September 7 Update

September 7, 2017

Dear Honors Choir Families:

It was great to see so many of you at the parent meeting on Tuesday evening! If something came up and you were unable to attend, this email should help. You are always welcome to email me with questions, comments, or concerns. The team of directors is excited to have your singer in the Honors Choir! We appreciated the talent and enthusiasm from the group yesterday, and we are looking forward to helping them develop their singing habits and skills individually and as an ensemble this year.

At the parent meeting, we announced some of the details about the October 7^th performance at the Missouri School Board Association conference. The group will perform at 1:00pm on Saturday, October 7^th. Dress rehearsal at Tan-Tar-A begins at 12:00pm. It will take us up to 2 hours by bus to get to Lake of the Ozarks, so we plan on leaving in the morning between 9:00 and 9:30am, giving us sufficient time to feed the Honors Choir students a sack lunch and allow time for other preparations. We will leave from West Middle School the morning of October 7^th. Unfortunately, because this performance is at a conference of a professional dues-paying organization, all parents not belonging to the Missouri School Board Association are not eligible to attend. I will keep you posted about the need for parent chaperones. We are hoping to have a pool party after the performance at the Tan-Tar-A Resort Water Park. We are planning to return to Columbia between 4:30 and 5:00pm. Because Mr. Melton was unable to attend yesterday’s rehearsal, more details will be announced as they become available. If you have any questions or concerns about this performance, please contact me directly.

Honors Choir Handbooks were distributed at Tuesday’s parent meeting. The online version can be found on our blog at http://cps5honorschoir.blogspot.com/

Below is information about our annual fundraiser. If you were not at the parent meeting yesterday evening, I will send a fundraiser packet to your child’s home school to be sent home ASAP.  

Columbia Public Schools 5^th Grade Honors Choir

Fall 2017

Thank you for your help with this project!

THE PLAN:

·       PRINT ALL ORDERS CLEARLY ON THE ORDER FORM. Extra order forms are available from Ms. Tevebaugh.

·       TOTAL YOUR ORDERS AND ENCLOSE THE CORRECT AMOUNT OF MONEY.

·       RETURN WHITE AND YELLOW COPIES OF THE ORDER FORM IN THE ENVELOPE PROVIDED.

Keep the pink copy and the brochure to aid in product distribution.

SALE DATES: SEPTEMBER 5-SEPTEMBER 26

                   (all orders and money due on September 26^th)

PAYMENT: Please make checks payable to “Cherrydale Farms” with

                   “CPS 5^th Grade Honors Choir” in the memo line.

DELIVERY/PICK-UP DATE: OCTOBER 24^TH

HAVE OUT-OF-TOWN FRIENDS AND FAMILY?

                   Shop online at http://www.cherrydale.com

Go to Sellers Log-in and enter group code FRCOHCM to create your account and send emails to invite folks to help you and your organization earn credit for their purchases.

HAVE QUESTIONS? Email Ms. Tevebaugh at LiPierce@cpsk12.org

Dear Honors Choir Families:

          Please understand that all funds benefit the Honors Choir for travel and other things not covered in the instructional budget. Thank you for your help and support of music in our schools!

                                                                                      -Mr. Battle

Questions during the product delivery: Please call Keith Dreier – (800)443-6260 or     

                   email at KDreier573@aol.com

At next week’s rehearsal, singers will receive choir folders and nametags. It is important that they bring both items to rehearsal each week. Also at next week’s rehearsal, t-shirt order forms will be handed out. Honors Choir t-shirts are not mandatory to own, but are available for purchase for $10 apiece.

Please email me if your singer will be absent from rehearsal. You can also call my school voicemail extension: (573)214-3670, ext. 79740.

Thank you!

*Lindsey Tevebaugh

Business Director

CPS 5^th Grade Honors Choir

LiPierce@cpsk12.org

(573)214-3670, ext. 79740

Honors Choir Fundraiser 2017 Information

Columbia Public Schools 5^th Grade Honors Choir

Fall Fundraiser 2017

Thank you for your help with this project!

THE PLAN:

·       PRINT ALL ORDERS CLEARLY ON THE ORDER FORM. Extra order forms are available from Ms. Tevebaugh.

·       TOTAL YOUR ORDERS AND ENCLOSE THE CORRECT AMOUNT OF MONEY.

·       RETURN WHITE AND YELLOW COPIES OF THE ORDER FORM IN THE ENVELOPE PROVIDED.

