DIRECTOR’S PODIUM DECEMBER 2015 (VOL. 140 of 140)

Season’s greetings parents and students!

I am reminded by the cold outside that things are heating up here in the Choral Department at MCHS! Here is what will be happening in the next few weeks:

1) The Winter Choral Concert will be held on Tues. Dec. 8 th at 7:00pm in the Performing Arts Center at MCHS. Groups featured will be our Treble Choir, Mixed Choir, Women’s Chorale, Concert Choir, JV Madrigals, Varsity Madrigals, Vocal Menace and our combined choirs singing a selection from “The Messiah”. Students are asked to meet in the Performing Arts Center at 6:00pm to warm-up and rehearse our combined selection together. As a reminder, each school concert is required for the student’s grade (per the Choir Handbook) and students are reminded to wear their appropriate attire for the concert. Attire is to be returned and hung up after the concert is over and before students leave for the evening. Please remember that concert etiquette needs to be observed by all concert attendees for the students to have the best experience on stage as they perform. Women’s Chorale parents are in charge of the Bake Sale and manning doors for this concert and Mixed Choir is in charge of clean-up of the PAC after the concert. Admission is free and we hope you will be able to bring your friends and family to this great evening of music!

2) The 19 th Annual Madrigal Dinner will be held on Sat. Dec. 12 th at 6:30pm and Sun. Dec. 13 th at 1:00pm in the Great Banquet Hall (the MCHS Cafetorium!). The event includes both Madrigal groups and all our choirs singing Christmas and other Madrigal selections, amidst a fabulous feast to dine on, and a humorous and reflective script to enjoy throughout the evening. Reservations for the dinner are $24.00 for adults, $18.00 for senior citizens and students (13-21), $13.00 for children 12 and under. Please go to the MCHS website www.mchs.net and order online at the Webstore, call (815) 467-2140 x279 until Dec. 8th for reservation information or by downloading an order form from the MCHS Choir website at www.mchschoir.org. Checks can be made out to MCHS Choir Boosters and please remember to check off the correct date for which day you wish to come! Students are reminded to return checks and reservations as soon as possible. Don’t miss out on this wonderful holiday tradition!

If your student is participating in the Madrigal dinner as a singer, actor, beggar, minstrel, server or other, here are some mandatory dates parents and students will need to know to attend for the dinner:

1. Mon. Dec. 7 th -Cafetorium 4:00-5:30-Script rehearsal-All actors, singers-various sections 3.Wed. Dec. 9 th - Cafetorium-3:10-5:45 JV, Vars. Mads, beggars, pages and cast-Run through whole show!4. Thurs. Dec. 10 th -Cafetorium-3:00-4:45pm-Varsity Mads-MADRIGAL CONCERT DRESS REHEARSAL!5. Fri. Dec. 11 th -3:10-6:00pmVars. Mads, Servers, JV Mads, beggars, pages, cast-Dinner Dress reh-Cafetorium6. Fri. Dec. 11 th -6:00-9:00pm Madrigal Dinner Set-up-Parents and students-Cafetorium7. Sat. Dec. 12 th -19th Annual Madrigal Dinner-4:30-8:30pm (Everyone reports-Dinner starts at 6:30pm)8. Sun. Dec. 13 th -19th Annual Madrigal Dinner 11:30am-3:00pm DINNER! (Everyone reports-Dinner ends around 3:00pm-All help with clean-up and take down at the end.)

Students working the dinner will be fed as a “thank you” for their hard work and willingness to help, as will cast members be fed for their time put into the program. Many thanks to our parents and students for helping in the many areas of the dinner to make it happen. Please invite your friends to come and be a part of the festivities!

3) On Monday, November 23, there was an informational meeting regarding our upcoming musical, Les Miserables . The meeting addressed audition procedure, commitment and rehearsal schedule. Auditions are to be held Mon. Dec. 14 from 3:10-9:00pm, Tues. Dec. 16 from 3:05-8:00pm and Wed. Dec. 17 from 1:10-7:00pm. This production is a major time commitment and will require much of the students’ time from Jan. 4 until Mar. 19 th . Students need to return the parental and student forms by the day of auditions to be able to audition. We are very excited about this show and hope you will be too!

4) Congratulation to our IMEA Dist. 1 Choir students who performed on Sat. Nov. 21st at the IMEA Dist. 1 Music Festival at Elmhurst College on an incredibly snowy day. They put on two wonderful concerts! They are:

Angel Mirkov-9/10 Honors Choir Nate Zurawski-Sr. ChorusDorothy Ocran-Sarsah-9/10 Honors Choir Christian Jackson-Sr, Chorus Sean Dudson-9/10 Honors Choir Nate Garner-Sr, ChorusDJ Hilt-9/10 Honors Choir Francesca Raddatz-Sr. ChorusKayla McComb-Sr. Orchestra Ben Dow-Sr. ChorusLizzy Murray-Sr-Chorus Gabbi Vazquez-Sr. Chorus

A great honor has been bestowed on Lizzy Murray, Christian Jackson and Nate Garner who have been selected after auditioning for our All-State Choir to be held on Jan. 28-30th in Peoria for the All-State Music Conference.

