École Poirier Choir Newsletter

Dear Parents & Guardians of Choir Students,                                                            October 17^th, 2018

You are receiving this newsletter because your child has expressed an interest in bring part of the École Poirier Choir this season.  The choir has been rehearsing for the past four weeks on Wednesdays at lunch, and is made up of over 60 singers from Grades 2 to 5.

The choir will be performing a song entitled ‘A Wish for Peace’ at our upcoming Remembrance Day Assembly on Friday, November 9th.  The assembly will begin shortly after the end of morning recess – at 10:45, and should last about 30 minutes. We are very fortunate have Mrs. Patricia Haisell as our accompanist.  Mrs. Haisell is also one of our noon hour supervisors, and a local piano teacher.

If possible, please have your choir student dress in a white top and dark pants or skirt for the performance.  If they wish, they can bring a change of clothes for the afternoon. Each choir member will wear a yellow Poirier Choir scarf and a poppy.   Cadet, Girl Guide, and Scouting uniforms are also most welcome to be worn by students on Remembrance Day.

Parents are always welcome to attend our assemblies, so we would love to have you join us if you are able.

Choir operates in ‘seasons’ through the year, with each season having a performance goal at the end.  Choir is a great opportunity for students to learn about commitment to an activity, so we keep careful attendance at our practices, and we ask that students be present at a minimum of three rehearsals before they perform.  Students can join for one or two seasons, or stay in choir all year long!  We’ve got many exciting performance opportunities to look forward to.  Mark your calendars for the following important dates in December when the choir will be performing:

• Saturday, December 8^that the Poirier Craft Fair – in the gym. Time TBA
• and Thurs. December 12^thand 13^thin the evening for our Christmas Concerts – time TBA

Check out the École Poirier Choir Blogto stay up to date with choir happenings.  You will also find lyric sheets, and YouTube videos of various choirs performing our repertoire so students can listen and practice at home.

Link can be found via the school website – click on JOIN IN Here!and follow the link to Choir.

http://poirierchoir.staff.sd62.bc.ca

Thanks for your support!  Feel free to contact Mme Arts at the school if you have any questions about choir.

Mme Arts and Mme Gates

A Wish For Peace

By Denise Gagné and Craig Cassils

I wish for you

I wish for me

I wish for all the world to live in harmony

When I look into the sky at night and see the stars above,

I wish for peace, I wish for love.

I wish for you (echo)

I wish for me (echo)

I wish for all the world to live in harmony

When I look into the sky at night and see the stars above,

I wish for peace (echo), I wish for love.

I wish for hope

I wish for joy

I wish for all these things for every girl and boy

That wherever in the world they are they’ll see the stars above

And wish for peace

And wish for love.

Ah – –   ah – – – ahh – – – – –

When I look into the sky at night and see the stars above,

I wish for peace (echo), I wish for love.

École Poirier Choir

Hello Choir Families!

Spring is just around the corner, the birds are singing, and so is the Poirier Choir! This is just a reminder of our concert at Edward Milne Secondary on Monday, March 12^th, from 7-8 pm.

Choir members:

• should arrive at 6:30 pm.
• are asked to please wear a black top and black pants or a skirt, or dress.

Parents/Guardians:

• watch for directions to our warm-up room, which is where you’ll drop off and pick up your child.
• please sign in and out with Mme Arts or Mrs. Murphy.
• consider a donation which directly supports our school music programs in Sooke.
• enjoy the concert!

We extend our thanks to the Sooke Community Choir for hosting the Sing Out and inviting our students to see how the joy of singing can be an activity they can pursue at every age, throughout their lives.

BIG NEWS…!!! Our performance date for the Greater Victoria Performing Arts Festival will be Wednesday, April 11^th at 11 am. The performance happens during the school day, and will require a school bus trip into Oak Bay Secondary in Victoria. Parent helpers will be needed. Please watch for additional information and a permission form, which will be sent home at the end of next week.

If you have questions related to choir, please contact Mme Arts at the school at 250-642-4160.

Mme Arts and Mrs. Murphy

École Poirier Choir

Sooke Community Spring Sing-Out

and Festival News!

