General Overview of Each Ensemble

6th Choir

The 6th Grade Choir meets once a week. It is a choir of primarily unchanged voices. The choir sings primarily 2-part music, but often will split to 3-part. The choir performs two concerts during the year, one in December and the other in April. In addition to the two concerts, students prepare the National Anthem for a sporting event. In the past it has been an Iowa Cubs game and it will continue as long as the opportunity is open to them. Students receive a pass or failing grade for choir.

7th Choir

The 7th Grade Choir meets twice a week. The treble and bass clef choirs meet separately every other Wednesday and is a requirement of those that are in choir. 7th Grade Choir is a choir of changed and unchanged voices. The choir sings primarily 3-part music (soprano, alto, cambiata-baritone). All students in choir are required to take a voice lesson once a week where they focus on technique, sight-reading, and repertoire. The choir performs two concerts during the year, one in December and the other in April. In addition to the two home concerts, the choir also prepares and attends a choral festival as an ensemble. There are many other additional opportunities which students participate in including show choir, boys choir, girls choir, OPUS honor choir, and other honor choirs. Please see choir handbook for details on how grades are calculated.

8th Choir

The 8th Grade Choir meets twice a week. The treble and bass clef choirs meet separately every other Wednesday and is a requirement of those that are in choir. 7th Grade Choir is a choir of changed and unchanged voices. It is a choir of primarily changed voices. The choir sings primarily 3-part - 4-part music with an emphasis on 4-part(SATB) during the second semester. All students in choir are required to take a voice lesson once a week where they focus on technique, sight-reading, and repertoire. The choir performs three concerts during the year, one in December, one in April, and one in May with the High School ensembles. In addition to the three home concerts, the choir also prepares for a special event or opportunity at the end of the year. In addition to the two home concerts, the choir also prepares and attends a choral festival as an ensemble. There are many other additional opportunities which students participate in including show choir, boys choir, girls choir, OPUS honor choir, and other honor choirs. Please see choir handbook for details on how grades are calculated.

Treble Clef Choir

The Treble Clef choir meets once every two weeks during 10th period. It is a requirement for those in 7th or 8th Choir that they participate in either the Treble or Bass Clef Choirs. Those in 6th Grade Choir have the opportunity to participate in Bass or Treble Clef choirs in the Spring, but it is optional. The choir primarily sings music written in 2-3 parts. Music is written in Treble Clef ranges. Ranges will be appropriate for voices that are unchanged and changing. Songs will be varied genres of music. The ensemble performs in the December and April concerts.

Bass Clef Choir

The Bass Clef choir meets once every two weeks during 10th period. It is a requirement for those in 7th or 8th Choir that they participate in either the Treble or Bass Clef Choirs. Those in 6th Grade Choir have the opportunity to participate in Bass or Treble Clef choirs in the Spring, but it is optional. The choir primarily sings music written in 2-3 parts. Music is written in Bass Clef ranges. Ranges will be appropriate for voices that are unchanged and changing. Songs will be varied genres of music. The ensemble performs in the December and April concerts.

Show Choir (Extracurricular)

Show choir is a non-auditioned group of 7th Grade or 8th Grade Choir participants willing to put forth 100% effort and attend all rehearsals. In order to participate in show choir you must be in 7th or 8th Grade Choir. Show Choir starts in late October and ends in late February. Due to personal equipment needs, there is a financial obligation for this ensemble. Attendance and timeliness are necessary to ensure success of the group. In order to learn and perform the show, all students must be present and attentive. Rehearsals are primarily before school. There are some rehearsals scheduled for choreography sessions and other needs of the group. Members of this group serve as representatives of our school, so quality character is a must for membership.