Independence HS Vocal Program OvervIew

First and Foremost

Chorus is a performance-based class. The work we do every day in class is preparation for the ultimate result, which is our performance of the music. Music performance is a necessary extension of the learning process. Most of our performances and activities take place after school hours – not during the school day. Performances that take place after school hours are considered CO-CURRICULAR (required), not extra-curricular (optional). Students are expected to attend all rehearsals and performances (minimally one per nine-week grading period). The calendar is set well in advance of our activities to provide students and parents the opportunity to adjust work schedules, re-schedule dentist/doctor appointments, and/or complete homework assignments and projects for other teachers without defaulting on their chorus obligations. Your chorus is your team and it relies on you to achieve success!

Choral Ensembles

All organizations will be designed for the study and performance of choral literature from numerous style periods and composers written for advanced voices. The class will be designed to stress the development of choral vocal technique, comprehensive musicianship, music reading, sight reading, ear training, music theory and composition, music history, and to study and perform music written by composers of various styles and periods. Students will have the opportunity to sing in small groups and individually to develop vocal independence. Students will perform a wide variety of genres including various foreign languages. Required performances will occur throughout the year. Students will be given the opportunity to perform outside of school at workshops, festivals, and competitions to increase their musical knowledge and practicality of music in the real-world experience.

Classroom Expectations 

Exhibit Positive and Effective Behavior in Class and On Stage

Respect:

• Take pride in respecting classmates, director, and property

• Develop a “listening attitude” in following class expectations.

• Refrain from gum-chewing, disruptive talking, and other negative behaviors

• Remember that class begins when the bell rings and ends by dismissal of the director and not the bell.

Contributions:

• Work on the development of proper vocal skills and alert posture!

• Participate with a positive attitude and Present an eagerness and willingness to learn

Leadership:

• Set examples of positive self-discipline

• Learn music quickly to help others with their parts

• Take initiative in all class activities

Consequences for students who choose negative behaviors:

• Step 1: Verbal warning in class

• Step 2: Conference with Mr. Poole and detention, phone call to parents

• Step 3: Written referral to dean, phone call to parents

• Step 4: Referral, ISS, conference with Mr. Poole

Harassment:

• Music is internationally understood as an art form that brings people of diverse backgrounds and opinions together.

• Harassment in the choral program is unacceptable. We expect you to do your best to resolve simple disagreements on your own.

• If it is impossible to resolve disagreements without assistance, the officers will help to find a resolution.

• Serious issues that remain unresolved by the officers should then be addressed to Mr. Poole.

Choir Binders and Music:

• Each member will be provided a binder. This binder will be used for your entire time in the choral program.

• You will be issued music throughout the year. This music should be kept in your binder and be with you in class each and every day. You will be charged replacement cost for any lost or damaged music. Music shall be marked with PENCIL ONLY. Replacement costs for each piece of music range from $1.25 to $7.95.

• You will be assigned an unsecured slot in the choir room for folder storage. If you choose to keep it in your slot, you are still responsible for the contents therein.

• Any folder left out will be collected and a demerit will be issued. If for some reason, you do not receive a piece of music, share with your neighbor for the day, then write a note with your music number and the title you are missing.

The Chorus Facilities:

1. Each student will be expected to maintain the chorus facilities in a clean and orderly manner.

2. The Directors office and storage room are restricted areas and, while the door is always open to students, it is not intended to be a student lounge. If the office door is closed, the student should knock and wait for a reply. If it is open, please ask before entering.

3. The telephone is intended only partially for the use by Chorus students, and should be used only with specific permission from the Director. The telephone is to be off limits to   students during regular school hours.

4. The audio-visual and sound equipment are highly restricted and will only be operated by the Director, Sound Technician, or other specified person.

5. Personal belongings may not be left in the chorus facility. If it is left, it is at the risk and responsibility of the individual student.

Grading Policy

Grades will be determined by the effort a students puts into the choral ensemble. The grades will be based upon Participation, Performances and Assessments.

Participation

Students will receive points for classroom rehearsals. Points will be awarded based the rubric which will be placed in the student choral folder. Rehearsal time is very valuable and we must make use of each and every moment. Tardies will result in points being deducted from that day’s participation point value. As detailed earlier in this handbook, each student will be assigned a folder and music. The folder, all music and a pencil must be with each student each day. Failure to have the folder and all contents will result in points being deducted from that day’s participation point value.

