Hello GMS chorus families!
I am so excited to welcome you all back to another year with the GMS music program. My name is Kienan Reilly, and I direct all choral groups at GMS, grades 5-8. It has been so great to hear our GMS students singing again! Below, you can find all the information you need for this coming school year, including concert dates, practice expectations, and more. Please make note of any performance dates for your child. Please email me at kienan.reilly@wpsk12.org if you have any questions.
I am so excited to welcome you all back to another year with the GMS music program. My name is Kienan Reilly, and I direct all choral groups at GMS, grades 5-8. It has been so great to hear our GMS students singing again! Below, you can find all the information you need for this coming school year, including concert dates, practice expectations, and more. Please make note of any performance dates for your child. Please email me at kienan.reilly@wpsk12.org if you have any questions.
2022-2023 Performance Schedule
All GMS performance dates may be found below. Please be sure to mark your group's dates down on your calendars.
Because of high enrollment, 5th and 6th grade choirs will be split into two concerts. Students will be assigned to perform in only one concert. More information about how the classes will be split up with be announced later in the year.
CALL TIMES:
Students should arrive at GMS at the following times, unless otherwise noted.
8th, 7th - 6:30PM
5th, 6th - 5:30 (for 6:00 concerts), or 7:00 (for 7:30 concerts)
WINTER
Gr. 8 Holiday Sing-Along - TBD (in school performance)
Gr. 8 Combined Rehearsal - 12/6/2022, 2:30-3:15PM
Gr. 7 Combined Rehearsal - 12/13/2022, 2:30-3:15PM
Gr. 8 Concert - 12/14/2022, 7PM
Gr. 7 Concert - 12/15/2022, 7PM
Gr. 5 & 6 Concerts - 1/18/2023 - 6PM, 7:30PM (Groups TBD)
SPRING
Gr. 8 Combined Rehearsal - 5/16/2023, 2:30-3:15PM
Gr. 7 Combined Rehearsal - 5/23/2023, 2:30-3:15PM
Gr. 8 WHS Choral Night - 5/23/2023, 7PM
Gr. 7 & 8 Concert - 6/1/2023, 7PM *this date was changed 11/17/22*
Gr. 5 Concerts - 6/6/2023 - 6PM, 7:30PM (Groups TBD)
Gr. 6 Concerts - 6/7/2023 - 6PM, 7:30PM (Groups TBD)
Gr. 7 Galvin Music Festival - Early June, TBD
Gr. 8 Galvin Music Festival - Early June, TBD
CHAMBER CHORUS
Chamber Chorus is our auditioned, after school honors choir for 7th and 8th graders. All repertoire is a cappella, including traditional and modern pop. Auditions will take place after school on October 6. Chamber Chorus meets Thursdays 2:30-3:15.
DRAMA CLUB
This year we will be performing the Little Mermaid! One of our amazing drama club staff members will be stepping up to direct this year, Elton Knupp! I will be stepping back to work as an assistant director. Auditions will begin September 27. See GMSdrama.com for more information.
FESTIVALS
7-8 Graders (and 6th grade tenors or basses) may audition for the Junior District Festival. Junior District auditions are scheduled for Saturday, January 28, 2023. Auditions this year will return to an in-person format in Methuen. Interested students will receive audition materials in class.
I will send home information on the District Treble Festival (grades 4-6) later in the school year. Students will sing a selection of our performance repertoire in class as an audition.
Because of high enrollment, 5th and 6th grade choirs will be split into two concerts. Students will be assigned to perform in only one concert. More information about how the classes will be split up with be announced later in the year.
CALL TIMES:
Students should arrive at GMS at the following times, unless otherwise noted.
8th, 7th - 6:30PM
5th, 6th - 5:30 (for 6:00 concerts), or 7:00 (for 7:30 concerts)
WINTER
Gr. 8 Holiday Sing-Along - TBD (in school performance)
Gr. 8 Combined Rehearsal - 12/6/2022, 2:30-3:15PM
Gr. 7 Combined Rehearsal - 12/13/2022, 2:30-3:15PM
Gr. 8 Concert - 12/14/2022, 7PM
Gr. 7 Concert - 12/15/2022, 7PM
Gr. 5 & 6 Concerts - 1/18/2023 - 6PM, 7:30PM (Groups TBD)
SPRING
Gr. 8 Combined Rehearsal - 5/16/2023, 2:30-3:15PM
Gr. 7 Combined Rehearsal - 5/23/2023, 2:30-3:15PM
Gr. 8 WHS Choral Night - 5/23/2023, 7PM
Gr. 7 & 8 Concert - 6/1/2023, 7PM *this date was changed 11/17/22*
Gr. 5 Concerts - 6/6/2023 - 6PM, 7:30PM (Groups TBD)
Gr. 6 Concerts - 6/7/2023 - 6PM, 7:30PM (Groups TBD)
Gr. 7 Galvin Music Festival - Early June, TBD
Gr. 8 Galvin Music Festival - Early June, TBD
CHAMBER CHORUS
Chamber Chorus is our auditioned, after school honors choir for 7th and 8th graders. All repertoire is a cappella, including traditional and modern pop. Auditions will take place after school on October 6. Chamber Chorus meets Thursdays 2:30-3:15.
DRAMA CLUB
This year we will be performing the Little Mermaid! One of our amazing drama club staff members will be stepping up to direct this year, Elton Knupp! I will be stepping back to work as an assistant director. Auditions will begin September 27. See GMSdrama.com for more information.
FESTIVALS
7-8 Graders (and 6th grade tenors or basses) may audition for the Junior District Festival. Junior District auditions are scheduled for Saturday, January 28, 2023. Auditions this year will return to an in-person format in Methuen. Interested students will receive audition materials in class.
I will send home information on the District Treble Festival (grades 4-6) later in the school year. Students will sing a selection of our performance repertoire in class as an audition.
CONCERT ATTIRE GUIDELINES
The Galvin Middle School performing ensembles include a basic performance dress code to promote professionalism in the arts. As with any sport that requires a uniform, the performing ensembles are no different. Please see your music teacher if you have any questions or concerns or are unable to adhere to these concert attire guidelines due to financial difficulties. We are happy to work with any student to make sure they are able to adhere to the dress code and are comfortable in their performance attire.
Tops - White shirts, button downs, etc. Please no tee-shirts or sleeveless shirts / tank tops.
Bottoms - Black skirts (below the knee), black pants, etc. Please no jeans, leggings, sweatpants, etc.
Socks - Black socks, black nylons. Please no white.
Shoes - Black (dress) shoes. Please no boots or sneakers.
Optional - Ties, bowties, etc. (May be any color but should not light up or make noise)
Tops - White shirts, button downs, etc. Please no tee-shirts or sleeveless shirts / tank tops.
Bottoms - Black skirts (below the knee), black pants, etc. Please no jeans, leggings, sweatpants, etc.
Socks - Black socks, black nylons. Please no white.
Shoes - Black (dress) shoes. Please no boots or sneakers.
Optional - Ties, bowties, etc. (May be any color but should not light up or make noise)
Grading
| chorus_grading_rubric.pdf |
Practice Requirements
- All GMS choral students are expected to practice 4 or more times a week.
- A practice session should be at least 10-15 minutes on a given day.
- Students will find all of the resources needed to practice in their Google Classroom.
- Practice logs are submitted during our regular rehearsals.
- In 7th and 8th grade, some practice assignments will be recorded and submitted to Mr. Reilly for evaluation.
