Chiddix Choir!

Description:

• Honor's Choir is an extracurricular choir. Any student in 6th, 7th, or 8th, grade music will be allowed to audition. This group will learn mostly acapella, high level music very quickly and will perform at all of the normal concerts that the classes perform at and also several other non-traditional concerts throughout they year. As these extra performances are not scheduled yet, I do not have all of them on the website calendar. Once they are scheduled, I will update the calendar with dates. 

Who:

• any 6th, 7th, 8th grade music student may audition. The student need not be in choir to audition, but must be in a music class. Mellen reserves the right to accept and cut any students who audition for Honors Choir. 

When:

• Auditions will take place After school the week of Oct. 6th and rehearsals will take place every Monday and Thursday morning from 7:30 to 8:15 am thereafter.

Location:

• We will audition and Meet in the Choir room. Our performances will be at various locations TBD

Dress Code:

• Honors choir students will all wear the Black Chiddix Music Polos and Black pants, socks shoes, to full concerts. They will also be allowed to wear jeans to less formal performances. 

Cost/Payment:

• Nothing to be in the group. However, some trips/performances we take may cost some amount of money to be determined. 

Additional Information:

• Google classroom links will be sent out to the students accepted. 

Description:

• In Early November, the U of I Men's Glee Club puts on an awesome choir concert. Since this concert features male singers, all of the Jr. Highs in Unit 5 invite all of their dudes to join in a field trip down to Champaign to see an example of how amazing a top notch all-male choir can sound. (We also all go to eat pizza at Papa Del's pizza too because Papa Del's is awesome!)

Update - 

We will depart from the Kingsley Junior High parking lot at 4:30 p.m.  We will travel to Champaign-Urbana, where we will have dinner at Papa Del’s Pizza.  After dinner, we will travel to the Krannert Center for the Performing Arts, on the campus of the University of Illinois.  The concert will last approximately 2 hours, and we will return home immediately following.  We estimate our return to Kingsley between 10:30-11:00 p.m.

Who:

• All dude singers from Unit 5 Jr Highs are invited. 6th, 7th, 8th grades. This is an optional field trip but it is a ton of fun.  

• Parents are welcome to attend also - Chaperone cost is the same as student cost. 

When:

• Saturday Nov 1st - Depart from Kingsley jr high at 4:30 pm - Return about 11:30 pm

Location:

• Meet and board bus at Kingsley Jr High, drive to Champaign, go to the Choir Concert, then leave and eat at Papa Del's, then head back to Kingsley. Itinerary TBD.

Update - Permission slip physical copy will be sent home the week of September 8th. 

Dress Code:

• Anything you might wear to school, imaginary bonus points for something slightly formal. 

Cost/Payment:

• TBD, Usually in the neighborhood of $30-$40

Additional Information:

• Will send an email and a permission slip to interested boys closer to the day.  - The Week of September 8th

Junior High Boys Choir Field Trip

The University of Illinois Varsity Men’s Glee Club

Dad’s Day Concert

Who: All 6th, 7th & 8th grade boys choir members  (this is not a required event)

When: Saturday, November 1st

Where: Depart from Kingsley Junior High parking lot

Time: 4:30 p.m.

Return: 11:30 p.m. (approximate time….)

Cost: $30 - 40 (includes ticket, dinner and transportation)

We will depart from the Kingsley Junior High parking lot at 4:30 p.m.  We will travel to Champaign-Urbana, where we will have dinner at Papa Del’s Pizza.  After dinner, we will travel to the Krannert Center for the Performing Arts, on the campus of the University of Illinois.  The concert will last approximately 2 hours, and we will return home immediately following.  We estimate our return to Kingsley between 10:30-11:00 p.m.

Parents are welcome to attend this trip as well!  Chaperone cost is the same as the student cost.

 Payment must be received by Monday, October 6th.  Checks payable to Unit 5.

