Wachter Middle School Choir

Transcription

1 Wachter Middle School Choir th Grade Choir Wachter Middle School, (701) Welcome to Choir! A New Year Begins! Welcome to the school year! We are very excited you have made the excellent decision to be a member of the Wachter Middle School Choir! You are sure to have a great time while learning more about music. This newsletter will help you understand what you will learn in choir this year as well as establish some guidelines for a successful year. After reading through the information, please let us know if you have any questions or concerns. We re looking forward to teaching you this year! What s It All About? Individual Highlights Grading 2 Performances 3 Extra Opportunities 4 Contact Information & Agreement 5 This year we will discover music through four general areas: Singing and development of vocal techniques and vocal health Fundamentals of Music: Understanding how sounds are organized in a musical composition. Performing and listening to music from diverse periods and styles. Developing interpersonal relationships for performing in an ensemble. Musical Objectives Singing and Development of vocal techniques and health Reading and writing musical notation Performing and exploring music from diverse periods and styles Opportunities to perform in various groupings such as large group (choir), small group (ensembles) and solo (individual singer) To enjoy friendships and being part of a team Responsibilities as a member of choir 1. Enjoy making music! 2. Respect music, each other, your teachers. 3. Be on time and prepared for rehearsals and concerts. Have music, folder, and pencil for every rehearsal. 4. Practice, practice, practice.

2 2 WMS CHOIR Grading Grades in Choir are based on Music Standards, ROAR, and Performances There are four main standards we will focus on this year: 1) MUS-MS.PrEE.06.1a Demonstrate attention to technical accuracy and expressive qualities in prepared performances of a varied repertoire of music. 2) MUS-MS.ReEE.09.1a Explain the influence of experiences, analysis, and context on interest in and evaluation of music. 3) MUS-06.Pr.04.2b When analyzing selected music, read and identify by name or function standard symbols for rhythm, pitch, articulation, and dynamics. 4) MUS-06.Pr.06.1b Demonstrate performance decorum (such as stage presence, attire, and behavior) and audience etiquette appropriate for venue and purpose. Students will also be held accountable for the following WMS behavior expectations (ROAR): Respect On Time Accept others Responsibility Performances: All choir students are required to participate in concerts. A concert schedule is provided in this newsletter so that you can avoid scheduling on the evenings of the performances. ~ Each standard includes a proficiency scale, which we will record assessment results. What you need each day.. Sharpened pencil Your assigned folder and music You may also bring water to class in a clear bottle Music is the universal language of mankind. Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

3 3 Performances Date/Time Concert/Performance Location 2016 Mon, October 17 7:30pm 8 th Grade Choir w/bhs Choirs Knaak BHS Tues, October 25 6:00pm 6 h Grade Choir Wachter Cafetorium Thurs, October 25 7:30pm 7 th Grade Choir Wachter Cafetorium Mon, December 19 6:00pm 6 th Grade Choir Wachter Cafetorium Mon, December 19 7:30pm 7 th & 8 th Grade Choirs Wachter Cafetorium 2017 Fri/Sat, Feb. 3 & 4 ND ACDA Honor Choirs TBA Wed Sat, March 8 11 National ACDA Honor Choirs* Minneapolis, MN Thurs, March 16 6:00pm 7 th Grade Choir Wachter Cafetorium Thurs, March 16 7:30pm 6 th & 8 th Grade Choirs Wachter Cafetorium Saturday, April 8??? Elementary/Middle School Music Festival Simle Middle School Inside Story Headline Mon, May 15 6:00pm 8 th Grade Choir Wachter Cafetorium Mon, May 15 7:30pm 6 th & 7 th Grade Choirs Wachter Cafetorium Concert attire is as follows: ~ WMS Choir Concert Shirt * ~Black dress pants (no yoga pants, shorts or capris) ~Black shoes (no flip flops) / Black socks (if applicable) *A performance polo will be loaned to you for the year. If you do not return it in the same condition as you borrowed it, you will be responsible for paying for the replacement ($25.00) ~Concerts in bold print are a requirement for choir students ~ * These are auditioned honor choirs for students. More information will be provided to any choir student interested. Concert Etiquette Etiquette in a concert setting is extremely important for the performing ensemble. We teach that appropriate conduct during an athletic event or a movie is different than conduct at a live artistic performance. We sincerely wish for our audiences to thoroughly enjoy themselves during our programs. For that reason we ask that they respect the following basic concert manners. On time for the performance = In concert position, ready to warm-up at specific venue at least 20 minutes prior to the starting time of the concert. Turn off all cell phones and beepers Stay seated during the performance Applaud when appropriate Talk only between selections not during Younger siblings should be seated with parents throughout the entire performance Be considerate of others when taking pictures or videotaping

