Choir Camp
Skyline High School Choir Camp @ Interlochen
August 13th - 19th, 2024
Bulletin #1 - Registration Information
Skyline High School’s annual Choir Camp will be held at the world famous National Music Camp at Interlochen, Michigan, August 13-19 with orientation August 12, 2024. As is tradition in the Ann Arbor Public School district, Skyline vocal music students will have seven days of choral music activities with the advantages of the outstanding facilities of the National Music Camp. It will be a wonderful opportunity for students to work together with the director to get the musical school year off to a good start and to set the bar high for continuing development of the vocal music program at Skyline.
It is expected that each vocal music student attend Choir Camp. The benefits of participating in Choir Camp are immense and it will be a wonderful event for all students. The past few years of camp were incredible! Skyline Choir Camp provides meaningful experiences, teaches essential concert and musicianship skills, gives students a chance to get a head’s start on some of the year’s repertoire, prepares students to perform for an audience, affords opportunities to learn from exceptional directors and instructors, teaches the basic skills needed to succeed in Skyline’s music programs, and allows students to begin to build the fundamental skills that will be invaluable to them as they progress through their years in Skyline choirs.
Choir Camp is a significant part of each year in the Skyline vocal music program and is an ideal way for all choir students to make new friends each and every year. The Choir Camp experience enables Skyline choir students to form lasting relationships with fellow students before school begins, making their transition into high school much less intimidating. When a 9th grade choir student walks into Skyline on the first day of school, they will already know many other students, many of whom will share some of the same classes and schedules. Right away, students feel at home both in the choir program and at Skyline High School. In addition, Skyline choir students will have the chance to share their Choir Camp experiences with Skyline band and orchestra students.
ELIGIBILITY: It is expected that anyone enrolled in a Skyline High School vocal music class attend Choir Camp. All singers enrolled in 9th, 10th, 11th, or 12th grade choirs for 2024-2025 school year are invited to attend Choir Camp. Please be sure to get your forms and payment in as soon as possible in order to reserve your spot at choir camp 2024.
CAMP DATES: Tuesday August 13 through Monday, August 19, 2024 with mandatory in-person orientation check-in on August 12, 2024 between 3:00-5:00PM at Skyline AND a mandatory parent/guardian/student camp meeting at 6:00PM on zoom.
STAFF: The conductor of the Skyline High School choral groups, other professional educators, AAPS nurse, and carefully chosen college students (many are Skyline Choir Alumni) will serve as staff.
TRANSPORTATION: We travel to and from Interlochen by commercial charter bus. No student is permitted to drive themselves.
CONCERT: All Skyline and Huron ensembles, Sunday 1:30p.m. - Kresge Auditorium
* Parents and families are welcome to attend!
COST: $500.00 per student ($525 if paid via PayPal). Camp fee may be paid by personal check, money order, or by credit card online (additional fee applies if paying by credit card). If a personal check is returned for insufficient funds, each family will be responsible for the bank fee and must pay the balance with money order. Cancellations may receive a refund minus the $100 deposit.
This fee includes: Charter bus transportation to and from camp, use of all camp facilities, meals, instruction, supervision, Choir Camp T-shirt, and medical facilities/personnel.
Things not included: Money for lunch at a fast food restaurant on the way to and returning from camp, soft-serve ice cream at camp from the Melody Freeze, and souvenirs from the gift shop called the Scholarshop.
NEED-BASED SCHOLARSHIPS: Loans and partial scholarships are available for those who qualify. Contact Mrs. CieChanski. If you are interested in obtaining a scholarship, please submit a Skyline Friends of the Arts (SFA) financial assistance application explaining how much assistance you need. We want every singer to attend and will do what we can to help.
Each year we have many needs for scholarships. If you are able to donate a scholarship in any amount to help a student attend choir camp, it would be very welcome and appreciated. Please make a separate check out to the Skyline Friends of the Arts (SFA) and put in the memo line: Scholarship for choir camp students. Thank you in advance for your help.
SAMPLE SCHEDULE: The details of the week’s schedule have not been finalized. However, the week’s activities will include full choir rehearsals, sectionals, music theory/enrichment, social activities including a talent show, skit night, and dances, as well as a joint concert at the Kresge Auditorium on Sunday.
