¯Shasta High School Choir Notes¯

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Volume 14, Issue 3                                               February 2010

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Spring Musical is Elton John’s

Award Winning “AIDA”

Mr. Spencer has announced the production of this spring’s musical:   “AIDA” (pronounced Ah-ee-dah), a classic love story that blends current times with an ancient Egyptian romance.  Within the drama of loyalty, betrayal, and forbidden love, AIDA is the story of three people who are forced to make choices that will forever change history.  With pop-rock music created by Elton John and Tim Rice (who also brought us The Lion King), “AIDA” has won numerous Tony and Grammy awards.  Choir members are already warming up for auditions!  Our volunteers are already starting to work on set design, costumes, and promotion!  We will need many more volunteers to bring this marvelous musical to life, so please read through the description of the committees below and contact the chair people to sign up.  You will be rewarded with a good time and many great long-lasting friendships.  We can’t do it without you!

Rhonda Nelson, Production Manager

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 Musical Information & Committees

Volunteering your time for the musical is a fun way to earn points that will help fund your child’s next big choir trip which is planned for the summer of 2011.  (See the point system explanation below in the newsletter).   It’s also a great way to meet other choir parents and make new friends, so be sure to sign up for any and all opportunities that are listed below.  

Director of Production:            Gavin Spencer gspencer@shusd.net  241-4161 X.15530

Assistant Director:                   Hillary Rogerson hillaryrogerson@att.net

Production Manager:                Rhonda Nelson rhondamnelson@gmail.com  243-6346, 227-6346

1.      TICKETS:   This year - for the first time ever - ticket sales will be through the Cascade Theater Box Office, which is a wonderful benefit to everyone.  Advanced parent ticket sales start Tuesday, March 23 and public ticket sales will begin Saturday, March 27.  Tickets will be $15 for all shows, and can be ordered by phone with a credit card through the Cascade Box Office at 243-8877 or online at www.cascadetheatre.org.  There is a $1.50 surcharge for online ticket purchases.  The Box Office is open Mon-Fri from 11:00am – 6 pm (open on the weekends at 11 am for Cascade Show days only) and is located at 1733 Market Street in downtown Redding.  For other ticket information contact Joi Borchers ljborchers@hotmail.com, 949-9535. 

2.      SETS:  AIDA will require many complex and beautiful sets, which means WE ESPECIALLY NEED VOLUNTEERS FOR SET CONSTRUCTION that begins February 22, with an orientation meeting at 6:30 at the stage.  We need help with everything from simple painting to fun foam creations to actual wood construction.  Deidra Malain and Bob Shaw are already busy working on details.  Please contact Jonnie Cardwell, Set Construction/Painting Schedule Coordinator at 244-2350 or 953-6385 cardwell6@aol.com or Deidra at dmalain@rsdnmp.org or d.malain@yahoo.com .

3.      COSTUMES:  Rita Simpson, our wonderful costume designer, also really needs your help for the many beautiful costumes that will be needed to bring this musical to life.  It doesn’t have to mean that you need to sew - there are lots of other ways to help.  Please contact her at 355-7599 ritsim53@yahoo.com.  Rita, along with Julie Buick, are already busy at work and they are ready for your assistance! 

4.      CONCESSIONS:    Selling concessions during the musical intermission is another fun way to volunteer!  You can also bring brownies or cookies to sell.  This is an easy way to earn points so please contact the Concessions Chairperson Rhonda Graham at 246-8487 or e-mail her at BRJG@sbcglobal.net

5.      USHERS:  This year Cheryl Mathison and Craig Johnson are co-chairing the Usher position.  Cheryl’s e-mail is timmathison@sbcglobal.net and her phone numbers are 515-0215, 243-1323.  Craig’s e-mail is caljohnson5@att.net, and his numbers are 246-1838 or 351-10225.  

6.      MAKEUP & HAIR:   We need some dedicated people to commit to this important job, which will be even more interesting this year to bring ancient Egypt to life!  Contact Sydney or Collett Stanger at 244-0422 or e-mail at collettcm@sbcglobal.net.

7.      LOBBY SALES:  Please buy a T-shirt in advance and wear them to advertise our show!  Contact Rita Panike at 244-7025, rdg426@gmail.com to pre-order your AIDA shirts now for only $10 each!  She will also need assistance to sell t-shirts and flowers in the lobby during show times, which is a fun way to earn points! 

8.      LOBBY DECORATIONS:  Shauna Collins is in charge of decorating the lobby with photo displays from the musical.  Please contact her at redbud@snowcrest.net or 241-2568 if you would like to assist. 

