This year we have to celebrate our seniors a little differently. Normally at this time of year, the graduating seniors would be recognized during many special ways including Honors Night, year-end banquets for their extracurricular activities and, of course, the big Graduation Ceremony.  For Seniors who participate in the Choir Program there is another special opportunity to showcase their talents during our Broadway! show. Many students have been looking forward to this show for years and the Boosters and Directors always enjoy seeing the seniors be recognized for their hard work and dedication to the program. 

While it pales in comparison to seeing our graduating seniors perform live in front of their families, friends, directors and peers, we wanted to do something to recognize each of their accomplishments during the last four years at Grosse Pointe South.  Enjoy the Senior Spotlight below and congratulations again to our Senior Class of 2020!

Dear Choir Parents and Students,
We hope you are all healthy and safe, and trying to find some fun in our “new normal”.  For all of you first responders, medical personnel and essential workers, THANK YOU for all you are doing!
Here are a few choir notes for this week:
CHOIR PLACEMENT FOR NEXT SCHOOL YEAR--   South administration is requiring that Mr. Pratt turn in next year’s student choir placement by 3/30.  Since auditions are not possible, he has sent the following note of his intention for placement criteria. Please note the Dance Captain application deadline below.
 
To Students and Parents,
Choir Placement for 2020-2021 for current students:  Due to the extraordinary issues facing students and teachers online with an eye to the stress families are experiencing with the changes in the last ten days, choir placements for next year will be done using the criteria below, as not to add undue stress in the current learning atmosphere.  I will use my best judgment in placement of students and I hope this will alleviate concerns and stress given our current situation.

• There will be no demotion of current Pointe Singers or Tower Belles
• Current Tower Belles will be considered first for next year's Pointe Singers women positions.
• Current South Singers will be placed in either Pointe Singers or Tower Belles.
• Current Sounds of South will be placed in South Singers or Tower Belles
• I will seek feedback for incoming 8th grade students from current music teachers.
• Student dance captain applications will be available on schoology in our current assignment folders under each course.  Any student interested in being a dance captain, please fill out and submit to me.  Those will be due by March 28th.

My philosophy with choir placements has been and will continue to be to allow every student to be successful and grow in the choir they are placed.  That does not change even though this year's process will look considerably different due to current circumstances.  If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me.
Mr. Pratt

Dear Choir Parents,
We wish you and your family a safe and healthy time away from school.  A few choir notices and reminders:
CHARITY GAMING CANCELLED--  We have cancelled our participation with the charity gaming event at the end of the month.  The event is currently still scheduled but for the health of our members cancelling seems prudent.  We hope to make up the funds with a summer gaming event.  Thank you to all of you who signed up to help.
CHICAGO COMPETITION CANCELLED— By email dated 3/13, Chris Pratt canceled our participation in the Chicago competition at the end of the month.  Please remember to cancel your hotel room if you have already booked.
AN OPTIMISTIC NOTE— Many of our students are feeling disappointment at missing some of their important activities this spring.  We wanted to share a comforting statement from Chris Pratt at a meeting Friday when he told the cast and crew of the musical that he (and Meaghan Dunham, and Andy Haines and PJ Veltri) are aware that “this is senior year for many students” and they are going to do their best to ensure our students have the opportunity to enjoy their fun events this year if possible.  Patience and flexibility are key!
Thank you for supporting your student’s Choir program.  If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us.
With Warmest Regards,
 
Laura Sanom-Fleming and
Katherine Brandon
2019-20 Choir Booster Presidents

Dear Choir Parents,
Congratulations to the South Singers, Tower Belles and Pointe Singers on a successful weekend of show choir competition at the Bishop Luers invitational!  Our students once again represented themselves, their program, their school and their community incredibly well and with great sportsmanship.  Thank you Chris, Andy and Richard for leading our students to these new successes!
Believe it or not there are no new choir announcements this week.  So this is a great time to ask you to check your calendar and consider volunteering for our next Charity Gaming event (and final for this school year) on Thursday March 26th - Sunday March 29th.  These are day shifts at One Eyed Jacks.  It is an opportunity for us to make approximately $5,000 for our choir students;  but we cannot do it if we do not have all shifts filled.  Please consider volunteering for a shift. Click here to volunteer:  https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c084faca7238-volunteer3 .  (Please Note this is the same weekend as our Chicago competition, so we especially need parents to volunteer who are not attending the competition!  Thank you.)
Also, we hope to send an email in the next couple of days with a block of hotel rooms for the Chicago choir competition.  Stay tuned.
Thank you for supporting your student’s Choir program.  If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us.
 
