• Decide what voice part you want to sing early on, and do what works best for you and your voice! You should feel confident singing.

  • Voice Parts include: Soprano 1, Soprano 2, Alto 1, Alto 2, Tenor 1, Tenor 2, Bass 1 & Bass 2

• Many people also consider which voice parts have fewer auditionees, which may have better chances of advancing. However, keep in mind that this isn't always true, and you should do whatever YOU are most comfortable with!

  • Even if fewer people are auditioning, you should still try the best you can and acknowledge that these auditions are ALWAYS competitive.

  • Voice Parts such as Tenor 1 & Alto 2 typically have fewer auditionees but are still very competitive.

• Try to learn your music & purchase your packet during the summer! Music for the 24-25 year has already been released!

  • There are many local College TMEA Camps, which can be quite useful in helping you learn your music.

    • If you're struggling with deciding, feel free to make a spreadsheet!

  • McNeil Choir also hosts their own TMEA workday/camp!

• Rehearse your music routinely, such as during flex, before school, and at home! Balancing schoolwork and extracurricular work can be difficult, so give yourself grace!

• Look at the conductor's notes on each song, and mark your music with that information in addition to the practice track timestamps, measure numbers, solfege, musical markings, and whatever YOU need to make your rehearsing & performance better!

  • It's common to mark your music with colorful and expressive markings, as TMEA auditions consider much more than simply pitches and rhythms. Ask upperclassmen how they mark their music, as everyone does it differently!

  • It's useful to have BIG, BOLD, and INTENSE markings to draw your own attention to the nitpicky things judges look for. By the time you audition, you should hopefully know most of your music upside-down & backward, so make use of your music to remind yourself of other things like musicianship!

  • Typically, the more dramatic, the better. (just ask a director if you think you're doing "too much")

• Listen to the practice tracks given, in addition to full choir arrangements to accustom yourself to certain aspects of the song & how it sounds with other parts.

• Utilize sectionals hosted by your choir directors and rehearsals and practices with your peers. These sectionals can show you how to fix your trouble spots and include more musicality in what you sing. Every student is working hard, and talking with them can help you!

• Keep your air spinning and flowing to ensure your phrasing is correct. Where is the phrase going? Which part, syllable, or word is most important?

  • You can imagine a little hamster running on a wheel in your stomach to keep your core engaged while singing, as your diaphragm should be helping you get the air you need.

• Have Fun! You got this! Don't psych yourself out through fear. Know that a lot of this process is purely mental. You're reading this so you clearly care ;)

• Talk to your directors, other students, and upperclassmen about auditions & don't be afraid to ask for help, advice, or for them to listen to you.

• Record yourself singing. While others have useful input for you, YOU know your voice the best and are likely your own biggest critic. Find out your struggle spots by listening back to them and work on those spots.

• Hard Rhythms? Practice with a metronome and count-sing it. Having an extremely solid foundation and completely accurate pitches and rhythms should be the first things you should consider, so make sure you're accurate with what you're singing.

• Take Voice Lessons! The one-on-one lessons can be useful for other things as well, but they can also give you great insight into these auditions.

• Translate Foreign Texts & take time to analyze the meaning of the song you are singing. It can be easier to be musical if there's a story, vibe, or mood you can sing along to.

• Study/Ask about what your tone should sound like for each song you sing. Different styles of music and sounds require different sounds from you. Take the time to figure out what works best.

• Think about your diction. Vowels and Consonants are some of the most important things in music. It should be clear what you are singing about.

• Just Try! Take it from someone who has gotten 1st AND last chair. There's only one way to "fail", and that's by completely quitting/not singing/freezing up. Performance Anxiety is VERY real, so just try to be yourself and enjoy the experience. You may make a mistake, which is completely normal, but what's important is that you recover and stay out of your own head and in the moment. You are doing amazing, and this won't really matter in 10 years!

