The Choir Handbook
Updated on:
October 24, 2009
Mandatory Events
The following events are a required portion of our year. Since Choir is a performance based class, our performances are vital to the grade. If you are unable to make one of these events, please notify me ASAP. An alternative assignment is given to those who give proper notice, three weeks, in order to make up the points.
October 19, 2007: Red Raider Showcase
October 21, 2007: Fall Concert with PCMS
December - Concerts TBA, watch website calendar for more info.
March 13-18, 2008: NYC Trip
April 5, 2008: Solo and Ensemble at Luxemburg-Casco
May 3, 2008: State Solo and Ensemble at UWGB
May 14, 2008: Spring Awards Concert
Choir Student and Director Responsibility Check List
Singing: Every student is expected to sing when asked in a rehearsal. Students are also expected not to talk when others are singing or the conductor is talking.
Accuracy: Every singer must consistently sing the right pitch at the right time. Musicianship, the mechanics of music making, must be solid for every singer, every note, every word, and every syllable.
Phrasing: The chorus must sing every note, syllable, and word musically and expressively. We will consistently strive for musical and expressive performances. These qualities transform mechanics into true musical art.
Diction: The chorus must sing the text in a manner that is understandable. Solid diction takes full advantage of the entire color spectrum of the language. Without effective delivery of text, the audience would rather hear an instrumental ensemble.
Personal Communication: Songs project and communicate a direct message. Singers must deliver the emotion and drama of a song in a manner that realizes the song’s full potential to affect the listeners. This communication moves directly from the hearts and minds of the singers to the hearts and minds of the listeners. Although it is the responsibility of every singer in the ensemble, this communication will happen only if the conductor leads by example, consistently teaches it, inspires the singers to do it, and accepts nothing less.
From Conductor:
- Knowledge of vocal techniques.
- Knowledge of the musical score.
- Expression and passion shown in conducting.
- To be inspiring.
- To have a positive attitude and to be hardworking.
- To keep order, to provide organization, and to teach with consistency.
Daily Expectations:
1. No Gum!
2. Do not talk when the teacher is talking.
3. Be on time.
4. Be prepared to work.
5. Have pencil ready.
6. Always use your music unless otherwise directed.
7. Respect yourself, others and your music
8. Try, Try, Try!
9. No food or beverages beside water is allowed in the choir room. That means all eating is to be done outside of class.
Grading Deducations:
1. Playing the Young Chang Piano without permisison...-20
2. Chewing gum during choir...-10
3. Causing a disruption during class...-10
4. Leaving out music or your folder...-5
5. Tardy to Choir for attendance...-5
6. Eating or drinking something other that water in the Choir Room without permission...-5
7. Robes, stolls, gowns and tuxes not properly put away...-15
8. Being late for a concert without notification first...-25
9. Not following dress code for concerts, or being dressed inappropriately for concerts...-5
Attendance Policy:
Attendance at all performances is requird !!!! If there is a problem or conflict, a written note or telephone call (followed by a note) from your parents much reach the director 20 to 30 days prior to a performance !! The only exception to this rule is extreme sickness, accident or emergency. Roll call will be taken at each rehearsal and prior to each performance at a specified time. A tardy student, without a valid written excuse or prior notification of the director, will receive a deduction of 25 points for each occurrence. An absent student, without a valid written excuse, will receive an F for the quarter unless the make-up assignment is completed. More than 2 unexcused absences will result in disciplinary action and may include dismissal from the choir program. It is music department's feeling that the main reasons you are in the program are to practice and perform as a group. If you continually miss the practices and performances, even with excuses, you should drop choir and just take lessons. Unexcused absences from contests or festivals of any type will result in an automatic FAILURE FOR THE QUARTER. A student who is tardy or absent for any reason will have a period of 2 school days to have their parents call or meet with Miss Danke before their grade is lowered.
