Welcome to Choir! Welcome to the Solon Middle School Choral Program! Your son or daughter has chosen to belong to an organization whose main goal is to deepen his or her appreciation for all types of music through the study of music reading, music history, and music performance. Music is an important part of our lives and we are pleased to offer a music program at SMS that will provide your child with a quality musical experience. Every choir member s dedication to our program is invaluable and we strongly believe that everyone wins with teamwork! Parents, let us thank you in advance for your support throughout the year! The choirs at Solon strive to achieve excellence. This requires cooperation and dedication from everyone. The purpose of this handbook is to inform choir students and parents of the workings of the choir program at Solon Middle School. Please read and become familiar with this information. We hope that this handbook will answer many of the questions you may have. Please don t hesitate to contact me via the email or telephone number below if you have any questions. Please make sure to click on the google form link at the end of this handbook and fill out the the required Choir Participation Form. The information you provide will allow me to communicate with you efficiently and effectively. As your director, I have made a professional and personal commitment to do everything that we can to ensure the success of the Solon Middle School Choir Program. I hope that you will encourage your child to also make this commitment. Your child is an integral part of our program, and we want him/her to share the energy, enthusiasm, and musical excellence of the Solon Middle School Choir Program! Thank you for your support! Mrs. Stephanie Bettinger Vocal Music Director StephanieBettinger@solonboe.org 349-7414
Grading Each student s grade will be based upon his or her success in the following areas: Content Area 1. Demonstrates basic knowledge in reading and notating music. 2. Utilizes good vocal technique including correct singing posture, proper use of breath, correct vowel placement, diction, phrasing, and dynamics in both rehearsals and live performances. 3. Interprets, analyzes and evaluates music and musical performances as it relates to history and culture. 4. Demonstrates ability to perform learned skills within a group in front of a live audience at all concerts. 5. Exhibits expected audience etiquette. Work Ethic 1. Full participation and attendance in both rehearsals and concerts 2. Works toward improving musical skills. 3. Follows class rules and procedures. 4. Shows enthusiasm and a positive attitude. General Expectations 1. School Chromebooks are to be brought to class each day. 2. Chromebooks are to be place under your chair and are not to be opened and used unless directed by Mrs. Bettinger. 3. No Gum, Food, Drink or Candy in the choir room. 4. Follow directions at all times. 5. Listen attentively. 6. Raise your hand to be called upon. 7. Treat people and property with respect. 8. Be an active and positive participant in class.
Grading Scale Summative Assessments 80% Positive Participation Points Concert Attendance & Performance Sight Reading and Written Assessments Practical Application 20% Sight Reading Activities Part Memorization Quizzes Tardy Policy All students are expected to be in their classroom on time and ready to learn. Students who are tardy due to another class/teacher must provide a pass from that teacher. Students are responsible for asking their teacher for a pass if they will be late. If a teacher does not provide a pass then the tardy will be considered unexcused. Tardy 1 Tardy 2 Tardy 3 Tardy 4 Student receives a verbal warning. Student receives a second warning. Student will receive a detention to be served before or after school at the teacher s convenience. Student will receive an office referral *Tip: Students going to or coming from a foreign language classroom will not have time to stop at their locker. Students should have all materials for choir and foreign language with them.
Concert Attendance These are the final results of all our hard work. Everyone is required to attend the full length of all concerts both as a performer and audience member. Students may not leave concerts early. Absences Concerts are considered Common Assessments and are worth 40% of the student's nine-week grade. Since a performance cannot be made up, an alternate assignment will be assigned to all students not in attendance and must be made up by the assigned due date. If the absence is an Excused Absence (illness or death in family), students must provide a written note from the parent/guardian explaining the reason for the absence. It is the student's responsibility to see the director for a make-up assignment. Upon successful completion of the alternate assignment, the student will receive full assessment credit. The alternate assignment for all absences will include attending another choral concert in the district (SMS, SHS or OMS), turning in a program and signed attendance sheet and completing an online survey. The concert must fall within the grading period of the absence. If the absence is an Unexcused Absence (conflicts, sports, family dinners, transportation, out of district activities, etc.), the student must successfully complete the alternate assignment but will lose two letter grades for the unexcused absence, thus receiving a C grade or lower. Failure to complete or to successfully complete the alternate assignment may result in a failing grade for the quarter.
Audience Etiquette Students are expected to attend the entire length of each concert and display appropriate audience behavior to receive full credit. We are asking all audience members to participate in the educational experience by following the guidelines below. Please do not talk, whisper or make other unnecessary noises during a performance. It is distracting to the performers on stage and other audience members. Cell phones and all electronic devices should be turned off. Text messaging, though silent, is a distraction to the performers and other audience members. Students are not permitted to have cell phones or other electronic devices visible and in use during the concert. Applause (clapping) is the traditional way we show appreciation for our performers. Yelling, shouting out and whistling are not appropriate for a choral concert. Applaud only after a song is completely finished. All soloists will receive their recognition separately at the end of each piece. To be safe, only applaud after the director has placed their hands to their sides and turns to face the audience. Remain seated during the musical selections and only enter or exit between musical numbers or groups. Students are expected to remain in their seats the entire concert when not performing. Students must have permission from Mr. Hatteberg or Mr. Campbell to leave the auditorium during the concert. No food or drinks in the auditorium. Your cooperation in following these guidelines is appreciated. By providing an attentive, quiet audience, we are honoring our student s hard work and teaching them what it is like to perform professionally.
