Terry High School Choral Program

235 W. Beasley Street

Terry, MS 39170

Michael Hrivnak, Director

mhrivnak@hinds.k12.ms.us

Dear Choir Parents:

We are excited to begin the 2020-2021 school year with our Choir Students! Go DAWGS!

We know that many of you may have concerns about the safety of singing during Covid-19. We are paying close attention to studies that are being conducted concerning aerosols and how that relates to the safety of singing. Detailed information recently released by the National Federation of High School Activities Associations is available at the following link: https://www.nfhs.org/activities-sports/music/. The results of these ongoing studies suggests that singing while wearing a tightfitting mask and spaced at least 6 feet apart for no longer than 30 minutes while outside may present the least risk of coronavirus infection. While it is possible to sing in a mask, it is not ideal. When it gets a little cooler, we may explore the possibility of singing together outside. For now, we have relegated the singing portion of choir to the virtual day of assignments. We can still cover sight-singing, college audition preparation, arranging projects, and choral music through the use of recordings, score study, and flipgrid videos for turning in individual performance videos. This is only temporary. We very much look forward to singing together in school as soon as is safely possible!

Choir Dues are normally $50 for Women’s Choir, Terry Singers, and Freshmen Choir and $100 for Chamber Choir. These dues help to cover the cost of music, competition registration and fees, accompanist fees, and other choir needs. There will be separate costs if your student tries out for and makes an honor choir. Students may do fundraisers through the Choir Boosters as needed throughout the year to help students to cover those costs or other choir needs. Because of the unique challenges presented by singing during the pandemic, choir dues will not be assessed at this time. No choir dues! For the 2020-2021 school year, student performance opportunities and any associated fees will be assessed on an individual basis depending on opportunities that become available. 

If your child is new to THS Choir this year or needs new choir attire, your child would normally be required to buy a choir dress/tux which would be worn at competitions and concerts. The cost for choir dresses/tuxes is $85; however, because of the uncertain circumstances regarding performances and competitions, we will not be ordering new dresses/tuxes at this time. Should public safety allow us to schedule concerts and competitions later in the year, we will need to order dresses/tuxes at least 6 weeks ahead of the performance date to ensure arrival. Save your $85 if you know you will need a dress/tux, so that you will be prepared to order concert attire at a later date.

All choir students will need the following supplies to use in choir this year:

• 3 ring binder with their name on it in the color of their choir (this helps prevent a mixup of binders between choirs)
• 1st Period Women’s Choir - turquoise/blue
• 2nd Period/Terry Singers - black
• 3rd Period/Chamber - maroon/red
• 4th Period/Freshmen - white
• pencils 
• notebook paper
• inexpensive headphones with their name on them (optional - will be used when we compose music on student computers)

We are looking forward to a great year with our THS Choir Students! Coronavirus has temporarily changed the way we make music, but music begins in the heart and will be there stronger than ever when we are finally able to sing together again.  Thank you for your continued support of our choral program!

Sincerely,

Michael Hrivnak                                     

THS Choirs