Panther Creek Chorus
Welcome to the Panther Creek Choral Program website!
Check back often for updates, as posted below!
Winter Chorus Concert
Songs of Hope Concert: Nov. 14
Aria Choir: Raleigh Memorial Auditorium (Martin Marietta Center for the Performing Arts); Tickets benefit music programs impacted by Hurricane Helene. Students need to report at 4pm to the facility, dressed in concert attire, with a bagged dinner or snacks of some sort in clear bag. Carpooling is recommended. See detailed info on parking/dropoff/bag policy, etc.
Western Wake MS/HS Collaboration Concert:
Dec. 6
Concert—Involves Aria Choir and Bass Clef Ensemble. This event involves Green Hope HS, Panther Creek, Salem MS and Alston Ridge MS. Held at Green Hope HS, students need to report at 3:00pm. A public concert will be held at 7pm. Tickets are $5.
Panther Creek Winter Chorus Concert:
Dec. 19
Involves all PC Choirs! Mandatory after-school rehearsal is Wednesday Dec. 18th, 2:30-4:15pm. Students need to report at 6pm for the Dec. 19th concert, which starts at 7pm. Tickets sold at the door for $5.
FALL Fundraising Campaign: Now Live at GiveButter (click to see/donate)
Each year we conduct a program-wide fundraiser to acquire funds for the many activities and needs of our choral students. We have moved away from product sales to doing just 1 donation-based drive to collect money from sponsors in our community and through extended families. Unlike many other donation campaigns, we do NOT require students to collect email addresses and the hosting platform requires an extremely small 3% fee (as opposed to near 20% profit deduction from other platforms).
This drive will begin on Oct. 4th and run the month of October. Students will each create their own GiveButter webpage that introduces our program and our goals for the fundraiser. No student will be penalized for not participating, nor are grades tied to this campaign. It is an optional drive, but we hope all students will try to help spread the word about this campaign.
Because profit raised will go to support the operating budget of the program (handled by the PCHS Choral Boosters), students don't recieve an individual monetary benefit from the drive (and if they did, IRS law would require them to pay taxes!). Thus, to help encourage them to engage well with this activity, we are hoping our choral families would not just spread the word about our campaign but also help us to find incentives that we can provide for students who participate. Last year, parents checked with some local businesses who willingly donated a number of gift cards/gift certificates to our program. These donations are tax-deductible contributions to our program (our tax EIN # is 13-4342763 and we can issue receipts for such donations).
Additionally, the following form can be used to give to businesses in securing advertising or documenting donations: Patron Ad/Donation Support Form
Spring Trip to Disney World!
March 13th (evening flight) through March 16th (NO SCHOOL MISSED due to a teacher workday!). Cost estimated around $1000.
Here is a copy of the Disney Interest Letter with request for commitment and initial payment that was sent home on 9/26.
Chorus Parent Meeting: August 29th at 7pm. Live Streaming: https://stream.meet.google.com/stream/d048278a-ae45-4984-949b-d3bed181f5b6 or meet.google.com/aiy-oqsn-vjs
Please fill out the ATTENDANCE form. Thanks for coming!
Panther Creek Chorus: 2024-2025
WELCOME TO PC CHORUS!!
Chorus classes are held in room 1330, located near the auditorium and cafeteria.
Starting the year:
Day 1 Items:
Begin reading the Chorus Handbook (required)
Fill out the Family Info Google Form (required)
Parents: Please come to our Parent Info Meeting on Thursday Aug 29th at 7-8pm in the chorus room at PC. In-person attendance is preferred, but we will make an attempt to stream it as well at meet.google.com/aiy-oqsn-vjs
Directions: Please park near the modular buildings on the east side of campus and follow the signs to enter at the arts hallway entrance on the side of the building.
Payments for outfits and FairShare can be made on the Payments page or by sending in Cash/Checks made out to PCHS Choral Boosters.
Chorus Student Social and Dinner: Dave and Busters Cary location 6pm; Food, team building and games! Cost $25, paid in advance.
