Welcome to a new school year !

Please be sure to return the chorus contract with your parent's signature, your signature, and your parent's email. Thank you!

I am thrilled you have decided to share your voice with the 7^th and 8^th Grade Chorus! There is an exciting year planned and I look forward to working with each and every one of you. Thank you for committing to the program.

Rehearsals on Tuesdays and Thursdays go until 2:35 so please plan appointments and rides home accordingly. The following is a list of all extended rehearsals and concerts for your planning purposes:

Select Chorus Auditions are Tuesday, September 18^th at 2:25 in rm. 103. To audition for select chorus, the student must be enrolled in the big chorus.

Concerts

Thurs. December 13^th Winter Concert 7pm Arlington Town Hall*

(snow date-Mon. December 17^th)

Wed. February 6^th, 2013 All Town Concert 7pm Arlington High School*

Thurs. May 16^th 2013 Spring Concert 7pm Arlington Town Hall*

*Performers should arrive ½ before concert for warmups

Extra Rehearsals**

Tues. October 16 (early release day)12:45-1:15

Thurs. November 1; 2:25-2:45

Thurs. November 8; 2:25-2:45

Thurs. November 15; 2:25-2:45

Tues. November 27 11:45-12:30

Thurs. November 29 11:45-12:30

Tues. December 11 (early release day)12:45-1:15

Tues. January 15 (early release day)12:45-1:15

Tues. March 5 (early release day)12:45-1:15

Tues. April 9 (early release day) Rehearsal from 12:45-1:15

**If we lose a rehearsal before February 6^th due to a snow day, there will be an extra rehearsal scheduled the following week afterschool. The rehearsal will be announced the school day after the snow day.**

Concert Attire:

Girls

-White, button up collared shirt or blouse.

It can be long sleeve, ¾ sleeve, or short sleeve, just no sleeveless shirts.

-Solid black pants or skirt (no jeans).

Skirts must be at the knee or below the knee in length.

Skirts may not be shorter then the knee.

-Black shoes (no sneakers)

-No dresses

Boys

-White button up collared shirt. It can be long sleeve or short sleeve

-Solid black pants (no jeans)

-Black shoes (no sneakers)

-A red tie or bow tie

For the concerts, hair should be pulled back so it does not hang in the performer’s face.

Students are expected to be at all concerts and extra rehearsals. Grades will be negatively affected by absences (unless there is illness or emergency). However, with illness or emergency, I will need written letter from a parent. Appointments, sports practices, other musical or play rehearsals, babysitting jobs, trips, and other planned engagements are not excused.

Students are expected to be in rehearsal at 1:45 each Tuesday and Thursday. Warmups start at 1:45 and students who come to class late are marked tardy. Three tardies result in a reduction of a grade.

Once students have been assigned a folder partner and a spot in chorus, they may not make a change. Students who change their position in chorus will be assigned a detention upon the first offense. Safety is my number one concern in rehearsals and you help me keep everyone safe by being in your assigned seat.

Also, students who misbehave at a concert will be assigned detention on the first offense. Misbehavior includes but is not limited to fooling around, leaving the area without permission, talking (not listening) during others or their own performances, and not respecting the concert facility.

I love to sing and I know that you love to sing too. Singing is such an amazing way to express yourself; you will meet good friends doing something you love to do. We work very hard in this program but the result is so incredibly sweet; you will love the concerts and you will love making beautiful music!!

Please do not hesitate to contact me with any concerns you may have.

I am looking forward to an exciting and very musical year!

Sincerely,

Mrs. Gaffny

cgaffny@arlington.k12.ma.us

(781)316-3744 ex. 1103

(email is the fastest way to contact me as the phone goes straight to voice mail during the school day)