NEW YEAR LEVEE THIS FRIDAY

Hello Everyone! Hope you’re all having a fabulous holiday! Just checking in to say that our next JCC performance is at the MB Legislative Building, 450 Broadway Ave., for the New Year Levee this Friday, January 1st.  We are performing from 3:10PM – 3:35PM on the steps of the Grand Staircase.  JCC members will meet in Room 254 in the Manitoba Legislative Building, at 2:45 PM. Concert attire will be worn, and our vest parents will be on hand. NOTE: Students are reminded to bring their black dress shoes. Students are all very welcome to come with their families and to arrive at the Legislative Building as early as 2:30PM for the start of the Levee.  Admission is free. Free parking will be available around the loop in front of the Leg., and also behind the building. Students and families can listen to the other choirs prior to our performance, and have a ride around the Legislative Building in a horse drawn sleigh and enjoy some refreshments, after they sing. The Levee ends at 4:00 PM.  Coat racks will be available in this room for our students to hang up their coats, and there will be water for them as well.  Here’s our programme with student MC’s. YouTube links are provided to practice the songs, and to help us get back in the zone:

Ethan - Bandyrowe
https://youtu.be/OoFP_O791BM?list=PLwo9ry2bDDP0YRijLDF1vhvhgyKMimcop

Rebecca - The Lobster Quadrille
https://youtu.be/_tGnDjTQRa8?list=PLwo9ry2bDDP0YRijLDF1vhvhgyKMimcop

Keira - Slow Dancing in the Snow (soloists Nicole & Azaileia)
https://youtu.be/1ni2NWI5TY0 (studio recording of our SSA arrangement)
https://youtu.be/OUpwJlN7kTw (This is an SAB arrangement, but, just for fun, check out these show choir moves!)

Mallory - Celtic Blessing of Light
https://youtu.be/jyDBBpvErXY
https://youtu.be/lP_0sNgZCOQ

Jeremy - Ave Maria (soloist for opening Elise G.-A.)
https://youtu.be/lVvvLOxrlV8 
https://youtu.be/Ve-4tuJ6xyQ?list=PLwo9ry2bDDP0YRijLDF1vhvhgyKMimcop (This is an SATB arrangement - not exactly the same as ours - but it has a really nice feel to it)

Looking forward to our performance this Friday, New Years Day, at the MB Legislative Building!

Happy New Year, Everyone!

Alice Russell

Hello JCC Singers and Families!

1)  Reminder to Chorister Families, from Monica Degagne, to  please pick up your Mom's Pantry orders this Wednesday Dec 16 between 5pm and 6:30pm. at Sturgeon Collegiate 2655 Ness Avenue.  Please be reminded that it would be very difficult to have to store any left over orders do to warm temperatures, refrigeration, and freezer availability. Thank you for your support in this fundraiser.

2)  Our wind-up party is this Wednesday, December 16 from 4:30 PM - 6:00 PM  We will start with a run-through of our New Year’s concert songs, followed by a pizza party, and holiday karaoke/sing-a-long.

3) The next JCC performance is at the MB Legislative Building, 450 Broadway Ave., for the New Year Levee on January 1st.  We are performing from 3:10 – 3:35PM  on the steps of the Grand Staircase.  JCC members will meet in Room 254 in the Manitoba Legislative Building, at 2:45 PM. Concert attire will be worn, and our vest parents will be on hand. NOTE: Students are reminded to bring their black dress shoes. Students are all very welcome to come with their families and to arrive at the Legislative Building as early as 2:30PM for the start of the Levee.  Parking will be available around the loop in front of the Leg., and also behind the building. They can listen to the other choirs prior to our performance, and have a ride around the Legislative Building in a horse drawn sleigh and enjoy some refreshments, after they sing. The Levee ends at 4:00 PM.  Coat racks will be available in this room for our students to hang up their coats and there will be water for them as well.  

4) The last practice for 2015 is Dec. 16th.  The first practice for 2016 is on Jan. 6th.

Thanks everyone!Alice Russell

REMIND MESSAGE FROM OUR FUNDRAISING CHAIR

Hello Jr. Divisional Choir Choristers and Parents!  

Here's a message from our fundraising chair, Monica Degagne:

Seeing as the original REMIND option was a bit tricky to sign into, please see information below regarding our new TEXT REMIND for your phones and email:

Divisional Choir would like you to join Divisional Choir!

To receive messages via text, text @divisional to (204) 809-9863. You can opt-out of messages at anytime by replying, 'unsubscribe @divisional'.