• Take advantage of the curtain! During your audition, the judges can't see you, so feel free to be extravagant and dramatic, or even quietly tap a beat to yourself. What's important is that it helps you perform better and have more fun!

• No matter the result, be a good sport and be happy for other students who have also worked hard.

• Make friends and get to know students from other schools! Music is something beautiful you can bond through.

• Be kind, and represent our program well! Treat everyone with fairness and consider how they would like to be treated, treating them also how you would want to be treated. (Following the golden and platinum rule)

• This is a challenging process for everyone, but you should just try to go home proud of your performance, knowing that you tried your best. Judges often want different things and different sounds, some of which you may not have control over, and what they ultimately decide is out of your control. Do the best you can. We are so proud of you!

wendi_burwinkel@roundrockisd.org

(512) 464-6425

2nd Period - Chorale Treble

3rd Period - Chamber Singers

4th Period - Rhapsody

5th Period -  AP Music Theory

6th Period - Symphonic Mixed

7th Period - Select Treble

8th Period - Musicale

^^^ This is our home page. You can find information about our choirs and their directors, our calendar, news and announcements, extra handouts, important contact information, and links to everything you need here, including our most recent Weekly Choir Notes Email Update.

Contact your Directors

We are always happy to answer any questions you may have or address your individual concerns.  If you cannot find the answer to what you are looking for on any of the above formats, please do not hesitate to contact your child’s choir director!

• wendi_burwinkel@roundrockisd.org  (512) 464-6425

• sheridan_white@roundrockisd.org (512) 464-6351

Social Media Accounts: Where you can see all of what's currently going on! ✨

• Main Instagram: @mhsmavchoir

• Show Choir Instagrams: @mhs.musicale and @mhs.rhapsody

• Booster Instagram: @mcneilchoirboosters

• Tiktok: @mhsmavchoir

• Mrs. B's Choir Instagram: @mrs.b_mhs_choir

• Choir Link Tree: https://linktr.ee/mhsmavchoir

Remind 101: 💬 Download the Remind App or text these class codes to 81010 to join. The number you are texting belongs to remind.com, not your teacher. You can receive reminders and directions from your teacher using this app/messaging, it's super useful & school-approved!

• PARENT ONLY REMIND CODES

  • McNeil Choir Parents (general choirs) - @mhschoirpa

  • Musicale Parents - @musicalepa

• STUDENT CLASS REMIND CODES

  • Concert Tenor/Bass (1st Period) - @mavtb20

  • Chorale Treble (2nd Period) - @mchorale21

  • Chamber Singers (3rd Period) - @chamber01

  • Rhapsody (4th period) - @Rhap23

  • Symphonic Mixed (6th period)- @msymph23

  • Select Treble (7th Period) - @mselect23

  • Musicale (8th period) - @musicale16

• Treating both peers & directors with a high level of respect and courtesy at all times.

• Full participation in all parts of daily rehearsals

• Remaining focused and quiet during instruction

• Public Display of Affection (PDA: any physical contact between two people) is not condoned in a professional environment. Students are not allowed to endorse PDA in rehearsal, meetings, tours, performances, the choir room/suite, all other areas in the music wing hallways, and any choir sponsored/affiliated event.

• Behavior: If an individual or group is troubling or holding the rest of the group back from success or is disruptful to the kind setting we build in the program, our directors will opt to remove these students from performances, and even the program in order to preserve the experiences and memories built through the program. Students who are removed from rehearsals or concerts will be given a written alternative assignment taking place of their regular rehearsal/performance grade. If a student receives a maximum of 6 dismissals, they will be removed from the choir program altogether.

Concerts count as "final projects" or "major exams". There are several major concerts throughout the year, all of which are required and count as major grades for their respective grading periods. Emergency circumstances beyond your control may arise, which may affect your ability to participate, and we completely understand this. Examples of this include student illness, an emergency room (ER) visit, a car accident, bereavement, etc.

