TO: 844.01 CHAMBER CHOIR and PARENTS

FROM:  Lee Wright

RE: John Carroll Chamber Choir Class Requirements

Dear Friends;

Welcome and Congratulations again!   This is going to be a great year!   In order to assure the continued smooth running of this Choral Ensemble, there are several areas  which demand our clarification immediately.  It is imperative that these items be made clear from the beginning to avoid any possible misunderstandings in the future.

1)         Financial Responsibilities:  

A)        There will be a $35.00 music fee for this class.  As has always been the case in the past, please make all checks payable to John Carroll Choir and list the purpose of the payment(s) on the check.   Mr. Zelinski, our esteemed Financial Officer, has asked that you have your child's name and student number on all checks that are deposited at the school.

All Music Fees are due on August 18^th, 2006 along with your signed parent handbook form.

B)        Robes are FREE again this year!  The stole for Honors Chorus and the stole for Chamber Choir is $24.00 if purchased new.  If you have a stole from last year, it will do fine.  If you want to buy a used stole, it is $12.00 as long as they last.   Please figure your own individual robe/stole fee.  (Please ask me if you need help with this!) 

Under these robes, please wear BLACK PANTS, BLACK DRESS SHOES, BLACK SOCKS/STOCKINGS and your WHITE AChoir Robe AT@SHIRT.   If you don=t have this, please take care of it no later than Oct. 1.  Thanks!

2)         Performances and Rehearsals:

The Honors Chorus is responsible for all Concert choir Literature and all Chorale Literature as well as their own music in class.  The Concert Season is as follows;

FALL CONCERT:
Thursday, October 19^th at 7:30pm at Bruno Auditorium, John Carroll High School
7:00 AM FULL REHEARSALS; usually three (3)

WINTER CONCERT:
Thursday, December 7^th at 7:30pm at CANTERBURY UMC
Dress Rehearsal on Tue. December 5^th from 4:00 - 6:00 at CANTERBURY

7:00 AM FULL REHEARSALS; usually three (3)

SPRING CONCERT:
Thursday, April 26^th at 7:30pm at Bruno Auditorium, John Carroll
7:00 AM FULL REHEARSALS; usually three (3)

The Accelerated Chorus Classes may have occasional Blessed Morning Rehearsals (7:00) throughout each quarter.  Attendance and PUNCTUALITY to these is the primary means to keep your AA@ in this class.   These will be listed in the weekly memos.  For your planning of other meetings, we NEVER meet on Monday Mornings.  

3)         GRADING:     75% class participation, attitude, attendance, punctuality,

  25% sight reading and musicianship

Every student will have one sight reading test per quarter.  This will place more emphasis on sight-reading skills, which is one of the most important aspects of what we do.

Please be very much aware that YOU are the leaders of our choral program at John Carroll.  It is expected that your behavior and attitudes reflect the seriousness of this.   No one enjoys a good time more than I.   However, there is a certain JOY that is attainable only through diligent self-discipline and accomplishment.   This is our goal!   In accepting your position in this ensemble,  you are acknowledging and accepting your responsibilities regarding your musical, professional and personal standards that you set for yourselves as well as others.   Remember our THREE RULES for membership in this class:   1) No drugs,   2) NO SMOKING,  and 3) No Insubordination.    We are representatives of the advantages of Christian Education at its finest.  Our primary function is to grow are dedicated Christians and musicians through this choral experience. 

Information regarding the 2006 Ad campaign is attached.   The more we raise, that farther we go!  Please feel free to call me (940-2409, ext. 135) if you have any questions.  

Sincerely,

________________________                                   

Lee Wright, Choral Director                                        

JOHN CARROLL HIGH SCHOOL

P.S. PARENTS: Please read over the new Choir Handbook with your child. The parent signature form is due back along with choir fees on AUGUST 18, 2006.  Also, if you need to find any information, please feel free to call, email (lwright@jcchs.org) or check the choir page on the website (www.jcchs.org).