ARCHIVES
Faculty Practice Site: Click for part tracks, sheet music, and recordings!
Spring Banquet: Friday June 7th, 6:30pm Details, TBA
Thursday, March 21st at 7pm. Tickets sold at the door and online:
$5 admission, with $20 family maximum. $0.50 additional for tickets purchased with card/online or ePay (PayPal option on Payments Page ).
Concert Program will be posted here!
Chorus Class Registration for 2024-2025
Registration for next year's PC courses is just around the corner! Here are the PC Arts Course Guides for next year:
For rising 9th grade (current 8th grade students): 9th Grade Options
For current PC (or other high school students): 10th-12th Grade Options
CAN I TAKE CHORUS for 2 Semesters? YES! Follow the information on the course guide.
For incoming Freshman who want to sing all year (it's a great way to build strong friendships and find a niche your 1st year of high school!), sign up for either the Bass Clef Ensemble: 52312X0DF or Beginning Treble Choir: 52302X0DF and then also Treble Voices: 52325X0DS (Honors Credit!) or Chamber Choir (male voices only for 9th grade--- must schedule a brief audition): 52335X0DS
AUDITIONS for Chamber Choir (2nd semester, 10th-12th grade girls and 9th-12th grade guys) are Tuesday February 27th after school. For late auditions, email Mr. Bensen at bbensen@wcpss.net
Fill out THIS AUDITION FORM and bring to the audition already completed...
We will do some vocal exercises to check range and technique
You will sightread a short melodic example on solfege
You will count out some rhythms using takadimi syllables
Prepare in advance:
You will sing MY COUNTRY TIS OF THEE a cappella (I will provide starting pitch)
Soprano/Tenor: Sheet Music in Ab Major
Alto/Bass: Sheet Music in D Major
Sing something of your choosing of no more than 1 minute in length. Classical/traditional music is preferred though not essential.
2024 Spring Chorus Trip:
Smoky Mountains, TN! Slideshow
Initial Interest Letter (has payment dates, proposed itinerary)
FINAL Payment: $200 due April 5th.
Winter Chorus Concert:
Tuesday December 19th. 7pm.
$5 admission, with $20 family maximum. $0.50 additional for tickets purchased with card/online or ePay (PayPal charge).
After-school rehearsal for students: Monday Dec. 18th 2:30-4:15 (required)
Fall Chorus Concert:
Tuesday October 24th at 7pm in the PCHS Auditorium. Tickets are $5 cash at the door, but can also be paid via electronic payment with a $0.50 service cost per ticket. Without a card, electronic payment, check or cash, we can take concert admission under the Payments page by using Paypal. Simply complete that online and show to the ticket sales to get physical tickets for entrance. The concert program is on a QR code at the back of the auditorium. Don't have a QR reader? No problem! Here it is: Concert Program.
ARCHIVES
Year End FINALE Chorus Concert:
Thursday June 1st at 7pm. $5 at the door, payable by cash/check/card/mobile pay (Apple, Google), with $20 family maximum (note-- online/card payments incur a $0.50 charge for each ticket due to fees we are charged).
Options for payment:
Cash/Check (to PCHS Choral Boosters) at the door
Credit Card/Mobile Pay (Apple Pay or Google Pay) at the door
Purchase on this website at Payments and show to ticket sales helpers to receive physical tickets
Enjoy the show!
Chorus Banquet: Friday June 2nd at 6:30pm
Details are forthcoming, but include the following:
We'll have a pot-luck meal with signups for entrees, sides, appetizers and desserts. We will enjoy a couple of student performances during dinner, and again during the following awards session that will follow after dinner in the auditorium. Student recognition, awards, a year-in-review slide show and presentation of the annual Choral Booster scholarship will ensue. Students should dress nicely and be ready to leave around 8:30pm. A sign up genius will provided here to reserve your free spots (come with food around 6pm; we'll start dinner at 6:30pm): https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0f4ba8a72da3ff2-endofyear
Spring Concert: CONCERT PROGRAM
Tuesday, March 28th at 7pm in the PC Auditorium! Tickets can NOW BE PURCHASED ON OUR WEBSITE! Please show your Paypal purchase info to the ticket seller at the front table to secure actual tickets for the show, and then give the tickets to the ushers at the auditorium entrance door. Go to our Payments page to purchase!
