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VOCAL MUSIC ENSEMBLE

"Meaningful work, joyfully done"

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WELCOME/ORIENTATION

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​WARM-UPS​​

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3 TOOLS TO REDUCED MUSIC PERFORMANCE ANXIETY

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VOCAL RANGE & PEDAGOGY ​​​

 

MUSIC LITERACY​

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DATES, ASSIGNMENTS & ASSESSMENTS

SEMESTER 1

  • Getting to Know You Survey  8/28

  • Voice Placement Data  9/4

  • General Self Assessment  10/1& 11/12

  • Rehearsal Surveys  10/16 & 12/11

  • Combined Focus Block Rehearsals 12/1 & 12/10 ​​​

  • Winter Performance 12/3

  • Winter Performance Reflection 12/4

  • Christmas Concert FCC Dress Rehearsal 12/5

  • Christmas Concert FCC 12/6

  • Christmas Concert Reflection 12/8

  • Holiday Concert VSO Counterpoint@FCC 12/13

  • Midterm Reflection 12/16

  • Winter Showcase 12/16

  • Holiday Assembly 12/17

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ENRICHMENT S1

Choose ALL if you can. 

If you can't, choose a minimum of 1

  • Castleton Honors Chorus Festival 9/25

  • Calliope Concert VME 10/18

  • VSO & Counterpoint 12/13

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SEMESTER 2

  • Calliope Riley Center 4/13

  • General Self Assessments  2/16, 4/8 & 5/13

  • Rehearsal Surveys 3/4 & 5/28

  • Combined Focus Blocks-TBD

  • Spring Expo Concert & Showcase 5/27

  • Final Reflection 5/28​

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ENRICHMENT S2

Choose ALL if you can. 

If you can't, choose a minimum of 1

  • Vermont All State Music Festival Auditions 1/9

    • Festival Link​

    • Audition Link

    • Julie's SR Adjudicator Link

  • NYC Broadway & MET Opera Trip 4/24-4/25

  • Springfest Campus Concert 5/14

  • Vermont All State Music Festival 5/5-5/8

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ALMA MATER

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CASTLETON CHORAL FESTIVAL

Who: Vocal Music Ensemble Volunteers

What: 1 Day Honors Festival

Where: Castleton University

When: Friday September 25th

Why: Collaboration with Sherrill Blodget & Charles Madsen

Bus 1 Way: Pick Up@BBA 7:30 a.m. 

Carpools: Home with Family/Friends

Food: BBA Purchased Meal Tickets for Lunch/Dinner

Concert Venue: Casella Theater 7:00 p.m.

Tickets: Available at the Door $10.00 Adults & Free for 18 and under

Rehearsal Attire: School Dress Code

Concert Attire: Black Tops/Black Bottoms

Festival Music: BBA Black Folders

All PDF's

All MP3's

1.  Stand Together -Jim Papoulis

2. Canto' E Libertad(Song of Freedom)-Diana Saez and Suzzette Ortiz

3.  The Journey-Andrea Ramsey

D Block Help Sessions: 9/15, 9/17, 9/22 & 9/24

Focus Block: As Needed

Castleton Data

  • Festival Data Link

  • Festival Schedule Link

  • Driving Directions Link

  • Campus Map Link

  • Media Consent Link

  • Choir Roster Data Link​

RSVP: Tuesday 9/15

MC Forms Returned: Friday 9/18

Instrumental Participants

  • Austin Coburn

  • Ben Blackburn

  • Dylan Miksis

Choral Participants

  • Josef Fischer

  • Graham Long

  • Katie McNeil

  • Roger Blackburn

  • Ryan Coburn

  • James Covino

  • Keller Cullinane

  • Jane Fitzsimmons

  • Peyton Henshaw

  • Aine Kelinpeter-Hamilton

  • Ruby Lewit

  • Ella Lopez

  • Soleia Melekis

  • Ivy Packard

  • El Peters

  • Isaac Peterson

  • Edith Post

  • Lucas Powers

  • Priya Roopnarine

  • Sam Russo

  • Will Secoy

  • Evie Stasny

Staying w/Diane 

  • Gideon

  • Sorrel

  • Clare

  • Serafim

College Shopping

  • Serafina

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CALLIOPE CONCERT

Who: BBA & Kinhaven Music Students, Faculty & Staff

What: Calliope Concert

Where: Kinhaven Performance Barn in Weston

372 Lawrence Hill RoadWeston, VT

When: Sunday, October 18th

Why: Eleanor Rigby w/Strings & MORE!