4 4 WMS CHOIR Other Opportunities Show Choir You will have the opportunity to audition for Show Choir, provided that you are enrolled in choir. Meeting and audition dates/times will be announced during the school day towards the middle of September. National ACDA Honor Choir Choir students enrolled in choir may choose to audition for the National ACDA Honor Choirs. This year, the event will be taking place in Minneapolis, MN. Recorded auditions are due in September. The Honor Choir will take place in March. Music gives a soul to the universe, Elementary/Middle School Music Festival 6-8 grade students may choose to perform a solo, duet or participate in an ensemble in April. Their performance will be critiqued by an adjudicator. Great opportunity! wings to the mind, flight to the imagination, and life to everything. ~ Plato ~ Concerts & Extra Opportunities Wachter Choir Concerts are an expectation and requirement for every WMS Choir Student. Failure to attend a required performance with an unexcused reason will affect the overall grade. Excused absences will be decided on an individual basis by Mrs. Bondley & Ms. Douts. An example of an excused absence would be if there is a family emergency. If a student is excused from a performance, a makeup assignment will be provided Extra Opportunities such as the ones listed above are not required. However, we encourage every choir student to take advantage of these excellent choral opportunities! We will provide details for each as the time nears. Most of them require a recorded audition which we will complete with each student auditioning.

5 5 Meet your directors.. Check out our website! schools.org/wachter/wmsfine arts/choir/ Mrs. Bondley is in her 14 th year of teaching and 13 th year at Wachter as a choir director. She is also an 8 th grade volleyball coach. Originally from Montana, she graduated from University of Mary with degrees in Elementary Education, Elementary Music Education, and Vocal Education. Mrs. Bondley and her husband have two children, 8 year old Hayden and 11 year old Brooke. In her spare time, she enjoys playing softball, reading, camping, and spending time with her family. Miss Douts is in her 5 th year of teaching and in her 3 rd year as the Associate Director at Bismarck High School. This is her second year working with choirs at WMS. She graduated from Jamestown University with degrees in Music Education and Elementary Education. Miss Douts enjoys spending her free time with family at the lake in her hometown of Powers Lake, ND. We are also on Wachter Wildcat Choir ~ We are looking forward to getting to know each of you! This is going to be a great year! Please contact us with any questions or concerns you may have now or throughout the year: School Phone: (701) Desiree Bondley desiree_bondley@bismarckschools.org Rachel Douts rachel_douts@bismarckschools.org Please sign and return this boxed portion before, 2016 I understand the expectations as a member of choir. I will do my personal best to meet these expectations, which includes, but is not limited to, participating in class and completing assignments. I have read the information regarding concert attendance. I realize the importance of my participation at all required choir concerts. I have received the concert dates for the school year. I understand that I am responsible for the music, folder, and concert polo assigned to me. Any lost or damaged property of WMS Choir will be reimbursed by me. I understand what appropriate concert attire is and will do my best to meet those expectations. (Please talk to Mrs. Bondley or Miss Douts if you have questions or concerns regarding the concert attire.) (Student) (Parent/Guardian) For Parents/Guardian: Best way to contact me