Syllabus

A.C. Reynolds High School Chorus

Phillip Haynie, conductor

e-mail: phillip.haynie@bcsemail.org  office: (828) 298-2500

Objectives

Choir members will:

• Develop musical competencies: sight-singing, music theory, breathing and vocal production

• Explore music from a historical perspective through the study of choral repertoire from various periods.  Students will study and perform texts in a variety of foreign and domestic languages.

• Successfully perform choral repertoire for the school and community

• Develop each singer's vocal abilities to the fullest potential

• Encourage concert attendance and stimulate musical growth with the hope that students will continue their contact with music after graduation

• Be prepared for evaluations of material covered during class, either by performance, or by written tests and individual vocal assessments.

Rehearsal, Performance & Attendance Policy 

All rehearsals and concerts of the AC Reynolds High School choirs are mandatory.  On the day of a concert, the dress rehearsal will occur after school in the afternoon.  If a student fails to attend this rehearsal, they will not sing at the concert.   This means that you must communicate with parents, coaches, places of employment and those responsible for transportation and schedules in advance. Students who are ill, but are in school, are not excused from rehearsal.  Such students are expected to follow along in their music for the duration of the rehearsal. Only the conductor may authorize an absence from a rehearsal or performance. If a student exceeds seven absences in a single semester, there are two acceptable ways to regain that lost rehearsal time and be eligible to perform : 1. They must schedule an extra rehearsal outside of class with either their section leader or the director, or 2. They must stand in class and perform their part of every piece that was covered in the missed rehearsal to demonstrate their knowledge of the literature.  Without completing one of these two options, the student will not be allowed to perform in any concert, festival, competition, or any scheduled trip and will subsequently not be allowed to make up any associated performance grade.  If a student has an unexcused absence from school on the day of any choral event, they will not be permitted to participate in that event and will not be given the opportunity to make up the associated grade.  The Chorale and the Madrigal Singers are advanced ensembles and will be expected to participate and perform in many additional after school commitments and are required to participate in any honor choir, all state, contests or regional choral festivals that are selected for that given year.  Please understand that these rules are in place so that our choirs can be as successful as possible.

Participation in Honors Chorus and All County Chorus

Returning Senior Members of Chorale will be offered audition spots for NC High School Honors Chorus first as it meets honors credit requirements for the ensemble.  All other available audition spots will be offered in order of seniority to other returning members.  For participation in All County Chorus, tenors and basses will be offered seats first at the request of the county to account for balance within the ensemble.  Then, the remaining seats will be offered by seniority keeping balanced soprano and alto sections in mind.  These rules are in place to accommodate limited seating for either event, balanced SATB ensembles, and to honor academic requirements at the honors level.

Grading

*Students will be graded on the knowledge of the music in their folders and will be expected to pass all music before they will be allowed to participate in either the dress rehearsal, concert or any other performing opportunities presented throughout the course of the semester.  Music testing will proceed as follows for each class:

Chorale: Quartets, Octets (depending on divisi) or solo assessment with the conductor in class

Mixed Chorus: Octets with the conductor in class, or individual assessment with conductor

*Students are expected to obtain a folder for class and are responsible for bringing this folder to class each day.  The folder will contain at least two sharpened pencils, notebook paper, dividers, the syllabus, assigned music and the student’s name clearly displayed in the inside cover.  There will be occasional folder checks, which will count as a quiz grade.

*There will be occasional sight-reading assignments through Sight Reading Factory and a required weekly practice log.

*There will be at least one exam or project during the semester.  The exam or project will cover Music Theory and/or Music History respectively. 

**Performances are considered tests with the final concert of the semester counting as the final exam.  The director must approve an absence from a performance making timely communication vital.  Communicate concert dates early with all families, coaches, employers, etc.  Only an approved absence will result in either performing one’s part for every song on the concert in front of class or a research paper on all music and composers performed on the concert. Failure to do either assignment will result in a failed test grade or a failed final exam grade and removal from an advanced choir or another semester in a lower-level choir.  Absences from performances that would be considered unexcused from school (including but not limited to vacation, non-school related trips and administrative suspension) will not be excused by the director and there will not be an alternate assignment offered to replace the grade and a zero will stand.  If a student has a failing grade in the class, he/she/they will not be allowed to perform at any concert, festival, contest, MPA or any other performance and you will be required to write a research paper to make up the missed performance grade.

Expectations

• Be on time for all events (early is on time, on time is late, and late is unacceptable). If you are late to class by virtue of being held over by another AC Reynolds staff member, a note of admission will be expected from that person.  For all concerts or events outside of school, you should be present and in place at least 15 minutes early.

• Cell phones must be stored in designated classroom location and bags stored against the wall, away from seats.  Only folders, pencils and water will be allowed at your seat.  Collected phones will be taken to the front office for parent/guardian pick-up.

• No foul or disrespectful language.

• Do not talk during rehearsal unless called on or prompted to do so.

• Be courteous to the conductor and to each other – everyone is expected to be respectful of the rights, feelings, and opinions of others at all times.

• NO GUM, mints, cough drops, candy, food, drinks, etc. in the choir room or in performance spaces. Water is always welcome and encouraged in class.

• Each student is required to bring their own folder to every rehearsal and performance.

• Excellent academic performance: if a student cannot maintain at least a C average in their general academics, participation in chorus will be limited and/or possibly denied until those grades can be raised.

