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Fall Vocal Music Concert date changed.

Due to a conflict, the Fall Vocal Music Concert date has been changed from Thursday, October 22nd to Tuesday, October 20th.  Please note this change.  Warm-up and concert times are the same.

Hand Chimes Rehearsal Schedule

Hand Chimes will begin rehearsals next week.  We will have try-outs on Thursday, September 11th immediately after school.  At this meeting, a calendar will be given to students which will show all rehearsals.  Please refer to it or check the Music Bulletin Board in the Multi-purpose Room hallway for a copy.

Eighth Street Singers is offered first semester.

Eighth Street Singers meets every day during fourth period for first semester.  Students will experience a variety of vocal music activities to prepare them for singing now and in high school.  Mock auditions will also be held so students have the skills they need to prepare and perform an audition.

Parent/Guardian Letter-Eighth Street Singers

Dear Eighth Street Singers Parent/Guardian,

Eighth Street Singers is a semester-long chorus class for students.  This semester your son/daughter will be involved with a group of singers learning how to better use his/her voice and read the correct voice part.  Learning more about rhythm and pitch will make this possible.  We learn a variety of music and musical styles and have fun choosing one selection.  We sing every day.  Some students need water, so it is important for them to provide their own water bottle. Also the vocal music room is a no-gum zone.

We have an exciting first semester of programming and learning planned.  Members will be involved in a student-staff assembly and parents/guardians are invited.  Our Fall Concert will be in the Park Middle School multipurpose room.  Warm-up for the concert is at 6:45 PM in the vocal music room and all concerts begin at 7:00 PM.

We also may perform at a Lincoln High School in a Vocal Music Concert.  Warm-up will be at 6:00 PM and the concert will begin in the Park Lincoln High Auditorium at 7:00 PM.  Parents/guardians are invited.  The date will be determined and published.

Concert/Assembly Attire is:  White short-sleeved tops and blue scarves for girls with solid black pants, black shoes or black stockings.  Blue scarves are provided.  White polo shirts are provided for boys, but solid black pants with black shoes or black stockings are needed.  Boys need to wear a white undershirt to be worn under the polo shirt they are provided.

Mrs. Clay can help if uniform items are needed, but must be given at least one week to acquire the needed items.

Performances, progress checks, written work and participation determine a student’s grade.  A parent/guardian excuse must be received and a make-up assignment completed if a student is unable to participate in a performance.  Being on task is necessary for the individual as well as the group to be successful.  Students will complete self-evaluation rubrics as well as receive teacher input on their progress.

Eighth Street Singers Chorus should be fun and students learn life-long skills useful for auditions and interviews, meeting people, and learning how to present oneself in public situations, in addition to singing.  I am excited for our time together to begin.  Should you have any questions please email me at nclay@lps.org or call Park at 402-436-1212.

Sincerely,

Nancy Clay

Parent/Guardian Letter-6th Grade Vocal Music

Dear Parents/Guardians,

We have just begun our semester in ACES, Academic Connections.  Your son/daughter will be in vocal music for this semester.  I am excited to start learning and making music together.  This letter is to help you with some information about your student’s experience in vocal music.

In vocal music we do a variety of activities and learn a wide variety of information.  It is necessary for your student to bring a pencil or pen to class each day as well as their Chromebook.  Also, as we are often singing, the vocal music room is a no-gum, candy or food zone.

Grades are determined by written work, singing, playing of percussion/mallet instruments and by participating and being on task.  Assessments will be given with reviews for preparation.  We will have a classroom performance near the end of the semester.  Students may earn a commendable, satisfactory or needs improvement grade for their work.  Also graded are work/study habits and social behavioral skills.

If at any time you have questions, please email me at nclay@lps.org or call Park Middle School at 402-436-1212 and I will be happy to talk with you.  I am excited to begin with your son/daughter.

Sincerely,

Nancy Clay

PARKTACULAR Handbook 2015-2016

PARKTACULAR – Before and After School Chorus

Members of PARKTACULAR are responsible persons who are

treated with respect and expected to work and perform at a high level.

All students in grades 6-8 are welcome.

Singers may join up to two months before a concert.

Adequate rehearsal time is required before participating in a performance.

EXPECTATIONS

1.  Members of PARKTACULAR are representatives of Park Middle School and must set an example of PBiS expectations.  Chorus members are expected to be good citizens of our school community, obeying rules, being courteous and respectful.  Bullying of any kind will not be tolerated, in rehearsal or out.

2.  Members need to sign in before each rehearsal.  First and last names are needed.  Attending 2 rehearsals each week is expected.  If a member needs to miss a rehearsal they normally attend, they can make up the rehearsal at one of the other offered times.

3.  Members volunteer their time and talent.  We will not waste time in rehearsal.  Members come to sing.  There is time before and after rehearsals for conversations.  During rehearsal, we will rehearse.

4.  Singers are expected to arrive on time.  If it is necessary to arrive after rehearsal has begun, enter quietly, sign in and go to your seat.  Do everything possible to avoid distracting others with your entrance.  Once you arrive, remain seated.  Movement in and out is disruptive to the rehearsal and the mental focus of all participants.  (For a tardy to be excused, you must bring a pass.)