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Or to receive messages via email, send an email to divisional@mail.remind.com. To unsubscribe, reply with 'unsubscribe' in the subject line.

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WHAT IS REMIND AND WHY IS IT SAFE? Remind is a free, safe, and simple messaging tool that helps teachers share important updates and reminders with students & parents. Subscribe by text, email or using the Remind app. All personal information is kept private. Teachers will never see your phone number, nor will you see theirs. Visit remind.com to learn more.

CONGRATS! NATIONAL RECOMMENDATION AND OTHER INFO.

1. We are learning two new songs in JCC, My Favorite Things, and Slow Dancing in the Snow. These songs will be sung at our performance on New Years Day, and students are asked to please practice them in between rehearsals.


2. Mom's Pantry orders are due today, Wednesday, December 2nd.

3. The JCC is singing at the Lieutenant Governor’s New Year's Levee which will be held at the Manitoba Legislative Building on Friday, January 1, 2016 between 2:30 p.m. and 4:00 p.m.  The JCC performance is from 3:15 PM - 3:25 PM. Refreshments are served, and families and friends of the singers are most welcome to attend. The choir will perform on the Grand Staircase for the audience gathered on the main floor, and around the second and third floor balconies. Parents are asked to indicate their child's participation in this event, by filling out the permission form, JCC NEW YEAR'S LEVEE PERMISSION FORM and returning it to rehearsal by Wednesday, November 4th. If your child is unable to sing at this event, please email arussell@sjsd.net ASAP. If you have not done so already, please hand in your permission form ASAP. Hard copies have been handed out at practice, and you can also access the form from this link NEW YEAR LEVEE PERMISSION FORM

4. Our last rehearsal before the break will be on December 16th.  This rehearsal will be half-practice/half-pizza party. Thank you to Kathy McLeod and the Divisional Choirs Executive for providing the pizza for our party! It will be at Westwood Collegiate in the Choral room.

5. CONGRATULATIONS to our JCC choir on receiving a National Recommendation to MusicFest Canada, based on their recent performance at Choralfest MB!  Great work everyone!  I am super proud of you!

Hello JCC Families, 

Great concert last night!  A quick reminder that Mom's Pantry orders are due tomorrow, Wednesday, December 2nd.  Orders can be made by submitting the paper form at rehearsal, or, by going to the ONLINE ORDERING BOX at the top right hand corner of www.momspantry.ca and using the codes: 

ORDER NUMBER: 212829 and GROUP PASSCODE: 28176

Have a great day, and see you tomorrow!

Alice Russell

CANDLELIGHT USHERS AND PROGRAM ORDER

1. Lincoln’s Choir is second on the program, and JCC is fifth, so the Lincoln students will have time to change into their JCC uniforms. Here is the program order:

Children’s Choir
Lincoln
Buchanan
Sturgeon Heights
Junior Choir
Senior

2. We have enough parent chaperones for our group, but ushers are required.  Please email arussell@sjsd.net if you are available to do this job (you’ll still get to see the entire concert).

3. Please review the following message with your son/daughter at home prior to Monday’s 

Concert: It is EXTREMELY IMPORTANT that choristers observe proper concert  etiquette, and that the movements in and out of the balcony are done quietly. Although we have arranged for parent supervisors/chaperones to walk with, and sit with the students, it is expected that our students will not require any reminders about concert etiquette.

4. See you all at 6:30 PM on Monday.

UPDATED CANDLELIGHT POST BELOW

Hi Everyone, Please scroll down on this blog for an updated post regarding the Candlelight Concert on Monday, November 30th. 

CHORALFEST THIS SATURDAY, AND OTHER INFORMATION

1. Our Choralfest Performance is this Saturday, November 21st at Sturgeon Creek United Church. Singers are asked to arrive at 1:00 PM to get on their uniforms and go to the downstairs gym to warm up. Performance time is 1:30 PM followed by a clinic from 2:15 - 2:45 PM.  Students are free to go after the clinic. Our program is Take Me To Sea, Bandyrowe, and Ave Maria, and we know you will enjoy it! Please note there is a $3.00 entrance fee for audience members.

2. The JCC is singing at the Candlelight Service on November 30th. Scroll down to the CANDLELIGHT INFORMATION blog post for details about this event.  Thank you to the parents who have already volunteered. 

