Choir Is Making Some Noise!

Where has the time gone? This semester has moved so fast and I can't believe that we are here at the end of the second 9 weeks. The choirs have spent the season making beautiful music and are still hard at work as we prepare for the contests next semester. The Christmas concert was one I will not forget soon. Every choir sang so wonderfully and I was so proud as they continue to perform far beyond what many think they are capable of. I am truly lucky to work with students who want to be better today than they were yesterday. Their work ethic and desire to be the best singers possible stands only in the shadow of their willingness to be better humans every day. As we wrap up this semester I hope everyone takes the time to spread some holiday cheer with others. The blessing of music is a gift that is meant to be shared and I hope all of you will share that gift this season. Looking ahead, we have 5 school days until Christmas Break. Attendance is crucial during this time so that you don't miss your finals.

PARENTS please fill out the form below for the Region weekend.

THE CHOIR VISION

The Vision of the Marble Falls High School Choir is to provide a safe place for our students to come express themselves through music. We will provide a loving environment built on relationships that transcend the educational environment and continue to raise the bar in music while nurturing the hearts of our students.

Parents, your students must be at every morning and advisory rehearsal for the next 5 school days. Please make sure they know this! Your students should be practicing sightreading about 10-15 minutes per night. This skill is the game changer for All State. . They should also be spending 10-15 minutes per night practicing their music.

Before School at 7:45 AM and ADVISORY!

ALL VOICES EVERY DAY!

If your child made area, there is an opportunity to polish up their music in a camp setting and I would encourage that.

Texas State Univerisity is having a 1 day camp on Saturday, January 4th. I will be working this camp and provide rides for students if needed. I need to know IMMEDIATELY if you are going to this camp. The camp will provide sectionals, group rehearsals and then MOCK AUDITIONS with feedback that afternoon. The camp is from 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM and lunch is INCLUDED. Please sign your student up immediately and then let me know. Here is the link for the camp. https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fchoirs.music.txst.edu%2Fcamp%2Ftxst-all-state-area-audition-clinic.html%3Ffbclid%3DIwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAAR0KAsnEkeD5cOLIk6arUPuJ1-JaIMKVftIkhKN2yPXTDY0eKJPyoPEpveo_aem_OA-QDAuKs-RT0sQRUiHl5Q&h=AT1rxoAA_cfJy30PkMtPDC7bgntN5c3rvixn5Z5zuM0hRArh7rblV2aZd7OasrlxNOkHJUsZuw-aex4PKKol2CDahlqm4w0TVFwt0xTPeXEMFr397-0IOkcQ7xC9VMimBoQt&__tn__=R]-R&c[0]=AT27lTT46q0ErEJHDe1hdH0vHpQMy4eEqVV8RR_NDSCUpsOl5mbBaclcDgWvr-Og2-kGpHhmhx8CTVpdtZIokdEzZhQ9EFmO67SGR0mRPzLcR_1-5rHGzGz29RUn2JBwOHK7T0LzSk24t1Wx0ILiFgLrgjLE6tfVK6xTGBXxwvJANcLqTuFMLKC73VkAG_abce-B3RzUyEypKLNm8N456kQ

Tarleton State University is having their camp December 27-28. It is on their campus and it is a 2 day camp. They DO NOT provide houseing and you must find your own lodging. I will not be attending this camp due to holiday commitments. If you need the link to this camp let me know.

We have 4 Clinicians coming up in January and it is imperative that we are at school for all these days. They will all be working with not only the TMEA CHORALE but also all the other choirs during the day. The clinicians are Dr. Gary Seighman from Trinity University, Ms. Dinah Menger - Past President of TMEA (and Mr. Stanley's high school choir director), Mr. Brandon Farren - director of Choirs at Canyon HS and also 4 past TMEA Choirs, and then Dr. Will McLean from Baylor University. All of these clinicians are experts in their field and will be a huge asset to us as we continue to grow. Check the calendar for those dates.

Here is the link to the calendar!

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1UXbzDRgqAsEClq7k6ImYeMLwtFKo6wbN/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=110988211065334858477&rtpof=true&sd=true

We now know we will be singing on Thursday, February 13th at 7:00 PM in the Convention Center in San Antonio. Parents, you are all invited to attend and we hope you will be there. We have a scheduled dinner that night after the concert, as we have a reserved room at a local restuarant to wrap up the year and celebrate. The students will be returning home that evening after the festivites by charter bus and you can pick them up at the high school when they arrive.

Things are moving fast on the Europe trip right now. Here are some things you need to know NOW!

1. You should be keeping up with your payments.

2. I have sent all fundraising money in.

3.. I need a copy of your passport was due by November 1st. I will need paper copies sent to me. A FEW OF YOU HAVE NOT DONE THIS.

4. You have the opportunity to purchase trip insurance, that is a personal choice but it is available to you through the company and you should at least read through it so you are aware of all things that could happen.

3. Don't miss payments as you could incur late fees and could be dropped from the trip.

4. Duolingo German would be good idea. Most of the Germans and Austrians speak English, but it is nice to learn their language.

5. You may have 1 large (NOT OVERSIZED) suitcase and 1 carry-on for this trip. We will only have so much space on the bus for luggage so we will have a strict adhearance to this.

6. Make sure you enter DIET RESTRICTIONS into your reponses on the email you received. This is important

7. Every STUDENT will wear their passport around their necks at all times! This is not an option. You will need to get a neck passport holder for this. Adults, you are adults, you can make your decisions about how you want to to do that but I will have mine around my neck along with my wife. We have traveled Europe this way and find it's the easiest way.

8. Students will NEVER be without an adult. This is not an option, including the airports.

9. Below is where we will be singing the Mass and then giving a concert.

Chamber Singers, Elite Women and Elite Men all received SUPERIOR ratings at the Capital Clash. The Elite Men also received 2nd PLACE in the Men's Division of the contest. We are so proud of all the groups. Our performances at the Capital were wonderful and the day was a great day of getting to know each other better and hearing other groups perform.

'MFHS CHORALE was selected nationally as a COMMENDED WINNER in the "Mark of Excellence Choral Awards" recently. With over 430 entries, the Chorale was selected along with 3 other Texas choirs as commended winners. We submitted recordings along with choral scores that were evaluated by judges and then given award distinctions.

We currently have 2 teachers that come in every week and work 1-on-1 with students on vocal technique and literature. The students who enroll in this program will be pulled from choir class one time every week for the year and will work with the teacher. This is a great way for students to get ahead and really grow and mature vocally. I would highly recommend everyone to take advange of this opportunity. The students can pick up a form from me or Mr. Stanley, fill it out and have it signed by the parent and then brough back to us. The lesson costs are detailed on the form. We have limited spots unless we end up with an over abundance and then we will work towards getting an additional teacher.

The best way to start the communication process is to reach out through email. We will then move forward with the communication style that works best for you. Our emails are.....

bgage@mfisd.txed net (Mr. Gage)

cstanley@mfisd.txed.net (Mr. Stanley)

We are also are available by phone... 830-798-3664 (We will respond within 48 hours)