Update -- 10/05/12
The DVDs are finally complete! Please come & join us as we "premier" the concert on Saturday, October 13, 2012! We will be meeting at Park Way Pub starting at 6pm. We will begin showing the DVD at 7pm. For those of you who ordered DVDs, please come to pick up your DVD. If you cannot make it that night, we will have to make arrangements for you to pick yours up at another time. But, the night should be fun - so come & join us!
Update -- 9/9/12
We are still waiting to get the DVDs back from the school district. Once we get them, we will be available to pass them out. So keep watching the blog. We will post the date and time when they will be available. We are thinking of having a "premier party" at Pak Way Pub where we will watch the DVD and you can take home your copy. So, stay tuned.....
Update -- 8/31/12
We are pleased to announce that we were able to raise $9,318 for the Ken McMonagle Music Fund! That is amazing and we are excited to see how that money will be able to improve the music program throughout the district!
We would also like to talk about the CDs that were offered during the concert. Well, it turns out the CDs are actually DVDs that will allow each of you to watch the concert for yourself! We are excited about this! The DVDs will be available around mid-September and we would like you to watch the blog for times & dates of when we will be distributing them. We will be doing this probably at Park Way Pub again. So, keep posted in the next couple of weeks for those dates and times.
Thanks to everyone who decided to come to Milwaukee from areas outside of the area and those of you who are local to participate in this concert! We were overwhelmed by the participation from the beginning and hope that you all found this to be as wonderful an experience as we did! Thanks to all of you!
Update -- 8/20/12
Well, it is over now. We would all agree that it was great fun & a true pleasure to sing for Mac again! The Journal-Sentinal covered the event as most of you know. You have to read this article, so here is the link......
And photos they provided.....
Enjoy!
Update -- 08/16/12
Some important news that each of you need to know before the dress rehearsal tomorrow....
Remember - dress rehearsal begins an hour earlier than we originally posted! We are beginning at 6pm.
The school will be open early tomorrow. If you would like to come by early, you should be able to do so an hour or so earlier. So if you want, come anytime after 5 pm. This will allow you to see others who have come in from out of town and visit prior to the rehearsal.
We will be starting the rehearsal promptly at 6:00 pm. We are hoping to warm up prior to that time. BE PROMPT!
The dress rehearsal does not mean you have to come with your white shirts and black pants/skirts. Dress casually and comfortably for this rehearsal. You will have plenty of time to be all dressed up on Saturday. We encourage all of you to reread Jane's "packing list" below on this page as a reminder of helpful things to bring with you for the concert. A change of clothes is especially important.
We have great news! Mac has arranged to have the concert recorded! We will be selling CDs of the concert during the period of the concert only. They will $5 each & we will not charge more than what it is costing us to produce the CD. Please sign up so we can send your CD once we get them. We will only be taking orders during the course of the concert event & they must be paid for in advance.
Finally, we have been getting media attention for this event! That is great news! During the dress rehearsal, a reporter for the Journal-Sentinal will be there with a photographer. He will also be there during a formal concert on Saturday. He may ask to interview you during the dress rehearsal. If you do not wish to be interviewed, please politely decline. If you chose to be interviewed, also please be polite. What we are doing is a great thing! Many students throughout the school district will benefit from the proceeds of this concert. In addition, we are assuring a lasting legacy for Mac within the school district! The reporter will be interested in knowing where you live, why you came & your feelings for Mac.
Today, an interview with Mac played on the WUWM radio program Lake Effect. Sorry we weren't able to announce it - it all happened too fast. The interview turned out great & I am sure you will enjoy hearing from Mac about this event. So give it a listen! Here is the link:
http://www.wuwm.com/programs/lake_effect/lake_effect_segment.php?segmentid=9532
See you all tomorrow!!!!
Update -- 8/13/12
Again, we ask that each of you check the blog regularly as this week winds down. An email has been blasted out to everyone. This is the last email blast we will be sending out! In regards to rehearsal dates & times, follow the email directions regarding Tuesday. For right now, here are the updates:
Rehearsal dates:
- Tuesday, 8/14 - St. Florian's gym. 7:30 - 8:00 Men: Down In The Valley; 8:00 - 8:30 Women: Tenderly. MAC WILL BE PRESENT FROM 7:30 on. He wants to work with us on these pieces.
