Choir Handbook - High Plains Community Schools

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Choir Philosophy and Goals. The High Plains Choir program strives to provide every student the opportunity to further his/her music interests and talents as well  ...
 

Choir  Philosophy  and  Goals  

The  High  Plains  Choir  program  strives  to  provide  every  student  the   opportunity  to  further  his/her  music  interests  and  talents  as  well  as  to   participate  in  a  visible  and  quality-­‐performing  group.    It  is  our  desire  and  goal   to  progress  to  a  higher  level  of  knowledgeable  performance.    Controlled  self-­‐ expression  is  required  to  make  music  live,  and  students  who  engage  in  this   activity  learn  that  working  together  is  mandatory.    Through  the  development   of  our  talents  and  in  an  effort  to  express  emotional  ideas  to  others,  we  learn   many  positive  habits.    Some  of  these  habits  we  expect  to  stress  are:  putting   forth  a  strong  effort  (doing  your  best),  assuming  leadership  roles,  exhibiting   mutual  caring,  showing  cooperation  and  respect,  exhibiting  self-­‐discipline,   using  and  improving  your  talents  and  fostering  an  open  and  curious  mind.      

What  Makes  a  Good  Choir  Member?  

1. Enthusiasm   2. Be  prepared  for  every  rehearsal   3. A  POSITIVE  attitude  Remember:  “Attitudes  are  contagious.    Is  yours  worth   catching?”   4. Have  fun  but  always  remember  the  end  result  depends  on  the  effort  you  put   into  it.   5. Get  to  know  fellow  choir  members;  friends  can  be  a  great  resource.   6. No  question  is  a  dumb  question-­‐  if  you  do  not  understand  something…ASK!   7. Remember…  The  choir  is  only  as  strong  as  the  weakest  member.  

  There are three types of people in this world: 1) People who make things happen 2) People who watch things happen 3) People who wonder what just happened!

 

Student  Expectations     • Students  will  attend  each  class  and  performance  on  time  and  come   prepared  with  the  necessary  materials  and  an  open  mind.     • Students  will  demonstrate  a  willingness  to  learn  and  will  not   interfere    with  the  learning  of  others.     • Students  will  respect  all  people  and  property.    

  Any  student  who  chooses  not  to  meet  the  expectations  set  forth  above   will  face  the  appropriate  consequences.  The  consequences  for  not   meeting  these  expectations  include,  but  are  not  limited  to:   • A  verbal  warning   • Loss  of  credit  for  the  daily  grade     • Implementation  of  the  HPC  Behavioral  Performance  Protocol!!  

  Grading  Policy    

The  “A”  student  in  choir:   • Helps  the  choir  become   “musical”     • Asks  musical  questions     • Volunteers  information  with   or    without  hesitation     • Is  responsible     • Shows  vocal  improvement   and/or  has  a  genuine  want   to  be  better  than  they  are   • Is  always  on  time       • Accepts  direction     • Tries  their  best     • Never  has  gum  or  candy    



• • • •

Is  able  to  find  where  the   group  is  rehearsing  on  the   printed  page   Is  attentive  during   rehearsals     Works  daily  at  vocal   technique     Is  totally  engaged  while   receiving  instruction   Works  on  own  music  or   listens  while  other   sections  are  singing  

• • • • •

Puts  items  away  after   rehearsals/concerts   Numbers  measures  and   marks  music   Attends  all  concerts  and   other  required  activities   Always  has  their  music   Watches  instructor  while   singing    

  The  “B”  student  in  choir:     • Asks  musical  questions     • Shows  vocal  improvement     • Teacher  occasionally   observes  student  talking   while  others  are  singing     • Usually  watches  the   instructor  while  singing     • Sits  tall  and  stands  tall   reluctantly     • Listens  to  be  in  tune     • Is  not  tardy     • Accepts  direction     • Has  a  positive  attitude  about   the  music,  rehearsals,  peers,   and  instructors     The  “C”  student  in  choir:   • “Passes”  when  called  on     • Talks  until  told  not  to     • Has  to  be  reminded  to  watch    the  instructor      

• • • •

Stands  tall  when  standing;   sits  tall  when  sitting     Listens  to  be  in  tune     Helps  others  around  them   improve     Is  a  leader  (and  that  can   simply  mean  knowing  your   part,  doing  your  job,  and   being  quiet  when  asked)      

