GRAND RIDGE HIGH SCHOOL CHOIR AUDITION PACKET

2018-2019
Director: Mr. Richard Rubin

Welcome!!!!

Students, I would like to take this time now to Grand Ridge High School! It is an
honor to see that you are interested in auditioning for one of the choir groups here.
Before we go into greater detail about the auditions, I would like to give you all a
little information about each program’s history. There are three choir programs
offered at Grand Ridge: Beginning, Intermediate, and Advanced. Our beginning choir
consists of mainly freshman, and new choir members. Our intermediate program is
mostly sophomores and some juniors, and our advanced program is juniors and
seniors. Freshman and new students are only allowed to audition for the beginning
program. Sophomores (including second-year students) can audition for the
intermediate and advanced programs. Now, each group has been successful
throughout the past few years. For example, our beginning choir brought in a
Superior at the state festival last year! On top of that, our intermediate choir was
able to score a very high excellent, and the advanced group received a Superior with
Distinction! However, I ask that you do not be discouraged from the success from
each group. We are here to help each other be successful, and will always be there
for one another. With that being said, let us get into the specifics regarding the
auditions!

IMPORTANT DATES:
*Auditions for Beginning Choir: May 7th, 2018 (10:00am-4:00pm)
*Auditions for Intermediate Choir: May 8th, 2018 (10:00am-1:30pm)
*Auditions for Advanced Choir: May 8th, 2018 (1:45pm-4:00pm)
*Audition times are subject to change depending on the number of auditions for each
day.
*Auditions will be in alphabetical order by last name. An official list will be sent out to
students AND parents at least one week prior to audition day.
*Auditions will be held at Grand Ridge High School

Concerts:
October 18th, 2018
December 7th, 2018
February 28th, 2019
*April 4th, 2019
May 16th, 2019

*Concerts will be performed at the Grand Ridge High School auditorium.

*APRIL 4TH CONCERT IS A COMBINED CONCERT WITH GRAND RIDGE MIDDLE
SCHOOL.
Festivals/Regionals/All-State:
-October 25th-26th, 2018: ACE High School Choral Festival (Chandler Gilbert
Community College, Chandler, AZ )
-January 25th-26th, 2019: AMEA Regional Auditions (University of Arizona)
-February 15th-16th, 2019: AMEA Regional Festival (University of Arizona)
-March 21st, 2019: AzACDA HS Choral Festival (Mesa High School, Mesa, AZ)
-April 18th-20th, 2019: ABODA/ACE All-State Festival (Arizona State University,
Tempe, AZ)

And now…the moment we have all been waiting for…AUDITION MATERIALS

AUDITION REQUIREMENTS:
The time slot for each choir will be held to 10 minutes. Please arrive early so that
the audition schedule can run on time, and smoothly.

Beginning Choir: Freshman, and new students, do not need to have a prepared
piece. However, these students will be required to partake in some sight-reading. All
students will match pitches with the piano to determine vocal range.

Intermediate Choir: Those auditioning must prepare two pieces prior to their
audition (I will ask for one). Auditions will also consist of determining vocal range,
and using solfege while going through scales. Sight-reading will also be included.

Advanced Choir: Juniors and Seniors auditioning for the advanced choir must have
3-4 pieces prepared (I will ask for one or two). Advanced auditions will include
determining vocal range, solfege with scales, various rhythmic patterns, sight-
reading
 LETTER OF RECOMMENDATION

I,_________________________________________, hereby state that I am recommending for

___________________________________ to participate in a choir group at Grand Ridge High
School. He/She has shown an immense amount of dedication to becoming a great
leader, advancing as a musician, being supportive of their peers, and wanting to
improve with whatever task is at hand. I hope that you take this recommendation
into consideration when assigning students to the choir groups.

