For those who will be new additions to the Mansfeld community, this information can be helpful if you decide to try out the Vocal Music Program. Yes, we do sing, but we also learn to appreciate many styles of music. We also help to develop your vocal skills so that you can use it in High School to compete with other students from other schools. Being a part of a Fine Arts program can help to make your school years more enjoyable!
Listed below are some of the items we have participated in this past school year:
- AUGUST-Open House in early August. We learned a little song and dance to prepare forthe year and performed for the parents. The song we performed is "Give Me That Spotlight!"
- SEPTEMBER-Practice and preparation Palo Verde Festival, Phoenix Trip AND advanced choral test in December. Students were given a song to learn by sight singing, a skill learned in class and encouraged to be practiced at home with songs and exercises from the sight singing book on this blogsite. This song will be the sight singing "TEST"
- OCTOBER-Practice and preparation Palo Verde Festival, Phoenix Trip AND advanced choral test in December. Students were given a song to learn by sight singing, a skill learned in class and encouraged to be practiced at home with songs and exercises from the sight singing book on this blogsite.
- NOVEMBER-TUSD Middle and High School Festival at Palo Verde High School. This occured in early November. The Beginning and Advanced chorus participated in this year with 2-3 songs each.
- DECEMBER-THE TEST!!! The singing test is not difficult, one only needs to put in the time to help develop and synchronize sounds as they relate to your mouth (throat and lungs), ears, and your brain. ALL PEOPLE CAN SING WELL if they put in the practice time regularly. We developed a temporary intermediate class of students who needed a little more assistance in developing their musical ability. THE PHOENIX TRIP-Throughout the months of August, September, October and November, we fundraise for this trip by selling water and parking to the people who attend the UofA football games.
- The infamous Phoenix trip is an annual event where we sing a set of songs in the State Capitol lobby as well as listen to some other school groups from different parts of Arizona. We usually use the same musical set when we perform prior to the Band/Orchestra Winter concert. This year, for the first time, our choruses combined to sing the seasonal number "Carol of the Bells." Our efforts resulted in 4 of our 8th graders (Prashamsa, Breanna, Miranda and Christie) accompanying the Tucson High Choirs in that same song!
Coming Soon!!! Video of Chorus performing at the Capitol!
Click on the URL below if you want to see last year's chorus performing there...
http://bulldogchorus.blogspot.com/2012_06_01_archive.html
http://bulldogchorus.blogspot.com/2012_06_01_archive.html
- JANUARY-Practice and preparation for Spring Concert or Multicultural Night on May 3rd. For the intermediate students, there is another singing test in April. Students were given a new song to learn by sight singing, a skill learned in class and encouraged to be practiced at home with songs and exercises from the sight singing book on this blogsite (Eyes and Ears Sight Sing).
- FEBRUARY-We had a performance for "Literacy Night." The advanced students performed an acapella version of a song entitled "Love is Love." The 6th grade chorus finished the performance by performing a timely piece called "Castle on a Cloud" from the story Les Miserables and "Figure Eight" from Schoohouse Rock. Great night and the students performed well! Practice and preparation for Spring Concert or Multicultural Night on May 3rd. For the intermediate students, there is another singing test in April. Students were given a new song to learn by sight singing, a skill learned in class and encouraged to be practiced at home with songs and exercises from the sight singing book on this blogsite (Eyes and Ears Sight Sing).
- MARCH-Practice and preparation for Spring Concert or Multicultural Night on May 3rd For the intermediate students, there is another singing test in April. Students were given a new song to learn by sight singing, a skill learned in class and encouraged to be practiced at home with songs and exercises from the sight singing book on this blogsite (Eyes and Ears Sight Sing).
- APRIL-AIMS!!! Prior to the AIMS test, we had a performance on AIMS night. The Advanced students sang with the Theater kids, a song from Pirates of Penzance entitled "The Modern Major General" song. The 6th graders sang through Figure Eight again and then both groups combined to sing the song "NOUN, a person place or thing" also from Schoolhouse Rock.
The intermediate students tested again to qualify for advanced chorus for the next year, while the 8th graders were beginning preparations for auditioning for the Tucson High Choirs. After AIMS, our focus will be on the performance at the Multicultural event on May 3.
- MAY-There are three evening performances that may involve chorus, and they are on May 3, May 7 and possibly May 9. There will also be a daytimie performance for visiting elementary schools to our campus.
I look forward to another great year and not so much dividing up of the groups, there will only be an advanced and beginning 6th grade group. New students to the program will be assisted to help with music reading skills as part of the whole group. I and "We" welcome you!! If there are any questions about ANTYTHING in the vocal music program, please email or call me:thomas.levario@tusd1.org or call 520-225-1872.
