AUDITIONS pages for WSHS’s Choirs
The Choral program at West Springfield High School has a proud tradition and strong commitment to excellence. We wish you the best as you audition for the upcoming year.
2012-2013 School Year Choral Auditions
A Note from our Director
Responsibilities of Students and Parents
General info
Audition Schedule by group or ensemble
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Go To Sheet Music & Practice MP3's (Auditions page 2)
Spring is nearly here, and with that comes the time to plan for next year. For our department, that means auditions. In order to make an informed decision about whether or not to audition, I have provided as much information as possible about the responsibilities of being a member of the auditioned groups: Madrigals, Ladies Select, Personality Show Choir, and Musical Theatre. This decision is not to be taken lightly!
Due to the busy schedule of the department, not only is there a high level of commitment and responsibility for the students, but for the parents as well. A few parents cannot carry the responsibility for the entire group. Without everyone making a contribution, your child may lose out on some fabulous opportunities. The final result is a wonderful experience for our students and parents!
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· Acquire uniform materials; pay fees
· Attend ALL rehearsals and performances that have been given at least two weeks notice (including summer rehearsals that take place about two weeks before school begins)
· Work diligently in class and strive for excellence
· Participate in District Festival (Ladies Select, Madrigals and Spartan Choir)
· Participate in the Spring Trip (Madrigals and Personality)
Parent Required Responsibilities
· Drive to/from assigned performances when needed
· Participate in fund-raising opportunities/planning/committees
· Help with organization and planning for performances and events
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me at emhuss@fcps.edu.
Sincerely,
Erin Huss
Choral Director----- CLICK TO DOWNLOAD THIS INFORMATION
INFORMATION FOR 2012-2013 AUDITIONS
Before I provide the audition details for each group, I think it is important that you know how the auditions will be conducted. The students will be nameless throughout each audition process. Instead, they will be identified by a number given to them upon arrival. Students will be auditioning for a panel of judges at each audition. The judges are choral directors and/or performers, and will know nothing about the students nor who were in the groups this current school year. This way, the ensembles will be comprised of the best suited!!! Do not worry if you are not able to get to auditions by 2:45pm (i.e. rising 9th graders who are still in school at that time); you will receive a number and fall into line when you arrive. All material must be memorized or you will be disqualified – NO EXCEPTIONS!
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Personality Show Choir (9th-12th)
- Monday, March 5 (3:30-5:30pm) – Learn a dance to the song
- Tuesday, March 6 (starting at 2:45pm) – This is your vocal audition. You will need to prepare the required song for your voice part. (i.e. if you are auditioning for Soprano 1, then you need to prepare “Someone to Watch Over Me”)
- Wednesday, March 7 (starting at 2:45pm) – Perform the dance, and sing the melody to “Turn the Beat Around” in a small group. You will need to SING, DANCE, AND *SELL* this audition; make sure you project your voice, that your dance movements are sharp, and that you have constant facial expressions!
Musical Theatre (9th-12th)
- Tuesday, March 6 (starting at 2:45pm) - Sing the respective song for the voice part you are auditioning for, and perform one monologue from the choices in the packet.
Ladies Select (9th-12th)
- Tuesday, March 13 (starting at 2:45pm) - Sing “The Ash Grove” (a cappella) in the voice part you are auditioning for. Also, be prepared to perform a short sight-singing exercise. This will be a blind audition.
Madrigals (10th-12th)
- Tuesday, March 13 (starting at 2:45pm) – ROUND 1 – Sing “The Ash Grove” (a cappella) in the voice part you are auditioning for. Also, be prepared to perform a short sight-singing exercise. This will be a blind audition.
- Wednesday, March 14 (starting at 2:45pm) – ROUND 2 – Sing “All Creatures Now” (a cappella) in a small group. You must prepare for the part that you auditioned for with “The Ash Grove.” If you are auditioning for Soprano, you must prepare BOTH the Soprano 1 and Soprano 2 parts.
REMEMBER THAT SPARTAN CHOIR DOES NOT REQUIRE AUDITIONS. JUST SIGN-UP WITH YOUR COUNSELOR!
Audition sheet music & MP3s - click here (Auditions page 2)
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> About our groups and ensembles:
Ladies Select
A female, auditioned group where students are offered an intermediate level of vocal techniques, sight-singing, and choral literature. Performance and rehearsals, both in and out of school are required. Concert attire is required.
Madrigals
An auditioned group that is comprised of 18-25 students. Students are offered advanced choral experiences for mixed voices. An ample amount of rehearsals and performances both in and out of school are required. Concert attire is required.
Musical Theatre
An auditioned class that focuses on assisting students in acting and improvisation for the psychological depth of a character, as well as movement for increased body-awareness and voice training. Performance and rehearsals, both in and out of school, may be required. Fees will apply for costumes and other show materials.
Personality Show Choir
An auditioned group where students sing and dance a variety of show tunes (jazz, pop, swing, etc.). This group requires an ample amount of rehearsals and performances both in and out of school. Concert attire is required.
Spartan Choir
A non-auditioned group where beginning level students participate in a chorus of mixed voices. Rehearsals and performance, both in and out of school, may be required. Concert attire is required.
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Our belief is that music and the arts are among keys to a full life—they are not just "elective" or "extra-curricular." Choral music equips students with valuable life skills that today's students will put to use long after they leave high school:
- teamwork;
- performance and presentation skills;
- building friendships and camaraderie;
- setting and accomplishing goals (both corporate and individual);
- connecting how a consistent commitment to excellence, shown in the effort one puts forth on stage and off, moves one to a success beyond what can be achieved on the basis of talent alone.
And all this can be gained while having loads of fun during these key high school years. That's a part of what makes participating in our choral program so special.