Dr. Matthew Latta
Owen Valley Patriot Choir Mission
It will be the Mission of the Owen Valley Choirs to serve the community and its members by providing opportunities for musicianship, leadership, and teamwork through rehearsal, classroom experiences, and community and school performances.
Owen Valley Patriot Choir Vision
The Owen Valley Choirs are an inclusive and collaborative community of middle and high school musicians who work together toward a common goal of presenting group performances offered to the public. The choir is intended to involve beginning musicians and their families in a range of activities and guided experiences aimed to engage students in the process of learning about music and performance. During this process, the students will:
Learn how to create music in a collaborative and caring environment.
Learn how to use their voices inefficient, functional, and healthful ways.
Learn how to read and interpret musical notation.
Learn to treat others empathetically, with respect and dignity, through common creative experiences.
Learn artistic interpretations of choral music through explorations of a variety of musical styles and pieces from contrasting time periods and cultures and in different languages.
Learn about stagecraft and deportment, including dance and creative movement.
About OVPC Ensembles
7th Grade Patriot Choir
The 7th Grade Patriot Choir is a mixed voice non-audition choir. The students will sing two or three voiced textures, SA, or SSA. Students will sing a wide variety of styles and languages, including a cappella music. Part of the class time will be devoted to learning to read and critique music and musical performances. Students will also learn about the physiology of the voice, vocal technique, and aural skills. Fellowship and music gaming are significant aspects of this course. Students participate in concert and community activities and have the opportunity to participate in the Holiday World Music Festival each May. Choir members have a performance dress code.
8th Grade Patriot Choir
The 8th Grade Patriot Choir is a mixed voice choir and is by audition, only. The students will sing two or three voiced textures, SA, SSA, or SAB. Students will sing a wide variety of styles and languages, including a cappella music. Part of the class time will be devoted to learning to read and critique music and musical performances. Students will also learn about the physiology of the voice, vocal technique, and aural skills. Fellowship and music gaming are significant aspects of this course. Students participate in concert and community activities and have the opportunity to participate in the Holiday World Music Festival each May. Choir members have a performance dress code.
Patriot Singers: Chamber Voice Ensemble
The Patriot Singers Choir is a mixed voice choir and is by audition only. The students will sing three or four voiced textures, SAT/B, or SATB. Students will sing a wide variety of styles and languages, including a cappella music. Part of the class time will be devoted to learning to read and critique music and musical performances. Students will also learn about the physiology of the voice, vocal technique, and aural skills. Students participate in concert and community activities and have the opportunity to participate in the Holiday World Music Festival each May. Choir members have a performance dress code.
Sweet Pizzazz: Advanced Choir
The Sweet Pizzazz Choir is an all-female mixed ensemble and is by audition only. The students will sing three or four voiced textures, SSA, or SSAA. Students will sing a wide variety of styles and languages, including jazz, 20th Century, pop music, and a cappella music. Part of the class time will be devoted to learning to read and critique music and musical performances. Students will also learn about the physiology of the voice, vocal technique, and aural skills. Some repertoire will be choreographed. Students participate in concert and community activities and have the opportunity to participate in the Holiday World Music Festival each May. This choir travels with their advanced companion, Valley Soundwaves, to competitions and has scheduled choreography rehearsals, recording opportunities, and choir clinic outside of classroom time. Choir members have a performance dress code. Any costume change information will be given during class time.
Valley Soundwaves: Advanced Choir
The Valley Soundwaves Choir is a mixed ensemble and is by audition only. The students will sing in three or more voiced textures, SAT/B, SATB, or SSAATTBB. Students will sing a wide variety of styles and languages, including jazz, 20th Century, pop music, and a cappella music. Part of the class time will be devoted to learning to read and critique music and musical performances. Students will also learn about the physiology of the voice, vocal technique, and aural skills. Some repertoire will be choreographed. Students participate in concert and community activities and have the opportunity to participate in the Holiday World Music Festival each May. This choir travels with their advanced choir companion, Sweet Pizzazz, to competitions and has scheduled choreography rehearsals, recording opportunities, and choir clinic outside of classroom time. Choir members have a performance dress code. Any costume change information will be given during class time.