What Time Frame: 

  • 1:00 pm Call Time

  • 3:00 pm Concert

  • 5:00 p.m. Cleanup/Breakdown

Wallets: 

  • Adults $5.00

  • Students $3.00

  • FREE to Cast/Crew

Want to perform: Email Julie ASAP

1.  Title of Song/Artist/Composer

2.  Name(s)of performers

3. Equipment you need

4.  Backtracks if applicable

Want community service: Email Julie ASAP 

1. Equipment Manager

2.  Stage Manager

3.  EMC

4.  Audio Assistance

5.  Box Office

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SOUND BATH

Who: Vocal Music Ensemble & Cast/Crew of Sleepy Hollow

What: Resonate Sound Bath with Jenny Stafford, ResonateSoundHealing.com

Where: Larson Hall

When: Tuesday, October 20th Focus & D Block

Why: Mid-Semester Self Care

Surrender to invisible waves of gentle sound from bell plates, crystal singing bowls, chimes, gongs, and other healing instruments.

Choreographed to encourage stress, tension, and anxiety reduction, the Resonate Sound Bath is recommended as complimentary support for every-body, but especially those who experience stress, anxiety, general overwhelm, grief, sleeplessness, digestion issues, chronic pain, or depressed immunity.

***Please arrive 5-8 minutes early to settle in. As you will be resting on the dance room floor for this event, please bring anything that would keep you comfortable for the session. Ideally you would bring a thick yoga, camp, or exercise mat (or folded thick quilt) to rest on, a blanket for warmth, a pillow to place under your knees and /or head, and an eye cover (a scarf or wash cloth works great if you do not have an eye mask!)  

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December Vocal Music Ensemble

Tis’ the Season to be Busy!

Julie’s Cell Phone 802-379-0825

 

WINTER CONCERT

Who: Vocal & Instrumental Music Ensembles, Circuits, FCC & Kinhaven

Where: Riley Center

When: Thursday December 3rd

Attire: Department Black t-shirt & ALL BLACK Bottoms of your own choosing

Call Time/Photos: 5:00 p.m. WEARING YOUR ENTIRE CONCERT ATTIRE

Family/Friends: FREE/General Admission Seating

Combined D Block Rehearsal-Tuesday 11/24-11:45 a.m.-12:45 p.m.

  • FCC & Kinhaven-Sing We Now of Christmas w/strings, Children Go & Christmas Tree

Combined Focus Block & 15 Minutes of C Block Rehearsal-Monday 11/30 11:05-12:00

  • Kinhaven-Eleanor Rigby, Magic & The Letter w/Instrumental Music Ensemble

D Block Rehearsal 12/1 11:45 a.m.-12:45 p.m.

  • FCC-Sing We Now of Christmas, Children Go & Christmas Tree

OPEN D Block Rehearsal-Thursday 12/3-11:45 a.m.-12:45 p.m.

  • FCC, Kinhaven & Area Schools-Sing We Now of Christmas, Children Go, Christmas Tree, Eleanor Rigby, Magic & Auld Lang Syne

Selections & Practice Tools

  • And Children, Go Where I Send Thee/Trad.(rap section)

    • Learning Tracks Link​

  • O Christmas Tree/Trad.(jazz combo)

    • Learning Tracks Link

  • Green Blades Riseth/Sing We Now of Christmas/Trad.(strings/bells)

    • Learning Tracks Link

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  • The Letter/Joe Cocker(combined ensembles)

    • PDF's & MP3 Link​

  • Auld Lang Syne/Trad.(a cappella)

  • Magic/Lindsey Sterling(violin & backtrack)

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  • Eleanor Rigby/Beatles(w/Kinhaven strings)

    • PDF's & Tracks Link​

  • Cantate Domino/Pitoni(all state audition piece cappella)​​

Concert Jobs-It Takes a Village

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FCC COMMUNITY CHRISTMAS CONCERT

Who: BBA Vocal Music Ensemble, First Congregational Church Choir/HandBells, Taconic Chamber Players, Eric Johnson

Where: First Congregational Church Manchester

When: Sunday December 6th

Call Time/Attire: 2:30 p.m. Arrive in your ALL BLACK BOTTOMS 

Rehearsal: 3:00-4:00 p.m.

Concert: 4:00 p.m.-6:00 p.m.

Cookie Contest 6:00 p.m.

Dress Rehearsal(Street Clothes): Saturday December 5th 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.

