Here it is! The Beauty and the Beast singing audition material. Please choose the song that you can sing most expressively and the one that presents you at your best. We will call you back if we need to hear more specific roles from you. Please note that the characters in this show sing with a wide range so all principal character sing somewhat high and somewhat low.
PLEASE LEARN TWO SONGS SAMPLES. You will probably only sing one but we might want to hear two.
Song Choices are as follows. Click on link to hear practice tracks.
Men Only:Gaston or If I Can’t Love her
Anyone: Be our Guest or Beauty and the Beast
Elementary Children:Human Again and Belle or Beauty and the Beast
Get Dance Audition Choreography Here|
Melanie Miller-Cvilikas Letty and John Bobby Susan and Scott Allen Jennifer and Mike Skinnell Dana Harold Caroline Newlon Kristy Freeman Julie Frederickson |
Cathy Rosenquist "C" Culpeper Mary Anne Wright Howard Marcus Lill Caballero Rita Berlin Karin Anderson Marilyn Daines |
VMEA District Chorus Wrap Up
| Dana Van Slyke |
High School District Host |
|
Bryan Case |
Herndon Middle School District Host |
|
Melanie Miller-Cvilikas |
Booster Event Chair |
|
Amy Rosenquist |
Student Volunteer Co-Coordinator |
| Andie Lytle |
Concessions Chair |
|
Beth Czerwinski |
HUMC Liaison |
|
Cathy Harvey |
Volunteer Chair |
|
Christine Bobby |
Student Volunteer Co-Coordinator |
|
Courtney Nyren |
Registration Chair |
|
Emma Miller-Cvilikas |
Student Volunteer Co-Coordinator |
|
Janice Jewell |
House Manager |
|
Jerry Vandenberg (booster alum) |
Stage Manager |
|
Julie Frederickson |
Hospitality Co-chair |
| Kara Rider | HMS Liaison |
| Kathy Morgan |
Lunch for Students Chair |
|
Kristy Freeman |
Hospitality Co-chair |
| Lori Peterson (booster alum) | Information/Admin Chair |
Dear Booster Parents:
There is an urgent need to have as many Virginia residents as possible contact our VA assemblymen/women prior to Jan.12. That is the date that they will be voting on the implementation of the Personal Finance Class as a requirement for all high school students. If this class is implemented as a full year requirement it will not allow students to take four years of an elective. This will devastate our fine arts programs.
Please click here to read information about the issue and spread the word by forwarding it to anyone else who would be concerned about this development. It is as simple as signing this online petition or sending a letter.The information and a sample letter that can be e-mailed to our delegates is found on the The Herndon Band boosters website. "Personal Finance vs. Band".The site also includes a list of delegates.
Thanks, Dana
October 13th HUMC 6:00-7:00
WOMEN'S CHOIR: Hannah Glass ('11)The All-Virginia Mixed Choir was conducted by Dr. Z. Randall Stroope, Director of Vocal and Choral Studies at Oklahoma State University in Stillwater, Oklahoma. The All-Virginia Women's Choir was conducted by Charlotte Adams, founder and Principal Conductor of the Colorado Women's Chorale in Denver, Colorado.
MIXED CHOIR: Trevor Morgan ('10), Ian Gildea ('11), and Andy Raoufi ('11)
Due to weather circumstances beyond our control, the District XII Chorus was canceled in February. While some expenses could not be reimbursed, we have received partial reimbursement for the Herndon High School participants. A reimbursement of $18.00 can be returned to you, or donated to the HHS Choir Department. If you would like a reimbursement, please notify our treasurer, Kara Rider, by April 10. Otherwise, we will post a donation roster on the Choir website which you may print as a receipt for your 2010 taxes (receipt will be posted after April 10). Fees will not be carried over to next year.