Auditions for all choirs occur the first week of classes (both fall and spring terms) and during audition week in the spring. All dates, times, and content will be announced in the high school or during regular class time.
OVPC Policy Guide 2020-21: From the Director's Desk
August 2020
Dear Choir Families,
I am incredibly excited that you have chosen to be a part of the Owen Valley Patriot Choir (OVPC) family for the 2020-21 academic year! Many challenges and rewards lie ahead in the coming months as the choir grows in membership, musical skill, and camaraderie. I want choir to be the very best part of your student’s day!
This season will be a little different than those previous due to COVID-19. Please make sure you read distancing guidelines for the choir room and understand how the choir classroom will operate, asking any questions you have. The procedure can be found after the overview of this policy guide and on the choir webpage.
The season’s calendar will be traditional, with some changes, as COVID-19 policies and procedures continue to evolve during the season. A calendar is also included on .Patriot Choir webpage
I also need your help. Parents and guardians are essential to our choir program. You can help your student to succeed by providing a network of support, organization, and stability. Please help them to develop soft-skills by helping them to be on time and ready for events, to maintain a positive attitude, a readiness for trying new ideas, and a commitment to teamwork. You are the choir’s most powerful role model and ally. Many thanks to you!
This POLICY GUIDE constitutes a course syllabus and is a contract between the choir and its members/parents and guardians. Please read the information carefully and contact OVPC if you have any questions. Important ontact information can be found, below.
COVID-19 Choir Classroom Procedures and Distancing Plan 2020-21
Following SOCS schools philosophy and directives for re-entry for the 2020-21 academic year, the Patriot Choirs will use the following distancing plan for all choral groups, OVMS/OVHS, during the school day. Procedures may be modified for rehearsals and performances outside of the school day, but will always follow (at minimum) directives given by SOCS. These procedures are subject to change/update as conditions/directives change, directed by the SOCS administration. Students and parents will be informed of changes as they occur.
Please see the Patriot Choir webpage for more information and resources about the Patriot Choirs and COVID-19.
All students will use the auditorium for classes (periods 1 and 2 at OVMS; 5, 6, and 7 at OVHS) where students will enter and exit through separate doors.
Students and staff will use hand sanitizer upon entry/exit.
Students will be placed in marked/labeled and assigned audience seats, 12 feet apart.
Students and staff will wear masks during class activities.
No duo choreography will be programed.
The water fountain will be shut off.
Students may use a water bottle filling station in OVHS.
Students will not share classroom materials. Students will be provided wipeable folders in a marked cabinet that can be sanitized at the end of each class period.
Online materials will be used, when possible
No one will be allowed to leave personal items (other than costumes) in the choir room or auditorium.
Sanitization of classroom spaces will occur between uses.
Contact Information
Matthew Latta, D.M.
Choir Director
Music Department Chair
Owen Valley Middle/High School
622 State Rd 46, Spencer, IN 47460
Office Phone: 812-829-2266 (Ext. 6328)
Personal Cell Call/Text: 812-236-0740
Fax: (812) 829-2266
E-mail: mlatta@socs.k12.in.us
SOCS Teacher Page:
https://www.socs.k12.in.us/MatthewLatta.aspx
Communicate with REMIND
The choir uses the REMIND app. This powerful communication portal is available on your mobile device. You can view group texts from the choir office and receive important information or send private texts to the director without sharing personal information. Students are encouraged to participate.
To join REMIND and become a member of a choir class:
High School: Text @OVHSChoirs to the number 81010
Middle School: Text @OVMSChoirs to the number 81010
Set up your profile and start messaging!
OVPC Contact!
You can use this quick form to contact Dr. Latta and the OVPC! Thank you for reaching out!