Auditions... Already!?

It's that time of the year again for the Grade 3/4/5 students to begin auditioning for our Winter Concert.  This year we are going to have a Party in a Pear Tree!  Mark your calendars, Wednesday, December 11, afternoon and evening shows.

Introduction:

A Party in a Pear Tree is a musical that takes place in and beneath a pear tree during the Twelve Days of Christmas.  “Party” is both the name of the partridge bird character who is stuck up in a pear tree and the party that is happening underneath that tree as all of our favorite characters try to figure out how to get him down from there.  Very funny!

The Cast:

The cast is made up of all the characters from the famous song “The Twelve Days of Christmas.” 

Auditions:

Auditions are complete.  Congratulations to all the Grade 3/4/5 students on a great job!  More than 85 kids auditioned.  See Party In A Pear Tree link above for information, songs and all parts.  Every student has been placed in a part, whether a character, solo or Chorus 1 or 2.

Show:
The Grade 3/4/5 classes look forward to presenting this show on Wednesday, Dec. 11 at 2:15 and 7:00 pm.

Costumes:
Complete lists of costumes will be posted shortly.

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)

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!

Angel Audition

Room 4 and 5 have auditions on Tuesday at 11:40 a.m. in the music room for Angels in the Snow.

There are 3 parts available.

We are looking for: 1. singing in tune 2. good volume  3. expression 4. in rhythm with the music

ANGELS IN THE SNOW (Room 4/5)


Angels Audition Backtrack

Choir Songs

Room 3, 4, 5 Choir Song

This is My Wish

(Auditions - Friday, Oct. 13 - 11:40 in music room)

Room 17, 18, 11 Choir Song

In Flanders Fields

(Auditions - Monday, Oct. 16, 11:40 music room)

Grade 1/2 Choir Song

Hearts Around the World

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.

See You Again

It's that time of the year to start working on a year end song for our final Year End Celebration Assembly on June 29.  This year, by popular request, we are going to sing the song "See You Again" by Wiz Khalifa.

(Performance Soundtrack)

"See You Again"

[Chorus] – all singIt's been a long day without you, my friend
And I'll tell you all about it when I see you again
We've come a long way from where we began
Oh, I'll tell you all about it when I see you again
When I see you again

0:38 [Solos]
SOLO 1: Hey, who knew?
All the planes we flew
Good things we've been through
That I'll be standing right here talking to you
'Bout another path
I know we loved to hit the road and laugh
SOLO 2: But something told me that it wouldn't last
Had to switch up
Look at things different, see the bigger picture
Those were the days
Hard work forever pays
Now I see you in a better place

1:02 [Solo]
SOLO 3: How can we not talk about family when family's all that we got?
Everything I went through you were standing there by my side
And now you gon' be with me for the last ride

1:15 [Chorus] – all sing
It's been a long day without you, my friend
And I'll tell you all about it when I see you again
We've come a long way from where we began
Oh, I'll tell you all about it when I see you again
When I see you again

1:41 - [All sing]
Aah oh, aah oh
Wooooh-oo-oo-o-o-o
1:53 [Solo] 
SOLO 4: First you both go out your way
And the vibe is feeling strong
And what's small turn to a friendship
A friendship turn to a bond
And that bond will never be broken
The love will never get lost

2:05 [Solo]
SOLO 5: And when brotherhood come first
Then the line will never be crossed
Established it on our own
When that line had to be drawn
And that line is what we reach
So remember me when I'm gone

2:20 [Solo]SOLO 6: How can we not talk about family when family's all that we got?
Everything I went through you were standing there by my side
And now you gon' be with me for the last ride

2:30 [Solo]
SOLO 7: So let the light guide your way
Hold every memory as you go
And every road you take, will always lead you home, home

2:55 [Chorus] – all sing
It's been a long day without you, my friend
And I'll tell you all about it when I see you again
We've come a long way from where we began
Oh, I'll tell you all about it when I see you again
When I see you again

3:20 [All sing]Aah oh Aah oh
Wooooh-o-o-o-when I see you again
Aah oh Aah oh
Wooooh-o-o-o-when I see you again
When I see you again

Singing with words

Karaoke Version

Video with pictures

Audition criteria includes:
1. memorized
2. keeps in the beat/timing of the song
3. clear words (volume and diction)
4. stage presence (confident, looking at audience)

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!

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.

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.

Musical Audition Time

Each year up to 120 students from across the St. James-Assiniboia School Division are selected to make up two casts for a selected musical production (Grades 4-8).  By teacher invitation, students are chosen to audition for next year's production, 'Disney's Lion King Jr.'.  The show will run Jan. 30 - Feb. 16, 2016.  This year's producer, director and choreographer is Mrs. Paula Olko.

