and...........We're Off!!

The calendar propels us into the new school year, ready or not! I seemed to be in the NOT READY category for various reasons, but gradually I'm getting there. Between moving my children here and there (foreign countries, college transfers) and my own travels, it has been a very busy summer which I thoroughly enjoyed. But now I must turn my thoughts and energies to creative musical preparations (would you like to see a cameo appearance of the faculty barbershop quartet?), sequencing All-State music (how many times will it take me to get the counting right?), ordering music (what can we learn quickly for Homecoming?), and a thousand other details that seem to get lost in my foggy mind from time to time. Sometimes I think I have Hilary Clinton's disease: "I'm sorry, I can't recall........." (If you didn't get that, you are not old enough!!)
Here is some information you may be interested in: 1)I will be organizing a team of extras for the musical that will not need to be in vocal music and will only commit to coming to the last 2 weeks of rehearsal. To put it simply: I need more guys. Send them my way! 2)Yes, your kids will need to bring their computers to my class as well as the others. I have some activities planned that they will enjoy and will be delivering them on Moodle, which they should be familiar with unless they are freshmen. I'm also going to try to keep the calendar on Moodle so if you are unsure about a time or a rehearsal and the paper rehearsal calendar didn't make it home to the fridge, you can check it out on line.
There are lots of ways you can contact me: school phone, cell phone, email, blog. Please let me know how I can help you!

Off and running........
Mrs. Nichols

Bye Bye.........Summer

I hope your summer has been as wonderful as mine; filled with family, hard work, great play, and spiritual growth. Now it's time to begin to think about the new school year and the challenges it will bring.

What challenges, you might ask??
Well, the biggest one will be the production of our musical, which will be...................
Bye Bye Birdie!!!!! IF we get enough students enrolled in vocal music we will have a great time with this 1950's story involving an Elvis character. I really need each vocal music student from last year to bring along at least one friend so we will have enough people. Remember that students can join vocal for only one semester if they want to. The reason why we expect those who want to be in the musical to enroll in vocal music is because much of our rehearsal takes place during class until the last week in October. The last week of October and the first week of November will be filled with after school and/or evening rehearsals and this is where we pull the whole thing together. Of course, we work around football and volleyball when we have to. This schedule has worked very well for us for the last several years, and limits the amount of evening rehearsals we have. Auditions will take place shortly after the beginning of school, so recruit, recruit, recruit!!!

Mrs. Nichols
ps
You can read a synopsis of the plot at the school web site under Activities: Vocal Music

Hello CAM Vocal fans! I'm SO sorry that I haven't posted since April, for goodness sake!
I'm going to try to do better now that I have the World Wide Web in my very own little office at HOME.
I've been thinking about all the music that has happened since contest and even during the summer so far. Let's see--we sang ABBA songs, Joseph and the Technicolor Dreamcoat songs, prepared for Graduation, and Lucas sang at the Alumni Banquet. Students or former students have sung in New York City, churches in Cass County, and led music at Bible Camps. You'll see them at the Relay for Life and the July 4th celebration in Massena. We are just so busy spreading the joy! And I couldn't be prouder. One of my goals as a teacher is to help students be comfortable sharing their music in the community without me- taking their amazing abilities with them into their bright futures.
For right now, I'm taking a bit of a musical break, but you know how to reach me if you need me. I'll be ready to go at it again in August, but I'm not quite there yet. Let's see, I think I need about 40 more days of vacation! :)
Enjoy!
Mrs. Nichols

Another Contest in the Bag

I was wishing just now that I had some pictures of contest to show you, but that would mean that I remembered to take my camera last Saturday, and that I had time to take pictures.
But neither of those things happened. So you are going to have to use your imagination and picture 14 TALENTED kids singing their hearts out all day long and bringing home 9 I's and 4 II's- which is AMAZING. I love contest season for one very big reason- I get to work individually and in small groups with my students and I get to see how much they progress (which is relative, of course, to how much effort they expend!). I'm so proud of this group. You might notice that we are missing some faces in the picture, but they were with us Saturday: Riley Groves, Colton Carr, Jessica Thelen. We are also missing Erin Steele, of course. But some great news- she is being released from the hospital today!! We are so thankful that we will see her again soon. Special memories of Contest 2008: Jenna singing like a trooper through a sore throat; Mixed Trio getting totally lost in their difficult acapella piece but ending together and totally impressing the judge!; Shy Ellisa bravely singing a solo!; our FANTASTIC men's group; being the best Chamber Choir; Cassidy remembering Amazing Grace lyrics just in time :); Colton's introduction of his duet with Cassidy (you'll have to ask him); Brave Brett taking a solo for the first time as a junior; and the audience reaction when Riley finished his solo.
Unforgettable. Thanks, everyone. You make me smile.

Students travel to Everly

Six students accompanied Mrs. Nichols on March 28 to attend a production of "Guys and Dolls" which starred former CAM standout Scott Kruse. Scott played Sky Masterson, the gambler who gave up his wicked ways for a virtuous "mission doll." It was a long ways to Everly (think Okoboji), but we are so glad we went. Scott did a fantastic job! The sets were awesome! The acting was professional! The singing was exceptional! Wow- what a trip. We miss him so much, but it's so good to know that he is in a place where he is able to use his talents and abilities and where he is appreciated. Way to go Scott! Wonder what next year's musical will be at Clay Central-Everly!!

River Dance a Hit!!

River Dance exceeded our expectations Friday night- what a joy to be a part of something so wonderful. The dancing (how do they DO that?), the singing (breathtaking) and the instrumentalists (five men making so much music- incredible) were all top-notch and something we will remember for a long time. We also enjoyed dining at Applebee's in West Des Moines (see picture), and were joined by some CAM High School alumni and their moms.
The tradition continues! Funny things that happened: Thinking Miss R. expected me to have her ticket, emergency stop for CC, losing Mr. Berry, getting Regular instead of Decaf coffee, and trying to get out of the parking garage after the show. Ok, they weren't funny then, but seem humorous now! Thanks, everyone, for a great trip.

So Much Fun!!

Riley was chosen by audition to sing the National Anthem for one of the sessions of the Boys' State Basketball tournament, and he represented us all very well.
Thanks, Riley, for remembering that the song is about our country and not about you! Thanks, IHSAA, for taking such good care of us and for giving talented musicians this wonderful opportunity. Thanks, CAM Boys' BB team, who supported Riley by attending the day he sang.
I agree with Riley: "That was so much fun!!!"
You can see his performance by going to the front page of the school web site and clicking on the link in the article Mr. Giegerich wrote.

In other news: Solo and Ensemble Contest will be here before we know it. (April 12, Coon Rapids) In order to encourage my students to practice and memorize NOW, we will again be having a Pre-Contest Recital during Parent-Teacher Conferences on March 17. My goals are to give the students something to work for that's a little closer than April, and also to give more parents an opportunity to see their children sing. All vocal students are required to participate in at least one event. (Most choose to do more than this.) In addition, all vocal students are required to participate in the Pre-Contest Recital. Thanks for encouraging them to practice and memorize their music!