Auditions planned for Madison Sixth-Grade Honor Chorus

Auditions for the Madison City Sixth-Grade Honor Chorus will be held on Jan. 31 at Mill Creek Elementary School. This photo shows the 2013 honor chorus performing at the arts festival. (RECORD PHOTO/GREGG PARKER)

MADISON – Upcoming auditions will place children among some of the best young voices in Madison City Schools.

“We are very excited to be able to offer sixth-graders the opportunity to participate in the third annual Madison City Sixth-Grade Honor Chorus in the upcoming spring semester,” Kristina Newsome said on behalf of fellow music teachers.

Madison’s elementary music educators are coordinating the chorus organization. These teachers are Newsome, who works at Heritage and West Madison elementary schools; Traci Stewart, Horizon and Mill Creek elementary schools; Dani Breitbarth, Columbia and Rainbow elementary schools; and Audra Loftin, Madison Elementary School.

The honor chorus will perform during the Madison City Schools Arts Festival on April 30 in Zompa Auditorium at Bob Jones High School. A second performance is planned at James Clemens High School on May 5.

At the 2013 arts festival, the sixth-grade chorus enteretained the audience with several song, including a rendition of Pharrell Williams’ “Happy” with choreography.

Chorus auditions will be held on Jan. 31 at Mill Creek Elementary School from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. To sign up, visit signupgenius.com/go/60b084faaa72ea64-madison.

Judges will assign scores base on singing C major scale ascending and descending, one chosen piece and excerpts from a required song, “Arirang,” verse 2. Judges will consider presentation, accuracy and musicianship.

“Students may choose a piece to sing that showcases their own unique vocal talents for the judges,” Newsome said. In audition, a student should be confident, make eye contact, sing with accuracy and show individual personality.

Students can audition a capella or with an accompanist that the student provides to play piano or guitar. An audition will last about five minutes.

Honor chorus rehearsals will be held at Mill Creek Elementary School after school on Thursdays, beginning Feb. 12 and ending April 23 with a dress rehearsal at Bob Jones.

For an information packet about auditions, visit ces.madisoncity.k12.al.us and click the sixth-grade chorus link (or other school websites). A student’s music teacher can provide more details.