- Thursday, 8/16 at 6:00 pm - all voices - St. Flroain's Church basement.
- Friday, 8/17 at 6pm - changed to one hour earlier than originally scheduled. With Mac at WeMiHi Auditorium. Enter through the main auditorium doors on Greenfield Ave.
Concerts:
- Report time is 1:15 pm for 2:00 concert
- Warm-up will begin promptly at 1:30pm
- Report time is 6:30 pm for 7:00 concert
- Warm-up will begin promptly at 6:30
Although there is a reception with snacks between concerts, you may want to run out for a more substantial meal before the evening performance.
Ticket Sales:
- Warm-up will begin promptly at 1:30pm
- Warm-up will begin promptly at 6:30
UPDATE -- 8/5/12
As the concert gets closer, we ask that you check the blog regularly. We won't be sending out mass emails to everyone any more.
The first rehearsal was this past Saturday. We thought there was about 50-60 of us there and we all agree that we experienced the McMonagle "magic". Many people felt like nothing had changed in 40 years! All of us enjoyed being called "kids" again!
As far as news is concerned, here we go.....
Rehearsals:
We will be holding rehearsals mid-week between Mac's formal rehearsals. Joyce Bernau-Enriquez will be holding those rehearsals with us.
This week, we will continue to hold sectionals so that we can concentrate on the men's and women's only pieces, working on rough spots and other special pieces. We need to stay focus right now & more rehearsals are better than less. Please make every attempt to try & come to all rehearsals.
Next week will be combined mid-week rehearsals. We are hoping that Steve Jayal will be available to accompany us. Keep posted for those dates!
See the "Rehearsals" page for dates, times & location.
Program Ads
Please get any business and/or personal ads to Bob Best by Monday, August 6 and the money to pay for the ads to him by Wednesday, August 8! We are finishing up the program and need to get it to the printers. See "Help Needed" page for more information.
Tickets
We need your help in selling tickets! We are doing an amazing thing! Mac has been overwhelmed by the fact that 120 people are coming from all of the country to sing for him one more time! We need to share his "magic" with others!
In order to properly plan for the reception, we need as many tickets to be sold prior to the concert date as possible. So, tell your family, friends, co-workers & anyone you run into about the concert and order sooner rather than later. Tickets will be available at all rehearsals, at the West Allis - West Milwaukee Administrative offices and of course, by mail. We have been mailing out each order because of slow mail sales.
Tickets, of course will be available at the door also prior to each concert.
Ushers
We are trying to send a call out to some of our past members of the Ushers Club. We need 6-8 of you to volunteer to usher at each of the two concerts on August 18th. Please contact John Ash if you are interested. John can be reached at 414-807-3811 or by email at ptfirst@milwpc.com. John promises he will not make you wear powder blue tuxes if you agree to help us out!
Ushers
We are trying to send a call out to some of our past members of the Ushers Club. We need 6-8 of you to volunteer to usher at each of the two concerts on August 18th. Please contact John Ash if you are interested. John can be reached at 414-807-3811 or by email at ptfirst@milwpc.com. John promises he will not make you wear powder blue tuxes if you agree to help us out!
After-party
Finally, we are pleased to annouce that there will be an after-party following the 7 pm concert! This party is open only to choir members and one guest. We are trying to keep this party intimate so that we can visit with each other and with Mac. In the "after-glow" of the concert, this is a perfect opportunity to share lots of memories with other. There will be food (hot meat, salads, snacks & deserts) available and beer and wine. The bar will be a cash bar. We encourage you all and a guest to come and share some memories!
UPDATE -- 7/14/12
We have news items we would like to share with you:WE NEED YOUR HELP!