5.  Singers are expected to remain for the entire rehearsal.  If attending the 7:10 AM rehearsals, you are expected to remain in the rehearsal.  Breakfast must be eaten before the rehearsal, as dismissing for breakfast is too disruptive and the student loses precious rehearsal time.  Mrs. Clay will have breakfast bars for emergencies.  Discuss any special circumstances with Mrs. Clay before the rehearsal begins.

6.  Singers will leave the building immediately following afternoon rehearsals or go to Boys and Girls Club directly.  

7.  Singers are expected to attend regularly.  We have four possible rehearsals each week and members are required to attend two.  If we do not see you for several rehearsals and you haven’t talked to us, your status will be changed to inactive.  Awards are given at the end of the school year for participation in PARKTACULAR and for excellence within the group.

8.  Only members who are in compliance with PARKTACULAR expectations will perform with the group.

9.  Attire for all performances:  Clean, nonwrinkled, Park Music polo shirts, solid black long pants without any pattern and black shoes.  Black socks can be worn if a member does not have black shoes for performances.  (Shorts and sweats/hoodies are not permitted.)

**Park Music Polo shirts will be worn for PARKTACULAR and all instrumental groups.  Order forms for these shirts will be available from Ms. Clay, Mr. Burks or on the Park Middle School web site.

Calendar for First Semester

Rehearsals begin Monday, August 17th and Friday, August 21st.  AM – 7:10-7:50, PM – 3:05-4:00

(First Semester rehearsals end Monday, December 14th.)

Fall Concert             Multi-purpose Room         Oct. 20, 7:00 PM (6:30 PM, Warm-up)

Salvation Army Bell-ringing    Russ’s B & R     Dec.   Time-TBA

Assembly                Multi-purpose Room         Dec. 17, 10:00 AM and 2:00 PM

Winter Concert        Multi-purpose Room         Dec. 17, 7:00 PM

PARKTACULAR Parent Permission Form

Please return this with your student.

I have read the information and discussed it with our student.  We have marked the calendar with the performance dates. 

I will support ______________________________________________ ‘s participation.

                                                        Student’s name

My student _____will _____will not   need breakfast bars.            

                                                                                                             

________________________________________  Date _______________

                     Parent’s/Guardian’s name

___________________________________________________________

                           Email address of Parent/Guardian

_____________________________________________________

                           Phone number of Parent/Guardian

 

                       

 

 

 

 

Hand Chimes Expectations

Hand Chimes is a performing group for dedicated music students.  Auditions are held for placement in this group.  Students must be highly motivated and read music.  Positions are available each semester.  Members ring one or more bells within the group.  Attendance is absolutely necessary as it is extremely difficult to play with notes missing.  Any absences must be excused in a timely fashion.  Bells are reassigned when students have unexcused absences.  Performances are concerts and outside engagements.  Students wear music polos and black pants and shoes.

Polos for Park vocal music groups!

Dear Parents and Guardians,

Concert dress/attire for Park music performances is a uniform choice which allows all students to know what to wear without concern if they will be like others and saves parents last minute shopping for outfits.

All music groups at Park wear blue polo shirts, solid black pants/slacks, without pattern, and black shoes or black stockings for performances.  Students will have the uniform for most musical groups, so they will not have to keep purchasing a new one.

Please complete the order form below and send it back with payment on or before October 1st.  This way we can get shirts ordered in time for our first performances.

If you have any questions, please call me at Park 402-436-1212, or email me at nclay@lps.org.

Thank you!
Nancy Clay, Vocal Music Instructor

_______________________________________________________________________________________________

Park Music Ensemble Polo Shirt Order Form

Shirt cost:  $10.00

Name___________________________________________________________

Size:  S________  M________  L________  XL________ XXL________ Other ________

PLEASE MAKE CHECKS OUT TO PARK MIDDLE SCHOOL!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Parent/Guardian Letter-7th Grade

Dear Parents and Guardians,

We have just begun nine weeks of vocal music classes and your son/daughter will be in vocal music every day for this quarter.  I look forward to getting to know each other better and learning about music as well as singing together.

It is necessary for your student to bring a pencil or pen to class each day.  Also, as we are singing, the vocal music room is a no-gum, candy or food zone.

In Seventh Grade Vocal Music we continue to work on reading rhythms and melodies in choral music.  Our priority is to develop the ability to follow a vocal music line as we use our voices both individually and as a part of a choral group.  We will present a performance for parents/guardians and staff as a part of our learning during our class time in our vocal music room near the end of the quarter.  Parents/guardians and others are invited to attend.  Students will need to wear nice school clothes.  Shorts, sweat pants and hoodies/sweatshirts are not appropriate for this performance.

Grades are determined by written work, singing and vocal growth, and by participating and being on task.  Tests are given as well as other assessments.  Students are also evaluated on their work/study habits and social, behavioral skills.  The performance is an assessment.  A parent/guardian excuse must be received and a make-up assignment completed if a student is unable to participate.

If you should have questions at any time, please call Park Middle School at 402-436-1212 or email me at nclay@lps.org and I will be happy to talk with you.  I am excited to begin with your son/daughter.

Sincerely,

Nancy Clay