With Warmest Regards,
Laura Sanom-Fleming and
Katherine Brandon
2019-20 Choir Booster Presidents

Dear Choir Parents,
Thank you to all those who answered the call to help sew this weekend.  All costumes are bedazzled and ready for the Winter Spectacular and competitions.
Here are a few Choir items you may want to know this week:
WINTER SPECTACULAR THIS WEDNESDAY--  Tickets for the Winter Spectacular Concert this Wednesday 3/4 are still available.  Click here to reserve your seats http://www.gpsouthchoir.org/winter-spectacular-performance-2020/
COMPETITION REHEARSALS WITH ANDY THIS WEEK—  Rehearsals for the Winter Spectacular concert and Bishop Luers competition will be in the MPR this week as follows:   Monday 3/2 Pointe Singers 3:15-6:30pm, Tower Belles 5-8:15pm;  Tuesday 3/3 Pointe Singers and Tower Belles dress rehearsal 3:15-7:15pm.
WINTER SPECTACULAR REHEARSAL/SOUND CHECKS—  Wednesday 3/4 in the PAC Sounds of South 4-4:30, South Singers 4:30-5, Tower Belles 5-5:30, Pointe Singers 5:30-6.  Show starts at 7:00pm.
BISHOP LUERS TRUCK DRIVERS NEEDED—  We still need drivers for the 24’ and 16’ trucks to move our competition sets this weekend. If we do not have drivers we will not be able to compete.  No experience needed and drivers will be compensated.  If you are available to help please contact Chris Pratt asap.
Reminder--VOLUNTEERS STILL NEEDED PLEASE--  Our next Charity Gaming event (and final for this school year) will be Thursday March 26th - Sunday March 29th.  Again they are day shifts at One Eyed Jacks.  Please consider volunteering for a shift. Click here to volunteer:  https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c084faca7238-volunteer3 .  (Please Note this is the same weekend as our Chicago competition, so we especially need parents to volunteer who are not attending the competition!  Thank you.)
Thank you for supporting your student’s Choir program.  If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us.
 
With Warmest Regards,
Laura Sanom-Fleming and
Katherine Brandon
2019-20 Choir Booster Presidents

Dear Choir Parents,
Welcome back!  We hope you all have a stress-free return to school this week.
We have a few Choir items you may want to know:
INTERNATIONAL AMBASSADOR CHOIR TO POLAND AND AUSTRIA— Our Ambassador choir represented our program and our community incredibly well in Europe this past week.  We are so grateful to Chris Pratt, Andy Haines and Richard Wolf for making this once-in-a-lifetime experience available to interested students. Thank you Chris, Andy and Richard!  Thank you too to our fantastic trip coordinator, Karen Ryan, whose organization made the trip run so smoothly.  And thank you to the parent chaperones who ensured our students were where they needed to be when they needed to be there!  A wonderful time was had by all in attendance!
As a reminder to families, this is a biennial event.  If your student is interested, you may want to defray costs by taking advantage of the several ways to make money in your student’s choir savings account:  eg. selling sponsorships, ads, extra coupon books…. With two years until the next trip, there is time to earn a lot!  Feel free to contact us if you have any questions.
WINTER SPECTACULAR TICKETS ON SALE NOW--  Tickets for the rescheduled March 4th Winter Spectacular Concert are now on sale (again).  Click here to reserve your seats http://www.gpsouthchoir.org/winter-spectacular-performance-2020/
COMPETITION REHEARSALS WITH ANDY THIS WEEK—  Dress rehearsals for the Winter Spectacular concert and Bishop Luers competition will be in the MPR this week as follows:  Tuesday 2/25 Pointe Singers 3:15-6:00pm, Tower Belles 5-8:15pm;  Wednesday 2/26 Tower Belles 3:15-5:30pm, Pointe Singers 4:30-6:15pm.
SPRING FLING PLANNING COMMITTEE WANTS YOU—  Each year choir throws a party for its adult members and friends in mid-May.  It is our final big fundraiser of the year and is almost as much fun to attend as it is to plan with a group that each year proves to be creative, lively and fun.  The next planning committee meeting is this Thursday 2/27 at Maria Riccobono’s home 814 Harcourt at 7pm.  All are welcome to join in.  It is a great way to meet new people and get involved as much or as little as you would like.
The committee will be accepting wine donations with a retail value of at least $20 for the wine pull.  If anyone has a collection, or access to good wine at a discount, or simply is willing to donate a bottle or two, we will be collecting bottles at the 3/24 committee meeting, location tbd.
Reminder--BISHOP LUERS COMPETITION HOTEL—  We have secured a block of rooms at the Fairfield Inn North in Fort Wayne Indiana for those attending the Bishop Luers Competition.  Our students and chaperones are not staying at this hotel.  There are double rooms, regularly $134 available for $114, reserved for us on 3/6 and 3/7.  Call the hotel at 260-442-3040 and ask for the GP South Choir block of rooms.  Note:  it is choir tradition for parents to meet in the hotel lobby after competition for snacks and beverages to celebrate our competition successes.  The block is still open for a few more days so call soon.
Reminder--GROSSE POINTE THEATER SCHOLARSHIPS-  Each spring GPT offers scholarships to undergraduate students attending a theater camp this summer, and seniors attending an accredited college or university next school year.  The 2020 rules and regulations and the Application form were attached to the last 2 choir emails.  The application deadline is April 18th, and the auditions will be held on April 26 at 2:00pm at 315 Fisher Road.
Reminder--VOLUNTEERS NEEDED PLEASE--  Our next Charity Gaming event (and final for this school year) will be Thursday March 26th - Sunday March 29th.  Again they are day shifts at One Eyed Jacks.  Please consider volunteering for a shift. Click here to volunteer:  https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c084faca7238-volunteer3 .  (Please Note this is the same weekend as our Chicago competition, so we especially need parents to volunteer who are not attending the competition!  Thank you.)
Thank you for supporting your student’s Choir program.  If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us.
 
