WELCOME TO THE CHS VOCAL

MUSIC DEPARTMENT!

Audition Information and Expectations

MRS. CRIGGER

• Mrs. Crigger is currently in her 9th year of teaching, all of which has been at CHS. The choral program at CHS has almost tripled in size since 2010 and is recognized as one of the top choral programs in Missouri.

• Mrs. Crigger is a 2003 graduate of Carthage High School, a 2008 graduate of MSSU with a degree in Vocal Music Education, and a 2015 graduate of Adams State University with a Masters in Music Education.

MRS. CRIGGER, CONTINUED

• I have been married to my husband, Brian, for almost 8 years.

• Mom to Joy, who was born May 11, 2018.

MR. HARGRAVE

• I graduated in 2006 from Pittsburg State University with 2 bachelor degrees:     1) Vocal Music Performance     2) K-12 Music Education.

• Singing and composing music are my passions, but I also have been playing the drum set for almost 30 years and guitar for over 20 years. I also enjoy tuning pianos.

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• I have taught choir and music appreciation for 13 years, and show choir for 7 years.

• I have been married to my lovely wife, Regan, for almost 21 years, and together, we have 4 kids.

CONCERT CHOIR

• This is our premier vocal ensemble. This audition only group sings music from all time periods. They have received 7 consecutive “I” ratings at state contest on both sight reading and prepared literature. This group competes at State Contest, and students in this ensemble may choose to perform in solos and small ensembles.

• The class meets B3 and has 3 concerts per school year and some community performances as well. A few after school rehearsals are required in the Spring to prepare for contest.

• The main focus of this class is to acquire a strong vocal foundation with correct technique, vowel placement, support, strong musicality, and sight reading skills.

• This class is a full year commitment. Open to ladies and gentlemen, grades 9-12.

https://docs.google.com/file/d/1ew-qIymOjHkxrzkteouRXqHUWlyv1u9b/preview

SHOW CHOIR

• Ladies have two options: Suite Sounds or Soundwave• Gentlemen, Soundwave only.• Full Year Commitment• Both choirs are open to students in grades 9-12. • Suite Sounds meets W3, Soundwave B4.• Students involved in these choirs have mandatory

outside of school rehearsals (Suite Sounds, Tuesday night, Soundwave Thursday night)

• Choreography sessions are typically on weekends and during weekly night rehearsals.

SHOW CHOIR CONTINUED

• Competition season is January-March. We travel almost every Saturday during these months.

• Show Choir fees of $300 are the responsibility of the student. Multiple fundraisers are offered to help offset the cost of fees

• Please know that no student will be turned away due to financial hardships. We will ask that you participate in all fundraiser opportunities given.

• Fees pay for costumes, hotel stays ($4,000-$8,000), choreography ($5,500), and any extra….

SHOW CHOIR CONTINUED

• Students involved in show choir also have the opportunity to participate in the district solo and small ensemble contest.

• The main focus of show choir is on overall performance skills (singing, dancing, acting, putting on a show)

• Also focus is placed on solid vocal production (correct technique, vowel placement) musicality and sight reading.

EXPECTATIONS

• Grades● All students are required by MSHSAA to be passing 7

of 8 classes. This means grades from the fall semester affect spring, etc…

● For us, any student with multiple D’s or below will be on academic probation. Students need to keep up on school work first and foremost. If grades do not improve, students will be pulled from competition/ensemble until grades improve.

EXPECTATIONS

• Behavior● Behavior problems WILL NOT BE TOLERATED.● Any type of behavior problems will result in

immediate suspension from the ensemble. We can deal with the occasional tardy, but any type of defiance of authority, fighting, etc… will result in IMMEDIATE DISMISSAL from the ensemble.

● This includes anyone who likes to stir up DRAMA. This will not be tolerated and you will be dismissed immediately. We have too much to work on to let someone cause problems within our ensembles.

EXPECTATIONS

• Citizenship● All students will adhere to the CHS Citizenship

policy.● The use of alcohol, tobacco/vape, or illegal drugs will

result in immediate dismissal from the choral program, a one year ban on participating in any choir, and consequences from the CHS Administration per the CHS Handbook and MSHSAA consequences if necessary.

● All choir members are expected to represent CHS at a high level both inside and outside the walls of CHS.

EXPECTATIONS

• During all rehearsals, talking during instruction will not be tolerated.

• Cell phones out during rehearsal will not be tolerated either.

• If you choose to not pay attention or hide your cell phones behind your binders during rehearsal, you will be written up and if it becomes a constant habit, you will be dismissed from the ensemble.