Emergencies may be excused at the director's discretion, with written communication between the parent, the student, and the director. These excused absences will have the grade replaced by a written assignment with a maximum score of 85. This assignment must be completed and submitted to your director in order to receive this grade.

An unexcused absence from required performance will result in a 50 as a major grade if the written assignment is completed. A zero if it is not.

• Supply Fee (purchased through Choir Boosters)

  • This helps cover the cost of sheet music, classroom supplies, and performance costs.

• Choir T-shirt Purchase (purchased through Choir Boosters)

  • Each student is required to purchase the choir t-shirt for this year.  We use these shirts for the first and last concert and anytime we travel. The sizes range from S –XXXL.  

  • All students will need to purchase a T-shirt. We try to have a different design each year!

  • Parents are encouraged to purchase a t-shirt as well if desired.  It's great to show support and are useful when you chaperone with us.

• Uniform Rental & Hemming Fee (paid to the Choir Boosters)

  • See the Formal Uniform section in the handbook for more details!

• Meal & Snack Fee

Additional Costs:

(reserved for only those students who would participate in these particular activities)

• TMEA All-State Audition Fee

• Solo and Ensemble Entry Fee, includes accompanist fees

• Tickets to special events that we attend as a group.

• Spring Trips, such as transportation and admission into amusement parks.

*Additional Costs will be paid on or before the payment deadline for that particular activity.  Any fundraising credit the student earns during our Fall or Spring Fundraisers may be applied toward these additional costs, with a written request from the parent.

Tux Formal: Tenors and Basses will be issued a tux jacket, tux pants, green vest, and green tie. Students are required to provide and wear their own BLACK dress shirt, black dress shoes, and black dress socks with their uniform. Flip flops, tennis shoes, and boots are not an acceptable part of this uniform. Any lost or permanently damaged rental tuxedos will result in a replacement fee of $200.00

Wearing a Tux & Need Assistance? Watch this helpful video made by Joshua Li!

 If a student receives a grade below 70 on his/her report card for any 6-week grading period, he/she will not be allowed to participate in any choir competitions or off-campus performances during the regular school day for the following 6-week period. 

A 3-week Progress Report will provide failing students an opportunity to regain eligibility for the remainder of that 6-week period, but will not cause any student to lose eligibility if they were passing all classes on the last report card. 

**Please note, that academic eligibility requirements do not apply to regular seasonal concerts held in the evening, in which all choir students are required to participate.

The most up-to-date information can always be found on our Choir Calendar located on the MHS Choir Website. Varsity-level ensembles will have additional required performances that can be found on the choir calendar on the MHS Choir Website.

Subscribe to the Online Google Calendar:

Click the blue "+" to add it to your Google calendar.

Important Dates (2023-2024)

• August 26 - Choir Kick-off at Rattan Creek Park 9 am-12 pm

• August 30 - Soprano/ Alto Everything Day 4:30 pm - 6:00 pm

• September 5 - Tenor/ Bass Everything Day 4:30 pm - 6:00 pm

• September 20 - FALL CONCERT - required for ALL Choir students

• October 20- Homecoming Tailgate

• October 25- Halloween Party

• December 5 - Winter Concert - required for ALL Choir students

• February 14 - PreUIL Concert - required for ALL Choir students

• March 4-6 - UIL Evaluations - required for ALL Choir students

• March 28 - Musicale/Rhapsody Showcase

• May 3- Follies Dress Rehearsal - required for all students

• May 4- Follies Performance - required for all students

If severe weather is predicted, concerts and rehearsals may be rescheduled with very little notice.  Please be patient with us as we may not know about such changes until the day of an event.  In the event of a cancellation or change, we will send home a written notice and make every attempt to contact parents as soon as possible!

Socials: Izzy T., Ananyaa V., Dominique D.

Logistics: Josh L., Zach G.

Media: Ornith J., Charlotte R., Katherine K.

Non-Varsity Representatives: Aditi P., Andy M., Andy Q., Cherry B., Nishan K., Tristan R., Priyanka M., Sophie S.

