Extracurricular Choral Activities

MCYC * All-States * Classical Me * A Cappella * Fall Musical

MCPS Youth Chorus

The Montgomery County Youth Chorus (MCYC) is a countywide performing ensemble that provides recognition to talented singers in grades 10-12.  This special choral ensemble provides qualified students with an opportunity to interact with peers who demonstrate high musical ability and interest. Auditions take place in June for the following school year’s chorus.  Rehearsals begin in September, and culminate in a concert for family and friends in November.

 

All-State Ensembles

Each year Walt Whitman High School has many students audition for the junior and senior All-state choral ensembles, with tremendous success. We encourage all music students to consider auditioning.  The All-state auditions are overseen by the Maryland Music Educators Association and take place on a Saturday in November. Audition materials for All-state ensembles will be made available the first week of school.   The audition process for All-state ensembles is not complicated.  Here are a few tips:

 

  • Prepare! Don’t procrastinate. Find out the dates for this year’s auditions and sign up during your chorus class.  These auditions are very competitive and cramming your preparation at the very end will dramatically reduce your chances of success dramatically. Set up a practice calendar and pace yourself. Periodically record your efforts and critique your progress. Practice in front of a mirror and in front of friends and family.

 

  • Seek help! Come to the practice sessions that Mr. Davidson holds each fall.  Also, your private voice teacher is your best resource! If you are looking for help in finding a teacher, please talk to Mr. Davidson as soon as possible.

 

  • Dress professionally!  Remember that you have only one chance to make a first impression.   Act professionally!  Remember to act professionally, with an air of confidence, not arrogance. Take your time and think before you perform.

 

Classical Me Performances

The Music Department held its first “Classical Me” concert in 2009 in order to provide an opportunity for dedicated Whitman musicians to perform and showcase their individual talent for staff, friends, and family.  This tradition of musical excellence continues, with two concerts scheduled: February 7 and April 28, 2012.   Audition dates for “Classical Me” will be announced later this year.  For questions, contact Instrumental Music teacher, Ms. Terry Alvey at terry_s_alvey@mcpsmd.org

 

A Capella Groups

The Music Department sponsors the Jazz Octets, comprised of eight male and eight female singers, typically seniors and juniors.  Mr. Davidson holds auditions for the groups in the fall.  The Octets rehearse after school and perform throughout the year. Whitman also has two student-run A Capella choral groups groups, None of the Above (NOTA) and Pitch Please.  NOTA is a mixed, male and female, group, and Pitch Please is comprised of all female voices. These groups are run entirely by the students involved and perform at various venues throughout the year.  Auditions for both groups are held at the end of each school year for the following year, and important information about the process is below.  Rehearsals are held once a week in a student’s home, on weekends or evenings. AUDITIONING FOR NOTA or PITCH PLEASE Auditions are held at the end of the school for the next year’s groups.  Anyone in the school may audition—singers may be in any grade and do not have to be in any of the Whitman choruses.  Singers must be able to sight read and hold their own in a large group when singing (most music is in 8 parts with 16 singers, with 2 singers per part!).   At the audition, singers perform one song, a capella, of about 30 seconds (VERY rough estimate, choose a short part of a song that highlights your voice!).  Any genre is fine, but pop or rock is preferable and musical theater is discouraged.  Singers will also be asked to do some sort of blending, tuning, or other exercises on the spot that the judges will explain at the audition.   For more information, contact this year’s student leaders: NOTA (Grace Laboy, Mickey Hartz) Pitch Please (Anna Martin, Grace Laboy, Elena Aragon)

Fall Musical

All Whitman students are eligible to audition for Whitman’s fall musical. Anyone who is interested in participating should speak to Mr. Christopher Gerken,  drama director,  Mr. Davidson or Ms. Alvey.   The 2011 musical, Gypsy, will be performed at 7:30 pm, Thursday through Saturday, November 17-19 at Whitman’s Daryl Shaw Auditiorium.   Past musicals featuring Whitman’s outstanding musicians include:

2010:  Sideshow

2009: Into the Woods

2008:  Damn Yankees

2007:  Aida (Winner of the CAPPIE for Best Musical)

2006:  Funny Girl

2005:  West Side Story

2004:  Les Miserables

2003:  Fiddler on the Roof

2002:  42nd Street

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