'Where Tradition and Excellence Meets Innovation and Opportunity'
Summer 2020 Update #1
Thought of the Week:

When you give more, you enjoy more.
The pandemic has caused much uncertainty and uneasiness.
However, as we move forward, we need to practice:
No Excuses. No Drama. No Complaints.

How do we do this?
First : We accept our personal responsibility for improving things AND
we practice our self-awareness ... daily .
Then : We encourage the people we care about to do the same thing .
Notes from the Director
From the Desk of Merc
Greetings!

I hope that this summer break has found you with some time to reflect on the past few months and look forward to the months ahead. Even though there are still unknowns, we can create a positive experience by being positive and simply making it happen . We are undoubtedly going to have curve balls thrown at us, but I know that we can make the best of it and show that we are willing to work harder and smarter to make things work .

The artistic team has worked hard to prepare for the upcoming year and has no doubt it will be special and memorable no matter how many twists and turns are thrown into it. It's so important to remember that your reactions to situations are critical in the success of the year. We all wish things were different , but we are dealing with the situation and making the best of it.

There have been many educated guesses and thoughts about singing and how COVID-19 affects it. It is important to remember that all of these are NOT studies, but educated guesses. I have spent much of the summer talking with other choral directors and experts across the country about this topic and am using my best judgement to proceed with our year.

This year, until we get through this pandemic, the following procedures are our plans to keep our students, staff, and spectators safe. Please note that these are not yet approved officially and also are subject to change as we move through the next month. These are just a suggested way to move forward to allow us to practice together safely. If you have a concern, there is no need to go directly to administration. Please come directly to me so that we can discuss it and I can be aware of your concerns as I sit down with administration in the next week or so.

  • All students would be required to wear special masks within the choir room while singing. These masks would cover the nose and mouth, but would be clear around the mouth so that we may still work on technical aspects that require us to see the mouth visually. These masks would be provided to each student within the choral music program.
  • Students would be spaced out at a distance yet to be determined in the choir room when singing on all sides.
  • Students would store their folders under their assigned chair so that we do not have congregating at the folder cabinets. Folders would be wiped down daily.
  • Sanitation stations would be made available at both entrances/exits to the choir room.
  • Students would all enter from the main double door entrance and exit from the single door entrance near the orchestra room. (Does not apply to Freshman choir.)
  • For show choirs, choreography would be done outdoors when weather permits so that we may social distance as much as possible. When weather does not permit us to be outside, we would utilize the stage so social distancing can still be practiced.
  • For concerts, we would do assigned seating. You would request tickets (tickets for free concerts will be free still) so that we can maintain social distancing within our audience members.
  • Spectators would be highly encouraged to wear masks while attending the event.
  • For show choir, traveling is still unknown. We are planning as if we are going to be traveling (including Orlando for HS) until we know otherwise. We are hopeful that things will be more under control by this time.
  • Students would need to attend the 'in-school - face-to-face' option in order to participate in the choral music program for the 2020-2021 school year. If you think you might choose the 'online - at-home' option, please notify Mr. Mercer asap so that he is aware.

At this time, we will begin accepting payments for your accounts. I am doing my best to use my best judgement to be smart with your money and have been hesitant to spend money on things that can wait until we know more. Please know that I am constantly re-evaluating the current pandemic and how it will affect us down the road. Information on how to pay on your account can be found here . As stated before, it is crucial that you try to get on track with payments by paying the May and June payments that you set aside. If you have any questions, please contact your group treasurer as follows:

​Kari Robinson
  • Groups: Nuts & Bolts, The Heartbeat, FortissiBROS, Pure Elegance, Choraliers
  • Address: 3910 Eastfield Court, Hamilton, OH 45011
  • Phone Number: 513.969.7270
  • E-Mail: htwhls7373@gmail.com

Angela Strack
  • Groups: Little Elegance, Rhythm Express
  • Address: 6960 Logsdon Road, Fairfield Township, Ohio 45011
  • Phone Number: 513.967.3181
  • E-Mail: angelanstrack@gmail.com​

NOTICE : If you have a student that is a double (in two show choirs), their 'credit' is not yet in Charms. Don't worry - we will get that added soon!

A few last things...