Job Descriptions:

• President - Helps the directors manage the leadership team and events. Presidents jump in and help every day, in any position necessary.

• Socials Team - Responsible for planning social events.

• Media Team - This team is responsible for maintaining all social media accounts, posters, and advertisements for events and concerts, hallway & classroom bulletin boards, and assisting the Leadership Team as needed for all events.

• Logistics (Uniform/Library) Team - This team keeps us organized. Uniforms and the music library require constant attention to keep them clean and organized.

• Non-Varsity Rep - Students in Non-Varsity Classes who are go-to helpers for all projects the other teams are working on.

• Here Comes Santa Claus

• We’ll Dress The House

• Various Themes On “Fa-La-La”

• Silent Night

• Christmas Chopstix

• Jingle Bells

• Away In a Manger

• Three Jazzy Bell Carols

• Jingle Bell Rock

• Mary Did You Know

• Veni Veni Emanuel

• God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen

• Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas

• A La Nanita

• The Wassail Song

• Plum

• Psallite

• The Boar's Head (Tenor-Bass)

• We Wish You a Merry Christmas

• The 12ish Days of Christmas (Treble)

• Silent Night

• Let it Snow (Tenor-Bass)

• O Holy Night (Composed by our director, Mrs. B!)

• Up on the Housetop

• Jingle Bells

• Bonnie

• Carol of The Bells

• Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas

• Tambur (TBD on having it next year...)

• Angels We Have Heard on High

• I Saw Three Ships

• Coventry Carol

• God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen

• Veni Veni Emmanuel

• Good King Wenceslas (Treble)

• Joy to the World

1. You choose what voice part you want to sing. Voice parts include Soprano 1, Soprano 2, Alto 1, Alto 2, Tenor 1, Tenor 2, Bass 1, Bass 2

2. You buy either the Large School Treble or Large School Tenor-Bass packet depending on what you are singing.

3. Learn, Practice, and Rehearse your music! The songs for each round will be released before the first round.

4. You will know what songs you are singing before the first round. This Round is "district" auditions, hosted at Round Rock High School. There are many auditionees, so this round often has "zones" of the same voice part, which may make competition a bit harder. The evening of that day, or the day after, you will receive news on whether you advanced and your particular chair.

5. After Advancing, you move on to the next round, region! Keep in mind that every round is competitive, and always try your very best. This audition invites you to be a part of the region tenor-bass, treble, or mixed choir. Tenor-bass singers who advance to Round 3 are invited to both the Tenor-Bass and mixed choir, and Treble singers advancing to Round 3 are invited to the Treble and Mixed Choir. Because of the high number of Treble Auditionees, all Treble Singers who audition in this round are invited to be a member of the region treble choir, regardless of chair. Results are typically given asap.

6. Round 3 is hosted at McNeil! It is the Pre-Area round. If you did not advance, you should support your friends by volunteering to help auditions go smoothly! This audition is in the evening after school, so you will receive a food voucher and grab some food before either auditioning or helping out with auditions. Door Monitors are important this round because participants waiting for their turn are no longer allowed to stand outside of the door, and they are kept somewhere different. There is a sightreading portion to this and the next round. Results are given ASAP, and often the night of the auditions along with notes from the judges.

7. If you advance to the 4th round, CONGRATS! There are also "alternates" who come on the trip to the Area auditions. This would be an overnight trip, including several factors differentiating it slightly from other rounds. These auditions determine whether you become an All-Stater, and they are the most competitive. You will still have to sing the assigned songs for this round and do sightreading. No matter your result from this stage, you will again receive notes from your judges. Depending on your chair, you can be in just the treble or tenor-bass choir, or if it's high enough you can additionally be in the mixed choir! No matter what, it's an absolutely remarkable experience.

   
   

• Mandatory Parent Meeting

  • a Google Meet/In-person meeting where both students and parents are invited to attend. The directors will outline the expectations and responsibilities you will have from being in either of these groups, in addition to informing you about the audition process.

