Hamilton Choir Newsletter

This past week, was a busy one! We focused on counting rhythms (sight reading) and started music for our winter concert!

The 7th and 8th graders got fitted for their formal choir unforms. They also enjoyed their first social of the year. It was a BIG success!

Mr. Nachtergaele from Cy- Fair HS came to work with our Tenor/Bass and Varsity choirs!

Next week, we will continue sight reading and definitions of the music symbols. Here's a great study guide! We will have a test on this the following week (week of Oct. 24). This study guide can also be found in the "study guides" folder in the choir schoology course.

We're also continuing to work on music for the winter concert on December 6th.

7th and 8th graders are prepping for the Solo & Ensemble Festival on November 11 & 12.

7th and 8th graders will also have a sight reading assessment on Tuesday, Oct. 18. Students can practice for this assessment at home using the link shared in Schoology.

Dates:

• Friday, November 11th OR Saturday, November 12th (not both!)
• If you know your student is not available on one of these dates, please email Lauren.Hounshell@cfisd.net to request a certain day. I will do my best to honor every request.
• Deadline to email a date request is Monday, October 17!
  

Time: TBD

• The official schedule will be emailed to you by Monday, October 31 (or sooner).
• Most students will be done in an hour or less.

Location: Cook MS

Transportation:

• Students scheduled for Friday will ride a bus to and from Cook MS. Students can be picked up from Hamilton upon our return (usually around 9pm)
• Students scheduled for Saturday will need to provide their own transportation. There will not be any bus transportation.
  

Attire: Choir t-shirt and jeans/leggings

Ensembles: All students will participate in the ensemble portion of this festival. We are working on these ensembles in class. Students will be divided into their ensemble groups this week.

Students who are singing solos:

• The $12 solo entry fee needs to be paid in School Cash ASAP. If you are unable to pay this fee at this time, please email Lauren.Hounshell@cfisd.net.
• They will need to sign up for a 15-minute time slot to practice with either Mr. Sellers or Mrs. Hounshell .Here is the PRACTICE SCHEDULE.
• Students need to be practicing their solo at home.
• All practice links are in Schoology.
  

Date: Friday, December 9th

Time: 5pm-8pm

Attire: Choir shirts

Price: $25.00 (paid through School Cash) includes:

• Pizza and drinks
• Unlimited arcade games
• Unlimited rides
• Card with 60 points to use on games that earn tickets

Deadline: Wednesday, November 16th

Transportation: Students will ride a bus to and from IT'Z. Students will need to be dropped off at Hamilton by 5pm and picked up at Hamilton by 8pm.

*Students received info and a permission slip for the IT'Z social on Friday, December 9th. I realized after I passed out the form that it had the wrong date on it. I've corrected it at this link.

The end of the grading period was this past Friday (October 14). Please check your student's report card through HAC on Tuesday. If your child did not pass a class with at least a 70, it affects whether they are able to do the extra fun events we have planned for the rest of this semester! We will speak privately with students who failed one or more classes so they are aware what they can and cannot participate in.

Next week, we will be kicking off our choir fundraiser! We will not be selling any products, but will be taking online donations instead. An info sheet will be sent home on Monday. Students will need to prepare a list of parent-approved cell phone numbers (along with their cell phones) to bring back by Friday. If students do not have a cell phone, we ask that parents share their child's donation link on their phones. Our offical kick off will be Friday, October 21st. We have LOTS of fun prizes and incentives!

Mr. Likos from Cy-Fair will be coming to work with our Tenor/Bass and Varsity Treble choirs on Thursday of this next week. Either Mr. Bruce or Mrs. Fiorni from Cy Creek will be coming to work with these choirs on Wednesday. It's so wonderful that we're able to get to work with the directors of the high schools we feed into. They always bring great energy and insight on what we're currently working on!

There is no reason for your student to have their cell phone out in choir. If you need to reach them during their choir period, please email Mrs. Hounshell (Lauren.Hounshell@cfisd.net) or Mr. Sellers (Joshua.Sellers@cfisd.net) and we will communicate with them. Cell phones should remain in student's backpacks on the backpack shelves OR in the "cell phone hotel."

Due ASAP (links to all items are above)

• Parent Handbook Acknowledgment (Kelli K., William U.)
• Field Trip Emergency Form (Jaevante F.)
• Solo Fee (School Cash)

This Week

• 17 - solo rehearsals start
• 17 - students receive info on upcoming fundraiser
• 18 - sight reading assessment for 7th and 8th graders
• 19 - Cy Creek director comes to work with TB and VT
• 20 - Mr. Likos comes to work with TB and VT
• 21 - Choir Fundraiser Kickoff! Students need to bring their cell phones and a parent-approved list of phones numbers so students can text their personalized donation links during class.

A LOOK AHEAD...

October

• 24 - Teacher work day (no students)
• 31 - Solo & Ensemble schedule will be emailed

November

• 7-8 - No school
• 9 - Choir officer meeting (7AM, choir room)
• 11 & 12 - Solo & Ensemble (required for 7th/8th graders, times TBD)
• 16 - Deadline to turn in permission slip for IT'Z
• 21-25 - Thanksgiving Break

December

• 2 - 6th Grade Caroling (optional)
• 6 - Winter concert (required)
• 7 - Choir officer meeting (7AM, choir room)
• 7 - Picture Day (choir yearbook group pictures!)
• 9 - IT'Z social (optional)
• 15 - Fundraiser prize field trip!