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Have a love for Singing? Enjoy making music with others? Looking to make lasting memories, friends and a place to let your personality shine?
THE AMS CHORUS IS FOR YOU!!!!
Check out the info below!
HOW TO JOIN!
Rising 6th Grade - Incoming 6th grader students should sign up at the google link below. Mrs. Collis will reach out to the email you provide with more information! Those who have signed up will receive their beginning of the year packet and paperwork at open house and/or the first day of classes!
Turn in paperwork last year? Mrs. Collis will reach out to you with your next steps. You will also receive a beginning of year packet and paperwork at orientation/open house/or first day of school!
Rising 7th & 8th Grade - Students who did not participate in chorus in 6th grade do require an audition with Mrs. Collis at the end of the previous school year. To be considered for the fall you must have either: participated in chorus your 6th grade year either at AMS or your previous school, OR have in General Music/Modern Band Class with Mrs. Collis at AMS. Students who do not meet those requirements are still able to audition in the spring if they sign up for general music/modern band class in the fall!
RETURNING MEMBERS: You will receive your beginning of the year packet/paperwork at open house/first day of classes!
2026-2027
Beginning of the Year!
2026-2027
New AND Returning students please, fill out the forms at the links below. The Surveys are digital and the other documents can either be emailed: collisr@pitt.k12.nc.us or turned in by Sept. 4th!
(The printed documents will be handed out at orientation/open house/first day of classes)
(please, be sure to read the chorus handbook above before signing the contract!)
(hand out or digitally send to community organizations and businesses to help minimize trip costs for our students!)
Performance/Trip Schedule
2026-2027
(be sure to check in frequently as performances dates/times will be updated throughout the year!)
FALL
NC Honors Chorus Auditions - (auditioned) - Sept. 30th
Youth Arts Festival Performance/Participation - Oct. 17th - time tbd
Fine Arts Trip - ECU School of Theatre & Dance - Frankensein Play - Oct. 23rd
"Let Freedom Sing" Thank You Veterans' Tour to local nursing homes - Nov. tbd
NC Honors Chorus Festival (for those who made it!) - Nov. 6th-8th
Veterans' Day Ceremony in Ayden - Nov. 11th - 1:00pm
Ayden Christmas town Caroling - Dec. 3rd - 5:30pm
Caroling trip to local Nursing Homes - Dec. - tbd
Winter Concert - Dec. 15
SPRING
Middlefest - Fri/Sat. in March (audition only)
All County Honors Chorus - March 4th (audition only)
Spring NCMEA ALL-STATE Chorus Festival - Fri/Sat. in March (audition only)
Music in the Parks Trip/Competition (Kings Dominion) - May 8th
Spring Concert - May 11th - 6:00pm - 8:00pm
Fine Arts Banquet (8th Grade Only) - June tbd
Awards Ceremony (8th Grade performs) - June tbd
PERFORMANCE OPPORTUNITIES
2026-2027
Rehearsals & Performances
Weekly
Tuesday/Thursday
7:30am - 8:15am
(during earlybird)
Once a month after school
Mrs. Collis will send out a survey at the beginning of the month and the date with the most available will be chosen!
Added Performances
Again, Mrs. Collis will send out a google survey to see who is available for performances added that are not currently part of the chorus performance calendar!
AMS Show Choir
The AMS Show Choir is an auditioned group. Auditions are held at the end of the previous school year and then again before the spring semester. You must have participated in a music class at AMS to be eligible to audition.
Audition for the next school year happen at the beginning of June. All members are required to re-audition
Show Choir performs in our Concerts and Competes during our Spring Music in the Parks Competition. Theyare also our chorus representatives in the community and perform more outside of the school!
Students are required to Sing and Dance and are expected to be very expressive and resonate in their singing. It combines many elements of performing and is a high energy ensemble to be a part of!
Pitt County Youth Arts Festival
October 17th
South Central High School
The Ayden Elementary and Middle School choruses combined to perform at the Youth Arts Festival each year. It is typically held at South Central. This a wonderful day of making music and listening to other groups. There are a variety of different arts activities and booth to visit. Also, (the kids favorite part) a variety of food trucks to grab a tasty lunch. Everyone is highly encouraged to attend this community events and support the arts within our county!
NCMEA All-State Honors Chorus
Audition Registration Due. Sept.4th
Audition Date - Oct. 1st - Campbell University During the School Day
NCMEA Honors Chorus Festival - Nov. 7th - 9th - Winston, Salem
(auditioned)
Being in the NCMEA State honors chorus is a great privalege and honor. Last year we have our first member in over 15 years audition and make it! We are continuing to challenge our students to reach for the stars and grow their skills which in turn will continue to grow the choral program. The music selected is at a much higher level and more is expected from our students! Students are required to learn an audition with a learned audition piece and sight sing. Mrs. Collis works on this both of these elements in class and outside of rehearsal. Students must pass an in-class audition first before signing up for the audition. After students audition Mrs. Collis will receive their result. Students who make it will receive their music and registration information. Since this is the beginning of the year there is no practice average requirement however, if a student does not have their music prepared prior to event they will not be eligible to attend!
Veterans' Day Performances
Veterans Day Ceremony & "Let Freedom Sing Tour"
November 11th - 1:00pm
The Ayden attendance area music departments join in celebrating our Veterans within our community! We participate in the Ayden Veterans Day ceremony together. The chorus and show additional tour the community and visit local retirement homes to honor veterans who may not have been able to attend the ceremony!
Holiday Performances in the Community!
Ayden Christmas town and Caroling
End of Nov. - Mid. Dec.
