Below you will find a copy of the syllabus that all levels of the chorus program will follow. Be sure to write concert dates into your calendar immediately (December 11th, May 13th). All students and guardians will be required to sign off that they have read the syllabus by the end of the first week of school.
Dear Chorus Families,
Greetings from your choral director at Charles P. Murray Middle School!
My name is Ms. Jenny Heck and I will be directing the 6th, 7th and 8th
Grade Chorus classes this year. I am very excited about this school year
and the fun we will have in chorus class! The school year will be filled
with wonderful music-making, engaged learning about music, and lots
of opportunities for performing and fun!
Please read carefully through the syllabus as it contains important
information about expectations and grading. Some of this information
will be included in your Student/Guardian Contract, sent to you via
Google Form. Completing that form will serve as the first graded
assignment of the year for your student!
Please do not be intimidated by this syllabus - It is a formality to ensure
fairness and consistency, and is always here for you to reference!
Ms. Jenny Heck
jennifer.heck@nhcs.net
August 2025
CHORAL STUDENT EXPECTATIONS / GRADING POLICY
Grading Scale
Daily Participation: 60%
Classwork/Projects: 20%
Concerts: 20%
Daily Participation - 60%
THIS IS THE MOST IMPORTANT PART OF YOUR GRADE (Other than the
semester concerts). What is expected from you as a participant of the choral
classroom? These are the things you are graded on daily. Every week this will
be entered into the grade book. Daily Participation is 60% of your overall
grade. The following are part of your daily points (10 possible points per week):
PROMPTNESS (2 points)
Sitting in your seat at the start of class.
Attending all chorus rehearsals during your assigned class period.
PARTICIPATION (2 points)
Taking part in all classroom activities, singing or otherwise, to the best
of your ability.
Following the teacher's directions and being a team player.
Student adheres to “Away for the Day” cell phone policy.
EFFORT (2 points)
Attempting to sing, move and follow all directions to the best of your
ability.
RESPECT (2 points)
Raising your hand to answer or ask questions.
Being attentive in all choral rehearsals.
Behaving in such a manner to support the learning environment.
Following appropriate concert etiquette.
RESPONSIBLE (2 points)
Does not chew gum during class.
Assisting the teacher and others when needed.
Comes to class with all materials needed.
Returns music in good condition.
Ms. Heck will contact home or send student to the office if the student shows
disrespectful behavior, or if loss of daily classroom points becomes persistent.
Classwork/Projects - 20%
Occasionally, worksheets and projects will be assigned to be completed in class
and/or at home. Students are expected to complete any assignments to the best
of their ability and turn them in when assigned.
Late work will not be accepted for full credit. Each day an assignment is late, 2
points will be deducted from the student’s grade. If extraordinary
circumstances are presented, late work will be accepted at the discretion of the
instructor.
Concerts - 20%
Concert attendance is mandatory! The concerts act as a final exam for this
class. Students are expected to sing in the Winter and Spring Chorus Concerts.
Students will abide by the concert dress code and will abide by concert
etiquette rules.
The winter concert is scheduled for Thursday, December 11th, 2025 at
7pm, and the spring concert is scheduled for Wednesday, May 13th, 2026 at
7pm. These dates and times are as of August 2025.
An unexcused absence at a chorus concert will result in a failing grade.
An excused absence at a chorus concert must be communicated to the teacher
prior to the concert. An excused absence includes:
■ Death of a family member or friend
■ Illness - Student must have been absent from school that day and
have a doctor’s note
■ School related event that cannot be reconciled
In the event of an excused absence from a chorus concert, student will sing
through all concert music for the instructor to make up their grade.
Winter Concert Dress Code (subject to change):
Black dress pants or floor length skirt/dress
Black dress shirt, shoulders completely covered
Black closed-toe shoes (if wearing socks, black socks)
No distracting, sparkly, or flashy jewelry/belts
No perfumes
Spring Concert Dress:
Nice, springtime formal wear. Clothes should conver the knees, and shoulders. See "Concert Attire" page on website for photo inspiration.
Students will abide by the New Hanover County Schools dress code
within the above wardrobe requirements
General Classroom Rules
■ Be prompt, participate, show effort, be respectful, and be responsible
as outlined in daily participation above!
■ Respect the chorus room and all materials and instruments in it. The
classroom is our shared space and our home. Do not vandalize any
materials, music, or instruments.
■ No gum, food, or drink in class (with the exception of water).
■ Cell phone policy: Away for the day! Murray Middle School's policy
states that no cell phones or personal electronic devices are to be used
during instructional time unless authorized by the instructor.
Instructors will confiscate electronic devices if they are used
inappropriately.
Supplies:
Students are expected to provide a one inch black binder for music storage.
Ms. Heck will provide all students with a pencil at the beginning of the year that they should keep in their binder.