Music At Ambrit

New Middle School Music Teacher: Introducing Ms. Tiffany Herring

2012-01-30T08:53:00.001+01:00

We are sad to see Ms. Carolina Johnson leave AMBRIT this year, but we know she will be successful in her next adventure. Carolina, thank you for all your hard work and dedication.

The Music Department would like to welcome Ms. Tiffany Herring as the new Middle School Music Teacher. Ms. Herring has many years of experience as an Operatic Vocalist, Music Teacher, and Director. She has performed in many countries including South America, North Africa, and in Europe. She has a Performance Diploma from the Jacobs School of Music in Indiana, and received a Bachelors in Music from the Oberlin Conservatory of Music in Ohio. The Music Department is thrilled to have Ms. Herring. She is a great addition to AMBRIT and to the Music Department.

Miss Johansson Leaves

2011-12-19T12:20:00.001+01:00

We will greatly miss our wonderful, talented Miss Carolina Johansson, who is leaving Ambrit to take a position in Sweden as producer of children's theater. Carolina teachers Grades 4-8, conducted Middle School Choir and Honor Choir, and also directed the annual St. Lucia Carol Ceremony in Rome. Students traveled with Miss Johansson to London, Valencia, and Madrid. She will continue singing concerts and working with young people as she produces operettas, and designs sets and costumes for the performances, something Carolina enjoys a great deal. Many Ambrit students and colleagues will have fond memories form dance festivals and concerts they have performed with Miss Johansson, and we know that she will be taking warm memories of her Italian experiences with her.

EC Halloween Sing Along

2011-11-09T09:53:00.002+01:00

The Early Childhood Halloween Sing Along was a success! The event started with a costume parade where EC students showed off their scary and spooky costumes. Then stutents sang a variety of Halloween songs and the parents joined in too! Thank you parents and friends for your cooperation and participation. What a great way to kick off the Autumn season! Hope everyone had a Happy Halloween!

Piano and Friends Recital November 24, 2011

2011-10-23T12:32:00.000+02:00

The Piano and Friends Recital will be Thursday, November 24, at 19:00 in the Ambrit Theater. This annual concert is performed by professional musicians, many of whom teach music at the school. Our program this year promises to be beautiful and entertaining, from Baroque music to 20th Century. Students who are learning to play an instrument will also enjoy this concert, and should attend with their parents.

The program includes: Bach Brandenburg Concerto N. 3, Faure' Elegie for 'Cello and Piano, Bernstein Clarinet Solo, Franck Violin Sonata, and several other short pieces. The duration will be one hour and 15 minutes.

A Music Trip to Cyprus!

2011-10-22T11:02:00.001+02:00

Arabic-European Choral Festival

Many of us have taken advantage of the wonderful professional development opportunities offered to teachers at Ambrit. In September I was fortunate to attend the first world Arabic-European Choral Festival in Limassol, Cyprus, which was funded entirely by Europa Cantat and the European Union, and hosted by Epilogi Choral Crossroads. It was an event I will never forget, because I heard world-class, inspiring choirs from Hungary, Estonia, Jordan, Lebannon, Serbia, Egypt and Greece, and our hosts from Cyprus were not only prize-winning singers, but superb hosts. We had very hot weather, but the activities were very cool! Meeting and speaking with the conductors of all these choirs was so interesting. I attended discussions on Arabic music and the challenges of the language and style when related to our European concept of choral singing. I picked up some great new music for my Ambrit choirs and for the MAIS Honor Choir, and shared some music I have with conductors from other countries. I was a panel member for the discussion of women in the world of conducting. Ten choirs sang for a packed house on the first two nights, and we were in heaven listening to the various styles and all the interesting music they had to offer, some of it very different from our own. The final night was a concert in the Kourion Roman amphitheater, where all choirs sang individually, and, jointly, a song called We Are Bridges, by Steve Dobrogosz, commissioned by the Cyprus Epilog committee. Please see the video link to get a flavor of the event, scrolling down to the song on the composer's website.

This trip not only gave me loads of new music, new friends and colleagues, and a beautiful experience in Cyprus, but it also inspired me and reminded me that trips like this for our own students are such an important educational experience in growing up. I was indeed sorry when the Festival came to an end, and lucky to be one of the participants.