5) A HUGE thanks you to our Craft Fair committee, parents and students for their wonderful work at the Annual Choir Booster Craft Fair on Sat. Nov. 7th. Over 125 crafters and vendors came to our event this year and over 1400 people visited the Craft Fair this year. A huge success! A hearty thank you and a great job done by Johana Richart, Brenda Cichon and the committee, parents and students!

Parents, thanks for all your help with fundraising, your time, and your commitment to the great choral students at MCHS. Remember to spread the word about our upcoming events and we hope to see you there! Have a wonderful holidays!

Randy BenwareDirector of MCHS Choirs

MCHS CHOIR BOOSTERSMeeting Minutes of November 17, 2015

Booster President, Nadine Baxter, called the meeting to order at 7:07 pm.

Secretary’s Report: Attendees are asked to review the minutes from the 10-20-15 Booster meeting. Vanessa Holloway motioned to approve the minutes; Wendy Anderson seconded the motion. Motion carried.

Treasurer’s Report: Attendees also reviewed the current Treasurer’s Report. Lauri Rhoades motioned to approve the report; Wendy Anderson seconded the motion. Motion carried.

Director’s report:

Last week, 36 students attended the madrigal festival at ISU. They listened to other groups sing and attended clinics. Clinicians provided good information to the students. Good opportunity for students to get to know each other better.

Then, next day 5 students attended the IMEA Jazz Festival at Lincoln-Way North. The students performed Saturday afternoon and attended a vocal jazz lab.

Thursday, November 19, Concert Choir goes to the Southwest Prairie Conference Choral Festival at Plainfield North. Their performance with a clinic to follow, and a live performance for the other schools will be part of the day. The students get to critique the other choirs and listen to the clinician direct the other choirs. Students received a packet today. They’ll miss first & second periods, but be back in time for 4th hour.

Saturday Nov. 21, the Sr. Chorus and 9-10 honors choir students are going to IMEA District 1 musical festival at Elmhurst College. Concert is at 4 pm. Seats will fill up quickly. If parents are taking their students home, they must first have the form completed online and check in with Mr. Benware.

The students who make it to the State program in January will be called this week.

Tuesday December 8 at 7pm is the Winter Choral Concert. Friday December 11 is dress rehearsal for all choir students in Madrigal Dinner. This will be followed by setup.

This year, the choirs will be split to serve/clear at the Madrigal Dinners. Saturday, Treble and Concert choir students will work, and Chorale and Mixed choirs will serve on Sunday.

Spring Musical: On Monday, November 23, all students who want to be in crew and cast must attend this meeting. Forms will be distributed at that time. Audition signups will be immediately after that information meeting. Auditions will be December 14th - 15th - 16th. This is during final exams week. Goal is to have the cast list posted on Friday before break. Those who are selected for the cast will need to pick up the script before leaving for Christmas break.

Special thanks to the chairs of the Craft Fair.

JV Madrigals will sing on Sun. December 6 at the Channahon tree lighting from 3-5pm, and on Saturday December 5th, Varsity Madrigals will sing for the Minooka Village Christmas at 6:30pm and on Thursday, 12/17 at 6:30pm Varsity Madrigals will sing for the school board.

President’s Report:

Nadine Baxter reported that this year’s craft fair was a huge success! The raffle baskets were truly beautiful. We received great comments from vendors on their vendor surveys. We have a great reputation among our crafters. The crafters most appreciated seeing the student involvement.

Boosters is looking for chairs and co-chairs for next year.

Vanessa Holloway and Lana Purcell will coordinate the raffle basket and solicitation portions of the event, and Molly Babyak has graciously agreed to take over the vendor portion. For January’s meeting, we can further discuss other areas which will require parents to volunteer in this, our largest fundraising effort.

Winter Concert, December 8: Brenda reported the need for someone to chair the bake sale for the Winter Concert. Otherwise, there won’t be a bake sale. Candy & Corn, which used to be Sweets & Treats, donates 25% of their sales to our organization. They should sell at the end of the concert only. Motion to have Candy & Corn provide concessions in the absence of someone to coordinate the bake sale was made by Vanessa Holloway, with Lana Pursell seconding the motion. Motion carried.

Boosters will sell water.

Ushers and backstage help are needed.

Madrigal Dinner: Volunteers are needed. Lisa Burgess and Lauri Rhoades are chairing and they circulated a printout showing the different jobs, who is working in each job, and which still need to be filled.