  • Over 60% of our students said they were interested in having a private voice teacher. I have updated our private voice teacher list which can be found here. An important note to Vocal Impact students who are planning on taking it as an honors credit (available to juniors and seniors): You will need to be enrolled in weekly private voice lessons to receive the honors credit. More information about Vocal Impact's Honors Credit opportunity can be found here.
  • We will be opening back up show choir auditions and a cappella choir auditions due to the pandemic. If you know students who are interested in show choir, show choir band, and/or show choir tech crew, please have them contact Mr. Mercer asap.
  • All show choir students will be required to have a physical. More information about this will be forthcoming very soon.
  • Round Two of Auditions (July 6-July 31)
  • This is for Acapocalypse, Little Elegance, Rhythm Express, FortissiBROS, Pure Elegance, Choraliers, Nuts and Bolts, and The Heartbeat.
  • Information can be found here.
  • Spread the word! Help us reach others!
  • If someone didn't make it the first round, can they retry? Absolutely! Prove us wrong. We love nothing more than a strong comeback.

Have a great week!

Mr. Mercer
Department-Wide Announcements
For All MS and HS Choirs
July 10, 2020 Parent Wine Tasting Event
  • Event is ticketed with reservations.
  • Doors open at 6:00pm.
  • Questions? Ask Jennifer Varn.

Have you added yourself into the Facebook Groups? If not, you're missing out!

Round Two of Auditions (July 6-July 31)
  • This is for Acapocalypse, Little Elegance, Rhythm Express, FortissiBROS, Pure Elegance, Choraliers, Nuts and Bolts, and The Heartbeat.
  • Information can be found here.
  • Spread the word! Help us reach others!
  • If someone didn't make it the first round, can they retry? Absolutely! Prove us wrong. We love nothing more than a strong comeback.
Sound Check News
Freshman School Concert Choir
Important Information

Upcoming Events
  • N/A
New Dimensions News
High School Concert Choir
Important Information

Upcoming Events
  • Vocal Checks via Zoom (July 27-30)
  • Sign-Up time slots will be online soon.
  • This will be a quick vocal check-in with each student with Mr. Mercer and Ms. Marjanovic.
  • All students will be required to do this.
Vocal Impact News
High School Advanced Concert Choir
Important Information

Upcoming Events
  • Vocal Checks via Zoom (July 27-30)
  • Sign-Up time slots will be online soon.
  • This will be a quick vocal check-in with each student with Mr. Mercer and Ms. Marjanovic.
  • All students will be required to do this.
Acapocalypse News
High School A Capella Choir
Important Information

Upcoming Events
  • Vocal Checks via Zoom (July 27-30)
  • Sign-Up time slots will be online soon.
  • This will be a quick vocal check-in with each student with Mr. Mercer and Ms. Marjanovic.
  • All students will be required to do this.
  • Round Two of Auditions (July 6-July 31)
  • Information can be found here.
  • Spread the word! Help us reach others!
Little Elegance News
Middle School Ladies' Show Choir
Important Information

  • July 20-August 2 FSCU Camp
  • We will reschedule times in the near future.
  • Show Designs will be revealed soon.
  • We will still be taking new auditions for this group through the start of school in the fall.

Upcoming Events
  • Little Elegance Welcome Party (July 25)
  • LE ladies, get ready to solve a crime! Welcome to the Mad Hatter's Ball. Meet your cohorts in crime at a murder mystery party on July 25th from 4:00p-8:00p at Dana Cornwell's house! You will get the opportunity to meet each other before the season gets under way. More information will follow, but mark your calendars with the date! Parents: this party is appropriate for tweens and teens.
  • If you haven't let Dana know you are attending, please do so by e-mailing her (danacornwell39@gmail.com).
  • Vocal Checks via Zoom (July 27-30)
  • Sign-Up time slots will be online soon.
  • This will be a quick vocal check-in with each student with Mr. Mercer and Ms. Marjanovic.
  • All students will be required to do this.
  • Round Two of Auditions (July 6-July 31)
  • Information can be found here.
  • Spread the word! Help us reach others!
  • Choreography Rehearsal (August 14-16)
  • 4:00p-8:00p (Fri), 10:00a-2:00p (Sat), 12:00p-4:00p (Sun)
  • This will be an in-person rehearsal and more details will be forthcoming soon.
Rhythm Express News
Middle School Mixed Show Choir
Important Information

