Wednesday, August 29, 2012

2013 All-State Honor Choir

Audition Information can be found here.

General Information can be fouind here.

The conference will be in Portland, OR over President's Day weekend 2013.

Recordings must be made in my presence and will be done in September by appointment. It is expected that singers arrive prepared. In other words, practice ahead of time and arrive warmed up.

See me or e-mail me if you have further questions.

Tuesday, May 22, 2012

You are the brave

Thank you to all of you who auditioned for Excalibur. It takes a lot of courage to do something so scary and Ms. W and I really enjoyed hearing you. It is my hope that, regardless of next year's placement, all of you who auditioned will find a way to sing. If it truly is a crucial part of your spirit and well-being, as most of you indicated, you owe it to yourself to explore this gift.

Please know that it took much thoughtful deliberation to create this roster. If you have any questions about how to improve for next time, you may ask either one of us and we will share with you some of what we heard. Please wait until the concert is completed before asking.

Excalibur 2012- 2013

Tanner B
Ryan B
Lukas B
Georgia B
Syndney B
Jadon C
Delaney C
Sara C
Joseph D
Cade D
Sebastian F
Sarah F
Paulimo G
Peter H
Rosemary H
Peter K
Katie M
Natalie M
Sophie N
Evan P
Luke P
Brandon R
Shatayia R
Aleah R
Allegra S
Anna T
Melanie T
Brandon W
Alyssa Z

Monday, March 12, 2012

Introducing...

... Gabriella Jean Brown. Born March 10, 2012- 6 pounds 10 ounces, 19 inches long. We played the piano together today at home and I know that she will love to hear the choirs at the spring concert!

Wednesday, March 7, 2012

Seniors

Now is the time to cast your vote for a graduation piece! On some of these, you may have to click on "view music" to hear the actual file.

Your votes must be in by 7 am Thursday morning. We will narrow it down to a top 2 and vote on those 2 on Thursday in class(es).

Option 1
Option 2
Option 3
Option 4




Saturday, March 3, 2012

2012 Solo & Ensemble- Vocal Results

Congratulations on a fine showing at this year's regional contest! Some of our soloists and ensembles are advancing on to the state level of competition, to be held in Ellensburg on April 27- 28. Ensembles will take a charter bus over and back on Friday, but soloists will want to call and try to reserve a hotel room now for Friday night. Solos will sing on Saturday. Alternates do not need to worry about rooms yet- we will notify you if you are accepted as soon as we know!

Here are the state results:
Kennedy Mixed Quartet- 2nd alternate, small mixed vocal ensemble
DePhelps Duo- 1st alternate, small mixed vocal ensemble
Cade DePhelps- 1st alternate, baritone
Bailee DePhelps- winner, alto
Brandon Root- winner, baritone
Sarah Fisken- winner, mezzo soprano
Two Stars- winner, small women's vocal ensemble
Kennedy Men's Ensemble- winner, large men's vocal ensemble

More details, including certificates and judges' sheets will be distributed on Monday. Remember- spring schedule... see you then!

Friday, January 6, 2012

Job, Job



Great balance, energy, and a stellar soloist. I will hear auditions for soloists during finals week and think the tonal quality needs to be soulful and fearless like this singer!

Friday, December 30, 2011

Daniel



"Daniel"- our combined Kennedy piece for Benaroya Hall this year, can be found at about 21 minutes into this video. I know it is really boring to watch, but it is conducted by the composer and the group has a pretty good sound. The girl in the center is on the tenor line- don't let that throw you. Listen, then take out your music and practice with it in front of you!

Wednesday, November 23, 2011

Sweatshirts & Basketball

Remember that all sweatshirt orders must be received on Monday, November 28 when we get back from Thanksgiving break. Make checks payable to the school. Extra forms are on my office door.

Excalibur- Monday night is our sing at the SU basketball game. Meet in the music room at 4:30 pm in your formal gowns/tuxedos, with a sack dinner or money for food at the stadium. The bus will leave from the stadium back to school at 8:40, so we should be back by 9:00 pm or so. You will get in to the game for free, but parents will have to purchase tickets at the door. The music room will be open after school for a couple of hours for study hall purposes, so feel free to just hang out and do homework there.

Lastly, happy Thanksgiving to all of you! I am thankful for the days I get to spend making music with such an inspiring group of young people. Thank you for working so hard and giving so much of yourself in order to bring the joy of music to others- what a gift!

