1. Carthage Junior High Choir Program
Ms. Mara Knight, director

2. About me…
Graduate next month from Pittsburg State University with my Bachelor of Music Education degree, Psychology Minor
I love to sing and play piano. Sometimes, I write songs, in alllll of my free time..
Love anything outdoors, painting, photography, travel, animals, most people

3. About me, continued…
This is my first year teaching, but I love Junior High and am so excited to get started. This is my dream job!

4. Choir Classes… For 2017-2018 there will be 4 choir classes:
7th Grade Girls class
7th Grade Boys class
8th Grade Mixed Choir
Sound Machine – full year commitment

5. Choir Classes… 7th Grade:
Set as an Intro to Choir class that is separated by gender to work with the challenges of the changing male and female voices, and learning good vocal technique and especially SIGHT-READING!!
They will learn separate songs, as well as songs they will perform together.
All genres:
Classical, Pop, Ethnic, Gospel, Spiritual and Foreign Language

6. Choir Classes… 8th Grade Mixed:
Boys and Girls are together for a more advanced group, but still focusing on building on the foundations began in 7th grade, including good tone, breath support, diction, etc.
All genres:
Classical, Pop, Ethnic, Gospel, Spiritual and Foreign Language

7. Sound Machine Show Choir. The most advanced group at CJHS.
Available to 7th and 8th grade singers.
HIGH work ethic, focus and determination.
Expected to practice outside of class
On your own…
Choreography Night – which will likely be one night/week (TBA)
Show Choir Contest Season from Jan-March
Afterwards – Contest Music for NEO and PSU

8. Sound Machine
The main focus of show choir is on overall performance skills (singing, dancing, acting, putting on a show)
Also focus is placed on solid vocal production (correct technique, vowel placement) musicality and sight reading.
Costume fees are $100 per student, and are the responsibility of the student. Fundraisers will be available to help offset the cost of costumes.
Please know that no student will be turned away due to financial hardships. We will ask that you participate in all fundraiser opportunities given.

9. Expectations… Grades:
MSHSAA requires all students to be passing all classes. This means to perform, students cannot have a grade below a D–.
MY requirements are: any student with multiple D’s or below will be on academic probation. Students need to keep up on school work first and foremost. If grades do not improve, students will be pulled from competition/ensemble until grades improve.

10. Expectations… All choir groups are auditioned.
Every person is there because they enjoy singing and want to create meaningful art.
Not social hour or an “Easy A” – we are here to sing. We want to have fun, but there is a lot of work to be done in order to succeed.
Students can be removed
I’m going to push you to be the best you can be! Show up prepared to work.

11. Expectations… Behavior: BE KIND AND RESPECTFUL. Enough said.
All choir members are expected to represent CJHS at a high level both inside and outside the walls of CJHS.
During all rehearsals, listening is imperative.
Cell phones out during rehearsal will not be tolerated.

12. Expectations… Attendance Attendance to school is incredibly important.
Multiple (three) unexcused absences will result in dismissal from the ensemble.
After-school and evening rehearsals are mandatory. If you have a conflicting event (school activity, church, etc…) please visit with me so we can work it out together.

13. Audition Info… Vocal Auditions (all choirs):
Wednesday (May 3), Thursday (May 4)
Vocal Auditions in CJHS Choir Room
Range Check
Song of Choice up to a minute
Required song: choice of SSB, My Country.
Sight-Reading
Short Interview
Each student will sign up for a time on ONE day and will be given an audition number…

14. Audition Info… Dance Auditions (Sound Machine only)
Monday (May 1) and Friday (May 5)
5:30 – 7:00pm in the JH Gym
Both Days Required
Monday- Learn dance together
Friday- Audition in groups of approx. 4 or 5

15. Audition Info… Results… Posted as soon as possible – TBA
Not everyone will be able to make it into each ensemble, Sound Machine especially.
Dancing with too many causes them to get tangled in one another’s moves.
Sound needs to balance
# of girls depends on # of boys

16. Audition Info… Once auditions are posted
If your child does not make an ensemble, I kindly request if you wish to visit with me about it, please wait to contact me at the beginning of the next week.
This is not an easy process, and sometimes initial emotional responses are not the nicest. Please remember, especially in our show choirs, about students is the maximum I can take due to having room to move on the stage. I will also take much fewer if that is what the audition scores dictate.

17. BEFORE YOU LEAVE TONIGHT…
If you have decided to try out:
Hand in your general information page and contract.
Take 3 teacher evaluations to give to any teachers of your choice. The teacher will return it to Mr. Hargrave.
Sign up for your one-on-one time slot.
Please take a schedule for the Audition Process.
I wish you all the best of luck. If you have any questions, please contact me at