When does chorus meet to rehearse?

Chorus meets as one giant ensemble on Thursday mornings from 8:25-9:15.  Be sure your child has their chorus binder if they've brought it home. 

When does the chorus get to perform?

We only have three concerts this year and they are MANDATORY so please plan accordingly.  Nothing makes me sadder than a student who puts in months of effort and isn't able to sing with the group and for an audience.  Parents, I count on you to prioritize this so everyone - students, families, and friends - can enjoy the best performance possible.  Mark your calendars! as soon as I send you concrete dates!

Wednesday, Jan. 28 -Winter Concert at Glenbrook Middle School at 7 PM

Snow date Thursday, Jan.16

Townwide Choral Concert - Tuesday, March, 10 Longmeadow High School

Snow date Wednesday, March 11

Wednesday, June 3 - Spring Concert at Glenbrook Middle School at 7 PM

Students will need to arrive by 6:45 at GMS to check-in, warm up, and find their spots on the steps. GMS is the location for the Winter and Spring Concerts.  The townwide concert is at the high school.

What should singers wear to their concerts?

Students should plan to wear concert dress which is white tops, black shoes, and black bottoms (pants or at least knee-length skirts because the chorus sits on steps during the concert).  Any student may wear a fun tie if they'd like to. :)

Always practice good breathing form – a smooth, even, and constant air stream.

Smooth - no bumps or shaky motions in the air stream.

Even - to move the air stream evenly over a given amount of time (inhale for four counts and exhale for four).

Constant - the air is in constant motion – like a golf swing, not stopping at the top or bottom (sometimes a beginner student will inhale, hold the breath, and then explode it out causing missed notes and producing explosive attacks).

Begin by releasing tension in the upper body. Use basic stretches (reaching up to the sky; rolling shoulders, etc.) to release tension.

1. Flop Over – this helps the player understand where the air goes upon inhaling. Flop the body over and hang down like a rag doll. Let the arms and head hang loose. Take a deep breath filling the belly and chest. Feel the body rise with the inhalation and fall with the exhalation. You can feel and see the body rise and fall with each breath. This indicates a correct “low breath”.

2. Blowing Out Candles – Hold one finger in front of your mouth. Imagine blowing out a candle. Take a full inhale and a full exhale. Blow out two candles (bigger breath), three candles and then four (bigger breath each time).

3. Smooth Flow – Raise the arms out sideways from body, reaching to the sky on the inhale, lower evenly on the exhale. At mm=60, inhale (raising arms) for 6 counts, then exhale (lowering arms evenly) for 6 counts. Make this a continuous flow exercise, moving from 6 counts into 7 counts, 8, 9, 10, consecutively. This is good for calming the nerves and realizing smooth form.

4. Monitor System – Monitor the smooth, even, and constant form of the air. Hold two fingers vertically in front of your mouth, lightly touching your lips. Inhale using an “OH” shape, then exhale onto the palm of the hand using a bit of resistance at the lips (There should only be resistance at the lips, not in the throat) to feel the even and constant stream of air. With a metronome set at 80, practice inhaling for four counts and exhaling for four counts with the monitor system.

5. Wind Pattern – combine smooth airflow with articulation. Place the palm of your hand in front of mouth, approximately 6 inches away. Blow the articulations on the palm of the hand using a smooth, even and constant stream of air. Breathe where necessary. This exercise should be used in combination with the music being played. Do the appropriate wind pattern corresponding to the music then return to the music and apply the correct air to play the passage.