Friday, December 20, 2013

Holiday Break

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

Mashpee Students - I hope you all have a wonderful holiday break!

I want to inform you of some updates and share some links with you regarding Spring and festival repertoire.
I'm in the process of updating all the reference video links on the right.  Please check these out over the break.  Listen through these songs to get familiar with them.  That list should give you a general idea of some of the music we will be looking at in the vocal ensembles this spring!

ALL-CAPE/SENIOR DISTRICT STUDENTS:

 Be looking over and practicing your music during the break.  It is very important that we go to these festivals prepared.  When we come back from the break -- we will start having after school practices to prepare the festival music.  Senior District and All-Cape Treble Choir students should be using Youtube to look up their music.  All-Cape SATB Singers -- use this link to access reference recordings
I also have .MP3 Files of almost every song for all three festival groups -- if you would like them, please email me: braymond146@gmail.com , and I will send them out to you!

KEY DATES FOR SPRING 2014:
 (Mark your calendars!)

 January 10-11 Southeast Senior District Festival
January 15 Mashpee Band Night
January 23 Mashpee Chorus Night
January 25 All-State Auditions
January 30-Feb 1 All-Cape Music Festival
Feb 8: Berklee Jazz Festival
Feb 12: All-Cape Jazz Auditions
February/March TBA: Vocal Jazz/Chamber Choir to Quashnet
March 7-8: Southeast Junior District Festival
March 11: All-Town MIOSM Concert
April/May TBA: Mashpee Vocal Jazz performs at Barnstable Jazz Night with Barnstable High School
April 9: All-Cape Middle School Vocal 
April 11-12: Cabaret Night
April 29-30: All-Cape Jazz (Mashpee Vocal Jazz Performs)
May 10: Great East Festival (Six Flags -- Chamber Choir and Vocal Jazz)
May 20: MHS Band and Chorus Concert
June 11: MMS Band and Chorus Concert


Sunday, December 8, 2013

Junior District Results

Great job everyone at Junior District Auditions.  
Congratulations to the following students who were selected for this year's Junior District Festival:

Ashley Acksen - Alto
Kylie Howard - Soprano
Krista Signs - Soprano 


Congratulations to everyone who tried out.  If you didn't make it this year, don't be discouraged!  Everyone received a respectable score, and you should be proud of the work you put in.  These festivals are challenging to get accepted to and for most of you, this was your first ever audition. Having this experience will help you in preparing for future auditions.  I will have your score sheets for you on Monday if you would like to stop by the chorus room.  Enjoy the rest of your weekend! --Mr. Raymond

Saturday, December 7, 2013

Junior District Auditions

Students:

Great job today at Junior District Auditions!  I am very proud of all the hard work you have put in preparing for these auditions.  All of you represented Mashpee at a high level, and I hope you will all learn from this experience.

At the moment, I am still awaiting results.  When I find out the results, I will post them here!

Enjoy the rest of your weekend!

--Mr. Raymond

Tuesday, December 3, 2013

Updates

Junior District Auditioners:
Important updates and reminders:

Meeting at Saturday 7:45AM out in front of the high school.  Audition time is set for 9:15am then we will take the bus right back afterwards.

Remember to bring in your forms this week!  I need the med form, field trip permission, and $15.

Dress nice -- it is important to set a good impression!

Have fun...remember, this is a learning experience and no matter what happens, I am very proud of you all!

Any further questions leave a comment below, see me in class, or email me: braymond@mashpee.k12.ma.us

--Mr. Raymond

Monday, December 2, 2013

Junior District Week

Students:

High School -- There will be a Full Vocal Jazz Rehearsal Tuesday 3-4:30pm

Middle School --

This week is all about preparing for Junior District Auditions --- Saturday Dec 7th

Some important audition notes --
-  Make sure you turn in your 1) Med Form  2)  Money  3)  Permission Slip
-  After School Practices Tuesday Wednesday and Thursday -- Come to as many as you can!!