6:30 a.m. Reveille! Be outside for warm-ups by 6:32!
6:45 a.m. Dress for the day, Cabin Clean Up
7:15 a.m. Breakfast
8:00 a.m. Warm-up/Full Choir Rehearsal
10:20 a.m. Break/walk to Rotunda
10:30 a.m. Sectional Rehearsal
12:00 p.m. Lunch
1:00 p.m. Theory/Sight Reading Class
2:45 p.m. Sectionals and/or Full Choir Rehearsal
3:15 p.m. Free Time
5:15 p.m. Dinner
6:15-8:20 p.m. Full Choir Rehearsal
8:30 p.m. Evening social activity
10:00 p.m. Cabin check, quiet time!
10:30 p.m. Lights out
EQUIPMENT & CLOTHING: You may bring one suitcase and one sleeping bag or bedroll. (We recommend twin size sheets and blankets. It is easier to adjust to temperature changes.) Wear shoes that are comfortable for walking and standing in rehearsal.
Make sure everything is clearly marked with YOUR NAME and ANN ARBOR SKYLINE CHOIR and securely closed, tied and/or fastened. This is very important! Lots of suitcases and bedrolls look the same!
Sample Packing List:
Sweatshirts
Sleeping bag or 3 blankets & sheets (twin size)
Sweater or light coat
Slacks or jeans
Raincoat/umbrella
Towels
Pillow
Wash cloth
Swim suit
Toothbrush & paste
Comfortable shoes
Flashlight
Aluminum/stainless steel water bottle
Pencils!
Sport shoes & socks
Shorts
Sport shirts
Black dress shirt/polo/blouse
Black dress shoes & socks/hose
Black trousers/skirt
Skyline Blue accents for concert attire (i.e. Jewelry, scarves, headbands, shirt, etc.)
Soap & shampoo
Underwear
Medications
Pajamas
Money for lunch on the way there and back and for the camp store (optional)
Shoes must be worn at all times on the bus and at camp.
Masks
Concert attire includes a black dress shirt (blouse, button down, polo) or a Skyline Blue dress shirt with black dress pants/long black skirt and black dress shoes (leggings are not dress pants! Knees must be covered) Skyline Blue accents may be worn. No T-shirts, jeans, or shorts are to be worn for performances.
Daily camp attire will consist of slacks, jeans, or shorts. Strapless tops and dresses are not permitted at Interlochen Music Camp and shirts must be worn at all times. Skyline School dress code applies. Please use good judgment when packing. Also, remember an aluminum water bottle and several pencils for rehearsal.
Choir Camp Procedures and Policies
**PENDING 2024 UPDATES AAPS Interlochen Health and COVID Mitigation Plan 2022 - For Summer 2022, masking is optional for all students and anyone visiting the Interlochen campus. We will follow AAPS current rules for masking: Wear a face mask on the bus and indoors when Washtenaw County is in the Red/High Level. Face masks are not required outdoors. Indoor masking requirements are based on the CDC’s community alert levels for Washtenaw County: Green (low) = masks are optional indoors, Yellow (medium) = masks are optional indoors , Red (high) = masks are required indoors. AAPS is “Mask Friendly” because we know that some families/students are more comfortable continuing to mask, especially while indoors.
REGULATIONS “No student is allowed to smoke, consume alcoholic beverages, consume cannabis products, or use illegal drugs during their time at camp. Students are not to leave the Interlochen Music Camp grounds at any time, or their cabin after taps or before reveille."
We are representing our community, the Skyline VPAA Department, Ann Arbor Public Schools, and most importantly Skyline Choirs and ourselves. Good judgment and exceptional behavior is expected from each and every Skyline student at all times. All Skyline rules and regulations will be enforced. Any student who fails to conform to those rules or to accept staff direction and supervision will be sent home at their expense, without refund of tuition.
Students are expected to be at all scheduled events and rehearsals. Attendance at all meals is mandatory. Adhere to the daily itinerary and carry it with you at all times!
We walk to all meals TOGETHER.
A clean cabin means: Bed is made, clothes and toiletries are secured inside of your luggage, garbage is removed, cabin floor is swept, towels are hung, and FOOD is NOT present.
