thanks in advance for all your help to make this event successful!

HS Choir

April 25, 2010

Dear parents and students,

  • Attention Seniors – I need pictures by Friday for senior posters and for Senior Slide Show. Please bring them soon!
  • The choir lesson schedule for this week is attached.
  • Upcoming dates
    • Wednesday, May 5 – High School Choir Concert, 7:00 pm
    • Tuesday, May 11 – Junior High School Choir Concert, 7:00 pm
    • Wednesday, May 19 – Baccalaureate (interested seniors will sing)
    • Saturday, May 22 – Graduation (Concert Choir will sing), 7:30 pm
  • Rehearsals this week
    • Men's Ensemble – Tues/Thurs at lunch
    • Jazz Voices – Tues/Thurs 3:10-4:00 pm
    • Madrigals – Tues/Thurs 5:00-6:00 pm

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

Scrapbook Photos

April 25, 2010

Hello all,

As Concert Choir Historian, my job is to make a scrapbook of the year's events. I wanted to make sure that I have as many pictures as possible. If anyone has any photos they would like to contribute, I would greatly appreciate it.

Thanks so much.

Mary Friday
309-331-4761

Billy Elliot

April 23, 2010

Dear Parents,

Here is, yet again, the information (itinerary, chaperones) for Billy Elliot. The most important thing for the 6-8 students are noted below:

  • They are required at all times to be with their chaperone group – no exceptions. ☺
  • No changing seats on the bus or groups.
  • School rules apply
  • They may bring cell phones and electronics at their own risk (the cell phones are a good tool for them to communicate to you our arrival back in Macomb as we are never sure of the traffic in Chicago)
  • Their tickets are lower balcony center.
  • PG and G movies only ☺
  • They need money for two fast food meals and any souvenirs they wish to purchase.

Erin Stegall
Choral Director
Grades 6-8, Macomb Schools

IESA Contest Volunteers Needed

April 21, 2010

Contest is Sat. May 1 and we need LOTS of volunteers to make this event flow smoothly. We have heard from a few parents, but need many more!

Here are the shifts:

  • 7:45-9:30 am
  • 9:30-11:00 am
  • 11:00 am - 12:30 pm
  • 12:30 pm - finish (about 2:30 pm)

Macomb Performance times

  • 9:00 am – 8th grade band
  • 9:00 am – 7th grade choir
  • 10:00 am – 8th grade choir
  • 10:00 am – 7th grade band
  • 11:00 am – Swing Choir

It's a great day, and you get to visit with other music parents and hear your child perform. Please say you can help. We may not have received your form (is it still in a backpack or locker?). Please send a response to me or Barb Coker ASAP. Tell us your shift preference with 1st, 2nd & 3rd choices.

We look forward to hearing from you!

Cheryl McGowan

Macomb Choir Booster Scholarships

April 22, 2010

Dear parents and interested parties,

Just a quick note about scholarship letter and award letters. We are working on the scholarships and should have the recipient letters out in couple of weeks. There was a junior high track meet on audition day, so we are working on making up auditions and figuring out our money.

Since we have the Billy Elliot Trip on Saturday and we are hosting Organziation contest on May 1st, we are a little busy with paperwork.

All of the students did well and will receive a scholarship—we just have to "crunch the numbers".

Thanks so much for your patience!

Mrs. Stegall & Mrs. Butcher

Choir Update

April 16, 2010

Dear Parents and Students,

  • Organization Contest – Today. Times are listed below:
    2010 IHSA Organization Contest, MHS Performance Times
    Warm-up Perform (in library)
    Time Ensemble Time Ensemble
    3:00 pm Concert Choir 3:20 pm Concert Choir
    3:40 pm Mixed Chorus 4:00 pm Mixed Chorus
    6:10 pm Jazz Voices 6:30 pm Jazz Voices
  • Choir lesson schedule for next week is attached.
  • Billy Elliot Trip – Saturday, April 24th. An itinerary for the day is attached.
  • Ticket for Sale – Please let me know if you are interested in purchasing a ticket for Billy Elliot.
  • Seniors (and parents) – It is tradition for the seniors to have a slide show during our Spring Choir concert on May 5th. If you would like you have your senior included, please send me pictures (preferably in a digital format). They can be pictures of the individual or of a group of people. Also, each senior will have a poster made that will hang in the foyer before the concert. Please send some pictures that can be glued/taped to the poster board. Please do send your best pictures. Each senior can take their poster home after the concert.
  • Rehearsals for next week – Men's, Tues/Thurs at lunch; Mad's, Tues/Thurs 5-6 pm; and Jazz, Tues/Thurs at 3:15-4:00 pm

Thanks!

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

2010 IHSA Organizational Contest.xlsx

April 15, 2010

Dear Parents,

Mr. Wetmore has adjusted the schedule for contest. I have listed the choir times below. Concert Choir and Mixed Chorus times remain the same. Only Jazz Voices is affected.