February 1st, 2018

Dear Parents and Guardians of Choir Students,

The Poirier Choir has been hard at work since the first week of January on our new Spring repertoire. We have two big performance goals coming up. First, we are will perform at the 26^th annual Spring Sing Out on Monday, March 12^th, 2018, an event hosted by the Sooke Community Choir. Elementary choirs from Sooke area schools are invited to perform their own songs, as well as be a part of one massed choir number including all of the groups. It promises to be a great night of sharing the joy of singing!

Choir members are asked to please wear a black top and black pants or a skirt. Poirier students will be given yellow choir scarves when they arrive at the event.

The Sing-Out takes place from 7 – 8 pm on Monday, March 12^th at Edward Milne Secondary. Students will need to arrive at 6:30 pm. No tickets are needed. Donations may be taken which directly support our school Music programs in Sooke. Inside the main entrance there will be directions to a warm-up room for Poirier choir members, where your child is to be dropped off to meet and sign in with either Mme Arts or Mrs. Murphy. They may leave jackets, etc in this room. Parents/Guardians may go and enjoy the concert, and then students are to be picked up and signed out from the same room where they were dropped off. Please ensure you do not leave with your child before signing out with one of the choir teachers.

Please complete and return the attendance slip below letting us know whether or not your child will be able to participate in the Sing-Out.

We are learning two pieces – On the Back of an Eagle, and A Whole New World. As always, song lyrics and sample videos of our pieces can be found on the École Poirier Choir Blog: http://poirierchoir.staff.sd62.bc.ca  The blog can be accessed via the school website. Click on ‘Extra-curricular Activities’ and select CHOIR. Look just below the information paragraph for a yellow link that reads École Poirier Choir Blog.

We are very excited to be registered to perform at the Greater Victoria Performing Arts Festival once again this year. We last performed in 2015, when we were awarded the ‘Adjudicator’s Choice Spirit Award’. For a few of our grade 5 students, this will be their second trip to Festival! We will receive confirmation on the date our choir is set to perform, but the choral section runs from April 11-13^th, so we know it will be within that window. The performance happens during the school day, and will require a full day bus trip into Oak Bay Secondary in Victoria. Parent helpers will be needed, and when I have our date, I will send out additional information. For the festival, we will sing On the Back of an Eagle, and Rhythm of the Rain.

Our rehearsal day is currently Wednesday, but will change in about three weeks as things around the school get busier with added extra-curricular sports activities. Please encourage your child to attend choir practice every week. We have challenging music to learn, and it requires regular attendance. The excitement and enjoyment of a trip to the GVPAF also means a strong level of commitment and effort. Mrs. Murphy and I are extremely impressed with the dedication and enthusiasm the choir has shown so far!

If you have any questions about choir, please contact Mme Arts at the school at 250-642-0500.

Thank You.

Mme Arts & Mrs. Murphy

École Poirier Choir Directors

Check out http://www.gvpaf.org for more information on the Greater Victoria Performing Arts Festival

Sooke Sing Out Attendance Form

Yes, my child, ______________________________________ in div. (or teacher) _________________

WILL be attending the Sooke Sing Out event at EMCS on Monday, March 12^th 2018.

Parent/Guardian: _____________________________________

The Ecole Poirier Choir sang beautifully at our Remembrance Day Assembly last week.  Our piece, In Flanders Fields, was a touching and sweet note to end a solemn occasion.  Both Mrs. Murphy and I received many compliments on how well the choir sang.  Thank you!

Our Christmas season has begun, and we are well into rehearsals for a special performance on Saturday, December 9th, at Poirier for the Joyeux Noel Craft Fair.  It is sure to be a fantastic event, with a gym full of crafters, food trucks, and fun.  The craft fair begins at 10:00 am, and the choir will sing at 10:15 for about 20 minutes.

More information will come home soon, in addition to a form to confirm your child’s attendance at this event.

Below are a few of the songs we will be singing.  Most are traditional carols, with a few lesser-known pieces added to the mix.

I will add more lyrics as the days go on… check back often!

Frosty the Snowman

Frosty the snowman was a jolly happy soul,

With a corncob pipe and a button nose

And two eyes made out of coal.