John Carroll Catholic High School

300 Lakeshore Parkway   Birmingham, AL 35209

The Choral Division of the Fine Arts Department

940-2409, ext. 135 

August, 2006

TO: 845.01 HONORS CHORUS and PARENTS

FROM:  Lee Wright

RE: John Carroll Honors Chorus Class Requirements

Dear Friends;

Welcome and Congratulations again!   This is going to be a great year!   In order to assure the continued smooth running of this Choral Ensemble, there are several areas which demand our clarification immediately.  It is imperative that these items be made clear from the beginning to avoid any possible misunderstandings in the future.

1)         Financial Responsibilities:  

A)        There will be a $35.00 music fee for this class.  As has always been the case in the past, please make all checks payable to John Carroll Choir and list the purpose of the payment(s) on the check.   Mr. Zelinski, our esteemed Financial Officer, has asked that you have your child's name and student number on all checks that are deposited at the school.

All Music Fees are due on August 18^th, 2006 along with your signed parent handbook form.

B)        Robes are FREE again this year!  The stole for Honors Chorus and the stole for Chamber Choir is $24.00 if purchased new.  If you have a stole from last year, it will do fine.  If you want to buy a used stole, it is $12.00 as long as they last.   Please figure your own individual robe/stole fee.  (Please ask me if you need help with this!) 

Under these robes, please wear BLACK PANTS, BLACK DRESS SHOES, BLACK SOCKS/STOCKINGS and your WHITE AChoir Robe AT@SHIRT.   If you don=t have this, please take care of it no later than Oct. 1.  Thanks!

2)         Performances and Rehearsals:

The Honors Chorus is responsible for all Concert choir Literature and all Chorale Literature as well as their own music in class.  The Concert Season is as follows;

FALL CONCERT:
Thursday, October 19^th at 7:30pm at Bruno Auditorium, John Carroll High School
7:00 AM FULL REHEARSALS; usually three (3)

WINTER CONCERT:
Thursday, December 7^th at 7:30pm at CANTERBURY UMC
Dress Rehearsal on Tue. December 5^th from 4:00 - 6:00 at CANTERBURY

7:00 AM FULL REHEARSALS; usually three (3)

SPRING CONCERT:
Thursday, April 26^th at 7:30pm at Bruno Auditorium, John Carroll
7:00 AM FULL REHEARSALS; usually three (3)

The Accelerated Chorus Classes may have occasional Blessed Morning Rehearsals (7:00) throughout each quarter.  Attendance and PUNCTUALITY to these is the primary means to keep your AA@ in this class.   These will be listed in the weekly memos.  For your planning of other meetings, we NEVER meet on Monday Mornings.  

3)         GRADING:     50% class participation, attitude, attendance, and punctuality

  25% sight reading and musicianship

                                      15% concert attendance and review (one per quarter)

                                      10% writing assignment (one per quarter)

Every student will have one sight reading test per quarter.  This will place more emphasis on sight-reading skills, which is one of the most important aspects of what we do.

Please be very much aware that YOU are the leaders of our choral program at John Carroll.  It is expected that your behavior and attitudes reflect the seriousness of this.   No one enjoys a good time more than I.   However, there is a certain JOY that is attainable only through diligent self-discipline and accomplishment.   This is our goal!   In accepting your position in this ensemble,  you are acknowledging and accepting your responsibilities regarding your musical, professional and personal standards that you set for yourselves as well as others.   Remember our THREE RULES for membership in this class:   1) No drugs,   2) NO SMOKING,  and 3) No Insubordination.    We are representatives of the advantages of Christian Education at its finest.  Our primary function is to grow are dedicated Christians and musicians through this choral experience. 

Information regarding the 2006 Ad campaign is attached.   The more we raise, that farther we go!  Please feel free to call me (940-2409, ext. 135) if you have any questions.  

Sincerely,

________________________                                   

Lee Wright, Choral Director                                        

JOHN CARROLL HIGH SCHOOL

P.S. PARENTS: Please read over the new Choir Handbook with your child. The parent signature form is due back along with choir fees on AUGUST 18, 2006.  Also, if you need to find any information, please feel free to call, email (lwright@jcchs.org) or check the choir page on the website (www.jcchs.org).