______________________detach and return with payment______________________

My child ____________________has permission to attend the Boys Choir field trip. (student name)

_____ I have enclosed the payment for his trip.

_____ I would like to chaperone and have included my payment for my trip.

Chaperone name(s):  ______________________________

_____ I would like to make a donation for a student who may not be able to afford the cost of this trip.

________________________ ___________________________

Parent signature Parent cell phone

• GOOGLE FORM PERMISSION SLIP - https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdCimTUeyae_59KoWTbBXXxtYOPAvHDYUZLT2jYVPAZIREnyA/viewform

Description:

• This is a Unit 5 fundraiser concert. Each Jr. High and High School send some of their music ensembles to perform a few pieces each. There will be food available for purchase. If I remember correctly, we send home little vouchers for pie that are redemed at the fundraiser concert. CJHS only sends the 7th and 8th grade choirs, each of which sing about 2 pieces on stage. Feel free to arrive before and stay after your child's performance to support other ensembles and enjoy the available food!

Who:

• All 7th and 8th grade Choir students

When:

• Nov. 10, 2025 - Performance and Call times TBD

Location:

• Normal Community High School Auditorium

Dress Code:

• Black Music Polos, Black dress pants, black socks, black shoes

Cost/Payment:

• Food vouchers available in advance, Price and food items TBD. No Ticket cost, free to attend. 

Additional Information:

-Below is posted the Information from U5MP!  

Dear Unit 5 Music Families,

We are excited to announce the 2025 Music Extravaganza fundraiser and concert series, proudly sponsored by the Unit 5 Music Parents Association and the Unit 5 Music Department. This special event will take place over two evenings, showcasing incredible performances by our talented students from bands, choirs and orchestras across the district.

Event Details:

Monday, November 3, 2025 – Normal West High School

• Featuring ensembles from Kingsley Junior High, Parkside Junior High, and Normal West High School

• Dinner & Dessert (Cafeteria): Hot food and desserts served from 4:30 PM – 6:30 PM; items can be collected until 7:30 PM

• Music Performances (Auditorium): 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM

Monday, November 10, 2025 – Normal Community High School

• Featuring ensembles from Chiddix Junior High, Evans Junior High, and Normal Community High School

• Dinner & Dessert (Cafeteria): Hot food and desserts served from 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM; items can be collected until 8:00 PM

• Music Performances (Auditorium): 5:30 PM – 8:40 PM

Enjoy a delicious dinner and desserts in the cafeteria while experiencing fantastic music performances by Bands, Choirs, and Orchestras from across our district.
Please visit our website for the full list of planned performances and detailed schedules.

Ticket Information & Pre-Order Options:
To make your evening enjoyable and convenient, dinner and desserts are available for pre-order. Enjoy a delicious dinner prepared by Nelson’s Catering and desserts prepared by Braker’s Market and Sugar Mama Bakery. Meals and desserts come plated in to-go containers and can be enjoyed on-site or taken home. New this year: pre-order whole pies — perfect for the holidays!

Item

Price

Dinner (Half Grilled Chicken or Meatless Lasagna)

$15.00

Cinnamon Roll or Slice of Pie (Apple Cinnamon, Chocolate Cream, Pumpkin)

$5.00

Gluten Free Pumpkin Pie Slice

$8.00

Gluten Free/Dairy Free Fruit Crisp

$8.00

Whole Pie (Apple Cinnamon, Chocolate Cream, Pumpkin)

$25.00

Order Deadlines:

• For the Normal West event on November 3, please place orders by October 24.

• For the Normal Community event on November 10, please place orders by October 31.

Note: Tickets purchased at the door will be limited and the price increases by $2.00.

Please purchase tickets and place your orders here:
https://unit-5-music-parents.square.site/

Volunteer Opportunities:
This is our largest fundraiser of the year, and we are in desperate need of volunteers to help make these events successful! An event of this size cannot happen without the generous support of our parent and community volunteers. Please review the available volunteer slots and sign up for times that do not conflict with your child’s performance. Your help is crucial and greatly appreciated!

Volunteer sign-up link:
https://www.unit5musicparents.com/webinar-registration

Support Through Donations:
If you cannot attend or want to help support the music programs beyond ticket sales, donations are always welcome. Contributions go directly back to the Unit 5 Music Parents Association and support all district music programs.

