Choir Family Information

Rule #1- PUT YOUR NAME ON EVERYTHING! :) Please have supplies at our first rehearsal.

• Primary Choir- No binders. Water bottle is nice. First Rehearsal bring a small stuffed animal buddy!!
• Jr. High & Sr. High Choirs- SOLID BLACK 3 ring 1" Binder to hold music. (Put your name on the inside!) Keep some loose binder paper and a pencil. Yellow highlighter is nice to highlight lyrics or musical details. Water bottles only. Occasionally, someone will bring a snack or birthday treat to share!
• Primary and Jr. - Weather permitting, we exit to the playground after rehearsal! That's the perfect place to pick up your student after choir. On rainy days, pick up from inside.

I try to keep choir commitments inside your Tuesday afternoon time slot, but special events require extra time. The choir concert performance is required and such a fun and exciting experience! I will notify you ASAP and give grace if anything changes!
Primary: 1-1:40pm 
Junior: 1:50-2:45pm 
Senior: 3:00-4:05pm
Chamber: 4:10-4:45pm (Auditioned Group of Senior Choir Members) 

• Nov.17: Picture day! Wear full concert attire. (Normal rehearsal times)
• Nov. 24: Thanksgiving Week (No PRIMARY or JUNIOR choir) Sr Rehearsal if needed. 
• Dec. 1: Tech Rehearsal 1-4ishpm in auditorium. PRIMARY done hopefully by 3pm; JR 3:30; SR 4; Chamber 4:30
  • Full Choir concert attire needs to be worn this day.
  • 12:55pm warm up begins
  • We work out the final nitty-gritty concert details with mics, concert order, etc.
  • It is very difficult to plan the exact times needed to accomplish what needs to be done, so flexibility is appreciated. I will do all I can to stay within the time budget. 
• Dec. 8: Concert #1 2:30pm
  • 12:45pm arrival in auditorium  
  • 12:55pm warm up begins
  • 2:30-3:45pm performance
• Dec. 8: Concert #2 6:30pm
  • 5:55pm arrival in Fellowship hall for warm up and prayer
  • 6:30-7:45pm performance.  (Livestream at graceredding.org)
• Dec. 15: Choir Parties! 
  • PR: 1-2
  • JR: 2-3
  • SR: 3-4:30
  • More details to come, but usually at the church in the youth room :) 
• OPTIONAL OUTREACH DAY- TBA

Everyone will need an official Grace Notes CHOIR t-shirt ($15 ish) to wear for performances. Shirts may only be reused if they are in very good condition and concert appropriate.
All Choirs need performance attire a month before performances. (PLEASE BEGIN LOOKING ASAP). It's part of the choral experience!

Link: AMAZON SHOPPING LIST
These are not specifically required items, but a suggestion/guide in your shopping.

UNIFORM REQUIREMENTS

• Boys: Choir shirt and black pants, tall black socks, black shoes . Primary choir can be less formal, but I would appreciate nicer slacks and shoes for Jr. and Sr. High Choirs. Black belts if possible.
• Girls: Choir shirt and long black skirt and nice, comfortable black shoes. Please keep any high-heels moderate and comfortable- it's a long day of standing! No short skirts, please. Knee length and longer please. If the skirt is not full length, please use black tights or leggings to create an all black leg and foot. It makes a difference (especially for those in the front rows)! Black slacks are ok for girls if they are dressy and not too tight.
• Check the free black item collection or donate outgrown black items for others!

If you are struggling to find items, please let me know ASAP.

Email or text might be used to contact you individually if needed, but our main communication will be through a messaging app called Telegram. Please make every effort to learn how to use it, so that you know what's happening. Ask for help when needed.

Please make sure your notifications are turned on so you don't miss important announcements.

There is a "channel" for EACH choir, plus one for everyone (general announcements that apply to everyone.) So, everyone will have at least TWO channels you need to pay attention to.

Telegram is an essential part of staying up to date with Choir.  Only the admins can post, so there is not "chatter." It's lovely! You'll receive announcements, practice tracks, learning resources, as well as essential reminders or info as the semester progresses.

Families are welcome to watch from the back if they are quiet. If you want to talk, please go outside. There's a playground around the back. I encourage you to get to know other choir families!

Please do not leave younger students unattended/waiting during an older sibling's rehearsal. If an older sibling is waiting for their rehearsal, they must have an adult supervising them.

The bottom-line: Parents are responsible for supervising their kids (or delegating someone to) when students are not in rehearsal. 

High Schoolers need to stay in public, visible areas if they arrive a little early to rehearsal. Please do not hang out in the parking lot.

Please remind student drivers to yield to pedestrians, and to be extra cautious in our parking lot. 

If I am sick and must cancel choir, I will notify you using Telegram (usually the night before). Please check for updates before you drop off students in case I’ve tried to announce this! 

Please use common sense in staying home from rehearsal if you are exhibiting cold or flu symptoms in the past 24 hours prior to rehearsal or performance. If you are unsure, feel free to contact me regarding the symptoms. 

Please be judicious when posting about the choir on social media. Please promote our concerts, but be mindful of others who do not want their children's photos on social media.