Grade 8 Composition Elective Class

2011-09-14T09:22:00.000+02:00

This year, Grade 8 students get the opportunity to choose an elective class for each term. Music Instructor, Ms. Johannson, is offering a composition class, where students learn how to compose, edit, and mix their own musical pieces on the professional program called Logic Express. At the end of each term, students will showcase their musical pieces at a concert. Below is a picture of students' first day working on Logic Express.

Summer Has Come to an End, A New School Year Begins!

2011-09-13T13:28:00.000+02:00

Welcome Back! The Music Department has some new and exciting events to come this year. First, we would like to welcome the Music Intern, Ms. Natalie Atzeff, who will be working with the EC and Primary Grades 1-3 students. She will also be instructing two Drama classes during the After School Program. To read her Bio, please refer to the link below.
http://ambrit-rome.com/staff/staffnews.html
natalie.atzeff@ambrit-rome.com
We have started the year off by introducing different ways to use our voice. Students are able to decipher the difference between whispering, shouting, singing, and talking. Here are a few pictures of the Kinder and Grade 2 Music Class.

Honor Choir in Valencia

2010-05-20T14:43:00.000+02:00

Great singing, Middle School Honor Choir singers and Carolina Johansson, director of the Ambrit group, at your annual concert with the Mediterranean Association of International Schools Honor Choir Festival. in Valencia, Spain. Singers toured the city and under the direction of Paige Short, sang with students from many nations at a special concert at the American School of Valencia and the Valencia Conservatory Superiore de Musica. Kudos.

Junior Choir and Ambrit Chamber Ensemble Hit Milano

2010-05-20T14:38:00.001+02:00

The Ambrit Ensemble and Junior Choir sang a beautiful concert at the St. Louis International School in Milano on May 13. Singers took the Freccia Rossa train to Milano and toured the Duomo, the Brera Museum, La Scala Theater, and had a great day out playing soccer and bowling at the Villa Moratti. Side trips included the multicultural market at Piazza Marcello, the new Inter stadium, the Da Vinci horse at the race track, and students were treated to a fly-by concert by the Bersaglieri and shopping in the Galleria. Congratulations, Junior Choir on your great singing, and Ensemble for your great playing. Thank you, Philip O'Gara and St. Louis for the opportunity to visit you.

Private Lesson Recitals and Choir Concert

2010-05-20T14:31:00.001+02:00

The All Choirs Concert will be Monday, May 24 at 17:30 in the Ambrit Theater. Choirs performing will be Treble Choir, Junior Choir, and Middle School Choir.

The Private Lesson Recitals will be the last week of May. Check with your teacher if you are not sure about your recital day. Recitals are Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, May 25-27. All recitals begin at 17:30.

The Junior Choir and Middle School Choirs will be performing at the Fara in Sabina Music Festival Sunday, June 13. The bus will leave Ambrit at 10:30. Students and families are invited to have a picnic lunch in the park with us in Fara in Sabina. We should be singing about 15:30. Many concerts will be happening throughout the day, so stay and listen to others. Bus leaves for Rome at 18:30.

The Treble Choir will have its day trip Friday, June 11. We are going to sing at Britannia International school and have a picnic lunch at Lake Albano. Students leave Ambrit at 9:30 by bus and will return for parent pick-up at 17:00.

Dance Festival Big Success

2010-05-20T10:34:00.002+02:00

The annual Dance Festival was a big success. Grades Kindergarten through 8 performed to a packed house in the Ambrit Dome. Congratulations to everyone!

For more pics see the Dance Blog Site at http://ambrit-rome.com/news/events/dancefestival/dancefestival.html

March Events

2010-03-01T11:53:00.001+01:00

This Friday at 19:00 in the Ambrit Theater is the annual Parent Teacher Talent Show, sponsored by the Music Department. We are looking for talented parents and teachers who would like to perform. This is always an evening full of fun and a great way to start the weekend. Early enough, you can go out to dinner afterwards. Bring the whole family! Entrance is €10 for adults and €5 for children over 5. Proceeds go to the Pane Condiviso charity supporting our orphanage in Haiti. See you there, and thank you for supporting our charity.

