New Docs Page

Just so you know, I’ve added a Documents page to the site so you can download and print forms when needed.  The only documents linked there so far are the Chorus Handbook and Syllabi for Vocal Workshop and Concert Choir, but more are on the way once we get going on ad sales, etc.

Choreography Rehearsal for Oklahoma! Ballet

Due to some mis-communication between myself and Ms. Tweedie, I neglected to include this coming Saturday (August 30) in the list of called choreography rehearsals in the syllabus.  My bad, but it shouldn’t affect too many people this time.

Here’s the call for this Saturday, 9 am:

• Klara B
• Ally B
• Kat F
• Kevyn M
• Chamblee S
• Dee Dee H-P
• Brandon D
• Leo L
• Andrew W
• Falcon
• Tyler R
• Lamont
• Preston W

If you’re listed on the call and cannot make it, let me know ASAP!

Oklahoma! First Look

Here’s the result from our first choreography Saturday (Farmer Dance):

(or click here to see it on Google Video)

Nice work, students!  Keep it up!

New Uniform Dress

Several have asked about the new uniform dress for the Ensemble, Concert Choir, and Chamber Choir ladies.  You can get the details here, or just see the pic below:

Cadenza Dress from Southeastern Apparel.

Black, washable crepe with inverted pleats.  $53.  We’ll be measuring the ladies for dresses in a couple of weeks so that the dresses will be ready for the mid-term concert in October!

All-East Information

For those of you who are auditioning for All-East this year, here are the vitals you need to know:

Commitment deadline:  Friday August 29. Let Mr. Davis know ASAP if you plan to audition so he can order the right number of copies of the audition pieces and arrange for lunchtime sectional rehearsals.

Online registration:  September 15-19. The link to register online is on this page, but it won’t be active until September 15.

All-East Auditions:  Saturday, October 4, beginning 8:15 AM at Heritage High School. The WHS Choral Program will pay the $10.00 audition fee for all auditioning students who have paid or raised their $70 Choral Program assessment by October 1st.

All-East Screening Audition:  TBA

All-East Clinic and Concert:  November 20-22, UT Knoxville

Ensemble Rehearsals for Week of Aug 25

Ensemble-folks:  Don’t forget that we’ll be having full-ensemble rehearsals Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday this week at 7:30 am in order to prepare for our Open House performance on Thursday.

We’ll resume with men’s sectionals on Mondays and ladies’ sectionals on Tuesdays beginning September 1.

Oklahoma Cast–revised

We had to make a quick change to last Wednesday’s first run at the casting.  Here are the characters affected and the assigned actors:

Ali Hakim:  Will Buckenmyer
Andrew Carnes:  Anthony Berry

Oklahoma Cast

Here it is:

Aunt Eller (double-cast):  Jessica Brock and Shantel Waters
Curly:  Andrew Wolfe
Laurey:  Elise Bianconi
Ike Skidmore:  Anthony Berry
Will Parker:  Preston Williams
Jud Fry:  Brandon Dalton
Ado Annie Carnes (double-cast):  Ally Brineager and  Klara Brooks
Ali Hakim:  Matt White
Gertie Cummings:  Sara Deatherage
Ellen:  Marlee Simmons
Kate:  Samantha Jones
Vivian:  Kevyn Meheula
Virginia:  Mandy Allbee
Sylvie:  Samantha Roop
Arminia:  Taylor Wolfenbarger
Aggie:  Rachael Sykes
Alternate (ballet) Laurey:  Kat Forester
Andrew Carnes:  Will Buckenmyer

Yet to be cast:  Fred, Slim, Cord Elam, Mike

Congratulations, all!

All hands on deck!

Students,

We’re down to the last week!  Thursday and Friday will be the last days students will be able to work in their rooms before school starts.

Mr. Ballero (our new theater teacher) needs 3-4 students Thursday morning to work on the wardrobe closet and get the stage ready for the term.  I can use whoever else comes to work on the photo collage from Beauty and the Beast so we can get them on the wall before Monday.

Please reply to me and let me know if you can put in a day at school on Thursday.  Thanks!

Letter to Chamber Choir

I just dropped this letter in the snail-mail, but for those who’d rather not wait:

August 1, 2008

Dear Chamber Choir students and parents,

Here it comes! The summer is winding down and everyone’s ramping up for the new school year. I hope your summer went well and that you’re excited about coming together this year to make some beautiful music!

I’m writing to make you aware of two things that have come up just this past week that require a timely response from you:

1. Chamber Choir is now scheduled during the regular school day. Most of you are probably already aware that we’ll meet during 2^nd block beginning in the Spring semester. For those of you who aren’t exactly morning people, this will come as good news. The difficult news is that several of our members will not be singing with us due to unavoidable scheduling conflicts.

I will hold another round of auditions for Chamber Choir in November to give the students who are taking Vocal Workshop (Level I) and Concert Choir (Level II) in the Fall an opportunity to join us in the Spring for the festival season and our trip to Atlanta.

1. We’ll launch a new, extra-curricular ensemble this fall. West High will still need a Level III ensemble this Fall to perform at Open House, deliver singing birthday-grams, perform the national anthem when needed, sing at community events, go on recruiting trips to elementary and middle schools, and yes, perform at the holiday concert in December. This ensemble will meet for a 2-hour rehearsal once a week in the afternoon or evening with occasional sectional rehearsals in the mornings before school.

I need to hear from each of you as to whether or not you wish to participate in the new group and if so, what afternoons and evenings you would not be available for rehearsal. Once I hear from everyone we can begin making decisions about rehearsal schedules and personnel. Please call me or email me (see my contact information above) and give me a “yes” or “no, thanks” ASAP!

Lastly, Amy and I will be hosting an open house / cookout at our place (1200 Sparwood Lane, Knoxville, TN 37932) for you on Friday, August 8, starting at 6pm. No agenda—just eating, catching up, and maybe a little Cranium. Please call or email me with your RSVP!

Yours,

Byron Davis

Director, West High School Choral Program