2020 Summer Letter
Thursday, June 4, 2020
Summer Letter
Thursday, June 4, 2020
Singers,
Congratulations on being selected to be a member of the 2020-2021 Academy Singers, and a special welcome to our new members: Caroline Breen, Macy Henning, Kelsey Nygren, and Jack West!
Before you get too deep in your summer break, please take the time to review all six pages of these important details regarding the retreat, song selections, expectations, and mandatory dates for next year. Please complete the Google form at the end of this letter to confirm all details outlined by Thursday, JUNE 18.
ACADEMY SINGER RETREAT - Saturday, August 29 to Sunday, August 30
It is a tradition to begin the school year with a retreat where we will get to know one another better and learn as much a cappella music as we can. The Hickmans have graciously volunteered to host the retreat again this year (thank you, Hickmans!). We will start at 10:00 AM on Saturday morning, and end at 1:00 PM sharp on Sunday afternoon. Mark your calendar now for this important time.
This is a time to not only get to know one another a little better but to get plenty of wood chopping done. We will alternate between sectionals and group work until we give out. This will put us on a firm ground with the a cappella numbers.
PARENT VOLUNTEERS NEEDED - As it is no small task to feed 17 people for a weekend, we need several parent volunteers to help with the food. We need lunch on Saturday (sandwiches), lots of water, Breakfast Sunday morning, along with plenty of sweet and salty snacks to keep energy levels high. The school will take care of dinner on Saturday night. Please ask your parents if they might be willing to help with the other meals. Forward them this email so that they can review this information. If you are interested in organizing the food committee or volunteering to prepare a dish or a snack, please contact me at [email protected].
ACADEMYSINGERS.COM, DROPBOX, GOOGLE, & REMIND
Be sure to bookmark Academy Singer website: www.academysingers.com. The site will be one of the most important ways I will communicate with you. It is convenient way to post announcements, assignments, dates, rehearsal tracks, etc., so they are always at your disposal. Also, In August, I will invite new members to the 2020-2021 Academy Singers folder in dropbox, and also to our Remind channel, so when you receive an invitation to join this summer, please accept.
PHOTO SHOOT
It looks like the most likely date for our photo shoot will be Sunday afternoon, September 20 from 3:00 PM-6:00 PM. Please mark your calendar now so everyone can be available that afternoon. The first hour will be used for styling hair and make-up prior to the official shoot time. These photos will be used for marketing throughout the year. For the new members who may not be aware, Mrs. Smith will style you for the shoot, so wait for further instructions regarding wardrobe and accessories. Please let me know immediately if you are not available on September 20. We are booking the photographer soon.
SHOWCASE
The Performing Arts showcase is scheduled for either Friday, March 26 or Thursday, April 1. The venue has not yet been determined, but it will be somewhere like The Franklin Theatre or Rocketown. Please mark these two important date on your calendar. I will confirm the date as soon as I hear back from our venue request. We will leave school for sound check on the day of the Showcase at 1:00 PM. Excerpts for the MS and US will be performed during activity period earlier in the week.
VIDEO SHOOT
If all goes well in the studio, we will likely want to do another video. This is a great way to showcase your talents! Right now, Cooper has reserved Saturday, May 8 from 3:30-6:30 PM for the shoot.
EXPECTATIONS
Being an Academy Singer requires more from you than your average BA class. You will be ambassadors for the school and leaders within the fine arts department. Having a strong moral fiber is a key to success in life and this group. Striving to achieve these fifteen essential character traits is an important expectation that I will have for each of you:
PROCESS
One of the most difficult things to understand about being a member of an auditioned group is that everyone brings something unique to the table, but not everyone is equally positioned around the table. Just because you work hard on an assignment does not mean you will do well on the assignment, or that you will get a solo. Some of you will be able to sight-read your part and will have to spend very little time mastering it. Others of you will have to put in several hours to achieve the same level of success that the person sitting next to you is able to perform at sight. Everyone is different, but in order to succeed, we must all perform at the same level, so if you have to work harder to keep up, make sure you put in the extra time required!
BENCHMARKS
It is important that everyone travels at the same speed, so I will be putting benchmarks in place early on to ensure mastery of vocal parts by specific dates. I will give you all the tools you need to succeed, outlining the musical demands required for each song, but anyone not demonstrating mastery by the specific benchmark date will not record that song in the studio. For those who do demonstrate mastery, I will divide you into smaller recording groups according to the best style and blend for that song. Everyone who demonstrates mastery will sing his part for the concert, but not everyone will sing or record on every song.
