It is my great pleasure to announce that our glorious voice teacher, Barbara Grant, will be taking over the reins of Camerata from next year! [applause]

Barbara is busily preparing for next year and she would like some information & help from all of us.

Firstly, I have volunteered to handle Camerata Auditions in Week 8. These will happen at lunchtimes, so just drag your friends along to M1 and I will hear them. Group auditions are encouraged!

We will also head over to WIS for auditions and it would great for Camerata to sing Siyahamba for their assembly. (Time TBD but I expect it will be Friday morning). Any Year 9s able to stay behind to help with auditions?

Secondly, Barbara is considering changing Camerata’s rehearsal time and urgently needs your feedback on this. Please VOTE IN THE POLL below–you may tick several options, but please only VOTE ONCE

If you have additional thoughts (i.e. Wednesday afternoons are tough for me . . . ) then leave a comment.

Camerata Camp is confirmed for Fri 5th-Sun 7th March at Bridge Valley so clear your diaries now!

Next year’s choir is already auditioned and ready to rock for 2009. There are still places left (especially for GUYS) so don’t be afraid to come and see Mr. Burcin at any time if you would like to join Camerata.

WHAT HAPPENS AT CAMP?

Every year, Camerata begins with a rehearsal camp

Camerata Camp is a fun yet intensive environment where the focus is on:

• getting to know each other and become part of the group
• learning about our voices and gaining skills in choral singing
• learning music for the Big Sing and other concerts
• choosing leaders for 2009 (Choir Leader and section leaders)
• giving the student conductors a chance to hone their skills and learn what this year’s group is capable of

On the last day of camp, once the students have had a chance to experience what the choir is all about, students are asked to sign a Camerata Pact– a sort of contract outlining expectations and responsibilties of being a part of Camerata.

Since 2007, Camerata has been run mainly by student conductors. Mr. Burcin oversees as “Herr Director” and leads warm-ups and vocal training sessions, but the student conductors choose the music and run most rehearsals.

Last year, Camerata received their first award at the Big Sing Regionals, winning the Pre-1930 Composition section. This was a great accomplishment for the choir and an affirmation that our student conductors know what they are doing!

Camerata also has student leaders from within the choir. Experienced members of the group put their names forward for the following positions:

• Choir Leader– looks after the choir’s admin and musical “well-being”
• Section Leaders– assist their section with musical matters, lead sectional rehearsals, and report issues to the Choir Leader before they get out of hand

Camerata has an exciting year ahead. In 2006, the Waimea College combined choirs and orchestra presented Carl Orff’s Carmina Burana to rave reviews at the Nelson School of Music.

This year, it is time again for a big work: Mozart’s Requiem. The plan is to combine with the Greenhill Orchestra and perhaps other schools in the Nelson/ Marlborough region for a tour of performances (Blenheim? Nelson? Takaka?)

Watch this space . . .

Dates: 13-15 Feb 2009
Venue: Bridge Valley Christian Camp
Cost: $86 (pay to the Waimea COLLEGE Finance Centre, please)
Transport: bus from/ back to Waimea College bus bay

PARENT HELP WELCOME! Please let us know when you can help– Phone Trish on 544 6099 x897 or email ts@waimea.school.nz

Everyone should have received a trip pack with more details, and a permission slip that needs to be returned by 17th Dec 08, including payment to the Waimea COLLEGE (NOT Intermediate) Finance Centre.

Thanks to everyone involved for an awesome Camerata Camp. We did a huge amount of work in one short weekend, and I hope everyone got to know each other a bit better. (Here’s hoping those incriminating videos of Games Night never make it to You Tube…)

Do you have good photos? Please share them with us! Send us a link to your Bebo site or email your pics to Mr. Burcin.

Congratulations to our new leaders within the choir:

• Choir Leader: Katie Prokop
• Soprano Section Leader: Lauren McLean
• Alto Section Leader: Helena Savage
• Baritone Section Leader: Steve Bellis

Rehearsals begin Tuesday morning 4 March at 7.30am in the Music block. If your will be unable to make it to rehearsal, or will be late, please contact us well in advance :

• Phone: 644 6099 x897
• Text: 021711132
• Email: bu@waimea.school.nz
• Leave a note in Mr. Burcin’s pidgeonhole in M Block
• Leave a comment on this blog!

I forgot to ask for someone to write a report on the camp for the school newsletter and Waimean magazine. Interested? Leave a comment or email me.

Have a listen to yourselves are camp:

Intermedio

Nature

Un Poquito

This piece, from the Buena Vista Social Club, will help with the Latin American style:

El Cuarto