Chorus Class Registration for 2023-2024:
Please check out this presentation on available chorus classes for next year.
Auditions are for students seeking Chamber Choir (or a more advanced class than Beginning level, who haven't already taken that course). Auditions will be March 15th and/or 16th after school.
Registration Info:
Classes:
Bass Clef Ensemble (sem 1):
52302X0A (beginners) 523025X0A (intermediate/proficient)
Beginning Treble Choir (sem 1):
52302X0A (beginners)
Aria Choir (sem 1):
523025X0A (proficient)
Treble Voices (sem 2):
523025X0A (proficient)
Chamber Choir (sem 2):
523035X0A (advanced)
Students in Treble Voices and Chamber Choir should also take one of the 1st semester classes as well.
For students doing the Eastern Regional Select Choir, please use this website to practice your music!
Important 2nd semester dates:
Feb. 9: PC Open House
Mar. 2-4: Spring Musical, Anastasia
Mar. 3: Pd. 3 Treble Voices performance assessment at Millbrook Baptist Church (during school day); more details to come, including need for a couple of chaperones
Mar. 9: Pd. 4 collaboration concert ("Pre-MPA") with Green Hope HS
Rehearsal with clinician 3:00-5:00pm
Pizza dinner (no cost) and time to change into performance outfits (non-pizza items available for those with dietary restrictions).
Additional rehearsal 6:00-6:45pm
Concert at 7pm; we'll perform our upcoming MPA repertoire and a couple of pieces unique to this event, as presented by Dr. Nana Wolfe-Hill. Parents/friends PLEASE come! $5 at door (pays for the event costs)
Mar. 14: Pd. 4 Chamber Choir performance assessment at Meredith College (11:30am); more details to come, including need for a couple of chaperones
Mar. 15-16: Auditions for PC Chamber Choir (details TBA)
Mar. 27: After school chorus rehearsal-- 2:30-4:00pm
Mar. 28: Spring Chorus Concert at 7pm; students report at 6:15
Apr. 20-23: NYC Chorus Trip with dance and theater
Apr. 28-29: Eastern Regional Choir (select students)
May. 31: After school rehearsal? (TBD)
June 1: Finale Chorus Concert at 7pm
June 2: Chorus Banquet at 6:30pm
NYC: Payment #3 & 4: Payment 3 was due Feb. 2nd in the amount of $250. The final payment is $350 (for a grand total of $1100). See the PAYMENTS tab to make these payment. This total includes fundraising subsidies from our Fall GiveButter campaign) as well as some reallocations from our operating budget.
Winter Chorus Concert: Tuesday December 20th at 7pm. Come hear the many sounds of the season at our Winter Chorus Concert! There will be laughs, sweet music, and a memorable concert closer! Tickets are $5 at the door ($20 family maximum). Cash is encouraged, but card payment is an option.
NYC Update: Our 2nd trip payment was due on Dec. 1st and is now past due. A letter was sent home with some approximate trip details that are current as of 12/1/22. Additionally, a medical permission form was also sent home and needs to be returned asap. A copy of the letter/itinerary is here: NYC ITINERARY VERSION 2
Fall Chorus Fundraising Campaign:
UPDATE: This was a HUGE SUCCESS!!! Many thanks to the HUNDREDS that supported us. We raised over $9000 and have met our budget needs for this year! NO MORE FUNDRAISING THIS YEAR!!!! :)
CLICK TO SUPPORT US AND VIEW OUR FUNDRAISER
During the month of November, all chorus students are being encouraged to participate in our only fundraising drive this year, which will be a donation drive through a platform known as Givebutter. Our goal is for students to collect at least $100 in donations (each) to fully fund our needed expenses. We are doing this through the use of a Calendar Sponsorship page, where each student will be requesting a sponsor for each day of the month. The sponsor will pay the amount of the given date-- thus if they sponsor the 4th of November, the donation will be $4 in honor of the student; on the 30th, the donation will be $30, and so on. A student with a complete calendar raises $465 in support! Keep in mind, due to tax laws and non-profit policy, all money raised supports the entirety of the choral program, not just individual students.
