Syllabus

DESCRIPTION:  The Legacy High School Choral Program is an organization designed to promote musical growth in every student by developing vocal skills.  These courses are primarily performance based.  The courses are a comprehensive approach to musicianship giving students an opportunity to listen, sing, evaluate, and study differing styles of music. 

OBJECTIVES:  Students will develop a positive attitude toward music and singing that includes demonstrating the following abilities: 

          o Personal commitment to music 

          o Teamwork, group cohesiveness and goal orientation 

          o Responsibility

          o Respect and courtesy toward classmates

COURSE CONTENT:

• Warm-up exercises daily (may include stretching and other physical activity).

• Singing repertoire in the ensembles

•  The entire course is based on singing and building musicianship. Students are expected to sing at all times to the best of their best ability level with others.  

• Students are not expected/required to sing individually in front of the ensemble.

•  Creative and analytical thinking skills used daily to expand knowledge of music and relate it to life and culture.

•  Public performances/concerts as scheduled by the instructors (required). 

MAKE-UP WORK: There is no way for a student to adequately make-up a rehearsal or a concert, so absences should be rare. Since choir is an elective class, and both a curricular and an extra-curricular activity, concert attendance in concert attire is required and will be graded just as homework (assigned to be done after school hours) is graded in other courses. Other make-up work: Discuss with teacher individually.

DAILY REHEARSAL PARTICIPATION: Every week, students can earn up to 10 points for their daily participation in rehearsal. Points include but are not limited to posture, vocal technique, appropriate effort/participation, preparation, focus, following classroom procedures promptly. Excessive tardies/absences to class may result in a point deduction since that time in a group setting cannot be replicated. 

PERFORMANCES: There will be a minimum of TWO required performances each semester, although there may be other required performances based upon your class. Attendance is mandatory. Credit is earned based upon but not limited to dress rehearsal/performance etiquette, attendance/timeliness, proper attire, and the same requirements found under “Daily Rehearsal Participation.” Attendance at rehearsals and performances outside of the school day are REQUIRED and MANDATORY for all Legacy choir students. 

ACCEPTABLE EXCUSES FOR MISSING A REHEARSAL OR PERFORMANCE:

•  Missing the entire day of school, the day of rehearsal or performance due to sickness.

•  Death in the immediate family 

• Other rare circumstances deemed excusable by the Choral Director. Should a conflict arise, the director should be contacted immediately. All conflicts should be discussed with the Choral Director no later than two weeks before rehearsals/performances. Lack of planning or communication on your part does not constitute an emergency situation. 

•  Having to work is NOT a valid excuse for missing a dress rehearsal/performance. The chorus schedule is given to you at the beginning of the school year (or earlier) – if you are proactive, you can speak with your employer and request time off well in advance to avoid conflicts. 

• The director reserves the right to remove any student from a performance for not meeting basic behavioral standards, including, but not limited to, in/out of school suspension, poor attendance, and breaking classroom rules repeatedly. 

•  If the director excuses a rehearsal/performance, an alternative assignment will be given. This assignment will be intended to take the same amount of time to complete as attending the dress rehearsal/concert. If the student fails to complete the assignment, he/she will receive a zero.

•  If the director does NOT excuse a rehearsal/performance, it cannot be “made-up.” Students will receive a “zero” for the performance.