Moana Jr. Auditions

Dear Grade 3/4/5 students and parents,

It's that time again for auditions for our upcoming 2020-2021 Divisional Musical, Disney's Moana Jr.  This year auditions will be alittle different.  Mrs. Olko, the director of the play, will be auditioning students through a video audition.  Please see the note from her below.  There are a number of things to consider and all interested students need to contact Ms. Rempel ASAP.  We will set-up an online meeting to go over things including the songs, the character you would like to memorize a part for and the movement component that includes marching in beat, step-touch and the box step.

From Mrs. Paula Olko:

Due to the current COVID 19 situation, I will be conducting all auditions on-line.

• Students who were in the program before and want to be in the ensemble do NOT need to send a video audition. These students only need to fill out the Google form linked below.
• Students who were in the program before and want to audition for a lead role must submit a video audition along with the completed Google form.
• New students to the program must also submit a video audition and a completed Google form. Please choose one acting side and one song from the Audition Materials link below.

Everyone must complete the Google form, to be considered for a role in the show.

All auditions must be submitted via the Google form by the evening of Friday May 8, 2020.

Please see here for the link to ALL the information including the songs and script: SJASD musical audition link and contact your music teacher, Ms. Rempel (julianna.rempel@sjasd.ca), to let her know you are planning to audition.  She can help you with rehearsing.

Mrs. Paula Olko
Producer / Director / Choreographer
paula.olko@sjasd.ca

Frozen Jr. Musical

Starting January 25th, the SJASD Divisional Musical Theatre is presenting, Frozen Jr.  Get your tickets here!

A story of true love and acceptance between sisters, Frozen JR. expands upon the emotional relationship and journey between Princesses Anna and Elsa. When faced with danger, the two discover their hidden potential and the powerful bond of sisterhood. With a cast of beloved characters and loaded with magic, adventure, and plenty of humor, Frozen JR. is sure to thaw even the coldest heart!

Musical Auditions

Grade 3/4/5 students auditioning for the Divisional musical Frozen Jr. will need to pick one song and character part in the scripts to memorize.  Please see Ms. Rempel for the music or any other questions.

In Summer Vocal (Olaf)


In Summer No Vocal (Olaf)


Bows - Let It Go Vocal (chorus)


Bows - Let it Go No Vocal (chorus)

Let it Go Vocal (Elsa)


Let it Go No Vocal (Elsa)


First Time in Forever Vocal (Anna)


First Time in Forever No Vocal (Anna)


Reindeers are Better Than People Vocal (Kristof/Sven)


Reindeers are Better Than People No Vocal (Kristof/Sven)

St. James Children's Choir on the Air!

So proud of one of our outstanding elementary music teachers in our division, Mrs. Neufeld, and this wonderful high caliber divisional children's choir.  We had one student from Stevenson representing last year.  Congratulations Hannah, the choir team, their director, and Ms. Amanda Hahn-Tomchuk, their amazing accompanist!  We are so lucky to have you here.

BORROWED FROM SJASD Website News
During the week of October 15, 2018, CBC Radio One featured the activities of the St. James neighbourhood. As part of their coverage, they featured the SJASD Divisional Children's Concert Choir. Director Heather Neufeld submitted a recording from the choir's performance at the Winnipeg Music Festival in March 2018. Below is the audio clip from the program that aired Thursday, October 18, 2018. (Picture from a 2018 performance in St. James-Assiniboia)

Junie B Auditions

It's that time of the year again and the St. James Divisional Musical auditions are being held in May for the 2018/19 musical theatre piece, "Junie B. Jones Jr."  The auditions are open to any Grade 3/4/5 Stevenson student that has been auditioned through Ms. Long and Ms. Rempel.  The preliminary auditions are on Tuesday, April 17 at lunch in the music room.  Please see the tab above "Junie B" for more information and links to the music and script.  Letters have been sent home with all interested students.  All the best!

Grade 1/2 Choir Sings!

Congratulations Grade 1/2 choir on a great job singing last night at our Music Celebration 2018 at Sturgeon Creek United Church.  They did a great job and we are very proud of your work!

Here is our evaluation of our singing.  Stars and wishes!

Choir Sings Tonight

Tickets on Sale!

Tickets on sale now for the SJASD show, Seussical The Musical, Jr. Shows running from January 27 to February 3, 2018. 2 casts (from Stevenson - Cast 1: Jessica, Kiera, Nathalie; Cast 2: Arsenni) As part of our music class, Grades 3/4/5 will be going during school at the end of January.