SOLOS
Everyone will be asked to audition for at least three solos. I strongly encourage you to audition for every solo you believe you could perform well. If you don’t submit an audition, you will not be considered for that song, so plan to set aside the time required to audition for solos. Don’t make the mistake of assuming that someone else will get the solo, and not submitting it. It is impossible to predict what I will be looking for, so give it your best shot! The more solos you audition for, the better your chances are for getting a solo.
DELAYED GRATIFICATION
Every year, it is exciting for me to see what each new group will bring to the table. I have great expectations for you, and I can’t wait to hear what you will sound like. The greatest satisfaction in life, and in this class, in particular, comes from the things that take longer to accomplish and are more challenging to achieve. Consistently performing the small daily tasks required over the first six months of school will lead us toward the more positive, long-term, memorable rewards of recording an album, filming a video, and performing in concert for the community. The first semester may seem tedious, but things will quickly begin to fall into place beginning in January, as we race toward the finish line. It will not be easy, and there will be times when you will want to quit, but once you experience the power of delayed gratification, you will gladly and patiently endure the challenge of what it takes to get there.
I will be with you each step of the way on this journey, and I will depend on our seniors (Elle Noveshen, Jasmine Swain, Karley Nygren, Gabby DuBois, Caroline Breen, and Cody West) to lead and guide the group in the pursuit of excellence as we set out to achieve our long-term goals for next year.
I know you need to recharge your batteries this summer, so relax and reflect, and come back ready to experience a fabulous new beginning in August. I can’t wait!
DATES
Please mark each of the dates listed on the DATES tab on your calendar. All of these dates are mandatory, so carefully review them with your parents and let me know via the Google form below if you have a conflict with anything listed. I can’t promise we can make changes to the schedule because it is so tight, but we have a better chance if we know about conflicts early on.
It is a strong possibility that we will be asked to sing at church on a Sunday morning in the spring, just as Brentwood Methodist asked us this year. Please be open and flexible should that happen. It will take all of us to accept the invitation. I will inform you as soon as I know any details.
Summer Letter
Thursday, June 4, 2020
Singers,
Congratulations on being selected to be a member of the 2020-2021 Academy Singers, and a special welcome to our new members: Caroline Breen, Macy Henning, Kelsey Nygren, and Jack West!
Before you get too deep in your summer break, please take the time to review all six pages of these important details regarding the retreat, song selections, expectations, and mandatory dates for next year. Please complete the Google form at the end of this letter to confirm all details outlined by Thursday, JUNE 18.
ACADEMY SINGER RETREAT - Saturday, August 29 to Sunday, August 30
It is a tradition to begin the school year with a retreat where we will get to know one another better and learn as much a cappella music as we can. The Hickmans have graciously volunteered to host the retreat again this year (thank you, Hickmans!). We will start at 10:00 AM on Saturday morning, and end at 1:00 PM sharp on Sunday afternoon. Mark your calendar now for this important time.
This is a time to not only get to know one another a little better but to get plenty of wood chopping done. We will alternate between sectionals and group work until we give out. This will put us on a firm ground with the a cappella numbers.
PARENT VOLUNTEERS NEEDED - As it is no small task to feed 17 people for a weekend, we need several parent volunteers to help with the food. We need lunch on Saturday (sandwiches), lots of water, Breakfast Sunday morning, along with plenty of sweet and salty snacks to keep energy levels high. The school will take care of dinner on Saturday night. Please ask your parents if they might be willing to help with the other meals. Forward them this email so that they can review this information. If you are interested in organizing the food committee or volunteering to prepare a dish or a snack, please contact me at [email protected].
ACADEMYSINGERS.COM, DROPBOX, GOOGLE, & REMIND
Be sure to bookmark Academy Singer website: www.academysingers.com. The site will be one of the most important ways I will communicate with you. It is convenient way to post announcements, assignments, dates, rehearsal tracks, etc., so they are always at your disposal. Also, In August, I will invite new members to the 2020-2021 Academy Singers folder in dropbox, and also to our Remind channel, so when you receive an invitation to join this summer, please accept.
PHOTO SHOOT
It looks like the most likely date for our photo shoot will be Sunday afternoon, September 20 from 3:00 PM-6:00 PM. Please mark your calendar now so everyone can be available that afternoon. The first hour will be used for styling hair and make-up prior to the official shoot time. These photos will be used for marketing throughout the year. For the new members who may not be aware, Mrs. Smith will style you for the shoot, so wait for further instructions regarding wardrobe and accessories. Please let me know immediately if you are not available on September 20. We are booking the photographer soon.
SHOWCASE
The Performing Arts showcase is scheduled for either Friday, March 26 or Thursday, April 1. The venue has not yet been determined, but it will be somewhere like The Franklin Theatre or Rocketown. Please mark these two important date on your calendar. I will confirm the date as soon as I hear back from our venue request. We will leave school for sound check on the day of the Showcase at 1:00 PM. Excerpts for the MS and US will be performed during activity period earlier in the week.
