Missouri All-State Children's Choir Audition Information

Missouri Music Educators Association
A Federated State Association of the National Association for Music Education

Missouri Fourth and Fifth Grade Parents/Guardians,
Each year the Missouri Music Educators Association holds a nationally recognized
professional development event in January at Tan-Tar-A Conference Center, Osage
Beach, that features 33 auditioned student performing ensembles, 65 clinics/sessions,
3,600 registrants and total foot traffic of 10,000 people. In an effort to add a mountain
top musical experience for outstanding fourth and fifth grade students like yours,
MMEA is thrilled to announce the inaugural Missouri All-State Children’s Choir .

We have made the audition process simple . Any fourth or fifth grade Missouri student
is eligible. The audition window will open on August 15 and close on October 1. The
audition piece is “Happy Birthday” sung without accompaniment (voice only) and in any
key your student prefers. The student, parent, guardian, or music teacher may complete
the registration process by uploading the recording to our online audition form at
mmea.net along with some basic information including student height and t-shirt size
(for reference if selected). A $10 audition fee will be due by credit card at the time of
submission. Students will be notified of selection on November 1. For selected students,
a participation fee of $60 will be due in November, and will include all performance
music mailed directly to the student or teacher, t-shirt, lunch, snack, as well as
conductor, accompanist, and conference expenses.

This incredible choir will begin rehearsal at 9:30am, Wednesday, January 22 in Compass
Rose Ballroom at Tan-Tar-A Conference Center. The conductor will be Joshua Pedde,
artistic director of the famed Indianapolis Children’s Choir. An adult chaperone will be
required for each student. The chaperone may be the student’s music teacher or
parent/guardian. The Missouri All-State Children’s Choir will perform at 4:30pm the
same day in Paradise C Ballroom. The performance is free and open to the public as is
parking throughout the resort. Audio and/or video recordings will be available for
purchase outside of the performance area.

For 82 years, MMEA has made quality our specialty. We would love to see your student
audition for this one-of-a-kind opportunity. Should you have any questions, please
contact the MASCC Chair Karen Dickinson at karenmused@gmail.com .

Yours in Music,
Brian Reeves
MMEA President

September 23 Update

September 23, 2019

Greetings, 5^th Grade Honors Choir Families!

I hope all is well with you! A few reminders:

·      All Honors Choir fundraiser materials are due TOMORROW, Tuesday, September 24. This includes payment for all fundraiser products. All checks should be made payable to Columbia Public Schools with Honors Choir in the memo line.

·      All products ordered through the fundraiser will be delivered on Tuesday, October 29. Please plan to pick up any fundraiser products not shipped directly to the purchasers.

·      For weekly rehearsals, students should arrive to West Middle School no earlier than 3:45pm. The team of directors come from different directions all over town and cannot guarantee your child will be supervised until 3:45 each week.

·      Honors Choir singers should be picked up from WMS no later than 5:20pm following weekly rehearsals. Thank you for respecting the evening commitments of the team of directors. Singers who are consistently picked up late may not participate with the ensemble.

·      Missouri All-State Children’s Choir: The audition window is open until October 1. Please see the post above for more information.

·      On Saturday, November 23, Honors Choir students will have the opportunity to view a simulcast of the Metropolitan Opera’s production of Philip Glass’s opera Akhnaten. A workshop will take place at Cedar Ridge Elementary, followed by bus transportation to Forum 8 Theater for the screening. More information to follow in the coming weeks.

·      If your student will be absent from any Honors Choir rehearsal or event, please email me as soon as possible.

·      If you have any questions or concerns, please email me directly.

Thank you for your commitment to this ensemble. Have a great week!

*Lindsey Tevebaugh, Business Director, CPS 5^th Grade Honors Choir, LTevebaugh@cpsk12.org, (573)214-3670

September 10 Update

September 10, 2019

Dear 5^th Grade Honors Choir Families:

I hope all is well with you and that you’ve been able to enjoy the sunshine outside lately!

A few reminders about Honors Choir:

·      The Honors Choir fundraiser is in progress until Tuesday, September 24. You may send order forms and money in at any time between now and then.

·      All checks should be made payable to Columbia Public Schools with Honors Choir in the memo line.

·      Students should arrive to West Middle School no earlier than 3:45pm. The team of directors come from different directions all over town, and cannot guarantee your child will be supervised until 3:45 each week.

·      Honors Choir singers should be picked up no later than 5:20pm. The team of directors have evening commitments, professional and personal.

·      If your student will be absent from any Honors Choir event, please email me as soon as possible.

·      If you have any questions or concerns, please email me directly.

Thank you for your commitment to this ensemble. We are excited about the choral possibilities of this group!

