Introduction

     Welcome to Milton High School Show choirs.  We are pleased to have you as part of our group. 

     Milton High School has two show choirs.  The varsity group "Choralation", consists of mostly juniors and seniors.  The prep group, "Rising Stars", consists of mostly freshman and sophmores.  this group was started in 1998 mainly to give the underclassmen the opportunity to begin learning abou tshow choir.  Show choir is an elective class worth one credit per year.

     Both choirs consist of singers/dancers, back-up bands, and stage crews.  All these positions are fille with high school students.  Each group is an integral part of our show choir.  Without all of these people, there would be no show choir.
          Bill Schrank is the musical director for Rising Stars and Choralation.
          Damon Brown and Ben Schrank are the Choreographers.
          Andy Costenino and Jenna Zanton are the musical arrangers.
          Brett carroll is the vocal coach.

     Auditions for the show choir are held in February.  Each student auditioning will be required to perform a short song and dance number.

     During August there will be a dance camp for each group.  Choralation usually meets for three/four days and Rising Stars for one day.  Students are required to attend this camp.  There are also mini dance camps held throughout the year.  (Attendance is mandatory for all these camps.)

     During the school year the choirs meet for one class period.  The Rising Stars singer/dancers meet during the sixth hour.  Choralation singer/dancers meet during the seventh hour.  In addition to their daily class, students will meet one morning a week before school.  THESE ARE MANDATORY AND ATTENDANCE WILL BE TAKEN.  Missing morning practices will reflect on your grade.  Choralation meets every Thursday morning at 7:00 a.m. sharp for 40 minutes.  Rising Stars meet Wednesday morning s at 7:00 a.m.  Choralation band will begin to meet on Tuesday morning two or three weeks into the school year.  Eventually, when the show comes together with the singing and dancing the band will come in for every morning practice.

FEES

     At this time we are very fortunate to be able to provide students the opportunity to participate in Show Choir with minimal expense.  Each student will be REQUIRED to pay $45.00 to offset some of the choir expenses.  Each new student to Show Choir will also need to purchase dance shoes at approximately $25.00.  If you are a returning student check your old shoes for fit.  You may have outgrown them, and need to order new ones. 
      All Students are to wear their Show Choir shirts to the competitions so new members will need to purchase a shirt at the cost of $14.00.  Parents may also purchase a shirt (it's a great way to show our support).

     Additional costs will occur throughout the season.  Some of those expenses will be make-up for boys and girls, bloomers, nylons and hotel fees for any overnight competitions.

     Even though we feel these fees are reasonable, we know it may be a hardship for some families and would not want this to keep anyone from being part of our group.  If you have any concerns please call Mr. Schrank.

FUNDRAISING

     Each year, students are provided serveral fundraising opportunities.  These usually involve selling candy, gift wrap, Bucky books and the very popular cheesecakes.  Students can decide whether or not to participate.  The Monies your child raises from each fundraiser is then deposited into their individual students show choir accounts.

     Students can use these funds for any of their expenses such as shoes, make-up, hotels or let it accumulate to offset the cost of any big trip we may take.

STUDENT ACCOUNTS

     Student accounts are set up every year for each student in show choir.  These accounts are carried over each year that the student remains in show choir.  Students may deposit personal funds into their account anytime during the school year.  Money raised from fundraising will also be deposited into their accounts.  Students may withdraw from thier accounts at anytime for show choir expenses, (i.e. shoes, shirts, etc.) Staff and parent volunteers help keep track of these accounts and a spreadsheet is posted so that students are aware of their balances.

     Money left in the account at the end of the student's participation in show choir will not be refunded.  Money not used will be deposited in the general fund.