Transporting audiences from the Jungle of Nool to the Circus McGurkus, the Cat in the Hat narrates the story of Horton the Elephant, who discovers a speck of dust containing tiny people called the Whos. Horton must protect the Whos from a world of naysayers and dangers, and he must also guard an abandoned egg that's been left in his care by the irresponsible Mayzie La Bird. Although Horton faces ridicule, danger and a trial, the intrepid Gertrude McFuzz never loses faith in him. Ultimately, the powers of friendship, loyalty, family and community are challenged and emerge triumphant!
Ticket Link

Seussical the Musical Auditions

Each year up to 120 students from across the School Division are selected to make up two casts for a selected musical production. Ms. Rempel and a team of teachers will be selecting students to audition for next year’s production, ‘Seussical, Jr.  The show will run Jan 27 – Feb 3/17.  If students make the first audition at Stevenson, they are then invited to do a second audition with Mrs. Olko on May 17 or 18th.  If you are interested, please contact Ms. Rempel and send back the audition form that was handed out. Stevenson auditions will take place on Tuesday, May 2 at 11:40 in the music room.

The criteria that Ms. Rempel and her audition team look for are:
1. musical talent (in-tune singing, dancing) / preparation
2. acting / reading / expression / voice projection
3. following directions
4. stage presence / confidence
5. excellent behaviour / student leader
6. parental commitment

Guidelines for the Division consist of choosing students from twenty-one schools, with representation from all the schools and grades. Selection is based on the quality of the audition and the character needs of the musical, which includes in-tune singing, voice projection, acting, and stage presence. Elementary students will be required to attend one weekly rehearsal on either Monday or Tuesday.

Being part of this group is a devoted commitment for four months: Sept., Oct., Nov., Jan. and the first week of Feb. Each cast will rehearse on a specified day, beginning in September. Students with lead roles will be required to attend two weekly rehearsals. There will also be additional rehearsals three weeks prior to the show. Attendance is of the utmost importance, and students must make up for all rehearsals missed by attending on the alternate cast’s day.

For audition:
1. Have your teacher/parent help you to learn one song from the attached list.  Link to Audition Material

2. Practice reading and acting out from memory, one of the passages supplied on the attached list.
3. Practice marching in time, and the box step. 

If you are selected from Stevenson, parents must do the following:

1. Fill out the application form and bring it to your audition.
2. Sign up for an audition time on line by going to Audition Sign-up Link
Second stage auditions will be held at Westwood Collegiate in the cafeteria.

Theatre Shows

Looks like an amazing line-up of shows going on in St. James this spring.  Go and check them out and support the arts!  We have amazing talent here in this division.  

Good luck and congrats to all the cast and crew.

Westwood Collegiate production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat takes place from May 2-6 at 7 p,m. Tickets are available here.

Canadian Mosiac Concert

Getting ready to watch the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra

 The Grade 4/5's went to a fantastic show at the Centennial Concert Hall this afternoon.  We watched the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra play and heard the St. Jame's Children's Choir and Junior Choir sing several numbers.  It was magical and informative as we learned about various Canadian composers and the interesting numbers they created.  Other special performers joined the show including a special lyrical dance, a tabla drummer, a recorder and string group, and a French singer.

Ready, set, listen!

SJSD Children's and Junior Choir singing with WSO

Musical Magic

Congratulations to all the St. James Music Theatre kids, staff, volunteers, and of course the amazing Mrs. Paula Olko (director) for your amazing work on James and the Giant Peach Jr.  The Grade 4/5 classes were able to go on Monday, January 30th and it was very well done.  Way to go Jessica and Kiera on this big accomplishment.  Your singing and dancing were superb!

James Theatre Tickets

The SJASD Divisional Music Theatre tickets are now on sale for performances at Westwood Collegiate for James and the Giant Peach Jr.  There are 10 shows between Jan. 28-February 4, 2017.  To book tickets, click on the links below for dates and times.  Note: Stevenson students are in Cast 2.

Click Here - Cast 2 Tickets

Click Here - Cast 1 Tickets

Grade 4/5 students will be going with Ms. Rempel to the show on Monday, January 30th in the morning.  Parents, please have field trip form in ASAP.

Story Summary: Based on one of Roald Dahl’s most poignantly quirky stories, Roald Dahl's James and the Giant Peach JR. is a brand new take on this "masterpeach" of a tale. Featuring a wickedly tuneful score and a witty and charming book, this adventurous musical about courage and self-discovery is destined to be a classic.

When James is sent by his conniving aunts to chop down their old fruit tree, he discovers a magic potion that grows a tremendous peach, rolls into the ocean and launches a journey of enormous proportions. James befriends a collection of singing insects that ride the giant piece of fruit across the ocean, facing hunger, sharks and plenty of disagreements along the way.

Directed by the amazing Paula Olko

Children /Jr. Choir Auditions

More audition opportunities for Grade 4 and 5 students.  Notes went home to interested students.  There is still time, so contact Ms. Rempel ASAP if you have questions about this.