Keep the pink copy and the brochure to aid in product distribution.

SALE DATES: SEPTEMBER 5-SEPTEMBER 26

                   (all orders and money due on September 26^th)

PAYMENT: Please make checks payable to  “Columbia Public Schools” with “Honors Choir” in the memo line.

DELIVERY/PICK-UP DATE: OCTOBER 24^TH

HAVE OUT-OF-TOWN FRIENDS AND FAMILY?

                   Shop online at http://www.cherrydale.com

                   Go to Sellers Log-in and enter group code FRCOHCM to create

                   your account and send emails to invite folks to help you and

                   your organization earn credit for their purchases.

HAVE QUESTIONS? Email Ms. Tevebaugh at LiPierce@cpsk12.org

Dear Honors Choir Families:

          Please understand that all funds benefit the Honors Choir for travel and other things not covered in the instructional budget. Thank you for your help and support of music in our schools!

                                                                                      -Mr. Battle

Questions during the product delivery: Please call Keith Dreier – 

                      (800)443-6260 or email at KDreier573@aol.com

CPS 5th Grade Honors Choir Handbook

Columbia Public Schools

5^th Grade Honors Choir

MEMBER’S HANDBOOK

2017-18

            The Columbia Public Schools 5^th Grade Honors Choir is a 125-member ensemble with students from every of the 22 elementary schools in Columbia and some surrounding districts, as well. The Honors Choir has traveled extensively and performed at the Missouri Music Educators Convention in Osage Beach, MO. Founded by educators Susan Altomari and Mary Beth Ming in 1987, the Honors Choir is proud to be starting their 31^st season. Although the personnel for the ensemble changes every year, students are always thrilled to be joining the rich history of choral music in mid-Missouri.

           

            In this handbook, you will find valuable information concerning our goals, policies, concerns, and uniforms.  Please read the handbook carefully and if you have questions, feel free to contact me via email, phone, or in person.  Thanks in advance for all your support, both for me and for your child, to make this a fun, exciting year of choral music!

Sincerely,

Mr. Robert Battle

Director, CPS Fifth Grade Honors Choir

Ms. Lindsey Tevebaugh

Business Director, CPS Fifth Grade Honors Choir

LiPierce@cpsk12.org

Goals

Columbia Public Schools Fifth Grade Honors Choir members will receive training in appropriate & healthy voice production and experience in ensemble singing.  Participation in the choir provides an opportunity to perform music that is often more challenging than singers may have previously experienced, and it is also an opportunity to build social relationships that will benefit them as they progress into advanced levels of music.  Rehearsals, therefore, must be a high priority for you.  Weekly attendance is mandatory.  Unexcused absences could result in dismissal from the choir.

Sometimes, your child may not always realize the impact of the wonderful growing pains of more advanced and rigorous learning. It is essential to the process to have your support when “it just seems too hard.”

Honors Choir will begin on Tuesday, September 5.  Our rehearsals are in the West Middle School Choir Room from 4:00-5:15 on Tuesdays.  This year’s choir will have five major performances.  We have tried not to “overbook” your singers with concerts, because we know that families are often involved in many other activities.  These concerts need to go on your family calendars immediately to avoid conflicts that may arise.  There may be some additional performances that will be scheduled.  I will give you notice about these performances well in advance of the dates.

In short, our goals are hopefully your goals!  We want every singer to have the best musical experience possible.  This can be realized only through dedication, regular attendance, and hard work.  Yes, choral singing takes a lot of work, but it is also extremely rewarding!

Policies            

1) Honors Choir members MUST continue to participate in their own school choirs. There is zero exception to this rule.

2) Three absences will result in a conference with the choir directors to discuss if your singer should continue with the ensemble. If your singer has other obligations such as sports or clubs that overlap with the honors choir, then your family will need to make a decision about what obligation you will commit to. We certainly understand when difficult decisions have to be made.

3) Honors Choir members are very visible representatives of our schools.  Their conduct and behavior is very important, and will be redirected in our group as needed. If there are major or multiple incidents, a singer’s parent will be contacted. Students who do not improve will be dismissed from the choir.

4) We will have rehearsals at our regularly scheduled time on Tuesdays, 4:00-5:15 p.m (5:45pm for extended rehearsals until October 7). All rehearsals will be at West Middle School in the choir room, unless otherwise notified.

5) If school is not in session, we will not meet.