Grading:
| A | 100-93% |
| A- | 92-90% |
| B+ | 89-87% |
| B | 86-83% |
| B- | 82-80% |
| C+ | 79-77% |
| C | 76-73% |
| C- | 72-70% |
| D | 69-60% |
| F | 59% and below |
Grading:
The grading for this class is objectively based. That means that the homework involved is vital to passing choir. Homework will be assigned as needed. You will be told in advance how much the homework will be worth. Basically, if you show up, do your work, and try everyday in class you will get an exceptional grade.
Attendance:
Attendance is vital to your choir career. We need your voice there! You must be in class the week of the performance. We need you more than ever then!
Lessons:
Each week you will have a lesson. This will make up 25 points per lesson. You will have an assignment to complete for your lesson and that must be completed on the day of your lesson. Point values will vary depending on how well you perform in the lesson.
Concert Write-Ups 50 points per report:
(Points taken on the semester grade only) = 100pts
Concerts: once a quarter for 100 points = 100 pts
Explanation of Grading Categories:
I. Attendance:
As choir members, we rely on each member to make our music come to life. If members aren’t there, we are not a full choir. We need you there and more importantly, WANT you there. It is imperative that you attend as many class periods as possible. It is good for your own development, and for the development of the choir. Full points will be given to students who attend class, and are actively participating in the task at hand. When the bell rings, the door closes. If there is an emergency or a pre-existing condition that you are certain will cause you to be absent for a period of time, please contact me and I will be more than happy to help.
II. Lessons:
You are allotted at least one, twenty-minute lesson per week. These lessons are designed for you and me to get together and work on things that you are having trouble with. We will work one-on-one on vocal technique, parts in songs you personally are having difficulty with, and work with Solo and Ensemble music if you wish. Please make use of your agenda to write down when your lessons are and to get a pass. Make up lessons will only be scheduled in the slightest of circumstances. Full points will be distributed attendance, effort, and evidence of improvement heard in your lesson.
III. Concert Write-Ups:
Singing in a choir is different than watching a choir from the audience. Sometimes what we experience as a choir member is different than what the audience will experience when we perform. These concert write-ups are designed for you to be an observer of a choir, not of your own, and see what things that they do that you do or do not like and what you will or will not carry into your own choir experiences. It is a project of reflection and evaluation of both your own choir experiences as well as others.
V. Concerts:
Concerts are our final examination for the quarter. They are worth 100 points per concert. You need to be there. In only the most extreme circumstances will you be excused and the points can be made up in another way. If you do not show up and it is not excused, you will receive and F for the quarter. We need you at the concert. We need your voice and your enthusiasm to create a great musical experience for you and the people of Pulaski. If you may have a problem with a concert date, please let me know ASAP.
Third Quarter
During third quarter you will be completing a music theory tutorial in the music computer lab. This will be completed mainly on your time (study hall, lunch, before and after school). The lab is open all school day and in the morning from 7 a.m. and after school until 4 p.m. If you have completed this coursework for another class, you will be given an advanced level of theory to complete. This work is worth 100 points and takes the place of any reflective lesson work. You will still be graded on attendance, part testing and the concert.
Music Replacement POLICY!
In order to better serve the choral students at Pulaski High School a policy has been enacted. All choral students will receive a folder number. All music issued to that student will correlate with that folder number. When music is collected after a concert, if a student’s number is missing, that student will owe the choral department the current replacement price of that music. This can be up to $2.00 per piece of music. If a folder is lost, the student owes the replacement cost of the contained music and the replacement cost of the folder. If the folder AND all the music is gone, it will cost the student $20.00 to replace. Please keep track of folders and all music contained therein. This policy also applies to solo and ensemble, madrigal and vocal jazz music.
Concert Attire
When we dress for a concert, we want to look professional and not take the audience’s attention from our voice and direct it to what we are wearing. Therefore, a series of guidelines have been made. All attire orders will be provided by the school to insure uniformity. Please do not purchase items outside of school due to this.
Concert Choir:
Men: Black Shoes: $30
White Tux Shirt: $12
Black Socks: To be provided by student
Women: Black Character Shoes: $17
*Women are to provide their own slip or “body shaper”—BLACK*
Men and Women:
Choir performing polo: to be used anytime the choir attends an event as a group or for a performance opportunity.
