Program Handbook Joel Karn, Director Thomas Rheingans, Accompanist

Transcription

1 Heritage High School Choirs Program Handbook Joel Karn, Director Thomas Rheingans, Accompanist

2 Dear Students and Parents, Welcome to the Heritage High School Choral Department. The choirs at Heritage have made a tradition of excellence, winning numerous awards in local and state competitions as well as choral festivals across the nation. We are committed to the growth and development of our students and the pursuit of academic excellence. Each year, the program continues to excel. It s an exciting time to be a part of the Heritage Choirs! I thoroughly enjoy teaching music and am committed to helping students find the treasure that it holds. Music education is rewarding in itself, but it does more for our students. The study of music also affects students positively in other areas of their lives. In fact, learning music at school contributes to student achievement in four important categories: success in school, success in developing intelligence, success in society and success in life. You can find out more about the researched benefits of music education at the following link: This handbook details many aspects of the choral program at Heritage and contains information regarding concert dates, concert attire, grading policy and other important items. Please take time to review it carefully. Have a great year! Joel Karn Thomas Rheingans Choral Director Accompanist Heritage High School Heritage High School joel.karn@evergreenps.org thomas.rheingans@evergreenps.org United, we strive for excellence, communicating through expressive music. - T-Wolf Choir Mission Statement

3 The following briefly outlines expectations for each of the choirs at Heritage. All students are expected to do their fair share in helping raise booster funds to help cover costs incurred by the choral department over the course of the year. Symphonic Women s Choir The Symphonic Women s Choir is our largest choir of female voices. All students will have the same style dress for performances. Unless you have a dress from the previous year, the cost for a new dress will be $65, in addition to raising a fair share amount. Fundraising opportunities will be made available through the choir boosters to help cover these expenses. The student shall assume responsibility for the care of her dress. Students are expected to have appropriate performance-type black flat dress shoes. Symphonic Men s Choir The Symphonic Men s Choir is a choir for male voices. All students will have the same style tuxedo for performances. Members of this choir are required to pay $65 for tuxedo rental in addition to raising a fair share amount. Fundraising opportunities will be made available through the choir boosters to help cover these expenses. The student shall assume responsibility for the care of his tuxedo. Students are expected to have appropriate performance-type black dress shoes. Select Treble Choir The Select Treble Choir is an audition-only choir of female voices. There is an expectation for travel as well as raising the necessary funds for specific tours related to this group. All students will have the same style dress for performances. Unless you have a dress from the previous year, the cost for a new dress will be $65, in addition to raising a fair share amount. Fundraising opportunities will be made available to help cover these expenses. The student shall assume responsibility for the care of her dress. Students are expected to have appropriate performance-type black flat dress shoes. Women s Ensemble This group is a small audition-only ensemble of female voices. There is an expectation for travel as well as raising the necessary funds for specific tours related to this group. All students will have the same style dress for performances. Unless you have a dress from the previous year, the cost for a new dress will be $65, in addition to raising a fair share amount. Fundraising opportunities will be made available to help cover these expenses. The student shall assume responsibility for the care of her dress. Students are expected to have appropriate performance-type black flat dress shoes. This group requires a significant time commitment outside of the normal class load. Concert Choir The Concert Choir is an audition-only choir of mixed voices. You must be enrolled in one of the above choirs to participate in Concert Choir. There is an expectation for travel as well as raising the necessary funds for specific tours related to this group. All girls/guys will wear their dress/tuxedo that is used in one of the above corresponding singing groups. Students will not have to pay the dress, tuxedo or fair share twice to be in this group. This group requires a significant time commitment outside of the normal class load.

4 Heritage Choral Performance Calendar Date Time What Who Where Sept 19 7:00pm National Anthem Women s Ensemble Seattle Mariners Oct Choir Workshop Concert Choir Valley CC, Portland Thurs 10/25 7:00pm Fall Concert All Choirs HHS Auditorium Mon 11/5 7:00pm Choral Festival Concert Choir HHS Gym Sat 11/24 9:00am Holiday Bazaar Select Singers HHS Den Nov WWU Choral Festival Women s Ensemble Bellingham, WA Tues 12/11 6:00pm Festival of Lights Treble Choir/Women s Ensemble Grotto Thurs 12/13 7:00pm Holiday Concert All Choirs HHS Auditorium Fri 12/14 6:00pm Festival of Lights Concert Choir Grotto Jan Ensemble Workshop Solo/Ensemble Groups Valley CC, Portland 1/31-2/1 7:00pm Musical Showcase All Choirs HHS Auditorium Thur 1/31 8:00am Men s Festival All Men Singers Evergreen HS Thurs 2/28 6:30pm Solo/Ens. Recital Select singers Choir Room Sat 3/2 All Day Solo/Ens. Contest Select singers Heritage High School Thurs 3/21 7:00pm Spring Concert All Choirs HHS Auditorium 3/28-30 Spring Choir Tour Select Treble Choir Seattle, WA April Spring Choir Tour Concert Choir/Women s Ensemble TBD April State Solo/Ensemble Select singers Ellensburg, WA Wed 5/23 7:00pm HHS Talent Show Auditioned Performers HHS Auditorium Thurs 6/6 7:00pm Farewell Concert All Choirs Auditorium Thurs 6/9 5:00pm Baccalaureate Concert Choir/Women s Ensemble HHS Auditorium If any scheduling conflicts arise within the building requiring a change in date and/or time of any event, every attempt will be made to give advance notice. There may be additional performances or activities added to this calendar.