On March 13 the spectacular group, Mixed Company, will be coming to Rome for 5 nights. We are looking for home hosts. The singers are university students of Yale University. They have had a number of their concerts cancelled in Greece due to the problems there, and are hoping to perform in Rome in lieu of those concerts. If you can host 2 singers, please let us know. Central families are especially needed. Many thanks for your support!

On March 17 Grade 4 students will welcome 200 other grade 4 students from Rome International Schools. The event is the annual RISA Music Festival. Students will participate a variety of musical workshops in mixed groups. At the end of the workshops, they will share their workshops with each other. A singalong is planned, and students enjoy making music all day with new friends. This Music Festival is in its 27th year.

Middle School Honor Choir singers are going to Valencia to participate in the Honor Choir sponsored by the Mediterranean Association of International Schools for five days. The singers perform in German, Spanish, Japanese, Xhosa and English, and will be doing two concerts: one for the American School of Valencia, and one at the beautiful Conservatorio Superiore de Musica de Valencia. Congratulations to our singers who will be representing Ambrit as they sing with 100 others from many countries.

All Choirs Concert

2010-01-17T16:35:00.000+01:00

Monday, January 18 at 17:30 is the All Choirs Concert in the Ambrit Theater. Treble, Junior, Middle School and Women's Choirs will be performing. This will be a fund-raiser for one of Ambrit's charities, Pane Condiviso, which sponsors an orphanage in Port au Prince, Haiti. The concert will last one hour. All are invited.

Winter Recitals

2010-01-17T16:32:00.000+01:00

Ambrit students performed eight different recitals in December. Audiences were carried away by the lovely music from all over the world, a number of soloists, and even some special guests. One of the highlights was the Middle School and Treble Choir performance at the Christmas Bazaar.

Piano and Friends Annual Concert

2010-01-17T16:26:00.000+01:00

November saw the third annual Piano and Friends concert, a benefit concert for the Suffyan Koroma Jr. Foundation for Sickle Cell anemia. This concert, in memory of Suffyan, who was a student at Ambrit, was a great success. We raised over €1000 for the Foundation which is now in its second year of helping children in Sierra Leone suffering from sickle cell anemia. Congratulations on a great playing, and many thanks to all the musicians who donated their time to make this a memorable evening.

Ambrit Goes To Rotterdam

2009-11-09T13:35:00.001+01:00

Please check this link to see the Ambrit String Ensemble's music trip to Rotterdam. Our photo-diary shares with you the memorable musical experiences and sights we took in. Click on: http://web.me.com/maryoreilly1/AMBRIT___HELLENDAAL/Photos_day_1,_Thursday,_May_28_.html#0

A New Piano

2009-10-19T23:05:00.001+02:00

Our many thanks to the Friends of Ambrit for the purchase of a new used piano for the music department. We are extremely grateful for their generosity. This piano will be used for rehearsal, practice, lessons and enjoyment for all of us. It will be in the music room, so after this week, come by to see and hear it!

Music Conference

2009-10-19T22:59:00.000+02:00

For information on the Music Conference to be held at Ambrit for all international teachers, November 4 and 5, please see the following website:
http://maismusicpre.blogspot.com/

Halloween Singalong!

2009-10-19T22:57:00.000+02:00

The EC Halloween Singalong will be the last Friday of October, the 30th. All EC students may come to school in costume---no weapons, guns, or dangerous items are allowed. The Singalong starts at 9:30. Come and sing with us and enjoy the Halloween parade! The first week of November is vacation, remember!

Wow! What a concert!

2009-09-24T18:06:00.000+02:00

The Australian Girls Choir sang to a thrilled audience today at Ambrit. Their program included songs from all over the world with beautiful choreography, and always sung with beautiful voices. Ambrit choirs joined them yesterday for an exciting workshop and they sang O Re Mi and Oye! with the Austalian Girls. It was great fun. We will miss our guests who have been staying with Ambrit families. Good luck on the rest of the European tour: Florence, Marostica, Paris, and the last in Hong Kong. We wish you all the best, and thank you!

