Singing and making music together is such an important thing. There is just a bond and sense of camaraderie that is unlike any other group activity. We are connected to each other musically and mentally-thinking about the parts and the harmonies, rhythms, the elements of music, we stand together physically and our hearts share the beat of the piece, we spiritually share a connection with those we sing with, and we create an emotional connection with each other and the audience. It's such a special thing and I am honored to share in creating these experiences with our choir members.

This school year we are back and hopefully better than ever. We started the year simply singing together. We sang some of our standard folk songs and learned some new ones. We learned and reviewed the Star Spangled Banner and the Centerburg Alma Mater. We have talked about the importance of making music together and have learned about building community in the high school ensemble.

The middle school singers are finding their voices in the choir room and learning how to navigate the changing voice. We've all bee focused on how to change from a group of people standing in a room singing the same song, to a choir or chor'us'.

As I have spent some time talking to choir directors from other districts, I'm thankful that our school has been able to keep making music throughout this pandemic whether in person or online. Our numbers this year are bigger than they've been for years which is not the trend nationwide, so I'm very encouraged! We hope that you get to see true growth over the course of the year in our concerts.

We are now looking ahead to returning to the stage and performing a concert. We have already begun preparing holiday tunes to present at our December 13 holiday concert. From 6th grade up through 12th the students are working hard in class to prepare music that is familiar, will show off their vocal prowess, or is just an expression of the joy of the holiday season and being able to sing together again.

Reminder of Concert Dress:

High school choir- Assigned Uniform, Black dress shoes, Gentlemen provide own Black shirt and Pants

Middle School Choirs-Choir Polo (to be handed out to new members in November) and students provide their own black skirt, or dress pants and shoes on bottom.

As of right now this will be an "in-person" with-an-audience concert. Please be flexible with us as COVID is ever changing and we want to do whatever is best and safest for our students and community. Report times may stagger to keep a smaller amount of people in a single space at a time and details will be forthcoming.

This year the musical will be Disney’s NEWSIES!

Interested students should see Ms. Lees or Mrs. Culbertson to let them know and to ask any questions. No experience is necessary, just a passion to “Seize the Day” and “Watch What Happens”!

Audition Workshops

Monday November 8, 3:15-4:15

Tuesday November 9, 3:15-4:15

Wednesday November 10, 3:15-4:15

Actors do not need to prepare songs or monologues, all of this will be taught at the workshops. You are encouraged to attend all three. These will be held in the Choir Room 182, next to the cafeteria.

Musical Auditions

Monday November 15, 3:00-5:00 Everyone

Wednesday November 17, 3:00-5:00 Lead Auditions only

Thursday November 18, 3:00-5:00 Call Backs

Friday November 19 Directors Casting, and the “World Will Know”

The Centerburg Music Boosters are parents and community members who voluntarily work together to support the music program financially and by assisting the music directors. The group meets for one hour monthly on the third Tuesday of the month in the high school band room. We would love to have more choir parents involved!

Ways you can help:

• Selling Program Ads and Friend and Family shout outs. (Papers should have gone home with students last week)
• Participating in and promoting fundraisers, if everyone does a little it goes a long way
• Assisting with uniform alterations, maintenance, and distribution before and after concerts
• Volunteering as a chaperone or assist with concerts and trips.

Please reach out to Mrs. Culbertson or the Boosters centerburgmusicbooster@gmail.com

There are so many exciting things happening in 2022 in the music department! The high school choir will have Solo and Ensemble in January, the musical in February, our pre-Disney concert and Disney trip in March, and our end of the year Music and Arts Festival in May.

*If a high school choir member is interested in the Disney trip, but has not signed up yet, there is still time. Please see Mrs. Culbertson for information ASAP!

Middle school choirs will also have the mid-year concert and Music and Arts Festival, and we are hoping to add some additional fun for them.

We are looking for ways for the choir to reach out into our community more, so please let us know of opportunities you may know of. We want to use music as a bridge and a balm during this time in our world.

Please reach out to me with any comments, questions, or concerns.

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Email: stasi.culbertson@centerburgschools.org
Website: centerburgmusic.blogspot.com
Phone: 740-625-6055
Facebook: facebook.com/CenterburgMusic/