Chorus

YES!  There is chorus practice on Halloween!

Students will practice after school on 10/31/12 and will be dismissed promptly at 3:30 so that they can have plenty of time to trick-or-treat! 

FRANZEN CHORUS TO PERFORM AT

KANE COUNTY COUGARS' GAME

April 6, 2013: Save the Date!  We have an exciting addition to our Franzen Chorus calendar this season.  On Saturday, April 6, 2013, the Franzen Chorus has the opportunity to sing the national anthem for the Kane County Cougar’s game.  The game starts at 1 p.m., but students will need to be there early.  This is a voluntary event for all chorus members (it is not required, but we would love for your child to participate!).  More details will be sent home in January, but below is some preliminary information.  Please save the date on your calendars!

WHAT: Franzen Chorus sings the Star-Spangled Banner at the Kane County Cougars

WHEN: Saturday, April 6, 2013

              The game starts at 1 p.m., but students will need to be there early (exact time

   will be announced later)

WHERE: Kane County Cougar’s Baseball Stadium (Fifth Third Bank Ballpark)

                 One Cougar Trail, Geneva, IL 60134 (intersection of Kirk Rd. and Cherry Ln.)

TRANSPORTATION: This is a voluntary event for chorus members.  Families will have to provide their own transportation, so if car pooling is needed, please feel free to start brainstorming now! 

TICKETS: Students will have the opportunity to participate in Ozzie’s Reading Club, an eight week reading incentive program sponsored by the Cougars.  All Franzen students (and Benson, too!) will be participating in the program in January and February.  By meeting their reading goals, students can win a free ticket to the game on April 6.  (Any brothers or sisters participating can earn one, too!)  If reading goals are not met, or a child decides not to participate in the reading program, a ticket to the April 6 game can be purchased in advance.  Advance tickets for any family and friends can also be purchased through the school.

WARM-UPS & BEAUTIFUL SINGING

If you ever walk into a Franzen Chorus rehearsal, you will see students stretching (not just their voices - their arms, legs and body, too!), creating siren sounds, working with solfege (do, re, mi, etc.), "elevator breathing," panting like dogs (this works their breathing muscles!), throwing imaginary footballs (matching the arc with their voice), singing vocalises (exercises that work on vowel shapes, mouth position and sound placement) and singing warm-up songs.  Just like running, singing is a physical activity.  Just like you would stretch before running a mile, warming up the muscles and vocal chords before you sing creates a more beautiful and healthy singing sound.  It also teaches us how to move our muscles in the correct way to achieve a beautiful sound.  We hope you enjoy our warm-up song below: "Lean Forward, Lean Back."  Students worked on posture, head voice (high, floating singing), and ensemble (doing and singing the same thing at the same time).  Enjoy!

 *I learned this song from Emily Ellsworth, conductor or the Anima Young Singers of Greater Chicago.

Thank you to Emily for passing along this song!*

CHORUS CALENDAR

2012-13

Rehearsal & Concert Times:

September 12                           Wednesday       2:30 – 3:30, Franzen gym

September 19                           Wednesday       2:30 – 3:30, Franzen gym

September 26                           Wednesday       2:30 – 3:30, Franzen gym

October 3                                  Wednesday       2:30 – 3:30, Franzen gym

October 10                               NO PRACTICE

October 17                                Wednesday       2:30 – 3:30, Franzen gym

October 24                                Wednesday       2:30 – 3:30, Franzen gym

October 31                                Wednesday       2:30 – 3:30, Franzen gym

November 7                               Wednesday       2:30 – 3:30, Franzen gym

November 14                             Wednesday       2:30 – 3:30, Franzen gym

November 21                           NO PRACTICE

November 28 DRESS REHEARSAL Wednesday      2:30 – 4:30, Peacock gym

November 29 CONCERT              Thursday          7:00 p.m., Peacock gym

                                                                             6:30 p.m., students arrive

           

December 5 – January 9        NO PRACTICE

January 16                                Wednesday       2:30 – 3:30, Franzen gym

January 23                                Wednesday       2:30 – 3:30, Franzen gym

January 30                                Wednesday       2:30 – 3:30, Franzen gym

February 6                                Wednesday       2:30 – 3:30, Franzen gym

February 13                              Wednesday       2:30 – 3:30, Franzen gym

February 20                              Wednesday       2:30 – 3:30, Franzen gym

February 27                             NO PRACTICE

March 6                                    Wednesday       2:30 – 3:30, Franzen gym

March 13                                  Wednesday       2:30 – 3:30, Franzen gym

March 20 DRESS REHEARSAL Wednesday      2:30 – 3:30, Franzen gym

March 21 CONCERT                 Thursday          7:00 p.m., Franzen gym

                                                                           6:30 p.m., students arrive
April 6 Special Event! TBA     SATURDAY    1:00 p.m.

TURN IN THOSE PERMISSION SLIPS!

Franzen Chorus begins September 12!  Chorus meets from 2:30 - 3:30 Wednesday afternoons.  All 4th and 5th grade students are eligible to participate.  If your child likes to sing, encourage them to join this outstanding ensemble!  To sign up, fill out the permission slip your child brought home this week and turn it in to his/ her classroom teacher by Friday, Aug. 31.