Department of Music Strake Jesuit Triple Trio 2008-2009 Dear Parents, Your son has signed up to audition for Strake Jesuit’s elite chamber vocal ensemble, the Triple Trio. Throughout the course of the year, the “Trio” learns and performs variety of musical works, in a variety of styles, languages, costumes, and settings. Membership in the Trio is a great honour, which includes a great deal of responsibility. The following is meant to further inform you of what involvement in the Triple Trio means for your son and for your family. Requirements for Membership I. The Audition The audition for Triple Trio will be held Wednesday, April 16th at 3:30pm in the SAA Choir Room, and will conclude when a decision has been reached. This audition is “closed”: no observers will be allowed. NOTE: Sight singing is not required for the audition. II. Academic Standing This course is part of the SJ curriculum. No student may participate in any extra-curricular activity if he has failed 2 subjects. Because of the extensive travel involved in being a member of the Trio, every member is expected to maintain, at minimum, a C average . Membership in Chorus All Trio members are required to be members of the Saint Agnes/Strake Jesuit Mixed Chorus. Trio members are also required to participate in the annual choir tour. III. IV. Voice Lessons Each member is required to take private voice lessons. It is highly recommended that Trio members study voice at St. Agnes Academy. There will be a minimum of two different teachers at St. Agnes, and the boys may select either teacher. Students may study with any other voice teacher in the Greater Houston Community, if he wishes, but he will be accountable for his hours. A minimum of 10 voice lessons are required each semester. Evaluations for lessons will count toward the overall Triple Trio Grade. Commitment Membership in the Triple Trio means participation in ALL TRIO events and performances! Based on the 2007-2008 school year, a typical schedule looks as follows: Summer: Learning Trio Renaissance music August-September: Mass of the Holy Spirit Chorus Retreat October: 2 weekends at the Texas Renaissance Festival [Fri-Sun.pm] November: All Saints Mass 1 weekend at the Texas Renaissance Festival December: 2 Messiah performances 3-5 private performances January: TPSMEA All State – San Antonio SJ Open House Spring Musical Rehearsals – daily 4-6pm [optional] February: Spring Musical Rehearsals – daily 4-6pm March: Spring Musical Holy Thursday Mass Contest and Sight-Singing Competition April: Choir Tour Chorus Variety Show Chorus Banquet NHS Mass May: Junior Ring Ceremony Voice Recital SJ Baccalaureate and Graduation Obligations 1. Each individual member is responsible for the finances, construction, and maintenance of his own Renaissance costume. Detailed information will be given to the boys who are chosen. The Triple Trio costume maker is Mrs. Donna Bell, and all Renaissance dresses are made by her. 2. Each member is responsible for the finances of any Trio activity. For example voice lessons were $350.00 per semester last year. 3. The Triple Trio is considered an academic course. Each new member MUST be willing and able to change his course registration, if necessary, to accommodate Trio. 4. Once accepted, a member MUST remain in the Trio for the duration of the next school year. A member’s status may be reevaluated at the end of the year, at either her or the director’s request. 5. The members are looked up to as examples of talent, dedication, and leadership, as well as being public representatives of Saint Agnes. Each member is expected to know and abide by the school handbook. 6. Every member is REQUIRED to participate in EVERY Trio performance. This may mean rescheduling of ACTs, SATs, family vacations, etc. Each new member will be given a calendar of performances scheduled for 2008-2009, but parents, please be aware: UNSCHEDULED PERFORMANCES DO HAPPEN!!! I would be honoured, as an educator and as a musician, to be given the opportunity to share in the musical growth and development of your son. If your son is accepted, please know that BOTH he and I will need your continued support and encouragement. Be assured that, as parents, you will have my support and assistance in any way that you feel is necessary. PLEASE TALK THIS DECISION THROUGH WITH YOUR SON! He will need your help and guidance to learn to balance, in a healthy and creative way, study, family obligations, rehearsals, performances – even transportation! If you are willing, please sign this contract, and give it to your son. His presence at the audition, with your signature, means that, as a family, you are prepared to enter the experience of the Strake Jesuit Triple Trio. If you have any further questions, please feel free to contact me at school : 713-219-5541. Sincerely, Kimberly F. Mendoza Vocal Director CONTRACT As a member of the SJ Triple Trio I will: 1. Be a member of the SAA/SJ Mixed Chorus; 2. Maintain at least a C average; 3. Take private voice lessons; 4. Be responsible for the construction and maintenance of my costumes; 5. Abide by the rules of the SJ handbook when in public; 6. Memorize all music assigned to me; 7. Be present and prepared for all performances. Student Signature Date I have read the contract, and my son has my permission and support to be a member of the SJ Triple Trio. Parent Signature Date