Shortened 2023-24 Syllabus for Choir/AcaPella/ Music Theater /Live Music/ (Formally known as Bluegrass)
RULES for Choir/Musical Theatre/ Acappella Class, Live Music, and Senior Readiness :
1. Respect everyone- other students, teachers, pianists, substitutes, helpers, yourself. You are to show respect to the teachers/ helpers teaching the class, and your fellow classmates every day during class time, and at performances. Remember you are in partnership with the teachers, the staff, and other students in your class, but the teacher must always be the authority in the classroom/rehearsal and performances. You have to trust your teacher(s) with your learning, and in return you will receive trust and respect. This is also extremely important during virtual learning.
2. Food, gum, drinks, and cell phones are not allowed in the Choir Room or Theatre at any time.
This includes bottled water, tea, coffee, or energy drinks. Put your cell phone in the heartbreak hotel, your locker or backpack, and keep it turned off. *During Virtual learning please have only one device (the one you are using for the google meets) on so you can keep distractions to a minumum. Only use two devices if instructed by Mrs. Lundin during the google meet.
3. Be on Time. (Do not be tardy to Class, Rehearsals, or concerts. . You are expected to be in your seat with your pencils, folders, scores, music, and daily assignments before the second bell rings. Be a little early to the google meets, so we do not wait on you to get started. Remember Attendance is taken at every google meet, and class is recorded daily.
4. Take care of all folders: Music, and Equipment of the Choral Department.
Do not leave them on the floor, the chairs, on the piano, or in your locker. Put them back in the assigned place (which for choir is on the White shelf in the back of the room) and in the correct order!! Students if you use a school instrument pick, capo, or tuner, put it back where you got it! Do not put any instrument or anything on the large air units in the back of the room. Do not take School instruments in the hall or outside the classroom. If I give you your folder to take home, make sure you keep it in the same place, so you will have it when the meeting starts. If you have real music in your folder, please take care of it- don’t wrinkle, spill or spot the music. Folders and Music are expensive, and funds are low this year so take care of all your given to accomplish virtual learning.
5. Be respectful of other people’s property and wishes regarding their stuff !
For example: Do not take any folder or music except the one that is assigned to you. Do not play, or borrow any instrument, folder, tuner, music books, etc. that is stored or kept in the choir room (be it a student’s instrument, or Mrs. Lundin’s). You will be held accountable if it is broken, stolen, thrown out of tune, or damaged in any way- This means you will pay the bill. Students are not allowed to use Mrs. Lundin’s Computer, sit in Mrs. Lundin's office chairs, play the pianos, basses, guitars, keyboard, or use the sound equipment for any reason unless you have permission from Mrs. Lundin. Take care of your music, folders, computers, etc. for virtual learning.
6. Be in designated areas Only
Students are not allowed in the choir office, behind Mrs. Lundin’s desk , or behind the Filing Cabinet area for any reason. Students are not allowed in the choir room during lunch- school policy.
7. Stay on task. – Focus on music and exercise your creativity as you learn. Do not do: hair, makeup, text on your phone (which should be in the Heartbreak hotel or your backpack), talk to your friends, or do homework for other classes during your vocal music class. Participate in all aspects of the class: this includes LISTENING, singing, sight-reading, testing, or acting (in Music Theatre). Discipline is key to a high quality performance. You are not allowed to have your cell phone out during class. You are not allowed to go to another teacher’s classroom during your vocal music class- This is school policy. If you record an audition or practice file we should see/hear only you- not other children or siblings, pets, or friends visiting. You cannot stay focused if you are distracted by these things. Remember these are audition files for a grade, or audition files for an audition, and there can be no background noise in the recording. The same rules and standards of learning apply.
Grading will be based on:
1. Performance, Rehearsals, Participation, and Effort in class Daily:
To earn a good Daily grade you must:
Be Present in class every day!!! You earn tow points a day for just being in the room and participating. If you have an unexcused absence you will lose your 2 points for that day. I will keep track of all absences, so make sure any absences are excused before you come to class the next day. It is the student’s responsibility to do this, and it is crucial to their daily grade. Example: You have 5 unexcused absences your daily grade drops from a 100 to a 90, 10 unexcused absences would be an 80.
A Good Daily Grade is composed of these elements:
Using Proper Singing technique (demonstrated good vocal technique that we have learned in class).
Participating in all warmups, sight reading, and small group practice and showing good effort.
Be able to demonstrate skills learned individually and in a group setting.