Dress Rehearsal Attendance – Extra rehearsals may be necessary for various performances and may be called outside the school day. 100 points will be awarded for each rehearsal.

Performances

Performance Attendance – Students will receive points per performance providing they arrive at the appointed time and remain until the completion of the performance.

Absences – In order for an absence to be excused, the student must have prior approval from the director. Excused absences will be granted only in extreme circumstances. If an excused absence is granted, and alternate project will be assigned. Work schedules or family trips will be unexcused, as all concert dates are known well in advance. In the event of illness or family emergency immediately before a concert or extra rehearsal, a “good faith” attempt (Remind 101, e-mail, call to the school, etc.) must be made to notify the director.

Assessments

Lotteries – Lotteries are singing tests in which the participants are either chosen at random or chosen by the director. Portions of the literature will be assigned and then assessed. Lottery dates will be announced for new material. Unannounced lotteries will cover material that has already been assigned. Accuracy, diction, tone, phrasing, and musicianship will be evaluated. Lotteries will consist of group singing, solo singing and recorded singing. Each lottery is worth 100 points.

Written Work – Quizzes, tests and essays may be utilized during any given quarter. Each assignment will be worth 100 points.

Semester Exams – At the end of each semester, all students will take an exam consisting of two parts (75% Individual Performance Evaluation and 25% Written Examination). These exams are devised by the District Supervisor of Secondary Music and are intended to assess student progress for the semester.

Concert Attire

FORMAL PERFORMANCE UNIFORMS

Formal gowns

• Shoes – Black dress shoes with closed toes.

• Jewelry – No noticeable jewelry or hair ornaments are allowed on stage.

• Hair – Wear their hair off the face.

• Makeup – Heavy makeup is discouraged. Pink, red or coral lipstick and blush is best under stage lighting. (No brownish, purple, or black shades of lipstick, please.) “Bright” colors look better on stage than “dark” shades.

• Undergarments – Dark Pantyhose or knee-highs are encouraged. Please wear conservative underwear.

Dress Pants, Shirt, Tie and Suspenders

• Shoes – black dress shoes. Black sneakers are not appropriate.

• Socks – Black socks are required.

• Grooming – You will be expected to be well-groomed & shaven.

• Hair – Hair should be clean and in a conservative style.

• Manners – When we are in our performance uniforms, ties and other accessories are not to be removed until the conclusion of the concert or the performance event.

Students’ uniforms should be washed, steamed or pressed with a warm iron prior to wearing so that the image of the chorus is upheld.

CASUAL PERFORMANCE UNIFORMS

Chorus students will receive a choral t-shirt with their Chorus Program dues. Students will also be asked to wear the t-shirts on days when we want to show our support for Chorus activities – like the days before concerts, etc. The shirts are available through our Booster Organization. Family and friends may also purchase t-shirts for $15 each.

Casual Uniforms

1) Chorus T-shirt 

2) Khaki pants or jeans held up by a belt– whichever has been chosen

3) Shoes – sneakers 

4) Grooming, Hair and Makeup – as for formal concerts

Field trips/ Chorus trips are an extension of classroom activities and therefore the CMS Dress Code is in effect at all times, at every school-related event. Parents will be notified in advance if there is ever an occasion when the dress code is NOT in effect.

A reminder that Mr. Poole will be the final judge of any issues pertaining to our Chorus Dress Codes and/or what is considered appropriate attire in other situations.

Poole Standard Time

Also known as P.S.T., this means that if you arrive to a concert on time, you are late. P.S.T. means that you arrive early enough to become prepared to begin an outside scheduled rehearsal or performance at the designated time. Count on arriving at least 5 minutes early for every scheduled event.

Job/Work and the Choral Department

It is your responsibility to notify your place of employment about rehearsal and performance dates. You should submit a copy of the performance schedule along with rehearsal dates to your employer at the beginning of the school year. Employers are happy to work around your schedule if they know it well in advance. They are usually less willing to work around your schedule when they find out the day before. Work is an unexcused absence under any circumstance.