• Being in possession or under the influence of any tobacco products, vaporizers, drugs, or alcohol is in direct violation of school and county policy.  The use of these products is also harmful to the body and vocal mechanism limiting both your own success in this class and the success of the entire ensemble.  Any student found using or possessing these products are subject to school penalties and will be placed on restricted participation and may possibly be completely removed from the choral program by the conductor.

• All chorus students are expected to follow all A.C. Reynolds High School regulations and policies.  All students should read the students handbook and become familiar with all school rules and regulations.  The attendance policy is in effect for all classes.

Performance Attire

All students in the A.C. Reynolds Choral program are expected to wear the required performance attire - no exceptions.  It is recommended to start looking immediately for the required items, as our performances will begin very soon after the start of the semester.

*Masks: Masks are optional for every student for class and performance.  If you choose to wear a mask in performance, it must be solid black.

CHORALE:

Option 1: Black performance dress, pearl necklace, scarf and pin, and close-toed, solid black dress shoes:

Option 2: Solid black suit or tuxedo, white wing-tip tuxedo shirt, black vest, bowtie/pocket square/cufflink combo, black socks, and solid black dress shoes

Both outfits can be purchased through Mr. Haynie or individually online.  All long hair must be styled neatly and completely up and away from the face and neck.  No jewelry other than pearls, class rings and watches will be permitted in performance.

MIXED CHORUS:

Option 1: Black performance dress and close-toed, solid black, close-toed dress shoes 

Option 2: Solid Black, long sleeved button-down dress shirt, solid black pants, black belt, black socks, solid black dress shoes and solid black necktie.

The dress can be purchased through Mr. Haynie or individually.  Mr. Haynie has some black neck ties that can be purchased at school if needed. All long hair must be styled away from the face.  No jewelry other than class rings and watches will be permitted in performance.

The conductor reserves the right to not allow a student to perform on any concert if he or she is not dressed according to the performance dress code.

**If there are any issues or concerns in obtaining any of these items, please contact Mr. Haynie and he will do whatever he can to help.

Cost Breakdown for new performance attire

Prices are before taxes and shipping. *indicates required purchase through school

Chorale:                                *Dress TBD

             Pearls $7.50   https://www.stageaccents.com/single-pearl-necklace-.html

Tuxedo   $115.00  https://www.stageaccents.com/premier-tux-ensmbl.html

*Vest   $29.00 https://www.stageaccents.com/tuxedo-vest.html

Mixed Chorus:   *Dress $62.00 https://sepapparel.com/corelli-concert-choir-dress.html

Important Dates

These dates are subject to change if conflicts should arise with the school calendar.  It is possible that some additional performances could be added.  Students will be notified as soon as possible and well in advance of any changes or additions.

Saturday, September 27 – NC Honors Chorus Auditions, Hickory, NC

Wednesday, October 8 – Mars Hill Choral Festival Auditions, Mars Hill university, 4:00 pm

Monday, October 20 – Insta-Raise Fundraiser Kickoff

*Thursday, October 30 – Fall Choral Concert, ACRHS Auditorium, 5:00 call/7:00 concert

                  This is a required concert for all choral students and counts as a test grade

Friday, November 7-9 – NC High School Honors Chorus, Winston-Salem, NC

Monday, November 17– All County Chorus Rehearsal, 4:00 – 8:00

Tuesday, November 18 – All County Chorus rehearsal, ALL DAY, 7:00 concert Diana Wortham Center

November 26-30: THANKSGIVING BREAK!

*Tuesday, December 16 – Holiday Choral Concert, 4:15 call and 7:00 concert, Central UMC Asheville

                  This is a required concert for all choral students and counts as the final exam – 20% of total grade

Sunday, Dec. 21: Chorale performance at  A Swannanoa Solstice, Diana Wortham Center

December 22 - January 4: WINTER BREAK!

Friday, February 6-7 – Mars Hill Choral Festival ** extra credit for those who attend concert on the 7th

*Tuesday, March 10 - Large Ensemble MPA, Brevard College

This is a required performance for all choral students and will count as a test grade.

*Thursday, March 12 – Spring Choral Concert and Senior Night, Fine Arts Building, 7:00 pm

                  Call time 5:00 pm

                  This is a required concert for all choral students and counts as a test grade.

April 4-12, Spring Break!

April 20-25 – Spring Musical Production Week

April 29-May 3: Chorale and MC Seniors trip

*Thursday May 21 – Memorial Day Concert, 6:30 pm, Thomas Wolfe Auditorium

                  This is a required concert for all choral students and will count as a final exam – 20% of total grade

Saturday, June 13 – Graduation, Harrah’s Cherokee Center, 11:30 call, 1:00 start time

Student/Parent Agreement

I, ____________________ (print name), have read the student handbook and understand both what I am responsible for and what is expected of me this semester in the A.C. Reynolds High School choral program.  I know that should I or my parent/guardian have any questions we can reach Mr. Haynie by way of e-mail and/or telephone and he will be of any assistance he can be.

Student Signature ________________________________________

Parent/Guardian Signature _________________________________

Parent/Guardian Name __________________________________________________________

Mailing Address        __________________________________________________________

                                 __________________________________________________________

Home Phone             __________________________________________________________

Work Phone              __________________________________________________________

Cell Phone (Student) __________________________________________________________

Cell Phone (Parent)   __________________________________________________________

E mail Address (Parent) __________________________________________________________