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    After School Vocal Ensembles- Ms. Ruffalo, Advisor 
     
    What is Chamber Choir?
     
    - "Chamber" refers to a small sized vocal ensemble. Our Chamber Choir meets once per week after school. 
     
    Our Mixed Chorus is our large choral experience that takes place every day during the school day. Chamber Choir is an ensemble of 18-20 selected members.  
     
    Chamber Choir is an ensemble for students who are seeking a more intimate vocal experience and the chance to experience more challenging and rewarding vocal music literature. We work hard and have such a wonderful time WHILE we're working hard.  Sounds impossible?  It's not!
     
    Chamber Choir invites all musicians to audition!
     
    Sometimes students just don't have time in their daily schedule for Mixed Chorus, OR they may only have time for one ensemble, such as Chamber Orchestra, String Orchestra, Concert Band, and Symphonic Band.  And YES, we invite 9th graders who are committed to performing vocal music in a challenging and inspiring environment to audition.
     
    Auditions will be held in September.
    Details will follow....  come on back and check it out!
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
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    Auditions for Chamber Choir  2024- 2025
     
    Dates to audition: TBA:  
     
     
    Come by room 181 to sign up on my door and read all posted audition information.
     
     
     
     
     
    After school ensemble reheasrals will begin: TBA
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
    After School Vocal Ensembles- Ms. Ruffalo, Advisor 
     
    Read everything here that you have not already read and keep scrolling for what you are seeking.  
     
     
     
     
     
     
    AUDITIONS: 
     
    Sign up for the earliest possible time slot.  
     
     
    Please sign in pencil.  
    Come a bit early- You will fill out a form that you will hand me when you come into your audition.
    PLEASE BE ON TIME FOR YOUR AUDITION.
    Let me know if you require a Late Buss Pass when you enter the room.
     
    Sign up for a 5-minute time slot.
     
    Be prepared also with 8-16 measures of a piece you know WELL.
    Performing memorized is ideal.
    You may not sing while reading lyrics off your phone or tablet
    You may bring actual sheet music
     
    Be prepared also to sight read
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     Chamber Choir - Director, Ms. Ruffalo
     
     
     
    Please read the accountability memo below.
     
     
    REMINDER FOR ACCOUNTABILITY:
     
    You all have 2-3 ways to contact me directly:
    1.  Stop by and see me
    2.  E mail me (this is best choice so that we have a record)
    3. Text message
     
    It is YOUR job and no one else's to let me know in advance if you can not make a rehearsal.  
    Please let me know as soon as possible.  Do NOT alert me 15 minutes or less before rehearsal begins (unless emergency dictates)
     
    If you MISS a rehearsal, you must notify me within a reasonable amount of time.  24 hours or less.
     
    Please do not send messages through friends.  It is YOUR job to notify me of absences.  
    You've done an excellent job so far this year- it's going to get harder, so keep up the good work!
     
    IDEA:  set an alarm for every rehearsal day for Ensembles  (I do!) Put us in your calendar!!!
     
     
     
    ***************************************
     
    ATTENDANCE:  
     
    For all after-school ensembles, if you are aware that you will be missing a rehearsal, please speak to me in person or e mail me at candice.ruffalo@wcsdny.org
     
     
    If you have a sudden emergency, please contact me as soon as you can OR be sure to follow up immediately if you are not at a rehearsal. We like to know that you're okay.  
     
     
     COMMITMENT IS KEY: we are a performing ensemble!
     
    If you miss a rehearsal and we are not informed ahead of time, it is YOUR responsibility to reach out to us immediately and let us know why you missed a rehearsal.  Emergencies DO happen and they are understood.
     
    Remember, that all of these folks are GIVING UP THEIR PERSONAL TIME to be a part of an exciting ensemble and team.  If we can not count on members following through on the commitment to the ensemble, then you may be asked by the adviser to leave the ensemble and perhaps try again next year.
     
    If you skip a rehearsal for any reason and have made no attempt to follow through on communicating why you couldn't be with us, you MAY be asked to leave the ensemble.
     
     If you skip more than one rehearsal and have made no attempt at communicating with your adviser, you may be asked to leave the group.
     
     Missing performances without an excuse may also result in your being asked to leave the group.
     
    ACCOUNTABILITY is just as important as attendance. PLEASE CONTINUE TO BE ACCOUNTABLE. 
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
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