Message from the Director
DISTRICT CHORAL FESTIVAL INFORMATION
FOR ALL STUDENTS AND PARENTS
January 28, 2008
The Westfield Choral Program will participate in the Annual District Choral Festival on March 5, 2008, at Falls Church High School. This event is considered the most important curricular performance of the school year, as its results are a measurement of the success of the students’ mastery of the choral repertoire they have been learning. All high school choral programs in Fairfax County Public Schools are required to participate in District Choral Festival. Each ensemble performs before a panel of three collegiate or similarly qualified professional choral directors, receives a written and tape-recorded critique, and a rating from each judge (I= Superior; II= Excellent; III= Good; IV= Fair; V= Poor). After the on-stage performance, each ensemble is required to sight-read unfamiliar music for a rating. The choirs at Westfield have a reputation for superior performances at this event, which we hope to continue this year.
This is an excellent learning experience for our students. Please support your student’s participation in this event by making sure that your student is present at required rehearsals and performances. These are a part of your student’s grade. Students are not excused from these rehearsal or performances for outside commitments.
In preparation for District Choral Festival, there will be five combined extra-curricular rehearsals which fall on “late bus” days for your convenience. The following rehearsals are required for chorus students:
- Monday, February 4, from 2:30-3:30- All Male Choral Students
- Monday, February 11, from 2:30-3:30- All Female Choral Students
- Thursday, February 21, from 2:30-3:30- All Chorus Students
- Thursday, February 28, from 2:30-3:30- All Chorus Students
- Monday, March 3, from 2:30-3:30- All Chorus Students
On Tuesday, March 4, there will be a Pre-Festival Choral Concert on which chorus students will perform the repertoire for District Choral Festival. All students are required to attend.
All Students Report in Concert Attire to the Auditorium at 5:45 p.m. The Concert Begins at 7 p.m. and is Free to the Public
Below is the schedule for Wednesday, March 5, 2008, the day of District Choral Festival. Students are to bring their choral performance attire to school with them, along with a bag dinner to take to choral festival.
- 2:30 p.m. – Students Report to Choral Room for Final Rehearsals
- 3:30 p.m. – Students Excused to Change into Performance Attire
- 4 p.m. – Students and Chaperones Report to Choral Room
- 4:15 p.m. – Students and Chaperones Board Buses to Falls Church High School
- Approximate Return Time to WHS is between 8:30 and 9:30 p.m.
Fifteen parent chaperones are needed for this event and will ride the buses to and from Falls Church High School. Please contact Jessica Lardin if able to chaperone.
Thank you for supporting your child’s musical education, and for your support of the WHS Choral Program. Please contact Jessica Lardin if you have any questions about this choral calendar.
Regards,
Jessica E. Lardin
Director of Choral Studies
Last Update: 15 Feb 2008