New Chorus Teacher -- Mr. Jeff Maynard

Hello All!  Thank you again for such a wonderful year with NHS Chorus.  I am proud of all we have accomplished.  I hate that I have to leave so soon, but sometimes life throws a curve ball!  I am confident that NHS chorus is in a good place and will grow and move forward in the coming years.

This is an introductory post (I will have a full "bio" post coming soon), but wanted to announce that Mr. Jeff Maynard will be the new choral director at Northern High School.  After interviewing several candidates, the arts team and myself believe Mr. Maynard has the passion, skill, energy, and vision to take the NHS Chorus forward!  I am very excited about what Mr. Maynard will do at NHS.  He is an experienced teacher, performer, singer, conductor, and private instructor, gaining experiences in St. Louis, Boston, New York, and the Triangle.  While he has been a choral conductor, he decided to earn his Masters in music education at UNC-Chapel Hill (the same program at Ms. Fitz and Mrs. Hayek), and comes highly recommended.  Again, a full bio is coming soon, but I thought I would let you know about Mr. Maynard, and I confidently say that NHS Chorus is in good hands!

Have a wonderful summer!

Congrats to Blues in the Knight for a superior at Festival Disney!

What a wonderful time BIK had in Orlando, FL March 28-April 1! It was such a fun trip, with time spent at Universal and Disney parks. We sang 5 pieces at the Festival Disney Music Competition in the Treble Choir division, and earned a superior rating with an average score of 95! The judges were very complimentary of their vocal sound and musicianship. Job well done, ladies, and it was great to spend time together having fun as a team! Thank you to all chaperones for their help!

Congrats to NHS singers!

This post is belated, but a wonderful job to all NHS chorus members at Musical Performance Adjudication at Meredith College on March 5! MidKnight Blues earned an Excellent (2nd highest rating) and Blues in the Knights earned a Superior (highest rating). Goes to show that hard work pays off. So proud of all of you!

Welcome to Spring Semester!!

Welcome (back) to chorus! We are in store for an exciting and busy semester! Please familiarize yourself with the blog and check it often! It contains documents, announcements, and links to important information.

Let Mrs. Hayek know if you have any questions or concerns! lindsey.hayek@dpsnc.net

EOE practice tracks!

Here are the EOE practice tracks! Made by the awesome DPS chorus teachers! PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE take advantage of these! They should really help your practicing! Thanks:)

http://eoe2012.podomatic.com/

Men's Choral Invitational

Here are the links for the Men's Choral Invitational! If you are going, you will write a reflection about the experience. If you are not going, you will use these videos to write a brief reflection, giving a brief positive and negative critique for each song. Also, talk about the challenges and advantages of the male voice, and some of the musical characteristics of all-male music (like the ranges, the harmonies, etc.).

Let their Celestial Concerts all Unite
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OFPAs7F8CGY

Make them hear you
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zszlJGmV2H8

Gabi, Gabi (but you will be doing an all-male version)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PAM4kTteyJQ

Got a Mind to Do Right
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KleFGTo66Mk

Danny Boy (but with a bigger ensemble)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aRci40C4Y3I

Welcome back!

Great job on the winter concert, all! Photos from caroling and such coming soon!

Get ready for those exams:)

Don't forget CONCERT REPORT---due by Jan 12 if you want a chance to be exempt!!

Info for Chorus History Project (3rd or 4th period):

Look at the rubric! History of the genre, and how it relates to CHORAL music! Give some musical examples (but you don't need to limit yourself to one song, you could do a few!)

Here are some links and resources that may help you out.

This website is awesome--so much about many genres and eras of music!

http://www.soundpiper.com/mln/musichistory.htm

Classical Music database: www.naxos.com

Choral music databases (if you want to see if there is a choral music version):

www.jwpepper.com

http://www.halleonard.com/index.jsp?subsiteid=5

Folk music: http://folkmusic.about.com/od/historyoffolk/a/Folk_History.htm

Gospel Music: http://www.bostoncommunitychoir.org/history_of_gospel_music.htm

jazz:http://www.jazz123.info/the-history-of-vocal-jazz.php

spirituals: http://www.negrospirituals.com/history.htm

barbershop: http://www.acappellafoundation.org/essay/bbshistory.html

Let me know if you need help with youtube or google searches!

Holiday Chorus Dates!