Even though the weather didn't cooperate and delivery was postponed for a week (missing Valentine's Day), our cheesecake fundraiser was a great success! Congratulations to Maegan Donaldson, our top seller, for crediting her account $136.00. The 60 students who sold cheesecakes were able to credit their individual chorus/spring trip accounts anywhere from $4.00 to $136.00. A total of $1616.00 was applied to student accounts. This was a huge increase over last year's profit. Many thanks to Ms. Van Slyke for running things so smoothly from her end. Thanks to Nina Falci and Lori Peterson for keeping you all so informed through e-mails and the web. Sorting and packing the individual orders would not have been done without the help of Kathy Morgan, Kristy Freeman, Julie Frederickson, Rita Ahearn, Ann Vandenberg, and Gillian Gaver. We do look forward to working with everyone next year! —Patty Shaffer and Beth Czerwinski
Due to the weather-related school closings, Voce has extended the application postmark deadline to Monday, Feb. 22. Voce invites all students majoring in music with a voice emphasis (including musical theater majors) to apply for the 2010 Voce Chamber Singers Scholarship Award. Each applicant must prepare an "Art Song" to sing at the March 9 choir concert. Contact Voce Executive Director Joan Winter Skerritt if you have questions.
Cheesecakes will be delivered and available for pickup on Thursday, Feb. 18.Students may pick up cheesecake orders between 2:10 and 2:30 p.m. in the Choir Classroom. If a parent wants to pick up cheesecakes before the end of school, they will be available beginning at 1:00 p.m. in the Chorus Classroom. If the student has plans to stay after school on Thursday for a school activity or help with a teacher, please contact Beth Czerwinski to work out a pickup time. We need a few more parents to volunteer to sort and distribute (1:00 to 2:30). Please e-mail Beth Czerwinski if you can assist. Be sure to deliver cheesecakes to your customers right away or keep in a freezer or refrigerator until they can be delivered.
In an effort to be proactive and fair to all involved, and in the interest of safety, the difficult decision has been made to cancel the District XII Chorus event. The event will NOT be rescheduled. All students who earned the privilege of participation will still receive their medals and the honor of knowing that they were to be part of this event. All-State auditions WILL be rescheduled. Please stay tuned for the date, place, and time. Information will be released as soon as possible. Students' lunch payments will be refunded.
Special thanks go to Maurean Truncale for all of her efforts organizing the sale, as well as her extra dedication to fulfilling orders. Maurean has provided 3 years of top-notch service on this fundraiser. She did an outstanding job, and those kids who needed the opportunity to sell, were able to do so! Thank you, Maurean!!
On Wednesday, Nov. 11, the Madrigals traveled to the University of Maryland Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center to participate in their annual choir invitational. Herndon and Fairfax high schools attended from Virginia, and seven high school choirs attended from Maryland. Edward Maclary, Director of Choral Activities at UM, worked throughout the day with the high school choirs on three pieces: Verbum caro factum est (Hassler); "Concord," from Choral Dances from Gloriana (Britten), and Kalinda (Guillaume). The event culminated in an evening concert in the state-of-the-art Dekelboum Concert Hall. Each high school choir performed one song from their repertoire. The UM Chamber Singers and the University Chorale also performed, then all the high school and university choirs combined on stage to perform the three selections they had studied during the day. The invitational was an exciting opportunity for the Madrigals to collaborate with and perform for other advanced high school choirs, as well as college-level singers and clinicians, in an inspiring day of music making.
Everyone at Herndon is welcome to audition for the 2010 Broadway Cabaret. Performances will be on January 28 and 30, 2010. Here is what you need to know for the auditions:
Relax, have fun, and break a leg!
A NOTE ABOUT REHEARSALS:
Are you interested in songwriting? If so, you might be interested in attending the Songwriters Showcase at the Smithsonian: Tuesday, October 27, at 7:00 p.m. at the Natural History Museum. There are some free student tickets available.Parents will have to purchase a ticket if they go. This event will showcase the winners of a songwriting contest that included over 250 applications. There are 12 winners, including four Young Artists (students), two of which are from Fairfax County. The event also features Lamont Dozier, legendary Motown songwriter, who will talk about songwriting.
Sign-up days for the Choir and Theater Spring Trip to New York City (Thursday, March 4, through Saturday, March 6) are as follows. All forms must be completed and turned in with the $200 deposit.