On Saturday:
- Dress Formal!
- Meet at the School: 7:45AM
- We will take the bus together up to Furnace Brook Middle School in Marshfield, then we will get registered, warmup (9:00am), and auditions will begin at 9:15am
We should get back around 11am 
- I will say this again on Saturday but nobody is allowed to bring a photocopy of the music into their audition...I will have hard copies for you!

Any questions come see me or email me at braymond@mashpee.k12.ma.us

GOOD LUCK!!  I am very proud of you all!!

--Mr. Raymond

Saturday, November 30, 2013

Thanksgiving Break

Students:

Hope you all had a Happy Thanksgiving!! Enjoy your weekend!

Middle School Students that are auditioning for Junior Districts:

Here is the link for the mp3 recordings that you can play/download and practice from:
http://www.semmea.org/jr-audition-pieces.html

Remember to bring in your form, money, and field trip permission slip!

See you all on Monday,
-Mr. Raymond

Sunday, November 24, 2013

Senior District Results

Students,

I am very proud of all of you and the hard work you have put in with all the audition preparations.

Congratulations to the following students who have been accepted into the Senior District Festival:

James Boyd - All-State Recommendation
Stephen Ross
Brynne Santos

At this moment, I am still awaiting cut-off scores (if they will even release them) so these results may or may not be final.  Many of you scored very well -- sight singing scores in particular were very high from many of you.  Bear in mind that this is a very difficult festival to get accepted to, and for those of you who weren't selected (and even for those who were), you should take this as a learning experience for the next auditions - be it in high school or college.  I have your individual score sheets and will give those out to you on Monday.  

Again, thank you for all your hard work students.  Don't be discouraged if you didn't get in, we will take these comments and this experience and grow from it. 

Enjoy the rest of your weekend, and I will see you all Monday

--Mr. Raymond

Friday, November 22, 2013

Senior District Auditions

Students:

A couple reminders for senior district auditions Saturday:

Rachel and Alexis -- dont forget to bring your permission slips with you!!!

Meeting at Mashpee High School at 12 Noon Saturday.  Traveling by bus to King Phillip High School.  We should be back sometime around 5pm or so. 

Remember to dress formally!  I will have hard copies of the song with me for anyone who doesn't have memorized -- you cannot use a photocopy in your audition.  Hopefully everyone knows the song by memory -- in this case you won't need to bring any music in.

When we arrive, we will get registered and warm up.  Choir students will head to their warmup area.  Audition time for Mashpee is set for 2:45pm.

Best of luck everyone.  No matter what happens, I am very proud of you all and of all the hard work you have done learning and practicing the music for these auditions.  You all represent Mashpee well and are helping to grow the reputation and tradition of our vocal program.  Have fun, be excited, and good luck to you all!

--Mr. Raymond

-Mr. Raymond


Tuesday, November 19, 2013

Senior District Auditions

Students:

Great Vocal Jazz Rehearsal Today!

For Senior District Auditions...please remember to get your permission slips signed!!

Meeting time at the school on Saturday is 12:00 noon.  The bus will travel up to King Phillip High School where we will warmup and audition around 2:30pm.  Make sure you dress formally.

If you want help on the audition music, please stop by either Wednesday or Friday after school. 

Best of luck!  I am very proud of all of you and the work that you have put in preparing the audition music.  I know you will all represent Mashpee well this weekend.  When auditions are over, and I learn the results, they will once again be posted here.

Any questions between now and then, see me or email me at: braymond@mashpee.k12.ma.us

Good luck!!!
-Mr. Raymond

Sunday, November 17, 2013

All-Cape Results

Students, the All-Cape Results are in!