With Warmest Regards,
Laura Sanom-Fleming and
Katherine Brandon
2019-20 Choir Booster Presidents

Dear Choir Parents,
 
We have a few Choir items you may want to know this week:
INTERNATIONAL TRIP AMBASSADOR CHOIR WITH ANDY-  Final rehearsals this week in the MPR as follows:  Monday 2/10 3:15-8:15pm,  Tuesday 2/11 3:15-5pm,  Wednesday 2/12 3:15-4:15pm, Thursday 2/13 3:15-4:45pm.  Thursday 2/13 baggage check in is at GP Memorial church 5:30-6pm
INTERNATIONAL AMBASSADOR CHOIR TO POLAND AND AUSTRIA— Our Ambassador choir departs on Friday 2/14 for Europe.  Bon Voyage and safe travel to all!
GP SOUTH POINTE PLAYERS ONE ACTS THIS WEEK—  This week on Wednesday 2/12 and Thursday 2/13 at 7pm in the South Auditorium.  Come see many of our choir students directing and acting in 6 One Acts to be performed this week.  Break a leg all!
SPRING FLING PLANNING COMMITTEE WANTS YOU—  Each year choir throws a party for its adult members and friends in mid-May.  It is our final big fundraiser of the year and is almost as much fun to attend as it is to plan with a group that each year proves to be creative, lively and fun.  The kick off planning committee meeting is this Tuesday 2/12 at Michelle Conlan’s home 474 Fisher Rd at 7pm.  All are welcome to join in.  It is a great way to meet new people and get involved as much or as little as you would like.
A COMPETITION PRIMER—  For those of you curious about what to expect for the Bishop Luers competition,  Lorie Vogel sent the following information to her mentee.  We thought we would share:
“There is bus transportation to and from the competition for the students and any volunteer chaperones. The bus will depart right after school on Friday March 6th to head for Fort Wayne. They will make a dinner stop (fast food) along the way. The students/chaperones/teachers stay in a hotel near Bishop Luers High school/Fort Wayne on Friday night. They perform in the competition all day and late into the night on Saturday (last year it ended close to midnight). The bus will depart Bishop Luers after the competition to head back to GP. They usually arrive around 3:00-4:00am Sunday morning. All of these arrangements will be made by Mr. Pratt and Anita Adams and communicated to you. You don't need to do anything.
Mr. Pratt usually sends out an email looking for chaperones, if you are interested in that.
Alternatively, many parents choose to attend the competition because it is a lot of fun!!!!  If you do, you can make your own hotel accommodations and transportation. Last year, the South Singers sang in the morning (I think?) so you might want to go down Friday night or very early Saturday morning. (It's about a 3 hour drive).
Food is available for purchase at the competition, so students should bring money for that. The students are 4 to a hotel room and select their roommates for Friday night.”
Thanks Lorie!  Mr. Pratt will send formal information closer to the competition date.  But we hope this primer gives you an idea of what to expect.
BISHOP LUERS COMPETITION HOTEL—  We have secured a block of rooms at the Fairfield Inn North in Fort Wayne Indiana for those attending the Bishop Luers Competition.  Our students and chaperones are not staying at this hotel.  There are double rooms, regularly $134 available for $114, reserved for us on 3/6 and 3/7.  Call the hotel at 260-442-3040 and ask for the GP South Choir block of rooms.  Note:  it is choir tradition for parents to meet in the hotel lobby after competition for snacks and beverages to celebrate our competition successes.  The block should be available for reservations on Tuesday 2/12 and will be open through 2/21.
Reminder—GROSSE POINTE THEATER SCHOLARSHIPS-  Each spring GPT offers scholarships to undergraduate students attending a theater camp this summer, and seniors attending an accredited college or university next school year.  The 2020 rules and regulations and the Application form are attached.  The application deadline is April 18th, and the auditions will be held on April 26 at 2:00pm at 315 Fisher Road.
Reminder—VOLUNTEERS NEEDED PLEASE--  Our next Charity Gaming event (and final for this school year) will be Thursday March 26th - Sunday March 29th.  Again they are day shifts at One Eyed Jacks.  Please consider volunteering for a shift. Click here to volunteer:  https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c084faca7238-volunteer3 .  (Please Note this is the same weekend as our Chicago competition, so we especially need parents to volunteer who are not attending the competition!  Thank you.)
ADMINISTRATION PERFORMING ARTS INVESTIGATION UPDATE—  As a follow up to the 1/22 email you received, we want to report that booster leadership has met with Drs. Niehaus and Dean and had a collaborative and productive meeting about our program moving forward.  Booster leadership, along with performing arts staff, has actively attempted to collaborate with administration since early November.  We are now optimistic that with our recent challenges and our continued efforts to work with administration to improve our program for all students, this year will be stronger than ever in choir.
Thank you for supporting your student’s Choir program.  If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us.
 
