CENTRAL DISTRICT INFO

To: 7th and 8th Grade Choruses. (they do not include 6th grade in Central District)       

11/27/07

CENTRAL DISTRICT AUDITIONS     07-08

            As we have often talked about, the Massachusetts Central District music organization will be auditioning singers and instrumentalists from every school system, choosing the best vocalists and musicians, rehearsing April 2, and April 29, and then performing a Central District choral/instrumental concert on May 3. It is an honor to be selected, but it takes a lot of practicing to pass the audition.

            This year, the audition is on Saturday, February 2, (snow date Feb 3), at 10:30am, location at the Quabbin Regional HS/MS, Barre, MA. Hopefully, a regional shared bus will be transporting us to and from the audition. If not, we will need to carpool.

            The deadline for schools to apply for the audition is December 14. After that, there is a stiff late fee.

Participation is voluntary. The audition fee is $7. Checks should be made out to MMEA-Central District, (no cash, please), and give them to me. Print your child’s name and SawyerSchool, Bolton, on your check. I’ll then complete the school’s application form and send the form and checks to the designated place. PLEASE, try to have them to me Monday, December 10, so I have time to fill out the form, have it approved and postmarked.

            Also, and very important, the Central District will only accept eight sopranos and eight altos from each school. Boy numbers are unlimited. So, if we have more than eight for each voice part, I’ll unfortunately have to hold an audition here and select the eight for each. For that, we need the extra days before the 12/14 deadline.

            If selected by the Central District, there will be an additionally required $15 participation fee. You will also need to provide your own transportation to and from the two rehearsals, held after school, at the TrottierMiddle School, Southboro, MA, and the May 3, Concert, to be performed at Bellingham HS, Bellingham, MA.

            VERY IMPORTANT: YOU CANNOT MISS ONE REHEARSAL, REGARDLESS OF THE EXCUSE OR THE DIRECTORS WILL ELIMINATE YOU FROM CENTRAL DISTRICT. CHECK YOUR HOME AS WELL AS SCHOOL CALENDARS.

            The vocal audition piece is “Agnus Dei,” a piece we will perform at our 12/11 choral concert. You don’t know what qualities different judges are looking for in a voice, so please don’t be afraid to audition. You are good enough. Besides, just preparing for and auditioning is a strong learning experience in itself. In addition, I’ll be making time available after school in January, to work with you.

            Please feel free to email me if you have any questions.

            NOTE: For practice, the lyrics and piano accompaniment, with separate SAB voice parts, are on the 7th and 8th grade chorus pages.

                                                                        Good luck,

                                                                        Don Ryan