Donate here:
https://www.unit5musicparents.com/donate

For additional details and updates on Music Extravaganza 2025, please visit our newly launched website:
https://www.unit5musicparents.com/webinar-registration

Questions?
If you have any questions about the Music Extravaganza, ticket purchases, volunteer opportunities, or anything else, please contact the Fundraising Committee at u5mpfundraising@gmail.com. We’re happy to help!

Thank you for supporting the Unit 5 music community! We look forward to seeing you at the Music Extravaganza.

Best regards,
Unit 5 Music Parents Association & Unit 5 Music Department

Description: 

-Every year, the Illinois Music Educator's Association organizes an giant choir. Students will learn several pieces of music (mostly on their own but with some help from Mellen). Students and Mellen will record and submit an audition video to the ILMEA Judges. If selected, students will attend the ILMEA District Honor Choir Festival where they will sing the pieces they have learned with all of the other accepted students from ILMEA District 3 (Central Illinois). 

Students who are selected for the District Choir may also be selected for the All-State Choir. (there will not be a second audition video, the judges will just use the same audition video as they used for the District Choir) The All-State Choir is very prestigious. As such, only very few students accepted into the District Choir will be selected for the All-State Choir. Students selected for the All-State Choir will meet again, later in the year, at the Illinois Music Educator's Conference and perform with the top Middle School singers in the state. 

Students are not required to audition for any of this. If they wish to audition, Mellen will discuss it with them in class and will send home information, including what pieces to learn and when and how the audition videos will be recorded. (Auditioning students sign up for a time slot to audition with Mellen After School before the Audition Deadline closes. Mellen records Audition and uploads it properly.)

Who:

• Any 7th and 8th Grade Students who wish to learn several pieces mostly on their own. These are pretty tough pieces, too. This is a high level choir. 

When:

Students begin learning their music in about the Second Full week of school. I will discuss ILMEA with all 7th and 8th grade classes the first week of September. Interested Students will be provided with the relevant Information and will join the google Classroom I will make for the occasion. Our district starts particularly late in the year so we are a little behind, so we will have to hurry a little early in the school year. 

-Wednesday, September 10 - Audition excerpt information released by 12:00pm (Junior and Senior, All Audition Areas)

Wednesday, September 17 - Audition nomination deadline - all student audition nominations must be entered on nominate.ilmea.org by 5:00pm

(this just means that students must decide, for sure, that they want to audition and pay Mellen the audition fee. If I nominate a student who tells me that they want to audition and then that student decides otherwise and bails, I still have to pay for that audition fee and the sheet music, so, please be sure before you have me nominate you on Sept 17th.)

Wednesday, September 17 - Audition window open for audition video link submissions on nominate.ilmea.org

Wednesday, October 1 - Audition window closes for audition submissions at 5:00pm

Somewhere around the middle of October, we learn who is accepted into the ILMEA District Choir. Date TBD

Saturday, November 15 - Elementary Choir, Junior/Senior Band, Choir, Orchestra & Elementary Festival (Olivet Nazarene University, Bourbonnais)

(this is the actual performance)

Students who are accepted into the ILMEA District Choir have until December 5th to decide whether they wish to be placed in the running for the All State Choir. If you make District, you do not have to do All-State if you are busy or do not wish to. 

Friday, December 5 - Elementary All-State Chorus Nomination Deadline

Wednesday, January 28 - January 31, 2026 - Illinois Music Education Conference (Peoria, Illinois)

Location:

• ILMEA District 3 Choir Festival Nov 15, Olivet Nazarene University, Bourbonnais, IL

• ILMEA All-State Choir Festival Jan 28-31 at the Peoria Civic Center, Peoria IL 

Dress Code:

• Extremely Formal. These are the heights of organized music performance at this level. Students must wear full concert attire. Black shoes, Black socks, Black Dress pants or dress, Black Dress shirt or dress. I will get more specifics from ILMEA near to the performance. 

Cost/Payment:

• $10 per student for their audition - This pays for the Judges to watch and consider each audition video.

• If you are selected to the ILMEA District Choir, $35 Participation fee for the professional clinician, transportation, lunch at the school, etc. 

• If you are selected for the ILMEA All-State choir, $30 Participation fee for the professional clinician, transportation, lunch at the venue, etc. 