With Warmest Regards,
Laura Sanom-Fleming and
Katherine Brandon
2019-20 Choir Booster Presidents

Dear Choir Parents,
We have a few Choir items you may want to know this week:
WINTER SPECTACULAR POSTPONED—  Be sure to calendar our new competition preview concert date:  Wednesday March 4 at 7:00pm at the PAC.
INTERNATIONAL TRIP AMBASSADOR CHOIR-  There will be rehearsals in the Choir room on Monday 2/3, Thursday 2/6 and Friday 2/7 from 3:15-5:15pm each day.
REHEARSALS THIS WEEK WITH ANDY—  Rehearsals will be in the South MPR as follows:  Tuesday 2/4-  Pointe Singers 3:15-6:15pm;  Tower Belles 6:00-8:15pm.   Wednesday 2/5- Pointe Singers 3:15-6:15pm.
COMPETITION CREW TEAMS-  Mr. Pratt sent out a student crew form earlier this week and those forms are due Tuesday for any student wishing to be part of our award-winning Pointe Singers and Tower Belles competition sets.  The forms were attached to his 1/29 email, or he will have extra forms in the choir room.
GROSSE POINTE THEATER SCHOLARSHIPS-  Each spring GPT offers scholarships to undergraduate students attending a theater camp this summer, and seniors attending an accredited college or university next school year.  The 2020 rules and regulations and the Application form are attached.  The application deadline is April 18th, and the auditions will be held on April 26 at 2:00pm at 315 Fisher Road.
COMPETITION LOCATIONS—  The weekend of 3/6,  the Pointe Singers, Tower Belles and South Singers will be attending the Bishop Luers High School Competition in Fort Wayne Indiana.  We will send out hotel information in the next week.
The weekend of 3/27, the Pointe Singers and Tower Belles will be attending the Fame regional show choir competition in Chicago Illinois.
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED--  Our next Charity Gaming event (and final for this school year) will be Thursday March 26th - Sunday March 29th.  Again they are day shifts at One Eyed Jacks.  Please consider volunteering for a shift. Click here to volunteer:  https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c084faca7238-volunteer3 .  (Please Note this is the same weekend as one of our competitions, so we especially need parents to volunteer who are not attending the competition!  Thank you.)
Thank you for supporting your student’s Choir program.  If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us.
 
