PTSA Reflections Contest

The PTSA is sponsoring the Reflections contest once again! Last year we did have our student, Kellie L. receive an award for her composition. Below is the letter that gives you more information.

- Mrs. Christy

September 20th, 2010


Dear Student,

You are invited to participate in this year’s Reflections program. The theme for this year is, “Together
we can…” Reflections is a cultural arts program sponsored by the National PTA. The primary goal of
Reflections is to encourage students to express themselves creatively through the arts.
Students may submit works of art in any of the following categories: Music, Literature, Visual Arts,
Photography, Dance Choreography, and Film/Video Production. All entries must be original and the
work of only one student. (No group work or parent assistance please.) Be certain to consult the official
rules before you begin your Reflections project. You may a locate the Reflections packet with rules at
http://www.nyspta.org/ under the heading “programs/awards”. A completed Reflections application must be
attached to your entry. All entries are due by Friday, October 22nd. Please deposit your entry in the
Reflections box located in the Main Office. Winning entries will be forwarded to the Suffolk County
Reflections committee for further judging.

If you have any additional questions regarding Reflections, please feel free to contact me at 366-2663 or
via email: debbiemahoney@optonline.net

All Smithtown High School West students are eligible to participate in the Reflections program this year.

Best of luck to you!

Sincerely,

Debbie Mahoney

PTSA Reflections Chairperson

Wednesday October 6 the United States Air Force Band and Singing Sergeants will be here to give a concert. We will be holding workshops throughout the day that will give you the opportunity to work with them.

If you attend the concert, please bring me a program or ticket stub so you can receive extra credit!

-Mrs. Christy

Lesson Schedule

Here is the lesson schedule for the first concert.

As I said in class, this is a rotational lesson schedule that all of your teachers will have. You miss the class on the rotation once a month. Each week you should attend one lesson with your assigned lesson group. This year I will be teaching lessons during periods 2,4,7 & 8.

If your lesson falls on a day when you have a test in your class, take the test and makeup the lesson!! Even if we have a day off of school, I should see you in a lesson that week.

If you have any questions, let me know! The schedule and lesson groups are now up!

LESSON SCHEDULE

LESSONGROUPASSIGNMENTS

Jazz Choir Auditions

Jazz Choir auditions will be held next Tuesday and Wednesday, September 14 &15, after school in the chorus room. This is a select ensemble of 20 members that learns different literature using vocal jazz styling and techniques. They participate in multiple concerts, school functions & community events, as well as a trip that we will be organizing and fundraising for. The list of members will be up by Friday, September 19. Everyone is welcome to audition! If the times available do not work for you, come see me and we will find time during the day. Best of luck and I am looking forward to the new year!!

Audition requirements:

            -30 seconds of a prepared Jazz Standard. This should be memorized & will be performed a capella.
            - an 8 measure sight reading sample that I will provide from a piece we are working on this spring.

Slots are five minutes in length and you will be filling out an information sheet for me, so please arrive before your audition time to complete this.

See you then!!

Mrs. Christy

Listening Suggestions for Vocal Jazz Artists:
- Ella Fitzgerald
- Sarah Vaughn
- Billie Holiday
- Frank Sinatra
- Harry Connick Jr.
- Diana Krall
- Jane Monheit
- Jamie Cullum
- B.B. King
Possible Song Titles to look into:

- Autumn Leaves
- Funny Valentine
- I’ll Be Seeing You
- Over the Rainbow
- Embraceable You
- Cheek to Cheek
- I’ve Got the World on a String
- I’ve Got You Under My Skin
- Someone to Watch Over Me
- Come Fly With Me

Concert Choir Syllabus

Attached is a link to the Concert Choir Syllabus. Please print out a copy for yourself and give me back the signature portion by Tuesday, September 14. This requires a parent signature, so make sure you go over the requirements with them.

-Mrs. Christy

Concert Choir Syllabus

Welcome Back

Hello!

Welcome back to school! I hope that your summer left you well rested and ready for another great year. I am thrilled to have you all in my choir this year and can't wait to get started. We have a much bigger number this year, so I will be trying to use this site more frequently to keep you up to date on what is going on in the class.

I will put up the syllabus and we will review it tomorrow in class.

See you soon!

Mrs. Christy