1. Concepts and Competencies

 Vocal Techniques - The students will:

• Understand the principles of vocal health and care of the voice.
• Develop the seven “~ions”:
1. Respiration (sing with proper breathing, good sitting or standing posture).
2. Registration (use one or other voice registers in certain tessitura).
3. Resonation (sing with a centered, focused tone and correct vowel placement).
4. Phonation (sing with a correct sound attack that is not harsh or aspirated).
5. Articulation (the degree to which notes, syllables or words are separated or connected, such as legato, non legato, staccato, marcato, etc.).                                                                                                                                                                                                             
6. Pronunciation (the fundamentals of vocal utterance).
7. Enunciation/Diction (the distinctness of utterance).

• Sing with good tone, technique and musicianship (see Choir Grading Rubric for clarification).

Choral Techniques – The students will:

• Blend within their section.
• Balance with other sections.
• Sing accurate pitches and rhythms.
• Sing expressively according to the style of the music and an artistic interpretation of the composer’s intent.

Music Theory – The students will:

• Know and use pitch and rhythmic notation.
• Know and use key and time signature.
• Know and use musical symbols/terminology.
• Know and use dynamic markings.
• Develop ear-training/listening skills.

Sight-Reading - The students will:

• Sing solfege note names.
• Sing solfege in various music styles.
• Count and sing rhythms.
• Sing in all keys with all intervals.
• Sing songs in unison with rhythmic accuracy using solfege names.

• Sing songs in harmony with rhythmic accuracy using solfege names.

Music History and Literature - The students will:

• Perform a varied repertoire of music representing genres and styles from diverse cultures and historical periods.
• Listen critically to live and recorded performances from a variety of styles, eras, and composers.

Listening Skills – The students will:

• Evaluate live and recorded music.
• Self-evaluate individual and ensemble performances.
• Define the elements of a quality performance.

Performance Skills – The students will:

• Perform individually.
• Perform in a variety of ensembles.

Mental and Physical Development – The students will:

• Develop concentration.
• Memorize music.
• Learn techniques of musical preparation.
• Develop individual and group discipline.
• Improve strength and endurance.
• Improve coordination and performance expressiveness through the basics of conducting and choral choreography.
• Enjoy singing.
• Develop self-respect.
• Develop a feeling of achievement.
• Feel a sense of belonging.
• Fulfill the desire to recognize for contributions to choir.

Citizenship - The students will develop:

• Leadership skills.
• Responsibility.
• Cooperation and team-work skills.
• A strong work ethic.
• Pride in the choir program.

Self-Expression - The students will:

• Perform at auditions and concerts.
• Investigate music careers.

Additional concepts and competencies may be found in the Eastlake Concert Choir Grading Rubric.

2. Conduct, Expectations, and Consequences

Self-discipline. If you have self-discipline you won’t need external discipline. A “disciplined” person is one who does what is right in the absence of instruction or authority. Making exciting music is fun but requires hard work. Outstanding choirs are the result of efficient, rehearsals where the standard for behavior is high. Every singer is responsible for contributing to the success of each rehearsal.

Only through mature, self-disciplined efforts of every singer may individual and group potential be realized.

Choir rules

1. Conduct yourself properly at all times.

• Use good judgment. Decide BEFORE you speak or take action if what you are about to say or do will be considered appropriate.
• Follow all school rules.
• Displays of profanity, temper or flagrant violations of rules will not be tolerated.
• Any behavior which is not representative of good citizenship in choir may result in the student’s dismissal from the choir activity and/or from the choir program.
• Help create and maintain a positive and safe environment. Leave personal problems outside the door.
• Demonstrate above average conduct in all classes and activities, school wide.
• Be courteous and respectful to others including: fellow students, substitute teachers, guests, chaperones, choir parents, etc.
• Keep hands, feet and objects to yourself.
• Do not disturb any choir rehearsal in progress before, during, or after school.
• Do not come to the choir room during lunch unless you have permission from a choir director.