SENIORS: Thursday and Friday, October 15 and 16 (give to Ms. Van Slyke or Ms. Dillard)
ALL STUDENTS: Friday, October 16 (give to Ms. Ramey in the Choir Classroom immediately after school)
Saturday, September 19
Sunoco,
12191 Sunset Hills Road,
Reston, VA (near the Reston Target)
Rain date: September 26
You'll have fun working and meeting friends old and new! The schedule is as follows:
9:00 – 11:00 a.m. Concert Choir | 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Herndon Chorale
1:00 – 3:00 p.m. Vocal Jazz & Madrigals | 3:00 – 5:00 p.m. Show Choir
Please bring your old rags and a bucket and we'll have a great time!
Congratulations to the 2009-10 Show Choir student directors! Sara Talebian, Callie Harman, Erika Rodakowski, Rachel Wallis, Katie Vogt, Dimitri Gann
We had a great turnout for our costume pickup last week. This effort was led by Terri and Melissa Miller, who are new as our Wardrobe Chairmen this year, and they are doing an excellent job. Thank you to all the volunteers who helped with the costume pickup and ice cream social!
All choir students in Madrigals, Vocal Jazz, Herndon Chorale, and Show Choir should pick up their choir costumes BEFORE school starts. An annual costume rental fee is due at pickup. Students in more than one ensemble will have a fee for each ensemble. Pick up early to save money! Fees are as follows. Print, fill out, and bring along the costume rental agreement form on page 7 of the Choir Handbook. Please make checks payable to "Herndon Choral Boosters."
Concert Choir students only: Concert Choir students may pick up their costumes before school on September 3 and 4 or during class until September 19 for a fee of $35.00. After September 19, an additional $15.00 late fee will be assessed.
Get a head start on filling out all those beginning-of-the-year forms! Download the Choir Handbook, and print and fill out the three forms listed below:
The costume rental form will be turned in when you pick up your costumes (see above), and the other two forms are due to Ms. Van Slyke by Friday, September 11.
Educators Say that Singing in a Choir Can Enhance Academic Success and Social Development in Students
According to a new study by Chorus America, children who sing in choruses have greater academic success and more advanced social skills than children who don’t sing, as reported by large majorities of both parents and educators surveyed for the study. Additionally, both parents and educators (from every discipline) attribute a significant part of a child’s academic success to singing in a choir. Click here to visit the Chorus America website (http://www.chorusamerica.org/about_choralsinging.cfm) for more information and the study results.
Dr. Karl Paulnack said these words in a welcome speech to incoming freshman in 2004 at Boston Conservatory, where he is director of the music division. In this inspirational speech, Paulnack explores what music means to us and why it is important in our lives. Click here to read the transcript: http://www.symphonymusicians.com/WelcomeAddressbyKarlPaulnack/tabid/87/Default.aspx.
Paulnack, also a world-renowned pianist and performer, was a professor on the faculty of Ithaca College when Dana and Jim Van Slyke attended.
Welcome to the following Herndon Middle School Select Women's Choir students who have been accepted into the Women's Chorale for the 2009-10 school year: Sydney Chervenic, Amy Freeman, Cynthia Kim, and Megan Overton. The following HMS students also will be joining Women's Chorale: Kelsey Anies, Amanda Harvey, and Jessica Homet. Congratulations, and we look forward to singing with you next year!
I can’t express enough how appreciative I am for all of the support that the HHS Choral Boosters have given to our program this year. Kathy Morgan is an invaluable leader of our organization. Through her leadership we have welcomed so many new parents into our group and developed so many creative ways to support the kids in their music.
I need to say a few extra thank yous that I did not get to include at our awards banquet. Thank you Lori Peterson for your hours of work on our website and anything computer generated! Thank you Nina Falci and Mary Glenn Mancini for your clerical assistance and time with volunteers. Thank you Kristy Freeman and Julie Frederickson for anything having to do with food. Thank you Melanie Miller-Cvilikas for all of the photo organization and for the time planning our VMEA trip. Thank you to Michelle Tierney for the wonderful Banquet and to Chelle Youmans for the amazing VA Beach trip! Thank you to Barb Ramey and her committee for the new scholarship opportunities! Thank you to Kara Rider for tracking the finances, to Janice Jewell for organizing ushers and running the VHS camcorder at each concert, to Peggy Merryman for arranging for class T-shirts and spirit stickers, to Bonnie Hagstrom for managing the flower sales, and to all of the VA and VMEA Trip chaperones.
