My departure

Dear Wheeler Chorus Families, I truly enjoyed the concert last week. Well done, y'all! I am both sad and happy to announce that I will not be returning to Wheeler this coming fall. The decision has been a difficult one to reach, however I am confident it's the right one for me and my family right now. With two small children at home, my husband and I both feel that I should be more present in their lives for these next few years. While I do not think it's likely that I'll be a stay at home mommy forever (I love my career in choral music far too much and am quite passionate about it), these days with my little ones are precious and go by so quickly. You, students, have inspired me daily and were so gracious in welcoming me into the Wheeler Chorus family from the moment I entered the classroom. I have truly enjoyed my time with you and found it very invigorating to be in a high school choral classroom again with such talented kids as yourselves. I simply LOVED making music together with you! I sincerely thank you, students and parents, for your support and encouragement of me and the choral program during my tenure at WHS, and I truly hope that you all work to continue the tradition of excellence in choral music at Wheeler. I hope we can remain in touch, and I plan to see you all at future concerts! Feel free to reach out to me at my personal email if you'd like: beth.wilson77@yahoo.com. Thank you for a fabulous two years. I will miss you all. With love and thanks, Beth Wilson

Baby Anna has arrived!

Dearest Wheeler Chorus Students and Parents,
Mrs. Wilson is very happy to announce that Anna James Wilson arrived yesterday (Wed. 3/28) at 1:21pm. Stats: 7lbs 5oz and 19.75in. Mommy, Daddy and big brother Drew are all overjoyed to meet her and very happy to report that she is in "perfect health" (so said the pediatrician just now:)!

Missing you all, and hoping that each of you has a fabulous, safe and restful Spring Break!
Oxox,
Mrs. W

Break a leg at LGPE!

A quick hello from Mrs. Wilson. Just wanted you to know that you're in my heart and mind as you prepare to perform and sight read tomorrow at GMEA District 12 LGPE Choral Festival. I know you'll make Mr. Brown, Wheeler and ME proud! Break a leg!!!

P.S. Still no baby Anna. She is one determined (and stubborn) little girl. I am now 37 weeks, which is full-term...a huge blessing.

Mr. Brown

Greetings!

My name is Jon Brown and I just wanted to introduce myself to you as the Long Term Substitute for Mrs. Wilson. I must say as a graduate of Wheeler I am excited to be back and to see all the new activity at the school. I received my degree in Music Education at Kennesaw State University. Recently, I worked with the Milton High School Choral Department in the fall and I just finished a position as a Long Term Substitute for Chorus at North Cobb earlier this semester.

I started with your kids on Monday of last week(2/27). It is always difficult for students to have to adjust to a new teacher in the middle of the semester, but you students have handled in very well. This is a busy time of the year for Chorus and You will probably hear from me about LGPE(Festival) and other activities in the near future.

Thank you for your continued support of the Wheeler Chorus and I look forward to meeting you soon.

Sincerely,
Jon Brown
Jonathan1.Brown@cobbk12.org

Supply Teacher begins Monday!

Dear Wheeler Chorus students and parents,

I heard from Destiny, Dr. Wasson and Mrs. Yates that this past week was far more successful than the previous one... I am so glad. I trust that you will welcome Mr. Brown, the supply teacher, with open arms and a GREAT attitude on Monday, and that you will continue to work towards the goal of fabulous performances (and sightreadings) at LGPE on 3/15. Please be helpers and leaders for Mr. Brown as he transitions into this new role at Wheeler, and continue to make me proud.

No change here. Contractions are manageable with bed rest and medicine. I'm almost 35 weeks along, so we're pretty much in the clear as far as any potential issues with Anna's lungs. Your emails of support, well-wishes and prayers have meant so very much to me. Please continue to pray for a healthy, baby girl upon delivery!

I'll promise to keep you posted, if you promise to do your best in my absence.

Missing you,
Mrs. Wilson

Update on Mrs. Wilson and Supply Teacher

Dear my beloved Wheeler Chorus Students and Parents,

I MISS YOU!!! Bed rest is rather dull compared to a day with y'all! Thank goodness Drew and Kathy are here to entertain and care for me.

