BREA OLINDA HIGH SCHOOL CHOIR NEWSLETTER
SEPTEMBER, 2016
WELCOME/INTRODUCTIONS
Hello everyone. Welcome back to another exciting year of our award winning choral program! I hope you all had a wonderfully relaxing summer, because it’s going to be another busy year. I suppose I should introduce myself. As most of you have undoubtedly heard, the magnificent musical wizard of a director named Dave Willert retired this past year. I have the impossible job of trying to fill those big shoes he left behind. For those of you who don’t know me, my name is Alex Willert. That’s not a typo. We do have the same last name. I’m his son. If you’re worried about me coming in and changing everything, you can lay your mind at ease. Along with sharing half of my genetic code with the old director, I have a very similar philosophy when it comes to my methodology. I went through this program back when I was in high school and have assisted as a staff member for the past 7 years. I know this program very well and am very proud of what the staff and students have accomplished. I look forward to maintaining the traditions and culture of success this program has created for many years to come.
MEET THE STAFF
Apart from myself, there have been no changes to the talented and caring individuals working with the choirs. Provided our financial support is there, we will enjoy the same wonderful staff as last year. Doug Kuhl is still our award winning choreographer, Eric Hendrickson is still our talented accompanist, Drew Hemwall will still serve as our excellent drummer, Kurt Nielsen will continue to assist us as our premiere acting coach, and Kaylee Dysart will be our fabulous dance and performance coach. We also are looking for a second keyboard player, a cellist, and a trumpet player or two. If you know of any good possibilities, please let me know ASAP!
RECRUITMENT
As we begin our new year, remember, we will continue adding new members into our choirs for the first two weeks of school. If you know of anyone who is interested in joining us, or if you would personally like to add another choir, please let me know as soon as possible. Remember, both Masquerade and Spellbound still receive PE credit.
HOW MUCH WILL IT COST ME TO BE IN CHOIR?
That depends entirely which Choir or Choirs you are in. Our program is almost entirely funded by donations and fundraisers. Without your donations, we would not be able to afford costumes, sets, entrance fees to all competitions, our band, rights to perform new music, or any of our wonderful staff members, including the irreplaceable Doug Kuhl. Unfortunately, if we do not receive donations from each choir member, we will be forced to cut something from that list. If you are struggling financially, the Choir Booster Club will be offering a variety of fundraisers to assist you with the fees. The probable cost for each group is listed below.
SUGGESTED DONATIONS BY INDIVIDUAL CHOIR
THUNDER CATS- ?
This lovable band of misfits will operate as a club on campus. They will not have a class, but instead will meet during lunch and/or after school on certain dates. For instance, we could meet every Wednesday at lunch, after school on Mondays, or Saturdays. We will determine this later. It is open to any boy on campus who is willing to put in the time and effort. A sense of humor is a plus for this group. If there is a cost for outfits, choreography, band and entry fees to competitions, we will announce it later. It won’t exceed $200.
CHAMBER SINGERS- $0
This elite group of singers is the only choir that does not require any donations! Unfortunately, there is little time for the in depth musical training received in Chamber Singers in any other choral group on campus. They will sing a variety of musical styles and take time to learn more about the intricacies of the art of music making. Throughout the year, they will be performing at a number of choral festivals hosted by colleges in the surrounding area.
TIFFANY’S & COMPANY- $600.
There are multiple approaches you might take to paying this fee. You can pay the entire $600. in September or you can donate $300. per month in both September and October. We ask for the donations so early in the year because we need to pay for a number of expenses in the first month of the year (Costumes, sets, rights to music, staff members, and competition entrance fees must all be paid for in September). We won’t confirm the number of competitions we will be attending until we assess the amount of money we have collected by October. Remember, donations are due on the first Thursday of each month. J
SPELLBOUND- $900.
Similarly to Tiffany’s, you can donate $300. per month from September through November, or pay it all up front if you choose to. Again, we are asking for your donations so early in the year because many of our expenses are due in September (Costumes, sets, rights to music, staff members, and competition entrance fees must all be paid for right away). We won’t confirm the number of competitions we will be attending until we assess the amount of money we have collected by October. Remember, donations are due on the first Thursday of each month. J
MASQUERADE- $900.
Exactly as it was with Spellbound, you can donate $300. per month from September through November, or pay it all up front if you choose to. We rely on early donations to pay for costumes, choreography, band, sets, music, and competition entry fees. We won’t confirm the number of other competitions we will be attending until we assess the amount of money we have collected by October. Remember, donations are due on the first Thursday of each month. J
HOW ABOUT CHOREOGRAPHY REHEARSALS?
Monday will continue to serve as our Production Choir rehearsal night.
When they begin will be up to Doug. Because maintaining grades have been an important issue in the past, we will probably not hold rehearsals every Monday. However, it is up to you to always keep Mondays clear in case one is needed. Please understand that these rehearsals are mandatory, and missing them may lead to you being taken out of the competition show or actually being dropped from the group altogether. Every choir member is expected to attend and to be prompt to all choir rehearsals and performances or face the consequences of a lower grade, spots in the songs being altered or removed altogether, and even being assigned the role of alternate if the problem persists. Please understand that THIS IS THE BOHS CHOIR POLICY. J
MONDAY NIGHT REHEARSAL SCHEDULE (as needed)
3:30- 5:30 PM SPELLBOUND
6:00- 9:00 PM MASQUERADE
HOW ABOUT FIELDTRIPS?
