www.jcboothchorus.org

ALL STATE CHORUS INFORMATION

All-State Chorus brings together Georgia ’s finest 7^th and 8^th grade middle school singers to perform under the leadership of nationally recognized conductors. Specific songs must be learned in order to audition. Following a difficult first audition, selected students learn music on their own with the aid of a rehearsal CD. A second audition for selected students is required on the music to be performed. Selected students will travel to Savannah leaving PTC on Thursday morning, February 24, rehearse steadily until Saturday morning, February 26, and perform in the early afternoon. The concert is open to the public.

First Audition:	October 16, Saturday, usually at Dutchtown Middle School , Henry County .

Fee:	$18 (GMEA fee)
	Due Date for First Audition Fee: September 1, 2010.

Second Audition:	January 8, Saturday morning, usually at R. E. Lee Middle School , Coweta County .

All-State Chorus:	February 24-26, 2011

All-State auditions and performances involve skill, discipline, and a positive attitude. When you commit to auditioning for this event, you will be expected to put in extra-curricular time to learn your solo, practice sight singing, and if selected, to practice the music for All-State. There will be times for individual and group practice.

Costs: All-State Chorus takes place in Savannah ’s resort area. Hotel costs are high. In addition to the audition fees, there are costs for travel, room, and meals. The Booster Club will help by buying music and paying second audition costs. Students may earn money for their trip during the pie and coca-cola sales.

ALL-STATE AUDITIONS

Arrive at least 30 minutes early for your audition time.

You may use your music for your solo without penalty. Judges should already have your music in their room and should not ask for you music.

Hand the judges your CD when you go in to audition. Tell the judges the CD track number for your solo. Practice your scales at home. Most sopranos and altos should begin on the pitch “D.” The judges will ask you what pitch you want.

All-State Strategy

Sightsinging

1. Go slowly.
2. Count eighth notes.
3.Don’t get stuck during the 30 second practice time, move on to the end. If you miss a couple of notes, throw them away, get back on and sing other notes correctly then go back and practice the hard spots.

All-State Chorus Sight Singing Tips

1. The first sight singing example begins on 1 and ends on 1 with NO skips.

2.The second example begins on 6 and ends on 6 with NO skips.

3.The third example begins on 1 and ends on 1 with skips and dotted quarter rhythm.

The beginning of each sight singing example is controlled by a voice on a CD. She will say something like:

Here is your beginning pitch.		(A tone will sound.)*******

Here is the chord.		(The chord sounds.)

Here is the broken chord.		(1, 3, 5, 3, 1 will sound in major, or 6, 1, 3, 1, 6 in minor).

Here is your beginning pitch.		(A tone will sound.)

Please study example number 1		(or 2 or 3).

		This is where the judges expect you to begin singing. But because you know what number you begin on, you can begin practicing at * above. This can increase the amount of your study time from 30 seconds to 50 seconds. Smart people will do this.**

Scales

Scales: You will sing your major, minor, and chromatic scales to begin the audition.

Major scale: 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,1, breath, 1,7,6,5,4,3,2,1,

(Transition to minor) 1,7,6,

Minor scale: 6,7,1,2,3,4,5,6, breath 6,5,4,3,2,1,7,6

(transition to chromatic) 6,7,1, breath, (high) 1, (low) 1

Chromatic scale: 1, #, 2, #, T, 4, #, 5, #, 6, #, 7, 1 breath 1,7, b, 6, b, 5, b, 4, T, b, 2, b, 1

I suggest all girls and tenors, sing scales beginning on “D”. Baritones begin on "F". Consult Mrs. Green if you want to sing in another key.