Lightridge Chorus -
Happy New Year! We have jumped right into our assessment music in all ensembles this week and we are making quick progress! This newsletter will share information regarding second quarter grades, Course Selections, the New York City Spring Trip 2nd Payment, the Lightridge Singers Assessment Clinic, and Chorus Boosters. Here is a link to our Winter Concert! Thank you to all of you who attended and for your support!
Second Quarter Grades
All grades are up to date at this time for Lightridge Chorus students. Students will be receiving a Major Summative Grade reflecting their cumulative Formal Formative Grades for Rehearsal Skills on the last day of the quarter. This grade will indicate the sum of all of the formative grades combined. Besides that final submission, everything is accurate and prepared for report cards. If you or your students have any concerns regarding their grades, please do not hesitate to reach out to me! There are still students with some missing assignments, please ensure that your students complete all work.
New York - Second Payment
The New York trip’s second payment is fast approaching. We have fulfilled our minimum number of students attending the trip so there will be no extra fee from the original anticipated amount! This is the link to submit the second payment: https://lcps.schoolcashonline.com/Fee/Details/11155/371/False/True. The second payment is due on Friday, January 13th. Chaperones, you will be paying this second payment as well.
Assessment Clinic - Lightridge Singers
The Lightridge Singers will be participating in an assessment clinic on Sunday, January 29th from 4 PM - 7 PM. This clinic will include music educators from Northern Virginia who can specifically assist our singers with vocal technique as we prepare for our assessment season. This will serve as a Major Summative assessment for students in Lightridge Singers.
Course Selections
Course Selections for high school are fast approaching. As students continue on or are embarking on the beginning of high school, it is important to consider the benefits of performing arts elective.
Music courses help students create diversity for their college applications. Creativity is valued in the college acceptance process. A sequential music elective also showcases long-term commitment, diligence, and responsibility. Students utilize these skills in all aspects of their lives. How will your students’ college applications differ from other students in Loudoun County?
Employers hire creative team workers who stand out. The first question asked in many interviews is, “tell me about yourself?” Does the candidate showcase unique perspectives and skills that can benefit the company? Employers want candidates that are masters in their content knowledge, but also excel in skills like communication, listening, critical thinking, and problem-solving - all of which are taught in fine arts.
Honors Music becomes an option for students in high school. The purpose of the honors music option is to challenge students to participate in a diverse spectrum of pre-approved musical activities to enrich their overall musical understanding and provide deeper learning. Successful completion of these requirements will result in an additional 0.5 credit for the chorus class your student is already in.
Students are able to continue to be a school community. The continuation of growing musical skills will result in more performance opportunities, advanced courses, and new repertoire. As your child gets older, they will have more space in their schedule for additional electives closer to the end of their high school career. Their junior and senior year is a great time for their transcript to incorporate additional interests your student has. Please also consider your student completing a course through Virtual Loudoun during the school year for no cost.
If you or your student has any questions about this process - please do not hesitate to reach out to me!
Chorus Boosters
The Lightridge Chorus Boosters is diligently working to support the Chorus program. Thank you so much to those of you who have signed up to be a member and to those of you who have donated the the program as a whole. Here are some items that we are looking for donations to go towards:
clinicians from universities and prestigious high schools
annual senior scholarships
recording equipment + sound equipment
fees for auxiliary instrumentation [percussionists, strings players, etc.]
fees for auxiliary staff [lights + sound for concerts, etc.]
To make a general donation to Lightridge Chorus, please click on this link.
To become a Booster Member, please click on this link or this link if you would like to be a member and get a Lightridge Chorus car decal as well!
Best,
Helai Karim