Frequently Asked Questions About Chorus
- Can I be in sports and be in chorus?
- Can I be in theatre and be in chorus?
- What kind of music do the chorus classes sing?
- Do I have to audition to be in chorus?
- I heard that Show Choir is after school. I also heard that if you want to be in Show Choir, you also have to be in another chorus class during the school day? Is that true?
- I want to be in Show Choir, but I’m also in sports. Can I do both?
- How much does it cost to be in Chorus?
- I heard the trips are pretty expensive. What if I don’t want to go on the yearly chorus trip?
Q: Can I be in sports and be in chorus?
A: Yes, absolutely! Many chorus students are in football, soccer track, field hockey, etc., and are able to be in chorus. Most chorus classes don’t rehearse after school, so they don’t conflict with being in sports.
Q: Can I be in theatre and be in chorus?
A: Yes, absolutely! There’s something about chorus and theatre that goes hand in hand. There are many students who are involved with both. The great thing about theatre is that you don’t have to be in the class to audition for the shows. Many choral students join chorus their freshman year and are involved with theatre after school until their class schedules allows them to be in both. When you are a junior, you will no longer have to take P.E., which means you will have room in your schedule to join theatre at that time. If you are interested in becoming an advanced singer, it’s important to have the consistency of singing every year during high school. If you quit for a few years and then try to come back to chorus, it’s harder to get into the advanced groups.
Q: What kind of music do the chorus classes sing?
A: We sing a variety of music. We usually start the year out with more classical-type songs, but by the end of the year we are singing pop, jazz, and Broadway. This way, you really learn how to sing in many different styles and languages. The show choir sings only pop, jazz, and Broadway music, and that ensemble also dances.
Q: Do I have to audition to be in chorus?
A: No. If you are nervous about auditioning, just sign up for chorus and you will be placed in a non-auditioned class (either Women’s Chorus or Men’s Vocal Ensemble). But, if you want to be in a more advanced group, you need to audition.
Q: I heard that Show Choir is after school. I also heard that if you want to be in Show Choir, you also have to be in another chorus class during the school day? Is that true?
A: Show Choir meets outside the school day for credit. It is a class that you get a grade for. It meets Thursdays after school from 3-4:30 and Wednesday nights from 5:45-8 p.m. You must be in another choral class in order to be eligible to audition for Show Choir. Most of the current Show Choir students are also in an advanced choral ensemble, and many of them are also involved with theatre. What’s cool about Show Choir being a class outside the school day is you essentially get an extra credit on your school record. Assuming you get an “A” in Show Choir, it’s one more class that brings up your overall GPA.
Q: I want to be in Show Choir, but I’m also in sports. Can I do both?
A: Yes! Definitely. Many of the Show Choir students are in track, soccer, field hockey, football, etc. Because sports mostly practice after school, the only day when there is a conflict is on Mondays because that’s one of the days when Show Choir rehearses. Ms. Lardin helps you work out the conflict with the coach.
Q: How much does it cost to be in Chorus?
A: Every year you pay a fee that basically covers the rental, care, and maintenance of your uniform. It is $75, except for Show Choir which is $150. All students must pay the fee, unless they are receiving free or reduced lunch.
Q: I heard the trips are pretty expensive. What if I don’t want to go on the yearly chorus trip?
A: Students are not required to participate in the yearly chorus trip if they do not want to. But, for those students who are interested in participating, there are many fundraising opportunities available throughout the year that enables students to raise money for their trip participation. The average cost of the trip is $500.
If you have any other questions, please contact Miss Lardin, Chorus Teacher, at 703-488-6431, or Jessica.Lardin@fcps.edu.
Last Update: 08 Apr 2008