If any of the items are missing from their garment bag or if there is damage beyond repair at time of collection, the following fines will be administered:
Tux Jacket: $60
Tux Pants: $60
Cummerbund: $15
Tie: $10
Gowns: $70
All students need a choir performing polo.
Treble Choir Essentials:
Polo Shirt: $20
Black Pants/Shirt-Ankle Length: Purchase on own
Black, closed-toe shoes: Purchase on own or you can buy character shoes if you plan on auditioning for concert choir in the future.
--Skirts that are above the knee are not acceptable.
--
Skirts need to be ankle length.
Solo and Ensemble Rules
PULASKI HIGH SCHOOL MUSIC RESOURCE CENTER RULES
1.
Only students enrolled in a music class are permitted in the Music Resource Center – UNLESS special permission is given by Mr. Busch, Mr. Alban or Miss Danke.
2.
Students may use the Music Resource Center one hour per day only, UNLESS an instructor grants special permission.
3.
The practice rooms are for practicing only!!! No students will be allowed to study in these rooms. Therefore, No books in the practice rooms!!! Studying will be allowed in the Ensemble Room, all hours except 1 st, 4 th, 6 th and 7th, which will be in the Band Room. Choral students will use the Choral Study Room 1 st, 3 rd, 6 th & 7 th hours.
4.
The majority of the time is to be spent practicing or studying work related to music. At least 30 minutes of actual practice time is required.
5.
NO EATING, DRINKING, OR CHEWING GUM in any of the Music Areas at any time!!! (This includes lunch)
6.
The rest rooms down the hall may be used by having your agenda signed by the teacher in charge of the Music Resource Center that hour. You must also sign out of the room.
7.
Any student who violates these rules will receive one warning only!!! A second violation of the rules will result in the loss of Music Resource Center privileges for 9 weeks and a written referral to the appropriate disciplinarian.
Sign up procedure: There will be one sign-up slip for each home base, every hour and a 2 master slips for Music Resource.
CHOIR STUDENTS
A. Sign up will be in the same rooms as band. Choir students must sign in on their respective home-base slips and also on the Choir Master Slip. Choir students will then go to the choir room with the Choir Master Slip.
B. The number of students allowed in the Choir Music Resource Center will be limited only by the number of practice rooms. 1 st, 3 rd , 6 th & 7 th hours are limited to 15 students.
Roll Call Procedure:
Roll call will be taken during or after everyone is signed in.
B. Each student must PRINT his or her own name, ONLY, on the appropriate slip.
C. ON THE MASTER SLIP, each student will list the practice room that they will be in behind their name and which half of the hour they will practice. (A = 1 st ½ of the hour, B = 2 nd ½)
No student is to leave without a pass for any reason.
3 rd Hour – students must remain in the Choir Room or the Ensemble Room until after the announcements are read.
Students who have lunch over 5 th hour should not come in the music area unless they have a pass or a scheduled lesson.
Practice room doors should be shut when in use. Students will turn off the lights and shut the door when they are finished practicing. THIS IS A MUST!!
Writing Rubric
As part of a literacy initiative that is being put in place at PHS, we will not accept papers that do not have the following:
1. Capitalize the first letter of a sentence.
2. Write words out instead of using abbreviations.
3. Use proper end marks for sentences such as periods, question marks, exclamation points, etc.
4.
If starting a sentence with a number as in mathematics, write out the word instead of using the number.
Concert Write-Ups
Singing in a choir is different than watching a choir from the audience. Sometimes what we experience as a choir member is different than what the audience will experience when we perform. These concert write-ups are designed for you to be an observer of a choir, not your own, and see what things that they do that you do or do not like and what you will or will not carry into your own choir experiences. It is a project of reflection and evaluation of both your own choir experiences as well as others.
1. DUE: One week after you observe the performance. Any papers submitted after one week of the performance date will not be accepted.
2.
HOW MANY: 4 per year, 2 due per semester.
3.
