Gateway Treble Choir

Auditions
Dear Parents and Guardians,
October 13, 2016
It is my pleasure to announce the beginning of a new Gateway Music Department tradition: the
Gateway Treble Choir. This group is an enriching opportunity for those students who love to sing and
who wish to pursue singing and performing beyond participation in 4th, 5th, or 6th Grade Chorus. The
goal of the Treble Choir is to sing a wide variety of music and represent Gateway School District
through stellar performances, courteous behavior, and thoughtful artistry.
In order to become a member of the choir, students must be in 4th, 5th, or 6th Grade and must
complete an audition. Auditions will take place on November 1st, 2nd, and 3rd beginning at 5:30pm
each evening at Dr. Cleveland Steward, Jr. Elementary School (CSE). If your child is interested,
choose one audition date and fill out the form below. Please return it to your childs music teacher by
Friday, October 28, 2016. More specific details about auditions are on the reverse side of this letter.
Because this group is an extracurricular activity and because it will be made up of students from
several buildings, the Gateway Treble Choir will rehearse after school in the evening on Thursdays from
6:00pm-7:00pm beginning on November 10, 2016 and will perform at 3-4 events around the
community throughout the school year. Attendance at all rehearsals is very important. An attendance
policy will be given out during auditions. Rehearsals will take place at CSE but the location will depend
on the amount of interest the choir generates. If many students are interested in joining, we will have to
use a larger space to rehearse at Gateway High School. Performances are still in the process of being
planned and will be communicated to the choir as soon as possible.
I am very excited to begin this new journey with you, and I look forward to working with you and
your children. Please do not hesitate to contact me with any questions you might have.
Musically yours,

Mr. Dave Verno

K-4 Music Teacher | 4th Grade Chorus Director
DVerno@gatewayk12.org
http://MrVerno.weebly.com

Student Information

Parent / Guardian Information

Name:

Name:

Grade:

Phone:

School:

Email:
CHECK AUDITION DATE: November 1st _____ 2nd _____ 3rd _____

Gateway Treble Choir Information Recap

Weekly Rehearsals
When:

Thursdays, 6:00pm - 7:00pm

Where:

Dr. Cleveland Steward, Jr. Elementary

1st Rehearsal: Thursday, November 10, 2016

Audition Dates
When:

November 1st, 2nd, & 3rd

Beginning @ 5:30pm

Where:

Dr. Cleveland Steward, Jr. Elementary

Audition Information

1. All students should arrive for auditions to begin at 5:30pm. When you arrive, you will sign up for an audition
slot on a first come, first serve basis. There will be a brief meeting at 5:30 to discuss directions for the
audition and to discuss the attendance policy and possible performances.
2. Students do not have to stay after their audition is over. Each audition should take 5 minutes.
3. Students will sing alone for Mr. Verno and possibly 1-3 other music teachers during their audition.
4. Auditions are held to determine each singers vocal and musical development. Judges will listen for each
students tone quality, his/her ability to match pitch, and his/her ability to sing known songs in tune alone,
with piano accompaniment, and in harmony.
5. Students will be asked to sing:
A. Happy Birthday a cappella (without accompaniment)
B. America (My Country Tis of Thee) with piano accompaniment
C. Row, Row, Row Your Boat (as a round with the teacher)
D. Jingle Bells (while the teacher sings a partner song)
E. 3-4 Melodic Phrases