Choir Parents, here is a letter from two of our NMS Choir parents to all of you!  -Mrs. A & Mr. N

Hi everyone!  We hope you had a great Thanksgiving and are catching some great Black Friday deals/Football/or nap time!  While we are catching our breath we wanted to touch base with you on a few things before our week hits the ground running on Monday.

Because we are down to 3 weeks before the Christmas Concerts (deep cleansing breath…1…2…3..)  we thought we would see if any of our parents, grandparents, or guardians would be interested in volunteering to help lead sectional rehearsals during our choir classes.   Each choir class is divided into sections like the Sopranos, the Altos and the Baritone voices.  When we divide the kids and rehearse them alone in their own vocal parts they can learn music so much faster.  Right now, kids are learning choreography, vocal parts to their songs, and their solo and ensemble pieces in class so time is of the essence!  Most of the Christmas music is very simple to read and requires only basic piano skills.  So, if you have an hour or two to spare during the school day, you can play the piano, you like to sing, and you enjoy kids you may have a lot of fun leading a sectional or two.  Just click on the Signup Genius tab to see information on being a sectional leader and pick the days and times and grades you would like to work with.  If you would like a copy of the music we are working on in advance just send us a quick email and we can give it to your child a few days before your sectional rehearsal. (armingtonj@mcsin-k12.org)

Secondly, we just wanted to remind you that all ISSMA Vocal and Piano Solo and Ensemble entries are due by this coming Wednesday, November 30 at 8:30 a.m.  All solo entries must be turned in with the fee payment.  Ensemble entries just require a parent signature and the $5 fee will be requested once the ensemble groups have been set for this year.

Christmas concert tickets will be going on sale December 7th in all choir classes.  Tickets are $2.   When you send in your money for your tickets please make sure that your child knows what show time you want the tickets for.  We are having a 5:00 show and a 7:30 p.m. show.  We have never had 2 shows on a Thursday before, so we encourage everyone to purchase their tickets in advance.  We tend to sell out for at least one performance every year and the second show is almost packed out as well.  We will be having the show video taped by IPM productions.  They are an excellent company that we have worked with for years.  DVD’s and Blue Rays will be available for purchase after each show.  Delivery will be the week we return to school after Christmas Break.

That’s all for now.  Enjoy the rest of your weekend!  Sincerely, Mrs. Armington

Check out the photos Mrs. Cushwa took behind the scenes and during the Just The Guys Concert on our facebook page!  Thanks, Mrs. C!!!

ISSMA Entries need to be turned in by Nov. 30.

Christmas Concert Conflict Forms are due by Tuesday, Nov. 22.

Everybody have a wonderful Thanksgiving.  We’re thankful for you!

Subliminal message:  Bean crock, chaperones, bean crock, chaperones,  help, chaperones,  emergency, chaperones, bean crock, christmas chaperones, chaos or christmas cheer, need chaperone’s with beans.  no , just chaperones.

We will be sending home this letter on Tuesday.  In case it doesn’t make it into your hands we thought we would send a copy to you using Santa’s Cyber Sleigh!  It has all of the Christmas Dates for our choir students, a few reminders, and one earnest plea.  (O.k. we are all out begging at this point 🙂  Click here:  christmas-parent-letter-1

And as we head towards Thanksgiving, we need to stop and say a heart felt thank you to all of you parents.  Our kids are too young to understand all that you are doing for them, but we know.  The extra trips you make when your schedule is insane anyway,  the baking of cookies after a long day at work, burning your fingers with a glue gun and sparkling your entire living room with glitter while making a ga-zillion locker decorations, trying to fit grumpy teenagers into concert clothes after going to three stores just to find a pair of black pants.   We are the ones that see their faces when they squeal with delight at the sight of a locker decoration, or give a collective satisfied sigh after being given a cookie.  We get to see them squirm with happy embarrassment when we tell them how nice they look before we walk out on stage or tell them that their practice paid off after their wonderful performance.  So, WE will thank you for all that you do to help us help your kids !  Sincerely, Mrs. A

A few things before tomorrow…

Thank you to everyone who has signed up to volunteer at the Swing Fry event. Each of you are the reason we can continue to have this fun and successful fundraiser every year! Your time is appreciated more that you know. If you need to verify your shift time or location, please refer to the sign up page:

http://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c054eafa828a6f58-swingfry (cut and paste this link)

If possible, we ask for our volunteers to wear black and white. Don’t go out and buy new clothes for your volunteer shift though! Set up crew, clean up crew, and anyone whose shift involves being outside should just wear comfortable clothing.

Donation Information: Your bake sale and silent auction donations are so appreciated! Please drop off your bake sale items in the south lobby by the high school auditorium between the following times:

Friday 11/4/16 between 4:00 PM and 8:00 PM

Saturday 11/5/16 between 9:00 AM and 1:00 PM

Silent Auction items can also be dropped off Friday evening!

We have a great Silent Auction! Don’t forget to bring your checkbook so you can pick up your auction items at the end of the evening!

Well, they said it couldn’t be done.  They said I was crazy!  Ok, the second rumor has been proven to be true, but LOCK-IN 2016 was so so fun!  Our 8th grade girls were unbelievable.  They didn’t stop until I said “It’s 3:15 time for lights out”, a few giggles, phone texts, and within 15 minutes I heard nothing but purrs, a few snorers, and one sleep talker.  Thank you to the 4 bravest choir moms in Middlebury:  Mrs. Worland,  Mrs. Drepin, Mrs. Brewer, and Mrs. Whitaker!  They added to our fun, and held in there until the last phone light clicked off!

Here is a sneak peak!

Please click this link for a preview of the letter being sent out this week.  You will find rehearsal information, performance times, and details that will help you plan for this exciting occasion!  See you soon!!  Mrs. A

swingfry-parent-letter