Choir Clinic & Honor Choir

Each year the conference shall conduct a conference clinic and honor choir for its member schools to be held during the 19th week of the NSAA standardized calendar.  The concert will begin at 7:00 p.m.

The host school for the East Husker Conference Honor Choir Clinic shall be determined from the conference activity rotation schedule.  (SEE APPENDIX A)

A Host Committee shall be formed annually to assist the host director in organizing and hosting the conference honor choir clinic.  This committee will consist of the previous host school choir director, current host school choir director, and the next host school choir director.  If necessary, an extra person can be added to the committee if the committee lacks experience in directing the clinic.  The Host Committee is charged with creating an initial list of music recommendations, addressing issues that arise from the clinic, and drafting & communicating any potential changes in honor choir clinic by-laws to the superintendents.

All students participating in the Conference Honor Choir Clinic must be active participants in the vocal music program (9-12) in his/her respective school.

CHOIR CLINIC & HONOR CHOIR FORMAT

The Honor Clinic will follow the format as listed below:

1. Clinic will consist of a representation of all EHC schools with 30% of the total choir or 8 choir members, whichever is greater.  Allowances may be made if more balance is needed between parts.  If more members are needed, communication must be sent out to all EHC choir directors and they must be in agreement as to the number of additional members and which school or schools will send the additional members.
   
2. An honor choir, consisting of 8 students for each part, will also perform.
   
3. The honor choir will be comprised of select students that will be nominated by their director to audition. Recorded auditions will include  the all-state scale in the key of F (for sopranos and tenors) or in the key of C  (for altos and basses) and a vocal recording of “My Country Tis of Thee” (in their respective scale keys).  Audition tapes will be sent to the host school and must be postmarked by the 3rd Friday of September or the 11th week of the NSAA standardized calendar.  The host school director will organize and send the audition tapes out with a list within 3 weeks after or no later than the Friday of the 14th week of the NSAA standardized calendar .  An all state selection will be used unless voted on by choir directors.  Membership in the honor choir is determined by the quality of musicianship demonstrated on the recording.
   
4. The Honor Choir Clinic will begin at 10:00 a.m. with arrival and check-in to be at 9:30 a.m.
   
5. A concert will be held at 7:00 p.m.  The concert will consist of 6 - 7 choir selections, an optional performance by the host school, select ensembles from up to 5 other schools to be established at the fall meeting and 1 selection from the honor choir.
   
6. The host director will obtain any special equipment needed.
   
7. All participants will receive a certificate with the honor choir members receiving medals.
   

MUSIC SELECTION

1. Music instructors of member schools will meet during the choral clinic to select a clinician for the next year’s clinic.
   
2. Prior to the fall meeting, a list of past honor choir selections will need to be communicated to the new clinician by the host committee.   Selections may include one or more of the following:  all state, holiday, patriotic, sacred, secular, or clinician recommendation. 
   
3. The honor choir piece will also be selected by the directors at this time.  “Recommended concert program” (including past selections as well as new music recommendations) will then need to be assembled by the clinician for the directors to review at the fall meeting.  The directors may keep the recommended concert performance recommendation “as is” or replace any pieces that may not be considered best for ability levels or voicings.
   
4. The hosting school should secure a copy of the contract from the secretary.  Payment will be in accordance with the signed contract.
   
5. Music for the next clinic will be selected during the fall meeting utilizing the following recommendations.
   

• At least one half of the music must be selected from pieces in existing EHC school libraries.
  
• New purchases are the responsibility of each school and should not exceed five pieces per year.The hosting school should secure a copy of the contract from the secretary.  Payment will be in accordance with the signed contract. 
  

PROGRAMS

The host school will be responsible for preparing the programs for the clinic.