Soprano-Alto Chorus 

Soprano-Alto Chorus is for treble singers in the Sun Valley program, only offered in the fall semester and to all 9th – 12th grade singers. Students will learn about the vocal instrument, care and anatomy, as well as music reading and musicianship skills. All choruses receive Honors credit. 

Tenor-Bass Chorus 

Tenor-Bass Chorus is for 9th - 12th grade male students who have a desire to sing. We focus on building strong bonds through choral music and learning how to control the male changing voice. Students will learn about the vocal instrument, care and anatomy, as well as music reading and musicianship skills. All choruses receive Honors credit.

Class Piano

Class piano is offered all year for students who have an interest in piano playing. In this class we learn and discuss topics such as music theory, music history, piano repertoire, as well as performance practices. This class is designed as a self-paced class. Students with little/no experience are encouraged to sign up, move over, students with more experience are expected to continue in their studies. See class piano syllabus for more information.

Mixed Chorus 

Mixed Chorus is for students in 9th – 10th grade. Students will continue to develop their musicianship and singing skills with varied SATB repertoire. One semester in this program is required to advance into Concert Chorus the following year. All choruses receive Honors credit.

Concert Chorus 

Concert Chorus is our 11th and 12th grade students. This class is based on skills developed throughout the students’ work in the Choral Arts Program. These students who have the ability and patience to learn very difficult repertoire and work in a group setting. All choruses receive Honors credit.

Class Piano

Class piano is offered all year for students who have an interest in piano playing. In this class we learn and discuss topics such as music theory, music history, piano repertoire, as well as performance practices. This class is designed as a self-paced class. Students with little/no experience are encouraged to sign up, move over, students with more experience are expected to continue in their studies. See class piano syllabus for more information

Each class will have a set of leaders that will help with the daily needs of the class. All of these students are expected to be a consistent leader in class.

Co-Presidents

These students will be Mr. Calpo’s second set of hands. They may need to start class, lead class, lead warm-ups, answer the classroom phone, help after school, organize help from other students and work with parents.

Section Leaders 

These students will be from each vocal section in the class. They will be in charge of taking good musical notes in their music to help those students absent. They will be called on to lead a sectional rehearsal where they teach notes to students in their section. Each Section leader oversees picking up left water bottles, music folders etc. left in their section as well as straightening chairs, before they leave class.

Secretary/Librarian

This student will be in charge of our music library. They make sure everything is in its place, remind students to put away their music folders, making sure the room is cleaner than it was when they arrived. They will also be in charge of the blog, listing daily rehearsal notes and assignments for students and parents to check.

Historian

This student is in charge of pictures and documenting the year. They with the other historians in the other classes will compile the pictures into a picture book and they will make an end of the year slideshow. If the Secretary is absent, this student will fill out the blog.

50% Test/Concert & Performance

• Tests & Projects: All tests will be announced a week in advance and study guide will be available for all students. 

• Concerts & Performances: All students are required to perform in all chorus concerts during the school year. All performances will be announced in advance and is non-negotiable. If a conflict arises, talk to Mr. Calpo at the beginning of the year, or three (3) weeks in advance. A parent note may be necessary in addition to a makeup project that is equal to the amount of hours spent in rehearsal. 

30% - Quizzes & Recordings 

• Quizzes: Any quiz can be unannounced on choral repertoire, musical terms, and in-class vocal performances. Students are responsible to take quizzes during absences of any kind. Quizzes cannot be taken again for a better grade. 

• Recordings: Students may use their phones or chromebooks to record themselves for singing quizzes. All recordings will be kept private from all students. They will never be shared. 

20% - Classwork & Homework 

• Classwork: All work can be done during class time or may be assigned as homework. All makeup work has a set time frame to be completed. Any late work is minus 10 points, daily, after the due date. 

• Homework: Homework is to be completed in the time given. If a student misses the day the work was assigned, they have the same amount of time to make up the work before they start losing points. 

