Dear Fry 4th-5th Grade Parents,
I am excited to invite your children to sing in the Fry Chorus! I consider it an honor and a privilege to serve as the 2016-2017 chorus director. My passion is music and kids, and in the chorus atmosphere that combination explodes into engaging rehearsals that will give your child the fundamentals of vocal technique and ensemble singing. Our district's 4th-12th grade chorus program is one that, as a professional music educator, I highly value for its consistency in and commitment to excellence.
Chorus is beneficial for every student. We were born to sing and to connect to one another through music! Chorus is an essential introduction to ensemble performance for any student considering a performance ensemble in middle or high school (band, orchestra, or chorus). Essential skills such as music literacy, ear training, ensemble balance, expression, diction, communication, and creative problem solving are primary focuses. These skills will well prepare your children for future performance experiences. Many times, I receive questions from parents regarding if their child should take voice lessons at this age, and my answer is consistent: save yourself the money and just get them in chorus! Guided ensemble singing will improve their singing voice.
Starting on September 8th, we will rehearse in the Fry multipurpose room every Thursday from 8:00-8:50 AM. However, please drop your child off at 7:50 at Door #2 since we will START at 8:00. Students should not arrive prior to 7:50 AM since I will not be available to supervise them. This year, there will be a three week "intermission" in September/October in which we will NOT rehearse. My wife and I are expecting our 5th baby, so I will be taking some time off to be at home with our new baby girl! An announcement will be made when that "intermission" will begin.
Attendance at rehearsals is vitally important to the success of our ensemble and to the musical development of each individual chorus member. We learn new music each week, and missing a rehearsal means missing valuable learning time. Of course, I understand that there are occasional unavoidable circumstances and illnesses that may necessitate your child missing a rehearsal. If your child must miss rehearsal, please email me the morning of his/her absence No parental contact will be recorded as an unexcused absence, and upon two (2) or more unexcused absences your child’s participation in the concert will be at my discretion.
We are getting NEW chorus shirts this year! Please send $10 cash or check (with phone number written on it) made payable to Fry School with your child on the first rehearsal. THE PAYMENT MUST BE IN A SEALED ENVELOP LABELLED WITH YOUR CHILD’S NAME. In the online sign-up, there will be a place to indicate shirt size. Our performance attire will be nice jeans and our new chorus shirts, so it is imperative that every child orders one. Thank you! I’m looking forward to a great year!
Sincerely,
Ryan Henry
Fry Chorus, Director
ryan_henry@ipsd.org630.428.7412