2010 IHSA Organization Contest, MHS Performance Times
Warm-up Perform (in library)
Time Ensemble Time Ensemble
3:00 pm Concert Choir 3:20 pm Concert Choir
3:40 pm Mixed Chorus 4:00 pm Mixed Chorus
6:10 pm Jazz Voices 6:30 pm Jazz Voices

Thanks! Mrs. Butcher

From: Wetmore, David
Sent: Thursday, April 15, 2010 11:12 AM
Subject: 2010 IHSA Organizational Contest.xlsx

Dear Directors,

Please find the attached schedule. I have tweaked things a little. We had a band drop out. I moved Mendon into Cuba's old slot that solved a problem for them, I then moved Warsaw's Jazz Combo into Mendon's old slot and then was able to move Havana and Macomb WS up a slot. Choir people after the supper break were adjusted slightly to enable all of you to finish earlier. I hope that these changes are beneficial to all. See you tomorrow!

Sincerely,
Dave Wetmore

Choir Booster Camp Scholarship Information due this Wednesday 4/14

April 12, 2010

Dear parents,

Just a reminder that the Choir Camp Scholarship information is due on Wednesday (see email below). Please let me know if you have any questions!

Thanks!

Erin & Melanie

Organizational Contest this Friday, April 16th – Parent Helpers Needed

April 12, 2010

Dear parents,

The Macomb High School band and choir programs are hosting IHSA Organization Contest this Friday, April 16, and we need volunteers to help in a variety of areas from 1:30 pm to 11:30 pm

To see Friday's schedule, click the "volunteers needed" link in the Web Alert section of any band or choir website page (MacombBands.org or MacombChoirs.org) or visit the volunteer page for Organization Contest.

If you can help, please e-mail Sean O'Donnell-Brown. In your e-mail, please indicate the time(s) that you are willing to volunteer as well as whether you have a preference for helping in a band- or a choir-specific capacity (see the schedule headings and designated band/choir times in the Homeroom Monitors [H/R Mon.] column of the schedule).

We will need many volunteers. Thanks in advance for your help!

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

Choir Update for this week

April 12, 2010

Dear parent and students,

Several items of business for the week. ☺

  • Lesson schedule for the week is attached.
  • Rehearsal this week – Only Jazz Voices both Tuesday and Thursday. Thursday's rehearsal is mandatory.
  • We have one Billy Elliot ticket for sale. Please let me know if you would like to purchase it.
  • Billy Elliot Trip – Saturday, April 24th. More information will soon follow.
  • Organizational Contest – This Friday, April 16th. Attached are the warm up and performance times. We are in need of several parent volunteers. I will be sending a separate email with specific information. Thanks!

Thanks!
Mrs. Butcher

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

Junior High Choir for 2010-2011 School year

April 6, 2010

Dear parents,

As we enter our final quarter of school, we ready for next school year (2010-2011). Your children will be in 7th or 8th grade and with that they have choices about their academic day. We hope that all of your children choose to stay in choir next year. In 7th and 8th grade, choir and band students do have pull out "lessons" during the day which is a change for the sixth graders. The subject area teachers and the music teachers work together to make sure that the students do not "fall behind" in their classes when attending these lessons. If it is a day when the students cannot miss class, the subject matter teachers are happy to sign a lesson excuse form for the students. This should not be a stressful component for students who are in music.

The subject area teachers in the junior high are very supportive of the choral and band programs. The students look forward to that hour in their day to "break up" the pencil paper work of some of their other classes. This week, your child will receive a "choice form" indicating whether they want to be in choir or band and some "honors" classes. We hope that they do continue singing in choir as we have had a great year teaching them. Both grades are very musical and thrive in the arts.

If you have any questions about your child singing next year, please feel free to contact me at any time!

Thank you!

Erin Stegall

IESA Band & Choir Organization Contest

April 1, 2010

As you may be are aware, the IESA Band/Choir (Organization) Contest for area schools is coming up on Saturday May 1st. Macomb will host the event which requires the efforts of many volunteers.

I have attached the volunteer request form and the performance schedule to assist you in your planning.

Please return the volunteer form via email to either Barb Coker or myself or return it in paper format to either Mr. Mattsey or Mrs. Stegall by no later than Thurs. 4/15. Your child received this form at school, as well; so may have already brought it home to you.

I know this is a very busy time of year for everyone. Any time you can contribute to this process would be greatly appreciated.

Cheryl McGowan
Barb Coker
Band Boosters/Choir Boosters

Choir Update

April 1, 2010

Dear Parent and Students,

  • Just a reminder: There is a choir booster meeting today, Thursday, April 1, at 5:00 pm in the choir room. Hope you can attend!
  • Choir lessons – The schedule for next week is attached.
  • There will not be Madrigals, Men's Ensemble, or Jazz Voices next week.
  • IHSA Organizational Music Contest will be Friday, April 16. MHS will be hosting the contest. Specific performance times will be announced soon. ☺
  • Billy Elliot Choir Trip – Students: We have a student who cannot attend the trip and would like to sell their ticket. If you are interested, please let me know.

Thanks, and have a great 4-day weekend!

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

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