January 2013

VOICES A newsletter from DGS Choral Boosters

www.dgschoir.org

Our Mission: Providing Support and Encouragement for

Musical Opportunities

Welcome Class Of 2017

Dear Eighth Graders,

I would like to start by congratulating you on

making it this far in your educational career! You

have a big jump ahead of you and, if you're like me,

you are overwhelmed by all the choices that come

with the world of high school. I remember the most

confusing and scary part was trying to make my

own schedule. Until now, I had all of my classes

picked for me. Suddenly, I got to pick three

electives on my own and I realized that it is an

exciting, but also an intimidating task. I have three

spaces to fill with everything that I wanted to take.

Decisions were difficult…and now it is your turn!

Hopefully, one of the electives you will want is

choir…Yes, that's right. Choir is a class now!

Instead of just having choir be a club, it is a fifty

minute class that you have every day and it is very

exciting. The only problem is that to take choir,

you're going to need to choose it as an elective and

have it fill one of the spaces that I'm sure you have a

million other things to fill it with. Here's the thing

though, your senior year you have six spots open for

electives because you are only required to take

English and PE. Now you can push back some of

the other electives you want to take to your senior

year so you can take choir now.

If, for some reason, you can't find a way to fit choir

into your schedule next year, it’s okay. We will be

happy to have you join later in your high school

career. Choir is a great class, though, and if you

love to sing, you should definitely find a way to fit it

into your schedule. You'll be happy that you did!

Choir is so much fun because it's very easy to make

friends in an environment where everyone shares the

same interest. So, you don’t need to be afraid of

making friends during this big transition. Choose

choir as one of your electives and make it your

favorite class of the day.

Brett Cohen, Class of 2015

What’s in this Newsletter?

Welcome Class of 2017

A Note from the President

Ultra Food Receipts Due 2/8

2013 Calendar of Events

Holiday Concert

Middle School Festival

2013 All State Musicians

Winter Concert – 2/26

Volunteers Always Needed

Spiritwear

Madrigal’s Chicago Event

A Cappella Musical – The Wiz

Choir Show – Glee

Consider Sharing Your Talents

Choral Booster Executive Board

Have a Heart Dinner Flyer – 2/10

A Note from the President

It’s hard to believe that another year has begun, but we are gearing up for the busiest time in the choral department. Please

make sure to update your new 2013 calendars with many important dates. January is the time for welcoming next year’s

incoming freshmen, the Class of 2017, when we host two events. On January 10th, the music department and choral

boosters hosted our annual Middle School Festival. Thanks to our parent volunteers who helped whether it was to pass out

free t-shirts or serve pizza for dinner, all funded by the Choral Boosters. January 28th also brings the annual Incoming

Freshman Open House where 8th grade students and parents are invited to see our school, attend presentations from

administrators, and see firsthand many of the curricular and extracurricular clubs and activities available to students. We

are very proud of the richness of our Fine Arts Department at Downers Grove South. This year more than 60% of the

student body is involved in offerings of vocal music, instrumental, music, and the visual arts.

The Choral/Music Program is an important part of many DGS students’ high school experience. This semester brings

numerous opportunities for students to meet and bond with their peers as they express their musical gifts. January, many

DGS choral students will perform in our annual vocal festival and seven of our students will participate as all-state music

students at the festival in Peoria. February includes the Winter Concert and March brings us the District 99 Honors

Recital. In April, the A-Cappella Choir will present the musical, The Wiz, and May brings us the spring Choir Show which

will feature music from Glee with skits and choreography. Later in May, our seniors will perform in their graduation

concerts and we will celebrate with them at our spring choral banquet. Lastly, we will complete the year in late June when

twenty-five DGS choral students will travel to Austria to be a part of an international choral festival.

It’s also not too early to think about next school year. Many of the Choral Booster Board Members will be “graduating”

this year. If you are interested in joining the Board, please contact me or another Board member or join us at our next

Board meeting on February 4th.

Lastly, we encourage everyone to visit our website - dgschoir.org -for our calendar of events and information on activities

within the choral department. We look forward to a busy winter and spring in the music department at Downers Grove

South.

Rita Bair

DGS Choral Boosters President

Ultra Foods Receipts are

Due February 8th

This really EASY fundraiser is coming to a close. Continue to

shop at a participating Ultra Foods store until January 27th

and

save your register receipts. Then have your student drop the

receipts in the box in the Choir Room by February 8th

. Ultra

Foods will give us 5% of the total receipts (Alcohol and

tobacco products are specifically excluded from the totals.)

