Road trip anyone?

Several updates/reminders regarding the choir trip...

First--  It's not too late; there still is time and room for you to join the BV Choirs on our bus trip to Florida June 2-8.
-Choir member with a change of plans?  -Yes, there is room for you!
-Interested in being a chaperone?  -We could use a few more!  The price is affordable for what may be the easiest working vacation you could ever have.
-Family members?  -Yes, over the years we've had a number of families travel with us as an affordable, simple way to visit central Florida.  Maybe you would like to join us?

I've done many long choir bus trips in my life (this will be my fifth WDW trip).  I don't remember that the bus ride was long, or at times, uncomfortable.  I remember how great the choir sounded, I remember compliments from bus drivers, restaurateurs, and hotel managers because BV kids are polite, considerate, and so easy to travel with.  This is a really great trip, and if you choose to join us, you will make great memories to last a lifetime.

...For details, please see the Florida! June 2015 page to the right...
...then contact Mr. Gullickson if you are interested, or have any questions.

Second-- A reminder that students' accounts should be at (or at least near) or above $300 at this time.  A frequently updated spreadsheet listing each student's payments/fundraising is posted in the choir room; parents can contact Mr. Gullickson any time for updates.  In response to students' requests, we will have another sales-oriented fundraiser (in February), as well as a fund-raising BV Choir Variety Show February 20.  ALL trip money needs to be turned in by early April.

Finally--  I will maintain a Florida Itinerary page (see right), and update it regularly as trip details fall into place.

New semester, new possibilities...

The excitement of another Christmas is now long past, and we have survived this year's first (hopefully only) major winter weather event.

2015 holds numerous opportunities and challenges for Lynx and Concert Choir members to grow as singers and as performers.

Parents, please encourage your children to try something new this semester:  Choir Variety Show, Solo/Ensemble Contest, audition for "Grease", audition for SD Honor Choir --all are marvelous opportunities for improving musicianship and self-confidence, as well as creating life-long amazing memories.

Please refer to the Calendar page at the right for details, and contact Mr. Gullickson with any questions.

Sounds of the Season

The BV Choirs and Orchestra present their winter concert, "Sounds of the Season" Monday night, December 8 at 7:30 PM in the BV Performing Arts Center.
House doors will open at 7; admission is free.

Chamber Choir report to the PAC stage at 6:45
Lynx and Concert Choir report to the Auxiliary Gym at 7:00

Concert Choir at Washington Pavilion

This Sunday, November 9 the BV Concert Choir performs in the Augustana Fall Choral Concert at the Washington Pavilion.  Here are details for the afternoon:

BEFORE 1:00 --Concert Choir members report to BVHS, get robes, board school bus

1:00 --Bus leaves for Washington Pavilion

1:35  --On stage warm-up/practice until 2:10

3:00  --Concert  --tickets available at the door, or by contacting the Washington Pavilion.
          Admission is FREE to K-12, and those with a valid Augie ID.

4:15 (est.)  --bus leaves WashPav, returns to BVHS

All choir members will ride school transportation TO the concert.  As with any other BVHS activity, students have a sign-out option to go home after the concert with a parent.  School transportation will be available for singers whose parents do not attend the concert.

Any parent requesting an exemption from the above travel policy needs to e-mail  BVHS Activities Director Randy Marso as soon as possible.

SD Junior Honor Choir

BIG congratulations to 5 BVMS singers who have been accepted into this year's SD Junior Honor Choirs.

Seventh grader Abby Waldner, and eighth graders Isabelle DeWitt, Emma Eichelberg, Kayden Hoeke, and Emili Widrig all will be rehearsing and performing in one of two Honor Choirs convening in Sioux Falls January 23 and 24.

Kayden will be singing bass in the SATB Honor Choir, while the four girls will all be singing soprano in the Women's Honor Choir.

All five singers are members of the BVMS 7th/8th grade chorus.

Both Honor Choirs are sponsored by the SD American Choral Directors Association.  The Junior High Honor Choir weekend is part of SD-ACDA's annual Mid-Winter Conference.

BV Concert Choir at Wash. Pavilion

The Brandon Valley Concert Choir will perform in the Mary W. Sommervold Hall of the Washington Pavilion on Sunday, November 9.  The choir is invited as a guest choir on the Fall Choral Program of the Augustana College Choirs.

The 3 PM concert will feature the Augustana Choir, Chamber Choir, Collegiate Chorale, and women's choir Angelus, as well as a performance by the BV Concert Choir.

Click the link for TICKET INFORMATION,  or contact the Washington Pavilion.  Tickets WILL BE AVAILABLE at the door, and by purchasing at the door, you will avoid handling/service fees.

Thank you, re:Voiced; thank you, Brandon...

Thursday's re:Voiced concert was a huge success, judging by the audience reaction, and by the things I heard from their new fans following the concert and on Friday.  Clearly, those in attendance were impressed with re:Voiced's talent, professionalism, and charm.

As a hectic Thursday was winding down, I was able to share a quiet pre-concert meal (thank you, Fine Arts Boosters) with re:Voiced.  The guys were unanimous in their praise of Brandon and the Brandon Valley Schools.  They said they have never been treated so well by students, adults, and by a community in general.  The Brandon stop on their tour was the first time in South Dakota for any of the group's members, and if they have their way, it won't be the last.  We'd love to have them come back again!

An event of this size would be impossible without the work of the BV Fine Arts Boosters, who volunteered time, talents, and energies to make this successful.  Thank you so much!