• Is  never  disrespectful  to  Mr.   Zeller  or  any  other   instructors  or  clinicians.   • Attends  all  concerts  and   other  required  activities   • Has  been  caught  with  gum     • Needs  to  be  a  leader  in  class     • Is  attentive  most  of  the  time   during  rehearsals     • Learns  only  in  class,  no   homework     • Has  a  positive  attitude  about   the  music,  rehearsals,  peers,   and  instructors  (no  eye   rolling)   • Does  not  “pass”  when  called   • Participates  only  when  told     • Sometimes  Tardy     • Has  difficulty  accepting    direction      

The  “D”  student  in  choir:     • Talks  constantly  and  seeks   attention  negatively     • Does  not  watch  the   instructor       The  “F”  student  in  choir:     • Is  always  disrespectful  to   others—including  the   instructors     • Never  attends  concerts  or   other  required  events     • Attends  all  concerts   • Does  not  try  their  best     • Sings  without  concern     • Shows  up  without  music  or   pencil    

• Always  slouches     • Sings  occasionally     • Is  tardy  often      

Does  not  know  their  notes   regularly   • Has  difficulty  accepting   direction   • Misses  required  events   • Basically  just  shows  up  for   class   • Skips  class     • Refuses  to  sing     • Is  immature  in  every  aspect   of  their  musical  education   and  environment.   •

  Students  will  receive  a  daily  grade  that  accounts  for  their  attendance,   preparedness,  and  participation.  The  student  grade  is  calculated  as   follows:   Daily  Grades:  40%     Required  Rehearsals/Performances:  30%     Written  Assignments:  20%     Singing  Evaluations  10%  

       

Dress  Rehearsals  and  Performances     All  performances  are  required!  The  performance  dates  and  times  will  be   given  to  you  well  in  advance  and  is  available  through  the  school  web   page.    Students  who  are  excused  from  a  mandatory  activity  will  be  able  to   earn  make-­‐up  credit  through  a  special  arrangement  with  the  teacher.   A  student  will  be  excused  for  the  following  (a  parent/guardian  note  or   phone  call  is  required):   • Personal  illness     • Family  conflicts  (that  cannot  be  rescheduled,  such  as  a  wedding  or   other    important  event)     • Other  circumstances  on  a  case-­‐by-­‐case  basis!!     A  student  will  be  unexcused  for  the  following:   • Failure  to  notify  the  teacher  of  an  excused  absence     • Failure  to  arrange  a  ride     • Work     • Attending  other  concerts     • Other  circumstances  on  a  case-­‐by-­‐case  basis     Remember  that  required  performances  account  for  30%  of  the  total   grade.  If  a  student  is  unexcused  for  two  required  activities  within  one   quarter,  a  failing  grade  will  result.        

Choir  Attire       All  choir  students  will  be  issued  a  robe  for  use  during  formal  concerts  and   contests.  If  a  student’s  robe  is  damaged,  lost,  or  stolen,  the  student  will   assume  responsibility  and  will  pay  for  either  a  replacement  robe  or  for   the  cost  of  fixing  it.  Unless  the  group  is  traveling,  the  robes  will  be  stored   at  school  so  there  should  not  be  any  problems.  However,  these  robes  are   property  of  the  school  and  are  extremely  expensive,  so  they  must  be   treated  with  care  at  all  times.      

 

Handbook  Compliance  and  Release  Form  

Please  sign  and  return  by  Friday,  AUGUST  23:  Parent/Guardian    

I  ______________________  have  read  and  understand  the  expectations  and   policies  of  this  handbook  and  by  signing  this  give  my  permission  for  my   son/daughter  to  travel  and  be  photographed  in  school  publications.       ______________________  ___________  Parent/Guardian     Signature         Date      

  YES!  Please  feel  free  to  contact  me  for  volunteer  opportunities   such  as  chaperoning  a  trip,  ushering  at  a  concert,  or  providing  snacks.           I  am  not  available  to  help  at  this  time.     If  yes,  please  provide  a  phone  number  and  email  address  at  which  you   can  easily  be  reached:   _____________________________________________________________  Student     I  _______________________  have  read  and  understand  the  expectations  and   policies  of  this  handbook  and  agree  to  abide  by  them.      

___________________________  ___________    Student  Signature                    Date