♫ Save the Dates ♫

2013 South High School Choir Calendar

“Igniting a passion for the arts in every learner”

Month Day Event Time Place Ensemble

January 28 Class of 2017 Open House 6:30 PM Auditorium Madrigals

30 Vocal Festival All Day Music Suite DGS Choirs

February 4 Choral Boosters Mtg. 7:00 PM B124 Parents

8 ULTRA FOOD RECEIPTS DUE (Choir gets 5% of the total

receipts collected)

Choir Mailbox All

10 Have a Heart dinner (see attached flyer for details)

3-6:00 PM Gatto’s Restaurant

Parents/Choir Supporters

18 Madrigal Singers/DG choral Society/DGN

7:00 PM DGN Madrigal Singers

24 Madrigals/DGN/DGCS Concert

3:00 PM DGN Madrigal Singers

26 Winter Choir Concert 7:00 PM Auditorium DGS

April 8 Choral Boosters Mtg. 7:00 PM B124 Parents

18-21 “The Wiz” Musical TBD Auditorium A Cappella

May 2-3 Glee Choir Show 7:00 PM Auditorium DGS

13 Choral Boosters Mtg. 7:00 PM B124 Parents

17 Spring Choir Banquet 6:00 PM Cafeteria DGS

23 A Cappella Spring Concert 7:00 PM Auditorium A Cappella

28 Madrigal Singers Concert 7:00 PM Auditorium Madrigals

2012 South High School Holiday Concert

The 2012 South High School Holiday Concert was on Thursday, December 13, 2012 at 7:00 PM in the Main

Gymnasium. Featured ensembles included the combined choir, the District 99 Orchestra, and the combined

Wind Symphony and Wind Ensemble. The choir performed many holiday favorites and included The Most

Wonderful Time of the Year, Carol of the Bells, We Wish You a Merry Christmas, and The First Noel, arranged

by our own Belford Hernandez. The girls performed the complex Gaudete by Richardson and the boys partied

with the intricate and entertaining piece named Sound Off.

The combined orchestra and choir also performed the traditional Hallelujah Chorus from Handel’s Messiah

shown above. The concert concluded with the 1992 Grammy award winning Soulful Hallelujah, a gospel

arrangement of the traditional Hallelujah! The concert was another outstanding event for the students and

audience and we are so proud of everyone’s performance.

Middle School Festival

On January 10th

, DGS hosted the Junior High School Choir Festival. With a total of 200 energized JH and HS

student leaders, we had a GREAT time making music together. The JH students worked side by side with the HS

student leaders to prepare for their evening performance. Our Choir students provided great support and

guidance for these young students. Everyone met for pizza and had an opportunity to socialize. The end result

was a great performance enjoyed by all - an evening to remember!

Thanks to all the South students who gave their time and

talent, and thank you to all of our Parent Volunteers. A

special thank you to Amanda Cervantes (Class of 2012)

for her photography at this event.

This program provides a great opportunity

for individual growth and a glance into the

future. The students can spread their

wings vocally, be challenged and develop

new friendships with their soon-to-be

classmates. It also offers current choir

members an opportunity to pass on their

love of music. It is a great tradition and

helps recruit new members.

2013 South High School All-State Musicians

Congratulations to our 2013 South High School All-State musicians!

Fifteen DGS students will rehearse and perform at the All State Convention in Peoria, IL from January 26-29,

2013. Row 1 from left to right is Mara Alvarez, Ashley Maghirang, Rachel Wydra, Savannah Reimer and

Christian Siki. Row 2 from left to right is Ian Williams, Andy Mahlan, Zak Paskvan, Josiah Williams, and

Andrew Molina. Row 3 includes Caitlin Carr, Dan Reeter, Dan Leahy, Kelsey Richardson, and Marjorie Fera.

Seven selected choir students completed a rigorous audition process which included learning five pieces of

music, sight reading, major and minor scales, and triads. Students were initially selected to perform in the district

festival in November and then completed a call back audition for the all-state festival. Junior Caitlin Carr was

among the top soprano 1’s in our district and will compete at the all-state convention for a chance to sing the

National Anthem at an IHSA State championship game.

DGS Student names with voice parts and ensemble descriptions are listed below:

All-State Choir

Caitlin Carr – junior – soprano I

Andrew Mahlan – junior – bass II

Savannah Reimer – senior – soprano I

Christian Siki – senior – bass I

All-State Band

Marjorie Fera – senior – trumpet

Zak Paskvan – senior – tuba

Dan Reeter – senior – clarinet

Kelsey Richardson - junior - bass clarinet

Josiah Williams – senior - trombone

All-State Honors Choir

Mara Alvarez – junior – alto I

Dan Leahy – senior – tenor I

Ashley Maghirang – senior – alto II

All-State Jazz Band

Ian Williams – senior - piano

All-State Orchestra

Andrew Molina – junior – cello

Rachel Wydra – junior - bassoon

Winter Concert

The Winter Concert is scheduled for Tuesday, February 26th

at 7:00 PM.

