Hamilton Choir Handbook

Hamilton R-2 School

Mrs. , Director

Introduction

         Welcome to the Hamilton R-2 Vocal Department. The information contained in this handbook is our working policy for the year. I do hope you find this information helpful in the advance planning of your year. 

         Let us all work together to create the best performances and year possible. This choir is working towards lasting traditions to create an enjoyable experience as well as an educational one. WE CAN DO TOGETHER WHAT NONE OF US CAN DO ALONE.   

As important as athletics are, not everyone can play first team. In Choir, no one sits on the bench.  You are all first team. You can help make us a winning team. Excellence is a whole lot more fun than average! 

PURPOSE

     The purpose of the choirs is to help each individual develop- musically, socially and personally. We are a performance-oriented co-curricular group, but as such we strive to be the best that we can be in all respects.  Around here "average" is a four-letter word. You'll get out of choir what you give to the choir. Remember these little two-letter words, "If it is to be, it is up to me."

Chorus Goals

In chorus we will sing a wide variety of music selections.

Through singing and listening we will do the following:

    1.  Explore a variety of musical styles including popular, jazz, sacred, show tunes and  classics.

    2.  Study the basics of music: Timbre, rhythm, melody, harmony, texture and Form.

    3.  Correct maintenance of good vocal techniques including breathing, posture, placement and conduct at performances.

    4.  Explore vocal ranges appropriate for their particular age group.

    5.  Sight-singing, daily warm-ups and singing tests.

Expectations for Chorus

Entrance to class-The manner in which a student enters the classroom often sets his or her mood for the rest of the hour. So that we can enjoy our time together, please make every effort to meet the following expectations.

    1.  Arrive on time.

    2.  Please enter the room quietly.

    3.  Immediately, get your folder/music.

    4.  Please be in your assigned seat with music prior to the tardy bell.

    5.  Please expect rehearsal to begin immediately.

    6.  Have a pencil

    7. The order of music will be listed on the board. Please have it ready to sing.

Class Procedures

Warm-Ups--Each day as class begins, we will go through a series of vocal and physical exercises.  Continuous and thoughtful attention to these exercises will improve your breath control and your tone quality.  And as you improve musically, the choir will improve.

    1.  Each person participates.  It is necessary that you are energetic in your participation.

    2.  All warm-ups are begun at a mf(comfortable singing level) dynamic unless otherwise indicated.

    3.  Remember the techniques you practice and apply them to the days’ lesson.

Rehearsal Techniques--Remember, rehearsal time is WORK, and work can be fun.

    1. Assume the correct posture when singing. 

    2.  Apply techniques learned in warm-ups to everything you sing.

    3. Feel free to ask questions of your director. There should not be talking, especially while the director is speaking or working with another section. You should be listening to their singing and quietly following your part.

    4.  Memorize the words early but KEEP LOOKING AT THE NOTES!

    5.  Listen to the other sections rehearse and follow their part. This will help your

         sight-reading skills.  Always be aware of the current starting position.

    6.  Always do your best in rehearsal. Remember, it won’t happen in  performance if it hasn’t happened in rehearsal.

    7.  Be a leader. If you make a mistake, do it loud enough so it can be fixed.

    8.  Listen to your neighbor. Be ready to give advice and receive advice.  Be a 

        teacher as well as a student.

Behavior

    As a member of the Hamilton Choirs, you have an obligation to present yourself at all times in a manner that exhibits appropriate behavior, a positive and pleasant attitude and commitment to the choir.  Remember that you are leaders in the school and that people are watching you at all times, especially as a choir in public.  Inappropriate attitudes or comments will not be tolerated in class or at performances.  Leave problems/drama with each other at the door.  You and the choir are judged by substitute teachers, student teachers, observing teachers, returning alumni and other special classroom visitors.  We are evaluated as an ensemble by the behavior and attitude of the group as well as by the music we produce.  It is necessary, therefore, that you conduct yourself at all times with maturity and dignity. You are to treat all teachers and administrators with proper respect. Failure to do so is a serious infraction of conduct on the part of the student and will result in a loss of daily points at the director’s discretion.  All students are required to sing in choir! 

1.   There is a Proverb that says, “Out of the overflow of your heart the mouth speaks”. 

Make sure your speech is appropriate at all times. Cursing, belittling statements, negativity and rudeness destroy the morale of the entire group. Keep good thoughts, praise, encouragement and joy in your heart and your speech will follow rightly.

