August 14, 2014
Aloha, 3rd, 4th and 5th grade Kamehameha Families,
The Kamehameha Keiki Choir will begin rehearsals for the 2013-2014 on August 21st for new choir members. Former choir members begin on Tuesday August 26th. Your child is invited to be a part of this wonderful musical experience. Members of the Keiki Choir perform at school concerts, Ekalasia, special events, ‘Aha Mele, the all school musical and some community events. As musical ambassadors from the Kula Ha’aha’a we strive for the highest level of musicianship and decorum as we often represent our school in the community.
Ms. Richardson has again agreed to accompany us on the piano. As the need arises, Ms. Richardson has also agreed to continue to coach any interested choir students in tap, ballet and modern dance this year as well.
JOINING CHOIR: There is no audition to join Keiki Choir. Rehearsals are held twice a week afterschool in the music room, M.S. band room or on the Haʻaeamahi stage from 2:45- 3:40 on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons. Occasionally additional rehearsals are scheduled. Any deviation in the original schedule is announced well ahead of time through our automated school phone messenger service, email or hard copy.
REGISTRATION: Thanks to Mrs. Cordeiro and Ms. Richardson our choir registration will again be on line this year. Please go to: http://goo.gl/cd07U6. to register your child or you can reach this link on the music blog at: http://blogs.ksbe.edu/cydebus. Even if you registered your child last year you must re-register this year. If you do not have internet access please let me know and I will send home a hard copy of the registration sheet for you.
CHAMBER CHOIR RETURNING THIS YEAR: I am pleased to be able to offer an additional small chamber choir option in addition to the Keiki Choir. This will be an auditioned group and will be working on a select repertoire. All members of the chamber choir must be members and will be selected from the Keiki Choir. Your child will be notified if they are invited to join the chamber choir in a few weeks.
KULEANA: I realize that our keiki have very busy lives and choir may conflict with family schedules. That said, I am always happy to try to work out temporary conflicts such as (Keiki Hula rehearsals, baseball, soccer, volleyball seasonal practices and championship games etc.) so that every child who wants to sing is able to do so.
There is quite a bit of kuleana as a choir member so please consider the decision to join the choir carefully. We are planning to use the same choir outfit as last year therefore if the old one fits there is no need to buy a new one. However, if your child has grown and the muʻu muʻu is short, please replace it. I have some gently used choir outfits for sale as well. Details regarding choir outfits will be sent home shortly.
Choir rehearsal is pau at 3:40; please plan to pick up your child at that time from the bus ramp. At 3:55 an EA will escort any remaining students to our school A+ program at a nominal daily rate. This policy is for your child’s safety.
GRADES: Choir members must keep current with their schoolwork or risk being removed from choir. Re-entry into choir is left to the discretion of their teachers. If your child is in Holomua they will not be able to be in choir at this time.
ALL SCHOOL MUSICAL: Openauditionsfor the school musicalFiddler on the Roofwere held this past spring. The main characters were cast, however 4th and 5th grade members of the choir will again be invited to part of the chorus for this fun show. Participation in the musical is not a mandatory part of being in Keiki Choir.
PARENT INVOLVEMENT: We have a wonderful Keiki Choir board who will be instrumental working with the choir. However, we also need day to day help with rehearsals. More information on how you can volunteer to help will be coming out shortly. I hope that you and your child will consider being part of the Keiki Choir ‘ohana, I believe it will be a very rewarding experience for your child and for your family.
Please call or email me with ANY questions or comments that you may have regarding Keiki Choir. I will be happy to work with you so that your child can have a wonderful experience in choir this year.
I am looking forward to “E ho’oho olioli oukou” (“make a joyful noise” Psalm 100) with your child this year.
Aloha,
Cynthia Debus 982-0271 cydebus@ksbe.edu