Perry High School

Vocal Music Department Handbook

2009-2010

            Welcome back!  I’m delighted to begin another year of vocal music excellence here at Perry and hope you’re anxious to get started, too!  We had a year of SURPRISES together in 2009-2010 and this year will be no less exciting—we have so much to look forward to! We have many changes and additions to the calendar this year, so read closely!  This packet is to inform you of our choirs’ rules and guidelines and to clearly explain grading and attendance policies.  Please keep this handy throughout the year so that you can refer to it should questions arise regarding concerts, grades, attendance or any other item covered in the enclosed pages.  The concert and rehearsal dates are subject to change and you will be notified of any revisions or changes in the attached schedule.  Contest times and exact dates (i.e. Friday or Saturday) are subject to scheduling by the contest chairperson.  The student contract and emergency medical card must be turned in by August 28.

Choir Grading Policy

            Your nine-week grade will be determined by class participation, performances and attendance, and music theory, quizzes, tests and sight-reading.  Points will be distributed in the following manner:

Class Participation

Daily rehearsal participation is worth fifteen points (each day in class is not necessarily a rehearsal--time will also be taken for tests, videos, etc.).  Students

            are not evaluated on how well they sing; rather, each student will be graded on

            actual efforts and contributions.  Points may be deducted for any or all of the

            following:

                        1.         Gum, candy and food, etc.  Gum, candy, food, pop, etc. are

not welcome in the music room!  This includes selling of said items.

                        2.         Make-up application during class.  Ladies, this is unnecessary!    

                                    Please keep make-up, perfume, sprays, mirrors, etc. out of sight!

                        3.         Lotion, cologne, perfume, body spray, etc.  These items aren’t

All students will be focusing on music theory, basic musicianship and sight-reading DAILY.  Every student, regardless of previous music experience, can benefit from these lessons.  My job is to help you to become musicians, not just singers!  Vocal tests will be given periodically to assess understanding of learned terms and skills such as dynamics, rhythms, solfege, hand symbols, intervals and singing techniques.  You will also be responsible for using any software, computers and/or websites to practice these skills.  Assessments will be given to determine your continued progress. 

Performances

            You are expected to attend all scheduled concerts/rehearsals for your

organization(s).  Any missed rehearsal or performance will result in an UNSATISFACTORY grade.  If at any time you cannot make a scheduled event due to an emergency, you must contact the director before the occasion!  Please note that work is NOT an acceptable excuse!          

            Every effort will be made to schedule our performances and rehearsals around

*GAMES take priority over rehearsal.

*PERFORMANCES take priority over practice.

If a student has an excused absence, he or she will be eligible for make-up work.  Make-up work is NOT available for unexcused absences!  The amount of work assigned will be directly proportionate to the event missed.  For example, a missed choir concert lasting approximately three hours will require a three-hour make-up assignment.

Critiques

Part of your grade each nine weeks includes written critiques of outside performances.  Each critique must be at least one page long, typed and double-spaced in a size 12 font.  Each must include the name of the performance, the date (must occur during that current nine-week grading period), and any other pertinent facts (which school, which church, which performing ensemble, etc) as well as a critical view of the performance.  This can include, but is not limited to, comments on the performer, the composer, the conductor, the acoustics, the size of the audience and its reaction, or anything else that relates to the performance.  Your opinion may be included, as well.  Critiques are due in my mailbox no later than one week before the end of the grading period.  If they are not received by that time they will count towards the next 9 weeks grade.  This year, critiques are due on the following dates:  October 23, January 8, March 12 and May 12 (seniors) and May 19 (underclassmen).

**IMPORTANT!!  I will no longer accept paper copies of critiques!  All critiques must be submitted electronically!  A new mailbox has been set up specifically for critiques—no other communication should come to this box.  All critiques must be submitted and time-stamped by 2:00 p.m. on the required due date or they WILL NOT BE OPENED OR GRADED!  You have an entire 9 weeks to complete your critiques.  Do not wait to submit until the last minute—computer glitches are known to be common and they are not excuses for turning in late work!  The appropriate e-mail is:  phsvocalmusic@gmail.com

Extra critiques may be written to receive merits.  They can be turned in any time.

            To better estimate your 9-week grade, you may use the following template:

A

*Attends 2 outside performances and writes critiques.  These performances MUST occur during the current grading period.

*Demonstrates superior work in daily rehearsals and is always prepared with music, pencil, sight-singing book and other materials

*Demonstrates competency in musical techniques as explained

*Participates actively in class

*Always works to the best of ability in daily rehearsals to obtain the highest in performance standards

*Is able to work effectively with Director and classmates.  Can work independently or as a member of a section as needed.  Can function as a leader!

*Volunteers

*Cooperates with Director at all times

*Maintains perfect attendance at concerts or extra rehearsals

*Achieves 94% or higher on all written or oral work

*Follows all class rules (materials turned in on time, marks music appropriately, has class materials daily, isn’t disruptive or tardy, etc.)

This is type of active participation expected for an “A” student, but this is not, in and of itself, the whole of any evaluation.

B

*Attends 1 outside performance and writes critique.  This performance MUST occur during the current grading period.

*Demonstrates competency in musical techniques as explained

*Demonstrates high quality work in daily rehearsals and is always prepared with music, pencil, sight-singing book and other materials

*Participates actively in class

*Volunteers

*Achieves 85%-93% in all written and oral work

*Cooperates with Director at all times

*Maintains perfect attendance at concerts or extra rehearsals

*Follows all class rules (materials turned in on time, marks music appropriately, has class materials daily, isn’t disruptive or tardy, etc.)