2. Sing to the best of your ability at all times.

Stay focused. Do not do work from another class or write personal notes during music class.

3. Follow director’s, choir officers’ and section leaders’ instructions the first time they are given (provided they are legal, ethical, and moral).

4. Be on time to all choir activities.

• Choir activities include: choir classes, sectionals, rehearsals, and performances.
• You will receive a tardy if you are not in your assigned seat with all required materials, and standing ready for warm-ups when the tardy bell rings. Tardiness will be handled through the Attendance Office.

5. Bring all required materials to choir activities.

• Come to class prepared for learning.
• Required rehearsal materials include: choir binder, all choir music, sight-reading materials, pencil and eraser.
• Required performance materials include: proper choir uniform, costumes, etc.
• Keep all required materials in the designated storage areas in the choir room.
• Keep the choir room clean and orderly.
• You may check out choir materials with the permission of the choir director.

6. Gum, food and drink are NEVER allowed in any choir area (including practice rooms, storage rooms, offices) other than the main classroom, with permission from the choir director.

7. Do not talk during rehearsals. Raise your hand and wait to be acknowledged before speaking.

• Cell phones should be turned off and stay in student’s backpack during choir class, sectionals, rehearsals, and performances.
• Maintain the highest level of rehearsal behavior.

8. Take care of all choir equipment and materials.

You may use the followings with permission from the choir director:

• Equipment and materials includes: music, books, folders, binders, chairs, furniture, stereos, etc.
• Pianos, headphones, sound equipment.
• The choir telephone.
• Practice rooms.

Any original copies of music, sight-reading materials/books, uniforms, or any other materials checked out or being used by students are the responsibility of the student. Fees will be assessed for materials that are damaged or lost.

Keep the choir room clean and organized.

9. Use the restroom, drinking fountain and grooming articles before or after class only. You may bring water bottles to use during class time. Do not leave the room without permission of the choir director.

10. Consequences

I.      Warning (verbal) with the possible loss of daily participation points and conference with the student.

II.      Temporary loss of privilege to sing at the rehearsal(s) and an opportunity to perform a solo at an upcoming concert

III.      Conference with student and/or phone conference with parent, and loss of privilege to sing solos until the end of the school year.

IV.      Re-assigned sitting.

V.      Lowered semester grades.

VI.      Detention.

VII.      Office referral.

VIII.      Removal from choir as your elective.

Attitude is everything!!! If you have a good attitude in choir then these rules are the easiest to follow!!!

3. Grading Policy

Choir is a class where students should be able to consistently maintain a grade average of 60 or above. Getting a grade below a 60 is considered similar to a "failing grade." See the Concert Choir Grading Rubric for clarification.

REHEARSAL - 30%

Determined by:

a. Participation and ensemble singing.

b. Posture and presentation.

c. Following the conductor.

d. Bringing all rehearsal materials.

e. Attitude and behavior.

f. Sight-reading participation.

g. Dress rehearsals and sectionals.

PERFORMANCE - 20%

1. Determined by

a. Concert performance and concert etiquette.

b. Singing tests (individual or group).

c. Sight-reading tests (individual or group).

2. Concert Requirements

a. Concerts have three parts: warm-up/rehearsal, performance, and concert etiquette. Students will receive a grade of 100 for each choir performance they participate in.

Concert grades may be lowered for inappropriate concert behavior such as talking, causing any kind of distraction during a performance, or tardiness to pre-concert warm-up, etc.

b. Concerts are an extension of the choir class. Choir class is required to perform at evening/weekend concerts throughout the year. Concerts are the "tests" of choir and the circumstances of the "test" cannot be duplicated at another date or time. If a student chooses not to participate in a choir concert, even if that choir concert occurs before/after school or on the weekend, they will receive a grade of “0”.

c. All concerts are a team effort; therefore, attendance is required, regardless of whether the students think they are needed. Students should not miss concerts except for severe sickness (fever, vomiting, etc.) or extreme family emergencies (death in the family, sudden hospitalization, accidents, etc.). Students involved in other school related contests (not practices, rehearsals, or meetings) may need to miss choir concerts on occasion. These are considered excused absences and must be cleared with the choir director PRIOR to the choir concert. All other absences (including non-school related activities/events, lack of a ride, job conflicts, non-family emergencies, trips, etc.) are considered unexcused.

d. If a student misses a choir concert for an excused absence, it is the student’s responsibility to clear that absence with the directors PRIOR to the concert (in writing via note signed by a parent). The choir director will determine whether or not an absence is considered excused or unexcused.