All of our choir members are expected to pay for the CHOIR TRANSPORTATION FEE in the ACTIVITIES OFFICE, if you did not pay it already during registration. This fee will cover all of your bus rides for choir throughout the year. As usual, Chamber Singers will participate in several classical festivals in the Fall and the Spring and all of the show choirs will be very busy beginning at the end of January. Final schedules with dates and times will be available in October after I have confirmed our participation in all of these events
CURRENT PERFORMANCE DATES
GROUPS DATES MEET TIME END TIME EVENT
ALL 9-22 4:00 PM 7:00 PM TECH FOR FALL MAGIC
ALL 9-23 6:15 PM 9:30 PM FALL MAGIC
ALL 9-24 6:15 PM 9:30 PM FALL MAGIC
CS 11-3 6:15 PM 9:00 PM BREA IDOL
ALL 12-8 4:00 PM 7:00 PM TECH FOR HOLIDAY MAGIC
ALL 12-9 6:15 PM 9:30 PM HOLIDAY MAGIC
ALL 12-10 6:15 PM 9:30 PM HOLIDAY MAGIC
ALL 1-4 4:00 PM 7:00 PM TECH FOR PREVIEW NIGHT
ALL 1-6 6:15 PM 9:30 PM PREVIEW NIGHT
ALL 1-7 6:15 PM 9:30 PM PREVIEW NIGHT
SELECT 2-6 4:00 PM 7:00 PM MUSICAL AUDITIONS
SELECT 2-7 4:00 PM 7:00 PM MUSICAL CALL-BACKS
ALL 2-3 3:00 PM 11:00 PM CALIFORNIA CLASSIC
ALL 2-4 11:00 AM 1:30 PM CALIFORNIA CLASSIC
*M, S,T 2-10 3:00 PM 11:00 PM DIAMOND BAR COMPETITION
*M, S, T 2-10,11 TBA TBA SO CAL @ DISNEYLAND
CS 2-14 7:00 AM 2:35 PM SINGING VALENTINES
*M, S 2-17,18 TBA TBA BONITA VISTA COMPETITION
*ALL 2-24,25 TBA TBA TEMECULA SHOWCASE
*ALL 3-3,4 TBA TBA BURBANK COMPETITION
*ALL 3-10,11 TBA TBA HART COMPETITION
*ALL 3-16,17,18 TBA TBA LOS ALAMITOS COMPETITION
SELECT 3-23,24(22 or 25) 6:00 PM 10:00 PM MUSICAL
*ALL 3-24,25 TBA TBA KATELLA COMPETITION
SELECT 3-30,31(29 or 4-1) 6:00 PM 10:00 PM MUSICAL
*M, S, TCATS 4-1 TBA TBA ARCADIA COMPETITION
*M, S 4-8 TBA TBA FAME HOLLYWOOD
ALL 4-27 4:00 PM 7:00 PM TECH FOR SPRING MAGIC
ALL 4-28 6:15 PM 10:00 PM SPRING MAGIC
ALL 4-29 2 & 6:15 PM 10:00 PM SPRING MAGIC
NOT SCHEDULED YET: CHAMBER SINGER FESTIVAL AT MT SAC, CHOIR WORKSHOPS AT DISNEYLAND, AND OTHER COMPETITIONS. J
* EVENTS MARKED WITH THIS ARE POSSIBLE COMPETITIONS. THEY WILL BE CHOSEN AT A LATER DATE BASED ON AVAILABILITY, PROGRAM CONFLICTS, AND THE AMOUNT OF DONATIONS RECEIVED.
QUESTIONS AND CONCERNS?
Please contact me by email, phone or drop by the choir office for a chat. The Brea Olinda HS Choir Department is dedicated to giving our students the best quality music education we can. My door and my ears are always open if you’d like to talk. I’ll do my best to answer any questions or concerns you might have to your satisfaction. J The number for the choir office is 714 990 7850 x1407. If I’m not in, please avoid leaving a voicemail. I am terrible at checking them! I’m much better at responding to emails. Feel free to send me a message at . I check my emails periodically throughout the day and will respond as soon as humanly possible. J
CLASS MANAGEMENT POLICIES (For All BOHS Choirs)
Students and Parents should be aware that every BOHS Choir member is responsible for upholding all of the following:
MAINTAIN A 2.5 GPA (3.0 PREFERRED)
PARTICIPATE IN ALL REHEARSALS AND PERFORMANCES
PARTICIPATE IN ALL FUNDRAISERS
MEET ALL DONATION AND FORM DEADLINES
USE NO ILLEGAL SUBSTANCES
EXERCISE APPROPRIATE BEHAVIOR AT ALL TIMES
FOLLOW ALL SCHOOL POLICIES AND LAWS OF THE LAND
NO FOOD, GUM OR DRINK IN THE CHOIR ROOM
ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY
BE ON TIME
MAINTAIN A POSITIVE ATTITUDE
BE YOURSELF J
GRADING POLICY:
Student participates in rehearsals and performances:
A With full effort and achievement at all times. (90-100%)
B With good effort and achievement, room for improvement. (80-89%)
C With only-average effort and achievement. (70-79%)
D With below-average effort and achievement. (60-69%)
F With effort and achievement at less than 60%. (0-59%)
Thanks for reading the entirety of this novel! J