Guests at Ambrit - the Australian Girls Choir

2009-09-18T11:51:00.003+02:00

Ambrit families are hosting members of the astounding Australian Girls Choir, Sept. 21-25, while they are in Rome on the first part of their European Tour. The choir will be giving our choirs a workshop, and will perform for our students during a school assembly. We are thrilled they have chosen Ambrit as their host school. Other concerts will take place in Rome Center. Welcome, Girls!!

AMBRIT in ROTTERDAM!

2009-09-11T13:56:00.000+02:00

The annual Holiday for Strings was in Rotterdam the last weekend of May, and students had a brilliant time. There they met with Rotterdam String School directed by Mary O'Reilley, and after rehearsals, performed to an appreciative audience. The students not only played lots of music, but also toured the harbour, tried out new foods, and made new friends with host families. Congratulations, to Damion Wallace and Ginger Izzo, and all students! If you weren't there, maybe you should learn how to play violin, viola, 'cello, or bass, and join in! We'd love to have you!

Welcome to Carolina Johansson

2009-09-09T13:08:00.002+02:00

Carolina Johansson is Ambrit's new music teacher for Grades 4 - 8. Ms. Johansson is an experienced teacher with many interests. She is Swedish, and got her music degree at the University of England in London and Birmingham, in Vocal and Operatic Studies. She is an accomplished opera singer, and if you come to the Piano and Friends Recital on Friday, November 20 in the Ambrit Theater at 19:00, you will be treated to her most wonderful voice! Carolina has travelled and enjoys the many cultures and students Ambrit has to offer. Some might remember her from Arteaparte, where she has also taught creative music classes, and she has had vast experience in theater, costume design, and working with professionals in the creative arts. She will also be director of the Middle School Choir, and will prepare and accompany the Honor Choir singers to Valencia in April of 2010. Miss Johansson likes to play tennis! We are so happy to have her with us.

Music Readiness Presentation

2009-08-28T13:09:00.002+02:00

When should a child begin studying a musical instrument?

What private music lessons are available at Ambrit and how does is work?

What music education does Ambrit provide?

Bring your questions to this meeting and discuss your concerns about your child and music education.

Tuesday, September 8, at 14:30 in the Ambrit Theater.

New School Year---More Music

2009-08-28T12:59:00.005+02:00

Ambrit offers a wide variety of musical activities. The first week of school you will be emailed a pamphlet of all AFTER SCHOOL ACTIVITIES. In that pamphlet, you will find information about choirs, ensembles, music lessons, and other after school activities.

1. Read the pamphlet.

2. Fill out the form for After School Activities you would like to do. Take it back to school with payment. Also, CONTACT THE MUSIC TEACHERS about any music activity you are planning on doing.

3. Questions? On Tuesday, September 1, information for private lessons will be available in the Atrium. Speak with Paige Short or Carolina Johannson about your concerns, and pick up an information sheet to read at home.

Check the Ambrit Music Website at:

http://www.ambrit-rome.com/music/Site/Welcome.html

Honor Choir singers in Madrid!

2009-05-17T12:31:00.004+02:00

Congratulations Honor Choir singers! You did us proud in Madrid. Standing ovation!!!!!

Choirs are singing! Musicians are playing!

2009-05-17T12:23:00.004+02:00

Schedule of upcoming concerts not to miss:

May 21 at 18:00 in Trastevere, PIAZZA S. APOLLONIA, 3, Women's Choir, Primary Strings and soloists will perform in a fundraiser for the Primary Strings tour to Rotterdam.

All Choirs concert coming up Monday, May 25 at 17:30 in the Ambrit Theater. This includes Treble, Junior and Middle School Choirs. Joining the Middle School Choir will be other Honor Choir participants from Marymount Rome and American Overseas School in Rome.

May 26, 27, 28: Private Lesson recitals at 17:30.

June 14, 16:30, Chiesa di San Giacomo in Fara Sabina Treble Choir is singing a full concert as part of the City Music Festival. Concerts all day in all the churches of Fara Sabina. We start off with a picnic lunch, and can tour the medieval town of Fara Sabina, hear concerts of youth orchestras and ensembles. Bring a friend!

Grade 1 Choir Piazza Concert to be announced.