Congratulations to the following students who have been accepted to the All-Cape Music Festival:

All-Cape Band
Gabrielle Carroll
Andrew Hellwig

All-Cape Orchestra
Ryan Sander

All-Cape SATB Choir
James Boyd - Bass
Chris Hatch - Tenor
Eric McKelvey - Bass
Stephen Ross - Tenor
Brynne Santos - Alto
Alyssa Strawn - Alto
Ashley Welch - Alto

All-Cape SSAA Choir
Ashley Acksen - Soprano
Kayla Burnell - Soprano
Maria Costa - Soprano
Sierra Donovan - Alto
Miranda Martone - Alto
Alexis Pascal - Alto

If you did not make it in, do not be discouraged.  These auditions are a learning opportunity, and I am very proud of all of you.  We will work on continuing to improve for the next auditions.  Great job everyone, you should be very proud of the work you have put in.

--Mr. Raymond

Update

Students:

Band/Orchestra results have just been posted!  Congratulations to Andrew Hellwig and Gabrielle Carroll for being accepted to the All-Cape Band, and Ryan Sander for being accepted to the All-Cape Orchestra!
 
We are still awaiting chorus results for All-Cape.  I will keep you posted as soon as these are listed.

--Mr. Raymond

Thursday, November 14, 2013

Auditions

Congratulations to all those who auditioned for the All-Cape festival last night!  You all did a phenomenal job! At the moment, I am still awaiting results, but I will post them here as soon as they are announced.  You should all be very proud of the work you have put into preparing for these auditions. 

A huge thank you to Key Club, Tri-M, and all the students who helped make the auditions run smoothly and successfully!!!

We now turn our attention to Senior District auditions.  Starting Monday of next week, we will begin working hard toward Senior District Auditions which will take place Saturday November 23rd.  We will have a group practice after school Wednesday -- however you are welcome to come any night after school next week for individual help.  On Saturday morning, we will leave by bus to travel to King Philip High School.  There we will warmup together and then audition -- similar to All-Cape.  Please see me for any individual help between now and then!!

Again, great job everyone, and I will post the results as soon as I receive them!

--Mr. Raymond

Tuesday, November 5, 2013

All-Cape Auditions

Students:

We are now one week until All-Cape auditions.  Get your forms and money in to me ASAP if you haven't done so already.  Hopefully you are all doing well with your preparations and are taking care of your voice by getting lots of rest and drinking plenty of water!  I will be holding audition practices Wednesday and Thursday after school.  Feel free to come to one or both.  There will be opportunities to sing the group in a small group and individually for me.  My goal is to make sure everyone feels completely prepared.

On the day of All-Cape auditions (Wed Nov 13th), you should be warming up around 2:45-3:00pm.  To help with this, you should put the song on your phone or ipod. (Click here for the recording)  Auditions for all Mashpee HS students will take place starting at 3:30pm. 

Once auditions are over, I will need plenty of student help.  You will be fed pizza for your help!!  We need student volunteers (whether you are auditioning or not) to run scores to the tabulation room, run food to the judges, help guide schools and students to their auditions, and to help sell food.  If you are able to, stop by after school Thursday for a brief meeting in the band room. 


There will be more details about Senior District Auditions early next week.
Good luck everyone!!  Let me know if you have any questions/concerns.
-Mr. Raymond

Wednesday, October 30, 2013

Festival/Audition Links

Students:

We are now two weeks away from All-Cape auditions, and just over three weeks away from Senior Districts auditions!  Just a reminder...please get your forms signed and returned to me by Friday.  There are separate forms for All-Cape and Senior Districts -- both need to be signed by you and your parents!  Once again, the audition fee is $5 for All-Cape and $15 for Senior Districts.  For anyone who makes it into the festival, the school pays your entrance fee, music, and transportation.

On the day of the audition, remember you need to dress nice and no photocopied music will be aloud in the audition room (I have hard copies that we will use for auditioning).  It is important that you work to memorize the music especially for those auditioning for Senior Districts. 

