Summer News Bulletin

Thank you for a wonderful year together! This is the last message of the 2017-2018 school year we plan to send, so please make sure you read it and act upon anything that applies to you. Going forward, we hope that you will stay in touch with us over the summer for important news and reminders. We hope to have information ready about convocation by this time next week. Check back here and via email for that announcement.

Stay Connected

Here are the many ways you can stay connected with everything going on with the Bobcat Choirs:

1. Our website - www.CentralHighChoir.org
2. Facebook Page
3. Facebook Groups
4. Instagram
5. Twitter
6. YouTube
7. Remind text messages - instructions here
8. Emails via Charms - make sure your email addresses are up-to-date
9. Email Newsletter - sign-up here

UIL State Solo & Ensemble Contest Results

Congratulations to all of our Central High School musicians who competed this Memorial Day weekend at the UIL State Solo & Ensemble Contest at the University of Texas in Austin. 32 students from the Central High School Choirs qualified and competed at the state-level contest on Monday. CHS Choir students took home 9 gold medals, 16 silver medals, and 2 Outstanding Performer Awards.

For more information, please visit this press release. Sic ‘em, Cats!

Commemorative CDs

If you would like to order a compilation CD of this year's performances, David Faught, one of our awesome choir parents, compiles the recordings and creates a CD for each class. CDs are $5 each and should be completed by August. If you would like a CD from a previous year, those are also available. For the older recordings, when you checkout enter a note in the order for which years you'd like.

Here is the link to his Etsy shop to place your orders: https://www.etsy.com/shop/CommemorativeCDs/items

Please place your orders by June 10.

2018 UIL Sweepstakes Letter Jacket Patch Orders

If you competed with Chorale or Bella Voce at UIL Concert & Sightreading Contest and you would like for us to order the sweepstakes patch for your letter jacket, please complete this order form. Even if you do not currently have a jacket but you're working on earning one, if you ever want this patch, we need to order it this year, so please fill out the form.

Please complete this order form prior to Thursday, June 7. We will not be doing another order and if you miss your chance, you will have to order one your own and at your own expense.

If you are interested in other patches and pins for your letter jacket, you can visit Southwest Emblem's website and make purchases via their web shop.

2019 All-State Choir Audition Music Orders

If you would like to order your copy of the All-State audition music for this year, please place your orders ASAP with J.W. Pepper or Pender's. As a choir department we will only be ordering the region choir music sets once those are decided upon in late July.

Make sure you order a large-school packet. You can order a women's packet, a men's packet, or complete director's packet (has all titles from both men and women's packets).

Order your music here: J.W. Pepper or Pender's

2018-2019 HarmoniCats Audition Results

Thank you for the incredible turnout we had for auditions this year. Next year promises to be the best year ever for our show choir, the HarmoniCats. We have some wonderful new talent joining us and some wonderful leaders that are returning. We are so excited for what next year holds for this incredible group of students.

If you didn't make it this time, please don't be discouraged. Please try out again at the next available audition. We really did have to make some tough decisions to keep the group balanced.

There are three steps we need you to complete IMMEDIATELY:

1. You will find the results posted here.
2. We need everyone who was selected to fill out this ACCEPTANCE FORM.
3. If you have an asterisk (*) next to your name, we need your COURSE AGREEMENT. Please fill it out and email it to Landon.Gilmore@saisd.org.

2018-2019 Choir Placements

We hope that each student will see the auditions as a learning opportunity. It is always a difficult process to determine the right placement for each individual student and to balance that with the needs of each group and the program as a whole.

A number of factors go into determining each student’s placement; it is not based solely upon a 10-minute audition: vocal quality and development, intonation, aural skill, sight-reading ability, maturity, academic eligibility, classroom discipline, attendance patterns, involvement in extracurricular elements of the program, etc. Many students have excellent abilities, but we are unable to advance or keep them because of their grades in other classes...academic eligibility is BIG.

We try to look at the complete picture in determining where the student will be able to be successful and to which group's success they will be able to most effectively contribute.

That being said, every group next year is going to be AWESOME! You will have a blast! Together, we will all reach new heights of achievement and success.

PLEASE click the link below, read everything carefully, and follow all instructions on the form. Make absolutely certain that you are subscribed to the REMIND updates. We have to be able to communicate with you over the summer, especially officers and HarmoniCats members.