Samoan Sasa by Grade 2

2009-05-17T12:17:00.002+02:00

The Dance Festival was lots of fun! Dances came from the Renaissance, Scotland, USA, Middle East, Ireland, Mexico, France, and included swing and creative movement. Check out this site to see Grade 2 do the Samoan Sasa, thanks to the bloggers of the Tamaki School in New Zealand. They taught it to us online!

http://sharing.theflip.com/session/1b9b9de282266c8d94c95f3dcf29ec71/video/4033939

Great gig in Genova by Junior Choir

2009-05-17T12:03:00.003+02:00

Ambrit Junior Choir took Genova by storm. Our very appreciative audience of the International School of Genova heard us sing. We hope we can host them some day at our school. Many thanks to them for giving us this opportunity!

Genova is a beautiful city. Singers sang their concert, but they also toured the city! What did we see? Paganini's violin, Genova Aquarium, Palazzi Tursi, Rosso & Bianco, went to the top of the oldest working lighthouse in the world, Roberto Scandiuzzi & San Carlo Felice symphony & chorus at the Theater, Maritime museum, little streets and good pesto, ice cream and pizza Genovese. We had sunny Italian weather. Genova is a port city, and we were in a great hotel only 20 steps from the sea. Renzo Piano's fancy structure on the port is really something, and the last day we were there we took advantage of the Children's Fair and rode trikes, jumped on trampolines, tried out some archery, and ate lots of Genovese focaccia.

Congratulations to the singers, who were professional on stage, and great tourists while visiting the city.

2009-03-06T15:06:00.021+01:00

Ambrit Musicians go to Town!

A large and audience was treated to a wonderful instrumental concert at All Saints Church in Via Babuino on St Valentine’s day. The weather may have been cold but the young students brought warmth with beautiful skilled solo playing.

The Guitar Ensemble was a new addition to the program this year and their precision playing was a highlight. Those boys will go far!

The Middle School Ensemble gave an energetic performance and had the audience tapping their feet to the Ragtime.

The Junior Orchestra are certainly playing with a lovely warm tone with wonderful arrangements.

All thanks to all our music teachers for all the hard work to make this event really special.

2009-02-03T13:26:00.008+01:00

Ambrit Musicians Excel at AMIS Festival

February 1, 2009

Eight musicians from Ambrit Middle School have just returned from Amsterdam after a hugely successful festival, where some 419 students from all over Europe came together to make music.

All students performed a solo program to the judges and were given a commentary on the performance. This was very nerve- wracking for them, but Ambrit musicians rose to the challenge, played with poise, musicianship and style. Students were highly complemented on their excellent preparation and the guitar group were commended for their “togetherness”.

Awards were as follows:-
Saskia , piano Performance with Distinction. Blue ribbon
Emma , violin, Performance with Merit, Blue ribbon
Isotta , violin, Performance with Distinction, Blue ribbon
John , violin, Performance with Merit, Blue Ribbon
Om , saxophone, Good Performance, Red Ribbon
Rocco, Classical guitar Performance with Distinction. Blue ribbon
Giorgio, Classical guitar, Performance with Merit, Blue ribbon
Raphael Classical guitar, Performance with Merit, Blue ribbon

Congratulation to all performers!
Whilst the Music Festival was the highlight of the trip but we also enjoyed a cultural day in Amsterdam, visiting the Van Gogh Museum, then on to the Anne Frank Museum, which was extremely interesting and thought provoking, then to the Hard Rock Café for some serious eating and chat. We all had a lot of fun!

Big Show Coming Up!!

2009-01-01T23:12:00.005+01:00

The annual Parent Teacher Talent Show is coming up Friday, March 6 at 19:00. Parents and teachers of Ambrit will be on stage to entertain you. Benefit for the Music Department: 5 euros entrance for students and 10 for adults. A great way to start off your weekend, the show never fails to be interesting and surprising.

Prep Winter Recital

2008-12-17T11:52:00.002+01:00

The Prep classes performed for parents and friends with great success! Good job for a first time on stage---everyone smiled, sang, played instruments, and the grand finale was Jingle Bells!

Grade 1 Choir At Its Best

2008-12-16T12:15:00.002+01:00

Congratulations to Grade 1 Choir! Your concert was beautiful and we are so proud of you! Students performed in English, Italian, German, and Spanish, accompanied by Esther Sofaer on piano and many percussion instruments. Have wonderful holidays!