Students will participate in “teams” that will compete for incentives/rewards for participation. Winning teams will receive tangible prizes, such as catered lunch, gift cards, etc. Fundraising keeps our FairShare as low as possible, and by doing a donation drive, no product sales are necessary. Help us to make this a very effective campaign so no further fundraising is necessary this year!
Fall Chorus Concert:
The Fall Chorus Concert is Thursday Oct. 27th at 7pm in the PCHS auditorium. Students should arrive dressed for the concert around 6pm (6pm for pd. 2&4, 6:15pm for pd. 3). Doors will open after 6:30 for audience members. Tickets are $5 at the door with a $20 family maximum. Cash/check/card/paypal are all accepted. The concert will last a little over an hour and will be enjoyable for all ages! Music will be from various periods in history, representing a variety of cultures and languages, as well as some more contemporary music from Disney and other popular sources. PLEASE COME!
Concert night: Here's a copy of the Fall Chorus Concert Program
PC Chorus, Dance and Theater Spring Trip to NYC: April 20-23, 2023
A letter was sent home on Oct. 4th with preliminary information including expected costs, a list of activities, transportation specifics, hotel info, etc. Here's a copy: NYC Initial Info Letter/Commitment Request
Commitments wanted ASAP, but certainly by Oct. 18th. Payments can be made on our website-- simply navigate to the Payments page!
Welcome back to school! This website hosts information for parents, our school, and the local community. Check here for details about current events and general information. Students should engage through Canvas as their main academic portal where assignments and important class announcements are posted. Finally, Talking Points parent messages will be sent infrequently with important reminders. Always feel free to contact Mr. Bensen for questions at bbensen@wcpss.net
Back to school "assignments":
1) Please read the Choral Handbook in entirety.
2) Fill out the following Online Chorus Family Info Form
3) Plan to attend the Thursday Sept. 1 Chorus Parent Meeting @7pm in the chorus room: Parent Meeting Agenda
2022-2023 Call for parent helpers: We are in need of a handful of new choral booster volunteers! We specifically need those that can help with outfitting/attire management, travel planning, fundraising, and especially financial recording/treasurer responsibilities. PLEASE contact me ASAP to get involved!!! bbensen@wcpss.net
The annual Chorus Banquet is Friday June 3rd at 6:30pm. Families should bring their own meals, though the choral boosters will provide dessert. We will enjoy a couple of student performances during dinner, and again during the following awards session that will follow after dinner in the auditorium. Student recognition, awards, a year-in-review slide show and presentation of the annual Choral Booster scholarship will ensue. Students should dress nicely and be ready to leave around 8:15pm. A sign up genius is provided here to reserve your free spots: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0f4ba8a72da3ff2-chorus
Finale Chorus Concert: Thursday June 2nd at 7pm. The CONCERT PROGRAM (link) features a wild ride of musical diversity! ALUMNI are needed to perform with us on Write Your Blessed Name. Click here for SHEET MUSIC . Additionally, here's a video from our 2018 Finale Concert: Write Your Blessed Name
Newsies Field Trip: On Friday March 13th, the Treble Voices will go to support one of their own in Raleigh Children's Theater's production of Newsies at Peace College. We'll leave 1st period at 8:15am, see the show at 9am, and head to a buffet lunch at Dave & Busters around 10:45 (during regular lunch time). Students will also get a $20 gaming card to use when we finish eating. We'll return to PC during our regular 3rd pd. class. This event will cost each student $25, which mainly covers the lunch portion (additional expenses are being paid by the Choral Boosters). Payments can be made by cash or check in the amount of $25 to PC Choral Boosters, or by paying online here under the "Payments" tab.