Cell phones may ONLY be used during free time, not during rehearsal, meals, evening activities, etc. Assume you will NOT have internet access! Failure to comply will result in confiscation of the cell phone until the conclusion of camp. Parents-Free time is from 3:20-5:15PM daily. Please contact your children then. Emergencies should be directed to Mrs. CieChanski or Interlochen directly.
Each participant in Skyline Choir Camp, including staff, must wear their nametag in a visible place above the waist, whenever you leave your cabin.
The following activities are not permitted at camp:
Hazing of any sort; harassment, ridicule or initiations.
Alcohol, drugs (illegal drugs AND those NOT listed on your medical forms), and cigarettes are strictly forbidden. Smoking is NOT allowed, even for staff or students who are 18. Any student found in possession of these items will be faced with serious consequences including, but not limited to, disciplinary action deemed appropriate by Skyline policy, being barred from the week’s events, and being sent home at your parents’ expense. Participating in any illegal activities (including the above) will result in serious consequences.
Leaving your cabin after cabin check or before reveille without a counselor.
Leaving the Interlochen Music Camp grounds without signed parental permission, adult supervision, and confirmation of destination and return time by Skyline Choir Camp staff member. This provision is only for cases of emergency, or if a situation was arranged in writing BEFORE camp.
Fights of any kind, including water and food fights.
Entering a cabin you are not assigned without permission of a staff member. No one should be inside a cabin other than their own for any reason. No exceptions, if you need something from someone, wait OUTSIDE! Also, you may not be inside your cabin for any reason without notifying your counselor or without supervision by a counselor.
It is imperative that cooperation and a good attitude be displayed at all times with the directors, counselors, Interlochen personnel, bus drivers, fellow students, and members of the Skyline, Huron, and Pioneer ensembles in terms of public safety, moral discretion, and the expectations set forth in these rules.
Do not bring valuables with you to camp! Mrs. CieChanski, Mrs. Hochella and your counselors are NOT going to be responsible for your stuff! Do not leave your money unsecured in your cabin.
Reminder-Skyline Choir is NUT-FREE. No Peanuts or Tree nuts allowed!
REGISTRATION due by May 24, 2024
Please read the information below carefully and submit your forms with your $100.00 deposit by Friday, May 24th, 2024
REQUIRED FORMS, DEPOSIT, and COPIES:
Return the following asap to hold your place to attend camp this year. Space cannot be guaranteed for those registering after that date, however, please contact Mrs. CieChanski if you have missed the deadline as spots might still be available. You may turn paperwork and money in anytime before these deadlines. If you prefer to pay in full that is fine. Any other payment arrangements should be discussed with Mrs. CieChanski.
1) REGISTRATION FORM (Online Google Form- https://forms.gle/moVLhCPshAVM1wbT6 )
2) PARENT NOTIFICATION AND PERMISSION FORM (Print and sign)
3) HEALTH FORM (Print and fill out)
The Medical Form MUST be signed by a physician regardless of medication needs. Please contact Mrs. CieChanski ASAP if you have any questions about this.
4) NON-REFUNDABLE CAMP DEPOSIT $100 - Check or money order made out to Skyline Friends of the Arts (SFA). (Memo Line should include Choir Camp 2024) or pay online by credit card ($105 if paid via PayPal with $420 balance if paid via PayPal). *Total cost of the camp is $500 ($525 if paying via PayPal). Final payment is due by July 12, 2024
5) A Copy of your child’s current Health Insurance Card
6) A Copy of your child’s COVID-19 Vaccination card if you would like to be exempt from rapid antigen testing at camp.
Forms may be emailed to: ciechanl@aaps.k12.mi.us OR
Mail any payments and forms to:
Skyline Choir Camp 2024 c/o Lyn CieChanski
2552 N. Maple
Ann Arbor, MI 48103
SUMMER COMMUNICATIONS: Bulletin #2 will be emailed to all families in late June. It will include further detailed instructions about camp. All summer communications will be made via email. It is imperative that parents provide a working email address in order to receive further information about choir camp. All forms will be available on the Skyline Choir website as well.
Choir Camp is going to be an incredible experience! If you have ANY questions, please don’t hesitate to contact Mrs. CieChanski at ciechanl@aaps.k12.mi.us.