Pops Concert

What: The Final Concert of the Year!  We give out Awards/Letters and recognize the contributions of the seniors.  There is a combination of soloists and choirs during this concert.

Where: OHHS

Admission: Free!

When: May 23, 2024 at 6pm!

• • Call Time is 5pm in costume!

  • The will be a 15 minute intermission

  • The concert will be over around 8:00

Solo Auditions:

• • See the audition guide below

The Dress Rehearsal is for solo acts only!

• • All solo acts are required from 6pm-8:30pm.

  • Soloists and small groups need to show up in costume with their entire act prepared.  

  • There will be a moment when all soloists are in the room and that is when we will test the choir mics.

Concert Information:

• • Pops Concert is a formal event.  Please remember to wear deodorant but not smelly lotions.  Your appearance should be professional and well groomed.  

  • All students must enter through the stage door.

  • Only performers are allowed on or back stage.

  • Call Times:

    • Everyone is Called at 5pm for an on-stage warm-up.

  • Parents are allowed in at 5:15

    • Concert begins at 6 and ends about 8 with a 10 minute intermission

    • Officers are on clean up duty.

When do the auditions begin?

• Your audition “begins” when you decide to audition.  Song choice and practice are the largest part of your audition process.

• They will be posted in April or May. 

• Your audition should be a reflection of your performance, not a version of “This is what I will do once I’m prepared.”

What types of performances are allowed at Pops Concert?

• Playing an instrument and/or singing

• Monologues and skits that are less than 5 minutes

What are things that make my audition stand out?

• Being memorized is #1

• Including an instrument

• Providing your own accompanist or mp3

• Performing uptempo songs (too many slow songs is bad for the overall show)

• Include other people (for example, sing something that was originally a duet)

What are things to avoid?

• Slow songs and sappy goodbye songs like “For Good” from Wicked

• Objectionable content like sex, drugs, and alcohol

• Taking a solo and simply chopping it into several solos so you can include friends.  You can add a harmony part to turn a solo into a duet

• Anything done at OHHS within the last two years. Ask your director if you don’t know.

• Do not attempt choir pieces. Getting people together to rehearse has NEVER worked. Save yourself the hassle. Just don’t.

• Acapella solos or long monologues.

How do I work with Mr. McCoy on my act?

• Be prepared and on time. Bring needed materials like sheet music, script or recording. 

• Sign up for a lunch or after school time slot.  You are only allowed to sign up once because multiple rehearsals 

Who can perform with me?

• Choir members only. Rare exceptions may be made based on who is the focus of the act. For example, if your non-choir friend plays guitar while you sing, that’s fine. If you need more information, let your director know.

• You can sing with people from all OHHS choirs. You are not confined to your own choir.

• People from TB or SA choirs are still welcome to audition even if not in choir third trimester.

What is a “callback”?

• It is a chance for a director to hear a person again. It doesn’t mean that you did or did not get in.

When directors already know and work with you, what other things do they consider when choosing your soloists?

• Participation and Attendance

• Previous solos.  This is a school and I cannot give all the solos to one person.

• Directors must consider the overall show, not just your song alone.  If your audition was really good but the song cannot be used, you will be asked if you are willing to try a different song.  

Suggestions:

• Do something you are passionate about OR do something you can learn to be passionate about.

• Download soundtracks. Do not rely on the internet for soundtracks. It can be unavailable during a show so download the track.

• Be sure a choir isn’t doing what you are doing. Tell your director what you are doing.

• There are talent shows and other things offered by the school.  If you are disappointed in your results, please audition for them.

• Remember that if accepted, you can still be removed up to and including the day of the performance if you are not demonstrating a professional work ethic.