Chorus Handbook | amanda-gibson

2019-2020 Choral Handbook

Amanda Gibson – Liberty Middle School

Welcome to the Liberty Choir program! I would like to take this opportunity to make you aware of the policies and procedures to be practiced and enforced within the choral music department this year. The middle school choral music program in Edwardsville School District welcomes all interested students in grades six, seven and eight to enroll in the choral program.

It is the purpose of each choral organization to provide an array of performing experiences which help students begin to understand music as an art, science, discipline, mode of expression, and source of enjoyment. In light of these goals, please review the expectations in the choral handbook with your student and sign and return the form stating you have done so (last page). Attached you will also find a tentative calendar of events.

I look forward to working with your child to make this a memorable and musically rewarding school year. Thank you in advance for your cooperation!

ADD/DROP POLICY

Students wanting to add Chorus may do so within the first five days of the semester. Students wishing to drop chorus must have a written note from his/her parent stating permission to drop the course. This note must be returned directly to me. Drops must be made within the first week of each of the quarters. Drops after that period will result in a failing grade (“F”) on the student’s report card.

CHORAL PROGRAMS

This is an SATB group of 7th and 8th graders (soprano, alto, tenor, and bass). We also have a 6th grade chorus.

SHARED STUDENTS WITH BAND AND ORCHESTRA: These students will either report to orchestra, band, or chorus on assigned days during activity. They may be in TWO of the three performing groups, but not all three.

EXPECTATIONS OF CHORAL STUDENTS

1. When the bell rings, students should be in his/her assigned place with choral folder and pencil, awaiting instruction from the director.

2. Be respectful to self, peers, and directors/teachers/guest clinicians.

3. Be responsible for music provided. Music lost or returned in unsuitable condition must be paid for.

4. Attend all rehearsals and performances regularly and punctually.

5. Take part in all public performances and after-school rehearsals. (See rules outlined under Concerts/Rehearsals).

6. Wear appropriate concert/field trip attire (see Concert Attire rules).

7. Demonstrate a positive attitude, consistent effort, ability to work well with others, and ask questions when clarification or additional help is needed.

8. Notify the director when there is a personal illness, which may make singing properly difficult, imprudent, or impossible. This does NOT excuse the student from attending rehearsal.

9. Demonstrate attentiveness to the conductor, use of good posture, diction, breath support, matching pitch as given from the piano or conductor, sight reading rhythmic/melodic passages with 90% accuracy, learned melodies assigned to his/her voice part, memorization of concert music, understanding and identification of fundamental musical signs and symbols, improvement through the school year in regard to tone quality, dynamics, phrasing, intonation, pitch discrimination, diction, and breath support.

10. NO gum, candy, food, or drink!

11. NO electronic equipment.

NOTE: All school disciplinary policies apply. Students may be issued detentions for infractions of school policy or choral rules. This applies to in or out of school choral events.

GRADES

Chorus is a graded class. The majority of the grade comes from daily attendance, in addition to concert rehearsals and performances. Grades are also based on the amount and quality of participation, self-discipline, singing, and performance improvement exhibited within rehearsal. Attendance at all rehearsals and concerts is mandatory. Dates are currently provided for you to note on your calendar and make proper accommodations (see Rules Governing Concerts/Rehearsals).

RULES GOVERNING CONCERTS/REHEARSALS

Every individual in the chorus is important to the group. An absence within a section interferes with balance and dynamics, leaves a space in the formation, and causes numerous other problems that negatively affect performance situations. In our ensembles, others depend on the individual to carry the part he/she has mastered in practice. When someone misses a special session, everyone associated with the organization suffers. An absence affects the entire organization. A good performance is dependent upon attendance of the entire unit.

When a member is absent from performance or a scheduled after-school rehearsal, he/she must bring a written statement from his/her parent or legal guardian, explaining the need for the absence. This does not mean the absence will be considered excused, it just keeps the line of communication open. If there is an unavoidable conflict which everyone is aware of far in advance, a written statement should be given to the director in considerable time before the date of the rehearsal or performance. In case of an emergency, the written excuse should be tendered upon the student’s next meeting with the director. In addition, a phone call to the director (Liberty: 655-6800) would also be appreciated.

The reasons for requiring a written statement from home are:

1. To keep the home-school line of communication open.

2. Parents know when their child has missed or skipped an event.

3. Directors will keep records of absences and excuses. (An excused absence through phone

contact with the school office or a letter written concerning an absence during the regular

school day will be accepted for an absence from an evening choral activity).

Failure to submit a written excuse for an absence will cause the absence to be considered unexcused. An excused absence will be granted in the case of illness on the part of the student, death in the immediate family, a serious emergency situation, or being absent from school the entire day. Other situations may arise that could be termed excused and will be handled by the director. All other absences will be considered unexcused.

A public performance by the chorus, or any other similar organization, is a part of the regular schoolwork. Chorus is an elected subject; therefore, when a student chooses to accept all the advantages of chorus, he/she is also to meet his/her obligations and accept the responsibility of bringing about the success of the organization. A student can not make up a performance that is missed. Experiences in rehearsals and performances cannot be duplicated.

An unexcused absence from a performance or rehearsal will result in a grade of a zero.

A sore throat is NOT considered an excuse from a rehearsal or performance. Students can learn music aurally as well as visually and are expected to attend even if they cannot physically participate. Attendance at the performance shows support for the other members in the ensemble. We are a team.

EXCUSED ABSENCES

Every student will be allowed three passes a quarter to make up work, take tests, or otherwise be excused from chorus. A teacher MUST sign a pass for the student to be excused from class. After three absences, students will receive a zero for each absence. Grades will be dropped two letters for an unexcused absence from a concert. Absence from school is an excused absence, but is exempt from the three absence rule.

EXTRA ACTIVITY/ CONCERT ATTIRE

Please refrain from wearing jeans, as concerts are formal events.

EXTRA EVENTS/ACTIVITY ELIGIBILITY (field trips)

The chorus has several opportunities to participate in out-of-school activities throughout the year. Attendance at these events is based upon the student’s eligibility. Regulations are as follows:

1. No unexcused absences from rehearsals or concerts.

2. No more than THREE tardies per semester.

3. No more than ONE gum warning per semester.

4. All academic work is completed and turned in prior to the event.

5. Good academic and behavioral standing from academic core teachers.

6. All permission slips MUST be turned in on time.

7. Three excused absences per quarter.

There also may be additional fees for participation in select events, which may or may not require an additional audition. There are limited scholarship funds available for those in need.

Any help with chaperones for trips would be greatly appreciated. Please contact the Mrs. Gibson.

THE TENTATIVE CALENDAR FOR THE SCHOOL YEAR CAN BE FOUND HERE.

*AN EXTRA COPY OF THE CHORAL CONTRACT PARENT SIGNATURE SHEET CAN BE FOUND HERE.*