Take Note: I Lift My Voice! #WorldPeaceDay

It's here! On Friday, Sept 20th, we debuted our collaborative video project with the DMS Media Arts classes on all our social media platforms.  If you didn't catch it on Facebook or Twitter, be sure to catch it here or on our YouTube Channel at this link.

To celebrate #WorldPeaceDay, our 6th, 7th, and 8th Grade choruses combined to perform “I Lift My Voice,” composed by Andrea Ramsey as part of the Justice Choir Songbook.
Our students so identified with the lyrics they wanted to write a third verse themselves! All three of our 8th Grade Chorus sections wrote their own verses that were then voted on by the 6th & 7th Grade choruses to decide which would be added to the beautiful lyrics originally composed by Andrea Ramsey. Verse three in the video was their final choice. ❤️
Andrea writes, “I was inspired by the line ‘With glad defiance in my throat I pierced the darkness with a note’ from James Weldon Johnson’s poem “The Gift to Sing” and I created this song in hopes of acknowledging the power of music and the importance of community in pursuing justice and unity.”

I am honored to work with such amazing students who not only have beautiful voices, but they also have beautiful hearts for making this world a better place! I am so thankful for each and every one of them! A few shoutouts because we cannot accomplish anything without our community: A special thanks to Mr Wil Martin and the Media Arts classes for creating such an amazing visual product, DCHS Student Aides: Mr. Ben Robertson and Ms. Cassidy Walker for all their help behind the scenes in Media Arts and Chorus classes, and DMS principal, Dr. Sandra Spivey, who didn’t think I was crazy when I came to her and said: “So ...I’ve got an idea...” 😉

We hope you enjoy our video!
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TAKE NOTE of the information for your class below:  

MOONPIE SALES for all Choruses end this week! Be sure to sell all the moonpies your student has signed out and turn-in your money by Sept 27/Sept 3o at the latest. Thank you all for your support of Dade County Chorus! You've sold a literal TON of MoonPies!!!! :) 

6th Grade Chorus: 
Sixth Graders are wading into the waters of music reading!  We've spent the last seven weeks building our ears and training our eyes to begin reading new music in Sight-Reading.  Sight-Reading is a true way to assess a student's understanding of music notation.  This week our 6th graders will be venturing below do to read low ti, low la, and low sol. 

Please encourage your student to use their PerfectMyMusic account to practice at home what we are working on in class!  

7th Grade Chorus: 
Our 7th Grade class is working on music for their performance on Children's Day(Nov 2) and developing healthy vocal production with an aspirate(on the breath) onset. Much of what we hear on the radio/Spotify is what is called a glottal(hard/aggressive) onset which is unhealthy for young voices especially. Our students are aiming for a clear and free tone as they explore music in Latin, a gospel influenced African-American spiritual, and a medieval Christmas chant! :) 

Choir Ninjas! Several students are well on their way to completing their Yellow and Orange belts.  Please be sure to remind your student they can use Google Classroom/Flipgrid at home to submit pass-offs. 

7th Grade is the first grade level in which a student can audition for All-State Chorus. All Dade County Chorus students have access to a PerfectMyMusic account with practice tracks and sight-reading tutorials to prepare for their audition.  If your student is interested, please be sure to remind them to practice using their PerfectMyMusic account. 

8th Grade Chorus: 
Our 8th Grade students are working on their pure vowels for our Latin piece, Gratias Agimus Tibi.  Latin is one of the best languages for developing pure vowels with a ringing tone because each vowel has its own sound.  What you see is what you get! :) Every letter is pronounced! Our students sing in many different languages throughout the year to develop their diction and so they are exposed to different cultures around the world. 

8th Grade students can audition also for All-State Chorus. All Dade County Chorus students have access to a PerfectMyMusic account with practice tracks and sight-reading tutorials to prepare for their audition.  If your student is interested, please be sure to remind them to practice using their PerfectMyMusic account. 

I am so proud of all our 8th Grade students who auditioned for District Honor Chorus!! We had SO many more auditions this year than last year! :) I'm so excited   Congratulations to our DHC singers! Be sure to return your forms as soon as possible this week! 

HS Treble Chorus: 
Our treble singers are building their confidence in their 3part pieces, The Voice and Lineage. I know I said it last week, but I really can't wait for you all to hear them perform Lineage at our Dade Fine Arts Showcase on Oct 29th! Each choir is currently working on a Latin piece to lay the foundation for pure vowels and a free tone throughout the rest of our repertoire this Fall. 

Assessments: Rhythmic Dictation Quiz Wednesday, Sept 25/Melodic Dictation Quiz Friday, Sept 27

HS Mixed Chorus: 
We dove right into our music for Universal after we received news of the board approval after our acceptance to the STARS program!! We are working on music across the centuries from the Medieval/Renaissance carol Gaudete to the Pentatonix version of Silent Night. Please encourage your student to practice their parts at home using the rehearsal tracks we have recorded in class.  The more practice at home, the more music we can make in rehearsal! 

DCHS students are also eligible to audition for All-State Chorus. All Dade County Chorus students have access to a PerfectMyMusic account with practice tracks and sight-reading tutorials to prepare for their audition.  If your student is interested, please be sure to remind them to practice using their PerfectMyMusic account. 

GMEA District Honor Chorus information should have been returned this past week.  If your student has not returned their form or fee, please get that turned in as soon as possible! 

WE'RE GOING TO UNIVERSAL!!! The trip dates are Dec 19-22.  We will be traveling by charter bus and staying in the Universal Studios Cabana Bay Resort and Hotel.  Cost and other itinerary details were sent home on Friday, Sept 20. Chaperones must be adults who are legal guardians of the student. If there is a question, please contact me via email.  

I am so excited for our students to be able to show their talents on a national stage! :) Thank you for your support of Dade County Chorus!