Baldwinaires Application and Audition Form (And Audition Track)- due by Friday, September 22nd by Midnight!

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Hello Singers, Parents, and Guardians,

Thank you for expressing interest in joining this audition-only after school singing group. This form was created to help clarify expectations and commitment required to be a part of the The Baldwinaires. Please complete this form together with your parent/guardian so that everyone is on the same page and there are no conflicts and misunderstandings.

This application is due on or before the due date. Please understand the challenges associated with late submissions. If late, the student may not appear on the judges' audition lists. Any student who submits audition recordings after the deadline cannot be in the group because the auditions will already be scored the next morning and the list will already have been created.

It is exciting that you are looking into the possibility of your (or your child's) participation in an after-school performing arts activity. Since this particular activity is audition-based and volunteer, it is important that you read and understand all of the details involving auditions and participation so we can avoid "conflict-through-misunderstanding" as much as possible. In order to make this audition and its results go smoothly, I want to convey as many of the "nitty-gritty" details as I can without confusing anyone. Please read below and submit this online form. Please let me know if you have any questions. I'm here to help. Email is the best way to reach me. ktranter@bwschools.net.

Who are the Baldwinaires?
The Baldwinaires is an audition-only singing group that has been in existence for decades at Baldwin High School bringing the joy of seasonal vocal music to the Baldwin-Whitehall community. The group was formed to excel and showcase advanced high school vocalists many of whom are receiving private vocal or musical theater lessons. The Baldwinaires have performed at dozens of events annually and have shared their talents at local nursing homes, churches, elementary schools, and other community events. They have also performed numerous times in music festivals and competitions at Walt Disney World, Cedar Point, and Washington D.C. The music they sing consists of higher level choral music of all styles, but focuses primarily on a cappella music. Subgroups such as "Seniors-only," "Former Members," "Small Ensemble," quartets and octets may be formed for certain performances and sometimes may use the top audition scores for their formation. NEW: We are considering a smaller group ensemble we'd like to call "Baldwin8," a subgroup-small ensemble core group of Baldwinaires. We would go by the scores in sections as needed for the piece. Be sure to select your choice as to whether or not you'd like to be considered for this small group.

Baldwinaires Auditions
You will submit a digital recording into a teacher video app called FLIP. You should plan to do your recording early in case you get sick as you approach the deadline. Auditions will be scored by judges the morning after the auditions are closed.

Audition Song: The National Anthem/Star Spangled Banner. You may sing it in key that best fits your voice. You must sing the melody (the part that everyone knows). There is help below for those of you who may not know your range.

Audition Details:
1. Read this information.
2. Submit this form before the deadline.
3. Go to Flip.com and enter code fe9b1dc6

4. Follow the instructions given and submit you audition on time.
5. Your scores are sent to three outside judges for scoring. They will not know your names.
6. The results are posted the next week.

Before you audition:
Before you decide to audition, be aware that being a part of The Baldwinaires requires commitment to the rehearsal and concert schedule. Generally, rehearsals are after school on Tuesdays with an occasion deviation and can extend to between 4pm and 5:00pm or later as concert dates approach. It is an honor and a privilege to be selected as a member of Baldwinaires so be mindful to check the schedule before auditioning. The schedule is subject to change with advanced notice. Students must practice on their own time with periodic spot-checks to determine whether or not they are practicing. Students will be required to perform The National Anthem at least one time at a sports event in the BHS community. (This does not include our collectively-scheduled group performances).

Rehearsal Schedule:

Please view this rehearsal schedule to be 100% certain you are able to attend.

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1TJ3FK_Y8rUs-6okJwgiC_R6lUyxIfpJZrxdFFxT2bEo/edit?usp=sharing

National Anthem/Community Performance Requirement:

In order to maintain membership, students in Baldwinaires must perform a National Anthem at one sports or school-sponsored event per semester. They may perform with a group or as a soloist.