VIDEO SHOOT
If all goes well in the studio, we will likely want to do another video. This is a great way to showcase your talents! Right now, Cooper has reserved Saturday, May 8 from 3:30-6:30 PM for the shoot.
EXPECTATIONS
Being an Academy Singer requires more from you than your average BA class. You will be ambassadors for the school and leaders within the fine arts department. Having a strong moral fiber is a key to success in life and this group. Striving to achieve these fifteen essential character traits is an important expectation that I will have for each of you:
- Integrity - having strong moral principles and core values
- Honesty - being straightforward and trustworthy in all your interactions with others
- Respectfulness - treating others with courtesy, kindness, deference, dignity, and civility
- Humility - having a confident, yet modest opinion of your own self-importance
- Kindness - being considerate, helpful, and benevolent to others
- Positivity - being intentional about having a good attitude when negativity attempts to creep in
- Authenticity - being your true self without pretense or insincerity
- Courage - carrying out a commitment, plan or decision, knowing it is the best course of action
- Accountability - accepting responsibility and following through even when difficult
- 10.Conscientiousness - willingness to put in extra effort to ensure things are done with excellence
- 11.Perseverance - determination to continue a course of action, even when it is difficult
- 12.Encouragement - offering hope, strength, and positive reinforcement to others
- 13.Reliability - demonstrating that you can be depended upon (don’t be absent!)
- 14.Team Member - understanding that what is best for the group comes before what is best for the individual
- 15.Forgiveness - to intentionally decide to let go of resentment and anger toward one another
PROCESS
One of the most difficult things to understand about being a member of an auditioned group is that everyone brings something unique to the table, but not everyone is equally positioned around the table. Just because you work hard on an assignment does not mean you will do well on the assignment, or that you will get a solo. Some of you will be able to sight-read your part and will have to spend very little time mastering it. Others of you will have to put in several hours to achieve the same level of success that the person sitting next to you is able to perform at sight. Everyone is different, but in order to succeed, we must all perform at the same level, so if you have to work harder to keep up, make sure you put in the extra time required!
BENCHMARKS
It is important that everyone travels at the same speed, so I will be putting benchmarks in place early on to ensure mastery of vocal parts by specific dates. I will give you all the tools you need to succeed, outlining the musical demands required for each song, but anyone not demonstrating mastery by the specific benchmark date will not record that song in the studio. For those who do demonstrate mastery, I will divide you into smaller recording groups according to the best style and blend for that song. Everyone who demonstrates mastery will sing his part for the concert, but not everyone will sing or record on every song.
SOLOS
Everyone will be asked to audition for at least three solos. I strongly encourage you to audition for every solo you believe you could perform well. If you don’t submit an audition, you will not be considered for that song, so plan to set aside the time required to audition for solos. Don’t make the mistake of assuming that someone else will get the solo, and not submitting it. It is impossible to predict what I will be looking for, so give it your best shot! The more solos you audition for, the better your chances are for getting a solo.
DELAYED GRATIFICATION
Every year, it is exciting for me to see what each new group will bring to the table. I have great expectations for you, and I can’t wait to hear what you will sound like. The greatest satisfaction in life, and in this class, in particular, comes from the things that take longer to accomplish and are more challenging to achieve. Consistently performing the small daily tasks required over the first six months of school will lead us toward the more positive, long-term, memorable rewards of recording an album, filming a video, and performing in concert for the community. The first semester may seem tedious, but things will quickly begin to fall into place beginning in January, as we race toward the finish line. It will not be easy, and there will be times when you will want to quit, but once you experience the power of delayed gratification, you will gladly and patiently endure the challenge of what it takes to get there.
I will be with you each step of the way on this journey, and I will depend on our seniors (Elle Noveshen, Jasmine Swain, Karley Nygren, Gabby DuBois, Caroline Breen, and Cody West) to lead and guide the group in the pursuit of excellence as we set out to achieve our long-term goals for next year.
I know you need to recharge your batteries this summer, so relax and reflect, and come back ready to experience a fabulous new beginning in August. I can’t wait!
DATES
Please mark each of the dates listed on the DATES tab on your calendar. All of these dates are mandatory, so carefully review them with your parents and let me know via the Google form below if you have a conflict with anything listed. I can’t promise we can make changes to the schedule because it is so tight, but we have a better chance if we know about conflicts early on.
It is a strong possibility that we will be asked to sing at church on a Sunday morning in the spring, just as Brentwood Methodist asked us this year. Please be open and flexible should that happen. It will take all of us to accept the invitation. I will inform you as soon as I know any details.