New Lisbon Choral Performance Classes Syllabus and Expectations

Transcription

1 New Lisbon Choral Performance Classes Syllabus and Expectations Beverly A. Rood Vocal Music Educator & Producer School phone Ext Cell phone Music is an integral part of a comprehensive education. It enables all students to discover and develop their artistic potential through musical experiences in listening, performing, analyzing, moving, and creating. Musical experiences enhance the student s quality of life through heightened aesthetic awareness and leads to an improved self-concept, a broader cultural awareness, and a development of life-long skills. MUSIC IS TAUGHT IN NEW LISBON SCHOOLS Not because you are expected to major in music Not because you are expected to sing all your life Not so you can relax Not so you can have fun But so you will be human So you will recognize beauty So you will be sensitive So you will be closer to an infinite world beyond this world So you will have something to cling to So you will have more love, more compassion, more gentleness, more good In short, more life!

2 MATERIALS NEEDED Students will need the following materials for all Choir Rehearsals: 1. Binder/Folder (Supplied for you this year) 2. Music (kept in binders) 3. Pencil PROGRAM OVERVIEW Students take choir for a lot of different reasons, but those students all have one thing in common: the like, the challenge and reward that comes from singing and making music. Becoming a musician takes a lot of work, but in the end it is worth every bit of effort. The Choral Program here in New Lisbon is designed to give you all the necessary tools and opportunities to improve your skills, knowledge, and confidence as a singer. The New Lisbon Choral Program has a place for everyone, regardless of grade level, previous music experience, or natural talent. The only requirement is that you show a sincere commitment to singing, a readiness to learn, and an attitude of tolerance, respect, and cooperation. The harder you work at becoming a musician, the more rewarding it gets and the more you achieve. My foremost expectation is that you take charge of your own progress, that you always put forth your best effort and attitude, and that you become an expert at knowing how to learn. With these three skills in hand, you will achieve great things. LEARNING OUTCOMES The teaching and learning process is directed toward producing three primary outcomes. Like the three legs of a stool, your success as a choral musician rests equally on all three outcomes: You will learn the language of music. You will learn to use your voice as an instrument. You will learn the skills needed to participate in an ensemble or group. Acquiring the musical skills you can use throughout your life takes daily individual effort. In your choir class, you will learn the elements of musical language and will practice using that language independently through sight singing with excellent phrasing, pitch, and rhythm. You will learn to sing with good breath support and create full, free and open vocal tone. You will practice the craft of ensemble singing through daily exercises and preparation for performance. Members of the New Lisbon Choirs will learn all styles of choral literature from Renaissance to the Contemporary periods. The choirs perform publicly at concerts and other school events. There are also opportunities offered to you for small ensemble singing (solos, duets, trios, etc.) throughout the year.

3 ATTENDANCE It is vital to me that each choir always sings at their highest level, and that each choir gains valuable experience in learning to work as a group. Acquiring the ability to sing expressive, exciting, rewarding music demands the daily, combined group effort of the entire choir. Therefore, musicianship, good citizenship, and positive group interaction are expected of every member. Your attendance and full, on-time participation in class is essential for your success and for that of the entire class. Consequences of poor attendance habits will result in a loss of daily participation points (see the Grading Policy section for more specifics). CLASS READINESS Each class begins with essential voice-building exercises and other important activities. Therefore, you must be in your assigned space with your folder and a pencil, ready to work when the bell rings and/or as instructed by the teacher. Being late or forgetting your materials limits your ability to participate fully in class and will result in a loss of daily participation points. Many choir students are outgoing, fun, friendly, and conversational; most have personal friends in choir! Friendships and fun times are two of the greatest rewards of being in a choir! However, everyone must observe reasonable limits or else the group begins to break down. No student has the right to interrupt class or disrupt any member of the class with talking or off-task behavior. It is an infringement on other students learning, my ability to teach, and on the overall enjoyment of everyone in the room. Disruptions will not be tolerated. Readiness to learn starts with the right attitude, but it doesn t happen automatically. Everyone must be mentally prepared to learn and work everyday. CLASSROOM RULES Besides being responsible for maintaining your own choir materials (binder, music, and concert apparel), you also share the responsibility for the choir room and all choir equipment, including the piano, white board, chairs, walls, and floors. The choir room is always a very busy place from before school until late afternoon or evening, as well as many periods of the day. The choir room must be in TIP-TOP condition after every class. Therefore, the following classroom rules and expectations will be adhered to: 1. NO GUM, CANDY, FOOD, or BEVERAGES are PERMITTED DURING a CHOIR REHEARSAL! This is for two very IMPORTANT reasons: keeping trash under control and ensuring free, safe singing technique. Food, candy and gum interfere with good singing and over the course of a day wrappers and empty beverage containers left behind create unwanted messes. 2. Check around your area at the end of rehearsal and pick up all papers and belongings (even if they are not yours!) 3. Put your choir folder away in its proper location at the end of each rehearsal. 4. Treat the piano, risers and chairs with extra special care; they are more vulnerable then they appear. 5. CELL PHONES, HEADPHONES, and PORTABLE MUSIC PLAYERS ARE NOT TO BE USED DURING CHOIR REHEARSALS

