We have a busy week in Advanced Mixed chorus!  We’ll be performing at two separate school events- both during the school day.

On Thursday, February 11th, we will be singing at the Prom Fashion Show.  This will be during our class, 2nd period.  We will need to wear ALL BLACK.

On Friday, February 12th, we will be singing at the Black History Month Assembly.  This will be during 4th period- you will be excused from your 4th period class.  We will be wearing JEANS and CHORUS SHIRT (or plain black shirt).

Please plan accordingly- especially for your clothes!!

If you were unable to attend the homecoming game this past Friday, I need a note from home explaining your absence.  I also need the following assignment turned in at your next class:

1. Write the lyrics to the Kell alma mater.

2. Write a paragraph explaining the meaning behind the lyrics of “The Star-Spangled Banner”

For those new to Kell or chorus this semester, here are the lyrics to our alma mater:

Hail to thee, our alma mater, Let us make Kell proud.

Longhorn spirit lives within us, this we sing aloud.

Alma mater, thee we honor, through the day and night,

Branded we will always be to copper, black, and white.

I hope you have had a wonderful start to the year!  We are fast approaching our first chorus event for the semester.  We will be singing the National Anthem and Kell Alma Mater at this Friday’s homecoming basketball game- January 22nd.  The event will take place in Kell High School’s main gym.

The plan is:
6:30pm  Meet in the chorus room to warm-up
7:00pm  Sing the National Anthem before the boy’s basketball game
7:05pm  Sit in the bleachers to watch 1st half of game (students are in for free!!)
8:15pm  Watch presentation of homecoming court
8:25pm  Sing Kell Alma Mater immediately following presentation of King and Queen
8:30pm  Students may stay to watch second half of game or are dismissed

Attire:
Kell Chorus T-shirt (We still have some for sale for $10 or students can wear a plain black t-shirt), nice jeans (no holes!), and dark shoes.

All students are required to attend, this is a mandatory grade.  If a student can not attend, I need a signed note from home as soon as possible and there will be a make-up assignment.  Students that miss the event and do not bring in a note ahead of time (or immediately following- in the case of an emergency) will be given a zero for the grade.

Please let me know if you have any questions about this Friday’s event.  Students will get in for free to the game.  Parents are absolutely encouraged to attend but will have to buy tickets.  Tickets are for sale at the door of the game.

Last semester in Advanced Women’s Chorus we recorded a theme song to be used by one of Kell’s Video Production classes. You can hear the song and see the video that has been put with it on Kell’s schooltube. The show is “sLaughter House” and there are two episodes online. The show itself is very funny- it’s a play on an SNL-type variety show.

Check it out!  http://www.schooltube.com/video/65087/sLaughter-House–episode-2

A cappella- without instrumental accompaniment

Accelerando- to gradually increase in tempo

Accompaniment- an instrumental or vocal part that supports the melody

Alto- the second highest voice in a choir

Bass- the lowest voice in a choir

Breath Mark- a mark that indicates where to breathe

Divisi- indicates for two notes to be split between one voice section

Dynamics- how loud or soft to sing

Fermata- indicates to hold the note for longer than its written value

Forte- loud

Fortissimo- very loud

Legato- smooth and connected

Mezzo forte- medium loud

Mezzo piano- medium soft

Pianissimo- very soft

Piano- soft

Repeat- indicates to do an entire section again

Ritardando- to gradually slow down in tempo

Soprano- highest voice in a choir

Staccato- short and separated

Tempo- the speed of a piece of music

Tenor- the third highest voice in a choir