WWSHS SHOW CHOIR
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
GENERAL QUESTIONS
How can I make sure I’m getting all the important communications?
The directors are using Remind to communicate all important information. To sign up for Remind messaging: create a text message with 81010 as the contact,
and in the body of the message type:
@okmomdad to get the Classics Parents Announcements
or
@20momdad to the Esprit Parents Announcements
-Announcements pertaining to the show choir program at large will be texted to both the Esprit Parent and Classics Parent Remind lists.
There will be an additional Show Band Parent Remind created for those parents once auditions are complete.
When are Band Auditions?
Auditions for Show Band will be held after the completion of Marching Band Season. Mr. Miller will send out information regarding auditions as the time approaches.
Why does the theme of the competition show need to be kept a secret?
The competition show theme is kept secret to give the team a competitive advantage- not only does the “big reveal” at the first performance make it more exciting for the team itself, the secret creates a buzz of anticipation in the show choir community and for the judges that will be scoring them.
How can I contribute/help/volunteer?
If you missed the chance to sign up to volunteer or contribute on the form handed out at the welcome meeting in June, and would like to sign up to help, please email [email protected] or [email protected] and identify which of the following areas you’d like to help with: costumes (no sewing required!), locker signs, prop building/set up, chaperoning, driving the equipment truck, group parties/BBQs, or snacks/goodie bags (contributions and/or helping make them). Your email will be forwarded to the parent heading up that area for the year and you’ll be added to their communications!
Additionally, through the year, as extra donations or volunteering is needed, a Remind will go out with specifics.
COMPETITION QUESTIONS
Do Kids bring their luggage to the school on the days they leave for competitions? What size luggage should they bring?
Yes, luggage is typically brought to school in the morning and placed in the choir room for the day. Usually a carry-on sized bag that will go under the bus for weekend trips, a pillow/blanket for longer bus trips (like Mississippi), and a backpack/drawstring bag for on the bus. Girls should bring a bag that they can bring to the competition venue that can fit their hair/makeup gear because they will be prepping/refreshing for competitions at the venues.
Is there a parent block set up for hotels for the competitions?
Blocks of rooms are set up for parents and will be communicated by Remind as soon as they are complete. Sometimes the parent block is at the same hotel the kids, sometimes it is at a nearby hotel. You are not required to stay at the parent block hotel, the block is set up for convenience and group discount pricing, and so that the parents can socialize together during competition weekends.
How will I know when our teams perform at competitions?
The directors will send out specific agendas for all activities (including travel) prior to each competition.
Where can I get information about the competition venues?
www.showchoir.com is a resource for venue addresses, prices, whether cash is accepted, competition group lineup and more.
Is there a parent group chat that I can join?
A parent Group Me will be set up prior to competition season so parents can share real time information about the event. Information will go out so you can choose to join that Group Me chat group if you want (it is optional).
What is the cost of competitions? Are there children’s prices?
Each competition varies, typically $15-$20 per person. Some competitions have separate prices for kids/seniors. Check www.showchoir.com to see the details for each competition, including whether the venue will accept debit/credit cards or only cash.
What if my daughter is struggling to do her hair and makeup in the required manner for competitions?
Please have your daughter reach out to someone in the group- the girls often share video tutorials for hair and makeup, and will help each other if they are aware someone needs help.
What if there are changes to competition travel/schedule due to weather or other circumstances?
Any changes will be communicated as soon as possible through Remind. Please do not reach out to the directors to see if changes will be made.
Do parents need to go to all the competitions? Is there a way to watch the competitions if they don’t go?
Parents and families are welcomed and encouraged to attend, but it is not required. Every competition has it’s own process, live stream is not always available. Chris and Jim Arrigo (two of our tireless, selfless parents!) have volunteered to videotape/ photograph the competitions that permit it, and those videos/photos will be shared with the parents via a website that will be communicated to everyone.
What should parents expect at competitions?
We put on our Spirit Wear and cheer loud and proud at the competitions! WWS families try to sit together- and the louder we cheer, the more it pumps up our kids! Competitions are all day events, so you can choose to watch all the competing groups, stay at the venue and hang out with other parents or read a good book or help with props or costumes, or tour whatever town we are in between our groups’ performances.
After the competition, we enthusiastically welcome the kids back at their hotel with cheering and congratulations for all their tremendous effort. Parents also have a post-comp “tailgate” back at the hotel in the lobby (a GREAT way to wind down and have a blast with other parents!!), so feel free to bring food and beverages of choice and hang out!
Do our kids have to ride the bus to and from competitions or can they drive with their parents?
The kids are expected to ride the buses with their teams. If you have an extraordinary circumstance, please contact the director to discuss. A lot of team building, team bonding and team coaching takes place on the buses, both leading up to the competition and following it.
Will the kids be chaperoned on these trips?
Yes! Each show choir will have chaperones to supervise the kids for each competition (typically there are 8 chaperones in attendance total); in addition, local security staff is hired for overnight hours to add an extra level of security at the hotel. The chaperones ride the buses and attend all functions that the kids attend to take care of any needs that arise.