Reservations: Available online and paper.

Four beggar tunics seem to be missing from last year. These are thick black long tunics. If anyone knows where they may be, please see Mr. Benware. It’s possible they were just mispacked. UPDATE: They were found, as a parent had taken them to get washed!!

Sponsorship ads are due as soon as possible. Pricing for ads is lower than previous years.

Couple pictures and the group picture will be available on the website: www.MCHSChoir.org

Fundraising:Baker Square: We still have gift cards for pies. People must turn in money and cards in by next Tuesday, 11-24. Neena Hilt is coordinating this fundraiser.

Savory Foods: Brenda reported it’s going really well. Students will make approximately$5 per item sold. Delivery will be to the school on December 9. That’s the madrigal dress rehearsal day. Items can be picked up in the choir room at 3:30. It will be sorted by student’s name. Remember: Items must be refrigerated as soon as possible.

Mr. Benware also spoke about two different fundraising opportunities:

“60-minute fundraiser”. Students sit in a room for one hour and sell items from a brochure. They text/call people they think may buy the items. When they make a sale, they get some type of prize.

Another one was done by the choir program in Oswego. The students sell mattresses. The mattress company sets up a ‘showroom’ in the school. The Oswego school made $3,000 in one day! The choral director said it was the easiest fundraiser he’d ever done.

Pampered Chef:Lana Purcell generously offered a Pampered Chef fundraiser. It’s simple and on-line, and the full catalog is available. She would donate her commission, on top of the amount Pampered Chef donates. If orders are turned by 12-15, items are guaranteed delivery by 12-24. Items are shipped directly. Booster parents can send the link to friends/family. Party would close by 12/15. This was widely thought to be a good idea; approval is needed from Kim Swanson. More will be reported later when information is available.

Booster meeting concluded at 8:05. Next Booster meeting January 19 at 7 pm in the career center.

Respectfully submitted,Johana Richart, Secretary

MCHS CHOIR BOOSTERS NOTES AND NEEDS

1. Popcorn and Cookie Dough pick-up will be on Wed. Dec. 9th in the Choir Room from 3-6pm. Please pick up your items as soon as possible after school to deliver your items to those customers you sold to. The items are to be kept cold or frozen so please plan accordingly with your items.

2. Winter Choral Concert Usher help! We could use a couple more parents to help usher (monitor) the PAC doors during the concert. Please let Brenda Cichon know (beans70@sbcglobal.net) as soon as possible. Thanks for you help!

3. There will be NO Bake Sale at this concert. The company Candy and Corn will be selling treats before and after the concert that you will be able to take home at the end of the concert evening. If you would like to chair a Bake Sale at the next concert, please let Brenda Cichon know (beans70@sbcglobal.net). Thanks for you help!

4. If you signed up to help at the Madrigal Dinner please contact Lisa Burgess if you are in need of times in case you have not heard about your day and time to come help. E-mail Lisa as soon as possible at: Lisa_Burgess@us.crawco.com.

Have a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Senior Moment

Name: Victoria Miller

Age: 17

Senior in which MCHS Choir: Concert Choir

Hobbies: Singing, piano, guitar

Activities involved in: JV Madrigals, Jazz Transit, choir

All time favorite song: “Step” by Vampire Weekend

Why did you join choir: I love singing!

Future goals: Professional performer

Greatest memory of choir: Making so many friends

Favorite quote: “Live long and prosper!”

What will you miss most about choir when you graduate: All the friends and memories I’ve made throughout the years.

Name one thing you hope the choir will continue to do: Improve throughout the years.

Your thoughts on going on tour to LA last year: It was one of the greatest memories of my life!

I leave to MCHS Choirs: Dedication and inspiration!

Minooka Community High School Madrigal Singers present their

Nineteenth Annual Madrigal Dinner

Saturday, December 12, 2015 6:30pm and Sunday, December 13, 2015 1:00pm

The Great Hall of Deep Manor(Cafetorium-Central Campus)

For Reservations, visit the Webstore at www.mchs.netAdults $24 Sr. Citizens (65+)& Students (13-21) $18

Children under 13 $13 For more info call 815-467-2140 x 279

Come to a far away place in a distant time where Joy, Cheer, and Merriment will be henceforth this Yuletide Season at the 19th Annual Madrigal Dinner at MCHS. The MCHS Madrigal Singers, MCHS Choirs and Choir Boosters heartily invite you to attend this festive holiday event. Our gracious hosts, the King and Queen, Christian Jackson and Lizzy Murray, the MCHS Varsity Madrigal Singers under the direction of Sir Randy Benware, the JV Madrigal Singers under the direction of Dame Janis Tischer, our Court Players under the tutelage of Sir Anthony Babich, and our Madrigal Brass under the direction of Sir Tyler White, wish to seek your presence at the Great English Castle of Deep Manor.