Nursery and Kinder Shine

2008-12-12T15:43:00.004+01:00

Kinder had its first appearance on stage last week in their Winter Recital-Open House on the Ambrit stage. Everyone was happy to appear and show what they do when they are in music class. Their happy smiles were great to see as they sang Feliz Navidad and other winter and Hannukah songs.

Nursery had their Open House concert in the music room. The room was packed with parents and many cameras and videocams to record their first performance. Everybody had a snack of Christmas treats afterwards.

Scuola Modugno Visits Ambrit

2008-12-12T09:55:00.004+01:00

It was about time! Our friends from the Scuola Modugno have hosted our choir and ensemble tours to Puglia twice, and on Wednesday, December 11 they came all the way up from Monopoli to visit us and sing a most memorable concert. Three hundred and fifty Ambrit students were an excellent audience to the full-length concert offered by the singers who range from 8-18 years old. Under the direction of Angela Formica, the performance included clever arrangements of Italian and spiritual Christmas songs, followed by a selection of show tune hits. The students introduced the music themselves in English. Afterwards they mixed and mingled with the Ambrit students over panetone and pandoro in the atrium. In spite of the rainy weather, we had a wonderful time hosting them, and hope that their tour of Rome isn't too wet! Congratulations, Monopoli singers, and come back!

Piano and Friends Annual Concert

2008-12-12T09:42:00.002+01:00

The Piano and Friends annual concert of primarily classical music was given in mid-November. The concert celebrated the first birthday of the beautiful grand piano and showed off our music teachers and music friends. The program included the Mozart Andante in C (Nicola Gilbert on flute), Mendelssohn Song Without Words (Rose Bruno on piano), Schubert allegro from Sonatina n. 2 (Damion Wallace on violin), Pete Sheppard played drums to Bach Gavotte and Gigue (Paige Short accompanying on piano), Esther Sofaer played the Etude Tableaux Op. 39, n. 9 by Rachmaninoff, Stan Adams performed his fabulous arrangements of Disney and Beatles on trombone, soprano Maria Infante sang "Don't Be Anything Else" and the Mozart Rondo from Kegelstatt Trio K.498 (Yvonne Fisher on clarinet, Ginger Izzo on viola). The Ambrit choir singers sang I Love A Piano to the four-hand accompaniment by Nicky and Rose. A great evening, especially because it raised over €1000 for the Suffyan Koroma sickle-cell anemia fund.
Our piano has lots of friends!

Grades 4 and 5 On Stage

2008-12-11T14:22:00.004+01:00

Grades 4 and 5 performed at Ambrit December 2 to a full house! Parents heard music in several languages and were proud of the great singing and playing. Soloists featured Aurora, Stefan, Antoine and Sofia. So much talent packed into one concert!

Ambrit String Orchestra Hits Ambrit

2008-12-08T13:09:00.004+01:00

The Ambrit String Orchestra played an impressive overture to the Grades 2 and 3 Winter Recital. Angels We Have Heard On High was brilliantly arranged by Damion Wallace, who is also the director of the dedicated and talented group. Students played to a full house and an appreciative audience, setting the mood for what became a successful musical performance. Congratulations to Billy, Giulia, Alessandro, Jacopo, Sofia, Catherine, Mattias, and Miss Ginger and Mr. Wallace. Strings rule!

Music Department Calendar

2008-12-07T09:48:00.010+01:00

Calendar of Music Department Events 2008-2009

Halloween Singalong, October 31, 9:30 for EC students and Parents
Second Annual Piano and Friends Concert,November 14, 19:00
This is a benefit concert for Sickle-cell Anemia, in memory of Suffyan Koroma, Jr.