Thank you to the alum parents, Sue Gattoni, Kathy Dunlap, and Anne Vandenberg for our costume assistance and Jerry Vandenberg for all his time doing stage and sound set ups for our department and at times band, orchestra, guitar, and theatre.
A big thank you to my husband Jim and to Patrick Elliott for all of their time working with our students this year. And special thanks to my Fine Arts Colleagues, especially Zoe Dillard and our Administrator Jim Hannon for all of their support of the choir students this year.
Thank you to all of the families for your generous gift of the video camera. I will now be able to give instant feedback to my students and will enjoy documenting things at school and home. Thank you so much for your sincere support. I am truly overwhelmed by your generosity. I feel very lucky to have the job that I have, and to have the help of so many is truly special. --Sincerely, Dana Van Slyke
Congratulations to the Class of 2009 Herndon High School Choral Boosters Scholarship Award winners:
Sonya Frostad, Josh Hagstrom, Lauren Hickman, Kate Merryman, Maggie Osburn.
The scholarship awards were presented at the 2009 Choral Awards Banquet on June 4. This is the first year the Choral Boosters have awarded scholarships to senior choir students. The scholarships are funded by student fundraising and parent donations to the Choral Boosters organization.
Many thanks to Barbara Ramey and the HHS Choral Boosters Scholarship Committee for administering the scholarship application and selection process.
Ms. Van Slyke presented six Senior Awards at the Choral Awards Banquet on June 4. These annual awards acknowledge exceptional musical study, performance, ensemble participation, and leadership in the Herndon Choir program.
Outstanding Seniors: Loren Collado, Kat Miller-Cvilikas,
Maggie Osburn
Rising Star Award: Molly Bouffard, Kate Merryman
Director's Award: Josh Hagstrom
Thank You, Banquet Organizers, Gift Contributors
A big thank you goes to Michelle Tierney for organizing the Choral Awards Banquet. Thanks also to all of the Booster parents who helped to prepare, serve, and clean up at this wonderful event.
Thank you to the senior parents and all other Choral Booster families and students who contributed to Ms. Van Slyke's group gift. Because of their support, we were able to purchase a digital video recorder, a wide-angle lens, an extra battery, a tripod, a storage bag, an extra memory card, and a $100 iTunes card. Thanks to all who made this wonderful gift possible. Ms. Van Slyke can use it in the classroom, as well as on the soccer field or football field with her boys!
"For Men Only" Retires Name, Improves Appropriateness
By Official Proclamation at the 2009 Choral Awards Banquet, the men's ensemble will henceforth be named " The Bennett Street Boys "
Before a packed audience of parents, friends, family, and alumni, Herndon Choir students shared their artistic interpretation of this year's theme, "Love Is All You Need." The program included 39 musical numbers performed by all six choirs, as well as "spotlight" solos and ensembles by graduating seniors.
The Pops Concert, the final concert of the year, features musical favorites selected and choreographed by the choir students themselves. Last night, singers, dancers, and guest musicians from Herndon Guitar and Herndon Band took to the stage to perform popular music from across the decades. Colorful costumes, energetic dance routines, and contemporary musical arrangements showed off the talents and love for music that the students share.
A highlight of the concert was a solo performance by Jim Van Slyke of "Solitaire," a selection from his one-man Broadway event, "The Sedaka Show". The Pops Concert finale number was "Love Is All You Need," a medley of Beatles favorites. The concert concluded with "I Will Remember You," the traditional end-of-year song that welcomes back choir alumni, offers good-bye wishes to graduating seniors, and honors choral director Dana Van Slyke.
Congratulations to our All-Virginia Choir singers! Following months of individual preparation and two intensive days of rehearsals with university conductors, five Herndon Choir students performed in the 2009 All-Virginia High School Choirs concert on Saturday, April 25, at Massaponax High School in Fredericksburg. Throughout the country, all-state choirs are considered one of the most prestigious and highest levels of achievement for high school choir students. In Virginia, just 24 students from each of the state's 16 districts are selected following a rigorous audition process. More than 380 students in two choirs participated in the 2009 All-Virginia Choir event. Herndon Choir took five of these spots.