Doing any written assignments that might be given by the instructor.
Being creative and responsive to new learning and improvisation through music
Keeping choir folders, music, instruments, and materials neat, and properly marking your music score as instructed. Keep your instruments in their cases and if you are borrowing a school instrument, capo, or tuner put it back where you got it and always put the instrument on the stand or in it's proper case. If I ask you to keep a neat folder of music or tabs then do IT!
Participating in projects, small groups, with extra credit given for soloing, and auditioning for All East/All State. Learning a new instrument to help balance your Live music group- All these things get you extra credit, and will help pull up your overall grade.
Having a great attitude, and being part of the positive solution when problems arise within the class or group. Remember
ATTITUDE IS EVERYTHING!!!
Extra credit will be given to students who are willing to: Sing solos or harmony. A willingness to sing harder harmonies in the larger group, lead choreography practice if asked, put up folders, give out music, Work with the Music Library, or volunteer for the mundane jobs such as making charts, and helping with fundraisers, or cleaning up after a concert or event.
*There is a Daily Grading Rubric for Mrs. Lundin’s Classes which will be posted on Google Classroom. It will be used to determine the Daily Grade. If a student has an excused absence for the day the choir student will be responsible for making up their daily grade by doing their theory work for that day (2 completed lessons), and turn it into Mrs. Lundin for as a written test grade, this also applies if a student is sick and cannot sing while in class. For AcaPats and Patriotic Singers- Once we are into our performance music we will have a duet, solo, and quartet singing assignments. There will be individual assessment. Part learning recordings will be posted virtually on google classroom. I will use youtube on google classroom once our accounts is set up. The student will be asked to record themselves singing their part, and send it to Mrs. Lundin through email at: kimberly.lundin@sullivank12.net
Doing assignments and learning your part through recordings and part MP3 files is huge and will enhance your learning of the music. I do expect you to practice and do any assignment given on google classroom. Don’t procrastinate, and get behind. The county requires we give assignments daily for absent students- so do your work, and keep up. When Concerts and after school rehearsals happen they are a very important part of your grade so make sure you come to all rehearsals/ concerts. You prepare for these concerts by knowing your music!
*2. Concerts and After School Rehearsals:
Are usually scheduled in advance, and are a major part of your grade. Choir, Music Theater, Acappella, and Live Music are Performance based classes; therefore the majority of your grade is determined by your performance every day in class as well as scheduled performances.
YOU CAN FAIL Choir, Music Theater, Acapella, and Live Music class! Absences from scheduled rehearsals, and performances will result in a zero unless you have a doctor’s excuse due to illness or an emergency that is accepted as an excuse by Mrs. Lundin. Your presence for the concert is key to the event. You must participate if you want a good grade in these performance based classes.
The fall and spring Concerts count as two test grades; one test grade is for the performance, and the other test grade is for working a shift for the event.* Dates on all after school rehearsals and concerts are given months in advance therefore; WORK is no longer a viable excuse for missing any scheduled rehearsals, concert, or performances. If you choose to work, you need to let your employer see this part of the syllabus. Therefore, If you choose work over a scheduled concert, or a rehearsal you will receive a zero. One of the requirements for getting a graduation cord in music is that you attend all scheduled rehearsals and concerts. If you choose work over a concert you not only get a zero for the grade with no makeup test available, but you forfeit your chance at receiving a music cord at Graduation.
Due to very limited after school rehearsals and concerts, parents or guardians/and coaches are requested to call Mrs. Lundin @ 423-354-1900 during her planning period (which will be given ASAP to students at the beginning of each semester) to tell me why your child missed the rehearsal or concert. Coaches can talk to me at school or call me on the black phone. This year Doctor Excuses are the only paper excuses I will accept unless the parent cannot get a hold of me any other way but through the county email, at which point that parent needs to give me a telephone number, and best time to call to validate the excuse.
When a student misses a rehearsal or Concert, understand that the student receives a Zero on PowerSchool until Mrs. Lundin receives excuses for the absence, and the makeup test is given, and graded. The grade will not change on Power school until the test is graded and recorded. If the absence is not excused by Mrs. Lundin the grade will remain a zero.
To RECAP: The Only excuse that is acceptable for missing after school Rehearsals, or a Major Concert is:
Extreme illness or A Doctor’s excuse (example positive Covid, Flu, or Strep test).
Death of a close family member
Illness that is confirmed by a parent/guardian with a phone call to Mrs. Lundin.