Concert Attire: Formal Tops/ALL BLACK Bottoms

Reserved Seating for BBA Performers: Front Pews

Family/Friends: Free Will Offering Donation to Charity

Julie: Will bring Music Folders & Concert Attire Tops

Return Attire Tops & Folders to Julie at the conclusion of the performance

Selections & Practice Tools

  • And Children, Go Where I Send Thee/Trad.(rap section)

    • Learning Tracks Link​

  • O Christmas Tree/Trad.(jazz combo)

    • Learning Tracks Link

  • Green Blades Riseth/Sing We Now of Christmas/Trad.(strings/bells)

    • Learning Tracks Link

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COUNTERPOINT & VSO RESOURCES HOLIDAY CONCERT

Who: BBA Vocal Music Ensemble Volunteers, Counterpoint & Vermont Symphony Brass

Where: First Congregational Church Manchester

When: Sunday December 13th

Call Time/Attire: 2:00 p.m. Arrive in your ALL BLACK BOTTOMS 

Dress Rehearsal: 2:30-3:30

Concert Time: 4:00 p.m.-6:00 p.m.

Concert Attire: Formal Tops/All Black Bottoms

Reserved Seating for BBA Performers: Front Pews

Tickets for Family/Friends: Available on theVermont Symphony website

1 comp per performer

Others: 18 and under free, 65 and over $20.00 and general admission $24.00

Julie: Will bring Music Folders & Concert Attire Tops

Return Attire Tops & Folders to Julie at the conclusion of the performance

Selections & Practice Tools

  • Bring a Torch/Trad./Stephen Chatman(brass quintet)

  • My Guardian Angel/Judith Weir(brass quintet)

    • Learning Track Link​

TBD

  • Chariots/John Kirkpatrick OR Christmas Day/Michael Eglin

  • Auld Lang Syne(a cappella)

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WINTER SHOWCASE

Who: Vocal Music Ensemble, Drama, Dance & Film

Where: Riley Center

When: Wednesday, December 16th

Call Time/Photos: 5:00 p.m. WEARING YOUR ENTIRE CONCERT ATTIRE

Family/Friends: FREE/General Admission Seating

Combined Focus Block Rehearsal & D w/Dancers-Thursday12/10 11:00 a.m.-12:45 p.m.

Combined D w/Dancers-Wednesday 12/16 10:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m.

Selections & Practice Tools​​

  • Magic/Lindsey Sterling(violin & backtrack)

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HOLIDAY ASSEMBLY

Who: Vocal Music Ensemble & Dance

Where: Gym

When: Thursday, December 17th

Selections & Practice Tools​​

  • Magic/Lindsey Sterling(violin & backtrack)

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SOUND BATH

Who: Vocal Music Ensemble & Cast/Crew of Rocky Horror

What: Resonate Sound Bath with Jenny Stafford, ResonateSoundHealing.com

Where: Larson Hall

When: Tuesday, March 16th Focus & D Block

Why: Mid-Semester Self Care

Surrender to invisible waves of gentle sound from bell plates, crystal singing bowls, chimes, gongs, and other healing instruments.

Choreographed to encourage stress, tension, and anxiety reduction, the Resonate Sound Bath is recommended as complimentary support for every-body, but especially those who experience stress, anxiety, general overwhelm, grief, sleeplessness, digestion issues, chronic pain, or depressed immunity.

***Please arrive 5-8 minutes early to settle in. As you will be resting on the dance room floor for this event, please bring anything that would keep you comfortable for the session. Ideally you would bring a thick yoga, camp, or exercise mat (or folded thick quilt) to rest on, a blanket for warmth, a pillow to place under your knees and /or head, and an eye cover (a scarf or wash cloth works great if you do not have an eye mask!)  

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SPRING CALLIOPE CONCERT

Who: BBA Vocal Music Ensemble, Additional BBA Students & Faculty

Where: Riley Center Stage

When: Tuesday February 13th

Attire: TBD

Focus Block Rehearsals: TBD

Cash Admission: $3.00 students & $5:00 adults

Free for Cast & Crew

Email Julie regarding additional performance slots by Friday, April 2nd

Name(s), Title/Artist, Equipment Needs

Selections & Practice Tools

  • Landslide/Fleetwood Mac-SSA

  • Fire & Rain/James Taylor-TTB

  • Ventura Highway/America-SATB

  • Peaceful Easy Feeling/Eagles-SATB

  • RENT Medley-SATB

  • Junk Music

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NYC MET & BROADWAY TRIP

Saturday April 24th-25th

 

Anya Matanovic will be doing a Q&A in the Music Room during our D Block Vocal Music Ensemble rehearsal on Tuesday, September 29th! 