The following students participated: WOMEN'S CHOIR: Kat Miller-Cvilikas ('09)
MIXED CHOIR: Josh Hagstrom ('09), Nathan Williams ('09), Mary Peterson ('10), and Trevor Morgan ('10) [alternate - Joey Truncale ('10)]
The All-Virginia Mixed Choir was conducted by Dr. Charles Robinson, Professor of Choral/Music Education at the University of Missouri Kansas City, Conservatory of Music and Dance; the choir was accompanied by Melvin Goodwin of Woodbridge, Va. The All-Virginia Women's Choir was conducted by Dr. David Brunner, Professor of Music, Director of Choral Activities at the University of Central Florida Department of Music, Orlando; the choir was accompanied by Laura Edelbrock of Alexandria, Va. Choral directors from high schools throughout the state accompanied their students to Fredericksburg. The Virginia Choral Directors Association of the Virginia Music Educators Association sponsors District and All-State Choir events.
The repertoire for both choirs featured classical, contemporary, and traditional music from around the world. The Women's Choir was privileged to perform three original compositions by their conductor, David Brunner. A highlight of the concert was a solo by our own Josh Hagstrom during the final song, "If You Believe in Music." Josh rocked the house with his soulful vocals, and brought the audience to their feet at the end of the piece!
Congratulations go out to the choir students who attended our choir trip in Virginia Beach last weekend, April 16-18.
We had six choirs participate in the Fiesta-Val music festival. The Herndon Chorale, Madrigals, Show Choir, Concert Choir, and Vocal Jazz all received ratings of Superior, and our Men's Choir received a rating of Excellent! The Concert Choir also won the Best Overall Concert Choir of the festival.
Along with the ensemble achievements, we also had awards given to various soloists. Josh Hagstrom won two solo trophies for Madrigals and Men's Choir. Sarah Price was recognized for her Vocal Jazz solo. Joey Truncale was recognized for his Men's Choir solo. Chanel Parks was given a trophy for her outstanding French horn solo in our women's choir piece.
The students were complimented for their demeanor on and off the stage everyplace that we went. They truly represented Herndon with pride!
Be sure to visit the Guitar website for the Guitar 3 ensemble's Fiesta-Val results.
On March 21, the Herndon Madrigal Singers and the Herndon Chorale sang for District XII adjudication at Chantilly High School. Both groups were honored by earning straight superior ratings from all judges! Congratulations to those students for their hard work and dedication to their music!
Go Stinger Singers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Nearly 20 Herndon Choir students will perform in the Herndon Drama Summer Musical Theatre Experience production of Grease! Following rehearsals throughout July, performances will be on Thursday, July 30, Friday, July 31, and Saturday, August 1, at 7:30 p.m. at the high school. Visit the Herndon Drama website for the cast list and updates.
The Elden Street Players' newest show, The History Boys, features Herndon students Nathan Williams and Matt Jackson. The show opened June 5, with 10 shows in the month of June!
All Herndon Choir students and their families and friends are invited to celebrate another great year of music-making! During this evening of beach-themed fun and food, we'll pay homage to our seniors, give participation awards, and enjoy a delicious barbeque meal. And you won't want to miss the "Paper Plate Awards."
A special feature of the evening will be a retrospective slide show prepared by senior Kat Miller-Cvilikas.
The banquet includes a catered barbeque dinner ($8.00 per person, $25.00 for a family, kids 3 and under free) and an awards ceremony. Reservations are required for dinner. The awards ceremony is free. You are welcome to attend the dinner and awards, or just the awards. Dinner will be served from 6:30 to 7:15 p.m.; the awards ceremony begins at 7:30 and will conclude around 9:30 p.m.
Tuesday, May 19 • 7:00 p.m. • HHS Auditorium
This final concert of the year — and the last concert as an HHS student for graduating seniors — will feature solos, duets, and performances by all Choir ensembles. You'll enjoy music from across the decades, including dance numbers choreographed by the students themselves! The program finale will be a groovy Beatles medley, "Love Is All You Need."
Flowers, concessions, and Choir spirit gear will be available. You can also make dinner reservations for the Choral Awards Banquet.
