LENAPE MIDDLE SCHOOL CHOIR HANDBOOK

Transcription

1 LENAPE MIDDLE SCHOOL CHOIR HANDBOOK PHILOSOPHY The Lenape Middle School Choirs are devoted to the study of music, vocal techniques and ensemble skills. Students will be exposed to a variety of music literature, including that of different styles and cultures. The goals of our choral ensembles, through rehearsal and performance, are to achieve a high degree of learning and performance excellence, develop a love, understanding and appreciation of music and learn the skills and concepts necessary to successfully participate in a vocal ensemble. CHORAL ENSEMBLES Students in the Lenape Choral Program have many opportunities to perform in extracurricular choirs outside of their normal choir class. These choirs include the Women s Ensemble, Men s Ensemble, Chamber Choir, and the Bucks County Music Festival. All extracurricular choirs rehearse evenings, after school and occasionally during resource periods. Involvement in these choirs is optional and may require an audition. CLASSROOM EXPECTATIONS Being a member of choir is being a member of a team. We must work together for our team to be successful and accomplish our goals. Teamwork takes cooperation, courtesy and commitment. Everyone is important to the team and everyone has responsibilities to the team. These responsibilities include: Classroom Rules 1. Gum, candy, and food are not allowed in the choir room or auditorium. Bottled water is permitted to promote healthier singing. 2. Take necessary breaks to restrooms or water fountain BEFORE class begins. 3. Be on time. This means that you should be in your assigned seat with a pencil and your music folder at the time class is scheduled to begin. 4. Stay away from off limits areas: teacher desk, media cart, pianos, instruments, light switches. 5. Be considerate of other students and Mrs. Rogers, by eliminating unnecessary talking. When the director is speaking you should be listening. 6. Respect class materials. Do not tear, bend, or make unnecessary marks in your music or music folder. Always put your music folder away at the end of class.

2 PERFORMANCES Performances are the culmination of classroom learning! They are an important assessment and a significant part of your grade. You must let Mrs. Rogers know if you will not be able to participate in a performance as soon as possible. Excused absences are rare, but extenuating circumstances do happen and will be considered on an individual basis. Family vacations, birthdays, visiting relatives, too much homework and "I don't have a ride" are NOT valid excuses for missing performances, please plan ahead. Performance Dates: (Those listed in bold lettering are required.) Performance Choir Date Time Location Winter Concert All 12/17 7:00PM Lenape MS Performance for All 12/11 During Lenape MS School School Day Once Upon A Anyone who is 12/12,15,16,17 3-6PM Rm. 325 Mattress Auditions interested. Special Person s 9 th Grade Choir 12/12 11AM-1PM Lenape MS Day & Advanced Ensembles 9 th Grade Night at CB West 9 th Grade 12/22 7:30PM CB West HS Auditorium 7th Grade Concert 7 th Grade IPA 1/14 7:00PM Lenape MS BCMEA Choral Auditions Classes Teacher recommendation 1/24 9 th Grade: 9AM- 12:30PM 8 th Grade: 1PM-4:30PM BCMEA Festival 2/28,29, 3/1 Concert: 3/1 1:00PM 9 th Gr. 7:30PM 7 th /8 th Gr. New Hope- Solebury Pennsbury School District Once Upon A 3/12,13,14 7:00PM Lenape MS Mattress Spring Concert All Choirs 5/6 7:00PM Lenape MS Music in the Parks Competition 5/29 All Day Dorney Park 9 th Grade Choir and advanced ensembles

3 What Should We Wear? Concerts are a formal event. We are presenting to our families and community the hard work we have done in rehearsal. We want the audience to focus on our fabulous singing and not on the very loud Hawaiian shirt in the 3 rd row. Therefore, performance attire will be as follows Girls: Solid Black skirt or pants (skirts must be knee length or longer) White blouses Black shoes NO SNEAKERS OR FLIP FLOPS Boys: Solid Black pants NO JEANS White button down collared shirts with a tie Black shoes NO SNEAKERS OR FLIP FLOPS GRADING POLICY 1 st and 3 rd Marking Periods Grading Criteria Weight Weekly Performance Evaluations 60% Quizzes, Tests, and Assignments 40% 2 nd and 4 th Marking Periods Grading Criteria Weight Weekly Performance Evaluations 35% Quizzes, Tests, and Assignments 25% Concert and Rehearsal Participation 40% Weekly Performance Evaluations: Students will receive a daily grade for performance in class. Effort, application of taught singing techniques, cooperation and conduct are included in this grade. Students may lose points in this area for chewing gum, not caring for music (leaving it out or damaging it), lack of effort (poor posture, refusal to sing), and/or talking during instructional time.

4 Assignments and Quizzes: Class work assignments will be used to review and practice musical concepts that have been presented in class. Quizzes will be given to assess students understanding of critical concepts. The concepts that will be covered include note reading in the treble and bass clefs, rhythm reading, reading a choral score, and specific information about our choir music. Several times during the school year students will be given permission slips and forms that must be brought home and returned with a parent signature. Forms must be returned by the due date to receive full credit for the assignment. Vocal Tests: Throughout the year students will be tested on their choir music in groups of three. Concert and Rehearsal Participation: There are two resource rehearsals and one evening tech. rehearsal scheduled prior to both the Winter and Spring concerts. Full points will be earned by students who are on time, dressed accordingly (for the concert), and act appropriately during rehearsals and the concert. Students who must miss a rehearsal or performance must submit a note from a parent within two days of the missed rehearsal or performance. ed notes will be accepted. PARENT COMMUNICATION It is important that the director, the students and the parents all work together as a team to achieve our goals. Communication, understanding and commitment are essential for our choir to be successful. Please feel free to call me or me at school with any questions or concerns about your child or the choir program. The choir website is an excellent resource for keeping abreast of classroom news and upcoming events. Contact Information: Mrs. Jaime Rogers, Choir Director Lenape Middle School 313 West State Street Doylestown, PA jrogers@cbsd.org Website:

5 PLEASE PRINT OR DETACH AND RETURN TO MRS. ROGERS BY MONDAY, SEPTEMER 15 TH I have received and reviewed the choir handbook with my child. Student Name Student Signature Parent Name Parent Signature Please list any questions or concerns that you may have, below. I will be happy to get back to you regarding your questions. Questions/Concerns: This is the best way to reach me. (List the best phone # for me to call you at and the preferred time. If you would prefer to communicate via , please provide your address.)