We've been communicating through Google Classroom for this school year, but in case someone missed this email that was sent out today, here is our latest class update:
Hello Symphonic Choir Class Students and Families! Since we're heading into the home stretch for the first semester and second quarter marking period, I thought it would be a good idea to touch base with everyone. As a reminder, the new NHSD directive for virtual instruction is that Zoom meeting attendance with cameras is required. Please make sure to attend class each day so that we can record period attendance and you can keep up on what is happening. We're working toward a virtual holiday concert. Flipgrid video recordings are due over the next few days for "It's Beginning to Look Like Christmas," "Sleigh Ride," and "Silent Night." Everyone should have already submitted their part to the "Hallelujah" chorus, which will be edited with the alumni choir submissions. My goal is to have everything edited into one virtual concert video that will be uploaded to our choir YouTube channel and shared for friends and families during the week of December 21. In addition to prep on those songs, we've been engaged in several listening activities since the beginning of November. We did a "Choral Christmas Classics" unit where we listened to a different choral performance of a standard carol then discussed in class. During the week of Thanksgiving, we had some performances focused on thankfulness. And in December, we've been voting on our favorite Pop Holiday Songs in a March Madness-style playoff bracket. For each of these activities, there have been "questions of the day" posted in Google Classroom, each worth 5 points to give us a way to document participation, since not everyone was attending Zoom, and not everyone was contributing to the full discussion. All you have to do is answer the question with your opinion as directed in the question and you receive the points. I have them listed in PowerSchool by week, so that there are 20 or 25 points per week, depending on the number of days we have class. I'm hoping to have the grade book updated in the next day or so with all assignments given for Q2. There are some who have not submitted anything yet, and now is the chance to get caught up! Additionally, if there are outstanding assignments from Q1 (such as the #tbt video quizzes) that you'd like to complete, you may do those as well and still get at least partial credit, raising the Q1 grade and improving the overall semester grade. If completing any of those assignments, please e-mail me so I know to go back and look to update the gradebook as we're in a new marking period. This is certainly not the year we imagined it would be, and I'm sure we all miss being together, making music, hearing each others' voices, and figuring out how to blend together to make the best possible sounds. While we're in this virtual and hybrid model, this is the best we can do for a choir class, so I appreciate how everyone is cooperating and participating. Please reach out if you have any questions or concerns. If I don't see or hear from you in the next 2 weeks, I hope you enjoy your holidays -- socially distanced, of course! Thanks, Mr. Cloonan
Our Madrigal Dinner is quickly approaching - THIS FRIDAY at 6:30PM in the High School Cafeteria B Side! Thank you so much to all who have already signed up to donate items or time for our fundraising event. We already have about 40 reservations, so pass the word along that folks can go to www.nhchoiranddrama.net to reserve a seat (and pay at the door) or use a credit card and purchase tickets online.
Here are ways you can help:
For students participating in the skit, the schedule for this week is as follows: Tuesday, 12/3 - 2:15-3:00 Skit & song read through (shortened due to added Singers practice) Wednesday, 12/4 - 2:15-4:00 Skit/song rehearsal Thursday, 12/5 - 2:15-4:30 Run through in costume of skit/songs Friday's schedule for everyone: Volunteers for set-up/decorating may access the cafeteria beginning at 3:00 after the custodians have finished cleaning. We are in the B side, which is the back of the building (less windows to give more of a castle look) 2:15-3:00 - Run skit one last time, gather items to take to cafeteria 3:00-5:00 - Set up cafeteria and decorate, organize raffle baskets, 50/50, desserts 5:00-5:45 - Run skit with sound system in cafeteria, servers report, help to make salads 5:45-6:30 - Skit participants eat pizza in choir room, get into costume 6:00-6:30 - DOORS OPEN Servers help seat guests 6:30-8:30 - Dinner & program (meal served with skit parts between), raffle winners announced 8:30-9:30 - Clean up, take equipment back to choir room, turn in costumes, gather belongings Also, on a different matter, Friday is also the deadline for submitting commitment forms and $25 deposits for the Virginia music department performance tour in April 2020. The information packet can be found here. Please submit the commitment form & payment in an envelope with the student name on the front to the drawer labeled Virginia 2020. Thanks for helping us as we begin the crazy holiday season. Email with questions and we'll do our best to answer what we can! |
About the NHHS Symphonic ChoirThe Symphonic Choir is the mixed vocal ensemble of the high school choral program. All 9-12 boys, and junior and senior girls are a part of this ensemble. Symphonic Choir members may also audition for the extra-curricular North Hills Singers, and may participate in the Madrigal Choir. The Symphonic Choir has performed with the River City Brass on their holiday concerts, with the Wind Ensemble on combined classical works like Carmina Burana, and collaborated with the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra on their landmark "Singing City" concert in April 2013 in a massed choir of over 1,500 voices. |