MHS Choir Handbook

Marion High School

CHORAL HANDBOOK

2025-2026 

Jonathan Dyrland

Director of Choral Activities

Classroom Conduct/Student Responsibilities

We are all here because we have something in common; we enjoy singing.  How we sound as a group has a lot to do with how we work together.  If each member will follow the class procedures listed below every day of the year, the result will be a choral group that truly makes beautiful music.

1.     Please have your music in a black 3-ring binder when you enter the room for rehearsal and be seated quietly in your assigned seat before the final bell rings.

2.     Please have a pencil or pen – we will use them a great deal. 

3.     Vocal production will be emphasized in choir classroom.  Gum, Candy and other food effects vocal production in a negative way.  Refrain from food items in rehearsal.  Water is welcome.  Please be understanding and remember to remove all gum and food before you enter the room.

4.     Avoid excessive talking during rehearsals.  Our rehearsal is much more effective when everyone is paying close attention to the music being rehearsed.  When another section is rehearsing, students need to follow along in their own music.

5.     Listen closely for instructions between musical rehearsals.  When the director stops rehearsing to give an instruction, consider it an invitation to listen.  Our rehearsal time is too precious to repeat instructions.

6.     Respect the opinions and ability levels of others.  The choir, accompanist, and directors function as a team.  All members of the team need to be respectful of each other and of the process of creating music.  Remember the Golden Rule: Treat others the way you want to be treated.

7.     When we have clinicians, substitutes, or any guests in the classroom, please exhibit your best manners.  We can always learn from having different people work with us.

8.     Students must refrain from using tobacco products, alcohol, and other drug-like substances.  Use of these drugs may result in suspension or removal from the ensemble(s).

The success of our groups rests upon your individual self-discipline.  We must all be willing to follow the above procedures and give 110%.  Most importantly, we want to get along. Singing in harmony can only be accomplished by working in harmony.

Attendance

Attendance is crucial for every choir member! Due to the nature of this course, when a student is absent he/she misses rehearsal and instruction that cannot be made up.  In addition, the entire choir suffers because that student was not in school to learn his/her part along with the rest of the choir.

Attendance Policy: If a student is absent for excused reasons, the school attendance secretary must be notified.  Due to the performance nature of our class, the student will not earn points towards their grade for any day they are absent regardless of whether or not the absence is excused or unexcused.  The only exception is a student missing class for a school activity.  When this occurs, they will be exempted from class for the day.  If a student is sick the day of a concert, they may not perform on the concert, unless special permission is given.  In this event, it is the parent’s responsibility to contact the choral director to let them know of the student’s absence and discussion of the possibility to perform.

Extra Rehearsals

Many times the difference between a superior and a poor musical performance is determined by the amount of rehearsal time spent in preparation.  Extra rehearsals allow for many things: individual and small group work, help from visiting clinicians, and more time for that “extra polishing.”  They are vital for any good performing organizations.  Extra rehearsals will only be held as needed before important performance.  Students will be given at least one week notice.  These rehearsals are required for a grade.  If a student is unable to attend extra rehearsals, a phone call (or voicemail – 377-9891 ext. 1133), email (jdyrland@marion-isd.org), or signed note from a parent, 3 days in advance, is necessary to be excused.  Without prior notice, students will only be excused from a rehearsal due to a personal illness, death in the family, or an emergency over which the student has no control.

In many cases, a calendar or rehearsal schedule will be given to students.  It is the responsibility of the student to cross reference the choral rehearsal schedule against work schedules, athletic schedules, performing art schedules, etc.  If conflicts exist, the student should make an effort to resolve the conflict before coming to the director(s).  Students should make every effort to be fair to both groups.

Student Activity Conflicts

There are times when students simultaneously participate in an organized sport or performance group.  Conflicts occasionally arise when practices and regularly scheduled events take place concurrently.  Although every attempt will be made to keep such scheduling to a minimum, the following guidelines will be followed.

• When a practice or rehearsal and an event (game or concert) are scheduled simultaneously, the EVENT takes precedence.

• When two practices or rehearsals are scheduled simultaneously, the student may SELECT the practice/rehearsal in which he/she will participate.  He/She should make the decision, whenever possible, at least seven (7) days in advance.

• Under NO circumstance will the student be penalized for his/her decision; that is, class grades are not to be lowered or impaired due to this decision if all previously stated rules have been followed.

• In case of a disagreement among the parties concerned, the matter should be referred to the administrator or administrators in charge for a solution.

