Concert Chorus Overview
About the class:
Students will learn music through the performance of a wide variety of chorus literature in a group setting with the goal of public performance.
Performances:
Public performances are a required part of this class. Students should plan to participate in the following public performances as part of this class:
Public Winter Concert: Thursday, December 5, 2024 at 7:00 p.m.
Public Spring Concert: Tuesday, May 6, 2025 at 7:00 p.m.
Elementary Visits: TBA
Students unable to attend the public concerts due to illness or family emergency will need to make up a performance assessment per the posting on Google Classroom. If students have a conflict with either of these dates, they should bring them to the director's attention as soon as possible as it may impact what the group is able to do.
Students who miss 50% or more of the rehearsals leading into a performance or who join chorus within one month of a performance (end of 1st quarter or beginning of April) will need to make arrangements to show competency on the performance material in order to participate in performances, including trips. A performance assessment will be offered that replaces the concert assessments.
Any other performances that are scheduled, including in-school concerts and trips, will be posted as soon as possible on the board.
Public Concert Attire:
Black bottoms that are closer to the ground than your knees
White tops
Seasonally appropriate accessories that do not light up, make noise, or use electronics
Sorry, no hats or seasonal headwear
For all in-school concerts: Official HS Music t-shirt (will be issued if needed); jeans and sneakers are ok.
Materials: Students will be assigned a number and will be issued music that is marked with that number. It is the students' responsibility to keep their music organized and in good shape, and making marks in pencil only. Students will be charged for the replacement cost of each octavo that they were issued that is not returned with their assigned number. Music costs approximately $2.00 per copy. Students wishing to purchase their own copies of the music will find it here: www.jwpepper.com
What do you need for class?
For class, students need only show up with a good attitude, a willingness to sing, and their music and a pencil. If you are sick and unable to sing as you normally would, you should come and do the best that you can without straining your voice. If you are too sick to sing, you should ask to go to the nurse. Students who are not in class for 40 minutes will be marked "Ex" and not be assessed that day.
Grading: ****Grading may be adjusted for virual/remote learning if needed
The grade you earn will be based on the following:
1st and 3rd quarters:
50% class participation and preparation
Participation includes all playing, singing, clapping, and movement that is a part of the daily activities. Preparation includes having your own music and a pencil for use during class. Refusal to participate in any of the daily activities, not coming prepared to class, or engaging in any behavior that negatively affects participation (talking, phone use, being late to class or excessively long bathroom visits) will result in deductions from the daily participation grade. This grade will be reported daily. Students who are absent will receive a grade of ABS. Students whose absence is unexcused will receive a grade of zero.
NOTE: students who miss 40% or more of our classes will be given an additional assignment to complete to show competency.
40% music quizzes
performance quizzes are required for participation in performances
students who miss class the day a performance quiz is given must make arrangements to make up the quiz
5% "homework" type work
5% other (postings on Google Classroom including reflections)
2nd and 4th quarters:
50% class participation and preparation
25% concert performance/participation
15% concert reflection
If a student is sick and absent from school, and therefore unable to perform in the scheduled concert, it is his/her responsibility to contact Ms. Reinecke for the alternate assignment. This is a performing class, and the performance is a valuable part of the educational process.
5% "homework" type work
5% other (postings on Google Classroom including reflections)
Behavior
Students are expected to be on task throughout rehearsal. This includes having everything you need to be successful and working with the group in mind at all times. You are a team: work and behave in a manner that supports the efforts of the team.
Bags/Drinks/Food
Students who bring any kind of bag to class, including a purse, will need to store it on the top riser or in the back storage closet. Bags will not be accessible during class. Food is not allowed during chorus, except as part of celebrations held at the end of class. This includes cough drops. If you need them, unwrap them before class and do not share. The only drink that may be brought to your seat is water in a bottle with a cap that closes securely. The only items that may be brought to your seat during chorus are your chorus music/folder, a pencil, a bottle of water.
Phones
Per the handbook for 2024-2025, phones are to be locked up at the beginning of class. This includes smartwatches and earbuds. Students on technology without prior approval will receive a zero for the day.