I trust that rehearsals are taking place, that student leaders are leading, that all other singers are being respectful and diligent, and that- in light of the challenges presented by having non-musical subs- you are all still progressing towards the goal of GREAT performances at LGPE this year.

As you likely have gathered by now, I will not be returning until after this baby is born (once she is old enough to pay you all a visit... Drew will definitely want to come too:). I've been put on bed rest due to regular, labor-like contractions. At just 33 weeks now, the doctors want me to hang on a bit longer before delivering for the benefit of baby Anna's lungs. I received steroid treatments in the hospital on Monday and again yesterday that should assist with her lung development, just in case I do go into labor within the next two weeks. After that, we're pretty much in the clear. So if you have been praying, please pray for her to hang in there at least two more weeks!

Wheeler administration is working hard to ensure that a supply teacher is in place very shortly. Their goal and mine is to have that person start next Tuesday, the day after the President's Day Holiday. As soon as I know the person's name and can share that info, I promise to do so.

Bel Voce, the GSU/Hillgrove Concert scheduled for next Tuesday, 2/21 has been canceled, as you likely assumed. There is just no way, even if a supply teacher starts work that day, that you all would be prepared for this event. You and I both know that. We'll have other unique opportunities like this one together in the future, so don't fret.

As far as other dates for the remainder of the year, they should all pretty much remain intact. An updated Spring Calendar of Events is on our Wheeler Chorus web blog (scroll down to the post below this one) as well as in Charms. Cabaret will need to be rescheduled with admin once the supply teacher, student officers, and booster board parents have agreed upon a suitable date. Student Officers, you will REALLY need to step up to the plate for Banquet this year. East Side Baptist's Student Center has not yet been secured, so please address that very soon.

It is now very likely that I will be back to work before even the end of this school year!!! Because my maternity leave is being dipped into due to this bed rest, I'll likely run out of leave days close to the end of this semester. I gather that I'll be back the last week of classes to run auditions for next year and to administer final exams, but we'll know more about that as that time nears.

Until then, please continue to work as outstanding Wheeler Chorus singers, just as you are when I am in the classroom. I know that this is not how we all hoped the end of this year would go, but if there's anything I know to be true, it's that nothing is for certain in this life. So, use this opportunity to make YOU the best choir YOU can be. It's not about me.

Farewell for now.

I love and miss you,
Mrs. Wilson

Remaining Spring Chorus Events

NOTE:
• Items in bold are mandatory events for all singers.
• Items italicized and in bold are mandatory for Bel Voce members.
• The Tues. 2/21 Bel Voce performance at JFBC has been canceled.

MUST BE RESCHEDULED… Tues. 2/7, Cabaret Dress Rehearsal, 3:30-6pm, Auditorium

MUST BE RESCHEDULED… Wed. 2/8- Thurs. 2/9, Cabaret Class Rehearsals, 8:25-1:20pm, Auditorium

MUST BE RESCHEDULED… Wed. 2/8- Thurs. 2/9, Cabaret Ticket Sales, During all lunches, Booster Club parents to manage

MUST BE RESCHEDULED… Thurs. 2/9, Cabaret, 7pm, Auditorium
(Call Time), (5:45pm for Performers, Officers, Boosters), (Auditorium)

Thurs. 2/23- Sat. 2/25, GMEA All-State Chorus Weekend, all day, Savannah, GA

Tues. 3/13, Bel Voce performs at Magnet Night, 6:15-7:45pm, Chorus Room/New Gym

Thurs. 3/15, GMEA District 12 LGPE Choral Festival, all day, Johnson Ferry BC

Tues. 5/15, Spring Concert, 7pm, Auditorium
(Call Time), (5:45pm), (Chorus Room)

Thurs. 5/17, Chorus Banquet, 7pm, TBD

Update on Cabaret and Mrs. Wilson

-Cabaret must be postponed until further notice.
-Mrs. Wilson appreciates your support and your maturity both today and again tomorrow under these unusual circumstances.
-She is happy to report that she is home from the hospital and resting tonight and tomorrow too (per doctor's orders) after a long ordeal.
-As of now, the baby is fine and the contractions have subsided with medication.
-Mrs. Wilson hopes to return to work on Thursday.
-Therefore, please rehearse LGPE repertoire for about 20-30min each block tomorrow, then finish watching the movie of your choice from today's classes.
-No one should be seated anywhere but on the risers throughout class. No one in practice rooms.
-Please show Mrs. Wilson (and the sub) your respect by adhering to these instructions.