What I teach is important, and requires commitment by both the student and their parents if the music program is to remain strong here at East High School. Remember Choir, Live Music (Bluegrass), Music Theatre and Acappella are all Performance based classes, and a huge part of a student’s grade is based on their performance in class every day, and at scheduled rehearsals and performances.
Here is the guidelines for excused absences from performances:
* If the absence is excused:
For A performance grade: the student must do 10 extra Music Theory assignments (at your level), and take a written test to make up for one missed Performance. My written makeup test are hard, therefore, I encourage you strongly to attend the concert!
For A Rehearsal Grade: the student must do 5 extra Music Theory assignments and take a written test to make up for one missed rehearsal or (for missed rehearsal only) a student can audio tape themselves using their phone singing their part on all the music we went over in class. Example Sally Sue records herself on her phone singing alto on all 5 songs we went over at rehearsal and sends it to Mrs.Lundin via email.
It is the student’s responsibility to remind Mrs. Lundin they need to make up a grade and turn in the theory work required in a timely fashion ( in other words, not the day before grades are due).
*Rehearsal grade is twice into your total grade. The Concert grade is 3 times into your overall grade. We will keep both at a minumum this year but once the date is given make plans to attend so we can have a good performance later.
Music Fees:
We have a music fee of $10.00 for each student in Choir, Acappella, Live Music (Bluegrass), and Music Theatre Class who is not fee exempt. We have this fee in place to buy music and materials the student will use throughout the semester. Please pay this obligation the first week of school so we have funds available for this semester. Any fee exempt students who would like to pay, can pay, and help the Choir,/Acapella groups, Live Music Class, and/Music Theatre program with music,/instrumental needs, trips, and royalty cost throughout the year (in this case it will be considered a donation).
*Donations are Always Welcome! Write Checks to: Sullivan East High School, and on the memo line of your check write Music Club Account. Only give money to Mrs. Lundin in a white envelope with your name, amount, and fundraising/music club event on the outside of the envelope. Please date the envelope and put left over tickets inside the envelope if the event used ticket sales such as “Concert ticket sales, ” or “The Belk Charity Sale.”
*Earning a Graduation Cords for Choir, Music Theatre, Acappella, and Live Music:
Our Graduation Cords are the same as Bands. ( Black and White).
Requirements to earn a Graduation Cord:
Be in Choir for 2 years (4 semesters) through your years at East
Attend all scheduled rehearsals and Concerts for every semester you have been in a vocal music class. (in other words- be dedicated to the Vocal Music Program here at East).
Be in Choir/Bluegrass/A Cappella class your senior year for at least one semester. In other words, if you are in choir every year but your senior year, you forfeit a graduation cord for Music.
Have an A in every vocal music class you have participated in during your years at East.
YOUR MUSIC EDUCATION IS UP TO YOU!
WE ARE HERE TO HELP YOU ACHIEVE YOUR GOALS! *A Heads Up -You’re first grade will be turning in your syllabus signature sheet on time. You might have a quiz on this syllabus…. So listen as I go over the syllabus.
*Make all checks for Music Fee, all Performance attire, All East/ All State cost, Ads, and Fundraising to:
East High School. Please place the money, or check in a sealed envelope, labeled with the student’s name, date, amount, and event, payment, or fundraiser. Mrs. Lundin is required to fill out a log sheet for all monies, make sure this is accomplished when you turn in money: DO NOT HAND ME MONEY IN THE HALL, OR LAY IT ON MY DESK, OR THE PIANO!!! After this procedure is accomplished, the student must then hand the envelope to Mrs. Lundin to be locked in the Choir safe or taken to the office for Mrs. Nelson. Students please do this at the end of class (Preferably 5 minutes before the class is over, so we will not disrupt the learning).
Parents/students can still pay their $10.00 music fee even if a student is Free Reduced Lunch. It is considered a donation. If you want to mail a check for the fee mail it to the school. Remember to write the check to Sullivan East High School, put Music Club/music fee on the memo line.:
Here is the address and procedure for sending money by mail : Mail and write the check for
$10.00 for the music fee, $16.00 for AllEast/AllState audition fee, $16.00 if you make All East ( plus food and hotel cost ($100-$200 to be determined), $26.00 participation fee for All State Chorus, plus hotel cost (TBA), After School Club Fee for after school AcaPats/Live Band $10.00 each group, and Choir/ Live Music t-shirts $10.00.