Inviting Grade 4 students to try out for St. James-Assiniboia Divisional Children's Choir for the 2016-2016 season.  AND Inviting Grade 5 students to try out for the St. James-Assiniboia Divisional Jr. Concert Choir.

SJASD CHILDREN'S & JR. CONCERT CHOIRS:
SJASD Children's Choir (Grade 5) this year is under the direction of Heather Neufeld at Heritage School and SJASD Jr. Concert Choir (Grades 6-8) will be lead by Gabriela Gallo at Bannatyne School.  These choirs are enrichment groups that perform at a high level.  Membership gives students the opportunity to develop excellent choral singing skills and to meet with other talented musicians from throughout the school division.   Singers in this group enjoy rehearsing and performing a wide variety of beautiful music.  In addition to having fun singing together, this choir works very hard.  For this reason, the choir is considered an "elite" performing group, meeting the special musical needs of highly motivated, self-disciplined singers.

Practices: Children's Choir meets weekly on Wednesdays from 4:15-5:45 beginning September, 2016 and ending mid-May, 2017 at Heritage School.  The 'choir kick-off' camp is held at Camp Arnes from Sept. 28- Sept. 30.  Jr. Concert Choir meets at Bannatyne from 4:30-6:00 on a weekly basis also starting in September, 2016 and ending mid-May, 2017.  A three-day choir camp is planned for September 25-28 at Camp Arnes.  This camp allows the choristers to learn much of the repertoire for the year and gives them a chance to get to know one another and bond as a choir.

Expectations:
- full year commitment to all rehearsals and concerts (Sept - May)
- singing ability (in pitch, energy, memory, facial expression and vocal quality)
- excellent behaviour
- 3 day choir camp - must attend

Auditions:
Children's Choir Auditions.
May 27 - June 2 @ Heritage School, 47 Heritage Blvd. in the music room
Sign up here for your date and time: https://www.sjsdchoirs.ca/children/

Jr. Choir Auditions.
May 25 - May 31 @ Westwood Collegiate, 360 Rouge Rd in the choral room
Sign up here for your date and time: https://www.sjsdchoirs.ca/junior

* please take the application form to the audition (see Ms. Rempel for one)

Audition Procedure:
The purpose of the audition is to ensure the potential chorister has a healthy voice, can sing on pitch and has the ability to sing in parts.  The auditions are held individually at the piano with each child. Parents may remain in the room if the child wishes.   Each audition is about 10 minutes.

The audition includes:
- vocal range warm-ups to determine how high or low you can sing
- prepared selection of O Canada, She's Like the Swallow (see below), or a song of choice, unaccompanied
- singing back a melody echo (you will hear a simple melody a few times and sing it back)
- a canon sung in round with teacher (eg. Row Row Your Boat)
- reading and clapping rhythms

O CANADA


SHE'S LIKE THE SWALLOW

Audition results will be sent to students' home addresses in June.  Each school will receive a complete list of choir members at the beginning of the 2016-2017 school year.  Good luck!

Divisional Choirs

Information will be going home shortly to Grade 4/5 students interested in auditioning for the Children's Choir and Jr. Concert Choir.

James and the Giant Peach

Each year up to 120 students from across the School Division are selected to make up two casts for a selected musical production. At the request of the school and music teacher, selected students from Grade 3-5 are invited to audition for next year’s production, ‘James and the Giant Peach Jr’.  The show will run Jan 28 – Feb 4/17.

Guidelines consist of choosing students from twenty-one schools, with representation from all the schools and grades.  Selection is based on the quality of the audition and the character needs of the musical, which includes in-tune singing, voice projection, acting, and stage presence.  Elementary students will be required to attend one weekly rehearsal on either Monday or Tuesday.

Being part of this group is a devoted commitment for four months: Sept., Oct., Nov., Jan. and the first week of Feb.  Each cast will rehearse on a specified day, beginning in September.  Students with lead roles will be required to attend two weekly rehearsals.  There will also be additional rehearsals three weeks prior to the show.  Attendance is of the utmost importance, and students must make up for all rehearsals missed by attending on the alternate cast’s day.

Here is the link for the music to practice with.  The cast requirements, speaking audition passages and all of the sheet music are in this drop box.

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/koj8zfy2d2b0t12/AAAxd2S5bZNuhFa6RmA5CeDSa?dl=0

Audition dates are as follows at Westwood Collegiate in the cafeteria.  Please contact Ms. Rempel for the link to set up an audition time.

Grades 6 & 7              May 9 or 10                4:00 - 7:30 p.m.

Grades 3, 4 & 5:         May 11 or 12              4:00 – 7:30 p.m.