For your practice, click on the links below.  You can download the mp3 and put it on your phones/ipods so you can listen/sing along to the song often.  In your audition, you will be singing with the track that has your voice part removed (ex. "ATB" for Sopranos)

All-Cape/Senior District Audition Recordings/MP3:

http://www.semmea.org/sr-audition-pieces.html
 (download link can be found below the play button for each individual track)

All-State Audition Recordings/MP3:

http://www.mmeaonline.org/concert/auditions_2014.htm
(scroll to the bottom of the page to find the mp3 links)

Details about the actual audition day will be coming soon.
Any questions email me: braymond@mashpee.k12.ma.us

Good luck practicing.... and GO RED SOX!

Friday, October 25, 2013

Festivals!!

Preparations are in full swing for All-Cape and Senior Southeast District

Please get your forms filled out, signed, and turned in by Friday November 1st
(note: you don't have to get the money to me by then, but it would help!!)
There will be another deadline for money soon...for now get your forms in by Friday Nov 1st. 

These festivals provide an exciting opportunity for you to audition and hopefully get selected to join many other talented singers from all over the Cape and Southeastern Massachusetts to sing in a select honors choir at a festival.  This group will feature a guest conductor, outstanding music, and will be an incredibly memorable, educational, and inspirational experience!

I will begin registering students next week.  You need to turn in the registration form as well as the audition fee.  The school will pay the acceptance fee and provide transportation in the event that you get accepted.  All-Cape audition fee is $5 and Senior District is $15.  If you are doing both = $20.  If you hand in the forms, you are responsible for paying the audition fee.  Turn in your forms ASAP!

Again the audition and festival dates are as follows:



All Cape Cod (Grade 9-12)
-          Auditions: November 13 – Mashpee HS (3:30pm)
-          Festival: Jan 30-Feb 1 – TBA

Senior Southeast District (Grade 9-12)
-          Auditions: Nov 23 – King Philip HS (Wrentham)
-          Festival: Jan 10-11 – Silver Lake HS (Kingston)

Junior Southeast District (Grade 7-9)
-          Auditions: Dec 7 –Furnace Brook MS (Wrentham)
-          Festival: March 7-8 – Attleboro High School


All State Music (Grade 9-12) -- Auditions decided based on Senior Southeast
-          Auditions: Jan 25 – Shrewsbury HS
-          Festival: March 20-23 – Boston



All Cape Cod Jazz Choir (Grade 9-12)
-          Auditions: Feb 12 – DY High School
-          Festival: April 30-May1 – Mashpee HS 

Sunday, October 20, 2013

Weekend Updates 10/19-10/20

Congratulations everyone on a very successful first annual Coffehouse night! There were many talented performers and you all did a fantastic job.  We were able to raise a very respectable amount for our choral program thanks to some very generous donations and delicious baked goods.  A special thanks goes out to Alexis Pascal for all her hard work on this event as her senior project and to all the parents and students who helped out.  I have video recordings available for anyone who would like one.  Again awesome job to all involved!!

This week...we will begin to focus and work hard toward upcoming All-Cape and All-District auditions.  We will have practice on Wednesday after school. Begin working on memorization!

Also, Vocal Jazz Tuesday...3-4:30pm!

Have a great weekend everyone...Go Red Sox!

-Mr. Raymond

Monday, October 14, 2013

Coffeehouse Friday!

Weekly Updates:

We have a busy week ahead with rehearsals and coffeehouse!

Coffeehouse will be this Friday at 5pm.  If you are performing, please be there at least twenty minutes early (4:40pm) ready to perform.  We will be finalizing a performance order on Tuesday which will be posted outside the chorus room.  There will be a dress rehearsal for coffeehouse on Thursday after school in the chorus room starting at 2:30pm.  We will run each performance act in order.  If you cannot attend, please see me right away.

For those of you who I am accompanying, please see me after school Tuesday to run your song.  For those using a recording, please get me an mp3 file or copy of your song on a CD by Wednesday!