Fundraising:
The music groups will be running monthly sales of Giant Grocery cards to benefit the groups. The money raised will allow us to bring in clinicians, travel, buy supplies....what we are able to do will depend on how much is raised. Please consider supporting this sale every month so that we can have more opportunities.
Music Festivals (all information is subject to change)
Lehigh County Chorus:
This is a festival chorus that involves the public and private high schools in the Lehigh Valley. The group was formed to give students a festival experience, allow students the opportunity to work with a variety of directors, and to foster positive relationships between the band members in the area schools. Participation is by director nomination and is based on dedication to the Salisbury chorus program, singing ability, leadership, and reliability.
Please check the county chorus page for more information. Details will be given to the students outlining the rehearsal and performance schedule and other details from the host.
District Chorus:
Students interested in auditioning for District Chorus will need to work on their solo pieces on their own time, with their private instructor. It is the responsibility of students planning to audition to keep an eye on the due dates and forms: information will be posted on Google Classroom. Audition information is available on the following website: www.pmeadistrict10.org. Auditions will be held at Parkland High School and if you are interested you should look up the information and share your intent to audition with Ms. Reinecke no later than September 13th. Students who apply to audition must notify Ms. Reinecke immediately if they are no longer going to be at the audition. Students must remain in good standing with our chorus program in order to audition and to participate. This involves maintaining a grade of at least 90% and no behavioral or attendance concerns at our own rehearsals and concerts. Students must also abide by all the rules of the festival, including any specific school rules, in order to remain at a festival.
Regional and State Chorus
Students at District Chorus will audition. Students must remain in good standing with our program in order to participate as per the guidelines mentioned above.
Descant Get Enough: tentatively on hold for the 2024-25 school year
This group is an audition group that performs a cappella music. It is considered an extension of concert chorus and intended to challenge students beyond that performing group. Students interested in auditioning should check the whiteboard for information. Rehearsals will be held during Falcon Period on day 4. Membership is offered to those students who display strength in vocal techniques and dedication to the choral programs here at Salisbury. Audition information will be posted on the board at the beginning of the year. Auditions and selection should be completed by early September so rehearsals can begin as soon as possible.
Officers: Students will be nominated to serve as the following:
Student Director--to run rehearsals in my absence
Librarians--to assist with music distribution and filing
Secretary/Treasurer--to take attendance and sign forms for fund raising.
Falcon Period--Study Halls
Students interested in relocating their study halls should email Ms. Reinecke. Should there be interest from students to make additional ensembles during this time this can be pursued, but otherwise this will remain a study hall. Students interested in serving as librarian or secretary/treasurer are strongly encouraged to take advantage of this in order to complete their officer duties. All students should expect to be occasionally asked to assist with the concert and other music related things during this time.
Facebook:
The high school band and chorus have a Facebook page: you are encouraged to join this page. It can be a useful source of information and has been a great way to communicate outside of school hours. It also has pictures and videos from previous years and is a great way for our alumni to stay in touch with us.
Communication:
If you need to reach me outside of the school day, the only official way to do so is by email: rreinecke@salisburysd.org. I will reply to any email that needs acknowledgment. If you do not get a response, I have not yet read your email. Please allow a full day for a response to an email.
Homework options:
"homework" will only be 5% of your grade for the 2024-2025 school year. Performances will be worth a full 10/10 and a list of those options is available on Google Classroom. A non-performance option will also be listed but will only be worth 6/10.
See the Google Classroom page for options, forms, and to submit. Homework will have posted due dates but can be turned in until the end of the quarter deadline without penalty. Homework will need to be turned in to your class' Google Classroom and forms have been uploaded there. All homework is to be turned in on the classroom even if it requires a signature: you can take a photo of signed homework and turn that in. Homework is traditionally graded and posted on Wednesdays. You should receive a returned assignment through Google Classroom in addition to seeing the grade on the portal.
Ms. Reinecke will post articles on classroom that can be used for the “article review” option. Please note, these are only worth 7 points.
Bankable homework:
Performances that are outside the scope of this class and are service to the school may be labeled “bankable.” This means that you can cash these in at anytime during the school year by turning in a document on classroom that says “I participated in _____________ (fill in performance)” and no other review is required.
Examples include:
Homecoming: National Anthem
Community Breakfast
Art Show