Schedule & Policies
Choir Schedule:
1st Period Beginner Tenor/Bass Choir
2nd Period Beginner Treble Choir
3rd Period Beginner Treble Choir
4th Period Conference
5th Period Varsity Treble
6th Period Tenor/Bass Choir
7th Period JV Treble Choir
Conference Time: 11:00 AM- 12:30 PM
Church Hill Middle School
Choir
Handbook
2022-2023
Table of Contents
Welcome………………………………………………………………3
Rehearsal Etiquette and Expectations…………………………..4
Classroom Rules and Consequences…………………………...4
Eligibility Expectations……………………………………………..5
Attendance Policy…………………………………………………...6
Grading Policy………………………………………………………..6
Uniforms……………………………………………………………….7
Fundraising……………………………………………………………8
Media Release…………………………………………………………9
Student Info/Travel Form…………………………………………...10
Choir Calendar………………………………………………………..11
Church Hill Middle School Choir Department
Greetings and welcome to the students and parents of the CHMS Choir!
Our goal is to offer you many opportunities for growth and provide experiences in music that you will remember for a lifetime. Our program maintains an emphasis on vocal development, musicality, ensemble work, general music theory and sight- reading skills. There will also be an emphasis on music literacy and musical performance.
This handbook is designed to introduce you to the many aspects of the Choral Department and to answer as many questions you may have. In an active program like this one, your cooperation helps insure a successful experience for all involved. Parental/Guardian support and involvement in the choir program is very important as well. Please feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns throughout the year, as communication is very important in our program as well.
I am excited you have chosen to become part of our growing programs! I look forward to getting to know all of you and to working with you as we reach for high goals and share many enriching experiences throughout the year. It takes a lot of hard work and dedication to have an outstanding choir program. All of your hard work and dedication will pay off in the end with wonderful results and accomplishments!
Mrs. Melissa Lacy, Choir Director
Melissa.lacy@comalisd.org
Phone: 830-221-2800 ext. 2821
Choir Website:
https://sites.google.com/a/g.comalisd.org/chms-choir/
Twitter:
@chmschoirlacy
Rehearsal Etiquette and Expectations
The single most important factor in the overall success of any choir is the work it accomplishes during its rehearsals. The more that is accomplished during class time reduces the amount of extra rehearsal needed outside of the school time. Maintain focus and concentration during instruction.
Things that are needed for an effective rehearsal:
1.A pencil in hand is required.
2.Highlighters are encouraged
3. Your MUSIC in a Black 1-1 ½ inch three-ringed binder with name on the spine
Classroom Expectations
1. Be in your assigned seat with your choir folder, pencil, and any other items listed on the board, when the bell rings. Leave all other belongings in designated areas.
2. Limit talking to answering/asking questions and contribute positively to instruction.
3. No gum, food, candy. Only water is permitted.
4. Be Respectful
5. Electronic devices will not be tolerated during class, rehearsal or during concerts (on or off stage) per district handbook policy
6. Try your best at all times in class, auditions, and on stage.
Consequences
If a student fails to follow one or more classroom rules:
1st Offense: the director will a give reminder
2nd Offense: Student/teacher conference, with a parent email/phone call notification
3rd Offense: Student/Teacher/Parent conference
4th Offense or more: Office Referral
Eligibility Expectations
All participating students in the choir program are expected to put their academic success as a priority in their academic life. Students are expected to maintain a 70 or better in ALL classes in order to be academically eligible to participate in choir socials, region choir, contests, field trips etc. Regular grade checks will be conducted on students, with student/teacher conferences regarding their academic progress. It is my goal to help anyway I can to ensure your success not only in my class, but ALL of your classes. Consequences for lack of eligibility are as follows:
1st Offense- Students will receive a teacher/student conference with a verbal warning with the expectation for academic improvement within the next eligibility check. Eligibility must be met in order to participate in choir’s extracurricular activities.
***UIL is an exception since it is considered an evaluation, however, all student must be musically prepared to participate***
I, ___________________________________ (student name), have read and understand the academic eligibility policy for the choir program. I understand that failure to be academically eligible will result in me losing opportunities to participate in events but not limited to:
UIL Competition
Solo and Ensemble
Region Choir
Etc.
The UIL eligibility report and standards will be used to determine a student eligibility to participate in events.
Student Signature_________________________________________________Date___________________
Attendance Policies
Class Attendance
Your attendance to school and choir is crucial to your academic success in all of your classes. In choir, it is impossible to make up activities that occur in a choir rehearsal. It takes a team effort every day to reach our goals. In addition, students are to be IN CLASS during rehearsal, so do not ask to leave to go to the restroom, etc. unless it is an EMERGENCY. Take care of these items before or after class.
Additional Rehearsals / Activities
Students will be given adequate notice of all additional rehearsals and activities outside of the regular class period. These rehearsals and activities are course requirements and are vital to the success of the choral program. Every effort will be made to minimize the amount of out-of-class time required.
***In the event of a conflict with another scheduled school activity, it is the responsibility of the student to notify the sponsors of the activities. The sponsors will then determine the student’s obligations. ***
Concert Attendance
Concerts are the ultimate evaluation of many weeks of participation and class work, as well as meeting TEKS requirements. Choir members are expected to be present at all concerts the entire time. An unexcused absence from a concert will lower the student’s grade dramatically. Absences and tardies will be excused only for cases of medical emergency (with proper documentation) or death in the family. Prior notification of any conflict with a required concert or rehearsal is required. Students are held responsible for keeping up with the dates and times of scheduled activities, and keeping parents/guardians aware. Any student who misses a concert, regardless of the reason, will be required to perform all concert music to their director during tutorials for a make-up grade.