• Solo Audition

  • Students absent here will be cut from the audition process.

  • Students interested in auditioning for Musicale/Rhapsody should sign up for a time slot for the first round of auditions

  • You may sing any Broadway or Pop song that shows off your range and personality. The piece should be between 30 and 60 seconds.

  • Students will perform their song with accompaniment (piano/recorded track without any vocals.)

    • Try to have your accompaniment track downloaded on your phone/bookmarked ahead of time so you can Bluetooth connect to the speaker, and your audition goes smoothly.

  • Be engaging and entertaining. And be 100% prepared. Walk in with confidence and WOW the directors. Show them how much you want this opportunity and how hard you are willing to work for it! You got this!

• Group Teach Day

  • Students absent here will be cut from the audition process.

  • Students will attend the Group Teach Day to review parts & learn choreography.

  • Each participant will be assigned a group to audition with. Students are encouraged to practice with their group on their own time before the Group Audition day.

    • Communicate and practice with your group! You should have a groupchat together where "vets", or returning auditionees are there to help and guide first-time auditionees through the process. Take advantage of this and get to know these people!

• Group Audition Day

  • Students absent here will be cut from the audition process.

  • Each group will be assigned an audition number by the directors.

  • Each group will perform their piece only once for the directors.

    • Certain students, such as "vets" who have done the process before and had a year or more in show choir are often assigned to multiple groups to ensure that every group auditioning is a "quartet" and directors can evaluate students' ability to hold an individual part by themselves without assistance.

• Audition "Paperwork" - Due at the time of the Solo Audition

  • Sightreading Audition

    • a high-level sightreading assignment is done on the Music First platform. You can access this through classlink. Keep in mind you only have a certain amount of attempts, and you also have the option to sightread in person with the directors upon request.

  • Parent Signature/Audition Agreement

    • Paperwork that you, your parent/guardian, and your counselor all sign to ensure that you are aware of what you are signing up for.

  • 2 Teacher Recommendations

    • The audition packet provides two paper sheets to provide to your teachers. You should kindly ask them to fill it out on their own time and leave it in your director's mailbox in the office. This paperwork is confidential and you should not see what your teacher puts down.

  • Student Essay

    • Prompt: Why you want to be in Musicale/Rhapsody, and why you would be a good fit for the organization.

• Audition Scoring

  • Each judge will score the individual based on their tone, expression, pitch accuracy, and stage presence in the vocal audition. Choreography accuracy, stage presence, expression, and energy will be judged in the choreography audition. Additional points are awarded for class behavior, leadership, grades, daily class work ethic, and attendance. Sight reading scores from the general choir auditions are also carried over to this round.

  • Scores will be entered into a spreadsheet, scores added, and auditioners placed in rank order. Voicing will be considered to produce a balanced ensemble.

• Audition Results:

  • Audition results are handed out at the end of the day, typically near the end of the week. Understand that no matter your results, it is ideal that everyone takes in and processes their results individually, and that students wait until they are off campus to open their results otherwise they risk losing their spot. It can be hurtful to students with differing results to share the same emotions as you, so having time to process this is important. Students will receive their pinning ribbon at the choir banquet at the end of the year.

    
    

    
    

Brief Description: Both of these groups require advanced levels of vocal proficiency and a vibrant performance personality. Many of these students are leaders, are involved in other sports and extracurriculars, and do much more. Students must be willing to make the commitment necessary to attend ALL competitions, performances, caroling gigs, and practices. Musicale is our Mixed Show Choir and Rhapsody is our Treble Show Choir. All Treble singers (Sopranos and Altos) have the opportunity to indicate their first preference between which show choir they would be placed in, but should be prepared to be placed in either group. Auditions for both groups occur simultaneously & prior membership is NOT a guarantee of placement.