If the absence is considered excused by the choir director, the student will receive a grade of "excused” and within the following 2 weeks after the choir concert student will be required to prepare a presentation about classical/contemporary choral composer or nationally/world-wide recognized choral group . Make-up work is not available to clear up unexcused absences.

e. Failure to participate in either rehearsals or performances:

• Will affect a student's grade, possibly causing the student to fail choir.
• Will affect a student's future placement and participation in choir.

f. Required Choir performances include, but are not limited to:

• Fall Concert.
• Winter Concert.
• Plateau Concert.
• Spring Concert.
• Elementary Schools Performances.
• Festivals and Contests.
• CD recordings.
• Off-campus performances for various groups/organizations.

g. The appropriate uniform and/or costume are required for each concert.

WRITTEN TESTS - 10%

1. Quizzes and tests.
2. Worksheets.
3. Papers.
4. Performance evaluations.

PAPERWORK - 5%

1. Contract;
2. Field Trip Permission;
3. Web Publishing Permission
4. Other

END OF TERM FINAL EXAM - 10%

There will be a required choir final exam at the end of each semester. It will consist of singing choral parts of the recent song(s) by ensembles of 2-4 singers (one from each choir part), which must be performed for the class during the last two weeks prior to the last day of term.

ATTENDANCE:

1. Daily choir practices: 1 assignment (written critique of a school/community/professional choir CD provided by Mr. Spichak) per three excused absences or three excused tardies (1-10 minutes late) (parents’/teacher’s note or e-mail about the absence(s)/tardy(ies) must accompany the assignment or to be sent to Mr. Spichak in advance);
2. Dress rehearsals: 1 assignment per one excused absence or tardy (1-5 minutes late). See §1 for explanation about assignments and eligibility.
3. Choir performances: see Performance: §2d.

Conflicts with Choir Activities

When a student is involved in more than one activity that requires after school time, conflicts may occur. The student must notify all affected parties (choir director, parents, coaches, employers, sponsors) when there is a conflict so that there is time to determine how to handle the conflict (compromise, miss one or the other activity, work out a ride, etc.). Here is a list of activities a choir student may be involved in and their “priority”. This list should help students to know when they have a commitment how to handle it.

1. A district level event takes precedence over any non-district or lower level event.

2. A performance/district level event takes precedence over a practice.

3. A practice for a district level event takes precedence over a practice for a non-competitive performance.

4. When there are two activities of equal importance (practices, performances/games, competitions) the student will need to work out a compromise with all parties involved.

6. A practice for a one time performance takes precedence over a routine, regularly scheduled practice.

7. A school event takes precedence over a non-school event, even if that non-school event is a competition. Students MUST check event calendars for ALL of their scheduled activities for conflicts as soon as dates are available.

Sometimes, a student will need to make a choice regarding activities that are of equal importance without fear of reprisal or forfeiture of status/position.

Family events have to be scheduled around REQUIRED choir activities.

Supplies

Mandatory (to use in classroom):

1. One 1/2" black, 3-ring, binder with bottom pockets.
2. One pack of 3-ring notebook dividers (5 or 8 dividers per pack).
3. Ten pieces of notebook paper.
4. One pencil pouch for binder.
5. One package of 3-ring notebook reinforcements (for the holes).
6. Two sharpened pencils with erasers.
7. One yellow highlighter.

Highly recommended (for homework):

1. Any kind of voice recorder:

♫       Cassette recorder*

♫       Mini-cassette recorder

♫       CD recorder*

♫       DVD recorder*

♫       Digital voice recorder

♫       Computer*

*built-in or external microphone required.

