Join Chorus

2025-2026 Rising Sixth, Seventh, and Eighth Graders: We have an online form that families can use to select Year-Long connections classes at SFMS. The primary signup period is from March 20th-28th. The form for the 2025-2026 school year can be found here: https://forms.gle/ZHKR1DjSb4r5bEWg8 

Current Students: Current students will automatically be re-enrolled for the following year. Current students will also fill out an Intent Form for Mr. Marshall before Spring Break to share their plans for next year, either confirming their particpation or indicating their intention to move on.

New Students (Mid-Year): If you are moving to SFMS in the middle of the school year, please reach out to Mr. Marshall directly via email or Canvas about opportunities to join. Some grade levels have already reached full enrollment; we utilize a waiting list to serve new students in the future. 

***FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS***

Does my student need to audition to join Chorus?

The short answer is no! 

• My Sixth Grade class is open to both students with a lot of musical experience and those with none at all. This course assumes no prior knowledge and begins with the fundamentals of singing and reading music. 

• In Seventh Grade, we offer an on-level Concert Chorus for new students that does not require an audition. The on-level class also provides a strong fundamental foundation, so even students that are joining late have a chance to catch up to their peers and participate in all of chorus' offerings.

• Eighth Grade students are expected to have a baseline level of music knowledge. Enrollment requires previous experience in Chorus. Students with other relevant musical experience (band, piano, theatre) may complete a placement test for admission.

• All current Chorus students must complete placement testing or an interview to determine their ensemble placement (accelerated or on-level). See below.

***As of the 2023-2024 School Year, all chorus classes will have a maximum enrollment of 48 students. Once the classes have reached capacity, additional students will be added to a waitlist.

I’ve heard about Chamber Choir and Accelerated Chorus. How can my student join these groups?

At the end of the sixth and seventh grade year, all chorus students take a placement test or interview that will determine their class for the following year. As seventh and eighth graders, they will be placed in either the “on-level” Concert Chorus or the “accelerated” class. Students that are new to the chorus program or SFMS may also take the placement test if they have previous music experience.

Bear in mind that the accelerated class is as the name implies. Enrollment in this course is quite selective, as all members need to showcase a certain level of music literacy, vocal ability, and rehearsal demeanor.

What is the after-school time commitment for being a Chorus student?

Typical Chorus students have at least four (4) concerts that they are required to attend after school hours, roughly one per quarter. These are most often hosted in the evenings around 7PM. They will also put on a Chorus Festival performance during school hours as a “field trip.” Most other opportunities are optional, and the vast majority of the work is given and completed during class time.

Students in our advanced ensembles usually have a more robust calendar, including additional performances and some outside-of-school rehearsals.

How much does Chorus cost?

Our dues are typically around $100 for the year, depending on the grade and ensemble that your student is in. This figure includes our uniform, t-shirt or other merch, travel expenses, venue rentals, piano accompanist fees, and event registrations. This fee covers the cost of all required Chorus to-dos -- we won’t ask for more money unless your student is pursuing an extracurricular opportunity.

*Beginning the 2022-2023 school year, Sheet Music is no longer included in the Chorus fee, as this is now covered by County-level funding. This allowed us to lower Chorus fees by 20-33%. 

Can my student drop Chorus in the middle of the year?

No. Joining Chorus (and/or Band) at SFMS is a year-long commitment. We want the students to see the commitment through to the end; a lot of the hard work and struggle comes during the first half of the year, whereas the self-improvement and rewarding experiences come at the end. On average, 94% of chorus students that make it to the end of the year choose to return the following year. Stick with it!

I hope to see your students singing at SFMS next year! Please get in touch with me if you have any questions about the program!