6) All of our directors are involved in Tuesday evening activities.  Parents must pick up their children no later than 5:30 (6:00pm for extended rehearsals only).  Students whose parents are chronically late will be dismissed from the choir.

7) All uniforms must meet the standards set out in the uniform section of this handbook.  Cardigans are provided; other items such as shirts, skirts, pants, socks, and shoes are provided by the family of the choir member. If a need exists, please contact Lindsey Tevebaugh at lipierce@cpsk12.org .  

Directing Staff

Robert Battle, Lange Middle School

James Melton, CPS Fine Arts Coordinator

Christine Nichols, Jefferson Middle School

Lindsey Tevebaugh, West Blvd. Elementary School

Concerns

• Honors Choir members should plan to be dropped off no earlier than 3:45PM and no later than 4:00.  Mr. Battle, Mrs. Nichols, and Ms. Tevebaugh will be unavailable for supervision before 3:45 because of other duties.
• Students may choose to have a water bottle with them at rehearsals but gum chewing is forbidden, and snacks should be finished outside the choir room before we begin rehearsal.
• Choir members need to be picked up promptly when rehearsals are over.  Membership can be terminated if directors have to wait frequently for a student to be picked up.  We will not leave children waiting unattended, but our own schedules do not allow us to wait for late parents.  Please be respectful of our time with our families.

Uniforms

The uniform for concerts is as follow unless otherwise noted:

Bottoms: Black skirts with black tights or black pants with black socks

Shoes: Black dress shoes

Tops: All students will need a white button collared shirt. Students will be provided a burgundy cardigan with a gold neck tie. The white shirt does not need to have a certain arm length; it just simply needs to have a collar that can hold a necktie with a button. This would include button down dress shirts or polo shirts.

The cardigans and necktie are property of Columbia Public Schools.

Please contact Lindsey Tevebaugh(lipierce@cpsk12.org) if purchasing a shirt and pants or a skirt is a problem for you.  We will provide you with a donated uniform or look for a source of alternative funding.  I do not want this to prevent any child who has qualified from participating.

Fundraising Project

The fundraiser project will kick off on September 5 and will conclude on September 26th. A fundraiser information packet will come home with your choir member on September 5. The fundraiser will also help pay for music and any vests that need to be replaced.

If you have questions concerning the fundraiser, please contact me.  The project is easy and the profit margin is very good.  The CPS Honors Choir has worked with Cherrydale Farms, our fundraising company, for many years, and they are wonderful about making it successful and easy for you and me!

Honors Choir 2017-18 Autumn Schedule

Columbia Public Schools 5th Grade Honors Choir

2017-18 Autumn Schedule

Rehearsals are typically held at West Middle School from 4:00pm-5:15pm, weekly.

Extended rehearsals in bold will be held at West Middle School from 4:00pm-5:45pm.

Regularly-scheduled rehearsals will resume following the October 7^th MSBA Conference Performance.

September 5, First Rehearsal, Parent meeting to be held after from 5:30-5:45

September 12, Weekly Rehearsal

September 19, Weekly Rehearsal

September 26, Weekly Rehearsal

October 3, Weekly Rehearsal

Saturday October 7, MSBA Conference Performance, Tan-Tar-A Resort

October 10, Weekly Rehearsal

October 17, No Rehearsal, CPS Half-Day

October 24, Weekly Rehearsal

October 31, Weekly Rehearsal

November 7, Weekly Rehearsal

November 14, Weekly Rehearsal

November 21, No Rehearsal, Thanksgiving Break

November 28, Weekly Rehearsal

December 5, Weekly Rehearsal

December 9, Booneslick Chordbusters Concert

            6:00 Call Time, 7:00 Show

December 12, Weekly Rehearsal

December 19, No Rehearsal, Winter Concert @ Hickman High School
            6:15 Call Time, 7:00 Show

Welcome to the 2017-18 CPS 5th Grade Honors Choir!

August 19, 2017

Dear Honors Choir Families:

Welcome to the Columbia Public Schools 5^th Grade Honors Choir! My name is Lindsey Tevebaugh and I am the elementary general music specialist at West Boulevard Elementary school. This is my eighth year teaching, and I will be in charge of corresponding with families of the students in the Honors Choir. Please let this serve as a test email so I know this address works and is currently in use.

We are excited about getting started with your 5^th grade singer! This ensemble provides valuable performance opportunities and choir experience for all involved. Please carefully read the information below, as some is new or different than years past.

