Allow students to work with noted
conductors.
Offer students the best of the sacred and
liturgical music tradition and help them understand the meaning and
purpose of the music used in liturgy.
Help students improve and learn new musical
skills.
Energize students and help them grow as
leaders so they can bring that energy and leadership back to their
congregations and schools.
We hope to accomplish
these goals by choosing high-quality repertoire that is not overly
difficult from a technical perspective, so as to be able to fully
explore the spiritual, emotional, and musical aspects of the music and
to work towards becoming cohesive ensembles in a one-day format. We want
to challenge students musically, while making the Catholic All-State
Honor Choirs a successful experience for students from rural, suburban,
and urban settings. It will be a wonderful opportunity for students from
many different backgrounds to come together to create beautiful music
and to perform a cumulative concert for the MCEA Convention attendees
and families.
There will be three Honor
Choirs:
-
5-8 girls
-
5-8 boys
-
9-12 mixed
Helping us reach our goals
are some fantastic conductors. Dr. Axel Theimer, professor of music at
St. John’s University and the College of St. Benedict and a
world-renowned conductor, will be conducting the high school mixed
choir. Teri Larson, the director of music at the Basilica of St. Mary’s
in Minneapolis and a director of numerous honor choirs, will be
conducting the 5-8 girls’ choir. Aaron Carpenter, Associate Director of
the Land Of Lakes Choirboys and Music Director of St. Joseph the Worker, will be conducting the
5-8 boys’ choir.
Students will be nominated
by their music teacher/director in January, 2010. The committee will
then confirm nominations and send letters of congratulations in early
March. Students will be expected to thoroughly rehearse music with their
music teacher/director before the Convention so that everyone can focus
on ensemble sound and musicality at the Honor Choir event.
|
Fees for the
Catholic All-State Honor Choirs
$45 per
participant
Includes all
meals! |
|
Special Parent
Rate for Attending Convention:
$65 per person
Includes breakfast and lunch! |
Students who are nominated
should be able to:
-
(in grades 9-12) sight-sing a simple melody
-
(in grades 9-12) sing in 3- or 4-part
harmony
-
(in grades 5-8) should know how to read
a
score (e.g. follow their part)
-
(in grades 5-8) sing in 2-part harmony
-
have a demonstrated
commitment to
choral singing within the Catholic community
(e.g.
already be a participant in a Catholic choir)
-
Students need to have excellent pitch-
matching
ability
Parents of students in the
Honor Choirs will have the opportunity to register for the Convention
and attend sessions geared towards them!
Dr. Axel Theimer
Aaron Carpenter
Teri Larson
9-12
Honors Choir
5-8 Boys' Choir
5-8 Girls' Choir