2018-2019 Choir Placement Results

Congratulations to all!

2018-2019 HarmoniCats Audition Results

Thank you for the incredible turnout we had for auditions this year. Next year promises to be the best year ever for our show choir, the HarmoniCats. We have some wonderful new talent joining us and some wonderful leaders that are returning. We are so excited for what next year holds for this incredible group of students.

If you didn't make it this time, please don't be discouraged. Please try out again at the next available audition. We really did have to make some tough decisions to keep the group balanced.

There are three steps we need you to complete IMMEDIATELY:

1. You will find the results posted here.
2. We need everyone who was selected to fill out this ACCEPTANCE FORM.
3. If you have an asterisk (*) next to your name, we need your COURSE AGREEMENT. Please fill it out and email it to Landon.Gilmore@saisd.org.

2018 UIL State Solo & Ensemble Contest Results

Congratulations to all of our Central High School musicians who competed this Memorial Day weekend at the UIL State Solo & Ensemble Contest at the University of Texas in Austin.

32 students from the Central High School Choirs qualified and competed at the state-level contest on Monday. CHS Choir students took home 9 gold medals, 16 silver medals, and 2 Outstanding Performer Awards. UIL "Outstanding Performer" designation is given to less than 2% of the over 15,000 contest performers from across the state of Texas. This is the equivalent of a state championship and the students will be receiving a special UIL State Champion Medal.

Outstanding Performers (State Champion)

Pete Mireles
Andrea Thompson

Division 1 Soloists (Gold Medal)

Bryant Cobb
Drew Eisenbach
Zoe Flores
Pete Mireles
Leighann Sweet
Andrea Thompson
Josh Vetter
Vincent Ward
Kaden Wright

Division 2 Soloists (Silver Medal)

Alfredo Antu
CJ Banda
Aidan Brooks
Skylar Canion
Camille Faught
Chrystian Fleming
Zachery Feuge
Olivia Gomos
Makayla Haire
Paige Harris
Leilani Herrera
Jacqueline Leek
Taylor Powell
Analisa Rios
Kelsey Wallace
Bethany Wheeler

Sic ‘em, Cats!

End-of-Year Reminders

Great job on the concert! All the groups have improved so much this year. It's hard to imagine that the school year is almost over. It's been a great year, but it's not quite over yet. We need your help with several things to finish wrapping up the year. We are operating on very narrow margins at this time of year, so please read carefully and make note of all the deadlines and events listed below.

End-of-Year Progress Exams

Just a reminder that students should've completed their End-of-Year Progress Exams (scales) on Google Classroom (due on 5/8). These are 7 major grades. Late submissions will be penalized. Students will begin the sight-reading portion of the exam in class starting on Thursday (5/10).

Pictures for the Slideshow

Our student officers need your help to compile the best banquet slideshow ever! Please upload all your choir-related pictures and videos by Friday night (5/11). Our historian, Andi Thompson, will begin selecting pictures to use in the slideshow the next day. Don't be left out! Here's the link to see the shared photo album and upload your pictures and videos: https://photos.app.goo.gl/wTfL8CQ44yb246tZ8

Seniors

Seniors, we have a special list of things just for you! Please make sure to read this post and take care of those items listed there quickly! Many of your items are due by Friday, May 11.

HarmoniCats Auditions

We want YOU to join the only show choir in West Texas, the HarmoniCats! The HarmoniCats is our highly select vocal ensemble that presents energetic shows with singing, dancing, cosutmes, lights, etc. Students in the group are able to earn a PE credit towards their graduation requirement, if needed.

Placement into the group is by audition only. Auditions for next year's group will be held after school on Monday and Tuesday of next week (5/14 and 5/15). We will be holding auditions for all voice parts for students currently in grades 8-11. Students interested in auditioning for the group need to come to one of the two days (Monday is preferred because auditions wil have to stop by 5:15 on Tuesday). Please see this flyer for more information and make sure that you have read and signed an audition packet prior to next week. Please bring the signed audition packet with you to the auditions. Current members who have been in the group for two years or more are not required to re-audition; however, they do need to complete an audition packet to formalize their intent to return to the group next year.

Annual Awards Banquet Reservations

Our annual awards banquet is coming up on Monday, May 21, at 6:00pm at the McNease Convention Center. We have one of the classiest banquets at CHS! Great food, fun, laughs, tears, singing, jokes, great slideshow, and lots of awards! We want you to be there and bring those that you love.