3. The JCC is singing at the New Year Levee on January 1st.  Scroll down to the 'JCC AT NEW YEAR LEVEE’ post for the most current information about this performance.  If you have not done so already, please hand in your permission form ASAP. Hard copies have been handed out at practice, and you can also access the form from this link NEW YEAR LEVEE PERMISSION FORM

4. A second copy of the Fundraising Initiative Form was sent home today, and here is the link: DIV. CHOIRS FUNDRAISING INITIATIVE.  Our Divisional Choirs Executive is hoping to have a strong response to this fundraising project, and so, we are asking that the forms be returned ASAP. Huge thanks to JCC parent, Monica De Gagné who is the Fundraising Chair on the Executive.

5. Our last rehearsal before the break will be on December 16th.  This rehearsal will be half-practice/half-pizza party. Thank you to Kathy McLeod and the Executive for providing the pizza for our party! It will be at Westwood Collegiate in the Choral room.

A REMINDER THAT THERE IS NO JCC PRACTICE ON REMEMBRANCE DAY

UPDATED CANDLELIGHT CONCERT INFORMATION

Dear JCC Families,

First of all, Students - here is the practice link to Celtic Blessing of Light I mentioned in rehearsal:

The following information is virtually the same as the previous post about our Choral Candlelight Concert. Anything new is in bold print:
The St. James-Assiniboia Choral Candlelight Concert takes place at Pantages Playhouse Theatre (Corner of Market and Main) on Monday, November 30, 2015. This is a wonderful opportunity for our choristers to perform in a beautiful venue and on a prestigious stage. This event celebrates the sounds of the season and is sure to bring warmth to all.
Our standard JCC concert attire will be worn for this event i.e. black shoes, socks, pants, tuxedo shirt, vest and bowtie. Vests and bowties will be given out by our “Vest Team” at the Pantages.
Family and friends are welcome to attend this event. Due to union regulations, the theatre does not open its doors to the public until 6:30 pm. Therefore, to avoid waiting out in the cold, plan to arrive with your child between 6:15 and 6:30 pm. A security person will let you and your child in. I will be waiting in the Foyer area by the security door with a large sign. The theatre holds 1200 so don't worry about finding a seat. Our choristers will sit upstairs in the Balcony, so you do not have to save seats for your child on the main floor. They will be well supervised in the balcony.
Admission is free however there will be a Silver Collection for local charities during the performance. As well, there will be a silent auction in the lobby courtesy of our Divisional Choirs Executive.
There are numerous outdoor parking lots in the area that require loonies. In addition, the Concert Hall has underground parking.
Thank you to the parents who have already volunteered to provide adult supervision for our students beginning at 6:30 p.m.
After the concert, students from all choirs EXCEPT THE JCC will be escorted from the balcony to meet up with parents on the main level/bus. Our JCC students will have left their outer wear in the warm up room and will be taken down via backstage after the Senior Choir sings. Please listen to the announcements during the concert as the instructions will help alleviate congestion in the lobby for student pickup after the concert.
Musically Yours,
Alice Russell

SJSD Jr. Divisional Concert Choir Take Me To Sea

WHAT A SHOW!

Congratulations to our singers, on their highly entertaining, exciting and engaging performance last night!  Thank you to all the parents and family members who were in the audience - you made our children feel so supported and loved!  What a great energy in the hall! Such a special night!

Thank you to our parent concert chaperons for this event: Susan Tierney, Tammy Clairmont,  Lisa McDougall, Mariella Carr and Christina Sousa; our attendance taker Micheline Hay; our vest moms: Allison Au, Carrie Burton, Candace Huggard, Tanji Irwin, Joanne Meister, Kim Rondeau and Susan Tierney; and our vest coordinator Paula Ellis Hunt.

And, of course, we couldn't have done it without our fabulous accompanist Jonathan Alexiuk; our percussionist/flautist Katy Abraham; our videographer Andrew Morican; and our Divisional Music Coordinator Jackie Gagné!

JCC AT NEW YEAR'S LEVEE!

The JCC has been invited to sing at the Lieutenant Governor’s New Year's Levee which will be held at the Manitoba Legislative Building on Friday, January 1, 2016 between 2:30 p.m. and 4:00 p.m.

The event’s history goes back to the early day of the Red River Settlement and includes the Lieutenant Governor and the Premier greeting guests, sleigh rides around the building, "walk around magic" and various musical groups performing on the steps of the Grand Staircase for approximately a 20 minute set each. The JCC performance is from 3:15 PM - 3:25 PM. Refreshments are served, and families and friends of the singers are most welcome to attend.

The choir will perform on the Grand Staircase for the audience gathered on the main floor, and around the second and third floor balconies. The building will be beautifully decorated for the season and it is a lovely way to spend the first day of the New Year. Parents are asked to indicate their child's participation in this event, by filling out the permission form, JCC NEW YEAR'S LEVEE PERMISSION FORM and returning it to rehearsal by Wednesday, November 4th. If your child is unable to sing at this event, please email arussell@sjsd.net ASAP.

