BMS Choir Newsletter

I hope everyone is staying safe and warm. October has begun and the temperatures are perfect! It has been a very busy week for me and I apologize for not having a news letter last week. I will make sure to get something out each week so everyone is on the same page. Communication is key and we need to make sure that we are doing a better job of it! Here is the news.

There are several things pressing in the choir classroom. We are moving through the quarter, which is ending in the next two weeks and there is still much to do. Students in all classes will be taking assessments. These assessments are crucial to the student's final quarter grade. Assessment makeups will occur as well if students were absent. We will having second chance assessments for some of these assignments as well. Please check Progress Book for the most up to date grade.

Second, participation in the classroom. This has not been a big issue but I just wanted to address it. Participation is not only singing and being actively involved in class, it also means to have all your needed materials. We have seen an uptick of Chrome Books not being charge or even not brought to class. Another issue is a having a pencil in the classroom. These items are essential to learning and need to be brought to class daily. We will be having more materials checks, so please remind your child to have all items needed for the choir classroom.

Next, the Choir Boosters are looking for some more good people. Please contact Mrs. Vavrek if you would be interested in helping with our organization. Her contact information can be found below. Remember, we are here to help serve the group and there are many ways to help. Many hands make light work. Why not ask your self how you might be willing to help out because we definitely could use it.

Lastly, we have some wonderful opportunities coming up in October. The main events this month are concerts, traveling to EJ Thomas Hall to see Mean Girls, and some volunteer opportunities with stuffing the bag event and concessions. All this information can viewed below.

Have a great weekend!

Concert Schedule

Tuesday, October 24th 8th grade & HS Choir Concert @ BMS PAC 7PM

Wednesday, November 8th School Veterans Program during school. (7th grade choir only)

Saturday, December 9th Time TBA @ BMS PAC (All Choirs)

Saturday, May 11th Times TBA @ BMS PAC (All Choirs)

Click Here to see the full BMS Music Concert Schedule.

Your child should have recently shown an e-letter. This letter is just explaining some expectations and guidelines for the choir classroom. Below is a link to the form. Please complete this form if you have not.

Please contact Mrs. Wank, Mr. Albrecht, or Mr. Albright if you have any questions.

Click Here to read the Choir Expectation Sheet.

Click Here for the Parent Form.

Please make sure that both you and your student are checking Progress Book on a weekly basis. This helps everyone know what is missing and what can be done to complete assignments in a timely manner. Communication is key and sometimes students are not always truthful. Please remind your student to fall into this good habit.

All Choirs use a 90/10 grading scale. Due dates will be used more frequently to help students to stay up to date with their assignments. We will also be offering extra credit incentives for those who turn in assignments on time. Our goal this year is to promote a positive spin on completing assignments. Another goal is to not have any homework assigned for the choir classroom. We feel strongly about this and we will always give class time for assignments to be completed. Additionally, students can come down during Pride time to work and receive extra help. We just ask that they request & receive a pass from us first.

We are trying to find ways to bring together the choir department 6-12. SO, we have a wonderful opportunity to see Mean Girls the Musical at EJ Thomas Hall in Akron on Monday November 13th. This opportunity is open to all 6-12 grade choir students. This is a Broadway Travel series show so, please know there will be adult content in this show.

Tickets for the event are $30. This price includes ticket to the show, boxed dinner at the HS and school bus transportation to and from Akron. Sign ups close this Friday, October 6th. We would love to see everyone at this great event.

Click Here to read the note for Mrs. Higgins.

Parent Guidelines and form for the event

We will be having a Choir Spirit Wear Fundraiser. This is a great way to order choir swag and support the choir as well. Be on the lookout for more information in the next newsletter.

The Choir Boosters are looking for volunteers.

The choir boosters is a great organization that helps with many things behind the scenes for both the middle and high school choir groups. They organize the fundraising efforts, decorate the PACs for shows, provide treats to the choirs, and help with any other general needs that Mrs. Higgins and myself need help with during the school year.

They are in need to have people to help with events. This is a great way to meet new people and foster more positive relationships with other choir parents. The time commitment is not much and you will have a blast. There are only 4 meetings per year.

So why not give it a try and look us up?

Please contact Roybn Vavrek if interested. rvavrek3@gmail.com

Mr. Adam Albright is in his 22nd year of teaching and directs 6th, 7th and 8th-grade choirs at Brunswick Middle School. Mr. Albright holds degrees from the University of Mount Union (B.A in Voice), Cleveland State University (M.A in Teaching), and from Case Western University (M.A. in Music Education). He has taught all levels of music from kindergarten to college around Northeast Ohio. Mr. Albright's choirs regularly perform around the community and make regular appearances at Ohio Music Education Association events throughout the year. Mr. Albright is an active performer and clinician around the area and sings regularly with the Baldwin Wallace Men's Chorus. Mr. Albright also is an active member of the National Association for Music Education (NAfME), American Choral Director's Association (ACDA), IMC: The Tenor-Bass Choral Consortium (IMC) and he is the Northeast Regional Treasurer Ohio Music Education Association (OMEA).

Additionally, Mr. Albright is an active member of the Brunswick community, is the Director of the Brunswick Middle School Drama Club, and is a BMS 8th-grade football coach. Mr. Albright resides in Brunswick with his wife Stefanie, daughter Gracie and son Wyatt.

Email: aalbright@bcsoh.org
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/brunswicksouthchoirs
Twitter: @BMS_Choirs

Michelle Wank is a music teacher in Brunswick City Schools and has degrees in Music Education from Baldwin Wallace University (B.M.E) and The University of Michigan (M.M. Ed.). Most recently she has taught middle school choir and band in Brunswick, but in her 14 years there she has also taught high school and elementary band, K-5 general music, and beginning orchestra. Previous teaching assignments include North Royalton and Elyria City Schools. In August of 2019, Michelle was hired to fill a one-year position as Associate Professor of Music Education at Baldwin Wallace University where she was responsible for teaching courses in Choral Music Methods, General Music Methods, Vocal Technique, and Culturally Responsive Teaching. Michelle is a member of the National Association for Music Education (NAfME) and the American Choral Directors Association (ACDA).

Email: mwank@bcsoh.org

Mr. Albrecht is in his 12th year of teaching in public schools. He has a degree in Music Education from Cleveland State University (B.M.E) This is Mr. Albrecht’s first year back in Brunswick schools and he will be teaching three 6th-grade choirs, one 7th-grade orchestra, one general music class and is assisting with the high school marching band. Previous teaching assignments include choir, band and general music in Copley-Fairlawn City Schools, choir and general music in Buckeye Local Schools Schools, and general music in Brunswick City Schools (2000-2003).

Email: malbrecht@bcsoh.org