Holiday Concert and gigs are just around the corner! Make sure these are all on your calendar:

EVERYONE:

Holiday Concert at Northern with Carrington and Little River (REQUIRED)

Monday, December 12: Rehearse at Northern with CMS, 2:30-4 PM

Tuesday, December 13: Rehearse at Northern with LRE: 4:45-6 PM

Wednesday, December 14: CONCERT. Arrive at 5:30 PM. Rehearse with CMS and LRE. Concert is at 7 PM.

Attire:

Women: Black bottoms (nice black slacks, knee-lengthed skirt with black tights), red top, closed toe black shoes

Men: Black dress pants, black shoes, white button-down shirt, red tie (I will provide)

Other gigs:

Blues in the Knight + Voices U-Knighted (1st & 3rd):

• Wednesday, December 7, Ruritan Club Christmas party at Willowhaven Country Club. Arrive at 7:10 PM, sing 7:30 - 8 PM. 253 Country Club Dr., Durham, NC, 27712.
• Thursday, December 8, Treyburn Men's Club Christmas party at Treyburn Country Club. Arrive at 7:10 PM, sing 7:30-8:15 PM. 1 Old Trail DriveDurham, NC 27712

Wear: black bottoms, festive tops (red, green, white).

Blues in the Knight

• Thursday, December 15, Sandy Ridge Elementary School. Arrive at 5:45 PM. Sing 6-7.

Great job at the Fall Concert!

This post is a little late, but so proud of everyone for their hard work and a job well done at the Fall Concert! Very proud of the Northern Chorus for a successful first concert. It was a great night of singing, with music of all kinds! Hard to believe our holiday concert is just around the corner! Get ready for December 14, 7 PM!

Here are a few pictures from dress rehearsal!

Blues and the Knight and Midknight Blues singing "I Will Survive" (above)

Blues in the Knight posing at the end of "Firework" (above)
Blues in the Knight singing Firework (above)
Voices U-Knighted singing Brown Eye Girl
Blues in the Knight rehearsing "Ascribe to the Lord" and "Dear John"
Blues in the Knight and Voices U-Knighted singing "Down to the River to Pray"
Midknight Blues rehearsing "Water is Wide" and "Feel Good"
Everyone rehearsing "Eye of the Tiger"

Congrats to Blues in the Knight for a job well done at Eric Whitacre concert!

On Thursday, Oct. 27, Blues in the Knight + 150 other Durham high school singers got to sing at the Eric Whitacre concert at Duke Chapel. It was an incredible concert, featuring high schoolers, the Duke Chorale, and the Duke Wind Symphony, with Mr. Whitacre conducting! What an honor and a wonderful experience! We even got an autographed poster from Mr. Whitacre:)

Here is a link to photos from that event. There are many photos of Mr. Whitacre, but there are some shots of Northern girls in there too!

Congrats again, I'm so proud of you all! Thank you for your hard work and beautiful music making!

http://manring.net/photos/Duke_Chapel_Eric_Whitacre_10-27-11_all/

A job well done!

NHS Chorus singing at the Homecoming Football game:

A job well done singing the Alma Mater and National Anthem at the pep rally and homecoming game! You all represented Northern Chorus well:) I'm proud of your hard work! You looked and sounded great. It was also fun hanging out and eating pizza on a nice night! And congrats to our very own Pascale Burchette, Homecoming Queen!

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All-County Chorus Rehearsal:

Also, a shout out to a job well done to members of All-County Chorus, who gave a concert with other DPS high school singers at Southern High School on Saturday, October 15, at 5 PM. You all worked really hard over the past few weeks (especially the past few days), learned some difficult music, and sang really well on Saturday! Thank you for representing Northern so well!

Thanks to for your hard work:

Macie Ashby, Kiera Motley, Mackenzie Browning, Edna de Luna, Keilah Davis, Sara Phipps, Faye Piephoff, Tierra McMickle, Brande Thompson, Emmanuel Gbedee, Duran Johnson, KJ McGrew, Donald Sturn, and Aaron Jones.

Volunteer needs for Oct/Nov

Parent Volunteers: Help needed with the following! Email Mrs. Hayek!

Tuesday, October 11^th: 1 or 2 Volunteers needed

This is the day kids are turning in money from the fundraiser. I would love help receipting money this day or later during this week. You could come in during the day or after school! If you have never receipted before, it is not difficult, but does take some time and accuracy.