Alice Russell

Seeking Ride Home From Concert

Please respond to eallegaltaxeagle2340@shaw.ca if you are able to help out with the following: 

"Dear Ms. Russell, I am seeking a ride home for my daughter after the choral performance on the night of the 29^{th -} If there is someone who lives in our neighbourhood and could help us out – I would appreciate it very much."

IT’S CONCERT TIME!

Hello JCC Divisional Choir Singers and Families, 

Our first concert is next Thursday, October 29th, at Westwood Community Church. Our call time is 6:00 PM. Doors for the public open at 6:30 PM.  

Concert attire for our singers is black tuxedo shirt, black pants, black socks and black shoes. Our Vest Parents will bring all of the vests and bow ties to the church and assist students with their uniforms in the designated warm up room (TBA). 

The Children's Choir is the first to perform, followed by the Junior Choir and then the Senior Choir.  When the concert is over, students will return to the warm-up room to hand back their uniforms to the Vest Parents, and then meet their parents in the reception hall.

Our Choralfest Performance is confirmed for Saturday, November 21st at Sturgeon Creek United Church. Singers are asked to arrive at 1:00 PM to get on their uniforms and go to to the downstairs gym to warm up. Performance time is 1:30 PM followed by a clinic from 2:15 - 2:45 PM.  Students are free to go after the clinic. Please note there is a small entrance fee for audience members.

Also, fundraising information for this year can be found here: SJSD Fundraising Information Letter. We are looking to share fundraising duties across all three choirs, and are hoping that many of you would come on board in one capacity or another. Paper copies of the letter will come home with your children this Wednesday, so they can be handed in by the by the due date, next Wednesday, October 28th, at choir practice.

Thanks in advance for your help on this!

Alice Russell

FALL CONCERT OCTOBER 29TH

The SJSD Divisional Concert Choirs Fall Concert will be held on Thursday, October 29th, 7PM at Westwood Community Church, 401 Westwood Dr. The call for the JCC is 6:00 PM. We'll meet in the designated warm-up room (TBA). Here are a few details to remember in preparation for this concert:

1.  Make sure your child has a black tuxedo shirt (see previous blog post from Paula Ellis Hunt).

2. The doors to the sanctuary open at 6:30 PM, so audience members are asked to wait in the lobby just outside the hall, if they arrive early (there's lots of room).

3. There are still 24 students who have not yet handed in their concerts permission form. Hard copies will be available at today's rehearsal, and the digital & printable version found here: CONCERTS PERMISSION FORM 

4. With only three rehearsals to go before this concert, I encourage all singers to continue their high level of dedication to our ensemble and music-making.  This group is an absolute delight to work with, and we have the luxurious challenge of seeing how far we can go - so let's reach for the stars, everyone!! I'm looking forward to it, and I know you are too!

Sincerely, 

Alice Russell

TUXEDO SHIRTS UPDATE FROM PAULA ELLIS HUNT

The Tuxedo Shirts have been ordered from Malibars and are expected within a couple weeks.  We need the payment in before we can release the shirts so if you could please drop a cheque off at practice this Wednesday we would appreciate it.  Cheques can be made payable to St James School Division Junior Choir in the amount of $35.  I will be there after practice if anyone has questions. If you had requested a used shirt you would have received a separate email.

Regards

Paula Ellis Hunt

Check out this "Bill Bailey", recorded when Ms. Russell was two :-)

FLASHBACK CAMP MEMORY Jonathan Alexiuk Poisoning Pigeons in th...

Lost & Found

These items were left at camp, and can be picked up by their owners on Wednesday at rehearsal:

CAMP ARNES THANK YOU

A Huge Thank You to our chaperones and teachers who gave their time to make the JCC 2015 Camp Arnes experience SO AWESOME!

Chaperones - Christina Sousa, Tanji Irwin, Tasha Biefeni, Paula Ellis, Jennifer Dumore, Tracy Berry, Will Huggard, Richard McDougal and Mehmood Batla.

Teachers - Sharon Marshall, Jewel Casselman and Katy Abraham.

Accompanist - Jonathan Alexiuk

These extraordinary people went above and beyond to help out our students in any way they could. It was an absolute pleasure to go to camp, with such a fantastic team!

Divisional Concert Choirs AGM Invite from President, Curtis Vezina

Please note that the Divisional Choir Annual General Meeting will be held next Thursday, October 8, at the St. James PSDC, on the corner of Portage and Moray. It is at 7PM, and the parking lot can be accessed via Protage Ave. If you are interested in volunteering, joining the executive this year, or just coming out to hear about our organization, we would love to see you there! 