Also let me know if you or your parents are planning on baking or bringing anything in to sell.  Once again, all proceeds/donations will be going directly to the choral fund account which benefits activities including festivals, transportation, and more.

I will also need student and parent volunteers to help set up (around 4:15), sell baked goods, and tear down at the end!!  Let me know if you or your parents are available to help!


Also this week:
Vocal Jazz Rehearsal Tuesday 3-4:30pm
All-District/All-Cape Practice Wednesday: 2-3:15pm
Coffeehouse Dress Rehearsal: Thursday: 2:30-4:00
Coffeehouse: Friday: 4:30-6:30pm

Be working hard on your audition music.  We will be ramping up the intensity on audition preparation starting next week (including mock auditions!)

Hope everyone is having a great Columbus Day Holiday!

-Mr. Raymond

Tuesday, October 8, 2013

Updates October 7-11

Coffeehouse: Friday October 18th : 5pm

Informal practice Thursday October 10 after school: 2-3:15pm.
Formal Practice In Performance Order: Thursday October 17: 2:30-4:00pm

Let me know if you or your parents are planning on making any baked goods or assisting in any way... Alexis and I need volunteers!

Practice and polish your songs!  Those that I am accompanying need to see me after school this Thursday to work on your song.

Let me or Alexis know if you have any questions.


Vocal Jazz
Soprano Sectional Thursday at Lunch
Full Rehearsal Tuesday October 15 3-4:30pm --- With Rhythm Section
Work On: Green Dolphin Street, Terrified, The Ocean, and Gotta Get You Into My Life


Districts/All-Cape
Begin filling out forms and bringing in your registration fee in an envelope.  Make sure to attend weekly practices on Wednesday after school.

If you want any individual help on any or all of the music -- see me after school or at lunch!

---Mr. Raymond

Friday, September 27, 2013

Weekend Updates

Singers:

Great work this week!  The music is coming along well.  Don't forget -- Sign Up For Coffeehouse!! 

NEXT WEEK:
ALTO Sectional at Lunch Tuesday October 1st

Next week we have Vocal Jazz Rehearsal Tuesday 3-4:30pm
All-District/All-Cape Prep: Wednesday 2-3:15pm
Rhythm Section Rehearsal: Thursday 2-3pm

Have a great weekend!!
-Mr. Raymond

Tuesday, September 24, 2013

Great Rehearsal Today!

Vocal Jazz:

Great rehearsal today everyone!  Keep up the great work.  We've gotten through all the Berklee pieces, now we need to keep working to refine them.  My goal is in a few weeks to combine with the rhythm section and start rehearsing with mics so we get a feel for it.  Start practicing your parts at home!!  Those of you who didn't make it to rehearsal today...I want to see you all individually sometime after school within the next week.  Also we will be having sectionals during lunch every "Day 7" schedule.  Next up will be Altos on October 1st.  Spend the first ten minutes of your lunch eating (or bring your lunch to the choir room!) Then we will rehearse for the last ten minutes or so of lunch time.

Reminder: All-District/All-Cape audition practice tomorrow (Wednesday) after school.

Check out the video below.  If our group remains as large as it currently is, we will most likely be positioned in this way with two rows on risers with area mics.  (In the future, my plan will be to get the group down to individual microphones). 

The video is of the Fryeburg Academy Vocal Jazz Ensemble on one of the years that they won first at Berklee:


See you all at school!  Have a great rest of the week! -- Mr. Raymond

Monday, September 16, 2013

Weekly Updates

Tuesday: Vocal Jazz Rehearsal 3-4:30pm  -- All Singers (if you can't make it to rehearsal, make sure you let me know and try to meet with me after school to go over what you missed)

Wednesday: No All-District/All-Cape Audition Practice This Week - we will resume next week

Thursday: VJ Rhythm Section Rehearsal 2:15-3:15pm

Remember to signup for coffeehouse!!  We need more acts!