Upcoming Events
  • Rhythm Express Ice Cream Party (July 18)
  • Our first Fun Event for RE is going to be getting together for ice cream sundaes at the Herrmann's! This is a great chance to meet everyone in RE! We would like all the boys to bring their favorite ice cream topping. Girls can bring their favorite chips/snacks. The Herrmann Family is providing the ice cream, drinks and paper goods. Their home address is 140 Blair House Place in Fairfield. The event will be from 7:00p to 9:00p. We hope you all can make it!
  • Have questions? E-Mail Diana Herrmann (dmherrmann@fuse.net).
  • Vocal Checks via Zoom (July 27-30)
  • Sign-Up time slots will be online soon.
  • This will be a quick vocal check-in with each student with Mr. Mercer and Ms. Marjanovic.
  • All students will be required to do this.
  • Round Two of Auditions (July 6-July 31)
  • Information can be found here.
  • Spread the word! Help us reach others!
  • Choreography Rehearsal (August 15)
  • 3:00p-7:00p
  • This will be an in-person rehearsal and more details will be forthcoming soon.
FortissiBROS News
High School Advanced Men's Show Choir
Important Information

Upcoming Events
  • Vocal Checks via Zoom (July 13-14, 18-19)
  • Sign-Up time slots will be online soon.
  • This will be a quick vocal check-in with each student with Mr. Mercer and Ms. Marjanovic.
  • All students will be required to do this.
  • Round Two of Auditions (July 6-July 31)
  • Information can be found here.
  • Spread the word! Help us reach others!
  • FSCU Vocal Camp (July 20-24)
  • We will not have an in-person component, but there will be required online rehearsals. Your time slot is 1:30pm-3:30pm Monday through Friday.
  • Your invitations will be sent to you via your Slack group.
  • Choreography Camp
  • We will not have an in-person component, but there will be online learning.
  • You will be sent instructional videos and will need to learn the material prior to school start in August.
  • Student Leadership Meetings (July 21-23)
  • More information will come out soon to you in the Slack group. These meetings are planned to be in person and will practice all recommended social distancing practices.
Pure Elegance News
High School Advanced Ladies' Show Choir
Important Information

Upcoming Events
  • Vocal Checks via Zoom (July 13-14, 18-19)
  • Sign-Up time slots will be online soon.
  • This will be a quick vocal check-in with each student with Mr. Mercer and Ms. Marjanovic.
  • All students will be required to do this.
  • Round Two of Auditions (July 6-July 31)
  • Information can be found here.
  • Spread the word! Help us reach others!
  • FSCU Vocal Camp (July 20-24)
  • We will not have an in-person component, but there will be required online rehearsals. Your time slot is 11:00am-1:00pm Monday through Friday.
  • Your invitations will be sent to you via your Slack group.
  • Choreography Camp
  • We will not have an in-person component, but there will be online learning.
  • You will be sent instructional videos and will need to learn the material prior to school start in August.
  • Student Leadership Meetings (July 21-23)
  • More information will come out soon to you in the Slack group. These meetings are planned to be in person and will practice all recommended social distancing practices.
Choraliers News
High School Advanced Mixed Show Choir
Important Information

  • July 20-August 2 FSCU Camp
  • We will not have an in-person component, but there will be online rehearsals and meetings. All rehearsal times on the calendar are Zoom Meetings.

Upcoming Events
  • Vocal Checks via Zoom (July 13-14, 18-19)
  • Sign-Up time slots will be online soon.
  • This will be a quick vocal check-in with each student with Mr. Mercer and Ms. Marjanovic.
  • All students will be required to do this.
  • Round Two of Auditions (July 6-July 31)
  • Information can be found here.
  • Spread the word! Help us reach others!
  • FSCU Vocal Camp (July 20-24)
  • We will not have an in-person component, but there will be required online rehearsals. Your time slot is 4:00pm-6:00pm Monday through Friday.
  • Your invitations will be sent to you via your Slack group.
  • Choreography Camp
  • We will not have an in-person component, but there will be online learning.
  • You will be sent instructional videos and will need to learn the material prior to school start in August.
  • Student Leadership Meetings (July 21-23)
  • More information will come out soon to you in the Slack group. These meetings are planned to be in person and will practice all recommended social distancing practices.
Nuts and Bolts News
Middle School and High School Tech Crew
Important Information

Upcoming Events
  • Round Two of Interviews (July 6-July 31)
  • Information can be found here.
  • Spread the word! Help us reach others!
The Heartbeat News
High School Show Choir Combo
Important Information

Upcoming Events
  • Round Two of Auditions (July 6-July 31)
  • Information can be found here.
  • Spread the word! Help us reach others!