Friday, October 14^th- Homecoming Game, 2-4 volunteers needed

We are singing the anthem and alma mater at the homecoming football game! As I am trying to organize 75 students in a new space, it would be helpful to have another adult presence if available. Students will arrive at 5 PM. We also have an hour period for food from 5:30-6:30 (still working out exact details), but it will either involve helping serve food (Bojangles or pizza) or chaperone as kids eat their dinner. We will reconvene at 6:30, and be ready to sing right at 7 PM.

Late October: When fundraiser items come in, 1 or 2 volunteers needed

I don’t know the exact date, but will need some help making sure all items are sorted and orders are correct before kids start taking them home!

Thursday, November 10. Thinking ahead for the November concert, let me know if you are interested in helping with the following, and I will put you in touch with the right people!

1) Ticket Sales (at the concert)

2) Concessions/bake sale (preparing certain items or working the booth)

Stay posted for more volunteer updates! Please email me at Lindsey.hayek@dpsnc.net to let me know of your interest to volunteer. Your help and support are greatly appreciated!

Chorus Fundraiser!

FUNDRAISER now through TUESDAY, OCTOBER 11th!! We need 100% participation! Support Northern chorus!

see letter below:

Our Chorus will begin our effort today to raise money for our uniform expenses, music expenses, and any trip expenses.. We will be taking orders from the beautiful Delights catalog that is enclosed. All products offered are either consumable, collectable or make attractive gift items. Even if you don’t have a particular expense to cover, please fundraise for the sake of other members of the chorus and the chorus as a whole! Our small goal is for each student to sell a minimum 6 items – this is your fair share. Our big goal is for each student to sell 15 items. The more items you sell, the more money that goes toward any costs you incur (unifoms, trip, etc.) and the more fun things we are able to do as a chorus!

Take Orders From: 9/27 TO: 10/11

This year we have Three (3) ways you can help:

1. Fill out the small green Reachout book with 7-10 names of friends and family members. The names & addresses of family and friends that you provide will never be added to any mailing list or given to any other source. They will be given the opportunity to order or renew magazines at up to 80% off newsstand prices. There is no obligation & everyone returning a book with 7 names & addresses by Friday 9/30 wins a Splat!

2. Visit our On Line Store by going to gafundraising.com, select “On Line Store” & put in our school ID #2316511. You can pay with credit card & the items are delivered to your home. Please email family & friends to go online too. See instructions on prize sheet so orders count toward prizes.

3. Take orders from the brochures: the Holiday Showcase (a large number of items $10 and below), the Designs Jewelry collection and the Helping Hands brochure (these items are hand made by people overseas who benefit directly from the sale of these items).

Prizes and Incentives!

(Payment must be handed in with orders to receive prizes)

Fair Share Prize:

For all students that sell 6 items or more: You will receive frog keychain and lanyard!

Big Seller Prize:

For the highest item seller in each class, they will receive a small gift certificate to a fast-food restaurant. The highest seller overall will also get an additional prize…

For the class that sells the highest AVERAGE of items per student, that will class win a food celebration at the end of the fundraiser!

Our campaign could not be a success without the cooperation and help of so many of our parents, guardians and friends. Thanks in advance for your support of this campaign!

Progress Reports

Progress reports will go home this week for the 1st 3 weeks! These reports are just a glimpse of the beginning of the school year --- it is expected that these grades might be lower and improve over the semester. Please make sure to familiarize yourself with the syllabus, grading policies, and attendance policies. Remember, the daily grade (daily participation and contribution to the choir) is 50% of your grade! Let me know if you have any questions or concerns!

A reminder-- Money for uniforms ($10 for T-shirts, and more for Adv. Women) is due this Friday, Sept 16! Please turn in money ASAP!

Parent Meeting Still ON!

Even with the crazy weather, the parent meeting is still on for tonight (Tues, Sept 6) at 7 PM in the chorus room! I tried to send out an email reminder...but my email kept telling me I was spamming you and wouldn't send:( But hopefully some of you will still be able to come! Spread the word!

Welcome back, Northern Chorus!

Hello everyone!

Welcome back! My name is Mrs. Lindsey Hayek, and I am the new chorus teacher at Northern. I am very much looking forward to meeting and working with the students and parents of the Northern Chorus. Whether it is your first year or fourth year with the chorus, I am sure it will be an exciting and productive year for all involved.

I hope we can learn more about each other as the semester progresses. My goal is to teach a love and understanding for choral music by singing with healthy vocal technique and studying a wide variety of music. A well-rounded musician can sing music from many different genres, cultures, and historical time-periods with expressive and technical accuracy. I want to create musically literate singers that are independent enough to carry on their musical endeavors beyond the NHS chorus classroom. I hope that together we can create beautiful music to share with each other, Northern High, and the community.