Tuesday, October 18, 2011

Practice Tracks

Practice Tracks for 2012 Benaroya Hall concert can be found here.

Saturday, October 1, 2011

Bravo!

Congratulations to the students who performed this afternoon as a part of the Northwest High School Honor Choir Festival! The musical growth that you made in two days was incredibly impressive and the concert was beautiful. Everyone walked out of that hall singing "didn't my Lord deliver Daniel?" with lifted spirits and smiles on their faces. Your passion and perseverance payed off! What a unique gift you gave your audience. Nice work- I am very proud of you!

Tuesday, September 13, 2011

UPS Honor Choir

Practice file links are located on my school webpage. Just click on the left sidebar labeled Excalibur and there should be files for all six files that open up. One of the links is acting weird and I will try to troubleshoot it in the next 24 hours. Please let me know if you experience any other problems with the practice files and have fun learning the music! It is great stuff- I can't wait!

Monday, August 15, 2011

2011- 2012 Musical

This year's musical will be a tap dancing, gun-slinging, spotlight-seeking comedy by the Gershwin brothers called Crazy for You! It is a fun show, with songs every American ought to know.... Someone to Watch Over Me, Embraceable You, I've Got Rhythm... and it will be in the fall. In the Little Theatre. For 2 weekends.

Auditions will begin on August 30 and rehearsals will begin September 6. Be sure to attend the informational meetings: Thursday, August 25 at 11:15 (grades 10- 12) and Friday, August 26 at 12:15 (grade 9). Shows are November 11-13 & 18-20.

It is our hope that a fall show will open up performance opportunities for some of you who haven't been able to do a musical yet. Think about it- it is fun!

Start working on those monologues and Broadway tunes NOW! See you on the stage!

Tuesday, July 5, 2011

Summer Enrichment

Do you want to become a better performer?
Do you like meeting other teenagers who also like music?
Do you want to see the premier of the musical Aladdin for super cheap?
If yes, definitely check this out!!!

Wednesday, May 25, 2011

Excalibur: 2011- 2012

Thank you to everyone who tried out. This is always a very difficult decision for me. If your name is on this list, please e-mail back me to indicate your acceptance of your slot by Friday of this week. If your name is not on this list, please feel free to see me regarding any questions/vocal goals to work on next year- but please wait to do so until after Memorial Day weekend.

It is my sincere hope that all of you will continue singing next year and figure out a way to make it work it your schedule. Again, thank you for your courage and dedication.

Sopranos
Sarah F.
Melanie T.
Danny T.
Alyssa Z.
Juliana J.
Bailee D.

Altos
Mariko O.
Veronica S.
Meagan S.
Charlotte D.
Georgia B.
Meredith B.
Katherine B.

Tenor
Sam B.
Luke P.
Tanner B.
Nathan R.
Brandon W.
Peter K.

Baritone/Bass
Brandon R.
Michael N.
Lorenzo Q.
Cade D.
Caleb C.
Kirk V.
Joseph D.

Monday, May 16, 2011

Auditions

Excalibur Auditions for the 2011- 2012 school year begin today! Please be in the music room, on time, with your filled out audition form. Each group should be completed by 3:15 pm. Review the Star Spangled Banner prior to arrival and be ready to sight-sing and warm up your entire range. Good luck!

Saturday, April 30, 2011

State Solo Contest












Well done, Max, Bailee, and Lindsey! Between the three of you, you earned five superior ratings and four excellent ratings. More importantly, you all were able to execute everything you have been working on for the past few months in performance and hold your own against the best of the best. Good work at state! Who will be there next year???

Friday, April 29, 2011

State Ensemble Contest
















Some blurry pictures, but some beautiful music making! I am so proud of all of you!


Here are a couple of things the judges had to say:




  • Very good (ensemble) work on the Orban- nice communication


  • Lovely interpretation on Faure


  • Loved the way you interacted with each other


  • Very sensitive (interpretation)- thank you!


  • Well prepared- thank you! An intense and musical performance


Excalibur mixed received two ratings of a II (excellent) and one I (superior). Bailee & Max's duet received three II's... can't wait to see what tomorrow holds!


Thursday, April 28, 2011

Spring Choral Invitational
























Look at all of those springtime smiles!