AGM AGENDA Thursday October 8th, 7PM

URGENT VEST MESSAGE

Hello Parents, 

We are organizing our JCC uniforms. If your child needs the required black tuxedo shirt, please email Paula Hunt at paula_hunt43@hotmail.com by Friday, October 2nd. There is a $35 fee for the shirt, and your child must have one to perform with the choir. We'll let you know if we have a used one in your child's size, and they cost $15.

Meet Our Accompanist, Mr. Jonathan Alexiuk.

Jonathan Alexiuk was born and raised in Winnipeg, MB. After graduating from John Taylor Collegiate, he began performing in Winnipeg and Kenora, and soon after on Princess Cruise Lines. He joined the Air Command Band in 2004, and remained there as pianist, trombonist and arranger until 2007.Jonathan has performed and recorded as a pianist, trumpeter, saxophonist, trombonist, drummer, and is a largely self-taught arranger. He has taught and conducted at the International Music Camp at the Peace Gardens for the past five years, as well as writing for their vocal jazz choir. His arrangements have been played by the Ron Paley Big Band, the Winnipeg Jazz Orchestra, the Memory Lane Orchestra, ThoseGuys, the U of W Downtown Vocal Jazz Choir, the Air Command Band, Those Guys, and numerous other ensembles and singers.His own groups- which he performs with and arranges for- perform regularly around Winnipeg. He has also performed on the following recordings: Kelly Robinson- My Foolish Heart (pianist); Mike Petkau- Don't Say A Word (arranger on 1 track); Big Sap and the Sugar Shack- Same But Different (piano, sax, trumpet, accordion, guitar, percussion, vocals, arranger); Jodie Borle- Snow (piano, vocals, arranger); Jaylene Johnson- Wish (piano and arrangements on 'Winter Wish' and 'It Could Happen To You); Twilight Hotel- Bethune (piano, trumpet, trombone, saxophone, euphonium); Dave Quanbury- No Vacancy (trumpet, euphonium, clarinet); Various artists- Record of the Week Club (piano, trumpet, saxophone, and co-arranger on 'Steamed Chilis') http://www.manitobamusic.com/play.php?ac=0000000739 Marcel Desilets- There's a Story To Tell (trumpet and saxophone); Helen White- Midnight Sun (piano, trumpet, sax); Helen White- What the Hellsy (piano, keyboard, trumpet, tenor sax, clarinet, arrangements); Neil Keep- Mr. E & The Jazz Gumshoes (piano, trumpet, sax, trombone); Monika Loewen Wall- Parallel Mondo (piano, arrangements); Seanster and the Monsters- YAY! (trumpet, tenor sax, trombone, mellophone, arrangements); Karen Hammarstrand- Late Blooming (piano, clarinet, trombone, arrangements);Keith Macpherson- TBA;Jayme Giesbrecht- TBA

CAMP ARNES CABIN AND BUS ASSIGNMENT

Hi Everyone!  Great rehearsal yesterday, and my apologies for thinking we were going until 6:30 PM! A reminder to please make sure all your forms are handed in, or emailed to me at Westwood Collegiate, by tomorrow (Friday).  Here are your cabin and bus lists:  JCC Cabin Assignments AND Bus List  See you all on Monday morning at 8:30 AM in the Unicity Wal-Mart Parking Lot!

CABIN ASSIGNMENTS TODAY

Our 2nd rehearsal is tonight, at 4:30 PM.  Jonathan Alexiuk and Mrs. Abraham will be there to help us cover a lot of new and exciting music!  We'll begin the process of Cabin Assignments today, as well. Students can sign up in singles, doubles or trios., and must sign up with their own gender and grade i.e. if you are a grade eight girl, you need to sign up with other grade eight girls. We will discuss this further today at rehearsal.  See you later!

PARENT MEETING FORMS

Here is the link to all the information forms discussed at yesterday's parent meeting.  Parent Meeting FORMS
Clicking on this link will take you to the JCC Parent Information Folder, where you will find the Camp Packing List, Camp Code of Conduct, Camp Itinerary, Swim Consent Form, and also, the JCC Fall Permission Form.  Please return all signed forms (Code of Conduct, Swim Consent and Fall Permission forms, and send them to our next practice on Wednesday, September 16th.

First rehearsal on Wednesday, September 9th. Parent meeting, and then Chaperone Meeting to follow, in the Westwood Theatre.