Another Openin' Another Show...

Well, despite the lack of accompanist (save our student accompanist), other musical numbers being pushed to a later date and time, and the many people dealing with this nasty flu...WE DID IT!!! AND we stayed true to the date scheduled at the beginning of the year! (Well, we did move it a week, but only to let the instrumental music department have another date for their concert....BUT WE WERE READY!!!)

I was especially pleased with the overall sound of "The Water is Wide." Beautiful, (nuff said.)

Please mark the calendars for May 4. We will have another performance on that date with songs of Central and South America, with a focus on Peru, Mariachi and Folklorico performances, solos that show the many levels of musical growth, new songs in different languages (Korean, Spanish, German, and even Latin!) There will be more info later, but the evening should be lots of fun!

It's March, do you know where your children are?

Hello everyone, it has been a while since I have posted, but now that things are rolling like they do every year, (spring concerts, no budget, arts fighting for their yearly survival, etc.) and I have some time to spread some information.

First, the Chorus has their first Spring concert on March 17 at 7:00 p.m. in the Mansfeld Center for the Performing Arts (the cafeteria). We have a nice arrangement of songs that exemplify the creative musical creations of our country. We have some numbers from broadway shows, from folk/ game songs of the 1800s, Scott Joplin and even the Gershwin brothers! (Yes, there were great brother teams before the Coens!)

The night will be short, not a high school marathon. We value the adage "Leave 'em wanting more!"

I hope to see many families there!!

We are a busy lot!!

We had many activities during the short school month of December. A highpoint was singing a piece by Handel with Tucson High. I am searching for a "mass chorus" picture and will post it when one becomes available. Next, to help pay for our trip to Phoenix, the chorus had to work parking for the UofA/ ASU game.

Ah, if only work was always this much fun!

We had quite a few people stop and enjoy the antics of our animated street "hawkers."

Next was our annual collaboration with the band and orchestra. When pictures come, they will be posted! That performance gives us practice for the annual trip to the Capitol where we sing the same set of music for Legislators and anyone who happens to be wandering in the Capitol building. Enjoy the pics and the very short video!

Our own Carlotta (Charlotte) preparing for her original "point" routine done to the song "Once Upon a December."

Walking to the performance area....

Photo op after a performance well done!

Phoenix Pictures

Phoenix time is here.... Fun for all, the children call, their favorite time of year!

Tomorrow we are finally going to phoenix! YES! We'll make our way to the bus at 8:30a.m. and we should be at the state capital at 11:00a.m. That means we're not stopping at McDonald's for breakfast.. Although, we will be making our way to Arizona Mills to eat, walk around, digest, and SHOP! So, definitely bring enough money for lunch. Come to school in your concert dress, Black and white. White on top, black on the bottom, or all black or all white. No, no polka dots. We will be taking our backpacks so, after we sing at the capital we can change into some casual clothes to go to the mall in. You don't need to wear your uniform! We should be back at Mansfeld at around 7:00p.m. Then we can all go home and hit the hay after a long day. :)

Stuff that matters.

Unfortunately there are few pictures for this post, but more will be coming soon. We had a great experience at Brichta elementary and plan to perform there again for the older students

This has been a very busy week performing and showing how excited we are to have the opportunity for vocal music; experiences that are enduring.

In the spring, those involved with educating these students will undergo another agonizing time with budget cuts. There is just too much to say about what this devastating annual practice will do to some programs. What really matters is what parents want for their children. Many wonder what they can do and most of the time all people and hear is money this and money that.

While money is necessary, it is not the only thing. There are TUSD board meetings, Mansfeld site council meetings and PTSO meetings. The next site council and PTSO meetings are scheduled for the first Thursday of January, site council at 4:00 and PTSO at 6:30. These meetings discuss possibilities and procedures. Being informed and creative outside of the realm of school can bring fresh ideas to counter those that are predictable. While those in charge may only see the bottom line, what is done with it is where the most help is needed. Please get involved and voice your ideas for what matters to you in public education. Music education and music literacy are what matters to me for my children and ALL my students.

Tucson High Performance

Mansfeld Chorus will be performing at Tucson High tomorrow 12/8/10 at 5:00 in the Tucson High auditorium. Today, we rehearsed and recorded the song we will be singing, See the Conquering Hero Come, with the Tucson High Chorus at Tucson High. Students should be at Tucson High tomorrow before 5:00pm to meet in the chorus room.