Singers from Shepherd University, from nearby Shepherdstown, West Virginia, will visit during the school day on Monday, March 30. Visit their Music Department website: www.shepherd.edu/musicweb/
Saturday, March 28, 7:00 - 9:00 p.m., ArtSpace Herndon, 750 Center Street, Herndon
This is a great opportunity for artists to perform in front of a live and encouraging audience! All types of talent and genres are appreciated. Mics, keyboard, sound system, and hookups provided. Cover charge is $3.00 per person. Even if you're not ready to perform, come out and support your fellow performers. This will be a monthly venue, so your chance will come! Dates for April, May, and June are being scheduled and will be announced.
The HHS Choral Boosters would like to say THANKS to...
On behalf of the HHS Choral Boosters, I would like to say thanks to all who support the HHS choir program in any way. Every volunteer makes such a difference and we appreciate your time, talents and service. — Kathy Morgan, President, HHS Choral Boosters
The first edition of the Herndon Choir Directory has been published. A hearty thank you goes to
Nina Falci, volunteer coordinator for the Herndon Choral Boosters, for collecting contact information for all Herndon Choir students and parents — not an easy task! — as well as creating and producing the directory. Directories will be distributed in class.
Herndon Chorale and Madrigals only, Saturday, March 21 • Chantilly High School
SCHEDULE
Madrigals: Warm-up – 9:30 a.m.; Performance – 10:00; Sight-reading – 10:25
Chorale: Warm-up – 10:50 a.m.; Performance – 11:20; Sight-reading – 11:45
Herndon's Vocal Jazz Clinician Jim Van Slyke celebrates Cabaret Month and the music of pop icon Neil Sedaka. In a rare New York appearance, Jim lends his beautiful voice and charm to the intimate melodies of Neil Sedaka in his latest project, "The Sedaka Show."
Directed by Tony-nominated singer/actor Brian Lane Green with music direction by MAC Nominee/Backstage Bistro Award Winner Tim DiPasqua, this tour de force trio have created a magnificent evening of Neil Sedaka favorites, lost gems, and a few surprises!
"The Sedaka Show" made its premiere at The Laurie Beechman Theatre last weekend. Reviews were excellent! The final two performances are this weekend: Saturday, March 14, at 4:00 p.m.; and Sunday, March 15, at 7:00 p.m.
Dr. Paul Nesheim — who was the guest conductor for the District XII Chorus Mixed Choir this past February — will be bringing his college choir, the Minnesota State University Moorhead Concert Choir, to the D.C. area this month. All choir students are invited to attend a concert they will perform locally, in Sterling. More information will be provided; concert details are as follows: Sunday, March 15, 2009, 3:00 p.m., Community Lutheran Church, 21014 Whitfield Place, Sterling, VA. The church is located in the Cascades Town Center, adjacent to the Eastern Loudoun Regional Library. Visit the MSUM Music Department website at: www.mnstate.edu/music
Our cheesecake fundraiser was a great success! Many thanks to Ms. Van Slyke for running things so smoothly from her end. The 47 students who sold cheesecakes were able to credit their individual chorus/spring trip accounts anywhere from $3.80 to $65.20. A total of $967.70 was applied to student accounts. Thanks to Nina Falci, Volunteer Coordinator, for filling our volunteer slots. Kathy Morgan, Melanie Miller-Cvilikas, Kristy Freeman, Nina Joyce, Mary Glenn Mancini, Mary Catherine Williams, Bonnie Hagstrom, Peggy Merryman, and Cheryl Rodakowski all helped organize the cheesecakes for student pick-up. Thanks to them, the job was easily completed, and the cheesecakes picked up with no problems. We look forward to working with everyone again, except, of course, our fabulous senior parents who will be gone (and missed) next year! — Patty Shaffer and Beth Czerwinski
Congratulations to the following students for auditioning and being selected for the 2009 All-Virginia Choir:
SENIORS: Kat Miller-Cvilikas, Josh Hagstrom, and Nathan Williams
JUNIORS: Mary Peterson and Trevor Morgan
Junior Joey Truncale was also selected as an alternate. They only have 24 spots available in our district, and Herndon Choir took 5 of those spots! These students will participate in the state festival April 23–25 at Massaponax High School in Fredericksburg, VA. Please congratulate them when you see them! CONDUCTORS: The All-Virginia SATB Choir will be conducted by Dr. Charles Robinson, Professor of Choral/Music Education at the University of Missouri Kansas City, Conservatory of Music and Dance (accompanist is Melvin Goodwin of Woodbridge, Va.). The SSAA Choir will be conducted by Dr. David Brunner, Professor of Music, Director of Choral Activities at the University of Central Florida Department of Music, Orlando (accompanist is Laura Edelbrock of Alexandria, Va.).