4 CONCERT ATTIRE Each student will be issued a choir robe with a collar to wear for select choir performances throughout the school year. It is your responsibility to take great care of your robe by ensuring that it is placed on the hanger properly after each use. Any damages to these robes while in your care will become your financial responsibility. There will be various performances that will require different attire (See PERFORMANCE STANDARDS) EXPECTATIONS 1. I m Late, I m Late for a Very Important Date! No time to say hello, goodbye, I m Late, I m Late, I m Late! - ALICE in WONDERLAND BE on TIME for Class When the National Anthem and/or Warm-Ups begin you will need to be in your assigned spot. If you are in the room and on your way it is expected that you will be there within the first half of the song and/or warm-ups and singing on your way! 2. Step in time, step in time; step in time, step in time! Never need a reason, never need a rhyme; keep your knees up step in time! - MARY POPPINS ATTEND Choir DAILY and PARTICPATE in Class with APPROPRIATE REHEARSAL SKILLS Be here daily and keep focused throughout the rehearsal of a song. (See No. 5 below) 3. Be prepared for the coup of the century! - THE LION KING COME PREPARED Folder/music and a pencil should be in place when you begin. 4. Lean on me when you re not strong and I ll be your friend; I ll help you carry on. ATTEND SPECIAL LESSONS/REHEARSALS when REQUESTED Sometimes we just need a little extra help! 5. Heads and Shoulders, Knees and Toes.. Eyes and Ears and Mouth and Nose Heads and Shoulders Knees and Toes! PARTICIPATE to the BEST of YOUR ABILITY This includes singing on the correct pitches; shaping vowels; articulating the words of the song; correct singing posture; demonstrating knowledge of musical terminology through musical techniques and expression and NO talking during the performance of a piece of music! (MINIMAL discussion is understandable when we are BETWEEN songs) No gum, food or drink. 6. R-E-S-P-E-C-T! - Aretha Franklin couldn t have sung it better!!!! MAINTAIN APPROPRIATE BEHAVIOR and RESPECT to this choir! We all need EACH OTHER in here to make an OUTSTANDING ENSEMBLE

5 CHOIR POINTS & GRADING DAILY PARTICIPATION: 10 points are possible per choir rehearsal The following actions will result in a 1-point reduction as they occur: FAILURE to Meet any of the 6 EXPECTATIONS listed above (IF Absent from Class - These points are allowed to be made up various means - lessons, attendance at other concerts, writing assignments or perhaps something unique to your musical ability) USE of ELECTRONIC DEVICES USE OF BATHROOM DURING CLASS (HS you JUST had lunch break! HINT!) (JH Please ask BEFORE class) LACK of RESPECT for a PERSON, MATERIALS or other PROPERTY PERFORMANCES: ASSIGNMENTS: 20 points per performance 10 Attendance at performance 5 Appropriate dress 5 Appropriate etiquette (including being on time for the event, talking and moving during appropriate pauses during songs/concert, non-use of electronic devices for communication/entertainment purposes during the performance and you know the rest of the story!) IF you are absent from a performance you will be given the opportunity to make up some and/or all of these points with instructor approval. Excused absences may make up ALL points; Unexcused absences partial points. (See PERFORMANCE STANDARDS for Excused Absences) 5-10 points (These may include anything from turning in permission slips on time to a reflection on a piece of music, quizzes, tests) ETCETERA, ETCETERA, ETCETERA - THE KING & I

6 PERFORMANCE STANDARDS For ALL performing groups ** ATTENDANCE is REQUIRED at ALL PERFORMANCES! Excused Absences (Illness, family emergency, or an event that has been approved by the instructor) ** DRESS APPROPRIATELY MEN: Dress Pants or Dress Khaki Pants, Dress Shirt, Black Dress Shoes & Socks WOMEN: Dress or Skirt and Top, Dark Dress Shoes (no flip flops) No Leggings When wearing ROBES this same apparel should be worn underneath unless stated otherwise! ** PERFORMANCE SKILLS Stand Tall Feet Distributed Evenly Apart Hands to Your Sides Talking is NOT permitted at any time during YOUR Performance; this includes your entrance and your exit Sing to the Best of Your Ability ** CONCERT ETIQUETTE APPLAUD! Talking during a performance is DISCOURTEOUS Don t irritate the rest of the audience Only EXIT for an emergency/bathroom BETWEEN songs NO CELLPHONES or TEXTING at ANY time during a performance! EXTRA-CURRICULAR OPPORTUNITIES for UW-Platteville Choral Festival Tuesday, October 4th MARY POPPINS our Fall musical Friday, Saturday & Sunday November 4-6 WCDA Honors Choirs in Wausau, WI Friday & Saturday, January 6-7 Dorian Vocal Festival in Decorah, IA Sunday/Monday, January 15-16

7 CONFIRMATION of CHOIR SYLLABUS and PERFORMANCE DATES This is to confirm that my parents/guardians and I have read and understand the Choir syllabus and this year s Performance Dates Students Name Students Signature & Date Signed Parent/Guardian Signature & Date Signed PARENT/GUARDIAN CONTACT INFORMATION Phone Number & Phone