We enjoy getting to share music with our community! There are a variety of opportunities to perform for the Holidays. We participate in Ayden Christmastown each year by caroling during the event. The Chorus leads caroling at the stage before the parade and there are plans for the show choir to travel around and carol throughout the event!
We also love to carol and provide concerts for local retirement homes and community organization. If you have a request for a performance spot this year please, reach out to Mrs. Collis!
Winter Showcase
Dec. 15th
6:00pm - 8:00pm
The Fine Arts Department collaborates to highlight our talented students through performances and an art gallery. This is a mandatory event for our year-long music students!
**We do ask for an $8 donation at the door (similar to athletics) however, it is not required for entrance to the event. These funds help us to provide MORE opportunties for our students!**
Middlefest
Friday/Saturday - February - TBA
Winston-Salem, NC
(auditioned)
Students are selected from schools throughout North Carolina to learn and perform songs for a collaborative concert. They learn the music on their own and in extra rehearsals with their teacher to prepare for a day and a half of making music. Students spend the day putting together the songs they have learned and then perform it in the evening for a concert. Students must have an 80% practice average or higher and participate positively/actively in the class to be eligible to audition!
All County Chorus
Thursday, March 4th
All day - concert at 7:00pm
(auditioned)
Students are selected from each Pitt County middle school by their teachers to learn and perform songs for a collaborative concert. They learn the music on their own and in extra rehearsals with their teacher to prepare for a day of making music. Students spend the day putting together the songs they have learned and then perform it in the evening for a concert. Students must have an 80% practice average or higher and participate positively/actively in the class to be eligible to audition!
NCMEA All-State Chorus Festival
Friday/Saturday - Mid. March - TBA
Winston-Salem, NC
(auditioned)
This festival bring about a great challenge to our chorus students. The music selected is at a much higher level and more is expected from our students! We are only alotted 4 spots due to our school size so particpation is limited! Students are selected from an audition process similar to all county and middlefest. Like All County Chorus, students learn the music on their own and in extra rehearsals with their teacher to prepare for two days of making music. Students spend the day putting together the songs they have learned and then perform it in the evening for a concert. Students must have an 90% practice average or higher and participate positively/actively in the class to be eligible to audition!
Spring Music in the Park Trip & Competition
Apr/May
All Chorus students have the opportunity to participate in our Spring "Music in the Parks" Trip. This is a yearly trip we take. We compete again other middle school choruses and Show Choirs in out category. It is a one day trip and students are able to perform and then spend the day celebrating and having fun in the theme park. Students must have an 80% practice average or higher and participate positively/actively in the class to be be able to particpate. If their practice average is below 80% they will be asked to attend extra rehearsal to maintain their eligibilty!
Spring Showcase
May 11th, 2027
6:00pm - 8:00pm
The Fine Arts Department collaborates to highlight our talented students through performances and an art gallery. This is a mandatory event for our year-long music students!
**We do ask for an $8 donation at the door (similar to athletics) however, it is not required for entrance to the event. These funds help us to provide MORE opportunties for our students!**
COMMUNITY PERFORMANCE OPPORTUNIES!
Greenville Choral Society Children's Chorus
Local Theatres
OUR CLASSROOM ENVIRONMENT
"THE AMS MUSIC LISTENING LIBRARY"
Throughout the semester music students work on listening journals where they are able to listen to and reflect on music from old to new, using devices from the 1950's to present day. It is an awesome way for them to be exposed to music that is "new" to them and have an idea of how listening to music has evolved over time!
THE AMS MUSIC LIBRARY
THE AMS MUSIC LIBRARY
Promoting Literacy
Promoting Literacy
Music themed and music inspired book are available in the music room for our students to grow their literacy skills. Our classes participate in reading activities and project throughout the semester. Thank you do generous donors on DonorsChoose our music room has a variety of books to choose from!
The "Chill Corner"
"A Home Away from Home"
Middle School can be challenging and we wanted to create a space that students felt comfortable and cared for you. Again, thank you to generous donors on DonorsChoose we were able to create a "Chill Corner" and being the "My Teacher's Closet" project which supplies student with everyday needs. Let's face it, there are going to be days where the world is just too much and a student may need a quite calm place to decompress. It is extremely important that our students feel seen and cared for more than on just an academic level. We are grateful and excited to provide these unique resources to our students this year! Thank you to all who support out projects and make donation through out Amazon wish list! It goes a long way!
CLASS REWARDS/INCENTIVES
We are ALL ABOUT celebrating student achievements! Students are are learning and growing everyday and we want to make sure they feel seen, supported, and celebrated for the hard work they put in everyday!
The music room has some creative ways to celebrate achievements this year!
Feeling inspired to support our students music class experience???
Check out the suggestions below to help make an impact!
1.) Attend school concerts and performances!
2.) Like the "AMS Fine Arts" Facebook page and share what we are doing with the community! CLICK HERE
3.) Hand out or digitally send a sponsorship form to a place of business or community organization you have connections with. CLICK HERE
OR become a sponsor yourself - CLICK HERE
4.) Sign up to volunteer for an event or trip as a parent chaperone or helper!
5.) Donate and items for our classroom incentives/prizes. email Mrs. Collis as to what the kids might like - collisr@pitt.k12.nc.us
6.) Donate an item off the classroom wishlist - CLICK HERE
7.) Donate towards a Donorschoose Project - CLICK HERE
8.) Advocate for the arts - Your position as a parent can be powerful in situations where support is needed. Use your voice to advocate for your student to have a quality arts education!
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