Dear Parents,

It is hard to believe that we are back in school already!  All of the choral ensembles here at Creek Wood will be  working hard and making great music.  Thank you for giving me the opportunity to work with your child(ren).  I do have information that I would like to pass on to you:

 1)  Be sure to mark your calendars for Friday, December 14.  The Christmas Concert will be held at 7:00 p.m. in the auditorium at CWHS.  Tickets will be sold at the door for $3.00.  Each student who is in an ensemble is required to participate as part of their final exam grade. 

 2)  Concert attire:  All students will be issued concert attire.  Girls will be issued a long black dress and will need to wear some sort of black dress shoe with it.  The heels need to be low so that they do not trip, lock their knees, etc.  They are not to wear open-toe shoes. 

            Boys will be issued a tuxedo jacket, pants, cummerbund, and bow tie (although if there are not enough jackets available, tux pants only will be issued).  They will need to also wear a white tuxedo shirt (available at Fussell’s in Dickson), black dress socks and black dress shoes. 

            The Choral Department asks that a $10.00 concert attire rental be paid per semester.  If you have problems finding proper shoes, tuxedo shirts, etc., please let me know as soon as possible so that I can help.  The clothing issued to them is their “uniform”, and it looks very, very nice on stage. 

 3)  PLEASE review the Choral handbook and the Choral Important Dates on the Choral Department Home Page - PLEASE SIGN AND RETURN the Signature Page for the Handbook.

 4)  Freshman Honors Choir/Mid-State Choir- see www.mtva.org website also

            There is always a lot of confusion about Freshman Honors Choir (FHC) and Mid-State Choir.  I will do my best to clear this up. 

 What is it?

            FHC and Mid-State Choir are made up of students from the Middle-Tennessee area.  It is sponsored by the Middle Tennessee Vocal Association (made up of music teachers).  Students must audition individually in order to be part of one of these groups.  Students who are selected then learn additional music and participate in “Mid-State”, which is when they travel to a central location (usually in Nashville) and rehearse with guest conductors.  A free concert is given that evening.  It is held in February and is one of the highest honors a high school student can earn. 

 What about the audition?

            Auditions for FHC and Mid-State are held at a local high school (location to be announced later) and are performed “blind”.  This means that the students cannot see the five judges and the judges cannot see the students.  Each student auditions individually on a prepared piece of music that we have learned in class.  Freshmen audition on one piece, while older students audition on two pieces.  Students are judged on the following:  pitch, rhythm, intonation (singing in tune), and musicality. 

            This year the auditions will be held on Sept. 29. A bus will be provided for this trip unless you would like to take your child yourself.  However, parents are not allowed in the audition area.  Once all of the results from the auditions are tabulated, they will be posted on the website www.mtva.org.  -you can also go to the mtva website and gather more information about this event and other events that we will participate in each year.

 Who is eligible to audition? 

            Any Freshman who is enrolled in a choral ensemble is eligible to audition for Freshman Honors Choir.  Any upperclassman who is enrolled in either Women’s Ensemble or Concert Choir may audition for Mid-State Choir.  Students must practice in class, as well as on their own.  If a student is not prepared, is not singing on pitch, or has been a discipline problem, that student will not be allowed to attend the audition. 

 Is there a cost?

            There is a $5.00 fee (I know…more fees!) which does NOT stay at Creek Wood.  This is a registration fee and is sent directly to MTVA.  If you would like to write a check, make it payable to CWHS.  I will issue a check for the entire registration amount to MTVA. This is due no later than Sept. 5th. If a student does not attend the audition or does not make Mid-State, that fee is not refundable.  Students who are riding the bus will also need money for a meals. 

 If my child is selected for one of these groups, what happens next?

            Students who are selected are given additional pieces to learn for Mid-State, which will be taught to them at school.  On Nov. 15th, students will travel to a designated location and will rehearse during the day and perform in a concert that evening.  It is always a lot of fun for them!  Of the students who are selected for Mid-State, those with top scores will go on to All-State.  If your child is selected for All-State as well (which is a tremendous honor as it is statewide), I will contact you with more information.  All-State is open only to sophomores, juniors, and seniors. 

 Auditioning for one of these groups is strictly voluntary!  If you need more information, you can always call me at school (740-6007 is my office number), or you can email me at lbenton@dcbe.org

 Thank you for your time and support! 

Lisa Benton, Choral Director