Frosty the snowman is a fairy tale, they say,

He was made of snow but the children know

How he came to life one day.

There must have been some magic in that

Old silk hat they found.

For when they placed it on his head

He began to dance around.

Oh, Frosty the snowman was alive as he could be,

And the children say he could laugh and play

Just the same as you and me.

Thumpety thump thump, Thumpety thump thump,

Look at Frosty go.

Thumpetty thump thump, Thumpety thump thump,

Over the hills of snow!

Frosty the snowman knew

The sun was hot that day,

So he said, “Let’s run and we’ll have some fun

Now before I melt away.”

Down to the village,

With a broomstick in his hand,

Running here and there, all around the square saying,

“Catch me if you can!”

He led them down the streets of town

Right to the traffic cop.

And he only paused a moment when

He heard him holler “Stop!”

For Frosty the snow man

Had to hurry on his way,

But he waved goodbye saying,

“Don’t you cry,

I’ll be back again some day.”

Thumpety thump thump, Thumpety thump thump,

Look at Frosty go.

Thumpetty thump thump, Thumpety thump thump,

Over the hills of snow!

Don’t Stop Believin’, Rudolph!

To the tune Don’t Stop Believin’ by Journey

Just a small town deer

People said that he was weird

He had a heart the same as everyone

He had a shiny nose

Some might even say it glows

He couldn’t find a friend

In anyone

It was a foggy night

Santa had to find a light

He was wonderin’ how to fly the sleigh

He searched on and on and on

Children, waiting

Snuggled up inside their warm beds

Santa, searching in the night

Rudolph, wand’ring

Feeling sad and all alone,

He was out there, somewhere in the night

Saw that reindeer, along the way

Santa said what is your name?

His light was brighter now than anything,

Shining like a star

My name is Rudolph

And, by the way

I would love to lead the sleigh

To help get ready for Christmas Day

We’ll fly on and on and on

Red-nosed Reindeer

Guiding Santa to the rooftops

Shining, brightly

In the night

Santa told him

You’ll go down in history

We’re flyin’, round the world tonight!

[Instrumental interlude]

Don’t stop believin’

Hold on to that feelin’

Sleep tight, people, woahhh!

Don’t stop believin’

Hold on to that feelin

Sleep tight, people, woahhhh!

Don’t stop believin’

Hold on to that feelin’

Sleep tight, people, woahhhhh!

Don’t Stop!

École Poirier Choir

Hello Choir Families!

The École Poirier Choir will be performing at the Poirier

Joyeux Noël Craft Fair on Saturday, December 9^th at 10:15.

The craft fair runs from 10 am until 4 pm at Poirier. It will feature an array of local goods and treats by local aritsans, businesses and crafters!

Parents/guardians are asked to sign their child in at the the Music Room at 10:15. We will make our way to the gym to perform, and return to the Music Room afterwards, where parents will meet and sign out their child. I expect we will be finished our set by about 10:45. Please remain at the school until your child is finished performing.

Dress for this event will be anything festive for the season. Red and green, Santa hats, and Christmas outfits are most welcome.

Check the blog for song lyrics and information. Google Ecole Poirier Choir Blog, find the link under “Extra Curricular” on the school’s website, or go to http://poirierchoir.staff.sd62.bc.ca

Please complete and return the form below if your child is planning to attend this event. If you have any questions, please call Mme Arts at the school at 250-642-0500.

Thanks for JOINing IN!

Mme S. Arts

Choir Director

École Poirier Craft Fair Performance 2017

Yes! My child, _________________________________________ in Division _________ will be participating in the choir performance at Poirier on Saturday, December 9^th at 10:15 am.

I understand that I will be asked to sign my child in to the Music Room at 10:15, and sign them out again when I pick them up after the performance at approximately 10:45, and that parents/guardians are required to remain at the school during the performance.

_________________________________________

Parent/Guardian signature

École Poirier Fall Choir Newsletter

October 6, 2017

Dear Parents & Guardians of Choir Students,

You are receiving this newsletter because your child has expressed an interest in bring part of the École Poirier Choir this season. The choir has been rehearsing for the past three weeks on Wednesdays at lunch, and is made up of over 60 singers from Grades 2 to 5.

