A: Yes, absolutely! In fact, not having sung in choir before is the perfect reason to start! When else in your life will you have a time that is dedicated to nothing but singing AND you get a credit?
A: If you like to sing, that's all that really matters! Our students come to us from at least eight different middle schools, each with unique musical experiences and skill levels. High school choir is a great time to sing as it's a time of amazing vocal change and growth for humans. In elementary school you sang with a little kid's voice...now it's time to work on your adult voice!
A: Yes! Absolutely! We believe in meeting you at your current ability level and providing you with the instruction and ability to refine your own unique instrument and your practice of music-making. Our music program demonstrates advanced levels of music-making, and it is by being surrounding by musically-minded students, while being given support and challenges, that our students excel musically.
Just like athletes train for sports,
singers train to sing for vocal strength, flexibility, and endurance.
A: Just like any other course, yes, there are assessments, but in Concert Choir, these assessments are mainly based on your demonstration of technical and musical growth as a singer in class. You will learn about reading music, there will be verbal and written activities, and our "tests" are our end-of-term concerts. Your homework will be practicing your music and text. Opportunities shall be provided to take part in enrichment projects and activities such as attending concerts and going to Choir Camp.
A: Register! Students may register directly for Concert Choir and no audition is necessary. Bring a buddy! Opportunities to audition for solos may occur during the year, but all are welcome to join choir!
A: You'll only sing by yourself in front of others if you want to! Vocal assessments are ongoing and are aimed at facilitating musical and technical growth. You, or your voice, will never be criticized or singled out in front of others.
A: Yes, we do! We typically have two trips per year in the winter and / or spring. Trips will resume once public health orders allow us to do so. Our students LOVE the opportunity to engage in festival experiences, see new places, and connect with fellow high school singers just like us from across North America.
We provide many fundraising opportunities throughout the school year to help make these trips affordable to students. Most of all, we are dedicated to making these experiences accessible to all music students.
A: Like many high schools in our division and in the city, Shaftesbury offers a combined grade nine-twelve Concert Choir ensemble. If student interest and enrolment allow, the space exists for us to add additional ensembles like vocal jazz or chamber music in the future.
A: Great question! The short answer is, as many as possible! We will explore all kinds of music from all kinds of times and places. Be prepared to be blown away by the baroque, rendered speechless by the romantic, and mystified by the modern. We will explore all genres of music in many languages and styles from chorales to pop and musical theatre. There's just too much wonderful music out there for us to limit ourselves!
A: Yes! In addition to two full concerts (December / May), there are opportunities for us to perform in local and out-of-town music festivals (once public health orders allow us to do so) as well as in the community (see below). The Choir also hosts at least two fundraising activities per year in the form of singing telegrams within the school community (Jingle-Grams - December; Singing Valentines - February). The potential also exists for us to perform at our local Junior High or Elementary Schools.
A: Typically, we perform locally in the Manitoba Choral Association's Choralfest festival. We also hold two concerts per year, one in December and one in late May.
A: The costs associated with being in choir are related to choir program fees (for bussing, accompanists fees) and choir uniform fees.
The choir program fee for the 2022-23 school year is $20, and the uniform fee is also $20.
We make it a priority that participating in the arts shall not be cost-prohibitive for any student. We offer many fundraising activities to assist students in meeting these costs. Students can apply funds they raise towards any expenses including the program fee, uniform, or even private lessons with guest clinicians.
A: Not at this time, but we will certainly look at Vocal Jazz repertoire!
A: Yes, high school choir programs are provincially recognized by universities and post-secondary institutions as being courses that qualify for university entrance grade point average calculations. Our grade 12 students report that having this course is helpful in the attainment of scholarships and résumé building.
A: Our choir typically performs for several seniors’ homes throughout the year as well as at the Grace Hospital around Christmas time. We find that our students develop humility and a global understanding of how these small gestures of service impact their world.