Sullivan East High School
I/C Kim Lundin
4180 Weaver Pike
Bluff City, TN. 37618 Write Music Club for Music Fee, singing mask, alleast, on the Memo Line.
*All East High performances count as a Major Test Grade. If you want to remain in the class, but have financial issues see Mrs. Lundin privately.
Daily Procedures for Class :
1).ALL backpacks, pocketbooks and bags go in your locker. We have no room to accommodate backpacks. Bring a pencil and some paper for your student folders to class every day. 1.
2). If you have your cell phone by accident put your cell phones in “The Heartbreak Hotel” holder till the end of class found on my office door.
3). During roll call get your folders and pencils, help pass out music/S.R. books, and sit down in your seat quietly…NO TALKING during this time. Occasionally the bell work will be a written listening/evaluation assignment. We will have performance folders, Theory/sight reading folders to enhance music reading skills. Bell work might be given at the beginning of each class, so be prepared and always have a pencil.
4). We will stretch, sing warm-ups, scales, and do other activities to enhance music reading skills: Ear training, composition, and performance skills such as sight reading will be taught this year. No talking when the instructors are teaching during Warmups, Sight-reading or Music Learning activities. That is breaking Rule no. 1-Respect. Talking during instruction is NOT respecting your teacher, or fellow class mates and it is RUDE! Treat all as you want to be treated.
5). We will rehearse music. *Pencils are required This year I would like it if all music students would have colored pencils (blue and red) to emphasize dynamics in their music.
Warm-up procedure:
Listen to the instructions!
No talking when the instructors are talking, or when we are warming up, or singing. Remember NO CELL PHONES in class.
No playing your instruments when instructors are talking. This is rude and shows a lack of respect...Rule no. 1
Be open-minded to new stretches, warm-ups, sight readings, theory study, games, projects, or singing techniques, scales to learn, and possible Music History moments. .Be positive about this part of your class, and help each other learn reviewed and new concepts. Also try out new Sight reading apps. to increase sight reading skills. Sight reading factory is one, but there are many on the internet that are free.
No cell phones, food or drinks in the classroom!!
*Stay in the classroom unless told to go to a scheduled area outside of the classroom.
Always stay in the room if Mrs. Lundin is not here. Do not get a drink or go to the bathroom without permission- You must always have a filled out hall pass – this is for your safety, not just a rule of the school. I cannot force you to wear a face Mask this year, but you must respect anyone who is (including Mrs. Lundin). We will not discuss the why's, or get into politics in my classroom. We will not criticize, or make fun of anyone for wearing a mask for this breaks RULE NO. 1: RESPECT! I do ask that you respect everyone's personal space and opinions. Try to Keep some distance apart from each other when viruses (like the flu) or others, are raging in the school.
5. At the end of class put up all materials, instruments, and notebooks where they go in the room. Since we are back to in- person school you will be asked to wipe down your music learning station and music stands. Please do not complain about this extra task. We are trying to keep everyone safe- and their family members safe. Mrs. Lundin will supply the wipes and disinfectant spray and paper towels. Turn in exit forms, evaluations, and class assignments where they go in the room. Take time to put things in the right place. You will bring your choir folder and sight reading notebooks with you each day and take them home with you each night- just like a textbook. Having your music and materials for class is part of YOUR DAILY Performance GRADE, and it is extremely important that all choir students keep up with their folders this year.
The last period of the day will wipe down, and stack the chairs. We will wipe down all stands and keyboards in the room before leaving. Fifth period class you must sit and listen to announcements before leaving your station.
*Raise hands for questions. Ask for help if you need it. Be courteous, polite, and helpful when we have visitors, guests, community assistants, Substitute teachers, parents, etc. – be as wonderful as you sing! Remember we respect Everyone!!! RULE no.1
All East/ AllState Information- At this time we have no information regarding All East updates.
However, the music is all free and downloadable at ETVA.org under the All East tab. You can print the audition titles at home or pick up copies at school from Mrs. Lundin.
Advanced 9th, 10th-12th grade Choir Students have the privilege of auditioning for All East/All State the fall of 1st semester. The first event for the 10th-12th grade students who wish to audition for All East is The Milligan College prep clinic is usually around the end of August @ Milligan College. This year the clinic is Saturday, August 26. This "learn the All East/All State audition clinic goes from 8:30 a.m. - 12:00 noon. All East Auditions will be held in September the 16th at Hardin Valley High in Knoxville, TN; followed by a screening audition on all the All East Music on November 7th. Place for the screening to be announced. (Normally it is on the ETSU or Milligan campus). All East is at Lee University this year and is an overnight stay. Parents will have to drive their student to all All East/ All State venues, and to the rehearsal sight this year. Parents and/or students must pay for the participation cost and the hotel cost as well as their gas to get to the All East/ All State sites.