·         Regular weekly rehearsals will be held on Tuesdays from 4:00-5:15pm in the West Middle School Choir Room (at the southwest corner of the school, closest to the ARC and the athletic fields).

·         Students should be dropped off at WMS no earlier than 3:45pm and picked up no later than 5:30pm.

·         Our first rehearsal will be on Tuesday, September 5^th.

·         Because of our scheduled performance at the Missouri School Board Association conference on Saturday, October 7, we will be extending rehearsals until 5:45pm leading up to the performance. We will return to the regular rehearsal schedule (4:00-5:15) after the performance on October 7.

·         Following the first rehearsal on September 5^th, there will be a family meeting from 5:30-5:45pm. Each singer must have a parent or guardian present to receive more information and fundraising materials. This meeting will last 15-20 minutes, and you will receive an HC handbook. The meeting will be in the WMS Band Room next door to the choir room where singers enter.

·         The Honors Choir schedule and handbook will be posted on the blog at: http://cps5honorschoir.blogspot.com/

·         You can follow us on Facebook (CPS 5^th Grade Honors Choir) or Twitter @honorschoir

·         If you have any questions or concerns, please email me directly: lipierce@cpsk12.org

We will see you all on September 5^th! There will be music teachers directing singers into the choir room for the first rehearsal.

Sincerely,

Lindsey Tevebaugh, Business Director

Robert Battle, Honors Choir Director

Christine Nichols, Honors Choir Assistant Director

Ryan Layton, Collaborative Pianist

James Melton, Director of Fine Arts

Last HC email of the year!!!! Really…

Thanks for everyone who helped make Friday’s trip amazing!!!

Everyone who was on the trip should already have their sweater and tie, and wear it to the last concert this coming Tuesday. (If you did not go, we will have all the extras there and will fit you up!!)

Things to remember for the final concert this Tuesday, April 11^th:

·       There is NO REHEARSAL at West Middle this day!!!!

·       Singers need to be at Battle High School Performing Arts Center at 6:15 pm.

·       Concert begins at 7:00 pm and if free and open to the public.

·       If your singer did not turn in their folder today, they will turn it in at the April 11^th concert. We will not have room to take extra folders on the bus.

·       The singers will turn in their sweaters and ties after the concert on April 11^th

Final email of the 2016-2017 Honors Choir Year!!!!

April 4, 2017

Last HC email of the year!!!!

Things to remember for Friday’s trip: (if your singer isn’t going, please skip)

·        Students should wear black pants/skirts, socks/tights, shoes & honors choir t-shirt or school t-shirt during the day

·        If black shoes are uncomfortable, please wear others and pack the dress shoes

·        Students are allowed a drawstring bag that they can carry white collared/button down shirt and dress shoes if necessary.

·        Many have asked about electronics, please NO ELECTRONICS except phones, and only if you think your singer can handle having them without losing/damaging them. THEY WILL HAVE THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THEIR PHONES ALL DAY.

·        A few have asked about bringing a book or cards and other no-tech things for the bus ride. This is fine AS LONG as these items do not weigh them down too much.

·        Your singer will need to be at West Middle School cafeteria (drop off at the three doors east of choir room that face the ARC) at 8:40 am. Please DO NOT DROP OFF EARLIER THAN 8:40 am. The busses will leave at 8:55 am.

·        Singers need NO MONEY for the trip. Lunch & dinner are provided.

·        KC Concert is FREE and open to public

·         If you’re have told me that you’re picking up your singer in KC, you will need to check in with me between 6:15-6:45 pm at the Cathedral:                               http://www.kcgolddome.org/  Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception; 416 West 12th St. KCMO

·         If you’re picking up your singer at West, look for a text from Mr. Battle around 10:30 pm. Please head to West Middle School for pickup at that time.

·         Singers will bring home sweaters and ties for the final concert. Please do not wash them. Please do not wear them between the concerts.

Things to remember for next Tuesday, April 11^th:

·        There is NO REHEARSAL at West Middle this day!!!!

·        Singers need to be at Battle High School Performing Arts Center at 6:15 pm.

·        Concert begins at 7:00 pm and if free and open to the public.

·        If your singer did not turn in their folder today, they will turn it in at the April 11^th concert. We will not have room to take extra folders on the bus.

·        The singers will turn in their sweaters and ties after the concert on April 11^th

(If you singer is NOT going to KC, we will have all the extra sweaters and ties at Battle on Tuesday the 11^th, so we will get them dressed before that concert.)