2.   Computer:

♫       Internet access;

♫       Sibelius Scorch viewer (Free web browser plug-in that lets view, sing-along, play, print, transpose and save parts/scores from the Internet) http://www.sibelius.com/download/

Uniforms

Students are expected to follow the listed uniform guidelines below, without exception. Students may not be allowed to perform and/or their grade may be affected if the following guidelines are not met.

Formal Uniform Guidelines:

1. Formal uniforms will be worn to all choir concerts.
2. Girls: flesh-colored nylons (no bare legs), black formal shoes (no open toes, no high heels or soles); jewelry must not be worn with choir uniform. This includes watches and bracelets. Earrings, rings and necklaces must be small and inconspicuous and kept to a minimum. Hair must be pulled back as part of the uniform.
3. Boys: black formal shoes, black socks, ironed white shirt.

4. Grading Rubric

Choir students will be evaluated throughout each grading period based on the scale below. At the beginning of every choral lesson student receives the default grade B (83 pts), which may be raised or lowered based on performance.

Grading scales:

A (95-100); A- (90-94); B+ (87-89); B (83-86); B- (80-82); C+ (77-79); C (73-76); C- (70-72); D+ (67-69); D (63-66); D- (60-62); F = 0-59

Class participation/singing (20%)

1. Ensemble Singing and Participation  

The student:

A. Always participates and sings with good tone, technique and musicianship.

·          The elements of good tone are: a centered, focused quality of sound, intonation, control, support, volume, intensity, blending within a section [with “tall” vowels], balancing between sections, and dynamic contrasts without distortion.

·          The elements of good technique are: pitch accuracy, rhythmic precision, vocal dexterity and flexibility, observance of ties, slurs and articulation markings, attack, release, fluency and diction.

·          The elements of good musicianship are: style, phrasing, observance of musical markings, appropriateness of dynamic contrasts, observance of tempo, note spacing, accents, rhythmic patterns, expression, fluency, and demonstration of a musical understanding.

B. Usually participates and sings with good tone, technique and musicianship.

C. Sometimes participates and/or sings with inconsistent tone, technique and musicianship.

D. Seldom participates and/or sings with inappropriate tone, technique and musicianship

F. Never participates and/or sings with poor tone, technique and musicianship

2. Posture / Presentation

The student:

A. Always applies good breath support and good posture.

Breath Support

Inhaling: Expand the lungs down and out, pushing the diaphragm muscle down. Inhale silently without making any other noise. Expand your entire

waistline, keeping the shoulders low and relaxed.

Breath Control: Blow a steady stream of air.

Posture

Standing: head level, shoulders low and relaxed, backbone straight, rib cage high, knees flexed, feet slightly apart, and music held high

Sitting: head level, shoulders low and relaxed, rib cage high, backbone straight, both feet flat on the floor, and music held high.

B. Usually applies good breath support and good posture during rehearsal.

C. Sometimes applies good breath support and good posture during rehearsal, but has to be asked to do so.

D. Seldom applies good breath support and good posture during rehearsal and must be constantly reminded to do so.

F. Does not apply breath support and good posture during rehearsal.

SOLFEGE/SIGHT-SINGING (20%)

The student:

A. Always participates and sings with good tone, technique, accurate syllable names & hand signs, pulse the beat.

B. Usually participates and sings with good tone, technique, accurate syllable names, hand signs, and pulse the beat.

C. Sometimes participates and/or sings with inconsistent tone, technique, musicianship, inaccurate syllable names, hand signs, and pulse the beat.

D. Seldom participates and/or sings with inappropriate tone, technique, inaccurate syllable names, hand signs, and pulse the beat.

F. Never participates and/or sings with poor tone, technique, musicianship, inaccurate syllable names and do not pulse the beat.

CLASS PARTICIPATION/BEHAVIOR (20%)

4. Following the Conductor

The student:

A. Always follows rehearsal instructions the first time they are given, marks the score, corrects errors when they are addressed, and does not have to re-visit problem spots in the music that were addressed in prior rehearsals.