Performance Attire/Uniforms:

There is a concert attire requirement (a uniform). The school provides concert dresses and ties. However, black dress shoes are not provided. Those choosing to wear pants must provide black dress pants and white button-down long sleeve dress shirts. If any family is undergoing financial hardships, we will help. No student will be excluded due to family financial constraints.

Judging and Scoring:
The auditions are recorded anonymously so the judges do not know who you are. The judge panel will consist of musicians and/or music teachers who will not have access to your names, only the recording of your singing and an audition number. You will be scored 1-10 in each category based on the Pennsylvania Music Educators Association criteria: Pitch, Tone Quality, Rhythm, Preparedness, Musicianship, and Diction. The final list should be posted virtually early the following week. The overall size of the group will be determined by the director and will be based upon a reasonably equal number of Sopranos, Altos, Tenors, and Basses. Numbers of higher voices (Soprano/Alto) may be limited if the number of lower voices (Tenor/Bass) is low. Historically, there have been between 24-30 students in Baldwinaires out of 45-50 auditions. Any 9th-12th grade Baldwin High School student is eligible to audition. If anyone has a conflict with the auditions, please see me well BEFORE the audition end date so I can try to work out an alternative for you. I'll do everything I can to accommodate any valid conflicts you may have. Students may view their own scores and listen to their own auditions, but may not see or hear other students' auditions or see others' scores. Parents who wish to question audition results should encourage their child to speak with the director first. Parents may contact the director via email to discuss results and set up a meeting.

Attendance Policy:
Can you be in sports and other BHS activities while participating in Baldwinaires? Answer: Yes.
All of the coaches, directors, and sponsors at Baldwin work hard to try to allow students to be involved in as many activities as possible. However, at times there are conflicts that make it impossible for us to achieve a level of excellence that we work tirelessly to convey to our students in sports and performing arts. We will operate on a 3-Strikes rule for rehearsal attendance. Keep in mind, you must schedule make-up practice time to work on what you missed. Misses are only for excusable absences such as sicknesses and emergencies, not for work or other activities.

Can you have a job while participating in Baldwinaires? Answer: Yes.
However, work is not an acceptable excuse for missing Baldwinaires Practices and Performances. You will need to exercise great communication and planning skills. You need to be respectful of your boss and the time he/she spends trying to manage the average student's work schedule. I will provide you with a Boss Communication Form that will help your boss and I manage your schedule in a way that allows you to be in Baldwinaires. In order to participate in Baldwinaires, you agree to allow the director to communicate with coaches, sponsors, workplace bosses, and parents to promote effective communication. Any additions made to the rehearsal schedule or performance schedule made in a timely manner may not affect a students' participation. Students will have every opportunity to convey any conflicts that may arise throughout the year.

Rehearsals, Performances, and Individual Practice Obligations are mandatory. Work is not an acceptable excuse for missing rehearsals or performances. Students who miss 3 full rehearsals or performances can be excluded from the group if they miss for reasons other than absence from school, medical emergencies, PMEA events, and events approved by Mr. Tranter through discussions with the student and parents. You must have your parents submit a valid excuse for missing rehearsals or performances. Cell phones are not permitted during rehearsals and may be collected during rehearsal time.

Grades. Failing Grades can quickly cause you to lose your membership in Baldwinaires. Check out the district's Extracurricular Academic Eligibility Policy for more detailed information. Basically, if you're failing a main course: Math, English, Science or Social Studies, you can be pulled from participation in practice and performances. Timing and communication is key here. A student who is barred from rehearsal participation around concert time, will be pulled from the concert because he/she didn't get to practice. Note: It is the student's responsibility to get teachers to communicate with the director when a test or project grade has yet to be entered. I will have a form ready to go to help with this communication.

Misinformation on the Audition Form or conflict changes can cause loss of participation. Being disrespectful to your parents, teachers, peers, and the building is cause for loss of participation. The same rules and consequences apply after school as the ones during school. Check the student handbook for rules and expectations. Past demonstration of attendance and behavior can absolutely affect your current and future acceptance into the group.

Best wishes and sing your best! Let me know if you need help! ktranter@bwschools.net.

Thank you,

Mr. Tranter

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