DHS Department of Choral Arts
The Duluth choirs have a long tradition of excellence in the state of Georgia and abroad. They have performed throughout metropolitan Atlanta, New York City, New York; Nashville, Tennessee; Disney World, Orlando, Florida; and The Grand Bahama Islands as well as six international concert tours throughout Europe. Each year the choirs participate in the Georgia Music Educator’s Association State Large Group Performance Evaluation where they consistently receive the top ratings of “Superior”. Duluth is also very well represented in the GMEA All-State Choirs, Honors Choruses and GHSA Music Literary events yearly.
   

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NEW POLICIES FOR THE 2008-2009 SCHOOL YEAR

Dues = Reduced to $70 for school year. However, if dues are not paid by the third Friday in the school year, a $15 late penalty will be added. If a student joins second semester only, dues are $45 with a late fee added by the third Friday of the semester.

Why are there dues in Chorus?

  • We receive no money from Duluth High School. The expenses to run a program of our size and achievement level are approximately $15,000 per year. We must pay for expenses like: music for concerts, accompanists, scholarships, awards, supplies, festival fees, clinician fees, programs, publicity, props, t-shirts, concert decorations, website fees, accompaniment CD’s, recording fees, sound reinforcement expenses, choreographer expenses, paper, software, PA equipment, toner/ink, and many other miscellaneous expenses.
  • The cost of music alone for a single child in chorus for one year is over $60. That does not include the $600 in festival fees, or all of the other expenses listed above.
  • Chorus dues are the least expensive on campus and you get the most for your money.
  • Without money in the Chorus account, we could not order things like outfits, Honor Choir music, All-State music, chorus letters etc… until we had the money in hand from students. That would mean that we could not have outfits for the Fall concert in time or music for special events etc… Dues provide our entire operating budget.

We do not want financial concerns to keep a student from being in chorus. Therefore, chorus dues are not mandatory. However, if dues are paid, students are then eligible for all *extra chorus activities/incentives like the following:

  1. Chorus letters/Awards
  2. Fall Retreat or trips
  3. Chorus Officer / student leadership
  4. Chorus Spirit-Wear (T-shirts, Hoodies etc…)
  5. Student Financial Account Activation (accounts become active after dues are paid)
  6. All-State / Honors Chorus
  7. Special Acts: Formal concerts or Peach Jam
  8. Solos in choral pieces
  9. Special Events / Singing Valentines etc…
  10. Fundraising Prizes (if applicable)
  11. Graduation cords (chorus 4 yr)
  12. Free SR. banquet ticket and SR. gift

When dues are paid or fundraised. students are then eligible to participate in any or all of these activities above.

*extra chorus activities/incentives are usually funded entirely by chorus dues and therefore cannot be fairly offered to students who do not pay dues.

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Greg S. Smith, Director of Choral Activities | Jason Lane, Principal, Duluth High School, 3737 Brock Rd. Duluth, GA 30096, (770)232-3354
Greg_smith@gwinnett.k12.ga.us