Monday, December 1, 17:30 All Choirs Concert
(Treble, Junior, Middle School Choirs)
Tuesday, December 2, Grades 4 and 5 Winter Recital
Thursday, December 4, Grades 2 and 3 Winter Recital
Friday, December 5, Kindergarten Music Concertina, 9:30
Friday, December 5, Nursery Music Open House, Music Room 11:00
Wednesday, December 10, 9:30 a.m. Grade 1 Choir Winter Recital
Wednesday, December 10, 11:00 a.m. Prep Winter Recital
Thursday, December 11, Scuola Modugno Concert for students at Ambrit
Tuesday, December 16, 19:00 Grades 7 and 8 Winter Recital
Thursday, December 18, 19:00 Grade 6 Winter Solfest Recital

2009
Thursday, January 29-February 1, Ambrit Chamber Ensemble to AMIS Festival, The Hague.
Saturday, February 14, Ambrit String Orchestra and Chamber Ensemble concert at All Saints, 14:00
Friday, March 6, 19:00 Parent Teacher Talent Show
Wednesday, March 11 all day, Rome International School Association Music Festival, Ambrit. RISA
Wednesday to Sunday, April 22-26 Mediterranean International School Association Middle School Honor Choir, Madrid, Spain, for Honor Choir members
March 19 Father's Day Breakfast, Grade 1 Choir Sings
Thursday, May 7, Annual Folk Dance Festival 9:30
Wednesday-Saturday, May 13-16, Junior Choir to Genova.
Monday, May 26, 17:30 All Choir Spring Concert
Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, May 27-29, Private Lesson Recitals
Wednesday, May 28-June 2, Ambrit String Orchestra in Rotterdam

Grades 2 and 3 Great Winter Recital

2008-12-07T09:38:00.005+01:00

Congratulations to all Grade 2 and 3 students who performed a fabulous concert Thursday, December 4. The theater was full of an appreciative audience of parents and friends, and the concert started out with an overture by the Ambrit String Orchestra. Songs in seven languages were performed, including one in Mandarin with a special Chinese New Year dragon who made a grand entrance thanks to many grade 2 students who were inside it. Quentin sang a beautiful solo on Einini. Our adult performers were James Varah on cello and as baritone, and Paolo Toscano on trumpet playing Beethoven's Ode to Joy while students sang and used American sign language. Esther Sofaer was our accompanist. Great work, everyone!

Honor Choir MAIS Madrid 2009–Information

2008-12-07T09:23:00.005+01:00

MAIS
MEDITERRANEAN ASSOCIATION OF INTERNATIONAL SCHOOLS
Apartado 80 – 28080 Madrid, Spain http://www.mais-web.org
Fax: (3491) 357-2678 E-Mail: rohale@mais-web.org

MAIS 2009 Honor Choir
October 10, 2008
To: MAIS Administrators and Music Teachers
From: Paige Short and Reina O’Hale
Re: 2008 MAIS Honor Choir

Hello, everyone! I hope that you all had a great start to the school year. Paige Short from Ambrit Rome, will be the conductor this year. Joy Edenfield, from the Carlucci American School will be the accompanist. The American School of Madrid is the host school. The major performance will be held Saturday evening at the new 600 seat Performing Arts Center at the American School of Madrid.

It’s time to think about the 2008 MAIS Honor Choir. This message will include the following information:

• What the choir is
• Who performs
• Criteria for singer selection
• Music chosen
• Registration information and form
• Chaperone information

We have made some changes in the organization of this event so please read this information carefully. Any musical or performance concerns should be directed to Paige Short, Ambrit Rome: email: shortpaige@ambrit-rome.com Please cc Reina O’Hale. All questions about any other matters (payment, registration, schedule, chaperones, hotels, etc.) should be directed to the MAIS office: e-mail: rohale@mais-web.org

What the Honor Choir is:
This is the 15th annual MAIS Honor Choir; previous years have included performances in Rome, Rabat, Madrid, Lisbon, and Tunis, and Trieste. This year’s choir will be held in Madrid and hosted by The American School of Madrid. The MAIS Honor Choir is open to singers in grades 6-8 exclusively (high school singers are not allowed) from MAIS member schools. It is for students who show excellence in singing and musicianship and who consistently display a high level of personal character and discipline.

Who will perform:
Singers are auditioned by their school’s music teacher; with input from appropriate others, in order to meet the established criteria for selection. Each school should select up to twelve strong singers (six boys, six girls), who are motivated to work independently with rehearsal CD’s, as well as with the teacher and group, to memorize a challenging program of approximately 30 minutes’ worth of music.

