January 2017
Anne Chambers
High School Band Director
Ben Chambers
Academy Band Director
Craig Goettle
6th Grade Band & Steel Drum Director
Vicky Boechler
HS and Academy Choral Director
A Newsletter for Parents &Friends of St. Mary’s High School and Academy Music Students &Faculty
UPCOMING EVENTS:
Jan. 4: Music Parents meeting (all are welcome) ~ 5pm Band room
Jan. 5: Pep band plays for GBB/BBB; report time is 5:15, games start at 6pm
Jan. 6-7: NDMEA All-State Auditions ~ BSC
Jan. 17: Pep band plays for GBB/BBB; report time is 5:15, games start at 6pm
Jan. 19: BBB Pep Band w/ the 8th grade band members; Report @ 6:30 p.m.
Music Parents will be sponsoring a “Taters and Toppings” supper from 5-7:30pm
in the cafeteria (loaded baked potatoes: $5, root beer floats: $1)
Jan. 23-24: University of Mary Jazz Fest (HS and Academy Jazz bands and SM Blues);
performance times TBD
Jan. 29-Feb. 4: Catholic Schools Week
Feb. 1: Music Parents meeting (all are welcome) ~ 5pm
Feb. 3-4: NDACDA Honor Choirs ~ Fargo
All p a re n ts o f b a n d a n d c h o ir s tu d e n ts a re c o n s id e re d p a rt o f th e S MC HS Mu s ic P a re n ts
As s o c ia tio n . T h is in c lu d e s a ll Ac a d e m y a n d Hig h S c h o o l b a n d s , s te e l d ru m b a n d , a n d a ll
c h o irs . O u r w o rk s u p p o rts n o t o n ly o u r c h ild re n in th e m u s ic p ro g ra m , b u t a ls o th e ir
in s tru c to rs . P le a s e a tte n d o u r m e e tin g s to le a n a b o u t e v e n ts th a t a re h a p p e n in g th ro u g h o u t
th e y e a r th a t s u p p o rt o u r m u s ic s tu d e n ts . We w ill b e d is c u s s in g th e u p c o m in g “Mark Your
Calendars” at o u r firs t Mu s ic P a re n t Me e tin g o f th e y e a r o n J a n . 4 th a t 5 p m . Me e tin g d a te s a n d
tim e s , a lo n g w ith b o a rd m e m b e rs a n d m in u te s fro m th e m e e tin g s , a re fo u n d u n d e r th e
“parents” tab on the school website (ww w.s m c h s .o rg ) We lo o k fo rw a rd to s e e in g y o u !
Congratulations!
Congratulations to our Academy Singers! Four students were selected to participate in the
NDACDA Honor Choirs. These students are: Megha Bharadwaj, Rachel Bleth, Sydney
Goettle, and Rachel Rusch. The singers will travel to Fargo in February and sing in mixed
and treble choirs under wonderful guest conductors.
Choir News:
SMCHS will be sending a quartet of Concert Choir Men
to the HS and Collegiate Men’s Choir in conjunction with the
NDACDA in Fargo next month. The choir will be conducted by
world-reknown Dr. Eph Ehly.
The St. Mary’s Blues will be performing Monday
afternoon, January 23, for the University of Mary Jazz
Festival. The Jazz Festival Concert with the guest artists, held
Sunday & Monday evening, is open to the public. You can acquire tickets through University of
Mary Music Department. The World renowned “New York Voices” will be performing. They are
amazing. We will keep you posted with an actual SM Blues performance time when we receive our
assigned slot.
The Concert Choir will be singing for the Catholic Schools Week Liturgy at Cathedral of the Holy
Spirit. This will be February 2, which is the Feast of the Presentation. Mass begins at 9 am and our
celebrant is Most Reverend Bishop David D Kagan.
Congratulations to all vocalists that successfully auditioned for the NDMEA All-State Choirs. The
students put a tremendous amount of work into this process and it is a joy to see them grow in
confidence, technique, and expression.
Where can I find information?
Here are all the places you can find information to stay up to date on band and choir
events!
www.smchs.org – click on “Parents” and then either “music parents association” or
“upbeat”
www.lightofchristschools.org – under “Our Schools”, you will find links for both the
Academy and SMCHS
Facebook – “like” the SMCHS Music Parents Association https://www.facebook.com/groups/582238185235254/
If you have anything you would like added to future Upbeat issues, please email our
Media Relations Coordinator at [email protected] .
MAESTRO CLUB MEMBERSHIP
If you haven’t already done so, we would like to invite you to consider becoming a
member of the “Maestro Club”. Membership allows ticket holder and guests into all
concerts (band and choir). All members are identified by level of contribution in our
concert programs.
Composer Level $100 +
Conductor Level $50 - $99
Performer Level $25 - $49
Finally, it’s important to note that your contribution as a Maestro Club member is “tax
deductible”. Don’t delay – become a Maestro Club member today! Send your payment
payable to the SMCHS Music Department in the denomination of your choice. If you
have any questions, please don’t hesitate to call Mrs. Chambers or Mrs. Boechler for
more information at 223- 4113.