The Upper School Choir is a music club/ensemble that is offered at MaST II Tacony. Students in grades 7-12 are permitted to join this ensemble by the required deadlines. Students who participate in Upper School Choir must attend rehearsals once a week after school in order to participate.

If your student is signed up for Upper School Choir they are required to attend all rehearsals in order to participate in the Winter and Spring Concert. Students in this ensemble will acquire skills in the performance of singing, and the practicing of music in a variety of styles at several different levels of difficulty which appropriately match a student's performance level.

Students who participate in Upper School Choir must bring the following materials to each rehearsal in order to participate properly.

1. Pencil - A student must bring a pencil to rehearsal to ensure that they can write in the names of notes, notate rhythms, and make any necessary changes to the music as is announced by their choir Director.

2. Binder/Folder - A student must bring a binder/folder to rehearsal to store all of their materials (concert music, pencils, etc.) These binders/folders are not provided by the choir director to students. They must acquire their binder/folder on their own. The binder/folder color must be black due to the concert requirements.

3. Water Bottle - A student must bring a water bottle to every rehearsal. Doing this can allow for proper hydration while working on music in rehearsal. Students are permitted opportunities to fill their water bottle during rehearsal.

There are set expectations for students with regards to attendance and behavior in order to participate in the ensemble. These are listed here along with the information sheet that is distributed prior to signing up for the program.

Attendance

Students must attend rehearsals once per week after school. The times for rehearsals are listed below:

Every Monday from 2:30pm - 3:30pm in Mr. Williams' general music classroom 224W.

Students who are absent from rehearsal must let me know within 24 hours of the rehearsal in order to excuse the absence. I accept contact in the form of Remind Messages, Google Classroom messages/comments, email messages, phone calls, and in-person conferences. If an in-person conference is used to excuse the absence it must be completed by the student who was absent otherwise the absence will remain unexcused. If I do not receive notification within 24 hours of the missed rehearsal time the student's absence will be labeled as unexcused. Listed below is our procedure for the number of absences a student may receive within the ensemble, and the consequence associated with the number of absences.

First absence: no action is taken.

Second absence: a conference with the student occurs reminding them of expectations.

Third absence: a conference with the student occurs reminding them of expectations.

Fourth absence: a conference with the student's parent/guardian occurs reminding them of the expectations and that their student has been absent (If the student is in grades 9-12 they will be contacted instead.)

Fifth absence: a conference with the student's parent/guardian occurs reminding them of the expectations and that their student will be dismissed if they are absent one more time (If the student is in grades 9-12 they will be contacted instead.)

Sixth absence: the student is formally dismissed from the Upper School Vocal Music Program. The student will no longer be allowed to participate in this year's program.

Behavior

There are also behavioral expectations for students within the Lower School Vocal Music program. These expectations with their accompanying procedures for their violation are listed here along with the information document distributed upon signing up for the program. If a student's behavior is disruptive to the point of interrupting the pace of rehearsals for the ensemble the following actions will be put into place as established consequences for the behavior.

First Offense: The student will be pulled to the side after rehearsal to discuss their behavior.

Second Offense: The student will be pulled to the side after rehearsal to discuss their behavior, and their parent/guardian will be contacted to discuss the students' behavior (If the student is in grades 9-12 they will be contacted instead.)

Third Offense: The student will be suspended from rehearsal for one week.

Fourth Offense: The student will be suspended from rehearsal for two weeks.

Fifth Offense: The student will be formally dismissed from the Upper School Vocal Music program.

There are two concerts in which students are required to participate in for the Upper School Vocal Music Program. These concerts are mandatory in order for students' to be in the program. If a student has any conflicts related to either Concerts or their accompanying tech rehearsals they must contact me by the deadline of September 13th, 2024. This will allow for the proper time to plan alternative plans for performances and tech rehearsals. Listed below is the concert schedule for students participating in the Upper School Vocal Music Program at MaST II Tacony:

Upper School Winter Concert Tech Rehearsal: TBD - 2:30pm - 6:30pm.

Winter Concert Date: TBD - Doors open at 6:00pm.

Spring Concert Tech Rehearsal: TBD - 2:30pm - 6:30pm.

Spring Concert Date: TBD - Doors open at 6:00pm.