The festive performances, along with a sumptuous feast of Wassail, Ribs and Chicken, Oven Roasted Potatoes, Steamed Vegetables, Salad, Rolls, Scrumptious Dessert or even the Glu Vegetarian, Gluten free or Kid’s meal option, will take place on Saturday, December 12th at 6:30pm, and Sunday, December 13th at 1:00pm, in the Great Hall at Minooka Community High School - Central Campus.

Marvel at the antics of the Jester and mingle with our minstrels, the Bard, our Flower Seller, and beware of the Beggars. Be enchanted by the lilt of the Madrigal Brass and have your every dinner needs met by our humble Servers. Our King and Queen extend welcome to all of their loyal friends, landed or not, to join them for this annual yuletide event.  

The castle gates open one half of an hour before the festivities begin.  Guests are advised to arrive in good time so as to be seated before the royal processional begins promptly at 6:30 pm on Saturday or 1:00pm on Sunday.  Attire of a Renaissance flavor is always welcomed, but not required.

Please go to the MCHS Choir website at www.mchschoir.org for more information.  For questions about the dinner or to inquire about reservations, please call MCHS at 815-467-2140 ext. 279 no later than Monday, December 7.  To order your reservations, print one out from the MCHS Choir website, contact a Madrigal singer to fill out a paper reservation or go on the MCHS Web Store to make your payment and choice by Tuesday, December 8th. Reservation cost is $24 for adults, $18 for seniors 65+, $18 for students 13-21 or children who would like to eat a full meal, and $13 for children ages 12 and under. Please bring your receipt with you as your ticket. Come make the Madrigal Dinner an annual tradition for your Christmas season!

MCHS Madrigal Singers present the19th Annual Madrigal Dinner

Reservation Form(Please check off one of the dates)

_____Saturday, December 12th at 6:30pm_____Sunday, December 13th at 1:00pm

Reservation Deadline: Tuesday, December 8th

MEAL OPTIONS: FULL DINNER VEGETARIAN CHILD’S MEAL COST: ($24AD/18SR,ST,CH) ($24A/18SR,ST,CH) ($13CH) Number of: Adult _____ _____ __X __ Total $ ______ Sr. Citizen (65+) _____ _____ __X__ Total $ ______Student (13 to 21) _____ _____ __X__ Total $ ______Child (12&Under) _____ _____ _____ Total $ _______MEAL TOTALS ______ ______ ______ TOTAL PAID ________ Total number of people __________ (Max of 8 per table) Gluten Free(#)? ________Reservation Name __________________________ Food allergies(list)? _______Student’s Name selling ticket ______________________________

(Make checks payable to “MCHS Choir Boosters”)Return this form with payment to Sir Randy Benware

Debit card payment and reservations also available at www.mchs.net on the school Webstore.

________________________________________________________________Cut here and give this confirmation to dinner guest-PLEASE BRING WITH YOU TO

DINNERHear ye! Hear ye! All Lords and Ladies, Be it known that the

________________________ have a reservation for ____________ on (Reservation name) (Number of people)

_________________ at ________ . (Date) (Time) ____________________________

(Signature of seller)Full Dinner Meal: BBQ Spare Ribs/Roasted Chicken; Oven Roasted Potatoes; Fresh Steamed Vegetables; Garden Salad; Dinner Rolls; Wassail; and Strawberry Shortcake DelightVegetarian Option-Cheese Tortellini w/Marinara Sauce Child Meal: Chicken Tenders w/FriesGluten Free Option-Full Dinner Meal w/side of BBQ Sauce, Yogurt & Fresh Raspberries Dessert

MADRIGAL DINNER REMINDERS(for parents of madrigal students)

Please bring 2 gallons of NON-REFRIGERATED cider by Tuesday December 8 (choir concert). Drop off in Choir Room.

Make sure to turn in your dinner reservations by December 8 (choir concert) or order online before midnight that evening.

Invite friends and family to make reservations by December 8 on-line (or by paper reservation). We have many more coming on Saturday than Sunday at this time, so please encourage family and friends to come on Sunday so we have a wonderful crowd for our final Madrigal Dinner.

Review the enclosed Madrigal Dinner Sign-up Sheet for your job assignment (day and time). If you have not signed up for a job, or if you want an additional job, please contact Lisa Burgess.

We still need a couple parents to each take home table cloths to iron before the Dinner (contact Lisa Burgess for details).

We still need a couple more trucks to move the castle parts from the cafetorium to storage after the dinner is over (contact Lisa Burgess for details).

We also need a few more snack donations for the students that are working the event. If you could bring something or donate money to purchase some food, please contact Lisa Burgess.

Please invite at least one friend or neighbor or family member to this event! We need to

fill all the tables for this event to be a success!

Lisa BurgessLisa_Burgess@us.crawco.com