Also, if you're on the National Anthem Roster and haven't sung it for me yet, come in right before or right after school to sing it through once.  Then I can check you off and get you assigned out to a game.

As always, see me if you want/need help with any of your music.
See you all in rehearsals...Have a great week!  -- Mr. Raymond

Friday, September 13, 2013

Vocal Jazz Videos

I hope you all have an awesome weekend!  I'm posting a few youtube videos of a few exceptionally awesome High School Jazz Choirs... Check these groups out!  The first video is of the Fryeburg Academy Jazz Choir from Maine performing at Berklee (they won first overall and this was their closing tune "Takin it To The Streets).  That year they were roughly the same size as our group too...their setup is very similar to what I envision for us this year. Their group blend and balance with the rhythm section is excellent.

 
The second and third videos are both high school jazz choirs from California.  I consider these two schools to be perhaps the best high school vocal jazz ensembles in the country.  They have a lot of videos on youtube that are very much worth checking out!  They are Folsom High School Vocal Jazz and Hamilton High School Vocal Jazz

 

Thursday, September 12, 2013

News and notes

Students:

It was a pleasure meeting many of your parents at the open house last night!  Hopefully we will have many of your parents out helping this year in all of our various events, performances, and festivals.

 Thanks to all of you who showed up to All-District/All-Cape Practice and Vocal Jazz this week.  We will have rehearsals next week at the same times (Vocal Jazz: Tues 3-4:30 .... All-Cape/District: Wed 2-3pm)

Sign up for Coffeehouse night and help me recruit performers.  This can be any kind of performance including: singing, guitar, piano, instruments, poetry reading, stand-up comedy... as long as it's appropriate!  Again...please sign the list and tell your friends!  

Those of you on the national anthem roster -- please stop by sometime and sing it once through for me, and then I'll begin assigning you out sporting events.  Alexis and Brynne - you sang it for me today so you're all set.  There is an event happening on Friday October 20th that I will need an upperclassman who drives to sing the national anthem at.  It will take place at 1:30 at a firehouse.  I will give more details in class.

Thanks for all your hard work in class...both choirs are starting to really come along!  If you ever want individual help on any of your music, please feel free to see me anytime.

--Mr. Raymond

Tuesday, September 10, 2013

Vocal Jazz

Vocal Jazz Students:

It was great seeing you all at the rehearsal today.  If you couldn't make it, see me and I will get you a folder.  I will post a final roster up on this site tomorrow.  If you want mp3 files, bring me a flash drive.

Once again, just to clarify about the schedule.  There is a full rehearsal every Tuesday from 3-4:30.  The sectional voice part that is listed on the sheet each week will meet separately.  We will plan out this sectional at each rehearsal.  These sectionals will be approx. 45 min long and will allow me to work with each voice part individually.  It works out so that each voice parts has a sectional about once a month.

I know this music may be challenging, but I hope you will all stick with it, practice, and work hard.  This style of music can be extremely fun and rewarding once we learn the music and get the microphones and rhythm section going.  I'm honored to work with you all.

Finally, I highly encourage each of you to meet with me individually at least once sometime either during lunch or right after school to go over your parts!!  Let me know if you need help, and I will always be there for you!

See you all tomorrow -- I'm looking forward to meeting many of your parents at open house!

--Mr. Raymond

Friday, September 6, 2013

First Week

Students:

Thanks for all your hard work this week.  I am honored to work with you all, and it looks like this school year is shaping up to be excellent.

A few quick items:

Vocal Jazz:  It looks like Tuesday 3:00-4:30pm will be our best time for the group rehearsal for now.  We'll adjust as we go along to accommodate everyone.  I am finishing up some arrangements this weekend and am really excited to get started.  We'll discuss festival/competition dates at the meeting.  I'll also be posting a roster soon.  There are still spots open for guys if you know of anyone who might be interested.

