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Grosse Pointe South's Show Choir to Compete
For the first time in seven years, Grosse Pointe South High Schools choral ensembles will participate in competitions with other schools.
The 2012-13 Pointe Singers of Grosse Pointe South High School
Grosse Pointe South's choral ensembles will participate in competitions for the first time in seven years.
Courtesy of Grosse Pointe South Choir Boosters
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Grosse Pointe South High School choral ensembles are preparing for competition for the first time in seven years. According to a press release issued by the South Choir Boosters, the ensembles will travel this month to competitions with other schools.
The ensembles, the Pointe Singers and the Tower Belles, will participate in two invitationals:
- Norwell Show Choir Invitational, which is March 8
- Teays Valley Classic, which is March 16
Both competitions are out of state. The first is in Indiana near Fort Wayne and the second is just south of Columbus, Ohio.
The ensembles have been rehearsing since the beginning of the year under new choir director Christopher Pratt, according to the press release.
The Tower Belles took second place in the Showstoppers National Show Choir Invitational the last time the students competed in 2007.
In addition to the direction of Pratt, the ensembles have been rehearsing with choreographers Andy Haines and Annette Layman and accompanist Richard Wolf.
Thanks. We'll email you the next time we update this story.
Jennifer Lafer Flanagan
9:08 am on Wednesday, March 6, 2013
Break a leg Pointe Singers and Tower Belles! You are all amazingly talented and are going to put on a super show!
Queen of hearts
11:02 am on Wednesday, March 6, 2013
Congratulations to The new director, Mr.Pratt, and his team of talented clinicians, it is especially good news to hear Andy Haines is back working with the South Choir kids!
Bravo to the students go GP South Choir, and best of luck in your competitions.
Hasta
10:58 pm on Wednesday, March 6, 2013
Congratulations! It's a shame the school board's response to these dedicated and successful teachers is to "offer" yet another round of pay cuts and benefit reductions.
Christopher Profeta
9:09 am on Thursday, March 7, 2013
We must support and respect the education professionals who do important and amazing work everyday that goes virtually unrecognized. People can tell me they value teachers all day long, but show me the budget and I'll tell you what you value. Take a look at this article about Grand Rapids teachers who make about $550 per pay and now qualify for a Bridge Card following a $600 per month pay cut. We here in GP should send a message throughout the state and country that, by actually increasing the salary of our teachers, we are looking for the best and brightest in the field to come here. You can't tell me there aren't people out there who would be fabulous teachers, but cannot afford to make the financial sacrifice we are currently forcing them to make. If we have a million dollars to spend on radically changing the high school schedule, we should be able to scrape together some money to help our teachers.
http://www.mlive.com/news/grand-rapids/index.ssf/2013/03/grand_rapids_teachers_say_sala.html
John Chronos
9:37 am on Thursday, March 7, 2013
Christopher, please note that we are not in Grand Rapids. The extent of "financial sacrifice we are currently forcing them to make" is best discussed after taking advantage of the information available on teacher compensation on the GPPSS website. Under the transparency initiative, a list of all employees with total compensation (wages and benefits) of over $100,000 is available at http://gpschools.schoolwires.net/cms/lib05/MI01000971/Centricity/Domain/86//2013/Over%20100000.pdf As you read through this list, I am sure that you will keep in mind that this compensation is for the school year and makes no adjustment for relative performance.
GP For Life
4:25 pm on Thursday, March 7, 2013
Teachers are the most overpaid part-time workers in America. I love the teachers I had and I appreciate all their work and hope that I carry on a fine tradition of excellence they help foster, but at the end of the day, they work 180-days a year and get paid for 365. They have excellent benefits and frequent vacations.
I don't want you to think that I don't understand the value they add to our community or our economy, but on an hour-to-hour basis, they're vastly overpaid.
Our tax-base has taken a beating, just like everywhere else, and everyone has had to make sacrifices, including the teachers. They took it in the rear pocket already. But ask yourself this: From 2008 to 2010 the unemployment rate in this country doubled from 4.8% to 10.0%, in that time, how many teachers did we let go? Now compare that to the number of people you know who had to make the lonely walk out in the parking lot after taking it in the neck. Yup.
Hey, good news is they only have three more months of work then they're off for the summer.
I am GP For Life and I love education, but I won't hide behind "It's for the children".
Grosse Pointe
8:16 pm on Friday, March 15, 2013
Teachers are what make the GPPS strong. They care for our children and devote themselves to them. They spend more time with kids than parents. It's funny how parents are always "ready for a break to end" so they can send kids back to school, but the same people can't appreciate the time, effort, and care these professionals put forth for our children. It is equally frustrating to hear people put down police officers, fire fighters, nurses, and so forth. Seriously, no offense, but for someone who says he/she loved his/her teachers, your comments are insulting to the same people you claim to love and appreciate. They work more than 180 days, and they get paid for the days they work. Compare their pay, education, etc, and you will find that your assessment is inaccurate. It is ridiculous to refer to teachers as part time workers. Do you view principals and counselors the same way? Or do you add up the number of hours other professions work to try to figure out their hours? I was pleasantly surprised to see some of your other comments referring to the unfair inclusions in this proposed contract. You do perplex me GP for Life.