The choir will be performing a song entitled ‘In Flanders Fields’ at our upcoming Remembrance Day Assembly on Friday, November 10th. The assembly will begin shortly after the end of morning recess – at 10:45, and should last about 30 minutes. We are very fortunate have Mrs. Patricia Haisell as our accompanist. Mrs. Haisell is also one of our noon hour supervisors, and a local piano teacher.

If possible, please have your choir student dress in a white top and dark pants or skirt for the performance. If they wish, they can bring a change of clothes for the afternoon. Each choir member will wear a yellow Poirier Choir scarf and a poppy.   Cadet, Girl Guide, and Scouting uniforms are also most welcome to be worn by students on Remembrance Day.

Parents are always welcome to attend our assemblies, so we would love to have you join us if you are able.

Choir operates in ‘seasons’ through the year, with each season having a performance goal at the end. Choir is a great opportunity for students to learn about commitment to an activity, so we keep careful attendance at our practices, and we ask that students be present at a minimum of three rehearsals before they perform. Students can join for one or two seasons, or stay in choir all year long! We’ve got many exciting performance opportunities to look forward to. We are also delighted to have many intermediate students who have been part of Poirier’s strong Choir tradition since they were in grade two.

Check out the École Poirier Choir Blog at the following link to stay up to date with choir happenings.

Link can be found via the school website – click on JOIN IN Here! and follow the link to Choir.

http://poirierchoir.staff.sd62.bc.ca

Thanks for your support!

Mme Arts and Mrs Murphy

In Flanders Fields

by John McCrae, May 1915

In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

Poirier Choir on the right in the yellow scarves!

Photo credit: Victor from the Victoria Symphony

École Poirier Choir Celebrates Music Monday!                                                          April 20, 2017

Dear Parents/Guardians of Choir Students,

On Monday, May 1st, the Poirier Choir will be taking a special trip to Evergreen Centre in Sooke to celebrate Music Monday, a Canada-wide initiative which aims to raise awareness of the importance of Music in our schools. We will be sharing our singing with the community at several locations. We will walk into town after lunch at approximately 12:30 pm, sing en masse with Gord Phillips and over 160 students from three other elementary schools in Sooke near the Evergreen Mall map kiosk, and then complete a circuit of singing around town. Thank you to the Sooke Lions who are are once again providing juice and cookies afterwards! We will travel by school bus back to Poirier in time for dismissal.

We will require parent helpers for this event. Parents are particularly needed to assist at crosswalks along the walk. Unfortunately, younger siblings not of school age are not permitted on the bus. If you are available to assist, please let us know by indicating on the permission form below. Please return all permission to school by Friday, April 28th.

ALL choir students who are participating must be prepared on Monday May 1st with appropriate clothing and footwear for the walk into Sooke, and for the possibility of rain. If the weather is too wet, we may be forced to cancel the outing. NOTE: Cookies provided by the Lions will not be allergy free. Please send a suitable afternoon snack for the trip with your child if allergies are a concern. Thank you.

We are thrilled to have the Sooke Philharmonic String Quartet and the Journey Drumline join us at Poirier for our morning Music Monday assembly beginning at 9:15! Parents are welcome to attend.

Mme Arts and Mr. Daykin                          Please email Mme Arts with any questions at: sarts@sd62.bc.ca

Choir Directors                                                                                             http://www.musicmonday.ca

—————————————————————————————————————————————————–

Music Monday 2017 Choir Field Trip Permission    

I give permission for my child, _________________________________in Div._____ to participate in a walk from Poirier to Evergreen Centre in Sooke, returning by school bus, on Monday afternoon, May 1st, 2017.

I am able to accompany the choir on this outing. YES / NO (Parent name: _____________________________)

NOTE: If a signed permission form has not been received before we depart for the event, the student will not be permitted to attend. No phone calls home will be permitted, as it holds up the group from arriving at the event on time. Permission slips are due Friday, April 28^th.

_________________________________________

                                                                                                                                                                                           Parent/Guardian signature