Coffeehouse:  Be thinking of musical "acts" that you might like to perform.  These can be covers or original songs and can be set as a solo acoustic performance or a small group.  As soon as you think of something, sign the list on the door!  The date is October 18th 5pm in the Cafeteria.  I'll also need parents to help bake items!

SE District/All-Cape:  We'll be starting audition practices next Wednesday after school for anyone interested.  It is not required that you attend these sessions, but I highly recommend that anyone planning to audition try to attend at least one of these.

Hope you all had a great first week of school...have a great weekend! 

-Mr. Raymond

Wednesday, September 4, 2013

Announcements:

First Vocal Jazz Meeting: Tuesday Sept 10, 3:00pm... let me know if you can't make it.  We will discuss rehearsal times, schedule, festivals/competitions, and I'll get you guys some music to start working on!

Coffeehouse night will be held on Friday October 18th at 5pm in the cafeteria.  Please see the door of the choir room to signup to participate.  Anyone is welcome to perform.  Acts may include solos, duos, trios, small groups, and can be acoustic covers, original songs, poetry reading, and more.  Please specify on the sheet if you need an accompanist.  This will be a really fun/relaxed event.  If you have any questions, please see me!  I will also need parent help with baking items.

The first practice for Senior SE District and All-Cape auditions will be held next Wednesday 9/11 right after school.  If you are interested in auditioning for these festivals, I highly recommend you attend as many of these practice sessions as you can.  I will work to make sure you are confident and prepared for auditions this fall. 

For those interested in joining the musical honor society, Tri-M, there will be a meeting next Thursday 9/12 right after school in the band room.

Again, please see me or signup on the list if you plan to audition for festivals or join vocal jazz ensemble!  Looking forward to it!

--Mr. Raymond

Tuesday, September 3, 2013

Updates

Students:

It was great to finally meet you all!  I hope you are as excited about this upcoming year as I am.  Please read the first post below and visit the various tabs on this website for more information about each individual choir and see me if you have questions.

Please sign up for vocal jazz and the festival auditions on the sheets in the hallway if you are at all interested!!

I am tentatively scheduling the first meeting for vocal jazz Tuesday 9/10 right after school.  Our normal rehearsal time will be figured out then -- however this ensemble will meet on Tuesdays!

First SE District and All-Cape Audition practice will be next Wednesday 9/11 after school. 

I will hopefully have more information regarding coffeehouse by the end of this week!

Thanks! -- Mr. Raymond

Friday, August 23, 2013

Welcome!

Welcome everyone, my name is Brian Raymond, and I am the new vocal music director for Mashpee High School and Middle School.  In this site, you will find information regarding choral ensembles, rehearsals, auditions, festivals, performances, and more.  There is also a list of videos for each ensemble to the right for you to check out to help you become familiar with the music we are singing this year.  Please check back here often for regular updates -- also you can subscribe to this blog by clicking the link down at the bottom.  I am honored and thrilled to be a part of the music department here at Mashpee Public Schools and look forward to a fantastic school year!

Students: I will be holding practices after school for the upcoming All-Cape Cod and Senior Southeast District music festival auditions starting either the second week of school. Please check back here for schedule/audition information.  Please see me at some point or look for the signup sheet if you are interested in auditioning! 

Also, this year we will be starting a vocal jazz ensemble.  This ensemble will be an exciting opportunity for you to sing a wide range of musical styles including jazz, acapella, rock, and popular music.  Our goal will be to learn and perform challenging and fun arrangements.  Some of these arrangements will feature a rhythm section while others will be acapella.  As we progress, there are several performance opportunities we can potentially be a part of including the Berklee High School Jazz Festival.  There will be an interest sheet posted.  Please see me for more information and help spread the word!!  We will begin 2-3 weeks into the school year.

If you have any questions, please let me know!  My email is : braymond@mashpee.k12.ma.us
-- Mr. Raymond