*Lindsey Tevebaugh, Business Director, CPS 5^th Grade Honors Choir, LTevebaugh@cpsk12.org, (573)214-3670

2019-2020 CPS 5th Grade Honors Choir Calendar

2019-2020 5th Grade Honors Choir Calendar

All rehearsals will take place at West Middle School (401 Clinkscales Road)

from 4:00pm - 5:15pm . Please have rides arrive promptly at 5:15pm.

September
3 - First rehearsal!
   ➢ Parent/Director meeting following rehearsal; fundraiser materials distributed
10 - Rehearsal
17 - Rehearsal
24 - Rehearsal
   ➢ All fundraiser orders and money due

October
1 - Rehearsal
8 - Rehearsal
15 - Rehearsal
22 - Rehearsal
29 - Rehearsal
   ➢ Fundraiser items delivered and sent home with students post-rehearsal

November
5 - Rehearsal
12 - Rehearsal
19 - Rehearsal

23 (Saturday) - OPTIONAL Metropolitan Opera Event: Workshop @ Cedar Ridge Elementary
School (2345 Howell Mountain Dr.) and Live in HD viewing of Philip Glass’ Akhnaten @
11:55am at Forum 8 Theater (up to 50 students accepted)

26 - NO REHEARSAL: Happy Thanksgiving!

December
3 - Rehearsal

6 (Friday) - OPTIONAL CPS Holiday Taping at Rock Bridge High School (4303 S. Providence
Rd.). Students who participate would need to be dropped off at RBHS at 7:00am.

10 - Rehearsal
17 - NO AFTERNOON REHEARSAL
Concert at 7:00pm (call 6:15pm ) at Hickman High School (1104 N. Providence Rd.)

24 - NO REHEARSAL : Happy Holiday Break!
31 - NO REHEARSAL : Happy Holiday Break!

January
7 - Rehearsal
14 - Rehearsal
21 - Rehearsal
28 - Rehearsal

February
1 (Saturday) - OPTIONAL Metropolitan Opera Event: Workshop @ Cedar Ridge Elementary
School (2345 Howell Mountain Dr.) and Live in HD viewing of George Gershwin’s Porgy and
Bess @ 11:55am at Forum 8 Theater (limited number of students accepted)

4 - Rehearsal
11 - Rehearsal
18 - Rehearsal
25 - Rehearsal

March
3 - Rehearsal
10 - Rehearsal

14 (Saturday) - OPTIONAL Metropolitan Opera Event: Live in HD viewing of Richard
Wagner’s The Flying Dutchman @ 11:55am at Forum 8 Theater (limited number of students
accepted)

17 - Rehearsal
24 - NO REHEARSAL : Spring Break

31 - Dress Rehearsal at Battle High School (7575 E. St. Charles Rd.) from 4:30pm-5:30pm
**Please note the change in location AND time for this rehearsal. Please do not drop off
your child prior to 4:15, as the high school dismisses at 4:05 and there will be limited
supervision.**

April
3 (Friday all day) - Honors Choir Trip to Kansas City
Concert at 7:00pm at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception (416 W. 12th St.)

7 - NO AFTERNOON REHEARSAL
Concert at 7:00pm (call 6:15pm ) at Battle High School (7575 E. St. Charles Rd.)
2019-2020 CPS 5th Grade Honors Choir Season finished! Have a wonderful summer break!

2019-2020 CPS 5th Grade Honors Choir Handbook

Columbia Public Schools

5th Grade Honors Choir

2019-2020 SINGER’S HANDBOOK

The Columbia Public Schools 5th Grade Honors Choir is a 120-member ensemble with students from each of the 22 elementary schools in Columbia.  The Honors Choir has traveled extensively and performed at the Missouri Music Educators Convention, as well as the Missouri Schools Boards’ Association Convention, both in Osage Beach, MO.  Founded by educators Susan Altomari and Mary Beth Ming in 1987, the Honors Choir is proud to be starting their 33rd 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, contact Ms. Tevebaugh (Business Director) via email, phone, or in person.  Thank you in advance for all of your support, both for the 5th Grade Honors Choir team and for your child, to make this a fun, exciting year of choral music!

Sincerely,

Christine Nichols

Co-Director, CPS 5th Grade Honors Choir

Elizabeth Tummons

Co-Director, CPS 5th Grade Honors Choir

Lindsey Tevebaugh

Business Director, CPS 5th Grade Honors Choir

LTevebaugh@cpsk12.org

Goals

Columbia Public Schools 5th Grade Honors Choir members will receive training in age appropriate, healthy vocal 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 Honors Choir singers.  Weekly attendance is mandatory. Unexcused absences could result in dismissal from the choir.

Honors Choir rehearsals will begin on Tuesday, September 3, 2019.  Our rehearsals are in the West Middle School Choir Room from 4:00pm-5:15pm every Tuesday.  This year’s choir will have three 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 should please be marked in your family calendars immediately to avoid conflicts that may arise.  There may be some additional performances that will be scheduled.  Notice will be given about these potential 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 are zero exceptions 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 to which obligation you will commit.  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 (both at their home school and in Honors Choir rehearsals), 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) If school is not in session, we will not meet. 