9.      PROPS:  AIDA will be a fun play to work on props, as you can help locate or design all types of interesting items.  The chairperson for this committee is Jonnie Cardwell, 244-2350, cardwellred6@aol.com

10.  CAST REFRESHMENTS:   All parents should plan on bringing cast refreshments.  The cast works well when they have the energy to work the show.  Please e-mail Roberta Mayberry at rmayberry@suhsd.net, 241-4161 at SHS to sign up to help work the cast refreshments tables or to bring food.

11.  PUBLICITY:  Deb Speer will be heading this committee.  Her phone number is 275-2750 or e-mails her at speer@c-zone.net  if you have any concerns or suggestions.

12.  POSTERS:  Theresa Sarti is the chairperson for poster distribution.  This is an easy way to earn points by helping to put up AIDA posters around town.  Contact her to volunteer at 244-4209, tsarti@sbcglobal.net

13.  PROGRAM ADVERTISEMENTS AND SPONSORSHIPS:  Many parents purchase advertisements in the musical program to have a photo with special quotations for their choir or orchestra student.  This is a wonderful way to support the Shasta High Music Department while giving your child their own publicity!  Sponsorships are also available at different levels from $100 to $400 with complimentary tickets and advertisements.  And best of all, SPONSORS GET FIRST CHOICE FOR TICKET DATES AND TIMES!  Please see the forms located at the end of this newsletter if you would like to purchase an ad or sponsorship for this year’s musical program.  MARCH 17 IS THE DEADLINE!  For questions, contact Lori Steele at 241-6060 or e-mail her at lori@shasta.com.

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Choir Calendar & “AIDA” Timeline

FEBRUARY

1          Musical Rehearsals begin

(REHEARSALS:  Will be Tuesdays and Thursdays 4- 6:30 pm for Leads, with Mondays and Wednesdays for the general cast.  After we move to the theatre sometime around Spring Break, we will be rehearsing at least M-TH in the evenings.    This is SUBJECT TO CHANGE.)

8          No school, but there is practice TBA

15        No school, but there is practice TBA

15        Musical patron/advertiser/group ticket mailing

22        Musical set construction begins with a 6:30 orientation meeting at the stage

28        Board / Boosters meeting

MARCH

5          Musical lead photos – 3:30 pm (Head shots for program)

17        Musical sponsorships deadline

17        Spring Choir Festival – SLC Auditorium

22        Minimum day, practice starts at 2:00

23        Parent ticket sales at the Cascade Box Office

(Box office is generally open Tuesdays through Fridays from 11 am- 6 pm.  The Box Office is also open on the weekends when there is a Cascade Theater Show scheduled, beginning at 11 am until fifteen minutes before that show begins).  Tickets can be purchased by phone at 243-8877. Tickets also on sale online at Cascade Theater Tickets (surcharge applies).

27        Public ticket sales begin at the Cascade Box Office

28        Board / Boosters meeting

29        Musical rehearsals move to SLC –  in the evening (may change to after Spring Break – TBA)

APRIL

1-2-3-4            Choir trip for LA tour  (Leaving 9:00am Thursday 4/1, Returning early Sunday morning 4/4)

5-9       SHS Spring Break

12        Staff Development Day--  no school, but there is rehearsal that evening TBA

14        Musical Cast photos – 4 pm

19-21   Dress parades

24        All day musical rehearsal 8-3 pm

26-27   Musical dress rehearsals, 5:00 – 10:00

28        Sneak preview night – Wednesday, 7:00pm, cast call at 5:00 

29        “AIDA” - Musical opening night (all shows at 7:00pm)

30        Musical 7:00 pm

MAY

1          Musical 7:00pm

3-5       Musical rehearsal

6-8       Musical 7:00 pm 

9-10     Mandatory strike musical sets

17        Choir Spring Concert – SLC Auditorium 7:00 pm

23        Board / Boosters meeting

JUNE

4          Last day of school/Graduation

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Point System Explanation

OUR GOAL:     The point system was introduced to encourage parent involvement in choir activities, to help families pay for choir trips, and as a way to distribute earnings fairly to our hardworking students.  The Choir Boosters was established to give our students the best experience we can.  It is run by a Board elected at a general Parent Meeting.  We are all volunteers.

Points may be earned by parents and students by working on choir activities such as the Madrigal Dinner or the musical.  Generally, one point is credited for each hour’s work.  Points will be assigned a monetary value and credited toward trip expenditures for the European trip.

Points have a monetary value only when used for the Europe choir trip.  They do not constitute money in the real world and are non-refundable.  Money equal to students’ unused points remains in the choir account to fund choir expenditures such as microphones, tuxedos, or computer equipment.