 

The Proposed Itinerary

  • Saturday April 24, 2027

    • 7:30 a.m. Depart BBA

    • 11:30 a.m. Arrive in NYC

    • 11:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m. Free time for lunch & shopping in Rockefeller Center & Time Square

    • 1:00 p.m. Walk as a group to the Gershwin Theater 222 West 51st Street or 2:00 p.m. Studio 54 254 West 54th Street

    • 2:00 p.m.-4:30 p.m. "Wicked" or 3:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m. "Rocky Horror"(currently only running until February 2027 so stay tuned, hence the 'or')​​

    • 4:45 p.m. or 5:15 p.m. Depart for hotel 

    • 5:15 p.m.  or 5:30 p.m. Arrival at Homewood Suites 1 Glenwood Avenue, Teaneck, NJ 07666 201-883-1777 to to change into formal evening attire

    • 6:00 p.m. Dinner at nearby restaurant

    • 7:00 p.m. Depart for Metropolitan Opera House for group photo at Lincoln Center

    • 8:00 p.m.-11:00 p.m. Enjoy the evening production of La Boheme starring Anya Matanovic

    • 11:15 p.m. Return to the hotel & lights out

  • Sunday April 25, 2027

    • 6:30 a.m.-9:00 a.m. Breakfast is included at the hotel

    • 9:00 a.m. Depart for Liberty State Park 1 Audrey Zapp Drive, Jersey City, NJ

    • 9:30 a.m. Set sail for the Statue of Liberty & Ellis island where you will have time to explore before returning to Battery Park, NY

    • 12:30 p.m. Walk over to the Westfield World Trade Center 185 Greenwich Street for lunch & shopping

    • 2:00 p.m. Depart by bus for Vermont

    • 6:30 p.m. Arrive at BBA

 

Cost of the Trip/What it Includes

$700.00 per person-checks payable to BBA

  • Transportation & Driver

  • Hotel

  • Breakfast

  • Broadway Matinee Ticket

  • Metropolitan Opera Ticket

  • Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island & Battery Park Cruise/Tour

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Additional Individual Trip Expenses

  • Lunch & Dinner 4/24 

  • Lunch & Dinner 4/25

  • Shopping & Souvenirs

 

Rowland Travel Grant 

BBA is fortunate to offer support to students through the Rowland Student Life and Learning Fund established by Wendy and Barry Rowland. The fund has supported over 1,000 students in the last 14 years. Up to 60 thousand dollars a year is granted based on family need and the quality of student application essays. We ask that everyone pay something toward trips, but the travel grants make the trips affordable for all -- regardless of a family’s financial situation. Applications are due on October 2nd and award decisions will be made by October 17th. Link to Application

 

Trip Criteria

Student Medical Information, Emergency Contact, and Permission information should be updated & confirmed in OnCampus.

 

The Extended Trip Committee grants a conditional approval based on the criteria listed below:

  • Student is in good academic standing.

  • Student is in excellent physical and emotional health.

  • Has not been suspended, internal or externally for violating school policy in the past twelve months. (This applies only to extended trips and applies up to the date of departure)

  • Absence for the trip does not put the student over the 14 days in a semester rule.

  • Student must have approval from his/her teachers to go on the trip

  • Trip must not cause the student to miss postseason athletic contests or an arts performance.

  • Student has not been in violation of public law. (applies up to the date of departure)

  • Conditional approval may be revoked at any time if the above conditions are not met. I.e., student gets suspended prior to leaving on the trip.

 

Students and parents must sign an agreement stating that if a student is removed from the trip due to disciplinary reasons, before or during the trip, that student may not be eligible for a refund of the trip fees. In the event that a significant disciplinary issue occurs while on the trip, the student will be sent home at the expense of the parent/guardian.

 

If a student is denied permission to participate on the trip or he/she loses permission after being approved, they may appeal the decision to the committee for extended school trips. Final determination will be made by the Headmaster or his designee .

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Important Dates

  • Anya Matanovic Q&A Music Room D Block Rehearsal September 29th

  • Submit Google Interest Form by October 2nd

  • Return Signed Trip Eligibility Form to Julie Freebern by October 2nd

  • Rowland Travel Grant Applications due October 2nd

  • Rowland Travel Grant & Trip Eligibility decisions October 17th

  • Trip payment due to Trip Leader & Head Chaperone, Julie Freebern by October 27th​

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Upcoming Details

  • Rooming Survey & Room Assignments

  • Travel Protocols

  • Trip Orientation for Travelers & Families

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SPRING EXPO & SHOWCASE

Who: BBA Music & Drama

What: Integrative Learning Expo

When: Thursday May 27th

  • Selections & Practice Tools

  • Officer Krupke/West Side Story/Bernstein-TTBB

  • Over the Rainbow/Celtic Women arr.-SSA

  • Defying Gravity/Wicked/Schwartz-SA Duet

  • For Good/Wicked/Schwartz-SATB

  • RENT Medley/Jonathan Larson-SATB

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FREEBERN MUSIC 

Julie Freebern 

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