Once a student “makes” All East Honor Choir they go to Lee University for the All East clinics and performance scheduled for November 16-18th), where they get to stay overnight in a hotel, rehearse and perform with the best singers in East Tennessee. The Performance is held on the Lee University campus. More information about hotel and participation cost will be forthcoming.
All State students are the top 25 scores from our area. There is an All State Screening for the All State Choir student in January, with a snow date later in the month. All State Screening is held in Knoxville, Tn. Students must pass their screenings to be eligible for both All East and All State. Both All East and All State are held out of town. All East is at Lee University this year, and All State is currently held in Nashville, TN at the Opryland Hotel in April. All East auditions are held at Hardin Valley Academy. It is my request that parents of students auditioning for All East drive them to the audition site on the day of their audition for safety reasons. Mrs. Lundin is usually a judge, and is there all day for the audition clinic. I request parents provide transportation for their students if they “make” All East and/or All State. Mrs. Lundin will be the teacher in charge at the event, but will not provide transportation to, or from the event for liability reasons. Parents I will not transport Students in my personal vehicle. Therefore, if a student desires to participate in All East/ All State auditions and events parents/grandparent/ aunts, and/or Uncles will be asked to help with transportation, as well as cost for the trip (hotel, food and your gas driving down). Parents or other adult family members will have to ask off from their work to take their students to these events.
-In the past many parents have stated that the All East/All State event was a fun relaxed weekend for them, and their Child. Students enjoy having their parents present for this very special weekend and performances. It is an honor to make AllEast and AllState and parents will not want to miss seeing their child shine on stage for these momentous events.
A student may fundraise for their All East/ All State cost if the parent deems it necessary. In the past All East can be from: $250.00-$600.00 total ; this includes: Hotel, All East Fees, Music, Car Rental/Bus Cost if one has to be taken, and food. All State is usually $650.00-$1300.00 and more if you count hotel, food, fees, and music. All State is more expensive because it is at The Opryland Hotel in Nashville and has a three night stay to All East clinic’s Two night stay. Costs vary from year to year. The biggest cost for both events is the hotel. This year parents and Students will be asked to sign an All East/ All State policy form, and pay the Audition Fee, and Participation Fee (if they make All East or All State) up front in order to participate. If a student drops out for whatever reason once the money has been sent it will be non-refundable. We cannot afford to pay for students who do not attend. You can sell your spot if a spot is still available and audition names are still being taken by ETVA.
This is also the same policy for any individual field trip, or. Group competitions: If a group is taken, and we rent a school bus, then the transportation is provided, but parents will still be asked to help with food, the cost of the bus, and the event itself if needed. The Choir department simply does not have the money to pay the full cost of off campus events. Last year we lost money from kids dropping out of events which had already been sent to the venue. This year students/parents will be given a cut off date when all moneys paid will be non refundable, because the money has already been sent to the company. In other words, if we do a competition in Dollywood this year (as we did last year) the tour company no longer gives refunds after a certain date. We (the school) will no longer give refunds after that date. Therefore , if a student signs up to go to a trip or competition they will not be refunded their money for any reason after the cut- off date has been established. They can sell their trip to another music student but we will not refund money after the cut-off date! This is the way of the world! We (the Choral Department and the school) are not able to refund money we have lost just because a student or parent changed their mind, or they are failing a class. Parents please note this when you sign a permission form for a trip or competition, and read the letter carefully that I will attach to the permission form about this new policy.
Please contact me if you have any questions at:
kimberly.lundin@sullivank12.net. or
423-354-1900 (school phone) during my planning period which is 3rd period this year.
Parents, Guardians, and Students:
Please Print and sign this page only (the signature page) and return this page with your signature, by your student before the end of the third week (of the semester). Keep the remainder of this document for your records.
Thank you for your support of The Vocal Music Department.
__________________________________________________________________
I UNDERSTAND THIS DOCUMENT AND WILL ABIDE BY THE RULES STATED IN IT.
Date:__________________________.
Student’s Signature:_______________________________________.
Parent/ Guardian’s Signature:____________________________________.
Principal: Mr. Andy Hare
Choir, Live Music, Music Theater, and Acapella Director: Kim Lundin