How much money should I send with my child for each competition?
Breakfasts will be provided for the kids (included at the hotel), but lunches and dinners are not, unless you are told otherwise via Remind. On the road, the stops are typically at places like Panera, Subway, Chipotle etc (or a food court at a mall). During the competition, the kids will eat both lunch and dinner at the competition venue, and they can eat well for $20-$25 for the competition day (remember not all competitions will accept debit/credit cards, so be prepared to send them with cash).
For Mississippi: The directors will communicate what extra events are planned for this trip. The events themselves (tours, sightseeing etc.) will be covered, but if the kids want to shop, get souvenirs etc., they will need to plan for that.
How many times during a competition do the teams perform and when are awards? Do Esprit and Classics ever compete against each other?
Generally, both teams will perform during the day, single gender in the morning and mixed groups in the afternoon. At the end of afternoon performances, preliminary awards are given to single gender groups and announcements are made for which groups will perform that evening in Finals competition. Single gender groups are eligible to compete in finals at certain competitions. Awards for finals are held at the very end of the evening. If both Esprit and Classics perform in Finals, then they would be competing for top spots in Finals.
CHORAL CLASSIC
What is Choral Classic?
Choral Classic is the competition HOSTED by WWS, held this coming year on March 13-14. It is one of our two major fundraisers for the year. We host dozens of teams from around the country and their supporters, more than 4000 people, over 2 days. Choral Classic has the reputation of a top 10 competition out of the hundreds that are hosted around the country, and the main reason is the level of student and parent involvement/commitment to making to event incredible. Over 600 volunteers are needed to work 12 hours in total shifts over the two days- watch for your opportunity to sign up as a volunteer in February 2020! Esprit and Classics will perform in exhibition but do not compete at Choral Classic since they are the Host teams.
CABARET
What is Cabaret?
Cabaret is the second of our two major fundraisers- it is the Esprit, Classics and Show Band’s final performance of the year and includes the competition show as well as a themed Cabaret show and specialty acts performed only for Cabaret attendees! Three performances held April 24-25, 2020 include a Friday evening performance, a Saturday Matinee and a Saturday dinner show- the dinner show also includes additional performances by the kids that are not included in the other shows, as well as a silent auction. Volunteer sign ups, ticket and table purchasing and information on the event will begin to roll out in February, 2020.
Additional Questions and don’t know who to ask?
Feel free to email questions to [email protected] or [email protected] and you’ll be contacted back with an answer.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
GENERAL QUESTIONS
How can I make sure I’m getting all the important communications?
The directors are using Remind to communicate all important information. To sign up for Remind messaging: create a text message with 81010 as the contact,
and in the body of the message type:
@okmomdad to get the Classics Parents Announcements
or
@20momdad to the Esprit Parents Announcements
-Announcements pertaining to the show choir program at large will be texted to both the Esprit Parent and Classics Parent Remind lists.
There will be an additional Show Band Parent Remind created for those parents once auditions are complete.
When are Band Auditions?
Auditions for Show Band will be held after the completion of Marching Band Season. Mr. Miller will send out information regarding auditions as the time approaches.
Why does the theme of the competition show need to be kept a secret?
The competition show theme is kept secret to give the team a competitive advantage- not only does the “big reveal” at the first performance make it more exciting for the team itself, the secret creates a buzz of anticipation in the show choir community and for the judges that will be scoring them.
How can I contribute/help/volunteer?
If you missed the chance to sign up to volunteer or contribute on the form handed out at the welcome meeting in June, and would like to sign up to help, please email [email protected] or [email protected] and identify which of the following areas you’d like to help with: costumes (no sewing required!), locker signs, prop building/set up, chaperoning, driving the equipment truck, group parties/BBQs, or snacks/goodie bags (contributions and/or helping make them). Your email will be forwarded to the parent heading up that area for the year and you’ll be added to their communications!
Additionally, through the year, as extra donations or volunteering is needed, a Remind will go out with specifics.
COMPETITION QUESTIONS
Do Kids bring their luggage to the school on the days they leave for competitions? What size luggage should they bring?
Yes, luggage is typically brought to school in the morning and placed in the choir room for the day. Usually a carry-on sized bag that will go under the bus for weekend trips, a pillow/blanket for longer bus trips (like Mississippi), and a backpack/drawstring bag for on the bus. Girls should bring a bag that they can bring to the competition venue that can fit their hair/makeup gear because they will be prepping/refreshing for competitions at the venues.
Is there a parent block set up for hotels for the competitions?
Blocks of rooms are set up for parents and will be communicated by Remind as soon as they are complete. Sometimes the parent block is at the same hotel the kids, sometimes it is at a nearby hotel. You are not required to stay at the parent block hotel, the block is set up for convenience and group discount pricing, and so that the parents can socialize together during competition weekends.
How will I know when our teams perform at competitions?
The directors will send out specific agendas for all activities (including travel) prior to each competition.
