Welcome back!

Throughout the year, I’ll be using this blog page to post important information, performance calendars, and items of interest to DHS music students and their families.  This page will also serve as the launch page to specific sites for the performance ensembles and music technology classes.

Regional Learning Tracks!

Get your Western Region Choir learning tracks here:

http://darienps.org/dhschoralmusic/regionals.html

“Let There Be Peace On Earth” learning tracks

Here are your part-dominant .mp3 learning tracks for “Let There Be Peace On Earth.”  Your part will be in the left channel (and louder than the other three parts in the mix); the other parts will be in the right channel.  You can use one earbud, sit by one speaker, or use the balance control on your computer or stereo if so equipped.  If you can, a good strategy to use is:

1. Start with just the left channel to learn your part in isolation.

2. When you feel secure enough, switch to both channels and sing along with the full choir.

3. When you’re feeling really good about your part, try singing along with just the right channel and fill in the missing part!

This blog does not allow direct uploading of .mp3 files, but you can get them here: http://darienps.org/dhschoralmusic/peace.html - follow the onscreen instructions to download!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Important Western Region Audition Information

For all those auditioning for the Western Region Choir:

- You must complete, sign and return the Student Contract and Health Form to Mr. Andrade by this Thursday, November 17th.  Please note that the contract is not a binding commitment with regard to participation in the festival at this time; CMEA has changed their policy to collect these forms in advance of the audition to streamline the flow of paperwork, but they have not yet changed the language of the contract.  A .pdf version of the Student Contract and Health Form is posted below (hard copies were distributed in class).

- All students are expected to take the bus from DHS to the Adjudication Festival.  The bus will depart DHS at 9:15 AM and will return at approximately 12:30 PM.  If a student will not be riding the bus due to a conflict with another activity, Mr. Andrade must be notified in writing (email is fine) no later than this Friday by 2:00 PM.  You are reminded that CMEA policy expressly forbids students from driving to/from CMEA activities regardless of age or license status.

- We are in need of at least one parent chaperone to ride the bus to/from DHS.  (All DHS music teachers will be judging that day, and will be arriving at Brien McMahon well before auditions begin and staying after they are over.)  If you are able to help out, please email Mr. Andrade at candrade@darienps.org.

- The audition schedule is posted in two .pdf files below: one sorted alphabetically by last name, and the other in chronological order.  Signs will be posted at Brien McMahon directing students to the warmup areas and audition rooms.

- Students must bring two photocopies of their audition piece for the judges’ use.  Mr. Andrade will have photocopies available for students to take beginning on Thursday.

- Students not performing from memory must sing from an original G. Schirmer 24 Italian Art Songs and Arias book.  Singing from photocopied music will result in an instant disqualification.  The book is available at most local music stores for about $15.

- Cutoff scores, ensemble placement, and score sheets with comments should all be available sometime in the week following auditions.

Student Contract and Health Form

Schedule by Last Name

Schedule by Time

Reminder – Munson’s Sales due Wednesday 11/16!

Just a reminder that all orders and money for the Munson’s Chocolates sales are due  this Wednesday, November 16th.  Did you remember to:

• put your name on the order form?
• put your checks and/or cash in an envelope with your name on it?
• tally your total sales for each item (and double-check?)
• tally your total monetary sales per customer (and triple-check?)

Thanks to all who sold and purchased to support our choirs!  Orders will be ready for delivery by the second week in December.

Tudor Singers Listening Assignment #1

Go to the DHS Choral Music YouTube Channel: http://youtube.com/user/dhschoralmusic

Watch/listen to  all three renditions of “Jesus, bleibet meine Freude” and compare/contrast the performances using the Venn diagram form handed out in class.  (A .pdf version of the form is linked below if you need another copy.)  Please complete the assignment and bring the completed form with you to next Wednesday’s evening rehearsal. (10/26)

Listening1

Munson’s Chocolates are back!

It’s that time of year again!  The choir will be selling Connecticut-made Munson’s chocolates to raise funds for our concert attire and activities throughout the year.  Students received a sales brochure and information letter today; the sale ends November 16 and the chocolate will be ready for delivery by the second week of December.

Core Values and Beliefs – where do we fit in?

You may have heard that as part of our NEASC accreditation process, DHS has had to develop a new statement of “Core Values and Beliefs.”  (This used to be called “Mission and Expectations” under old NEASC guidelines, and “Values and Vision” before that.)  This statement was created with input from faculty, staff, students, parents, and the Board of Education, and was unanimously approved by the faculty last year.  We feel that it is an excellent representation of the principles that guide education at DHS.

I’m proud to say that the Choral Music and Music Technology programs at DHS fulfill aspects of every single one  of the Learning Expectations delineated in the Core Values and Beliefs statement.  Our students certainly “think critically, creatively, and adaptively while working independently and collaboratively,” whether digging into a new piece of choral music or tackling a Garage Band™ remix.  They “communicate effectively in multiple contexts,” including the powerful non-verbal communication that music affords us.  They “develop reading… …strategies, observation skills and aesthetic awareness,” all while developing “an awareness of multiple perspectives” in varied cultural and historical frameworks.  The expected level of performance in the choral groups and the independent nature of projects in the music tech classes help to cultivate a sense of “personal responsibility and ethical decision-making.”  Choral study educates the mind and body, and the study of music technology promotes a broadening of experiences and the development of independent exploration, all contributing to the development of “the skills necessary to lead a healthy and balanced life.”  Through service to school and community (in the form of performance and behind-the-scenes technical work), the students nurture “an understanding of civic rights and duties.”

We can all be proud of our DHS music students – they truly exemplify the characteristics that make Darien High School such an incredible institution.

DHS goes “Bach to the Future!”

Our curricular theme for the 2011-2012 school year is “Bach to the Future,” focusing on the music and legacy of Johann Sebastian Bach.  We will be looking at the historical and cultural aspects of the Baroque era during which Bach composed, performing the music of Bach, and exploring how Bach influenced generations of musicians and continues to influence today’s artists.