We are putting together the program for the concert and need your help to sell ads for the program. We are taking a somewhat different approach to selling these ads. We like to offer each of you the opportunity to place an ad with a special message in addition to the usual business ads. We would need these ads by August 8. All proceeds from the sale of these ads will go to the Ken McMonagle Music Fund. We have added a page to the blog "Help Needed". On that page we have included sales information. Click on the links to download this information.
Music:
We have been having some technology issues in regards to getting out the piano parts for the music we are singing. We managed to get most of the Tenor, Bass and Alto parts before Annette's email provider suspended her account. Therefore, we are in the process of providing links for the Soprano parts and the remainder of the other parts. Please see the newly created "Music" page to download this music.
Rehearsals:
We have added sectional rehearsals for everyone. Barb Sem will be conducting the women and John Ash will be conducting the men through the music. We appreciate Barb & John for helping us out. All rehearsals will be held at St. Florian's Catholic Church. Please see the "Rehearsals" page for the dates and times.
Jane's Packing List:
We thought you might appreciate a list of things that you should bring the day of the concert. So, this is Jane Pook's Packing List.
On the Day of the Concert
Arrival time: noon
Dress for the concert:
Women: white top, black bottom – can be pants or a skirt – comfortable shoes. This is not the day to break in your new stilettos – I don’t care how long they make your legs look. You will be standing a lot and standing still-ish for two one-hour performances.
Men: white shirt, black pants, comfortable shoes – see note to women re shoes.
What to bring the day of the concert:
- § Your music
- § A shirt to change in to for the reception.
- § Make up, hair spray, hairbrush, mirror, toothbrush, etc.
- § A hand towel – they come in handy for a lot of reasons.
- § A couple of zip lock bags – see note on hand towel.
- § Tea and throat spray if you tend to get a clogged throat.
- § A snack. You probably will not eat much at the reception and it will be a long day.
- § A water bottle
- § A camera. Make sure to take lots of pictures for the blog and for yourself!
- § Tissues
__________________________________________________________________________________
Here is the latest information regarding the concert:
Ticket Sales:
Matinee (2pm): $15*/adult and $10*/children under 16
Evening (7pm): $20* per seat
* Reception included in price
Tickets will be available to pick up at the Parkway Pub at 1675 South 44th Street (44th/Mitchell) on:
Monday, July 16 - 7-9:30pm
Tuesday, July 17 - 7-9:30pm
Thursday, July 19 - 7-9:30pm
Saturday, July 28 - 1-3:30pm
and at rehearsals. Tickets are available upon payment receipt only. Cash & checks only pleaseSaturday, July 28 - 1-3:30pm
Payment can also be mailed to and tickets will be available at Will Call the day of the concerts. Please make checks payable and send to: Kathy Sotak, PO Box 151, Marshall, WI 53559
Practice Dates:
Sectionals:
Men: July 9, 2012
July 16, 2012
Tenor & Bass only
Tenors: 6-7:30P
Basses: 7:45-9:15P
Saint Florian's Church
Women: July 24, 2012
Sopranos & Altos only
Full Choir Rehearsals (you must attend at least one):
Saturday, August 4, 2:30pm at St Florian'sSectionals:
Men: July 9, 2012
July 16, 2012
Tenor & Bass only
Tenors: 6-7:30P
Basses: 7:45-9:15P
Saint Florian's Church
Women: July 24, 2012
Sopranos & Altos only
Full Choir Rehearsals (you must attend at least one):
Saturday, August 11, 2:30pm at St Florian's
The address is 1215 S. 45th St. (1 blk. No. of Greenfield). We will be practicing in the Gym, which is through the glass doors on the West side of the North parking lot.
Friday, August 17, 7:00pm, West Milwaukee High School AuditoriumSaturday, August 18
TWO concerts: 2:00pm and 7:00pm at West Milwaukee High School Auditorium
Sheet Music:
If you have not received your sheet music, please contact Annette Kordus at aik743@yahoo.comThe music for Elijah Rock was not included in the music folders. You should have received an email with this music in a pdf file. Please print out & include in your music folder.
Digital Practice Files:
You are on the blog site now. Please mark this site as a "favorite" and check back regularly for updates on the concert.