The Freshman Girls, Freshman Boys, Freshman Girls Select, Concert, and

Treble Choirs will perform. In addition, the Chamber Singers, Treble

Ensemble, and Madrigal Singers will perform their music they prepared for

the vocal festival in January.

By The Way . . . . . .

Volunteers Always Needed!! It takes a lot of coordination and teamwork to run the fantastic

programs that we enjoy in our choir department. Please consider

volunteering your time for one of these year-end events! Parents can

support by ushering, back stage supervision, chaperoning,

refreshments at events, and selling spirit wear.

In addition, parent representatives are needed for each choir

(Freshman Girls and Freshman Boys, Concert Choir, Treble Choir, and A-Cappella Choir ) These volunteers

are needed to call parents to let them know about DGS Choral Boosters, get contact information and forward

information to the Choral Booster Secretary. We also need help monitoring the choir during choir show and

may be occasionally requested to inform parents of choir specific needs and requests. (This position is not a

large time commitment).

To let us know if you can volunteer for any events, please contact the Choral Booster Volunteer Coordinator,

Kristen Meek via email at kt2meek@comcast.net .

South Choir Spirit Wear

Purchase DGS Choir Spirit Wear by filling out the order form located on the

Choral Booster website at www.dgschoir.org or email Mary Beth Werner at

reswerner@aol.com for details.

Madrigals

The DGS Madrigal Singers invited to perform at

the Chicago A Cappella 2013 Youth Choral Festival

Last summer, Laura Coster met the members and director of the professional choir, Chicago A Cappella while

she was attending a choral convention in Iowa. They were the headliner clinicians for the convention which

featured their rehearsal techniques and an evening performance. The director, Jonathan Miller lives in Downers

Grove and learned that Mrs. Coster taught at DGS. “It was quite a surprise to be the only Illinois choir director

at the convention and meet this fabulous choir and learn their director lives in Downers Grove!” Later this fall,

Jonathan Miller invited the DGS Madrigal Singers to perform at their 2013 Youth Choral Festival on March

9th, 2013 at the University of Chicago.

This event is an exceptional opportunity for young singers, offering them a chance to not only work and sing

with professional vocalists, but also a wonderful opportunity to meet and sing with young singers from around

the Chicago area. They will also participate in unique and exciting workshops with topics ranging from vocal

percussion to best practices in stage performance to options for continuing a life in music after high school.

Each choir is asked to prepare four songs for the festival. The festival day culminates in a public concert at the

Rockefeller Chapel in Chicago at 5 PM for family, friends and community members. It will feature each high

school group both individually as well as together with Chicago A Cappella as a Festival Choir. This program is

offered to exceptional ensembles in the area at no cost.

For more information on Chicago A Cappella, see their web-site at www.chicagoacappella.org.

The Wiz

A Cappella Choir Musical

April 18-21

The A-Cappella Choir will present The Wiz, an energetic gospel/pop version of The Wizard of Oz, on Thursday,

Friday and Saturday, April 18th

, 19th and 20th

at 7:00 PM and Sunday, April 22nd

at 3:00 PM.

Reserved tickets for families of the choir program will be available in mid-March. See an A-Cappella Choir

member to purchase tickets early to reserve the best seats. Tickets will be open to the public in early April and

can be purchased at the Student Activities Office or at the door. Adult tickets are $8 and students are $7.

Thursday Night Senior Citizens are admitted free!

Glee Encore: 2013 Choir Show

The Choir Show is coming in May! Our theme this year was selected by the choir students and will feature the

music of the TV series, Glee. Don’t miss this annual favorite performance on May 2nd

and 3rd at 7:00 PM in the

auditorium. An additional performance for elementary and JH schools will be on Wednesday, May 1st at 10:30

AM.

The performance is free and will feature the choirs singing and dancing with vocal solos and student created

skits based on the characters in the TV series. To volunteer to help with a choir backstage or costumes, please

contact Kristen Meek at kt2meek @comcast.net.

Please Consider Sharing

Your Talents!

Are you willing to make some time next year to help

make the DGS Choral Program better? We have many

Choral Booster Board positions opening up next year.

Please consider sharing your talents. The Board meets

only once a month. The mission of the Choral Boosters

is to provide support and encouragement for musical opportunities. Please feel free to contact Rita Bair, Choral

Booster President, at ritaepa@sbcglobal.net with your interest or any questions you have.

2013-2014 Open Choral Booster Positions

Position Description

Treasurer - Monitor the Choral Booster organization’s revenue

and expenses by maintaining accounting records.

- Maintain Student Account records.

Secretary - Record minutes of all meetings and keep

attendance records.

- Maintain historical records.

Membership

- Encourage members to become active contributing

members of Choral Boosters.

- Maintain contact information and collect

membership contributions.

Hospitality - Coordinate the social activities of the Choral

Booster organization and Choir Program.