There will be parent meeting on Tuesday, September 6th, at 7 PM in the chorus room for any parent/guardian that would like to meet me or learn more about what's going on with Northern Chorus this year! Hope you can come!

Please turn in signed chorus contracts by Friday, September 2nd. Also, please check this blog often, as it's a great way to stay updated with the chorus. You can also Facebook my "teacher" account which is "Lindsey D Hayek" for other updates. Do not hesitate to contact me with questions or concerns. Thank you for your support!

Goodbye Fitz, Hello Hayek!

Dear Northern Chorus students and families,

I have truly enjoyed serving as your chorus teacher at Northern High for the past three years. You have accepted me into the Northern family and made me feel welcome. I have watched the students grow vocally and musically, and seen their talent blossom on stage and in the classroom. I have been proud to work at Northern High, but am sad to say that I will not be returning to Northern next year. I have accepted a position as the lead music teacher at Sandy Ridge Elementary. This was a very difficult decision for me to make, and I will miss you all terribly.

Sandy Ridge Elementary is a new arts magnet elementary school opening in August. Mr. Colclough is the principal of the new school. There will be a big emphasis on performance, guest artists, field trips and arts integration. I am excited to have the opportunity to explore teaching another age group! You can find out more about Sandy Ridge at http://sandyridge.dpsnc.net.

Mrs. Lindsey Hayek will be the new Northern High Choral Director. She has her Bachelors of Music in Vocal Performance and Masters of Arts in Teaching from UNC-Chapel Hill. She is an outstanding vocalist and pianist, kind and capable. She is very excited to join the Northern family and cannot wait to meet you all. I feel very confident leaving the Northern Chorus in her hands. Please make her feel welcome next year and stay away from the phrase, “But Ms. Fitz used to….” Mrs. Hayek will do things differently, just like I did things differently when I started working at Northern. She has your best interests in mind, so I hope you will make her feel at home. Mrs. Hayek will be sending a letter home in early August introducing herself and announcing the class lists.

I hope you will think of this transition in terms of a new beginning—not like an ending. A new beginning is a wonderful thing! Mrs. Hayek will expose you to new music, new warm-ups, new performance opportunities and a new style of teaching. You will become a better musician because you will get to study with two music teachers—not just one.

You can always email me, find me on facebook, or send me a text (when you’re not in class). I know this chorus will continue to grow and make Durham proud. With the Superior ratings and positive comments from judges all around the state and country, I hope you know what you are capable of! I am so proud of you and cannot wait to see what you do in years to come!
Best of luck. Keep in touch and keep singing!

Timeline for Graduation 2011

Graduation is FRIDAY, JUNE 10th.

10 AM: ALL chorus students meet in the chorus room at Northern High for warm-up and rehearsal. Yes, even seniors need to be there!
10:30 AM: Depart for Cameron Indoor Stadium at Duke University
Option 1: Students ride bus to graduation (I need a permission slip from you)
Option 2: Students arrange their own transportation to graduation
11 AM sharp: Sound check at Cameron Indoor Stadium at Duke University. This is our ONLY rehearsal with Mrs. Colclough!
11:15 AM: Seniors line up, all other chorus members sit next to risers until graduation starts
12 noon: Graduation
1:30pm or so: Graduation Ends. The bus will leave 10 minutes after the ceremony is over.

**Don't forget: Please send $5 for your copy of the Spring Concert DVD!**

Spring Concert: May 6 and 7, 2011

Spring Concert is coming!

The end is near! The following rehearsals and performances are REQUIRED for all current NHS chorus students.

• Tuesday and Wednesday, May 3 and 4 Rehearsals for Spring Concert, 6-9pm


• Thursday, May 5 Dress Rehearsal for Spring Show, 6-9pm


• Fri, May 6 and Sat, May 7 Spring Chorus Concert 7:30pm, students arrive at 6pm


• June 10, 2011 Graduation (Northern Chorus sings- yes, this includes seniors!)

Upcoming but not required:

• May 20 and 21, 2011 Spring Musical "You're a Good Man Charlie Brown," starring Nicole T, Frank B, Zavian P, Naomi B, Sara P and Philip R.
  

Don't forget:

• Two Concert Reports (2 pages EACH- total of 4 pages) are due by May 31st. Please see the tab marked "Concert Report Rubric" for more information!