HOW ARE POINTS EARNED?     Parents may earn points only when working on a project that benefits the entire group and not for such things as making your own student’s costumes.  These points may be applied to the account of any of their children who are enrolled in choir.  They may earn 1 point per hour when working on choir projects or when serving in the following ways:

                                Officer of Booster Club                      20 points

                                Committee Chairperson                     20 points

                                Newsletter                                             20 points

Students may earn points by participating in these ways:

           Madrigal Dinner Cast     30 points                     Ushering at Musical                       1 point per hour; 20 maximum

           Musical Cast                    40 points                    Working for Music Dept.               1 point per hour

           Backstage Assistance     30 points                    Housing out-of-town guests        1 point per visitor

           Officer in Choir                10 points

A student can be credited with a maximum of 120 points each year, which may be earned in any combination by the student and his/her parents.  There is a maximum cumulative total of 300 points for each student.  

If you are going on the Europe Trip and you have not been able to earn points over a three year period because you were a transfer student or a sophomore the year of the Europe Trip, you may request Board review of your point status.  This review must take place by the November board meeting of the Europe Trip year.  Call the Points Chairperson to schedule the review.

WHO MAY EARN POINTS?     Parents, or approved adults, may earn points for only their own children who are currently enrolled in choir.  Children cannot earn points for themselves until they are in a high school choir, even if they are cast members.  Points earned by a student in the music program cannot be transferred to a sibling or a fellow choir member.  Points may not be earned by sisters and brothers, cousins, grandparents, friends, etc., nor offered to anyone outside the immediate family.  Although we welcome the help of these people, the value of points would be greatly diluted if we allowed too many people to collect them.  Parents who are employed by the music department do not earn points for time spent at their paying jobs, but may join committees to earn points.

HOW ARE MONETARY VALUES OF POINTS FIGURED?     The total number of points earned for the year by all students will be divided into the total net income from the Madrigal Dinner and the musical.  This will establish a fixed value for the points earned that year.  The amount each student has earned toward the cost of the European trip is calculated by multiplying this value times the student’s total points for that year.  Points and their values will be fixed at the end of each year and cannot be changed at a later date.  Point values will differ from year to year depending on the number of students’ and parents’ hours and the success of the musical.  (The Madrigal Dinner is always sold out.)  Points are only used towards the cost of the European trip.   Freshman students who can attend two trips during their high school years will be allowed to use their first year earned points (120 points maximum) for the freshman year trip.  They will also be allowed to earn another 300 points maximum toward the senior year trip.

FUND RAISING PROJECTS:    Fund raising projects must have prior approval from the Boosters Board when the Shasta High Choir Boosters or a particular trip is mentioned in the advertising for the event.  Monies collected will be deposited in the Choir Boosters’ account, in the individual student’s name, to be used toward choir trip expenses only.  The person in charge must furnish the Treasurer with a list of students who earned money.

RESPONSIBILITY:     It is the responsibility of every parent and child to use the sign-up sheets provided at each activity.  This is the only way your points can be reported.  It is the responsibility of the chairpersons to provide sign-up sheets, tally total hours worked by each volunteer and turn in these points in a timely manner.  All appeals for change in points must be addressed in writing to the Choir Boosters Board.  Questions about your account’s current status may be addressed at any time during the year to the Student Points Coordinator or at any Parent Meeting.  If you suspect that there has been an oversight, be sure to take care of it during the school year in which you worked.          

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¯ I WOULD LIKE TO SUPPORT THE SHASTA HIGH SCHOOL CHOIR PROGRAM  ¯

q    Advertiser           (2 complimentary tickets for full page ads only)                  

q    I would like to run a ____ page size ad.

q    Camera-ready advertisement  is:   

q  Enclosed.   

q  Please contact me for ad.

q        I am ordering a full-page ad and have

completed the ticket information below.

q    Silver Sponsor - $100 (2 complimentary tickets)

q    I have completed the ticket information below.

q    Name as it is to appear in promotional materials:                                                         

q    Gold Sponsor - $200 (4 complimentary tickets)

q    I have completed the ticket information below.

q    Name as it is to appear in promotional materials:                                                         

q   1/3 page camera-ready advertisement  is:   

q  Enclosed.                q  Please contact me for ad.

q    Platinum Sponsor - $400 (6 complimentary tickets)

q    I have completed the ticket information below.

q    Name as it is to appear in promotional materials:                                                         

q   Please provide a sign for me in the lobby to read:                                                         

q   Full page camera-ready advertisement  is:   

q  Enclosed.                q  Please contact me for ad.

Name:                                                                                                                                              

Business (if applicable):                                                                                                                  

Address:                                                                                                                                          

City:                                                                          State:                           Zip:                            

Telephone:                                                                                                                                       

Name of your child/children in the production/orchestra:                                                                               

MAKE “Aida” A SELL-OUT!

Reserve a BLOCK of tickets (20 or more) and have your family, church group, office, club, etc. enjoy a great evening together!

Encourage groups you know to do the same!

