Chorus

5th and 6th Grade Chorus

Singing is a very personal art form. It gives students an opportunity, not available from any other activity, to express themselves through music that comes from inside. Our program seeks to guide students in understanding the value of such an activity. We give them the tools to develop their personal best singing voice and help them understand that their ultimate goal is the joy of singing in a group. Through choral singing, students create connections to other students, to our culture and history, to cultures around the world, to their audience, and to themselves.

All students who wish to sing in chorus may do so!!!

Ms. Aileen Marsh, RFIS Chorus Director

Hello FRSD Students, Families, and Community! I am so pleased to work and sing with students at RFIS; 5th and 6th graders bring such joy into their singing! I have been teaching in Flemington since 1999 and at RFIS since its inception in 2005.

I believe that music has so many gifts to offer us, helping us celebrate the good times and cope with the difficult times, helping us mark our sadness and celebrate our happiness, and most of all helping us connect to each other and to our own humanity. I work with a great team of music teachers who care deeply about the wellbeing of all of our musicians. Music can bring so many positive things into students' lives!

A little bit about me: I grew up on a farm in PA and am married with 3 children and a dog named Nemo. I currently live in Hopewell Township, NJ. I love to sing (obviously), and I love all kinds of chocolate (hint, hint)! :-)

Procedure for discontinuing involvement in chorus:

Students who wish to "drop out" of chorus may do so only at these designated times:

5th graders - in the first 2 weeks of school (in September), after the first concert (last week of January), or at the very end of the year (in anticipation for 6th grade)
6th graders - in the first 2 weeks of school (in September), or after the first concert (last week of January)

These guidelines protect the continuity of the group learning and curriculum as well as the very complicated scheduling process. Just as students would not quit a soccer team, for instance, in the middle of a season, choral students are expected to complete our concert season before asking to change their schedules.

All drops require written permission (on paper or email) from a parent.

New Jersey All State Honor Choir Information

Any current chorus member may audition for the NJ Elementary Honor Choir. Auditioning students choose to try out either as a Treble 1 (slightly higher), Treble 2 (in the middle), or Treble 3 (slightly lower), depending on what is most comfortable for each student's voice. Student auditions will be recorded by Ms. Marsh and include the following parts:

1. Scale1 (on "ah") - this is a 5-note scale, up and down, in the lower part of your voice

2. Scale 2 (on "ah") - this is a 5-note scale, up and down, in the higher part of your voice

3. Excerpt from an assigned folk song (changes each year)

Music to practice: *Remember, you must PRACTICE THIS MUSIC ON YOUR OWN!!

1. Scales

TIPS: Do not rush. Use a nice, TALL and FORWARD sound. Practice singing through phrases on one long breath. To get the right relaxed feeling, practice while lying on the floor on your back.

Treble 1 Scale 1: click here

Treble 1 Scale 2: click here

Treble 2 Scale 1: click here

Treble 2 Scale 2: click here

Treble 3 Scale 1: click here

Treble 3 Scale 2: click here

2. Assigned Song Excerpt *STAY TUNED FOR 2026 INFORMATION*

Lyrics:

My life flows on, in endless song

Above earth's lamentation.

I hear the real though far-off song

That hails a new creation.

Treble 1 (starting pitch middle C): Ms. Marsh demo piano hints check your pitch

Treble 2 (starting pitch B flat below middle C): Ms. Marsh demo piano hints check your pitch

Treble 3 (starting pitch A flat below middle C): Ms. Marsh demo piano hints check your pitch

Page updated

Report abuse