PROMO VIDEO
VOCE CHAMBER SINGERS 
LOTS OF PHOTOS AVAILABLE!
PARENTS: WE NEED YOU TO COMMUNICATE NOW!
There are three issues that need immediate attention from our high school parents — not just those with students participating in fine arts, but all parents!
Click here for a discussion of the issues and information for communicating our concerns.
FACE Advocacy continues! Click here for info and updates ...
Ithaca College Choir to Present
Free Concert
Tuesday, March 16
7:30 p.m.
Herndon United Methodist Church
700 Bennett Street, Herndon VA
The program, under the direction of Lawrence Doebler, explores “Dreams.” The central work on the program explores the dream of peace as expressed in Ralph Vaughan Williams’ Dona Nobis Pacem. There will also be music of Eric Whitacre, Norman Dinerstein, African American folk songs, and the choir’s annual commissioned work, “Gravity’s Dream” by Steven Stucky, all exploring different aspects of dreams.
The concert is free and open to the public. The Herndon High School Madrigal Singers also will perform.
The Ithaca College Choir is recognized through its annual tour and many campus appearances as one of the most innovative ensembles at the collegiate level.
Broadway Cabaret 2010
LOTS OF PHOTOS POSTED!
PHOTOS BY MELANIE MILLER-CVILIKAS
PHOTOS BY ADRIAN MORGAN | PROGRAM
Above: Top, left: "The Little Things"; right: "Finale B." Bottom, left: "C'mon Everybody"; right: "My Boyfriend's Back." Below: The 2010 Broadway Cabaret Cast. Photos by Melanie Miller-Cvilikas (Thursday, Jan. 28, performance).
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WINTER CONCERT PHOTOS
The Winter Concert, presented on Thursday, Jan. 7, 2010, was rescheduled from Dec. 21, 2009, due to the snow storm. Despite the postponement, the program was a celebration of seasonal music.
Catherine Frank (above, left), music education student at George Mason University, worked with Ms. Van Slyke during the 2nd quarter and was a guest conductor at the concert. Middle: "Sleigh Ride." Right: The Shebees, Herndon Choir's new all-women a cappella ensemble, in their debut performance. (Photos by Melanie Miller-Cvilikas)
Hava Nageela was performed by the combined choirs, featuring a dance by the Show Choir that incorporated traditional and contemporary movements (choreographed by Lindsay Gross and Melissa Simkol). (Photo by Adrian Morgan)
MORE PHOTOS HERE | FLICKr PHOTOS HERE | PROGRAM
Help Save Music Programs in Fairfax County Public Schools!
Jan. 31 Letter from Denny Stokes, FACE Boosters Chair:
Click here >
"The Bottom Line" Read Feb. 5 issue here >
"The Bottom Line" is a new e-newsletter that will be sent to all FCPS parents and employees and interested citizens every two weeks while the budget for next school year (FY 2011) is proposed, discussed, and approved. The second issue features a story on FCPS’ revenue sources, two rumor busters, and an announcement of the upcoming School Board Budget Forum.
Oppose the Proposed LCI Delay! Contact Governor McDonnell & state-elected officials now
Please take a minute to advocate for our schools and county this week. It doesn't take long and could help secure $61 million in direct education funding for Fairfax County! Call or email your state-elected officials regarding the proposal to delay the readjustment to the funding formula called the LCI (local composite index), which is the formula used to determine state funding to our schools.
Click here for entire article ...
Budget Hearing Dates Set — Speakers Needed!
The speakers docket for the Board of Supervisor's Budget Hearings is now open. The School Board will give it's presentation on Tuesday, April 6 at 6:00 p.m. We need speaker's to sign-up to speak that night in favor of the Superintendent's proposed budget for the school system. If you are not inclined to speak, please mark your calendar and consider attending the board meeting to "stand in support" for the school budget (more info to follow on this opportunity).
The hearings are held over three days. The Tuesday hearing starts at 7:00. Wednesday and Thursday, the hearings begin at 3:00 p.m. It would be best to get on the docket for Tuesday the 6th to reflect support for the school budget in particular.
Our general message should be that we (residents) are willing to support a tax increase to pay for the budget submitted for FCPS schools. That includes the requested additional transfer of $57.8 million to cover the programs outlined by the Superintendent as "in jeopardy" if the additional funds are not provided.
Sign up by calling 703-324 3151 or by going to http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/government/board/
In the middle of the center window and under "Meetings and Agendas" - click the link "Register to Speak".
WHO: Board of Supervisors
WHEN: Tuesday, April 6, 7:00 (following School Board presentation at 6:00 p.m.)
Wednesday, April 7, 3:00 p.m -??
Thursday, April 8, 3:00 -??
WHAT: speakers needed - sign up NOW
WHERE: Fairfax County Govt. Center
WHY: The BOS must be willing to approve Dr. Dale's budget to support school programs, including an increase transfer of $57.8 million
HOW: Call 703-324-3151 or http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/government/board/ Click on Board of Supervisors. Under Meetings and Agendas - click on register to speak. Try to get on the Monday night docket, if possible.