Student Print Name:____________________________ Date:_________________

Student Signature:______________________________ Date:__________________

Parent/Guardian signature:__________________________ Date:__________________

 AUDITION NOTES

Student Name:_______________________________
Date and Time:_____________________________
Choir:______________________________

Notes:

Voice Part:________________________________

Range:_______________________________

Sight-Reading Ability:________________________________

Tonal Memory:_____________________________

Tone Color:_________________________________

Other noticeable/memorable comments:

 GRADE VERIFICATION FORM

Student Name:__________________

Grade Level:______________________

Choir Group:______________________

PERIOD CURRENT GRADE TEACHER SIGNATURE and COMMENTS

ALL STUDENTS IN EACH CHOIR CLASS MUST HAVE A CUMULATIVE GPA OF 2.5 OR
HIGHER. IF YOUR GPA IS LOWER THAN A 2.5, YOU MUST SET UP A MEETING
BETWEEN YOU, MYSELF, AND YOUR TEACHER(S) IN WHICH YOU HAVE A POOR
GRADE. YOU WILL THEN HAVE TO SETUP A PLAN THAT WILL ALLOW YOU TO
IMPROVE YOUR GRADE(S).
 TOUR ITINERARY

This year, our Intermediate and Advanced Choirs at Grand Ridge High school were
selected to participate in the Western Region American Choral Directors Association
(WACDA) Conference in Pasadena, California! We are humbled to have the
opportunity to represent Grand Ridge High School, and the City of Tucson at this
conference! That being said, this will be an Out-of-State trip that will consist of five
days, and four nights. Given that we will be taking 55 total choir students, I have
assigned 5 chaperones that will also be going on this trip. Here is there contact
information: (ALL OF YOU SHOULD HAVE MY INFO AS IT IS ON OUR SYLLABUS).

Chaperones:
Maria Gonzalez- (520) 264-9846
Ronald Williams- (488) 840-1629
Leann Runestad- (520) 291-3812
Shawna Collins- (488) 129-5764
Robert Lopez- (520) 684-1889

EACH CHAPERONE WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR A GROUP OF 11 STUDENTS. EACH

CHAPERONE WILL HAVE THEIR OWN ROSTER, AND THE STUDENTS WILL KNOW
WHICH CHAPERONE TO REPORT TO/STICK WITH FOR THE DURATION OF THE TRIP.

Pasadena Civic Auditorium

300 E Green St.
Pasadena, CA 91101
(800) 307-7977

Pasadena Conference Center

300 E Green St.
Pasadena, CA 91101
(626) 795-9311

First Union Methodist Church

500 E Colorado Blvd.
Pasadena, CA 91101
(626) 796-0157

Comfort Inn Near Pasadena Civic Auditorium ($128 per room)

2462 E Colorado Blvd.
Pasadena, CA 91107
(626) 405-0811

Mountain View Tour Bus (1 bus, $1,000 per day)

4995 N Casa Grande Highway
Tucson, AZ 85743
(800) 341-7406, (520) 292-1183
NECESSITIES: BEFORE we leave Grand Ridge HS, you are responsible for making
sure that you have the following items: Clothes, Pajamas, Toiletries, ALL OF YOUR
MUSIC, Concert Attire, Electronics (for the bus ride and hotel). You MAY NOT bring
video game consoles. DO NOT BRING ANY ILLEGAL SUBSTANCES. IF YOU DO,
PROPER ACTION WILL BE FORCED.

BEHAVIOR: All of you are expected to be on your best behavior at all times.
Remember, just because we are not on school grounds does not mean that school
rules don’t apply. We are representing Grand Ridge High School, and we want to
leave a great impression with other people. If you are having behavioral issues, you
will be asked to return home, and your parent/guardian will be responsible for
paying for your trip.

NEVER GO ANYWHERE WITHOUT 1) INFORMING YOUR CHAPERONE AND/OR

MYSELF, AND 2) BY YOURSELF. EVERYONE MUST HAVE A BUDDY AT ALL TIMES.