COMPETITIONS

     The Show Choir competition season begins in January and ends with the final competition in March/April.  These competitions are called invitationals.  These competitions are held on Saturdays at various schools throughout the Midwest.  We usually attend invitationals held in Wisconsin, Iowa, and Minnesota. 
     Invitationals can be divided into two parts, the day competition and the evening competition.  All show choirs perform during the day competition in front of a panel of judges.  These judges select the top six groups to perform again for the judges who then choos ehte grand champion and runners-up. 
     Choralation and Rising Stars compete in several invitationals.  Some may involve an overnight stay.  For these overnight trips the student is responsible for a portion of the hotel room and their food.  Teh hotel rooms accommodate four students and the cost is usually $20.00-$25.00 per student.  Food costs can vary greatly depending on the student's appetite.  We usually have a fast food type meal on the day we travel to and from the invitational.  During the invitational, the host school provides a cafeteria where food can be purchased for breakfast, lunch and dinner.  As this is a fundraiser for the host school, we would hope you wold support them as we would like them to support us.  Students will not be allowed to leave the school. 
     Entry fees for these competitions are covered by our school.  There is no cost to our students who are participating.  However, the fee for spectators generally, runs $12.00-$14.00 per person.  Most invitationals will give you ticket options such as a day wristband, which will allow you to watch all choirs during the day half of the competition.  An evening wristband will allow you to watch the six finalists or you may purchase an all day/evening and see it all.  Parents are encouraged to attend any or all of the competitions.  It's great to have a large following of supporters to encourage the kids to do their best.  Parents may stay at the same hotels as the students.  For any overnight stays there will be a parent sign up sheet made available.  In the past we have gone to Cedar Rapids, Iow, because of the considerable distance a parent bus is an option if enough are interested.

MILTON INVITATIONAL

      Since 1993, Milton has hosted it's own invitational.  Our invitational will be held on Saturday, January 24, 2009.  This is the only fundraiser we have during the year specifically for raising money to keep the Show Choirs in existence.   
     The funds raised are used to pay for costumes, props, choreographers, musical arrangers, judges, motels and other expenses. 
     We are very fortunate to be able to host our own invitational to offset these expenses.  There are many schools where parents/students pay $1,000 or more to be part of a show choir. 
     Because this is such a big event we need everyone's help to make it successful.  There will be many ways to volunteer and more information will be made available this fall.   Please mark your calendars now and be prepared to spend your day at school.  Please keep inmind this invitational isn't for us to watch it's about making money.

SCHOLARSHIPS

     Each year, the Milton choir Parents' group, (which each parent with a student in show choir is a member), offers ten $200.00 scholarships to graduating seniors.  In order to raise funds for the scholarships we have held a scholarship dinner and most recently a dessert bar (usually held on a Sunday in October).  This fundraiser is held every 2-3 years to replenish the fund.  As with the invitational, each parent is asked to help in some way whether it's serving, clean-up, selling tickets or just buying a ticket and attending.

MISCELLANEOUS

     Calling Tree:  Each year, we set up a calling tree to get information out.  We use this to remind you of upcoming competitions, when costumes need to be in and any other information we need to get out. As with anything this process isn't perfect so if you are not receiving calls LET US KNOW.

     Photo Buttons:  We will be taking individual pictures of the students to make into photo buttons.  These buttons may be worn for any show choir event (another way to show our support for our kids).  If you wish to purchase buttons an order form will be made available.

     Costumes:  Each student will receive a garment bag with his/her/ costume.  They are responsible for the care and cleaning of their costumes.  After each competition they need to be cleaned according to your cleaning instructions (that will be sent home when they receive their costume and will be posted on the web site).  We understand depending on our competition schedule a full cleaning may not be possible, but you still need to make an effort to freshen them up.  Parent volunteers will be doing costume checks before each competition making sure they are clean and all items are accounted for.  This year we will have hangers with your student's number on them.  (The need to use these hangers for their costumes, no exceptions.)  If they lose their hangers they will be charged for a new one. 
     Clothing Requirements:  For singer/dancers and back-up band most of the costume and accessories are provided.  Bloomers and shoes are ordered through Mr. Schrank. 
     Girls:  All back-up band and singer/dancer girls need to purchase nylons (get several pairs):  No-Nonsense Brand, Beige sheer to waist. 
     Outfit reminder:  The only jewelry allowed is that which is provided as part of the costumes (this includes guys).  NO NAIL POLISH.  Hair clips are to match your hair color ( No gold or silver.)

Reparis/Alterations:  All alterations should be done before their costumes come home, but we do make mistakes and may have missed something, let us know immediately.  If any repairs are needed during the season, students should let Mr. Schrank or the parent/seamstress know as soon as possible.  Repairs need to be done before show time.  Temporary fixes (tape, pins, etc.) will not be permitted, except in an emergency.