There have been inquiries about the peanut butter used in the Sweetz PB Fudge Cheesecake. They do not use peanut paste; the peanut butter is name-brand jarred peanut butter.
Thank you to all who participated in the Sweetz Cheesecake Fundraiser. Students may pick up cheesecake orders at 2:10 p.m. in the Choir Classroom. Be sure to deliver cheesecakes to your customers right away or keep in a freezer or refrigerator until they can be delivered.
The Herndon Choral Boosters are excited to have guest clinician Jim Van Slyke join us for a presentation at the Monday, February 9, meeting. Mr. Van Slyke will provide information for parents and students about identifying college music programs — classical and musical theater; determining a good college match for music students; and identifying sustainable career opportunities in the field of music beyond Broadway and American Idol. The February 9 meeting starts at 7:00 p.m. in the Choir Classroom. This is a general parents meeting; however, students are invited and encouraged to attend. In addition to the presentation by Mr. Van Slyke, Dana Van Slyke will participate in a question-and-answer session addressing expressed topics of interest. Please bring your questions and join us! Light refreshments will be served.
On January 12, Ithacappella, Ithaca College's all-male collegiate a cappella ensemble, held an in-school workshop with music students during the school day and performed a concert benefiting the Herndon Choral Boosters that evening.
The Herndon Choral Boosters want to express their deepest appreciation for the hard work and dedication of parent volunteer Maurean Truncale for successfully managing the 2008 White House ornament fundraiser. Thanks to her tireless efforts, 700 ornaments were sold! Maurean's efforts helped support not only the Choir program at HHS but also the students who are trying to raise money for the spring trip.
You are greatly appreciated, Maurean! Thanks also to Barb and Tim Ramey for handling eBay sales of previous years' ornaments. A small number of 2003 and 2005 White House ornaments are still available.
Our 4th Annual Pyramid Concert! Choirs from Clearview, Hutchison, and Dranesville elementary schools, Herndon Middle School, and Herndon High School performed. The program finale was performed by all choirs together — more than 500 students!
The Vocal Jazz Ensemble was selected to perform at the 2008 Virginia Music Educators Association (VMEA) annual conference. They traveled to Hot Springs, Virginia, the weekend of November 20-22 for their performance at the Homestead Resort. This is a wonderful honor for the Vocal Jazz Ensemble. These talented singers were hard at work preparing for this performance since last summer. They performed seven jazz selections, including a premiere performance of Jay Althouse's arrangement of the Cole Porter standard, "Let's Do It." Congratulations to Choral Director Dana Van Slyke, Vocal Jazz Clinician Jim Van Slyke, and all of the ensemble members for this accomplishment!
Congratulations to the men of the Herndon High School Choir who were selected to take part in the 2008 All-County Men's Workshop Chorus on November 10. The following men participated: Jared Ambrose, Aaron Bentley, Chris Czerwinski, Conor Daines, Timmy Eisnagle, Josh Hagstrom, Tom Lyver, Caz Miles, Andrew Redfern, James Snow, Brady Tierney, Andrew Vito. The day-long workshop was held at the Performing Arts Center at George Mason University. Eugene Rogers, Director of Choral Activities at Macalester College in St. Paul, Minnesota, was the guest conductor. The day culminated in an “Informance” — an informal performance/instruction session demonstrating what they learned during the day — for parents, family, and friends. The annual Men's Workshop Chorus is co-sponsored by the FCPS Fine Arts Office and the Fairfax County Choral Directors Association.