WHAT: Primarily vocal concerts. You may observe 1 band performance. You may NOT do a concert write-up on an ensemble that you participate in. Elementary, middle, any other high school, and especially college level choirs are accepted. I strongly encourage you to visit a college or another high school for their choir concert if possible. These have to be music performances; not school plays, or programs with recorded music. I realize that transportation may be a problem for some. If this is a problem, please speak to me and we’ll make arrangements. A program from the concert is to be handed in with the assignment.
4.
LENGTH: One paged typed, two pages hand-written.
You may... |
You may NOT... |
| View a middle, high school, or college performance. | View anything that is not a choir performance. Reporting on an elementary school play with some singing in it, for example, will not apply. You cannot use dessert theatre as a right up. |
| Make arrangements for transportation with me. | Use transportation as an excuse. I am more than happy to work with you. PLEASE talk to me about this if it is an issue. |
| Choose a band concert for no more than 1 of your write-ups. | Report on an ensemble that YOU participate in. |
| Use a musical performance as a concert write-up. However, these have to be high school or advanced. No elementary school musicals will be accepted. Only 1 per semester. Please do not write out the plot and stick with the music. | Hand in a report without a program for the performance. The program is the proof that you went. Without the program, the report will not be accepted. Dinner/Dessert Theatre is not allowed. |
Questions for you to think about for your Concert Write-Up
1. What did you like/dislike about the concert?
2. How was their sound?
3. How was their stage presence? Professional? Well-mannered?
4. Do you think their music selection was too difficult? Too easy? How could you tell?
5. What was their on-stage behavior?
6. Choose one song that they did and apply all of these questions to it. You can do a report on one good thing and one bad thing.
7. How did the audience react to the choir’s performance? Do you think it was justified?
8. What do you think about the overall performance?
9. Did the director, accompanist, or choir get lost? If so, how do you know?
10. Did any of the songs require a different accompaniment? If so, what?
11. If the choir performed something a Capella, how did it sound? Did they stay in tune? Did they sound uniform? Could you tell that there was more than one person per part?
Because of incidents that occurred in the prior year, the following expectations need to be enforced. These will help maintain the quality of the performance and the daily classroom environment.
Choir’s Policy on Truancy:
If you are marked truant for your choir class:
1. You will not be allowed to take part in choir activities for the remainder of the year.
2. If you are marked truant for this class more than once, you will be asked to resign your position from the PHS Choir.
3. Your parents will be notified by the school for any truancy issues we may have.
Choir’s Policy on Disciplinary Actions
Discipline problems are not tolerated in Choir. We are hard workers that deserve the respect of our peers. If I find that there is a problem with discipline, the follow actions will be taken:
First Offense: A call to your parents/guardians
Second Offense: Disciplinary Documentation with the office.
Third Offense: You will be asked to resign your position in the PHS Choir.
One of the most important factors in a student’s success is the effective communication between the educator and the parent. Please know that I am here for your student and that I will do everything in my power to make your student successful. The following agreement assists me in doing so.
This is a check off sheet for the school year. While you review the choir portfolio with your student, please check off the sections that you have reviewed and sign at the bottom when you are done. The agreement needs to be turned in September 15 th. After this day, if it is not turned in, the student’s daily participation and lesson points will be deducted.
I sincerely thank you for your cooperation.
| Student | Parent/Guardian | |
__________________ |
Calendar of Events | __________________ |
| __________________ | Classroom Expectations | __________________ |
| __________________ | Grading | __________________ |
| __________________ | Explanation of Grading Categories | __________________ |
| __________________ | Music Replacement Policy | __________________ |
| __________________ | Concert Attire | __________________ |
| __________________ | Solo and Ensemble Rules | __________________ |
| __________________ | Disciplinary/Truancy Policies | __________________ |
| __________________ | Concert Write-Ups | __________________ |
Student Name (print) ___________________________________
Date____________________________________
Student Signature_________________________________
Parent/Guardian Name (print) ____________________________
Date___________________________________
Parent/Guardian Signature______________________________________________
Parent Email Address _____________________________