If you are interested in having your child audition or would like to know more about the process, please contact Ms. Rempel via the school, phone, or email.  We are asked to limit students sent to auditions for practical purposes and we have a set criteria for students wishing to audition.  This includes: 1. parental support 2. student attendance/commitment  3. student behaviour 4. musical/drama/dance aptitude 5. confidence 6. ability to take directions/focus 7. involvement in extra-curricular music/drama activities 8. stage presence

James and the Giant Peach.

Lion King Jr.

Congratulations to Cast 2 and Paula Olko on your performance of Lion King Jr.  Today the Grade 4/5's went to the show at Westwood and we really enjoyed it.  Congratulations Bailey and the rest of the cast on a job well done!

Check out the Winnipeg Free Press article.

Children's Choir Auditions

This just in!  Inviting Grade 4 students to try out for St. James-Assiniboia Divisional Children's Choir for the 2015-2016 season.

SJASD CHILDREN'S CHOIR
Mrs. Harochaw is retiring and the Division is under the process of hiring a new choir director for the SJASD Children's Choir.   In the meantime, Mrs. Harochaw will be auditioning students for this choir.  This choir is an enrichment group that performs at a high level.  Membership gives students the opportunity to develop excellent choral singing skills and to meet with other talented musicians from throughout the school division.   Singers in this group enjoy rehearsing and performing a wide variety of beautiful music.  In addition to having fun singing together, this choir works very hard.  For this reason, the choir is considered an "elite" performing group, meeting the special musical needs of highly motivated, self-disciplined singers.

Children's Choir practices will meet weekly on Wednesdays from 4:15-5:45 beginning Wednesdsay, September 16 and ending mid-May, 2016.   Location TBA.  The 'choir kick-off' camp is held at Camp Arnes from Sept. 30 - Oct. 2.

Expectations:
- full year commitment to all rehearsals and concerts (Sept - May)
- singing ability (in pitch, energy, memory, facial expression and vocal quality)
- excellent behaviour
- 3 day choir camp - must attend

Auditions will take place June 1, 4, 5 and 8 for Grade 4 students at Voyageur School.  Please go to the following link to sign up for an audition: Children's Choir Audition Sign-up

O CANADA

SHE'S LIKE THE SWALLOW

The audition includes:
- vocal range warm-ups to determine how high or low you can sing
- prepared selection of O Canada or She's Like the Swallow by student (you will be assessed for tuning, energy, facial expression and vocal quality)
- singing back a melody echo (you will hear a simple melody a few times and sing it back)
- a canon sung in round with teacher (eg. Row Row Your Boat)
- reading and clapping rhythms
- audition application form filled out (available from Ms. Rempel)

Choir Auditions

It's that busy time of the year for St. James choirs and auditions are coming up fast.  Grade 5 students are invited to try out for the Divisional choirs for 2015-2016.

JUNIOR CONCERT CHOIR (JCC)
Under the direction of Ms. Gabriella Gallo, the Junior Concert Choir (JCC) is an award-winning choir that has gained local and national recognition.  Membership to the choir will give students the opportunity to develop their potential for musical excellence, and to meet with other talented musicians in our school division.  Singers in this group enjoy rehearsing and performing a wide variety of beautiful music.  In addition to having fun singing together, this choir works very hard.  For this reason, the choir is considered an "elite" performing group, meeting the special musical needs of highly motivated, self-disciplined singers.

JCC practices weekly on Wednesdays from 4:15-5:45 being Wednesday, Sept. 9 at Bannatyne School, 363 Thompson Ave.  The 'choir kick-off' camp is held at Camp Arnes from Sept. 23-25.

Expectations:
- full year commitment to all rehearsals and concerts (Sept - May)
- be prepared for audition and performances
- singing ability (in pitch, energy, memory, facial expression and vocal quality)
- excellent behaviour
- uniform - as noted by Ms. Gallo
- choir camp - must attend; cost is $130 (some subsidies available but see requirements)

Auditions will take place from June 1-4 for Grade 5 students.  Students must sign up for a 10 minute slot.  Please go to the following link to sign up for an audition: JCC Audition Sign-up

The audition includes:
- vocal range warm-ups to determine how high or low you can sing
- prepared selection by student (you will be assessed for tuning, energy, facial expression and vocal quality)
- singing back a melody echo (you will hear a simple melody a few times and sing it back)
- a canon sung in round with Ms. Gallo (eg. Row Row Your Boat)
- reading and clapping rhythms

Audition Application Forms are available from Ms. Rempel.

Melodies on the Move

Thank you to the fantastic SJASD Grade 5 Children's Choir and their director, Mrs. Harochaw and accompanist, Mrs. Hahn-Tomchuk for coming today to sing for us.  It was exciting to see 4 of our Stevenson students singing and hear/see all your hard work.  We really enjoyed it!

Rockin' Robin

One of our student leaders introducing the SJASD Children's choir.