• We have a ZERO TOLERANCE POLICY in regards to vaping/smoking/drug use. If your student is caught doing any of the above mentioned, they will be removed from the ensemble, forfeiting all fees.

EXPECTATIONS

• Attendance● Attendance to school is incredibly important.● Multiple unexcused absences will result in dismissal

from the ensemble.● After-school and evening rehearsals are mandatory.

If you have a conflicting event (school activity or church ONLY) please visit with me so we can come to an agreement.

● Work is NOT an excused absence.● Students are on a three strike rule for rehearsals. If a

student gets three unexcused absences, they are dismissed from the ensemble and not allowed to audition again.

EXPECTATIONS FOR PARENTS/GUARDIANS

Parents/Guardians

• Provide/arrange transportation to all rehearsals, concerts.• Drop off and Pick up students on time. We have set times for a

reason and we stick to those times. Please make sure you do as well.

• If you have an issue with something, you will first come directly to us to address the situation. We’ve found we can almost always come to an understanding very quickly if situations are addressed professionally.

• We do not go out in public and talk poorly of you, your students, etc… We ask that you do the same for us.

• Parents/Guardians will be expected to work/provide an item for both the Spaghetti Dinner and Soundfest Show Choir Festival if their student is either in Suite Sounds or Soundwave.

DRESS/GROOMING

• For all performances● Hair must be a natural color and styled correctly● All piercings (nose, ear, lip, etc..) Must be removed

• only exception are group issued earrings● All tattoos will be covered ● Good hygiene is a must● All pieces of costume must be present, this includes

• Proper undergarments• All pieces of costume (main costume, shoes,

etc..)• Correct color socks/undershirts• Choir robes for Concert Choir

● Modest dress for all rehearsals required• Be able to move, but stay covered up.

AUDITIONS

• 2 Part Auditions are April 8-10/15-17. All parts of the audition will happen in the CHS Choir Room

• VOCAL AUDITIONS PORTION: April 8-10● 1 on 1 audition with Mrs. Crigger and Mr. Hargrave

• Sign up for date and time of your choice• Audition consists of• Range Test (so we know your vocal range)• You prepare either My Country Tis of Thee,

My Bonnie, or God Bless America 1st Verse ONLY

• You will then do sight reading and key signature identification.

**Concert Choir only auditioners just need to attend this portion.**

AUDITIONS

• Choreography Auditions - Show Choir ONLY

• April 15-17 - 2 prep days, 1 audition day● Monday, April 15 3:45PM-5PM - Learn Group Song● Tuesday, April 16th 3:45PM-5PM - Learn the Dance● Audition-Wednesday, April 17th from 4PM - ????

AUDITIONS• Wednesday, April 17th • Auditions starting at 4PM in the high school choir room.• Students will run the number a few times through to warm

up.• Students will audition in quartets.• Auditions are judged by an independent panel. We do not

score auditions. • After you have auditioned, you are free to leave for the

evening, unless you are scheduled to repeat.• Rosters will be posted on the front doors of the high school

on Thursday, April 18th after school. Students will have an audition number and rosters will be posted with numbers, no names will be posted. It is incredibly important students remember their audition number. It will be given to them at their 1 on 1 audition.

AUDITIONS

• If your child does not make an ensemble, we kindly request if you wish to visit with us about it, please wait to contact us at the beginning of the next week. PLEASE do not contact us over the weekend. This is not an easy process, and sometimes initial emotional responses are not the nicest. Please remember, especially in our show choirs, about 40-50 students is the maximum we can take due to having room to move on the stage. We will also take much fewer if that is what the scores dictate.

AUDITION

• If your student does make a choir, there will be a mandatory meeting the following Tuesday evening, April 23rd at 6:30PM in the high school commons to hand out summer schedules, and start our first fundraiser.

• Show Choir members: a $50 deposit for fees is due at this meeting. The rest of the payment plan will be handed out at this meeting.

• Please adhere to the scheduled payment plan as best as possible. You may also pay the entire fee in full at any time.

BEFORE YOU LEAVE TONIGHT

• If you have decided to try out:● Hand in your general information page and contract. ● Take 3 teacher evaluations to give to any teachers of your

choice. The teacher will return it to us.● Sign up for your one on one time slot.● Take a schedule for the week.

● We wish you all the best of luck. If you have any questions, please contact us at criggerk@carthagetigers.org or hargraveb@carthagetigers.org

● All of this information is located here: http://carthagechoir.weebly.com/audition-information.html