2.   Disagreements are a part of life. We will not always agree on all subjects. Your opinion is valuable when it is expressed in an appropriate, respectable fashion. If you have an “issue” with an aspect of the group, follow these steps of protocol.  

a.   Approach me in person at a later time not during class. Be respectful and kind in your demeanor. Your voice will be heard. 

b.   Come to me with solutions; not just complaints.

c.   Do not share your negativity with the group. Many issues can be resolved if they are handled promptly. When bad feelings are allowed to simmer they become more negative and the “aroma” covers the whole group.

d.   If your issue is not settled with me and you still feel you need resolution, take your problem to the Principal and we will facilitate a meeting between us.

Consequences for Poor Rehearsal Behavior--

   Warning: Either verbal or “The Look”-- you understand what that means

1.   Each day each student gets 5 points for that day based on the above objectives (25 points total a week). Plus and minus are recorded each day. Three minuses will result in the lowering of your grade by a letter. Each student starts with an A. 

2.   If conduct is a consistent issue, your parental unit will be notified.

3.   Detention

4.   Should it be necessary, a meeting between your parents, Principal, me and you (the offender) will be held to discuss your future with the choir.

Non-participation during Rehearsal

    If you have a sore or swollen throat, you should not sing (OR TALK). To receive credit for the days’ work, you must notify the director BEFORE CLASS BEGINS! If you cannot sing, you are expected to follow along on your part and participate in every way and NOT talk!! This is not time to do homework.  

Concert/ Daily Grading Guidelines

For Choir the grading divisions:

    70%    Concerts and ANY performance

    30%    Daily grades and written work

 You are not graded on what a wonderful voice you have. You are graded on what you do with what you've got.

All singers who are registered for choir are expected to attend all concerts and performances. The classes you attend are like sports practices in that they get you ready for the games (concerts). If you go to practices and skip the games, you won't get much out of it, and you won't be much use to the team (choir). The difference between a team and a choir is that you get a grade for choir, and we practice during the school day and everyone participates.                                        

IF you cannot be at a concert for a good reason, you need to communicate in advance to your director. Obviously, sometimes illness or family emergencies happen at the last minute. In that case, a call before the concert or email immediately after the concert is acceptable. You will always know far in advance when concerts are, so "I forgot" or "We had to get...." won't fly.  You have to be responsible for keeping the people at home informed; YOU are important to the success of the choir. You are expected to be on time, properly dressed and ready to sing at concert time. 

Concert Make-ups: Concerts, unlike a test or homework, cannot be recreated.  Therefore, participation is a must. No matter the reason for missing the performance the student will be required to do make-up work. It is not fair to award a passing grade to someone who misses a concert. You will receive 100 points for a concert or performance. 

For ANY reason that a concert is missed the student will be required to do make-up work in the form of a test and/or a written report.  The report will be due 1 week following the performance. The test will be given the day the student returns to school.  Failure to do either of these will result in a failing grade for the performance. 

Performance Dress

How we dress is as important as how we sound especially to judges and audience members listening to our group.  If the choir is dressed appropriately it conveys a good message to the audience and makes us want to do our best. 

HS Choir:  Black dresses with black shoes for the ladies; Men wear black tuxedos with black shoes and black bow tie.  

The Dresses and Tuxedos are owned by the school, they will be checked out to you and returned clean and in good repair.  

For MS Choir: You will be required to wear:

Ladies: dress pants/skirt and with a dress shirt/sweater.  If leggings are worn the top must be tunic length. 

Men: dress pants and shirt with buttons.  Ties are optional. 

 No jeans please. 

Choir members will wear these outfits for every performance, unless indicated otherwise. 

CHORAL LETTER REQUIREMENTS

1.   Maintain a B average in choir and a member of choir for a full year. 

a. Freshmen will earn a bar and pin at the completion of their Freshman year   for meeting the following requirements.  

b. Sophomores and above can earn a Letter.

2.   Maintain an 80% or better on daily average in behavior and

         Participation in Choir class.

3.   Attend ALL performances including but not limited to the following:

          (95% or higher in attendance to class and events)

                           Christmas Concert

          Conference Choir

       District Music Festival

       Spring Concert            

4.   Accumulate 90% of the following: 

A.  Performance--100 points/performance

       1. Transportation-10 points for riding to performance and having a note if you need to ride home with parents.

       2. Punctual--20 points

       3. Attire--30 points

       4. Conduct--40 points

    B. Support-20 points

       1. Must help support choir projects in some way throughout the year such as fund raisers, contest ensembles or solos, audition for District Choir, State Choir, or other events not listed above.

       2.  Students will receive 20 points for each project.

5.   You will be required to participate in random drug testing.