Because of the expense of the caterer and the facility, everyone attending the banquet must make a reservation (including students). Most families will have the student and one or both parents there. Families with very young children may want to consider the price per person and that the banquet is a little over 2 hours long. Students are able to bring guests (friends or significant others) that are well-behaved.

Please make your reservations no later than Wednesday, May 16. After 5:00pm on Wednesday, May 16, all reservations become final. No refunds or late additions will be available. Reservations are $18 per person and fundraising money in the student's Charms account may be used (if available). Please complete and return this form with your reservations.

All-State Camp Scholarships

Thanks to the efforts of our booster parents we continue to be able to award several sponsorships to students to be able to attend one of the dozens of All-State Choir Camps this summer. The application will be available in the Choir Hall or online (here). All applications are due by 1:40pm on Wednesday, May 16 (before the end of lunch). Late applications will not be considered. Do not attempt to try and turn these in during 6th or 7th period the day it is due. It will not be accepted.

For senior scholarship information, please see this post on the website.

Officer Interviews

Interviews for next year's board of choir officers will be conducted next week. Please see this post for more information. Update: the sign-up sheet for interview slots is now posted in the Choir Hall. Too many people were having trouble signing up online.

Uniform Returns

Students in all classes (except Chorale) need to return their uniforms to the Choir Hall ASAP. Just to keep things consistent, we're making all uniform returns due on or before Wednesday, May 16. We'd really prefer these to be brought back prior to that. Please do not interrupt another person's class to bring your uniform back. Do it during your class time, between classes, during lunch, or after school.

Please return your uniform on a hanger with your name on it. We must be able to identify your uniform or you will not get credited for its return. The blue polo shirts that are purchased when they join choir are used every year, so please keep those in a safe spot so you don't have to buy a new one next year.

Students who fail to return their uniform on-time will be receive a fine on the district hold list. These uniforms will be marked as lost and they can cost up to several hundred dollars. Students on the hold list will not be able to graduate, register for classes, purchase parking decals, or several other things until the fine is paid. PLEASE do not make us have to put you through that. Also, please realize that we are under a deadline from our campus administration.

Students in Chorale must return their uniform on Tuesday, May 22. There can be no extensions to these deadlines. Turn the uniforms in early but not late.

State UIL Solo & Ensemble Contest

We have 32 students who qualified to compete in Austin at the University of Texas for the State UIL Solo & Ensemble Contest. We'll be sending more details out about that very soon, but please make sure you have signed-up on the rooming list in the Choir Hall.

We will plan to leave San Angelo around 2:30pm on Sunday, May 27. We'll stay overnight in Austin and compete that next morning. We should be home around 8:00pm on Monday, May 28. More details coming as we get closer.

Students need to make sure they are prepared to begin practicing again with their pianist starting Thursday, May 10.

Varsity Letter (Jacket) Award Application

Students who would like to request to be considered for a varsity letter in choir (and a letter jacket), will need to fill out an application. We are working on creating a Google Form for this. Once it is completed, it will be sent out in another message and linked here: https://goo.gl/forms/Yt4Lo8vEsojy787Z2

Please get these done by Monday (5/14) or Tuesday (5/15) at the absolute latest.

Twin Mountain Tonesmen Show on May 19

Students in Men's Choir and Chorale have one more performance with the Twin Mountain Tonesmen on Saturday, May 19, at 7:29pm in the newly renovated Murphey Performance Hall.

Call time for that event is at 6:00pm. The Chorale will be a featured performer on the program and will wear their uniforms. Toward the end of the program, Men's Choir and Chorale will combine with the Tonesmen for a couple numbers wearing their blue jeans and choir polo shirts.

All students will receive one free complimentary ticket to give to a parent or friend. Additional tickets are $10 each and can be purchased online, at the door, or wherever other SAPAC tickets are sold. Tickets are going FAST!

Tickets to the Afterglow are $15. Mr. Gilmore will be taking orders for those. There is limited space available at this fun after-concert reception featuring a breakfast buffet and more singing from Old School!

Senior Class of 2018 Info

Congratulations seniors! You only have a couple weeks left. Please make note of the following due dates, deadlines, and reminders...