Additional Information:

Here are the Repertoire Pieces selected for this year. Feel free to listen to them. Students who decide to audition will be provided with copies of the sheet music and practice tracks (available on the Google Classroom) to practice with to prepare for their audition video.

2025-2026 Repertoire

*Sisi Ni Moja SA(T)B Narverud SBMP 1338 *Junior All State Required Selection

Keep Your Lamps Trimmed and Burnin’ SAB arr. Gilpin Colla Voce 20-96435

There Will Come Soft Rains 3-pt mx Farnell Carl Fischer CM9547

J’entends Le Moulin SA(T)B arr. Crocker Hal Leonard 00327822

Journey On 3-pt mx Fox Hal Leonard 01119816

• https://classroom.google.com/c/Nzk1Njc4NDA1Njc1?cjc=mcwwpdef

If you will be auditioning, fill out this google form before Sept 15th and submit $10 audition fee before recording your audition. 

https://forms.gle/iM1WUmxi4o8JDLUA7

• https://ilmea.org/d3info

• https://ilmea.org/3auditions

• Chorus Specific Auditions - https://ilmea.org/d3chorusauditions

TRANSPORTATION INFORMATION!

Dear Parents/Guardians of ILMEA Students,

Congratulations!  Your student has been selected for ILMEA All-District 3 Festival for Band, Choir, or Orchestra!  This is a high honor for your student.  We are excited for them to participate in the festival on Saturday, November 15.

This year, the festival will be held at Olivet Nazarene University in Bourbonnais, IL.  ONU is approximately a 90-minute drive from Bloomington-Normal.  We will be providing bus transportation for all students the morning of the festival. You will need to have students in the KJHS parking lot no later than 5:45 am. We will be leaving at 6:00 am from the Kingsley Junior High School North Parking Lot (this is the lot closest to ISU).  All Unit 5 Junior High School musicians will travel together. The culminating concert performance for this festival will begin at 2:00 pm for all Junior Band, Choir, and Orchestra ensembles in Centennial Chapel, ONU’s beautiful 2,000 seat auditorium.  Lunch for students will be at ONU’s dining hall, the cost is $12.00.  Students will receive a ticket at the dining hall when they arrive and will have a variety of choices for lunch.  

Because this is a high honor, we are anticipating that a parent or guardian will attend the performance and transport their student(s) home. If a parent is unable to attend the concert, Unit 5 will provide bus transportation home after the concert. 

Soon a link will be available to purchase concert tickets for audience members.

Please fill out the form below and return to your director with lunch money ($12.00 cash) by Monday, October 20st, so we can schedule buses home if needed.  Congratulations again on your student’s accomplishment!

Sincerely,

Jack Mellen, Jillian Meszar, and Tricia Ogdon

CJHS Music Department

********************************************************************************************************

Please fill out and return the bottom of the form AND $12.00 for your lunch ticket by 

Monday, October 20th

Student Name:____________________________________________________

Organization (circle): Band Choir Orchestra

____ I will be attending the concert on Nov. 15th at 2:00 and will also transport my student home

____ I will NOT attend the concert on Nov. 15th and will need my student to be transported home

Signed:  __________________________________________________

  Parent Signature 

Description: 

• This will be the first Full Chiddix Choir Concert of the year. All 6th, 7th, and 8th, grade Choir students will be required to attend as part of their Choir grade. This concert will be similar to the Spring Choir Concert that will take place in May.

Who:

• All 6th, 7th, and 8th, grade Choir students will be required to attend.

When:

• Tuesday April 29th. Dress Rehearsal begins at 5:00PM. The concert will take place at 7:00PM

Location:

• Normal Community High School Auditorium

Dress Code:

• 7th and 8th grade students will wear their clack dress pants/dress, shoes and socks and black Chiddix Music Polo, 6th grade students will wear black dress pants, black shoes and socks, and a black top

Cost/Payment:

• No cost for students, no cost for attendees. 

Additional Information:

-

Description:

• Students who wish to may work with Mellen to find an appropriate piece of music which they will learn mostly on their own, and will perform it for judges and receive a rating at a contest. Students will need to find and organize practices with their accompanist on their own. Mellen can provide a list of accompanists below

Who:

• Any 6/7/8th grade students who wish to. 