With Warmest Regards,
Laura Sanom-Fleming and
Katherine Brandon
2019-20 Choir Booster Presidents

Dear Choir Parents,
 
Here are a few Choir items you may want to know this week:
WINTER SPECTACULAR POSTPONED—  Our competition preview concert has been postponed from this Wednesday, January 29 until Wednesday March 4 at 7:00pm at the PAC.
If you already purchased tickets, you will be contacted this week about a refund or transferring your purchase to the new show.
REHEARSALS THIS WEEK WITH ANDY—  Andy is in town this week to work on competition choreography.  Rehearsals will be at the South MPR as follows:  Monday 1/27-  Pointe Singers 3:15-6:00pm;  Tower Belles 5:15-8:15pm.   Tuesday 1/28- Tower Belles 3:15-6pm; Pointe Singers 5:30-8:30pm.
ALL SCHOOL MUSICAL CRAZY FOR YOU REHEARSAL-  There will be a cast read through on Wednesday 1/29 3:15-5:15pm in the MPR.
INTERNATIONAL TRIP AMBASSADOR CHOIR-  There will be a rehearsal on Thursday 1/30 3:15-5:15pm in the MPR.
INTERNATIONAL TRIP MEETING-  Reminder for all those adults and students going on the international trip, there will be a meeting on Thursday 1/30 at 7:00pm in the Choir room.
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED--  Our next Charity Gaming event (and final for this school year) will be Thursday March 26th - Sunday March 29th.  Again they are day shifts at One Eyed Jacks.  Please consider volunteering for a shift. Click here to volunteer:  https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c084faca7238-volunteer3 .  (Please Note this is the same weekend as one of our competitions, so we especially need parents to volunteer who are not attending the competition!  Thank you.)
Reminder:  A CHANGE TO DATES FOR COMPETITION—  Due to a late change to the 2/28 competition that we were considering, we will no longer be attending that weekend.  Mark your calendars for our two NEW competition weekends which will be the weekends of 3/6 (Pointe Singers, Tower Belles and South Singers) and 3/27 (Pointe Singers and Tower Belles).  Details will be finalized soon.
Thank you for supporting your student’s Choir program.  If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us.
 
With Warmest Regards,
 
Laura Sanom-Fleming and
Katherine Brandon
2019-20 Choir Booster Presidents
president@gpsouthchoir.org

Dear Choir Parents,
Congratulations to all the South Choir groups who participated this weekend at the Michigan Regional Solo and Ensemble event.  Each group received the highest rating and qualified for the Michigan State Solo & Ensemble event.  Congratulations to all our talented students!
We have a few Choir items you may want to know this week:
WINTER SPECTACULAR—  Our competition preview concert will be Wednesday, January 29 at 7:00pm at the PAC.  Mark your calendars!
A CHANGE TO DATES FOR COMPETITION—  Due to a late change to the 2/28 competition that we were considering, we will no longer be attending that weekend.  Mark your calendars for our two NEW competition weekends which will be the weekends of 3/6 (Pointe Singers, Tower Belles and South Singers) and 3/27 (Pointe Singers and Tower Belles).  Details will be finalized soon.
REHEARSALS THIS WEEK WITH ANDY—  Andy is in town this week to work on competition choreography.  Rehearsals will be at the South MPR as follows:  Wednesday 1/15-  Pointe Singers 11:45-2:45pm;  Tower Belles 2:30-5:30pm.  Thursday 1/16-  Tower Belles 11-12:30pm;  Pointe Singers 12-2:30pm.
VOLUNTEER SHOUT OUTS THIS WEEK—  Thank you to all of the choir parents who volunteered their time for our charity gaming event this past weekend.  The receipts have yet to be totaled but it was a success by all accounts.  Thank you to Sue Fox, Sandy Corrian, Jami Leach, Julie Anderson, Amy Stencel, Bob Haran, Lakisha Barclift-Jones, Julie Yonkus, Rachel Fermani, Sandy Srodawa, Christy Dral, Joelle Maes, Lori Panzenhagen and Anita Adams. We appreciate all your help!  Special thanks to Anita, Lori, Julie A. and Amy for taking multiple shifts!  Thank you all !!!
Our next Charity Gaming event (and final for this school year) will be Thursday March 26th - Sunday March 29th.  Again they are day shifts at One Eyed Jacks.  Please consider volunteering for a shift so we can make thousands of dollars for our students.  Click here to volunteer:  https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c084faca7238-volunteer3 .  (Please Note this is the same weekend as one of our competitions, so we especially need parents to volunteer who are not attending the competition!  Thank you.)
We wish your students a successful end to the semester.  Thank you for supporting your student’s Choir program.  If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us.
 
With Warmest Regards,
 
Laura Sanom-Fleming and
Katherine Brandon
2019-20 Choir Booster Presidents
president@gpsouthchoir.org