2020-2021 Blair choral ensembles
To register for SY20-21 ensembles, please fill out THIS FORM
URL: https://forms.gle/WpjkSgLVEK3pgsDw5
This page is outdated as of February 20, stay tuned for more info or e-mail Ms. H-C at isabel_hernandez-cata@mcpsmd.org
Thank you to all who auditioned, for your enthusiasm, musicality, and patience with the process. I regret that I was not able to select more than half of the sopranos, altos, and basses who auditioned for Chamber Singers, in the interest in maintaining some measure of sectional balance within the ensemble. All of you brought something very special to the auditions and would be an asset to whatever choral organization you are a part. I truly hope that all of you who auditioned will do so again, if possible, and meanwhile consider performing with Show Choir or Chorus 2. Both ensembles are now honors level classes (read: extra point on weighted GPA) and will travel this year (details being worked out this summer). Please feel free to e-mail me with any questions about other choirs or anything else.
Sincerely,
Mrs. Hernandez-Cata
isabel_hernandez-cata@mcpsmd.org.
MBHS Chamber Singers 2019-2020
Treble (Soprano 1, Soprano 2, Alto breakdown TBD)
Roshawyna Chambers
Sophia Chen
Reid Duran
Cecelia Dworak
Caitlyn Forte
Karis Kracke-Bock
Sophia Leonessa
Audrey Li
Adelin Melendez
Kara Nguyen
Jadelyn Ramirez
Izzy Sharp
Fiona Vicary
Lilian Zhou
Bass (TBB breakdown TBD)
Bryan Calderon Lemus
Ethan Coffin
Noel Jacob
De Andre Johnson
Dhruv Pai
Carsten Portner
Peter Zhang
If your name is on this list, congratulations and I look forward to making lots of music with you next year. Please join the Remind group (text @blaircham to 81010 and the Google Classroom - code: cjmlpy
Audition & placement information for Choral Ensembles – School Year 2019-2020
The last round of auditions for 2019-2020 choral ensembles will take place beginning May 28
(Please note changes in red!!)
ALL interested students must register here in order to receive audition updates!
Here's the URL in case the link above didn't work. https://goo.gl/forms/1XiThz0Lg3PIsUso2
No audition is necessary for Chorus 1A/B, but we do require a desire to learn to sing with an ensemble.
For Chorus 2A/2B, you just need a recommendation from your most recent chorus director. Have him or her e-mail Mrs. Hernandez-Cata at isabel_hernandez-cata@mcpsmd.org Alternatively, you may complete an individual vocal audition similar to the ones described below for Show Choir and/or Chamber Singers.
Show Choir and Chamber Singers audition Info
All auditions will take place at Montgomery Blair HS in Room 016 unless otherwise indicated.
Show Choir:
· Individual Vocal Audition by appointment (or after dance audition for new students):
· Sing a brief vocal solo in a pop, broadway, jazz, gospel, country or R&B style. You may bring recorded accompaniment (on your phone or on a CD), accompany yourself, bring piano music for Miss H-C, or sing a cappella
· DANCE audition
· you only need to go to one of dance workshops, but you are welcome to attend more if you'd like more practice before you perform the routine for your audition.
Dance workshops will be held at the following times:
Tuesday, 5/28; 2:30-4:30pm
Thursday, 5/30; 2:30-4:30pm
You do not need to attend an entire workshop, but you should plan to stay long enough to learn a brief dance routine which you will perform to demonstrate stage presence, expressiveness, and basic dancing ability. If you are an experienced dancer, you will have opportunity to show off any specific dance or tumbling skills you have (this is optional, but if you wish to take this option you can also bring your own music). Auditions are rolling and you may decide to take an hour to learn the audition routine or if you are a quick study, though some folks are in and out in less.
Chamber Singers (3-part audition):
1. Return signed contract (available for download at the bottom of this page)
2. Individual Vocal Audition (by appointment)
· Range check/vocalises.
· Sing a very brief vocal solo (unaccompanied, can be from a choral piece previously performed).
· Perform some melodic and rhythmic sight reading passages as well as some pitch matching exercises to assess aural skills.
3. Ensemble Auditions (to assess blend, part independence, and intonation)
· Each prospective Chamber Singer must attend at least one of the lunch sessions.
They will be during periods 5&6 in Rooms 005 or 016 - Tuesday, June 4th and Wednesday, June 5th (preferably Wednesday). Please contact me immediately if this is a problem.
Students transferring from another school should contact Ms. H-C make an appointment for an alternate time to complete both parts of the audition.
· Punctuality is highly encouraged, so please bring a bag lunch if possible so you don't lose half the lunch period in the cafeteria line.
· Students will sing their part of Fair Phyllis by John Farmer (available for download at the bottom of this page).
Copies of the selection & contracts will be available outside Room 016 as well.
Questions? Contact Miss H-C.
Room 016, isabel_hernandez-cata@mcpsmd.org or 301-649-2839
On Remind app: Ms. Hernandez-Cata
On Twitter: @mshcmusic
VERY IMPORTANT – DON’T LOSE your music class TO A SCHEDULE CONFLICT! Because of clarification we received from MCPS Rockville, students should be able to postpone taking two courses that have often created schedule conflicts in prior years, which forced students to drop music classes for one or two semesters.
HEALTH: Students may “…take the course in Grade 10 or later than Grade 10—possibly online during the school years when they are enrolled in 10, 11, or 12. Note that only one section of online Health is offered each spring, with priority enrollment for seniors; a limited number of slots are available to underclassmen each spring. After Grade 9, students also may take Health in summer school or online during the summer.”
FOUNDATIONS OF TECHNOLOGY: “While Foundations of Technology has been designed as a Grade 9 course, the course bulletin shows that the course can be taken in Grades 9-12. It also is available online during the summer as early as the summer before Grade 9.” ****If the correct music class does not appear on your schedule, YOU SHOULD CONTACT YOUR COUNSELOR AS SOON AS YOU DISCOVER THE PROBLEM (EVEN OVER THE SUMMER) TO CHANGE YOUR SCHEDULE.