Estimated Costs:

• Membership fee: $25

• Dickens on the Strand Trip (Musicale): $450

• Grapevine Trip (Rhapsody): $450

• Costuming: Varies (See Below)

• General Choir Fees: See Handbook

  • Students in Show Choir are also required to be in a general choir class, such as Symphonic Mixed, Chorale Treble, or Chambers

Costuming:

Both groups will have a shirt, a main outfit, and a caroling outfit. All competition outfits will be one-year outfits. (Matching sizes, fabrics, quality, and theme is difficult from year to year.)

• Musicale Caroling Outfits are $100-$500 depending on many factors that students and their families decide (store-bought, handmade, type of fabric, etc.). A few outfits are available to rent through MHS Choir for a cleaning fee.

  • To ensure that our pieces don't get mixed up, it is recommended that you take your outfits to the cleaners yourself if rented.

• Rhapsody Caroling Outfits are $50-$150 and will be picked by the group and Ms. White after group membership is announced.

• Group Polo - $25-35

• Embroidered Garment Bag - $30

  
  

Performers are responsible for other costs such as: nylons/tights, socks, clear strap bra, and any replacement of lost or damaged items. 

There are other items that may be added to this list as the concept of the pop show is further developed. 

Billing statements will be released as soon as an initial cost is known. All student accounts must be in good standing in order to participate in the ensembles. 

Fundraising: There will be fundraising opportunities offered through the McNeil choir department that  will be used to help fund the additional costume needs and help keep the cost affordable for all students in our show choirs. Participation in the fundraisers is mandatory. Please see your director for more information.

What Class Looks Like: Our Show Choir classes occur at the end of the day, and during the fall semester, these groups study carols to perform at various locations during winter in addition to pieces for their fall, winter, and concerts. They must also perform the national anthem at all home football games in the fall. These groups DO NOT participate in UIL or Drills, as those are reserved for general choir classes. Classes are taught vigorously, and students are expected to know how to lead rehearsal and sectional themselves in addition to the basics. Caroling Season ends with winter break, and with the spring semester, show choirs take the first half to focus on the show choir showcase, a performance featuring both talented A Cappella groups. The year wraps up doing the same things as the rest of the classes, being prepared for Follies, our spring Pop show!

Calendar Commitments

Most dates and times are TBD but this will give you an idea of your commitment. The choir Google calendar is updated regularly. For a better understanding of calendar commitments please look through this year’s choir Google calendar. Next year will be very similar.

• August

  • Back To School Bootcamp (Early August after teachers are back on contract)

  • New Teacher orientation

  • Colt Camp/Meet The Mavs

  • Football Game(s)

• September

  • Football Game(s)

• October

  • Chalk Walk 

  • Football Game(s)

  • Fall Concert

• November

  • Caroling gigs begin

• December

  • Caroling gigs in full swing.  Reserve every Friday and Saturday now. Assume you will have approx. 2-4 gigs during the school week as well.  

  • Winter Concert

  • The last caroling gigs will be on 12/15.  We will not accept gigs after this date.

• February

  • Various community performances

• March

  • Competitions

  • Illusions Dance Show

• April

  • School Showcase performance

  • Possible competition

  • Awards Ceremonies

• May

  • Follies

  • Awards Ceremonies

  • Graduation

• Beginner/Non-Varsity Classes

  • If you are in your first year of choir, you are likely in one of these groups, such as Concert Tenor-Bass and Concert Treble. The directors teach you the basics of reading music and understanding pitches and rhythms, in addition to learning how to sightread and be a musician.

  • You will participate in rehearsals which are in preparation for concerts and big events, and during those rehearsals get to know the program and your peers.

  • At the start of class, you will often do drills, which are worksheets you have to complete in a short amount of time, testing your musical knowledge. You complete the same drill until you get a perfect score, and then you move on to the next one. This ensures you have strong foundations in music.

  • With each concert, you can expect rapid growth as an ensemble, showcasing your budding talent!