Makeup Work

If a day is missed, the student may go to the make-up work area (black basket on my desk) to retrieve materials.  You will need to be responsible for this.  You will have 2 days to make up work.

Exam Exemptions

High School students will not be required to take a teacher-made final exam in a course if the

• Student has an average of 90 or above the week prior to the administration of the exam

Teacher made tests are defined as tests designed and graded by a UCPS teacher of record for the purpose of assigning an exam grade to a student. Exam exemptions only apply to teacher made tests and are not available in courses which require the administration of an End of Course or state mandated final exams. Students enrolled in AP courses will still be required to take the AP exam. Students are expected to take all other assessments given at the school.

All Rehearsals are to be treated like performances. Always be on time, prepared, and ready to sing, learn, and perform. Students are not graded on participation but on the work they do to prepare for concerts and their ability to demonstrate they understand musical concepts, ideas, and techniques. 

All students are graded based on a rubric and have the ability to grade themselves based on their preparation and work in class. Both the rubric and self-assessment rubric can be found on the website or in this document. 

We encourage all students to be honest when giving themselves a grade based on the work they have done. The director has the authority to change the students’ self-assessment grade if it does not reflect that student’s actual work in class based on the rubrics below. 

Required for All Choirs

1. Pencils (never enough)

2. Sturdy Black Folder, stays in classroom

Donation Items (not required):

• Sturdy Black Folders

• Pencils

• Facial Tissues

• Hand Sanitizers

• Paper Straws

We used the BAND APP to help manage our choirs and keep information up to date. However, we will be moving back to the Remind App. Please use the corresponding links for the correct choir you're enrolled in. 

1st Period, Mixed Chorus: https://www.remind.com/join/98h9kc

2nd Period, Concert Chorus: https://www.remind.com/join/svhconcert

Each student must be present for at least 75 minutes of the 90 minute period to be counted present. If a student misses more than 15 minutes, he/she will be recorded absent. 

For Concerts: Participation in performances is required. Students must stay the entire duration of the concert in order to receive their concert grade. Leaving in the middle of a performance is disrespectful to the performers and the students’ time and energy to prepare for it. 

After School Rehearsals: Are required for combined pieces for upcoming concerts. It is required by all students involved in those pieces. A full rehearsal schedule has been provided and any updates will be announced several weeks in advance. 

Concert Makeup

Concerts require people, you as the singers, as well as me, the pianist, administration, parents, siblings, friends, and community members. Each concert takes weeks and months of work to prepare and it comes down to one day. All dates are posted at the beginning of the year.

If you miss the concert, a make up assignment is not guaranteed for all situations. Communication will determine whether or not you will be assigned one. Failure to participate in the concert can result in failure in the course and removal from all music programs. 

Entering Class

• Come to class and be on time 

• All personal belongings will placed in the classroom hallway next to Mr. Calpo’s office, including cell phones and electronics. 

• Students should get their binder and items from their assigned box before the bell. 

• Students will need to speak with their section leader to obtain any missed work. 

• Students must also bring a tardy pass signed by a teacher or from the front office to be admitted into class. 

• Students should read the board for further direction. 

• Any and All gum or food should be thrown away before class. 

Leaving during Class/Restroom


• Students must use the restroom and lockers between classes and/or during lunch. 


• Students may not go to the restroom if they are supposed to be singing.

• Students will use the Smart Pass system once approved to leave the rehearsal space. 

• Please refer to the Student Handbook for discipline actions for leaving class without permission and/or abuse of their pass privileges. 

• Students must leave their cellphones as they take the chorus pass. 

Piano

• Students are not allowed to play the piano.

High School students can use wireless communication devices only during the following non-instructional times: class change (after the bell rings signaling the end of one period and prior to the bell signaling the beginning of the next) and during their specified lunch period, so long as the students’ use of the device does not violate the standards of the Code of Student Conduct and is not used for one of the purposes outlined below. 

Elementary School and Middle School students are not permitted to use, display, or have visible, any wireless communication devices during the instructional day.