5 Heritage Choir Grading Policy The following grading policy will be in effect for the choir and is intended to inform both students and their parents/guardians of how students will be evaluated during each academic semester. Because of the fact that choir is considered to be a performance oriented course as well as an academic pursuit, I will be giving grades for contributing participation as well as for part tests, music theory and sight reading, and performances. I would like to emphasize that the success of any team-oriented endeavor is directly dependent on the sum of its parts and I will place high priority on positive and constructive participation. Students electing to enroll in choir should know that there will be public performances scheduled throughout the course of the year. Attached is a list of those performance dates that are currently scheduled through the end of the year. This should help in adjusting work and personal schedules for both students and parents. If for some reason a performance conflicts with another obligation, it will be necessary for the student and parent to communicate with me at least two weeks in advance to determine the status of the absence. Unless previously notified I will expect every student to be at every performance. Parents should notify me by phone of any emergencies. Performances are viewed as the final exam for choir; therefore, missing a performance will adversely affect a student s grade. * Students must be receiving a least a B average in choir to participate in any travel or activity related event. Though this policy does not exclude anyone from participation in regular concerts, the director reserves the right to exclude a student from a concert on the basis of classroom performance. The following is a breakdown of the percentage system I will be using to determine a grade for this class: Participation 60% Performances 20% Part Tests 10% Theory/Sight Reading 10% Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions or concerns. Heritage Choral Department Mr. Karn

6 Explanation of Grading Policy 1. Participation (60%) Students will be graded for participation. The basis of this grade will be for students to demonstrate their ability to be a positive contributor in a disciplined choral rehearsal (this is outlined in the Rehearsal Expectations). Since choir is a performancebased class, each rehearsal is considered an assignment, which counts toward their participation grade. When a student misses class they are missing an assignment and the student s grade will be adjusted accordingly. * If missing assignments are due to excused absences, the student will be given the opportunity to make them up. The following scale will be used for missing assignments per semester. 1-4 A 5-7 B 8-10 C D 14+ F 2. Performances (20%) Students will receive a performance grade for their participation at concerts. 3. Part Testing (10%) Students will be tested regularly for knowledge of their music. 4. Theory/Sight Reading (10%) Students will be tested for their knowledge of music theory and sight-reading ability. *If a concert absence has been determined excused by the director according to the grading policy expectations, the following assignment will be required for make-up. Concert Make-Up Assignment Complete the two activities explained below. Your topic for both activities must be a classical composer of your choice. If you did this assignment in lieu of the last concert, you must pick a different composer this time. Use the same composer for both activities. All work must be typed and double spaced in 12-point font. All work is due no later than three weeks after the concert date. I. Read about your composer in at least four different sources. At least two of your sources must be printed (i.e. books, encyclopedias, etc.) Then, complete a bibliography for these sources. For help with bibliography formatting, go to the website: II. Complete a 1000 word essay about the life of the composer you have chosen to study. Include information you have gathered from your research. Your essay should have a standard expository format with and introductory paragraph, several body paragraphs containing information about your composer (organized chronologically), and a conclusion paragraph summarizing the main accomplishments of the composer s life.

7 REHEARSAL EXPECTATIONS The success of a choir depends on how it rehearses. How it rehearses depends on the conduct and cooperation of each student. Be patient, attentive, careful, and cooperative in observing these rehearsal expectations. Good behavior, attitude and self-discipline are essential to producing a great choir. If you are successful, the choir is successful. 1. Be prepared for all rehearsals by the time the bell rings. (You are prepared when you are in your place with your music and pencil. Walking into class just as the bell rings is not being prepared! Being tardy will adversely affect your grade) 2. Always have your music, folder, and pencil and be responsible for each. 3. Make a habit of good singing practices. 4. Keep your EYES on the conductor during rehearsal. 5. Do not talk out of turn. Talking while the conductor is rehearsing or giving instruction is NEVER appropriate. 6. Cell phones or other personal electronic devices are not allowed at rehearsals. (These devices must be kept in your backpack. School policy will be enforced.) 7. Stay focused and involved in the rehearsal from start to finish. 8. Food, candy or drinks, other than water, are not allowed in the choir room. No gum ever! 9. Give your best at all times. 10. Show respect for each other. 11. Cooperate with the director and fellow classmates. Since we are a performing group, we are often in the public eye. Please be aware that our group performances and/or rehearsals are sometimes videotaped for ETC or other instructional purposes. Please inform me if you object having your child videotaped for these purposes. I have read and understand the grading policy/expectations for the Heritage Choral Department. Student Printed Name Student signature Date Parent signature Date