I have provided the contact information for each chaperone. Make sure their
numbers are added to your cell phonebook. You are to call them in the case of an
emergency.

DAY 1/NIGHT 1:
3:00pm-Call Time in Grand Ridge HS Choir Room
3:10pm-Attendance
3:15pm-Luggage Check (Director and Chaperones check luggages)
3:30pm-Board Bus
3:45pm-Take off to Pasadena
Approx. 9:00pm- Dinner/Restroom stop in Quartzite, AZ
9:30pm-Proceed to Pasadena
12:45am-Arrive at Comfort Inn
1:00am-First Night meeting in hotel lobby (Students and chaperones)
1:20am- LIGHTS OUT

DAY 2/NIGHT 2:
7:00am-Call Time in hotel lobby (eat breakfast before call time)
7:10am-Attendance
7:30am-Board Bus, and head to First United Methodist Church
8:00am-Arrive at 1st UMC, head to auditorium area and sit.
8:30am-10:30am: Watch various local choirs perform. All students are required to
take notes.
10:45am-Walk over to Civic Center
11:00am-Watch choir masterclasses. All students are required to take notes.
12:00pm-1:00pm. LUNCH. There are a couple of restaurants within walking
distance. Stay in your groups of 11, and stick with your chaperone.
1:15pm-4:45pm-Return to 1st UMC, and watch the remaining sessions, take notes.
4:45pm-6:00pm: DINNER. Same rules apply from the lunch break.
6:15pm-8:00pm: Participate in various choir sessions held at the Civic Auditorium
8:15pm: Call Time at bus.
8:30pm: Head back to hotel
9:00pm: Arrive at hotel
9:15pm: Second Night meeting in lobby.
9:30pm: Chaperones make sure that students are back in their rooms, tape the
doors.
10:00pm: LIGHTS OUT

DAY 3/NIGHT 3: Performance Day

7:00am: Call Time in hotel lobby (eat breakfast before call time)
7:10am: Attendance
7:30am: Board Bus, and head to Civic Auditorium
8:00am: Arrive at Civic Auditorium
8:30am-10:30am: Watch other high school choirs, take notes
10:45am: Leave auditorium, and head to warm-up room
11:45am: Walk together to “on-deck” area behind the stage
12:00pm: Performance
12:15pm: Performance ends, go to master-class room
12:20pm-1:20pm: Masterclass
1:30pm: LUNCH. Same rules apply as before
2:30pm-5:00pm: Return to Civic Auditorium to watch other choirs, take notes.
5:15pm-6:30pm: DINNER. Same rules apply as before
6:45pm: Walk back to Civic Auditorium to watch choirs
7:30pm-8:30pm: Attend “hands-on” large scale master classes with other schools
8:45pm: Call Time at bus
9:00pm: Attendance, and head back to hotel
9:30pm: Arrive at hotel
9:45pm: Third Night meeting in lobby
10:00pm: Chaperones escort students to rooms, apply tape on doors.
10:30pm: LIGHTS OUT

DAY 4/NIGHT 4: Performance Day

7:30am: Call Time in hotel lobby (eat breakfast before call time)
7:40am: Attendance
8:00am: Board Bus, head to Conference Center
8:30am: Arrive at Conference Center
8:45am-10:00am: Watch other choirs, take notes
10:00am-11:15am: Attend workshops at the Conference Center
11:30am: Walk together to warm-up area
11:45am: Performance
12:00pm: Performance ends, go to masterclass room
12:05pm-1:05pm: Masterclass
1:15pm-2:15pm: LUNCH. Same rules apply as before
2:30pm-6:00pm: Watch choirs, participate in learning sessions, and attend an panel
with local composers. Will take place at the Conference Center.
6:00pm-7:00pm: DINNER. Same rules apply as before
7:15pm: Walk back to Conference Center, watch more groups
7:30pm: Special Performance by the Los Angeles Master Chorale
8:45pm-Call Time at bus
9:00pm: Attendance take at bus
9:30pm: Arrive at hotel
9:45pm: Fourth/Final Night meeting in lobby
10:00pm: Chaperones escort students to rooms, apply tape on doors.
10:30pm: LIGHTS OUT