Spring Chorus Concert: Thursday March 24th at 7:30pm. Tickets are $5 at the door (no presale tickets); Both cash and cards are accepted. Here is program for this concert: '22 Spring Concert Program
Carowinds Chorus Trip: April 22. Please see the letter I sent home regarding this trip: Carowinds Info Letter Though payment isn't due until April 5th, we need the commitment slips ASAP (bottom of the letter)
Chorus for 2022-2023:
Audition details (all underlined words below are LINKS):
Rising Freshman (current 8th graders) should look at the PC arts & chorus presentation; Auditions for advanced students are by appointment, but ideally on Mar. 21. Email me to sign up for a time (bbensen@wcpss.net)
For current PC Students: See the Chorus Info Presentation
NO auditions necessary for students who have previously taken Mixed Chorus and want to do Treble Voices (year-long) for 2022-2023 (see registration codes below)
Guys (tenor/bass voices) should MEET WITH ME to discuss placement in Chamber Choir (no formal audition required if you have taken Mixed Chorus)
Soprano/Alto voices who are interested in Chamber Choir need to audition on March 7th or 8th; If you missed the audition dates, please contact me to schedule an audition (they will be ongoing for a while)
Fill out THIS AUDITION FORM and bring to the audition already completed...
We will do some vocal exercises to check range and technique
You will sing a HARMONIC MINOR scale up and down without the assistance of a piano (use solfege: la ti do re mi fa si la)
You will sightread a short melodic example on solfege
You will count out some rhythms using takadimi
You will sing MY COUNTRY TIS OF THEE a cappella (I will provide starting pitch)
Soprano/Tenor: Sheet Music in Ab Major
Alto/Bass: Sheet Music in D Major
REGISTRATION CODES: (NOTE: These seem to be different on this year's registration process on PowerSchool)
Mixed Chorus: #52302X0A
Treble Voices: Just make sure you sign up for 2 semesters-- we'll fix the placement!
If you have taken 1 semester of high-school chorus sign up for 2 semesters, as follows: #52312X0AF.1 and #52325X0AS.8
If you have taken 2 semesters of high-school chorus (or more), sign up for 2 semesters, as follows: #52325X0AF.1 and #52325X0AS.8
Chamber Choir (Register AFTER AUDITION/APPROVAL): Just make sure you sign up for 2 semesters-- we'll fix the placement!
Sign up for 2 semesters, as follows: #52335X0AF.1 and #52335X0AS.1
Welcome to the 2nd semester!! Dates of importance:
Jan. 26: Senior girls in pd. 4 Chamber Choir to perform at Early Graduation; report 6:45pm; done by 7:15pm
February 24: Pd. 3 & 4 will go to Green Level High School (4 miles away) to watch the 160 voice University of Kentucky choral group do a mass performance for Wake County HS chorus students! We'll leave PC around 9:35 (half-way through 2nd period), enjoy the show, and grab lunch in the Cary Park shopping center (student choice of several restaurants-- need money or bring a bagged lunch). We'll return about half-way through 3rd period.
March 18: (Teacher workday)-- all chorus students (pd. 3 & 4) will be singing in an Music Performance Assessment festival held at Heritage High School in Wake Forest. Students will be assessed on a couple of the more difficult music repertoire that we are working on in class. The performance times have not been announced, however, will be open to the public for attendance/viewing. Be on the lookout for more info!
March 24: Spring Chorus Concert @7:30pm in the PC auditorium. Tickets are $5 at the door. Will feature both chorus classes and the PC Catatones!
March 31-April 2: Spring Musical (The Addams Family). Features many PC Chorus students-- please come!
April 22: Proposed joint trip to Carowinds with Green Hope advanced chorus to participate in the Carowinds Choral Festival. More info to come.
June 2: Year-End "Finale" Chorus Concert @ pm in the PC auditorium. Tickets are $5 at the door. Will feature both chorus classes and the PC Catatones!
June 3: Chorus Year-End Banquet 6:30pm PC cafeteria & auditorium. No charge. Details to come.