When:

• Feb 27th, time TBD

Location:

• Trinity Lutheran School in Bloomington, IL

Dress Code:

• Up to students but reccomended Dress Clothes

Cost/Payment:

• TBD

Additional Information:

• More to Come

- 

Description:

• Unit Choir is a yearly festival where every 7th and 8th grade choir student in the district learns the same pieces of music and perform in one giant concert with the high school at one of the high schools. Students leave school in the middle of the day to meet at the high school and to rehearse with all other singers. Student will be provided with Jimmy Johns meals as well between rehearsal times at the high school. 

Who:

• all 7th and 8th grade choir students in Unit 5!

When:

• March 16, 2026

Location:

• Normal Community High School Gym

Dress Code:

• Standard Concert attire - Black shoes, socks, pants/dress, Black "Chiddix Music" Polo

Cost/Payment:

• TBD - Somewhere in the range of $15

Additional Information:

-

Description:

• Students who are nominated and accepted will learn several pieces, mostly on their own and will meet together as a large group on the day of the concert and perform those pieces together. This year, because of scheduling conflicts, Students can either attend Intercity or the Women's Glee Fieldtrip. Not both. Mr. Mellen and Ms. Jennings the Parkside Choir Director will attend Intercity and Ms. Beer and Mrs. Winchester, the choir directors from Evans and Kingsley will Chaperone the Women's Glee Fieldtrip along with many parent chaperones. 

Who: 

• Students who are Nominated by Mellen and approved by the Intercity festival runners. 

When:

• April 11th Roughly 8:00 to Roughly 3:45  TBD

Location:

• Bloomington Jr High School

Dress Code:

• Black pants dress pants, shoes, and socks. You will receive a Festival choir T-Shirt on the day.

Cost/Payment:

• TBD

Additional Information:

TBD

Description: 

• Every year, in early April, the U of I Women's glee club gets together and for an awesome choir concert. Since this concert features female singers, all of the Jr. Highs in Unit 5 invite all of their lady singers to join in a field trip down to Champaign to see an example of how amazing a top notch all-female choir can sound.  (We also all go to eat pizza at Papa Del's pizza too because Papa Del's is awesome!) This year, because of scheduling conflicts, Students can either attend Intercity or the Women's Glee Fieldtrip. Not both. Mr. Mellen and Ms. Jennings the Parkside Choir Director will attend Intercity and Ms. Beer and Mrs. Winchester, the choir directors from Evans and Kingsley will Chaperone the Women's Glee Fieldtrip along with many parent chaperones. 

Who:

Any lady students who sign up to attend. This is an optional field trip but it is a ton of fun.

When: 

TBD - usually a Saturday in Early April

Location:

Busses Depart from KJHS, head to Papa Del's for lunch, then go to U of I for the concert, then head back to Kingsley. Specific Itinerary TBD.

Dress Code: 

What you would wear to school. Imigenary bonus points for something slightly formal.

Cost/Payment:

TBD - Somewhere in the neighborhood of $30

Additional Information:

Description: 

• This will be The Final Full Chiddix Choir Concert of the year. All 6th, 7th, and 8th, grade Choir students will be required to attend as part of their Choir grade. This concert will be similar to the Winter Choir Concert that took place in December.

Who:

• All 6th, 7th, and 8th, grade Choir students will be required to attend.

When:

• Tuesday April 29th. Dress Rehearsal begins at 5:00PM. The concert will take place at 7:00PM

Location:

• Normal Community High School Auditorium

Dress Code:

• 7th and 8th grade students will wear their clack dress pants/dress, shoes and socks and black Chiddix Music Polo, 6th grade students will wear black dress pants, black shoes and socks, and a black top

Cost/Payment:

• No cost for students, no cost for attendees. 

Additional Information:

-

Description:

• Honors choir takes a field trip to the local feeder Elementary schools to sing (show off how awesome choir is) and advertise the choir program at Chiddix. We stop and eat at Pizza Ranch too!

Who:

• All Students in honor Choir

When:

• Student leave on a bus from Chiddix Early in the school day and return in the afternoon.

Location:

• Depart from Chiddix. Stop at Coleen Hoose, Grove, 

Dress Code:

-

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