Show Choir Audition REsults

2018-2019 School Year

Please read The information Below Before proceeding...

Included in this posting is the roster for the 2018-2019 CHS Show Choir "Shades of Blue."

I am extremely proud of every student who auditioned for this year's show choir. It was by far the most prepared and engaging group of student auditions that we have had for the Shades of Blue to date. The review of audition results and the creation of choirs is one of the most challenging tasks I face as being a director and caretaker of students. It is not a process that I take lightly and one that I do my best to ensure is fair and supports the creation of the best possible ensemble and performance experience for those students selected. Whether or not we will be work together as a member of this ensemble during the year or of the many others in which students will be participating, your work this past week has assured me that it is going to be a fantastic year!

As your teacher, part of my job is to teach students to handle good news with grace and handle less desirable news with dignity; how to ask for feedback in a constructive, professional way and how to make informed and rational choices based on the information. It is in this spirit that the following procedures are set in place regarding inquiries about these results:

Students – for those of you who have achieved the outcomes you desire, congratulations. For those whose result was not what was hoped for, please know that every consideration was afforded to this process in order to make the best choice for each student’s individual and corporate growth. No one can decide for you what to do next if you did not achieve your desires, however, I do hope that whatever you decide, you do so after having carefully considered what choir has meant to you and what you might accomplish as a member of your new ensemble.

Parents – while I understand your eagerness to act on behalf of your student and while I will certainly respond to your requests for information, I respectfully ask that you allow your student to initiate contact with me regarding audition results. This process was shared with your student during the audition workshop to help them develop an understanding of the process involved with the review of audition results and the creation of choirs in the CHS Choral Department.
​
Students with questions about their audition may contact the choir office via email, beginning, Sunday, May 13th after 2:00 PM. The reason for this period of time between posting and requests for more information is to allow each student the time carefully consider what it is they desire to know about their audition/placement before they make their inquiry. Requests for additional information should be made via email requests so that I may provide you detailed information in writing to each student regarding their performance. I have triple checked this list for accuracy; however, no system is perfect. Please bring any perceived errors to my attention as soon as possible.

Thank you for your support and understanding as we work to best serve all of our students through this process. I could not be more proud of the energy and enthusiasm each of you brought to this year's process.

Eric L. Cooley, director
CHS Choral Department
ecooley@bisdmail.net

General Expectations for Members of the 2019-2020 Cast of Shades of Blue

  • Shades of Blue every Monday, after school, from 4:30-7:00PM. Rehearsals are 2.5 hours and are schedule in accordance with state PE requirements for this course.
  • During the spring semester, it may be necessary to adjust the rehearsal schedule to accommodate UIL rehearsals and travel opportunities for students in our program.
  • Any adjustments to the schedule will be published two weeks in advance in order to provide students with the time to arrange their schedules to attend. 
  • All students selected for next year’s squad are expected to make all necessary arrangements to attend all rehearsals. Official attendance will be taken at each rehearsal and tracked through our skyward attendance system. Consistent late arrivals/absences from rehearsals will impact student’s ability to receive credit for the course and may result in removal from the ensemble.
  • Students that miss rehearsal are expected to have reviewed and rehearsed all assigned music and choreography prior to the next rehearsal. If students are having trouble, it is their responsibility to seek out help outside of rehearsal, using online material and fellow members as resources for practice and preparation.
  • Frequent absences/late arrivals to rehearsal may result in a loss of credit/dismissal from the group.
    • One Unexcused Absence/Tardy - Parent Contact, Reduction in Weekly Grade
    • Two Unexcused Absences/Tardies = Parent Conference, Probation, Reduction in Weekly Grade
    • Students accruing more than two absences in a concert cycle may be asked to perform a “dance-off” or “sing-off” on their music to ensure they are prepared to perform
    • Three or more absences of any kind within a semester - Suspension, possible removal from the group, and a loss of credit for the course.
    • More detailed guidelines regarding absences can be found in the CHS Choir Handbook.
  • This group requires a positive, a commitment to self-improvement and an ability to work with others. Students are expected to pursue their best in each and every rehearsal to support the best work environment and performance experience for their peers. A lack of positive attitude and/or the inability to work well with the group will be addressed by the director as an area in need of improvement. Failure to make the requested adjustments may result in dismissal from the group.

Show Choir Roster By Number

Next Steps...

​Those students listed above should do the following: 
  1. Sign Up for Remind 101 - Text @ef34 to "81010" to enroll.
  2. Review the information regarding expectations and financial matters.
  3. Complete the forms below by Wednesday, May 16th.
  4. Turn in your show choir activity ($60) and character shoe fees ($25) to Mr. Cooley or Mrs. Patten (9th-grade students only) no later than Thursday, May 24th (check/cash).
  5. Attend Show Choir Boot Camp - Aug. 6-7th from 8:30AM-4:00 PM, and on Aug. 8th from 8:30-12:30PM.
  6. Plan to Attend Choir Prep Day on Sat., Aug. 11th to meet other choir members, submit forms for the upcoming school year, finalize uniform fittings, etc.
  7. Check Your School Email Regularly over the summer for updates and information about program opportunities and activities related to your involvement in Shades of Blue and the Choirs of Centennial.
  8. Communicate any questions or concerns with Mr. Cooley as soon as you become aware of them.


Financial Matters

Fees for Show Choir Members are due by the end of the school year in order to facilitate the purchase of those items required for the upcoming school year. 
  • Activity Fee for the 2018-2019 School Year - $60
    • Ensemble Shirt, Bloomers (Women), Socks (Men), Uniform Supplement, Meal Supplement, & End of Year Cleaning Fee.
  • Character Shoe Fee - $25 (Ordered in the Fall)
    • Women wear tan heels with cross-over straps; Men will wear black oxford style shoes with their uniforms. 
    • This fee will be waived for members who own character shoes in good condition.
Fees should be submitted to Mr. Cooley or Mrs. Patten by cash or check no later than Thursday, May 24th.