Grading
The student’s nine-week grade will be averaged as follows:
WEEKLY REHEARSAL ETIQUETTE/HOMEWORK- 25%
QUIZZES- 35%
CONCERTS/MAJOR GRADES- 40%
Weekly Rehearsal Etiquette/ Homework 25%
Students will receive a rehearsal etiquette grade each week. The weekly grade is determined by the student’s DAILY level of mastery, improvement, and focus of class objectives. The grade may be raised or lowered based on these factors. There will also be worksheets assigned to reinforce learning. You always have “homework” in choir- you should always practice material covered in class at home.
Extra rehearsals outside of class are required and will count towards the assessment grade. Advance notice will be given for extra rehearsals so that students may decide around other conflicts.
Quizzes 35%
Quizzes will be administered to monitor progress in the subject. Emphasis will be placed on monitoring individual sight-reading skills through singing evaluations. There will be spot checks on music in order to monitor progress of learning. This can be done in quartets, trios, or small groups unless it is necessary to do individual progress checks. Written quizzes will also be given.
III. Concerts and Projects- Major Grades 40%
Participation in performances outside normal school hours is a necessary and a REQUIRED part of choir courses. Attendance is required for the entirety of all performances. Performances are listed on the Calendar of Events.
An excused absence from a choir performance will require the same criteria as an excused absence from school such as personal illness where the student has been absent from the entire school day, death in the family, or family emergency. The absence will not be excused if the parent/guardian has not communicated with the director PRIOR to the event. It is imperative that the parent/guardian contact the director regarding the absence, as concerts are a major part of the student’s grade. I can be reached via email at melissa.lacy@comalisd.org.
AN UNEXCUSED ABSENCE FROM A PERFORMANCE WILL RESULT IN A SIGNIFICANT REDUCTION IN THE NINE-WEEK GRADE, INCLUDING THE POSSIBILITY OF A FAILING GRADE. Any student who misses a concert, regardless of the reason, will be required to perform all concert music to their director during tutorials for a make-up grade only up to TWO days after the missed concert.
UNIFORMS
T-SHIRTS:
ALL CHOIR MEMBERS WILL NEED TO PURCHASE A CASUAL T-SHIRT WITH SPECIAL CHOIR DEPARTMENT LOGO. Information on the shirt will be given at the beginning of the school year. These shirts will be worn at all special occasions, activities, and concerts with black pants (please NO holes, shorts, capris or skinny fit) as well as with closed-toed shoes. Please be selective with shoes worn during performance that they will not be a distraction to the audience while on stage (i.e. colors, lights, glitter, etc.).
Formals:
Formals will only be issued and worn for the ensemble chosen to compete at the UIL contest or for students who participate in the Region Choir Clinic and Concert. Details will be issued to students that this applies to.
General: The idea of a uniform is that we appear as a unified group to those who see us. Jewelry should be simple, and small. Hair should be neatly groomed and out of the face, with no distracting styling or colors. Students should refer and comply with the school dress code when in uniform.
Fundraising
Students are encouraged to participate in the fundraising efforts the organization will undertake if at all possible. The choir department’s philosophy is that fundraising should be kept to a minimum, but that when we do fundraise, we strive for maximum involvement and return on our efforts.
Media Release
CHMS Choir students are successful and during that success, we love to showcase our talents to the community via the Choir Twitter Page, Comal ISD website, and local newspaper. Do you give us permission to feature your child name and picture this year on these forums?
Check One:
____________Yes, you may share my child’s successes on Twitter, Comal ISD website and local newspaper
_______________No, please refrain from including my child on Twitter, Comal ISD website and local newspaper.
_________________________________ ________________________________
Parent Signature Date
STUDENT INFO SHEET AND TRAVEL FORM
All information will remain confidential.
_________________________________ (Student) has my permission to travel with all Church Hill Middle School Choir functions for the 2022-2023 school year via Comal ISD transportation. I understand that I am releasing Comal ISD, its employees, staff, and/or booster club, of any liability in case of injury during student travel. I also understand that my student must travel via C.I.S.D. transportation both to and from a performance event unless pre-approved written permission has been received by the Choir Director from a supervising administrator. My child will obey all guidelines and regulations of CHMS Choir Department.
I hereby authorize any Comal ISD employee to seek whatever medical attention may be necessary for my student if he/she becomes in need while participating with the CHMS Choir. I will be financially responsible for any emergency services needed.
_____________________________________________________ ____________
Parent / Guardian Signature Date
________________________________________________________________________
Address City / Zip
Home Phone: __________________________ Student Cell: _____________________
Dad work # _____________________________ Dad cell # ______________________
Mom work # _____________________________ Mom cell # ____________________
Parent email: __________________________________________________________________
Student email: _________________________________________________________________
Other emergency contact(s) and phone numbers: (Add others as needed on back).
Name: Number:
Relationship:
Please list any medical conditions or concerns that I should know of in case of an emergency-past or present, in addition to any allergies or current medications being taken: (Use back of this sheet if needed)
Family Dr.: _______________________________________ Phone: _____________
Date of last tetanus shot: ____________________ Student Birthdate: _____________
Insurance Provider: ________________________________________________________________
Policy # / ID # ___________________________________ Group # ______________