Talking Points Message sent 12/6: Hello! Reminders: The Winter Concert is next Thurs. Dec. 16th at 7pm. Students should report dressed @ 6pm. Tickets are $5 at the door (cash/check/card). The mandatory after-school rehearsal is Wed. Dec. 15 from 2:30-4:30pm. For Mixed Chorus, I'll be sending home shirts/belts/ties, but everyone needs black pants/dress slacks or an ankle-length skirt plus black closed-toe dress shoes (not sneakers). Amazon has many options for these items, even under $20. For those with financial constraints, please contact me ASAP so we can work out a benevolence option (which does exist!). See you soon!
Talking Points Message to Pd. 2 Mixed Chorus Parents: On Monday Nov. 15 during class, students will be sized for concerts outfits for our Dec. 16 concert. The ladies wear white tunic tops & guys wear white dress shirts with provided ties. The tops are loaned from the choral program and need to be returned cleaned several days after the concert. Guys don't need to use our white dress shirts if they have their own, but the cost is included in the FairShare fee. Wearing a t-shirt on Mon. may be helpful for sizing. Students will need to provide their own long black dress pants or skirts (down to ankle; NOT leggings/yoga pants).
Dresses/Tuxedos for Pd. 3 & 4. Here is a copy of the letter sent home regarding new dresses and tuxedos for Treble Voices and Chamber Choir.
10/29/21: Online payments are NOW WORKING!
Winter Concert: Mark your calendars! December 16th at 7pm. Admission $5. An after-school rehearsal (Mandatory) is Wed. Dec. 15 from 2:30-4:30 pm.
Fall Chorus "Informance"--- 7pm at Panther Creek HS on Tues. Oct. 5th. Here is a direct link to the program for the event: Concert Guide
Pd. 2 Mixed Chorus SOCIAL COOKOUT:
Tuesday Sept. 28th at North Cary Park! 5:00PM Start with food after 5:30. Leave by 7pm. Sign Up here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0f4ba8a72da3ff2-pchs4
Parents: The "Payments" tab has been updated-- hopefully with a better interface that makes it easier to use both desktop and mobile payments!
An exciting opportunity for chorus students! There is a new auditioned youth choir (the NC Master Chorale Youth Choir) here in the Triangle directed by the NC State University's Head of Music! Auditions are coming up fast. For information, please visit the following link: https://www.ncmasterchorale.org/youth
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Welcome to the 2021-2022 school year! YES, we are back to an in-person typical year in chorus! That means group singing everyday, regular performances, social events and even field trips! Of course, stay tuned to local WCPSS and CDC updates as we navigate through this return to normalcy.
First day information/"to do":
1) PARENTS & STUDENTS: Please read the following condensed Chorus Handbook which has important information regarding procedures for chorus during 2021-2022. After reading, please have parents fill out the following short online form which requests important information from every PC Chorus family: PC Chorus Family Info and Handbook Verification Form
2) Students should also join their respective Google Classroom LMS and Remind communication, as follows:
Pd. 2 Mixed Chorus
Google Course Enroll Code: https://classroom.google.com/c/MzgxNDQzMjE3NTg5?cjc=b7wuzak
Also connect through Remind through https://www.remind.com/join/mxdchr
Pd. 3 Treble Voices
Google Course Enroll Code: https://classroom.google.com/c/MzgxNDQzMjE5MjUx?cjc=ncmshw3
Also connect through Remind through https://www.remind.com/join/treblevcs
Pd. 4 Chamber Choir
Google Course Enroll Code: https://classroom.google.com/c/MzgxNDQzMjIwMTM4?cjc=5276tlg
Also connect through Remind through https://www.remind.com/join/pcchmbr
Please fill out the PC Chorus Family Info and Handbook Verification Form by Thursday, August 26th.
Please see the Payments page to pay the annual FairShare activity fee. Remember, details about this are discussed in the Choral Handbook including options for benevolence.
2020-2021 PAST NEWS:
Course registration is now open for the 2021-22 academic year. Check out the Auditions 2021-22 page for Treble Choir and Chamber Choir auditions requirements. Mixed Choir is open to all students - no audition required!
Considering joining chorus? Watch the video below to find out more about our choirs and what to expect from our program!