DAY 5:
7:30am: CHECK OUT OF ROOM (give room cards to your chaperone)
7:45am: Attendance
8:00am: Board bus. Make sure luggage is stored underneath the bus. (Small items
can be with you on the bus)
8:15am: Leave Pasadena, drive to Tucson.
Approx. 1:15pm: Lunch/Restroom break in Quartzite, AZ.
2:00pm: Board Bus, take attendance
2:10pm: Resume return trip to Tucson
Approx 5:00pm: Dinner/Restroom Break in Casa Grande, AZ
5:45pm: Resume trip
7:45pm: Arrive at Grand Ridge High School
8:00pm: Clear bus
8:15pm: DISMISSED
 HOTEL ROOM LIST

Room 1: Jonathon Rubio, Nathan Ksiazek, Benjamin Wheeler, Edward Goodman

Room 2: Enrique Uzueta, Israel Duran, Michael Miller, Mark Silvern
Room 3: Mark DeFrances, Will Ronson, Anthony Hand, Donald Carr
Room 4: Robert Gutierrez, Jesus Lopez, Daniel Vega, Carlos Solis
Room 5: Sean Williams, Joshua Hoskinson, Alex Osborn, Orlando Guillen
Room 6: Richard Spears, Greg Robinson, John Collins, George Rosas
Room 7: Jared Immerman, Spencer Nolan, Matthew Taylor, Sebastian Reyes
Room 8: Joseph Gaines, Phillip Moore, Bob Hope

Room 9: Marissa Troppy, Anisa Jimenez, Abigail Eckert, Maria Hernandez

Room 10: Jennifer Powell, Loren Wrigley, Autumn Dominguez, Holly Johnson
Room 11: Klarissa Lopez, Grace Aksamit, Maggie Orm, Mia Castillo
Room 12: Brenna Mitchel, Gina Chung, Aly Cruz, Alexandra Janowski
Room 13: Katie Cluff, Tatiana Williams, Bethany Waldvogel, Trisha Bacalso
Room 14: Katie Wells, Anna Richard, Kelsie Grimsley, Annalisse Mata,
Room 15: Hannah Jones, Jenna Christensen, Morgan Bose

Each chaperone and director will have independent rooms.

 PERMISSION FORM and BEHAVIOR CONTRACT

Parent/Guardian,

Your student will be partaking in this tour to Pasadena, California this school year.
Please thoroughly go through the following information, and have your student
return the signed form.

Tour Information

Dates: March 20th, 2018- March 24th, 2018

Location: Pasadena, California

Purpose: Western High School Choir Conferences and Performances

Costs (covered through fundraisings and budget): $5,512, hotel and bus
WACDA costs (covered through fundraisings and budget): $360 for four days.

Transportation: Mountain View Tour Bus

Leave School: March 20th

Return to School: March 24th

Medical Issues (Please list all food allergies, and medication that the student will
have on them. Include specific instructions of the medications for the chaperones).

By signing this contract I, Mr./Ms. _________________________________, also adhere to the

following behavioral rules. Since this is a school trip, all school rules still apply. That
being said, each student is to be on their best behavior for the duration of the trip. IF
a problem comes up, each student will receive two warnings. The first will be vocal,
the second will require them to make a home phone call, and the third will consist of
the student returning home. IF the student is told to return to Tucson before the
official trip ends, YOU will be responsible to for paying his/hers premature return
home.

Parent/Guardian Printed Name:____________________________________________

Parent/Guardian Signature:________________________________ Date:__________

Student Name Printed:_____________________________________

Student Signature:___________________________________________ Date:__________