Criteria for selection:
First and foremost is the student’s singing ability. The singer’s voice should be comfortable with the part. The music is for three-part mixed. This means sopranos, altos, and boys with changing voices.
Second is the student’s maturity and ability to work in a cooperative effort. Behaviour must be without question; if there is any doubt concerning a student’s maturity level, perhaps it would be best to give him/her another year before attempting this activity.
Third, all selected singers will perform each piece of music regardless of religious preference or ethnic background. The 2009 Honor Choir repertoire is mixed, including sacred and secular music from all periods. It is quality choral music, and was chosen for its beauty and suitability for the student voices participating.

Accompanying the CD’s will be a letter from Paige Short about the music. It is emphasized that music must be memorized before the meeting in Madrid. The first rehearsal will be without the book. It is not fair to expect, nor is it possible for, a student to learn the music in Lisbon.

REGISTRATION INFORMATION:
Each participating school will send to MAIS a school registration fee of Euros100 or US dollars 146. This will reserve the school’s participation in the event and help cover the cost of the photocopied music pack and practice CDs. Each school will then send to the MAIS office a complete list of participating singers and all accompanying adults, along with their registration forms and a US dollar check for registration fees (Euros 85 per person). Payments of individual registration fees should be received by February 15th
2009.

The individual registration fee of Euros 85 includes the Choir 2008 Gala Dinner; internal ground transportation; other meals; snacks and water for rehearsal; MAIS Honor Choir 2009 t-shirt, sightseeing tours; other entertainment.

How the event works:
1. Each school reserves its participation with the payment Euros 100 to MAIS. Individual registration fees for students and all accompanying adults (chaperones and music teachers included) will be Euros 85/person. Send checks to the MAIS office along with registration forms. Bank transfer information available upon request.
2. Each school selects singers, begins rehearsals, and sends a list of singers to the MAIS office. Each participating school will receive copies of selected music along with a CD for each vocal part and the piano part. The music teacher must copy these for each student participating, for rehearsal at home.
3. All students will meet for the first time in Madrid, rehearse Wednesday evening, as well as on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday as needed, and perform a final concert in Madrid. There are breaks between rehearsals and for lunch. When not rehearsing, students must participate in-group activities such as historic sight seeing, visits to great cathedrals, museums, etc., even if they are local residents. Evening activities will be organized, but the focus is on the singing, not on the entertainment. Quiet activities in the evening will be more appropriate in light of the full day’s activities in which singers participate and get tired.

Transportation:
It is the responsibility of each participating school to organize and pay for the transportation of participating students/chaperones to and from Madrid. Please check with your embassies about Visa requirements. In addition, it is the responsibility of each school to organize and pay for the ground transportation from the airport to the hotel and from the hotel to the airport. The MAIS Office will be contacting you with more information about transportation options available from the airport. Singers’ arrival must be timed in order to attend all rehearsals; schools that arrive after rehearsals have begun to place themselves at a disadvantage, and hinder the progress of the entire group. As in previous years, there will be an initial rehearsal and get-together on the first evening, with rehearsals continuing up through the day of the concert. A complete itinerary will be provided with rehearsal/performance venues and times.

Housing:
We will be staying at a hotel in Madrid. Final arrangements are in process
And you will be informed as soon as they are concluded.

Chaperones:
Each school must provide adequate chaperone coverage for the number of singers they bring. We suggest at least one chaperone per six students. It would be best if music teachers did not count themselves as chaperones, as they will be attending all rehearsals and working with the entire group. Chaperones are especially important during afternoon excursions and evening/night hours at the hotel. There will be a rotating schedule of chaperones so that no one is always on duty, and a specific list of chaperone guidelines will be sent to all schools. It is important to emphasize that a chaperone’s first priority is taking care of students, and that all chaperones are for the students, not just for those singers from their own schools. All accompanying adults will pay the individual registration fee.

Thank you to all directors and music teachers for giving this activity such enthusiastic support. We appreciate your time and effort in preparation for this event. We look forward to seeing all of you in Madrid for additional planning and for the Choir. Please feel free to contact us with any questions you may have. Please direct musical questions to Paige, and any other questions about logistics, reservations, chaperones, payment, etc., to the MAIS office.

Warmest regards,

Paige Short Reina O’Hale
MAIS Honors Choir Director MAIS Executive Director