If you do get a spot on the docket, and are willing to participate as a Fairfax Arts Coalition for Education representative (or are willing to allow FACE to use your spot), please notify Mary Wagner at mscello@cox.net.
Your Help Is Still Needed!
Budget shortfalls could eliminate band and orchestra programs in elementary schools
FCPS will have a $171 million shortfall in their budget for the 2010-2011 school year. Among the budget cuts being considered is elimination of the entire band and strings programs in the elementary schools.
This is a travesty in many ways. It means the obvious of losing the programs that serve 28,000 students county-wide, and cutting jobs (over 140 music teachers). In addition, there is data to show that when the elementary program is cut, the secondary program is depleted by 65% within two years.
Read this article from the Nov. 3 Fairfax Times:
www.fairfaxtimes.com/cms/story.php?id=492
Support the Fairfax Arts Coalition of Education (FACE)
Visit their website: www.faceadvocacy.org
FACE is working keep the music and arts programs alive in our schools. FACE is made up of the leaders of our subject organizations in Fairfax County: Chorus, Band, Orchestra, General Music, Art, Dance, and Theatre Arts at all three levels – elementary, middle, and high school.
FACE is forming a county-wide, cross-discipline advocacy group of parents, teachers, and students who will attend community budget meetings and help achieve the goal of collecting 10,000 signatures on their petition, "Save our Fairfax County Public Schools band and strings."
Here's What You Can Do!
- Join the FACE Facebook group, "Save Fairfax Band and Strings." Get information and updates, and share your opinion.
http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/group.php?gid=164688442731
- Sign the petition, and ask others to sign it, too! The goal is 10,000 signatures!
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/2/save-our-fairfax-county-public-schools-band-and-strings-programs
(The petition also can be accessed from the Facebook page.)
- Attend community budget meetings.
Check the Facebook page for the calendar of all scheduled meetings. These meetings inform the community of the dire budget situation in Fairfax County. After the budget issues are presented, attendees get in groups to discuss budget cuts. There are no scheduled speakers.
- Contact local School Board member Jane K. Strauss:
Advocacy Works!
Read how advocacy helped save two music programs in Nevada:
http://www.supportmusic.com/drjohn/archive/2009-11-01.mhtml
District XII Chorus Audition Results
On Saturday, November 7, singers from high schools throughout VMEA's District XII auditioned for the District XII Chorus. From among the 14 high schools in the district, 50 Herndon Choir singers were selected, as well as 5 alternates. COMPLETE LIST OF AUDITION RESULTS >
Listed below are some cool honors earned by our singers!
- Mary Peterson (Soprano 2) ranked #2 in the district
- Hannah Glass (Alto 1) ranked #1 in the district
- Sara Talebian (Alto 1) ranked #2 in the district
- Joey Truncale (Tenor 1) ranked #1 in the district
- Andy Raoufi (Tenor 2) ranked #1 in the district
District XII Chorus will be held February 11–13, 2010, at Oakton High School. All-State Choir auditions will be held for juniors and seniors during the event, on February 11. MORE INFO >
Congratulations to everyone who auditioned. I am very proud of you! —Ms. Van Slyke
FALL SAMPLER CONCERT PHOTOS
Photos by Adrian Morgan > | Photos by Melanie Miller-Cvilikas > | PROGRAM >
Ms. Van Slyke Shares Success with Special Ed in
Choral Program
"I ask myself at the start of school year how I will make this experience legitimate for all and have high expectations for everyone." –Dana Van Slyke
Ms. Van Slyke was interviewed recently for a series of articles published on the National Association for Music Education (MENC) website. The three-part series, "Success with Special Learners," addresses the inclusion of special education students in the choral music classroom:
Part 1: One Member's Tale
Part 2: Going with the Flow
Part 3: The Bigger Picture and Purpose
All articles: http://www.menc.org/v/chorus/success-with-special-learners-going-with-the-flow
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The articles were written by Sue Rarus and published on the MENC website on October 7, 14, and 21, 2009.State Honors Choir Audition Results
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Congratulations to seniors Sara Talebian,
Senior singers from around the state gathered at Longwood University in Farmville, Virginia, on Saturday, October 3, to audition. Singers auditioned individually by voice part for collegiate judges.
Also to be congratulated are Trevor Morgan and
The Virginia Music Educators' Association (VMEA) Conference will be held at The Homestead in Hot Springs, Va., in November. As part of the VMEA conference, the selected students will participate in the Honors Choir event and perform in a concert. The conductor will be Dr. Craig Jessop of Utah State Univ. (formerly of Mormon Tabernacle Choir); Mr. Melvin Goodwyn of Woodbridge, Va., will accompany. —————————— Ms. Van Slyke (aka "Mama V") celebrated her birthday during the audition weekend. |
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