John Carroll Catholic High School
300 Lakeshore Parkway Birmingham, AL 35209
(205) 940-2409, ext. 135 choir office (205) 945-7429, fax
August, 2006

TO: 840.01 MEN’S CHORUS & 842.01 WOMEN’S CHORUS CLASSES and PARENTS
FROM: Lee Wright
RE: Course Requirements for the John Carroll CHANCEL CHOIR

Dear Choristers and Parents;

Welcome Back! I hope that you are ready to begin yet another exciting year of your all-too-fleeting high school experience. To facilitate this, there are several things that need to be taken care of in the beginning to avoid any misunderstandings throughout the course of the year. It is imperative that we have all policies and procedures clarified at this time in order to continue the success of our choral program. Your responsibilities will be as follows:

1) FINANCIAL: There will be a music fee of $35.00 this course. This fee will cover the music and supplies of the class. The Music Fee is due on August 18^th along with your parent signed handbook form. Please make all checks payable to John Carroll Choir and designate on the check that it is for the Music Fee or whatever. Mr. Zelinski, our Financial Officer, has asked that you put the Student Name and ID on every check that you submit for deposit at this school. Please do this, or have your child write their name and numbers on the check.

Also, the John Carroll Choirs will again wear the Green Robes with the differentiated stoles. Under these robes, please wear BLACK PANTS, BLACK DRESS SHOES, BLACK SOCKS/STOCKINGS and your WHITE "Choir Robe T"SHIRT. Last year’s shirt will do just fine! Nothing else, please!

2) PERFORMANCES AND REHEARSALS: The Men's Chorus and Women's Chorus are responsible for all Concert Choir literature. You will take part in the performances listed below:

FALL CONCERT:
Thursday, October 19^th at 7:30pm at Bruno Auditorium, John Carroll High School
7:00 AM FULL REHEARSALS; usually three (3)

WINTER CONCERT:
Thursday, December 7^th at 7:30pm at CANTERBURY UMC
Dress Rehearsal on Tue. December 5^th from 4:00 - 6:00 at CANTERBURY

7:00 AM FULL REHEARSALS; usually three (3)

SPRING CONCERT: Chamber Choir and CONCERT CHOIR;
Thursday, April 26^th at 7:30pm at Bruno Auditorium, John Carroll
7:00 AM FULL REHEARSALS; usually three (3)

AUDITIONS for the 2007 choirs will take place the last week of APRIL

3) GRADING: Grading in this class will be contingent on the following:
75% Class participation, attendance and PUNCTUALITY
25% Sight-Reading development and musicianship

Please remember that while being a good singer is important, it is equally important that we develop good work and study habits, as well as sight-reading skills.

It is assumed that students who make it to this class are the best choral students available at John Carroll. This is a preparatory class for the Accelerated Choruses for next year. Spaces in next year's Honors Chorus and Chamber Choir will generally - though not exclusively - be filled with students from this class who have worked the hardest and match our needs in vocal ability, attitude, voice part and reading skills. You are the primary source to replace this year's graduates, but not the only source. Please be aware, also that because there are limited spaces available in Accelerated Chorus Classes, membership in this class IS NOT indicative of automatic inclusion next year.

Expect great things of yourself and demand it of me as well! Be aware that you are leaders of our program as well as our school. Your attitudes and behavior must reflect that responsibility. Have a great time, but don't be afraid of hard work! Therein lies the joy of any skills development. Realize also that our Primary Function is to grow as dedicated Christians and musicians through this experience. This is what Christian Education is all about; it is our highest calling.

The 2006 Ad Campaign information is attached. Please feel free to call me if there are any questions (940-2409, ext. 135). This looks like it is going to be a great year! Work diligently and enjoy!

Respectfully,

Lee Wright, Choral Director

JOHN CARROLL HIGH SCHOOL

P.S. PARENTS: Please read over the new Choir Handbook with your child. The parent signature form is due back along with choir fees on AUGUST 18, 2006.  Also, if you need to find any information, please feel free to call, email (lwright@jcchs.org) or check the choir page on the website (www.jcchs.org).