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

6) All uniforms must meet the standards set out in the uniform section of this handbook.  Cardigans and ties 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 Ms. Tevebaugh at LTevebaugh@cpsk12.org.   

Directing Staff

Christine Nichols, Jefferson Middle School

Elizabeth Tummons, Locust Street Expressive Arts School

Lindsey Tevebaugh, West Boulevard Elementary School

James Melton, Columbia Public Schools Fine Arts Coordinator

General Procedures

• Honors Choir members should plan to be dropped off no earlier than 3:45pm and no later than 4:00pm.  Mrs. Nichols, Mrs. Tummons, and Ms. Tevebaugh will be unavailable for supervision before 3:45 because of other duties.
• Students and/or family members are not to knock on the choir room doors if they arrive prior to 3:45pm.  The choir director at West Middle School has rehearsals in the space up until 3:45pm and she is not to be bothered.
• Students may choose to have a water bottle with them at rehearsals, but gum is not allowed.  Snacks must be eaten outside of the choir room before rehearsal begins.
• 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 follows unless otherwise noted:

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

Shoes: Black dress shoes

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

Students will be given a burgundy cardigan and a gold necktie prior to each concert.  These items are the property of Columbia Public Schools and will not be kept at the end of the season.

Please contact Ms. Tevebaugh (LTevebaugh@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.  We do not want this to prevent any child who has qualified from participating!

Fundraising Project

The fundraiser project will kick off on September 3 and will conclude on September 24 (this is day orders and money need to be turned in).  All orders will be delivered and distributed on October 22 to be taken home by your singer after rehearsal.  It is of the utmost importance that your delivery be taken home on this day, as there is nowhere for us to store extra orders.  

The fundraiser helps pay for music, travel, and any cardigans that need to be replaced.  If you have questions concerning the fundraiser, please contact Ms. Tevebaugh.  The project is easy (especially if you send out the link to order online!) 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 simple and successful.

Welcome to the 2019-2020 CPS 5th Grade Honors Choir!

Dear Honors Choir Families:

Welcome to the Columbia Public Schools 5th Grade Honors Choir! My name is Lindsey Tevebaugh and I am the elementary general music specialist at West Boulevard Elementary School. This will be my tenth year of teaching total, and I will be in charge of corresponding with families of the students in the Honors Choir for the third year in a row. 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 5th 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 : 401 Clinkscales Rd. (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 3rd.

• Following the first rehearsal on September 3rd, there will be a family meeting from 5:15-5:30pm. 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 a hard copy of the HC handbook. The meeting will be in the WMS Band Room next door to the choir room where singers enter.

• If your child’s school has changed since last year (within Columbia Public Schools or to outside the district), or if your family decides that your singer will not be participating in the CPS 5th Grade Honors Choir, please notify me as soon as possible so I can update our files.

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

We will see you all on September 3rd! There will be music teachers directing singers into the choir room for the first rehearsal.

Sincerely,

Lindsey Tevebaugh, Business Director

Christine Nichols, Honors Choir Director

Elizabeth Tummons, Honors Choir Assistant Director

James Melton, Director of Fine Arts

March 19 Update

March 19, 2019

Hello, Honors Choir Families –

I hope all is well with you. We are just a few short days away from Spring Break!

A few announcements/reminders:

• All communications sent to the distribution list are also available on our blog: http://cps5honorschoir.blogspot.com/
• The Honors Choir team of directors congratulates the following students who were selected as soloists for our upcoming performances:  “Birdsong”: Lily Doran (Russell) and Joanna Smith (Paxton Keeley); “Sing”: Singing solo: Camryn Criblez (Cedar Ridge); Rap solo: Joseph Jones (Russell). Thank you to all those who auditioned for these solos. Our pool of talent and hard work made this decision difficult!
• On Tuesday, April 2, the CPS 5^th Grade Honors Choir will perform their final concert in Columbia of the 2018-19 school year. The repertoire performed April 2 will be the same as in Kansas City on April 5. The April 2 performance will be at Battle High School. Call time for singers is 5:20 in the BHS Band room. The Honors Choir will rehearse on stage from 5:30-6:15 for sound check purposes. A combined rehearsal of the final number I Sing Because I’m Happy is scheduled from 6:15-6:30. Snacks will be provided for students from 6:30-7:00. Gluten- and nut-free options will be provided for singers with food allergies.
• The order of the concert on Tuesday, April 2 is: 7:00~7:20 CPS 5^th Grade Honors Choir; ~7:20~7:40 Battle High School Choirs; ~7:40~8:00 MU Concert Choirs; ~8:00~8:05 Combined Piece.
• Afternoon rehearsals at WMS begin at 4:00pm and end at 5:15pm. Please do not enter the choir room before 3:45, as there are middle school rehearsals in session. Singers should be picked up from rehearsal no later than 5:25pm. Thank you for respecting the evening commitments of the Honors Choir staff.
• T-Shirt Update: It’s not too late to purchase Honors Choir T-shirts! Shirts are available on a first-come, first-served basis for $10 each. Checks must be made payable to Columbia Public Schools. Please write Honors Choir in the memo line. Honors Choir singers are not required to purchase a t-shirt. We encourage students to wear these to Honors Choir events and on Honors Choir field trips; however, they may also choose to wear a school shirt.
• If your student will be absent from any Honors Choir rehearsal or event, please email me as soon as possible.