Guidelines consist of the quality of audition (strong singer, dancer, actor, excellent behaviour), the character needs of the musical, and parental commitment to take student to one weekly rehearsal on Mondays or Tuesday (this is VERY important and students must make up missed practices by attending the alternate cast's day).  Rehearsals will start in September.

Audition dates @ Westwood Collegiate in the cafeteria.

Grades 3 & 4 - May 7 or May 8  4:20-7:00 pm
Grades 4 & 5 - May 4 or May 5  4:20-7:00 pm
Grades 6 & 7 - Apr. 30 or May 1 4:20-7:00 pm

* Reminder to parents who children are auditioning that you are responsible to practice the following with them:
- Choose a character / memorize part (see the sheet in package for character suggestion)
- Learn song that matches the character (see song links in letter that went home)
- Practice marching in time and box step
- Fill out the application and bring it to the audition (in package)
- Sign up for an audition time on line (see link in letter that went home)

Congratulations to the students invited from Stevenson to audition.  If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact me.  Email Ms. Rempel

Concert Audition

Our Grade 4/5 students got audition sheets today and all are invited to come and try out for a part next week Wednesday and Thursday.

Here is the audition song.  Some who are trying for smaller parts will be able to sing it with another person.  Anyone who wants a large part like Santa or the Captain, must be able to sing it on their own.

AUDITION LINES:

Please choose ONE part from ONE scene and memorize it.  Remember that acting is getting into a character.  You are using vocal, body and facial expressions to show who you are and what is happening.  Make it interesting and speak SLOWLY.

SCENE 1 (when the Captain and the pirates discover White Beard/Santa)

Captain: Ahoy, mate!  Tell us what you saw!

Pirate: (in awe) Captain!  My Captain! I have seen what every pirate dreams of seeing: what every pirate has been told about, since we were little scurvies.

Captain: What?  What is it?

Pirate: Captain!  I have seen… WHITE BEARD!

Captain: (gasp) White Beard?

Pirate: Aye, me matey!  I would not have believed it, but I have seen him with me own eyes.

Captain: You mean the legendary White Beard is alive and sleeping in that tent?

Pirate: I have seen him.  White Beard is in THAT tent.

SCENE 2 (when Santa first meets the pirates)

Santa:  Ho!  Ho! Ho!  What have we here, Christmas carolers?  I just love when people show up expectantly to sing songs on my front porch.  (to one pirate with a patch).  Sorry about that eye, fella, you might find something new in your stocking this year, if you’ve been a good boy.  Ho! Ho! Ho!

Pirate: Avast! Hold it right there, White Beard!

Santa: White Beard? Ho! Ho! Ho! How cute!  Well, I guess I do have a white beard after all.  Very observant of you.

Pirate: Don’t try to be sly, White Beard!  We know all about you!

SCENE 3 (when the pirates go to the North Pole with the elves)

Pirate: Blimey!  How do you elves stand it up here?

Elf: We work almost all the time making toys for little girls and boys.  And when we get a break…. We dance.

Pirate: Dance!?

Elf (enthusiastically): Sure!  Nothing will warm up your body like a little song and dance

Pirate: This is too weird.

Elf (happily): Hey, don’t knock it till you try it

Pirate:  ARRRR!  We’re pirates!  Pirates don’t dance.  It wouldn’t be cool.

Elf (practically): Suit yourself.  If you want to stand there and freeze, go ahead.  But if you want to stay warm at the North Pole, listen to some elfy advice… just dance!

Songs of Remembrance

Today the Grade 1's and I read the poem "In Flanders Fields" from the book by Linda Granfield, illustrated by Janet Wilson.  We shed a few tears as we talked about what Remembrance Day is, why we wear poppies and why remembering soliders who fight for our freedom is important.  This year the Grade 1 and Kindergarten classes will be singing at our assembly on Nov. 7.  We will be practicing our song for the next few weeks in music.

Congratulations to the students who came and auditioned today for a chance to sing the solo in the Remembrance Day Grade 2/3 choir song.  Everyone did great.  Jessica (Room 18) and Kiera (Room 11) will be leading the choir and the runner ups were Tyson (Room 17) and Jyan (Room 12). 

I Have But One Dream...

The Grade 2/3 choir is preparing for their first performance at our Remembrance Day assembly on Nov. 7.  Our song is called "One Dream" by Dave and Jean Perry.  We are holding auditions for 5 students from each room to sing a solo at the beginning of the song.  These students will need to prepare on their own and the 2 chosen students will have additional practices.

Audition criteria include:
- singing on pitch
- knowing the words
- singing clearly (pronunciation of the words)
- good volume
- having confidence