  • Fall and Winter Concerts have similar concepts, as the Fall Concert showcases the first things you learn, and the Winter Concerts grow on that. UIL takes a more technical approach, as you learn an A Cappella song and foreign language song. The diverse styles, genres, and types of music you can sing in choir simply grow your outlook as a singer. Follies is our pop show, and is not typically conducted. Therefore, Choirs will be taking a step into the show choir world, and singing and dancing to familiar pop songs.

  • The Fall Semester includes Fall and Winter Concerts, and the Spring Semester includes UIL and the Follies Pop Show.

• JV (Junior Varsity) Classes

  • More advanced teachings in musicianship, beyond the basics.

  • Rehearsals are faster-paced.

  • Harder Drills

  • Includes all the same things as Non-Varsity Classes, with more advancements.

• Varsity Classes

  • Very Advanced Musical Teachings

  • Guest Teachers and Workshops

  • Difficult/Harder Drills

  • High Expectations of Leadership and Skill

    • Because of the high skills of these ensembles, rehearsal typically includes fewer classes learning foundations of the music, and more classes polishing and perfecting the sound of the ensemble. Students are expected to be able to hold their sectionals and utilize teamwork to quickly learn music.

  • Involvement in Fall Concert, Vertical Concert, Winter Concert, UIL, Follies, Madfest, and several other involvements in preparation for these events and during the rest of the year.

    • Most students are expected to participate in either/both TMEA ALL-State Auditions or UIL Solo & Ensemble.

  • Chambers: Singing the National Anthem at Pep-Rallies, and sometimes football games

• www.fastwebs.com

• https://www.rrisdeducationfoundation.org/scholarships

• https://www.tapestrysingers.org/about-us/music-scholarship/

• HEB UIL Scholarship 

• Champion Scholarship Award 

• Gandy Ink Scholarship Link

Who are the Teachers?

• Wraven Godsoe

  • godsoevoice@gmail.com

  • Wravan Godsoe, mezzo-soprano, has been teaching voice for 35 years, including 15 years at RRISD high schools and middle schools. In addition to teaching at MHS, she teaches at Pearson Ranch MS and in her home studio. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in vocal performance from Austin College, where she discovered her love of teaching, and a Master’s degree in vocal pedagogy from Texas Women’s University. She has sung with many choirs in Austin, including Conspirare’s professional and symphonic choirs, Austin Vocal Arts Ensemble and Inversion Ensemble. She has served several church choirs as alto section leader, most recently at St. Louis Catholic Church, and is a member of the National Association of Teachers of Singing.

  • She also co-owns a music publishing company, Baker’s Jazz and More, selling jazz ensemble music to schools and bands around the world.

• Kate Winchester

  • kate.winchester.soprano@gmail.com

  • A bit about me- I have an MM in Voice Performance and Pedagogy from Westminster Choir College and this is my 8th year teaching voice full-time. I moved to Austin just over a year ago and started at Cedar Park High & Cele Middle last fall. I’m a NATS member and am one of the staff singers at St. David’s Episcopal downtown. I also have a small private studio.

• Isaac Arterburn

  • iarterburn@outlook.com

  • Mr. Arterburn is a native Texan, born in Lubbock, having spent most of his formative years in Waco and at Baylor University, and now a happy Austinite. He studied Choral Music Education and German at Baylor while singing in top choirs and pursuing his love for musical and visual arts, as well as outdoor sports. Now he can be found performing with local choirs, trail running, rock climbing, and indulging his nerdy side with comic books and other media. What excites him most as a teacher is helping students enrich their minds and souls with music and the arts.

• Most people start out in Non-Varsity and occasionally JV classes. Every student is required to do a placement audition and fill out a form regarding their current and future commitments to the choir program.

• Directors take into account as many factors as possible in their decision. Your work ethic, behavior, and other actions throughout the year will be evaluated in their decision of what choir to place you in.

• In order to assess your sight reading skills, you are required to complete a sight-reading audition. While subject to change, this year's process included a choice between 3 options of difficulty, where you are only eligible to be in classes like Chambers by doing the hardest option.