Thank you! And to those of you who have already emailed Mrs. Wilson your words of encouragement and support, many many thanks!!!

CABARET 2012: Final Event Details

Raffle: Many thanks to the chorus families who have contributed raffle items thus far! We are in pretty solid shape with this part, but could always use a few last minute goods/services if you have something to offer.

Dress Rehearsal: MANDATORY for all performers and will run from 3:30-6pm on Tues. 2/7 in the Auditorium. Extra helping hands of student officers and chorus parents are most welcome.

Ticket Sales: We have one parent who has volunteered to help on Thurs. from 11:45am-1:45pm selling $3 advanced tickets during the lunch period (thanks very much, Charlotte Andrist:). If anyone else is available on either Tues. or Wed. during those same hours, please let Mrs. Wilson and Mr. Brady know asap.

CABARET: Call Time for performers, student officers, emcees, volunteers, booster parents, etc is 5:30pm on Thurs. 2/9 in the Auditorium. Doors will open to the public at 6:30pm. Tickets are $5 at the door. Be there or be square!

Cabaret Ticket Sales- Parent Volunteers Needed!

Next Tuesday, 2/7- Thursday, 2/9, Cabaret Ticket Sales will take place during the lunch periods in the WHS Cafeteria from ~11:45am-1:45pm each day.

We are in need of at least 1 chorus parent to man the table each day (students will assist, but MUST NOT collect monies). Please email Mrs. Wilson and Rick Brady ASAP if you are willing and able to help with this venture next week: elizabeth1.wilson@cobbk12.org and bradyrick@yahoo.com.

Also, just a friendly reminder regarding the email sent earlier this week:
•Cabaret Accompaniment CDs are due to Mrs. Wilson tomorrow- Fri. 2/3.
•Cabaret Raffle Items are due to the Chorus Room tomorrow- Fri. 2/3.

Thank you, as always, for your support of this outstanding choral department!

Cabaret CDs & Raffle Items DUE Fri. 2/3

Cabaret Performers:
Please make certain that your background accompaniment (NOT live piano/guitar) is burned to a CD and turned in to Mrs. Wilson by no later than this Fri. 2/3!

All:
We are in need of items to raffle off at this year's Cabaret concert. Send items in to the Chorus Room by no later than this Fri. 2/3! (Some previous years' examples include Starbuck's gift cards, hand-knit scarves, ticket vouchers to performances, hand-made jewelry, sunglasses, etc.)

One more Cabaret act

My mistake... Ashley Doxy and Monica Kraeger's "Keep Breathing" act was left off the original list of performers. Sorry, girls!!! And congrats.

Cabaret 2012- Results!

So, again this year I was impressed by the versality and maturity of performances. 18 acts were selected!!! See below for results (also posted on Chorus Room door).

Performers, please be sure to bring accompaniment(s) to class this Thursday and Friday, as you'll be afforded rehearsal time while I am away at the Georgia Musica Educators Association Conference in Savannah. And carefully note the MANDATORY Dress Rehearsal and Cabaret performance dates/times:

*MANDATORY ATTENDANCE at Dress Rehearsal on Tuesday, 2/7, from 3:30-6pm
*MANDATORY ATTENDANCE at CABARET on Thursday, 2/9 from 5-8:30pm

Jordanna Oliveira- Set Fire to the Rain
Jordanna O/Celina P- Skyscraper
Alexsandra H/Jennifer J/Ashley D- The Chain
Jennifer Jess- Near to You
Alexsandra Holly- Lovebug
Ashley D/Jordanna O- Hometown Glory
Ashley D/Kadesha C- Someone Like You
William Sandberg- Feelin' Good
Veronica S/ Eboni P/ Camille R- Put Your Records On
Elizabeth Roberts- If I Die Young
Heather Sobik- Jar of Hearts
Mirindi Whitmore- Reflection
Mary Louise Sanford- All Your Life
Mason S/Austin B/Nick A- Swing Life Away/Yours to Hold
Rachel S/Jordanna O- American Honey
Cassidy Allen- Grenade
Destiny Brown- Ave Maria
Mauwi M/Niles Y/Hakim S- If I Ever Fall in Love

All-State Chorus Results!