Senior Photos and Videos

Just one of the ways that we recognize our seniors is with a special slideshow at the banquet. There are three things that we need to be able to complete the slideshow:

• We'll be shooting senior videos for the end-of-year slideshow starting tomorrow (Thursday).
• Seniors also need to submit a current portrait (can be a graduation announcement photo or a similar-style current photo)
• We also want a "mini-you pic" (something from your childhood - the more embarrassing/adorable, the better).

Photos can be emailed or hard copies can be scanned and returned. ALL SENIORS need to be represented for this video/slideshow. We are requesting that all photos be turned in this week by Friday (5/11) and all videos are recorded by Monday (5/14). You can confirm your status via this Google Sheet.

Scholarship Applications

Thanks to the efforts of our booster parents and a scholarship fund created in honor of CT Aly and Eddie Lou Neel, we are able to award two scholarships to graduating seniors attending college. The application will be available in the Choir Hall or online (here). All applications are due by 1:40pm on Wednesday, May 16. Late applications will not be considered.

Senior Spotlight

Remember that the CHS award ceremony (Senior Spotlight) is Tuesday, May 15. All choir seniors are expected to be present to sing the national anthem as a group. This is like a practice for graduation. You need to dress nicely. You will be on the front of the Sarah Bernhardt Stage in front of almost 1,000 people. Your call time is 5:15pm and we should be done by 6:15pm. Any seniors who do not show up will not be allowed to sing with us at graduation.

2018-2019 Officer Interviews

Please encourage your child to take a more active role in the leadership of the choir program by interviewing for an officer position. This is a great opportunity to get involved, learn leadership skills, and grow in maturity and responsibility. 

Students interested in one of the listed positions for next year (please see the linked application packet for the complete list) should schedule an interview for Thursday or Friday of next week (May 17-18). Interviews for next year will take place after school on those two days.

Students need to pick-up or print-out an application packet and sign-up for an interview time slot on one of these two days. Sign-up for time slots in the CHS Choir Hall. There are many positions available and there are spots that are perfect for everyone, regardless of their availability, outgoing-ness, etc. We'll find a place for everyone who wishes to serve and has their heart in the right place...the same is true for our Booster Club.

Links

• 2018-2018 Officer Application Packet

Amazing Grace

TONIGHT! At the Murphey Performance Hall. Tickets are discounted 50% (using the link below)!

Amazing Grace, the Broadway musical, is a solemn historical tale set to music with scenes in England, Africa and Barbados. The historical tale is about John Newton.

According to the play, Newton, a British mariner, was in the business of slave trading during the 1700s. At one point of the play, Mr. Newton himself became a slave in Africa when his ship was destroyed. But he survived with the aid of his friend, Thomas, who was also Mr. Newton's servant.

Newton eventually was rescued by his father and on his way back to England, when what occurred was a "perfect storm." Newton, who miraculously survived the "perfect storm", found God and became an abolitionist.

Mr. Newton began writing hymns in praise of God, including the famous hymn, Amazing Grace. The play will take you on an emotional rollercoaster of a journey through the life of Newton that leads to his writing song Amazing Grace. And intertwined within is a love story.

The reviews for this show are incredible!

So, what are you doing tonight? Come visit San Angelo’s treasure, the Murphey Performance Hall, and take in a Broadway musical all for half price!

Purchase Any Seat for 1/2 Price!!!

San Angelo Central High School Music Signing Night

On Friday, April 20th, the CHS Music Department is working together to put on a "Signing Night" for our seniors going to college and receiving music scholarships. The reception will begin at 6:30pm in the band/orchestra hall located in the Sousa Building at CHS. The event should last about an hour. We will hopefully have some college representatives present and we will have some light refreshments. We will take pictures for the local news outlets and we are working on having one of the local TV stations here.

Your help is requested so that we can compile a list of all students receiving a music scholarship from the college they plan to attend. We will try to extend invitations to those college programs to send a representative to the signing night.

Form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfCphN-CIx_G_ChbnRGciWVX7Y5gf4qzTFJpS794YfrMZ051A/viewform?usp=sf_link

We must have this completed BEFORE Friday, April 6, so that we can plan this event and send invitations to the college representatives.

On the form: please make sure to fill it out completely and accurately. The current plan is to recognize all students receiving any sort of music-related scholarships and then to have a special signing ceremony for those students attending college to major in music and that are receiving a scholarship for that. Thank you for your help with this.