Where can I get information about the competition venues?
www.showchoir.com is a resource for venue addresses, prices, whether cash is accepted, competition group lineup and more.
Is there a parent group chat that I can join?
A parent Group Me will be set up prior to competition season so parents can share real time information about the event. Information will go out so you can choose to join that Group Me chat group if you want (it is optional).
What is the cost of competitions? Are there children’s prices?
Each competition varies, typically $15-$20 per person. Some competitions have separate prices for kids/seniors. Check www.showchoir.com to see the details for each competition, including whether the venue will accept debit/credit cards or only cash.
What if my daughter is struggling to do her hair and makeup in the required manner for competitions?
Please have your daughter reach out to someone in the group- the girls often share video tutorials for hair and makeup, and will help each other if they are aware someone needs help.
What if there are changes to competition travel/schedule due to weather or other circumstances?
Any changes will be communicated as soon as possible through Remind. Please do not reach out to the directors to see if changes will be made.
Do parents need to go to all the competitions? Is there a way to watch the competitions if they don’t go?
Parents and families are welcomed and encouraged to attend, but it is not required. Every competition has it’s own process, live stream is not always available. Chris and Jim Arrigo (two of our tireless, selfless parents!) have volunteered to videotape/ photograph the competitions that permit it, and those videos/photos will be shared with the parents via a website that will be communicated to everyone.
What should parents expect at competitions?
We put on our Spirit Wear and cheer loud and proud at the competitions! WWS families try to sit together- and the louder we cheer, the more it pumps up our kids! Competitions are all day events, so you can choose to watch all the competing groups, stay at the venue and hang out with other parents or read a good book or help with props or costumes, or tour whatever town we are in between our groups’ performances.
After the competition, we enthusiastically welcome the kids back at their hotel with cheering and congratulations for all their tremendous effort. Parents also have a post-comp “tailgate” back at the hotel in the lobby (a GREAT way to wind down and have a blast with other parents!!), so feel free to bring food and beverages of choice and hang out!
Do our kids have to ride the bus to and from competitions or can they drive with their parents?
The kids are expected to ride the buses with their teams. If you have an extraordinary circumstance, please contact the director to discuss. A lot of team building, team bonding and team coaching takes place on the buses, both leading up to the competition and following it.
Will the kids be chaperoned on these trips?
Yes! Each show choir will have chaperones to supervise the kids for each competition (typically there are 8 chaperones in attendance total); in addition, local security staff is hired for overnight hours to add an extra level of security at the hotel. The chaperones ride the buses and attend all functions that the kids attend to take care of any needs that arise.
How much money should I send with my child for each competition?
Breakfasts will be provided for the kids (included at the hotel), but lunches and dinners are not, unless you are told otherwise via Remind. On the road, the stops are typically at places like Panera, Subway, Chipotle etc (or a food court at a mall). During the competition, the kids will eat both lunch and dinner at the competition venue, and they can eat well for $20-$25 for the competition day (remember not all competitions will accept debit/credit cards, so be prepared to send them with cash).
For Mississippi: The directors will communicate what extra events are planned for this trip. The events themselves (tours, sightseeing etc.) will be covered, but if the kids want to shop, get souvenirs etc., they will need to plan for that.
How many times during a competition do the teams perform and when are awards? Do Esprit and Classics ever compete against each other?
Generally, both teams will perform during the day, single gender in the morning and mixed groups in the afternoon. At the end of afternoon performances, preliminary awards are given to single gender groups and announcements are made for which groups will perform that evening in Finals competition. Single gender groups are eligible to compete in finals at certain competitions. Awards for finals are held at the very end of the evening. If both Esprit and Classics perform in Finals, then they would be competing for top spots in Finals.
CHORAL CLASSIC
What is Choral Classic?
Choral Classic is the competition HOSTED by WWS, held this coming year on March 13-14. It is one of our two major fundraisers for the year. We host dozens of teams from around the country and their supporters, more than 4000 people, over 2 days. Choral Classic has the reputation of a top 10 competition out of the hundreds that are hosted around the country, and the main reason is the level of student and parent involvement/commitment to making to event incredible. Over 600 volunteers are needed to work 12 hours in total shifts over the two days- watch for your opportunity to sign up as a volunteer in February 2020! Esprit and Classics will perform in exhibition but do not compete at Choral Classic since they are the Host teams.
CABARET
What is Cabaret?
Cabaret is the second of our two major fundraisers- it is the Esprit, Classics and Show Band’s final performance of the year and includes the competition show as well as a themed Cabaret show and specialty acts performed only for Cabaret attendees! Three performances held April 24-25, 2020 include a Friday evening performance, a Saturday Matinee and a Saturday dinner show- the dinner show also includes additional performances by the kids that are not included in the other shows, as well as a silent auction. Volunteer sign ups, ticket and table purchasing and information on the event will begin to roll out in February, 2020.
Additional Questions and don’t know who to ask?
Feel free to email questions to [email protected] or [email protected] and you’ll be contacted back with an answer.