Congratulations to the following students who will represent Wheeler HS at this year's GMEA All-State Chorus event at the end of February in Savannah, GA:
-Alexsandra Holly
-Monica Kraeger
-Camille Mapua
WAY TO GO, LADIES!!!

REMINDERS: 2nd Round All-State Audition and Bel Voce MLK Performance

Tonight (1/20): ALL-STATE CHORUS ROUND 2 AUDITIONS
Those who passed Round 1 (you 6 know who you are) should report to Hillgrove HS at least 30min prior to your scheduled audition time. Times are posted on the Chorus Room door (and have been all week). You do not need to take your music or CD with you into the audition room. However, you should dress nicely, bring water and relax. I believe in you!

Next Wednesday (1/25): BEL VOCE PERFORMS AT MLK ASSEMBLY
Bel Voce members should report to the Chorus Room at ~9:30am (time to be confirmed today). We will perform "Betelehemu"; therefore new students to Bel Voce this semester need not report. Participants, please come to school that day dressed in ALL-BLACK... clean, nicely pressed, school dress-code appropriate attire. Please use your best discretion here, folks, as I don't want to deal with any dress-code issues that morning. Thanks. I am very excited to show you off to the entire school body!

Cabaret Auditions are this week- PREPARE!

2012 Cabaret Auditions will be held this Friday (1/20) during all classes, as well as on Thursday (1/19) in 3rd Block for Bel Voce.

The order of auditionees will be posted on the Chorus Room door tomorrow and emailed out today. Please be sure to bring accompaniment tracks (and your lyrics for Mrs. Wilson's approval) to class over the next few days, as you will likely be afforded some much-desired practice time!!!

GREAT First Week!

Just wanted to say a big thank you to all my terrific Wheeler Chorus students for a fabulous start to Spring Semester! A particular shout out goes to Spirito for being the most on-task, hard-working, musical and fun choir this week. Way to go, ladies!!! And keep up the good work, everyone.

SPRING CALENDAR OF EVENTS

NOTE:
• Items in bold are mandatory events for all singers.
• Items italicized and in bold are mandatory for Bel Voce members.

Wed. 1/11, Georgia Southern University Chorale visits and performs, 12-1:30pm, Chorus Room

Fri. 1/13, Sign-up for Cabaret Auditions, during class, Chorus Room

Thurs. 1/19- Fri. 1/20, Cabaret Auditions, during class, Chorus Room

Fri. 1/20, GMEA All-State Chorus Round 2 Auditions, 4-9pm, Hillgrove HS

Wed. 1/25, Bel Voce performs for MLK Assembly

Tues. 2/7, Cabaret Dress Rehearsal, 3:30-6pm, Auditorium

Thurs. 2/9, Cabaret, 7pm, Auditorium
(Call Time), (5:45pm), (Auditorium)

Tues. 2/21, Combined Concert w/ GSU & Hillgrove HS Choirs, 7pm, Johnson Ferry BC
(Call Time), (4pm), (JFBC)

Thurs. 2/23- Sat. 2/25, GMEA All-State Chorus Weekend, all day, Savannah, GA

Tues. 3/13, Bel Voce performs at Magnet Night, 6:15-7:45pm, Chorus Room/New Gym

Thurs. 3/15 or Fri. 3/16, GMEA District 12 LGPE Choral Festival, all day, Johnson Ferry BC

Tues. 5/15, Spring Concert, 7pm, Auditorium
(Call Time), (5:45pm), (Chorus Room)

Thurs. 5/17, Chorus Banquet, 7pm, TBD