MassACDA High School Honor Choir Festival
Saturday, Oct. 30, 2010
UMass Amherst

 

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Kimberly Dunn Adams Stuart Younse Tony Thornton
     
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An exciting day for outstanding high school choral singers and their directors.  No auditions required; an opportunity for directors to honor their finest singers and network with colleagues from throughout the region. REGISTRATION CLOSED  10/1/2010.
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Separate SSAA and TTBB HS choirs, directed by Kimberly Dunn Adams (Choral Director, Mount Holyoke College) and Dr. Stuart Younse (Hartt School, Simsbury HS, Connecticut Children’s Chorus).
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Participation in UMass Choral Spectrum concert, 7:00 PM, Fine Arts Center; Honor Choirs and UMass ensembles combine in a final number under the baton of Dr. Tony Thornton (Director of Choral Activities, UMass Amherst).
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Payment ($45/50) due on Festival day; checks payable to MassACDA. Directors/schools will be charged for any no-shows or withdrawals once music is mailed out.
 

PROGRAM
Men: Voth/Younse, Laudamus Te; Persichetti, sam was a man; Mead, Down in the Valley; Arr. Whalum, Betelehemu
Women: Walker, I thank you god; Ahlen, Sommarpsalm; Arr. Hogan, Music Down in My Soul
Combined: Martin, The Awakening


TICKETS for Choral Spectrum Concert, 7pm; General admission. Singers will receive two comps. For additional tickets, see http://www.umass.edu/music/eventcalendar/event_view.php?eid=242&instance=2010-10-30


DIRECTIONS / PARKING. Use Lot 62 (Free on Saturdays) http://umass.edu/music/AuditionDirections&Map.pdf
 

DIRECTORS' READING SESSION. We invite you to bring 35 copies of a favorite piece, suitable for HS choirs (men's, women's or mixed). You conduct, experienced accompanist provided. To avoid duplication, email me, Cathy Melhorn: cmelhorn@mtholyoke.edu


DIRECTORS' WORKSHOP: The Anatomy of Conducting and Singing. Clinician Dr. Tony Thornton says:

"As performing artists, we create physical self-representations of our bodies in our own brains. We literally "map" our bodies or conceive neurally what we are like in terms of our structure, function, and size. If our body maps are accurate, we move well. If not, movement becomes inefficient and possibly injury-producing. In this workshop, we will improve our understanding of our own "maps" so that our conducting gestures become more efficient, graceful, and effective. Communicating these ideas to our own singers will positively affect their tone and will help them to sing with rhythmic excitement."
 

STUDENTS’ SCHEDULE
8:30-9 am Registration/Payment
9-9:50 am Required sectional rehearsals.  Any ill-prepared singer will not be allowed further participation in the Festival, with no refund of fee.
10 am-12 noon Rehearsal I with guest conductors.
12-1:30 pm Students eat together in Berkshire Dining Commons
1:30-2:30 pm   Rehearsal II
2:30-3:30 pm Women’s Chorus on stage; Men’s Chorus Rehearsal III
3:30-4:30 pm Men’s Chorus on stage; Women’s Chorus Rehearsal III
4:30-5:15 pm Combined ensembles Rehearse The Awakening
5:15-6:30 pm  Dinner in Dining Commons/Change to concert attire
6:30 pm Warm-up (and clean up!)
7-9:30 pm Choral Spectrum CONCERT
DIRECTORS’ SCHEDULE
8:30-9 am Registration/Payment/Refreshments in directors’ room
9-9:50 am Designated conductors lead sectional rehearsals
10-10:30 am  Observe beginning of Honor Choir rehearsals
10:45-11:45 am   Workshop: Dr. Tony Thornton, “The Anatomy of Conducting and Singing”
12-1:30 pm Directors are guests of MassACDA for private luncheon on campus
1:30-2:30 pm Directors reading session: Bring 35 copies of a favorite piece suitable for High School choirs.  You conduct, accompanist provided.
2:30-4:30 pm Observe rehearsals
4:30-5:15 pm Directors welcome to sing with Dr. Thornton & combined ensembles
5:15-6:30 pm Dinner on your own/Change to concert dress?
7-9:30 pm Choral Spectrum CONCERT

 

SINGERS' DRESS.
Women: long or ¾ length sleeve white dress blouse, black dress pants or floor length skirt, black shoes, hose;
Men: long sleeve white dress shirt, dark long tie, black pants, dark dress shoes & socks.
 

Questions? Please contact
Cathy Connor-Moen, MassACDA R&S Chair for High School Choirs, cmoen@norwood.k12.ma.us
Cathy Melhorn, Mass ACDA Pres-Elect cmelhorn@mtholyoke.edu 
Tony Thornton, Director of Choral Activities UMass, tonyt@music.umass.edu
Michelle Graveline, President MassACDA, mgraveli@assumption.edu

 

Last revised October 06, 2010 .