What is the AWAKE Choral Festival?

The AWAKE Choral Festival is a choir festival that is hosted by AWAKE (Association of Wisconsin Area Kodaly Educators). You can see more about the history of AWAKE and what we stand for in the 'About Us' tab. This festival has been going on for over two decades and allows directors the opportunity to bring children between 4th and 8th grade together to sing. The choral festival always brings in a guest clinician who is an expert in the field of choral music. They work with the kids to help strengthen their abilities to sing and share music. 

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How do I start the process of registering my students for the AWAKE Choral Festival?

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The first step is getting students interested and providing their parents with communication about the festival.

Ways to get students excited and wanting to participate include:

• Share past videos & pictures from the festival

• Explain that it is an opportunity to meet other students from other schools who also love to sing

• For younger students (4th-5th grade) the music is also more of a challenge and gives students an opportunity to be challenged

• Perform at a college campus (Lakeland University)

• Learn from a different clinician

• Eat lunch at the college cafeteria (this is a great selling point, but make sure your students are also interested in singing, since our space is limited)

Once you have students interested have them take your parent letter home to sign and return. Below you'll see two possible letters to send home. One is provided by a middle school teacher and the other by an elementary school teacher. Note that the highlighting is areas you should edit for your own use. (Also note that if you are NOT a member of AWAKE, your students will be required to pay $45 and you'll need to edit that part of the document. If you are interested in being and AWAKE member all you have to do is pay OAKE dues at the OAKE website.)

Middle School AWAKE Choral Festival Letter

Elementary School AWAKE Choral Festival Letter

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You'll also notice that both require students to turn in payment regardless of being chosen. This will allow you to turn in prompt payment in November, but also makes it more clear which students are committed to attending. You can return all checks for students that are NOT selected. This is up to the discretion of each individual teacher, but in the opinion of teachers who have sent students in the past these seems to be the smoothest process.​​​

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A couple final notes:

Have students make out checks to your school/district and then the school/district will be able to write ONE check out to AWAKE at the end. This will be discussed more in the payment video, but talk to your school secretary to get started on this process and find out if students should write out checks to your school or the district.​​​​​​​​

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If you are searching for the health/permission forms referenced in the letters above you can access them by downloading the registration forms. Just print out the health/permission form and attach it to your parent note.

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How do I complete the pre-registration due at the end of October?

You simply need to fill out the registration Google form on the Registration Page. If you need step-by-step directions please watch the video tutorial below:

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I know which students were selected, now how do I complete the registration process?

Now you need to make sure to collect all health forms, permission forms, and payment (if you have not already). Have students make all checks out to your school or school district (check with your secretary if you aren't sure). Remember that students pay $35 if you are a member of AWAKE and $45 if you are not. If you'd like to become a member please register at the OAKE website. 

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You should turn in all your checks to your school secretary and the district can then make out a check for the FULL payment to A.W.A.K.E. Once you have received your check from your school district and you have all the health and permission forms please send them to the address listed on the registration paper.

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Note: If this is your first time attending the festival, your district may require a W-9 first. You can get one by contacting our treasurer at awaketreasurere@gmail.com. Just simply submit the W-9 and you should be set for this festival and future festivals.

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If you will be late with sending in your registration PLEASE notify our treasurer (awaketreasurer@gmail.com), so we know that you still plan on attending. We understand that sometimes it takes a bit longer to cut a check from your district or your students aren't prompt with turning things in. We would just appreciate the notification. 

 

When will I received the music?

 

How do I prepare my students for the festival?

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The festival is coming soon! What information do I need to provide to parents/guardians?