C

*No completed critiques

*Demonstrates competency in musical techniques as explained

*Participates somewhat in class

*Volunteers when required

*Achieves 75%-84% in all written and oral work

*Cooperates with the Director at all times

*Maintains perfect attendance at concerts or extra rehearsals

*Follows all class rules (materials turned in on time, marks music appropriately, has class materials daily, doesn’t disrupt class, is not tardy, etc.)

D

*No completed critiques

*Doesn’t always have music

*Does not actively participate in class

*Uncooperative

*Maintains perfect attendance at concerts or extra rehearsals

*Knows musical techniques but applies them infrequently or inconsistently

*Achieves 66%-74% in all written and oral work

*Does not always follow class rules

F

*No completed critiques

*Uncooperative (consistently breaking class rules)

*Disrespectful in class

*Does not actively participate in class

*Excessive class absences

*Refuses to bring materials to class (music, pencils, etc.)

*Achieves 0%-64% in written and oral work

*Misses concerts or rehearsals

These are the types of active participation expected for each grade level, but this is not, in and of itself, the whole of any evaluation.

Performance Grades

You are all members of performing ensembles; therefore, your attendance at required performances is considered mandatory for the entire duration of the concert.  All students will receive 150 of 300 concert points for attending the entire concert and performing.  The remaining 150 points will be granted for:

            1.  Appropriate attire (50 pts.)

            2.  Appropriate performance behavior (50 pts.)

            3.  Appropriate concert etiquette and respect for other performers (50 pts.)

Dismissal

            The following offenses may constitute immediate dismissal from choir:

                        1.  Use or possession of drugs, alcohol, or tobacco.  The offender will also be disciplined according to current school policy.

                        2.  Persistent behavior which is disruptive and detrimental to the work and performance of the choir.

                        3.  Recurring unexcused absences.

The Care and Feeding of the Choir Folder

            You are responsible for obtaining a 1- or 2-inch black choir binder and maintaining its contents.  These are available for purchase at Office Max or Walgreen’s or many other local stores.  Any music that is lost or destroyed will be replaced at the student’s expense.  You are required to have your folder in class each day--without it, you will receive a partial grade lower for not having the correct class materials and demerits.   Please DO NOT leave your folder on the floor, on the shelves outside the choir room or in piles in the back of the room.  This room is used for other purposes and non-choir members may choose to remove your music and folder, rendering you unable to fully participate.

            In addition to music, you are required to have a sharpened pencil, calendar and notebook paper in your choir binder.  Students’ folders will be examined periodically to be sure that appropriate markings are in the music.  Folders that are left behind on the shelves or in the room will be confiscated.  You each have copies of music so that you can practice at home—there’s no excuse to leave it in the choir room!

Concert Attire

Because you are representing Perry High School, your community, your families, and me whenever you perform in public, a dress code for each group has been adopted.

Lyrics:

            Each member will be assigned a robe and will be responsible for the robe while

it is in his/her possession.  Attire for under the robes is as follows:

Black dress pants (NO JEANS), black turtleneck, black socks or stockings and shoes (closed toe)—no bare legs.

Symphonic:

Each member will be assigned a robe and will be responsible for the robe while

it is in his/her possession.  Attire for under the robes is as follows:

Black dress pants (NO JEANS), black turtleneck, black socks or stockings and shoes (closed toe)—no bare legs.

Bel Canto:  Once again, we will be wearing black gowns.  Each member will be responsible for purchasing her own gown and black shoes.  Gowns will cost $35 and students will be fitted during class time.

Treblemakers:  Performance attire—to be announced

Pipers:  Gentlemen are responsible for black dance shoes and black socks as well as their pants, tux shirt and vest.  Ladies will once again purchase tan dance shoes, dance tights, “spankies” (black) and their dresses.

Kinsmen:  Black suit OR black sport coat and pants, and black turtleneck, black shoes and socks

General Guidelines

Ladies:  Earrings of your choice are permitted as long as they are small and unobtrusive--no big hoops, long dangling earrings, etc.  Facial piercings or tongue piercings must be removed.  Hair color for concerts may not be any color that does not occur naturally on the heads of humans—no blue, green, purple, etc.  Those who are non-compliant will be asked to leave and will fail the performance.

Gentlemen:  No tennis shoes, T-shirts, or jeans, please.  Facial piercings or tongue piercings must be removed. Hair color for concerts may not be any color that does not occur naturally on the heads of humans—no blue, green, purple, etc.  Those who are non-compliant will be asked to leave and will fail the performance.

Merits

Merits are earned towards medals awarded at the completion of the senior year.  Merits can be earned for:

1.         Bulletin Board decorating.  You supply the material—be creative!

                        2.         Extra classroom work.  Clean up the room, file music, wash boards, clean mirrors, etc.

            3.         Outside performances.  No PHS shows!  Go to the Player’s Guild, North Canton Playhouse, other schools, etc.  you must include the

program and a one page critique—no merits will be given if it’s less than one page. 

4.                  Work at show times.  This doesn’t include class mods.

5.                  Written reports.  Write an analysis of a particular piece your group is studying.

6.                  Full solos at a concert. 

7.                  Specialty number/group or ensemble performance at concert. 

8.                  Assisting another student with music outside of class. 

9.                  Preparing and conducting music in class.

10.              Director’s discretion.

It is your responsibility to keep track of your merits.  At the end of each school year, merit sheets will be collected and merits will be awarded.  This year, merit sheets will be kept in each choir member’s folder so that appropriate activities can be noted as the year progresses.

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