Ford Chorus Auditions...

Ford Elementary Chorus                                                      678-594-8092

Craig.Hurley@cobbk12.org

Dear 4^th & 5^th Grade Parents,

               Dedicated to excellence, the Ford Chorus has a two-fold purpose.  Membership offers professional-level instruction in vocal technique as well as exposure to a variety of choral styles.  Involvement also enhances young people’s lives, helping them to develop qualities of self-reliance, personal integrity, responsibility, compassion and confidence in their abilities.  The Ford Chorus is a performance group that requires teamwork in order to meet its objectives. 

The Ford Chorus will rehearse each Monday from 2:30 – 3:30 and perform a Winter Concert, at the GMEA Choral Evaluation as well as various other community events.  Our first rehearsal will be Monday, August 29.

Requirements for Membership

1.      Student must be able to match pitch as determined by their audition.

2.     Student must have good behavior recommendations from homeroom teachers.

3.     Students and Parents must commit to being a part of chorus for an entire year.

Auditions

               Due to limited space each student will need to audition to be in chorus each year.  Auditions will take place between 7:15-7:45 on August 22, 23 and 24.  Please arrive no later than 7:30 AM.  Students will be assigned a number and then asked to sing “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star & echo sing into a tape recorder. The recorded tape will be given to another music teacher in the county and that person will choose the top singers in each grade level. In order to give an unbiased opinion, the judge will not know the students’ identities. Behavior recommendations from homeroom teachers and parent/student commitment will also be taken into consideration. 

Please know that the chorus must be a manageable size so unfortunately everyone who tries out will not be accepted into chorus.  As director, I provide a positive tryout atmosphere and each student, whether they are chosen or not, is encouraged to keep working on his/her musical skills.  

              

Chorus Donation

Students who participate in chorus will be requested to pay a $45.00 fee.  This money will be used to purchase pieces of music, help pay for field trips, pay for a chorus shirt, entry fees for evaluations and any other chorus expenses that may arise.

Chorus participation can be a tremendous opportunity and can provide some invaluable life-long experiences.  I am looking forward to a great musical year at Ford!  If you have any questions please e-mail me at craig.hurley@cobbk12.org.

Sincerely,

Craig Hurley

(Please bring the signed bottom portion of this paper to your audition.) ----------------------------------------------------------------

My child has permission to audition for the 2010-2011 Ford Elementary School Chorus. 

___________       

Child’s Name 

___________________               

Parent’s signature          

 

_____________

  Homeroom Teacher/Grade                     

Georgia Boy Choir Auditions

The Georgia Boy Choir is an organization entering it's 3rd year we are holding auditions on September 3rd and 10th. Auditions are for our Apprentice, Training and Intermediate Choirs. We're seeking boys ages 5 and up. The Choir has opportunities for boys at all levels to sing and so those with little to no musical experience are encouraged to audition as the Apprentice and Training Choir programs gives them the foundation of knowledge and experience that will be necessary for them to advance by teaching the fundamentals of good singing: posture, breathing, diction, music notation, and theory. Boys with musical experience are encouraged to audition as well, as our Intermediate Choir focuses on sight-singing, music theory, and vocal production while instilling discipline and commitment and considering boys for membership in the Concert Choir. Auditions are intentionally low-pressure. Each boy is asked to sing a song—any song he likes; it can be something as simple as “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star” or something he has learned in school or church. He will then be asked to repeat some musical phrases and match notes played on the piano. It is fairly simple and only takes a few minutes. Regardless of each boy’s experience and preparedness, this process reveals a great deal about each individual and allows the Choir to easily to discern his level of natural ability. Parents interested in auditioning their sons for the Choir can visit http://www.georgiaboychor.org/auditions to submit an application or by calling 404-402-4083

Music Appreciation Night at Turner Field

Music Appreciation Night at Turner Field

Wednesday, August 17, 2011 

 Atlanta Braves vs. San Francisco Giants

7:10 pm

The Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and the Atlanta Braves are teaming up for the first Music Appreciation Night at Turner Field on Wednesday, August 17, 2011, when the Atlanta Braves take on the San Francisco Giants at 7:10 p.m.

For Music Appreciation Night, we are offering exclusive pre-game activities for all individuals. Prior to the game, fans will be able to see, hear, touch, and play various instruments as part of a pre-game Instrument Petting Zoo in Monument Grove. The Instrument Petting Zoo will take place from 5:00-6:50 p.m.

Participants are also invited to enjoy an exclusive pre-game Educational Panel called “The Connection between Music and Sports” from 5:30-6:30 p.m., hosted by the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra. Guests will hear music and sports panelists discuss how music has impacted their lives and careers.

All guests will then have the opportunity to participate in our pre-game On-Field Parade following the panel.

If you have any questions regarding the night or tickets, feel free to contact Natalie Galvin at 404.614.1401 or Natalie.galvin@Braves.com for further questions. Thanks again.

DISCOUNTED TICKETS:

Upper Box: $10

Outfield: $15

Terrace Level: $25

GMC Level: $30

Meet Mr. Hurley...

Dear Ford Families,

          My name is Craig Hurley and I am thrilled to be the new music specialists here at Ford Elementary!  The Ford staff has welcomed me with open arms and has already made me feel right at home.  I look forward to meeting each student as I have heard many great things about the kids at Ford.

          Please allow me to introduce myself.  For the past 10 years I have taught elementary music at Kingston Elementary School in Bartow County.  Prior to teaching at Kingston I taught Middle School Chorus at South Hall Middle School in Hall County.  In 2009, I was fortunate to serve as a writer for the Georgia Performance Standards for Elementary General Music. I have also given music education presentations around the state and have conducted several Honor Choirs.  I am looking forward to conducting the Georgia Music Educator’s Statewide Honor Choir in October.  Besides teaching at Ford I also conduct the Spivey Hall Young Artists, the training choir of the nationally renowned Spivey Hall Children’s Choir (www.spiveyhallchildrenschoir.org).  I have degrees from Shorter College and Berry College in Rome, GA and I live in Cartersville with my wife Katie, also a music teacher, and my 3 children. 

          Please email me (craig.hurley@cobbk12.org) if you would ever like to observe a music class - but be warned that observers are often called on to participate. :)  I am looking forward to a wonderful year here at Ford.

FORD ROCKS!

Craig Hurley