• This year, the audition for Chambers also included learning and performing a snippet of a song for the directors. This is your opportunity to showcase your musicality, attention to detail, and tone!

• You got this!!

• MEMORIZE your solo

  • Showing that you have the solo memorized shows that you are completely prepared, which is a common expectation in our program when auditioning.

  • Being prepared will come in handy!

• Recognize whether you want the solo/what you're doing before auditions.

  • The first time the directors ask who is interested in the solos is typically the last.

  • It varies if you're absent or not in class when they originally asked. Still, you can't decide you want to audition for a solo in the middle of auditions, or after most of the auditions have finished unless you communicate before auditions that you wouldn't be there.

• Sign up on Sign Up Genius/Check Choir Notes!

  • If there are solos in All-sing pieces like in Follies, the directors will likely communicate when auditions will be.

  • Coffeehouse auditions are open to everyone, even if you're not in the choir program. It's sort of like the McNeil talent show, and you can show almost any talent you want.

  • For Coffeehouse and Follies, the directors will typically post a sign-up genius where you can put in your name and what song you are singing. Each of those performances has its guidelines. Please take a look at them before you audition!

• Similarly to TMEA auditions, you should make sure your music is polished by routinely rehearsing!

• If it's an in-class rehearsal for Follies or any of our other concerts, there will sometimes be times when the directors go through the solo shortly. Pay attention in class!

• Occasionally, you can find the solo sung in a practice track or a full choir arrangement of the song found online.

  • Search the song's title and the composter, and sometimes the arrangement, you will likely find recordings on JW Pepper or YouTube to help you get a feel for what the solo sounds like/what other performers use. (SSA, SATB, TB, SA, TTB, TTBB, SSAA, etc)

• Utilize general singing tips that your choir directors tell you about and that you learn. You might want to consider what vowels, phrasing, tone, style, etc you would want to use.

• Just go for it! If you're interested, just do it and raise your hand. Take initiative and try, even if you're nervous. Everyone is supportive, and auditioning in class will be one of the most supportive environments you can be in.

• Have fun! You're only in high school once. There are a lot of musical intricacies you can include in your audition, but there's also your character you can implement. Show excitement/personality and perform with a smile! (or act however the mood of the song requires) 🎭

• Be a good sport. This goes for anything in the choir and life. It's important to be respectful of all decisions made, and happy for your peers and friends! A lot of the time the directors are looking for a specific sound, and their choice is never personal.

Good Luck and thanks for being so devoted to our program! You should never give up, and you'll never be let down. Therefore, the choir program ain't never gonna run around and desert you, never gonna make you cry (until senior circle), never gonna say goodbye (until you graduate), and never gonna tell a lie and hurt you

Formative Assignments (60%)

• Class Participation 

  • The student has all the materials 

  • Student participates in all class activities, including singing

• Daily theory drills

• Literature knowledge

• Quizzes

Summative Assessments (40%)

• Concerts

• Mandatory after-school/before school rehearsals

• Tests: theory, literature, & music literacy skills

Concert Dates are assigned (posted online) in advance; students are reminded often of the concert dates.  Please refer to the choir handbook for concert expectations.

Reassessment of Quizzes:  Students may reassess all unit quizzes  (75% maximum) providing that:

• The review is 100% complete.  

• The student has personally scheduled the retake with the directors.

Late Work Policy

• Students in class are expected to participate and be actively engaged in each day’s lesson. 

• Students who elect not to participate or complete an in-class task will not be allowed to complete the task at a later time.

• Late work will not be accepted once 10 calendar days have passed from the assigned due date. 

• Late work will be accepted within 10 days with a 25% late penalty.

• Concert Makeup:  If a student fails to attend a required concert, a written make-up assignment can be completed with the director's approval following communication from the student’s parent/guardian about their absence.  Concert make-up assignments will be due one calendar day after the make-up assignment is given to the student and will follow the grading policy for late work.