The annual White House ornament fundraiser is underway! The 2008 White House Benjamin Harrison Ornament (pictured at left) honors the 23rd president of the United States, President Benjamin Harrison (1833–1901). This ornament is a glimpse of the first Christmas tree ever to have been documented in The White House. White House ornaments are popular holiday gifts. Each ornament costs just $18.00. For each ornament they sell, students earn $3.00 credit toward their cost of the spring trip. A limited number of previous years' ornaments also are available for purchase.
District XII Chorus Audition Results
OCT. 28: On Saturday, October 25, singers from high schools throughout VMEA's District XII auditioned for the District XII Chorus. From among the 14 high schools in the district, 55 Herndon Choir singers were selected, as well as three alternates. Listed below are some cool honors earned by our singers!
Congratulations to everyone who auditioned. I am very proud of you! –Ms. Van Slyke
The 2009 Broadway Cabaret 2009 will be on January 22 and 24, 2009. Soon, we will be auditioning. Anyone at Herndon is welcome to audition. Here is what you need to know for the auditions.
Auditions are Tuesday, November 4, in the Choir Room. Sign up for a time slot by Friday, October 31. Prepare no more than a 1½ minute excerpt of a musical theatre or Disney song. Bring the sheet music or an accompaniment tape/CD to the audition. You may dress in costume if you wish, and add in staging if so desired. Relax, have fun, and break a leg!
A NOTE ABOUT REHEARSALS: Dress rehearsals are scheduled as follows:
January 10 and 17 (Saturdays) — 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
January 20 — During the day
January 21 — 5:30 to 9:30 p.m.
Check to make sure you are available on these days before auditioning. Conflict sheets will be collected from the cast, and the rehearsal schedule will then be made for after school throughout the months of November, December, and January.
The audition piece is "He, Watching Over Israel" (Mendelssohn).
Saturday, October 25, 2008, Yorktown High School, 5201 North 28th Street, Arlington, VA 22207
You must provide your own transportation. Arrive 15 minutes before your assigned time. You will be called into the appropriate room. You will sight-sing and sing your audition piece for two judges. The judges will not see you while you sing. Students with the highest scores will be placed into this year's District choir. There are two choirs: one for 9th and 10th grade women, and one for 11th and 12th grade women and all of the men. If you are going to audition, please make sure that you are available for the District Chorus event dates.
OCT. 6: Congratulations to seniors Maggie Osburn and Josh Hagstrom for being selected to this year's State Honors Choir. All of the senior singers from around the state gathered at Longwood University in Farmville, Virginia, on Saturday, October 4. They auditioned individually for collegiate judges.
Josh is ranked as the highest scoring Tenor 1 in Virginia! Maggie was ranked #2 in the state for Alto 2! Also to be congratulated is Kate Merryman, who placed as an alternate for Soprano 1. Josh and Maggie will attend the Virginia Music Educators' Conference in November to participate in the Honors Choir event.
I want to thank the volunteers who helped make Saturday's car wash a great success. We appreciate everyone who took part in pre-selling tickets, working at the car wash, and bringing their cars to be washed. I really appreciate everyone who pitched in. Thanks to Jim for making a much needed ice run, and Randy for getting the kids organized and keeping the cars moving for 4 solid hours. Maurean & Julie did a great job keeping kids on task and focused while they worked and played, and thanks to Melanie for keeping track of the tickets and the money, as well as providing some company for the many parents who stopped by and waited for cars to be washed. Finally, thanks to Kara who works behind the scenes to tally and total it all for us.
Dozens of Herndon Choir students turned out for the Car Wash Scholarship Fundraiser on Saturday, September 20, at the Herndon Exxon. The rags and machines were really humming as students washed nearly 90 cars. And the boss didn't mind that they acted the fool (check out the photos)!
Thank you to all of the students, parents, and patrons who made the fundraiser a success. Special thanks also to Herndon Exxon for hosting us.
The Herndon HS Music Department has been awarded the Blue Ribbon School Award from the Virginia Music Educator's Association for our Superior Performing Ensembles. All sections of our department—Orchestra, Band, Choir, and Guitar—received Superior ratings at our festivals in the Spring of 07-08. We were sent a certificate that will be hanging in the main office.