ROYLE CHORUS 2022-23

Royle School Music

Miss Kathleen Theisen, Music Teacher & Chorus Director

ktheisen@darienps.org (203)655-0044 x4892

BLOG: https://sites.google.com/a/darienps.org/roylemusic/

ONLINE REGISTRATION FOR CHORUS: https://forms.gle/5rmfgkEJrtGCqXVEA

All 4th and 5th graders from the Royle Family are invited to join the ROYLE CHORUS! This group rehearses before school every Thursday from 7:35-8:15 AM in the common room. There is no audition. In the chorus, the students will learn musicianship skills, sight-reading, vocal techniques, and much more. It is a great way for students to explore their talents as part of a ‘team’ (ensemble) and have a lot of fun along the way!

SUMMARY:

Royle Chorus - Thursday mornings - 7:35 - 8:15AM (Drop off: 7:20-7:35 at front door)

BEGINS ON September 15 and ends the final week of school.

Rehearsals will be cancelled if there is a delayed opening or school closing.

CONCERTS :

Veterans Day - TBA in-school performance (for the school)

January 18 - morning TBA - Winter Concert - Royle Common Room (Chorus, Orchestra and Band will perform at this concert.)

Date TBA - sing at a sporting event

June 5 - 7:00 PM - Spring Concert @ Royle Common Room (Chorus, Orchestra and Band will perform at this concert.)

EXTRA OPPORTUNITIES:

Darien Elementary All-Town Chorus

CMEA All-State Elementary Honors Chorus

Young Musicians Festival

CONFLICT?

Do you have a conflict with Thursday mornings? Contact Ms. Theisen

CAN MY CHILD PARTICIPATE IN BAND AND CHORUS or STRINGS and CHORUS?

YES! Throughout the years, many students have sung in chorus AND played in either band or orchestra. Students may not participate in band and orchestra together, but they may combine one instrumental group with one singing group (band + chorus OR band + orchestra.) There are lessons during the school day for band and orchestra where students are pulled out of other classes. Chorus does not have lessons during the school day. It meets only before school.

WHAT WILL WE SING?

We will sing a variety of music from many traditions and styles, including a lot of popular & contemporary music. We will also be incorporating some drumming, percussion, ukulele and dancing into the chorus pieces this year. We will work on theatre games to build 'community' in the group & may even have some 'karaoke' times in the chorus! It’ll be an exciting program in the upcoming months, and I hope that your child will consider participating.

The first rehearsal will be on Thursday, September 15 from 7:35 a.m. until 8:15 a.m. in the Common Room. Students must be on time to rehearsals. Please drop off at the front entrance of the school between 7:20-7:30 PM. We will start singing at 7:35 AM! Parental assistance is greatly appreciated in ensuring that each student arrives at the proper time. Please carpool if possible.

The Chorus will perform at two concerts during the school year. The Royle Winter Concert will be held on January 18. The Spring Concert will be on June 5 at 7:00 p.m. at ROYLE SCHOOL. (not at DHS this year) The CHORUS may also perform at the Veteran’s Day Assembly, on the ice at the Bridgeport Sound Tigers Game or another sporting event, and at other school events as opportunities arise.

There will also be an opportunity for CHORUS members to audition for the district-wide Darien Elementary All-Town Chorus (DEHC), which will perform at an amusement park choral festival in late May/early June. Auditions will take place in January.

Highly-motivated singers are also invited to audition for a state-wide elementary honors chorus, which will be held in the spring in Hartford. Auditions for this group will take place in November. Royle can only take 2-4 students to this event.It is an amazing day of rehearsals that culminate in a performance featuring over 300 students from around the state!

To join CHORUS, please complete this online permission form on or before September 15:

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact me at Royle School: 203-655-0044 ext. 4892 or ktheisen@darienps.org. I look forward to working with our talented young musicians throughout the year!

Sincerely,

Ms. Kathleen Theisen

Here is the letter that was sent home:

Royle School Chorus 2022-23

We invite all 4th and 5th grade students to join the Royle Chorus!

We will begin on THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 15 at 7:35am in the COMMON ROOM.

The purpose of this contract is to establish an understanding of the student responsibilities that accompany membership in the Royle Chorus. Please read this carefully before signing.

Goals:

• To teach students to sing properly and develop their musical and interpretive skills.

• To help students develop an understanding and appreciation for different music styles & genres.

• To provide students with performance opportunities.

• To have FUN!!!! ☺

Guidelines:

• Be on time!!! Rehearsals are held in the Common Room on Thursday mornings from 7:35-8:15 am.
  Drop off at the front doors of the school at 7:30.

• Participate actively and appropriately.

• Attend all performances. Our performance schedule is as follows:

  • Winter Concert: January 18, 2023 - TBD

  • Hockey game or other sporting event: TBD

  • Spring Concert: June 5 - 7:00PM - TBD - at ROYLE SCHOOL (not at DHS this year)

  • There will be other opportunities for in-school performances throughout the year. We will share those with families on video.

****Failure to follow the guidelines above may result in dismissal from Chorus.****

Review this Chorus Contract with a parent/guardian & have parents sign the permission slip. When your parent/guardian has signed the slip below and filled it out completely, detach it and return it to Ms. Theisen. Keep the top part of this form in a safe place where you can easily refer to it.

I look forward to working with your children this year!

Ms. Kathleen Theisen, Royle School Music Teacher & Choral Director

ktheisen@darienps.org

BLOG: https://sites.google.com/a/darienps.org/roylemusic/home

___________________________________________________________________________

Royle Chorus Permission Slip (Please write clearly)

I give permission for my child to participate in Royle Chorus and to attend the rehearsals and concerts. I am aware that a chorus rehearsal will be cancelled in the event of a holiday or snow day/delay. In signing this permission slip, I have read the information and agree to the terms above.

Child’s Full Name _________________________________________________ Grade: ________

Parent / Guardian Signature: ________________________________ Date: ________________

E-mail: _______________________________________________________________________

OR REGISTER ONLINE AT THIS LINK: https://forms.gle/5rmfgkEJrtGCqXVEA

*E-mail & Google Classroom for Chorus will be my primary means of communication to share important chorus information and announcements.*