B. Usually follows rehearsal instructions the first time they are given, marks the score, corrects errors when they are addressed, and remembers to correct most of the problem spots in the music that were addressed in prior rehearsals.

C. Sometimes follows rehearsal instructions the first time they are given, occasionally marks the score, corrects some of the errors when they are addressed, and has to be reminded to correct problems that were addressed in prior rehearsals.

D. Seldom follows rehearsal instructions the first time they are given, does not mark the score, nor corrects errors when they are addressed, and nor correctly sings problem spots that were addressed in prior rehearsals.

F. Does not follow rehearsal instructions, nor marks the score, nor corrects errors, and nor correctly sings problem spots that were addressed in prior rehearsals.

5. Rehearsal Materials

The student:

A. Always brings necessary materials to rehearsals and sectionals (music, pencil, eraser, highlighter, etc.).

B. Usually brings necessary materials to rehearsals and sectionals.

C. Sometimes brings necessary materials to rehearsals and sectionals.

D. Seldom brings necessary materials to rehearsals and sectionals.

F. Never brings necessary materials to rehearsal and sectionals.

6. Attitude / Behavior

The student:

A. Always maintains a consistent positive attitude, never interrupts learning process, and strives to attain the performance goals of the choir.

B. Most of the time has a positive attitude, works to attain the performance goals of the choir.

C. Sometimes has a negative attitude, and distracts others from attaining the performance goals of the choir.

D. Seldom has a positive attitude, does not consistently participate in rehearsal, and frequently distracts others from attaining the performance goals of the choir.

F. Does not maintain a positive attitude, distracts others from attaining performance goals, does not work to meet the performance goals of the choir, and does not consistently participate in rehearsal.

7. Sectionals/ Dress Rehearsals

The student:

A. Punctually attends, participates and follows all instructions during the entire rehearsal/sectional.

B. Attends, participates and follows instructions during most of the rehearsal/sectional.

C. Attends and participates in some of the rehearsal/sectional or briefly disrupts the instruction.

D. Attends and participates in little of the rehearsal/sectional or disrupts instruction.

F. Arrives extremely late or leaves extremely early, fails to participate or severely disrupts instruction.

PERFORMANCE/ SINGING TESTS (20%)

1. Concert Performance / Concert Etiquette

The student:

A. Punctually attends the warm-up/rehearsal, participates in the entire rehearsal/performance, and displays excellent concert etiquette.

• The concert begins with warm-up/rehearsal time. Students must be on time or their concert grade may be affected.
• The concert concludes after the final song is performed. Students will be dismissed to clean up and assist with the take-down after the concert.
• Concert etiquette refers to proper behavior during a performance. Enjoying the music without interrupting anyone else’s enjoyment should be the goal.

Concert grades will be lowered for inappropriate behavior such as talking, leaving one’s assigned seat without permission, and causing any kind of distraction.

B. Attends most of the warm-up/rehearsal, participates in the entire performance, and displays appropriate concert etiquette.

C. Attends some of the warm-up/rehearsal, participates in some of the performance, or displays inappropriate behavior.

D. Attends little of the warm-up/rehearsal, participates in some of the performance, or displays inappropriate behavior.

F. Misses the warm-up/rehearsal, fails to participate in the entire performance, or displays inappropriate behavior.

2. Singing Tests (Individual or Group)

The student:

A. Always sings with good tone, technique and musicianship.

B. Usually sings with good tone, technique and musicianship.

C. Sometimes sings with good tone, technique and musicianship.

D. Seldom sings with good tone, technique and musicianship.

F. Never sings with good tone, technique and musicianship.

WRITTEN TESTS (10%)

The A to F grade scale will not be applied to written assignments. These assignments will be graded on a traditional 100 point scale. Grades will be lowered for written work that is turned in late.

Written work may include:

1. Quizzes and tests.
2. Worksheets.
3. Papers.
4. Performance evaluations.

PAPERWORK - 5%