Complete the form below and mail it with your payment to:

(if questions call Joi @ 949-9535)

Joi Borchers

c/o Lori Steele

PO Box 25

Shasta, CA 96087

To receive your tickets by mail, a self-addressed stamped envelope must accompany your form and payment.  If no envelope is provided, you must contact Joi Borchers @ 949-9535 to arrange for pick-up.

Group tickets (20 or more) will be assigned beginning March 17, 2010

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Public Sales Will Be At The Cascade Theater Box Office

Cascade Theater Phone Number 243-8877

February 1, 2010

Dear Friends:

Preparations are now underway for Shasta High School Music Department’s annual musical production.  For over 39 years, the musicals have been self-supporting, thanks to the generous support from patrons and advertisers.  Contributions have helped defray the costs of the musical and have provided funds for needed improvements to the Shasta Learning Center, including new stage curtains, carpeting, improved sound and light systems, and a refurbished grand piano.  

The 2010 production, “Aida” is now in rehearsals and will be presented April 29-May1 and May 6-8. All performances will be in the Shasta Learning Center Auditorium.   There will be a sneak preview on April 28.

ALL PERFORMANCES START AT 7:00.

These musicals can only continue through the support of our community.  This year, we are offering several levels of sponsorship, to better accommodate the needs of our patrons and advertisers.  

r                  Advertiser – see rates on attachment

§         Advertisements come from businesses as well as from family and friends expressing their support of the students and their production.  Ads in the program are interspersed with photos of this year’s cast.  Full page advertisers will receive two complimentary tickets.

r                  Silver Sponsor - $100

§         Silver Sponsors will receive two reserved tickets on the night of your choice ($20 value) and the option to purchase additional tickets.  You will receive recognition in the program (approximately 3000 distributed during the run of the musical)

r                  Gold Sponsor - $200

§         Gold Sponsors will receive four reserved tickets on the night of your choice ($60 value) and the option to purchase additional tickets.  You will also recognition in the program (approximately 3000 distributed during the run of the musical), a 1/3 page advertisement in the program ($60 value),

r                  Platinum Sponsor - $400

§         Platinum Sponsors will receive six reserved tickets on the night of your choice ($90 value) and the option before anyone else to purchase additional tickets.  You will also receive recognition in the program (approximately 3000 distributed during the run of the musical), a full page advertisement in the program ($150 value), and a sign in the lobby of the auditorium,

We hope you will consider supporting this year’s production.  Please note your order on the enclosed reply form. To meet printing deadlines, we must have your order and check by March 17.  Since advertising space is limited, we recommend you place your order early.  Thank you in advance for your consideration. 

Public Ticket Sales will be provided through

The Cascade Theater Box Office Starting March 27, 2010

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Madrigal Patronships Available

Madrigal Dinner Patronships will be sold during the spring musical for $200.  A madrigal patronship includes two free tickets with an opportunity to purchase four more.  But most importantly, patrons receive first consideration to choice of nights for seating!  Patrons are also acknowledged each night of the Madrigal Dinner on a poster located at the entrance of the church.  This is a wonderful way to reserve your choice of seating for the December 2010 Madrigal Dinner.  You or your business will also receive exposure on our acknowledgment poster and your donation helps a wonderful program that benefits all of our children and our community in so many ways.   We now accept payment for patronships with cash, check or credit card (Visa/ Master and Discover card).  If you would like more information or to purchase a patronship please contact Laurel Johnson at madtickets@att.net or by calling or texting 945-4220 and Laurel will get back to you. 

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Choir Communications

The choir has its own website at www.shastachoir.com.  A current calendar of events is always available on the website.  We also communicate information by group e-mail; please make sure you give us your e-mail – both parents and students – so you can keep current on what’s happening with choir.  Please send your name and e-mail address to info@shastachoir.com and we will add you to the list.  Newsletters are e-mailed or posted on the website unless you specifically request to have them mailed to you.  Please contact Karen Woods at 244-1551 or 945-4220 if you do not have Internet access to make arrangements to get a printed copy of future newsletters.  Thanks.

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Choir Boosters & Class Representatives

Please note that there has been a change in the Junior class representative.  Please contact any of them, especially your student’s class representative, if you have any questions, comments, or concerns. 

President:          Karen Woods  244-1551       Senior Representative:     Amber Forrest    243-3524

Vice President:  Janet Bailey    524-6906       Junior Representative:     Colleen Murphy   244-2430

                                                                                                                 (Previously April Sharpe)   

Secretary:         Laurel Kure    242-6570        Sophomore Representative:   Kelly Grafft   223-3833

Treasurer:        Tirzah Chase   378-8301       Freshman Representative:     Joe Contreras 246-1543

Points Chair:    Karina Lapp    396-2797  

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