Each year, there will be THREE concerts/recitals. The first will be in late November or early December 2011 and will showcase all the vocalists who take private lessons, ensemble and other required classes. This year the show will be called “Cinemagic” and will feature song selections from movies over the past 100 years!

The second show will be a smaller, more intimate recital sometime in February or March of 2012. This show will not feature much pop music, but mostly musical theater and classical selections. Some students may perform their competition solos, while others may learn a different piece just for this recital. This show will feature a combination of tracks and piano accompaniment. The piano and guitar students will perform in this show as well.

The final show of the school year will be our regular (and now “famous”) spring vocal concert, featuring a live band and some wicked good singing. This year we are doing something EXTRA SPECIAL – AN ORIGINAL MUSICAL!! It will be called “Empty Garden” and will feature the songs of the legendary artist, Elton John. The students will be asked to sing, dance, and act for this year-ending spectacle, set for sometime in late May or early June 2012.

RECITALS & FEES:

• The recital fee per student for the winter concert (“Cinemagic”) will be $50. For this show, any student/parent who sells 10 tickets or more (early and late show combined) will be exempt from the recital fee. These fees and/or ticket sales are the only way we can put these awesome shows on every year. We use a live, professional band and these singers are PREPARED. We have a sound person, a light person, an expensive venue to rent, and it is quite a production, which costs us a lot of money to put together, so we ask the parents to chip in by selling a lot of tickets or paying the recital fee. We have never once made a penny on any of these shows – we are lucky to break even. But we want these kids to have unique experiences, and no other music school anywhere does the kind of shows we do, so be proud of that and invite EVERYONE!
• The Dinner Theater, which will likely be in February or March, will have a recital fee per student of only $20. Each performer will also get 4 free tickets to this show, and additional tickets are only $5 each. Parents may also be asked to bring a dish or dessert.
• For the 2012 spring performance – the world premiere of an original musical called “Empty Garden” - there will be a recital fee of $90, which will include 2 free tickets to either show. Additional tickets must be purchased. Because the scope of a musical is so much greater than that of our normal vocal concerts, our expenses will be significantly greater as well. We have to cover our costs and make sure we have a budget for the venue, sound, lights, backdrops, props, costumes, sets, art, programs, the live band, dress rehearsal on-site, and much more! So we need everyone to pull together and help make this musical one of the greatest accomplishments in your child’s early career and something that can proudly be added to any student’s resume!!! Also keep in mind that the more classes your child is enrolled in, the more visible he/she is likely to be in the musical. If necessary, we may also have to do a fund-raiser of some kind.

SIRENS, JUNIOR SIRENS, and MINI-SIRENS

• Aside from the three concerts, there are also opportunities for some individuals to participate in the competitions throughout the spring. We will try to go to at least 2 different competitions, and only those singers who are invited to be in Sirens, Junior Sirens, or Mini-Sirens will be allowed to compete a vocal solo. However, being in Sirens (any level) does not always mean a child HAS to compete a solo. It does mean mandatory competitions/rehearsals with the group, but solos are optional (although encouraged).
• Company dues of $50 will be required for each student who accepts her invitation into one of these elite singing groups. That money will be due by August 15, 2011 and is a flat once-a-year fee. This money will go toward group music cuts, time and expenses incurred by the directors at competitions, and any extra weekend rehearsals that may need to be built into the schedule at no additional charge to you. In additional to the dues, some apparel or “spirit wear” will need to be purchased by each team member.
• Some vocal solos, once chosen, will need custom tracks. If this is the case, the music director will create that track for a flat fee of $150. If there is a track already available in the correct key that is up to the required standard, then it may only need to be cut to the required length, for which there will be no charge. Anyone who DOES need a custom track for their child’s solo will be notified by OCTOBER 15, 2010, and the fee for that track can be paid in 2 installments: the first half ($75) will be due on November 15, 2011 and the second half (another $75) will be due on December 15, 2011. It will be the SOLE decision of the music director whether a student needs a custom track or does not, so be prepared no matter what, and if we get lucky and your child doesn’t need one, then you’ve got an extra $150 for Christmas shopping!
• The fees for the actual competitions vary, but typically it costs between $75 and $95 for a solo, $30 to $45 per person for duets/trios, and $25 to $35 per person for group pieces. Most Sirens, Junior Sirens, and Mini-Sirens will compete a solo and just one other group piece, although occasionally there will be a few duets and trios assembled for those who want to compete an extra vocal piece.
• Once the invitation is accepted to become any level of Sirens and the dues are paid, there are no refunds, so be sure your child understands the commitment to the team and is fully on board. Also every Siren (all levels) MUST be present at ALL competitions, not just certain ones. We typically go to two (2) or three (3) per season, and they are usually between February and May, but there will be more specific info about the dates and locations once the exact competitions are selected.
• If your child is a strong singer, or you know someone you think is a strong singer (any age) who may want to participate in these groups, please contact Erik Grant Bennett at erik@honeybeerecords.com.