CHAPARRAL CHOIR NEWS October / November 2023 Dr. Sammy Brauer, Director

This month, we are preparing for the SUSD Middle School & High School Choral Exhibition, hosted by Coronado High School Monday, November 20 from 10:00 – 12:00. Choirs from all middle and high schools will be performing a set of choral literature, with a grand finale of all groups performing “Why We Sing” as one combined choral group. The song is a testimony to our love of song and performing as one large choir will no doubt reflect the many things we have in common… music is our conduit.

The Coffee House week was spectacular. We enjoyed so many talented students on the stage for three consecutive nights. Our emcee’s brought it all together and kept the shows fully connected. Thank you Hanna and Broderick! The choir boosters worked non-stop to make this event a successful performance opportunity. We want to especially thank the Chaparral Culinary Dept. for the delicious desserts and drinks served during intermission. Thank you, volunteers and those who gave a helping hand… we could not have done this without all of you!

Please make sure you/your student has a New Orleans tour packet for your information. We have an exciting array of plans, including the workshop performance at Tulane University and a possible performance at the Tulane Crawfest weekend! Payment schedule has been updated with the first trip payment due 11/16/23. Please try to use tax credit, if possible. Forms are available for your student to take home to complete and accompany your TC payment.

We look forward to seeing you in December at the Winter Choral Concert Dec. 12, at 7:00 p.m. This concert is free, and you will be delighted with the selections of music, entertaining groups and more! NOTE: Please visit us on our new website, www.chapchoir.com for news, information, ticket sales, donations, and merchandise. We are adding something new almost every week so please visit!

UPCOMING EVENTS:

➢ ICHSA acceptance announcement expected for Gold Dust Avenue November 15, 2023.

➢ SUSD MS/HS Choral Exhibition Monday, Nov. 20 at Coronado HS, 10:00 a.m. AVE will be performing.

➢ 8 th Grade Fly-In Visit to Chaparral HS. GDA will perform as part of the welcoming event Tuesday, Nov. 21.

➢ Chaparral Choir Winter Concert Tuesday, Dec. 12 at 7:00 p.m. All choir groups will be performing.

➢ Cocopah Choir performance for 8th grade Friday, Dec. 15 in the Cocopah Cafetorium at 12:30. AVE and Concert Choir will be performing.

➢ FINALS Wednesday through Friday, Dec. 20-22, 2023.

➢ Chaparral AVE group will be performing Madrigal music at 9:30 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 10 at the Shepherd of the Hills venue in Flagstaff, Az as part of the Jazz/Madrigal Festival.

➢ Chaparral’s Gold Dust Ave group will be performing their jazz set for the member of the group Swingles, who are the judges in the Jazz portion of the festival. Our performance will be in Ardrey Auditorium on the NAU campus Friday, Feb. 9 at 4:20 p.m.

CLUB NEWS AND MORE

Gold Dust Avenue is in full swing with Wednesday and Sunday rehearsals. The group will be working on song selections for the year, arrangements and mash-ups for Varsity Vocals competition, Jazz/Madrigal Festival and more. Music in Medicine is preparing scheduled to performances for hospice and assisted living communities in Scottsdale. Chaparral Choir Club council will meet during lunch Tuesdays, Nov. 7 & Nov. 21, respectively.

UPCOMING CLASS and BOOSTER ACTIVITIES:

• All Singers have registered for Sight Reading Factory and are using this platform for sight-reading music practice. Assignments are posted in the Choirs’ Google Classroom.

• Singers from both AVE and Concert Choir have been assigned their SOLO song for the upcoming West Region auditions January 26, 2024. Students are working on their sight reading skills and polishing their solo song in preparation for the All Region Festival in February.

• The Spring Music Tour to New Orleans, LA. April 19 – 22, 2024 has been introduced. We will be visiting Tulane University for a performance exchange/workshop and lunch. WWII Museum and performance. Carriage ride or guided walking tour in French Quarter, including samplings of beignets. Cooking school demo and dinner. Swamp tour. Possible haunted history tour. Possible jazz dinner cruise. Please consider making TAX CREDIT a priority contribution for the tour.

• Chaparral Winter Concert is December 12th. I look forward to the festive music presentation we are preparing for you.

Our high school vocal music students are engaged in activities that require practice in leadership, being visionary, articulate planning, and promoting growth with skills in music for the individual and group(s). These lessons, put into practice, lead to building confidence, increase management skills, adopt empathetic support for others, and lean in to teamwork. Music is relevant and important for high school-age students. It helps to lower stress, boost immunity and lung function, enhance memory, and improves overall mental health. Studies show being a part of a choir is essential to successes in high school. Not only do students thrive as a group singer, they continue growing, expanding and developing their skills as a vocalist. Just like progress gained learning an instrument, same is true of the vocal instrument. It is an important investment of time, energy and finances into our young singers. If you have questions about events, auditions or registration, please contact Dr. Sammy Brauer at sbrauer@susd.org. I look forward to hearing from you

Chaparral Choir Boosters

Chapchoir.com