• Below is information about our upcoming trip to Kansas City on April 5. Please read thoroughly and contact me directly with any questions or concerns.

• For many years, the Columbia Public Schools 5^th Grade Honors Choir has been invited to perform at the beautiful Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in downtown Kansas City. This is an honor and an exciting performance opportunity for the Honors Choir singers each year. This year’s trip to Kansas City will be Friday, April 5^th. Below is important information pertaining to the trip and our itinerary.
• Thank you for those of you who have already notified me of your singer’s food allergies. If you have not received a direct response back from me, please re-send the email with your singer’s dietary needs. If your singer has any food allergies (gluten, dairy, etc), please notify me as soon as possible. We are finalizing plans for our trip to Kansas City and need to know if alternate food arrangements need to be made.
• Thank you for those who have already returned the completed, signed forms. I have attached necessary forms that must be completed and signed by parents and students in all appropriate places in order for students to attend. Hard copies will be sent home with all students at today’s rehearsal.
• You may submit completed, signed travel forms:
• electronically directly to me by printing, signing, and scanning as PDF.
• via snail mail (Lindsey Tevebaugh, West Blvd. Elementary School, 319 West Blvd. N, Columbia, MO 65203.) All USPS mail should be sent by Monday, April 1 to ensure delivery in time for the trip on April 5.
• in person at today’s rehearsal or at the concert Tuesday, April 2.
• Students should wear their Honors Choir t-shirt or a school shirt with jeans/leggings/khakis during the day.
• Students should plan to bring a small drawstring bag to carry their concert attire in: black bottoms, black shoes, black socks/tights, white collared shirt, cardigan.  Ties will be collected following our April 2^nd performance at BHS and distributed in KC. All cardigans and ties will be collected following the performance in Kansas City.
• Students may bring books and devices for the bus ride, but they will be responsible for keeping track of them.  If they can stand to not bring electronic devices, that would be best.
• Students DO NOT need to bring any money with them.  All food and tours are at no cost to them.
• Students may bring a water bottle and snacks if they want.  We will provide lunch, light snacks and bottled water after the museum tour, and dinner.
• If you will be in attendance for the concert in Kansas City, you may drive your child separately rather than them riding the bus back to Columbia. Please complete, sign, and return the attached form “Parent Travel Release from KC” if this situation applies to your family.

5th Grade Honors Choir KC Trip Itinerary

Friday, April 5, 2019

There will not be bus transportation from home schools to West Middle School.  Please plan rides accordingly!

8:40am                                      Families drop off students at West Middle School

8:55am                                      Leave Columbia from WMS

11:00am                                   Arrive in Kansas City

11:00am-12:00 pm                  Lunch at Minsky’s Pizza

                                                    5105 Main Street, KCMO 64112

        

12:00pm                                   Travel to Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art (1 mile)

                                                   4525 Oak Street, KCMO 64111

12:15pm-1:30pm                    Museum sculpture tour (mostly outdoors)

1:30pm-2:45pm                      Tour inside museum in smaller groups

                                                    Picnic with snacks & games outside on lawn

2:45pm                                      Travel to the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception

                                                    416 W. 12th Street, KCMO 64105

3:00pm-4:00pm                      Organ demonstration/Rehearsal in church

4:00pm                                      Ride busses to the Kauffman Center

                                                    1601 Broadway Blvd., KCMO 64108

4:15pm-5:00pm                       Private Kauffman Center Tour

                                                    https://www.kauffmancenter.org/

5:15pm-6:15pm                      BBQ Dinner at the church

6:15pm-6:45pm                      Dress for concert

7:00pm                                     Concert at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception

                                                    http://www.kcgolddome.org

8:00pm                                     Leave for Columbia

10:00pm                                   Arrival at WMS for pick-up

If you have any questions or concerns about any of the information above, please don’t hesitate to contact me directly.

Have a great week!

Lindsey Tevebaugh

Business Manager

CPS 5^th Grade Honors Choir

LTevebaugh@cpsk12.org

(573)214-3670