Newsletter - Coordinates the development of three newsletters

per school year.

Fundraising - Direct all money raising efforts conducted in the

name of the organization.

Spiritwear - Coordinates the ordering and sales of DGS Choir

Program spiritwear.

Volunteer Coordinator - Responsible for contacting members to provide

refreshments and volunteers as needed by the choir

program.

Website - Oversee the maintenance of the website for the

Choral Booster organization by uploading

information throughout the year.

FOFA Rep - Liaison between the Friends of Fine Arts

organization and the Choral Boosters.

2012-2013 Choral Booster

Executive Board “Providing support and encouragement for musical opportunities”

Name Position E-Mail

Rita Bair President ritaepa@sbcglobal.net

Paul Meek Treasurer meekpaul@comcast.net

Mary Beth Werner Secretary & Membership reswerner@aol.com

Laura Coster Staff lcoster@csd99.org

Tracy Kuerschner Hospitality tkuerschner93@comcast.net

Mary Beth Murphy Hospitality murphy569@comcast.net

Maria Copeland Newsletter mariacopeland@comcast.net

Tere Cervantes Newsletter acervan948@sbcglobal.net

**VACANT** Fundraising **

**VACANT** Spiritwear **

Kristen Meek Volunteer Coordinator kt2meek@comcast.net

Carol Fendrick Website cfenddsonnenb@sbcglobal.net

Melissa Maguire FOFA Rep meilssa@qmaguire.com

Jennifer Robinson FOFA Rep jlrobinson712@gmail.com

Support your choir student by joining the Choral Boosters!

Membership forms are available in this Newsletter, so please fill it out and send it back

to Eileen Sejnost @ DGS Music Dept. (instructions on the form).

Come Join the Downers Grove South

Choral Boosters 2012-2013

What we do:

● Annual DGS Musical This is the annual highlight for our students and for the DGS

Choral Staff. Choral Boosters assist staff with coordination of

costumes, choreographers, clinicians, equipment, copyrighted

musical scores, ushers and other needed resources.

Communications with Parents Periodic email updates & announcements on upcoming

events; help coordinate communications with school

staff and parents.

“VOICES” Newsletter A great informational resource and event highlights for staff &

parents!

Annual Middle School Choir Festival Choral Boosters assist staff in hosting this event for district

middle school students at DGS – introducing students to the

DGS Choral Program.

Annual Vocal Fest Talented students experience and learn how to perform in an

audition. Choral Boosters assist staff with logistics and

monitoring.

Choir Concerts Choral Boosters assist staff and students by providing chaperones, coordination assistance and complementary snacks to parents and guests.

Special Events and Field Trips Students have opportunities for field trips and special events.

This spring students in several select ensembles will have the

opportunity to visit Roosevelt University, Millikin University,

and the CSO. Additionally, each select choir group performs at

a variety of events throughout the year. Choral Booster’s

support is invaluable to each event’s success.

Promote Opportunities To students who are pursuing higher education and careers in

vocal music.

Annual Music Awards Banquet Choral Boosters purchase awards and organize this event to

honor our students’ efforts and successful achievements during

the course of the school year.

Visit us at: www.dgschoir.org

By joining the DGS Choral Boosters, you remain connected with your student’s interests and activities, help enhance your student’s high school

experience, and be a positive influence on their future. With your family membership you will receive a “Proud Member” window decal. Display it

PROUDLY on your automobile, home or office!

Please join us, the DGS Choral Boosters membership is only $25 per family annually.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Detach and Send with Membership

Simply fill out the form below and either have your student drop it in the mailbox in the Choir Room, or mail to:

DGS Choral Boosters, C/O Eileen Sejnost, Downers Grove South High School – Music Dept., 1436 Norfolk, Downers Grove, IL 60516.

Parent Name(s):

Student Name(s):

Mailing address:

Home Phone: Cell Phone:

Parent email:

2012-2013 Annual Family Membership Fee: $25 Other donation (thank you!): $

Please make checks payable to DGS Choral Boosters

“Have a Heart” Valentine Dinner

Sponsored by the Downers Grove South Choral Boosters

February 10, 2013

3:00 – 6:00 pm

Gatto’s Restaurant, 5123 Main Street, Downers Grove, IL

$20.00 per person (Adults only)

All profits benefit the DGS Choral Program

Advance ticket sales only: Deadline for tickets is February 1, 2013

Menu (served buffet-style):

Bruschetta ; House Salad;

Pasta & Chicken Vesuvio

Cash Bar

Please make checks payable to “DGS Choral Boosters” & submit with form below to Eileen Sejnost, Fine Arts

Department Secretary or place in Choir mailbox.

__________________________________________________________________

Name________________________________________________

____________ __________ _________________

Number of tickets Phone # Email addres