Performances

• Performances are an important part of being in choir.  We work constantly to be prepared to perform.  When performing, students receive a deeper appreciation of music and a greater feeling of unity from the organization and the people with whom they are involved.

• A director cannot duplicate a performance for the student who is absent.  There is no other means to make-up the unique thrill of performing – feeling the reaction from the audience, or the excitement of knowing the hard work in preparation for the performance was worthwhile.

• Concerts and Performances are equivalent to Basketball games to the Basketball team or Algebra Exams in Algebra class.  They are the way in which directors & coaches evaluate how well students have prepared and what they have learned.

• Every member of the choir plays a vital role in the success of the entire organization.  As directors, we cannot expect a total commitment from any one student without expecting the same amount of commitment from every member in the choir.

• Due to the lack of a large enough auditorium, it is necessary to convert our Red Gym into a performance space for every concert.  Students who choose to assist with set-up and/or teardown of equipment can sign-in and sign-out with our current Choir President or Vice-President to receive extra credit for the course.  Students assisting with set-up and teardown for extra-curricular musical ensembles will also receive extra-credit for their efforts.

Therefore, the following rules apply to performances:

• All Performances are required.

• Students must attend all performances for which a two-week notice is given.  Work schedules need to be adjusted, as absences due to a student’s job are always unexcused.

• Grades for each performance will be based on the following:

  • • Punctuality

    • Proper Dress

    • Following Instructions

    • Staying for the entire concert

•  Students will only be excused from a performance due to a personal illness, death in the family, or an emergency over which the student has no control.  Students will not be excused because they do not have a ride.

•  In the event of ‘bad’ weather on the day or evening of a performance or rehearsal; directors will coordinate with administrators and/or event organizers to determine if the performance or rehearsal will occur.  If the directors determine that the performance or rehearsal will continue as planned, students will be expected to attend as usual.  Parents can choose to withhold their child from the performance or rehearsal but the absence will be unexcused.

• The director must be notified of an expected absence at least 2 weeks prior to the performance.  The choir office phone number is 377-9891, ext. 1133.  This is a 24-hour number with voicemail.

• The director will determine whether an absence from a performance is excused or unexcused.  If excused, it is the students’ responsibility to get make-up work.  If unexcused, the student will not be given the privilege of making up the points lost due to his/her absence.

• No points will be taken away from any student who cannot attend a performance due to religious observations.  However, a one-week notice should be given to the director along with a parent note or parent phone call.

• Concert Performances make up a large portion of the student’s grade.  Students who miss a concert and have given prior notice will be given a writing assignment.  Assignments will be given at the directors’ discretion.

• Students who have missed several choral rehearsals may be removed from a concert at the directors’ discretion.  Students who have missed performances and rehearsals without an excuse will be subject to removal from the MHS performing choirs.

Music Equipment

• Equipment is to be used only with expressed permission of the teacher; this includes the acoustic and electronic pianos as well as the stereo equipment.

• Teacher’s desks and phones are off limits for students, unless permission is given.

• Filing cabinets are to be used with teacher permission only.

• Use proper receptacles for all garbage: RECYCLE!

• Leave the dry erase board clear for teacher use.

• Respect the effort that went into painting the room; please do not deface the classroom environment.

  A Wise Person Once Said,

“ When you leave a room, leave it in better condition than you found it.”

Uniforms/Costumes

Concert Attire (Concert Chorale & Meistersingers)

• Students are measured at the beginning of the school year and assigned concert attire.  All concert attire should be kept at school so that students can put them on before each concert.

•  LADIES will be provided with a black gown and pearl necklace.  They must provide their own black hosiery and black dress shoes.  In an effort to maintain uniformity, please do not wear heals more than 2-inches in height.

• GENTLEMEN will be provided with tux pants, tux coat, black satin vest and tie.  They must provide their own black dress shoes, black socks and regular white collared shirt. 

• Students must report minor ‘wear and tear’ issues to the director after each concert so that repairs can be made. 

• If a uniform is damaged as a result of an accident falling outside the bounds of normal ‘wear and tear,’ the student will be expected to pay for the replacement of the uniform.

Grading Rubric

This is an example of a typical choral grading rubric.  The specifics of this example will differ slightly depending on the ensemble and it’s responsibilities and assignments.

40% - Concerts and Public Performances

10% - Concert Review Paper

50% - Daily Practice, Effort and Participation (P.E.P.)

• P.E.P. includes (but is not limited to):

  • • Being on time

    • Having all class materials (Chromebook & stylist if desired)

    • Actively singing and listening

    • Giving your best effort

100% - TOTAL GRADE