Friday, January 24, 2014

Wonderful Concert Everyone!

Students:

Congratulations to all the student performers on the concert last night.  I am very proud of you all.  We received high praise and positive feedback from many people!

Principal Jane Day had this to say:   "...The students did a wonderful job with some very sophisticated music. The MMS Chorus, the MHS Concert Choir, and the MHS Chamber Choir all presented numbers in Latin (Mr. Berry would be very proud!), as well as more updated tunes. The newly formed MHS Vocal Jazz Ensemble debuted with an old standard, “On Green Dolphin Street” and by the end of their program had the audience singing along to “Gotta Get You into My Life.” It was announced last night that this particular group will be going to the New England Jazz Festival (Berklee) to compete. This is the largest high school jazz festival in the nation and highly competitive. The students and their teacher are understandably thrilled. We are so proud of the work they’ve done...."

So again, congratulations, and I hope you are all excited about the work we are doing together to maintain a high standard of quality music in our school district!

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Moving ahead... last night we received the exciting news that we are off the wait-list and will be competing at the Berklee High School Jazz Festival in two weeks!!

In order to put our best foot forward, it is crucial that vocal jazz members put time and effort into getting prepared for this festival.  We have three very important rehearsals coming up that everyone must attend.

These rehearsals are:
Tuesday Jan 28, 2:30-4:00pm
Tuesday Feb 4, 2:30-4:00pm
Thursday Feb 6, 2:30-3:15pm

Berklee will take place Saturday, Feb 8th in Boston at the Hynes Convention Center and is free and open to the public!  Any and all parents and friends are welcome to come.  The Mashpee Jazz Band will be on at 9:55am and the Vocal Jazz Ensemble will be on at 5:00pm (last group to perform!).  I hope everyone is as excited as I am...this will be a tremendous opportunity for our singers and instrumentalists.
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 All-Cape Honors Music:  Next Week All-Cape will be taking place Thursday Evening, all day Friday, and part of the day Saturday.  For more information including a detailed schedule see the following link:
All Cape Information

Thank you, please email me if you have any comments/questions/concerns: braymond@mashpee.k12.ma.us

-Mr. Raymond


Monday, January 20, 2014

Vocal Jazz Rehearsal This week

Students:

Unfortunately there is an incoming snow storm beginning Tuesday night.  Because of this, I am moving vocal jazz to Thursday night 2-3pm.  It will be a dress rehearsal, so we will literally run our set and that will be all.

If this is a problem for anyone, email me: braymond@mashpee.k12.ma.us

Thanks
-Mr. Raymond

Tuesday, January 14, 2014

January Updates

JANUARY UPDATES FOR STUDENTS AND PARENTS:

First off, congratulations to Brynne Santos, Stephen Ross, and James Boyd on a fantastic job at the Senior Southeast District Music Festival.  The choir was outstanding, and these students represented the Mashpee music department in the best way!

 Winter Concert: Thursday January 23rd

Meeting Time -- 6pm Chorus Room
Concert Starts -- 7pm
Concert Order: Middle School Chorus
                          High School Concert Choir
                          High School Chamber Choir
                          Vocal Jazz Ensemble

Concert Dress (very important):  failure to follow the dress code = not allowed on stage
                      
Middle School: 
Boys - All Black
Girls - Black Dress Shoes or Flats, Black or White Top with Black Dress Pants OR Black Dress.  If you wear a Black Dress and it is not down to your ankles, you MUST wear Black Tights or leggings underneath.  No Barelegs, No Yoga Pants, No Low Cut Tops

High School:
Boys - All Black -- Red Neck Tie
Girls - All Black (Dresses or Dress Pants) - No Barelegs, No Yoga Pants, No Low Cut Tops
 (Vocal Jazz -- Red Accessories for the girls)

All Cape: Thurs January 30 - Sat February 1
Jan 30: Leaving Right After School, taking the bus to Harwich High School for evening rehearsals 3-7pm
Jan 31: Leaving in the morning by bus, all day rehearsals 9-3pm
Feb 1: Morning Rehearsals, Afternoon Concert: TREBLE/SATB CHOIR 1pm

Make sure you number your measures, bring a bottle of water and a pencil!
More information including the permission slip will be handed out later this week