Concert Times The 7 th and 8 th Grade Choirs will perform three concerts throughout the year. Students must be signed in and in their assigned seats by 6:45PM. Concerts begin at 7PM. Ensemble Performance Requirement All 7th and 8th Grade Ensemble members are required to perform at all concerts and OMEA District Contest. DATE DAY EVENT TIME 10/9/2018 Tuesday 8 th Grade Choir & Orchestra Concert (8 th Gr Choir only, No Ensembles) 7pm 12/12/2018 Wednesday Holiday Concert- All Choirs & Ensembles 7pm 3/5/2019 Tuesday Winter Concert- All Choirs & Ensembles 7pm 3/8/2019 3/9/2019 Fri Sat OMEA District Contest ENSEMBLE MEMBERS ONLY Exact day and time to be determined by host site closer to the event. ALL DAY 5/14/2019 Tuesday Spring Concert- All Choirs 7pm Concert Dates Please note that every attempt is made to avoid conflicts. In the event that a date needs to be changed, students and parents will be given ample notice. Please mark your calendars now to avoid conflicts later in the year.
Concert Dress The following will be the required dress for all students at each concert who ARE NOT a member of one of our select ensembles: 7 th & 8 th Grade Girls who ARE NOT in an Ensemble: School appropriate dress or skirt/blouse. Please see the student handbook regarding appropriate school dress. Blouses that go past your pelvic bones must be tucked in. Dressy shoes, NO TENNIS SHOES. Shoes must have a heel strap. No clog-style shoes (dangerous on the risers!) or boots. 7 th & 8 th Grade Boys who ARE NOT in an Ensemble: Solid colored dress shirt with collar (short or long sleeve dress shirts may be worn). Shirt must be tucked in. Long sleeves may not be rolled up Khaki pants, black dress pants or dark blue dress pants, No Jeans School appropriate necktie. (NO BOWTIES) Nice, clean dress shoes or clean tennis shoes All Ensemble Girls : White, school appropriate blouse. If wearing a cami underneath it must be white, also. Black, school appropriate skirt Black dress shoes that have a heel strap. No clog style shoes, flip flop style sandals, boots or tennis shoes please. It is a safety issue. All Ensemble Boys : Black dress pants White long sleeve dress shirt with collar. Shirt must be tucked in. Black or dark dress shoes. Chamber Girls: Black dresses will be assigned. Chamber Boys : Follow the dress code for Ensemble Boys above. Vests and ties will be assigned.
Cometcasts, Chromebooks, Calendars, and Other Stuff Cometcasting (aka podcasting) has become an invaluable tool in the success of our groups. All choral groups will have access to the musical accompaniment of their songs as well as their own singing part. Students are expected to utilize this tool in practicing their music. Student s who do not have this technology or Internet access at home can see me sometime before or after rehearsal so that I can burn a CD of the music. I can also copy the files to a USB stick. Chromebooks - We will be utilizing our chromebooks in class when possible. Activities will include voice/part testing, small group sectionals in the practice rooms, sight reading practice and quizzes, read and respond to musical articles, etc Students will need to bring their chromebook each choir period If you are looking for Ensemble Rehearsal Schedule - Mrs. Bettinger s teacher webpage (Don t forget to use the ical/rss features!) Choir Concert dates - Mrs. Bettinger s teacher webpage, Google Classroom and PTA Calendar. Choir Concert dates are also posted in the choral room throughout the year. Documents (such as this packet) Mrs. Bettinger s teacher webpage and Google Classroom Cometcast mp3 files - Google Classroom
Ensembles Girls Ensemble Auditions are open to any 7 th or 8 th grade girl who likes to sing. Songs include a variety of sacred, secular, popular and traditional choral music. We will concentrate on basic singing skills including breathing, posture, intonation and the development of a good choral sound. Rehearsals are on Tuesday mornings. Additional rehearsals may be added as needed. Boys Ensemble Auditions are open to any 7 th or 8 th grade boy who likes to sing with a bunch of other guys. Our guys sing not only popular music but the classics as well! Songs include a variety of sacred, secular, popular and traditional choral music. Rehearsals are on Friday mornings. This ensemble attends the OMEA District Choral Contest in March. Additional rehearsals may be added as needed. This is one of our most popular ensembles!!! Mixed Ensemble Auditions are open to any 7 th or 8 th grade boy or girl. This ensemble is for unchanged voices. Since this group performs a variety of demanding choral literature auditions will require excellent intonation and part singing skills, knowledge of the solfege (do, re, mi ) scale and hand signs and the ability to sing a high g. Along with all Choral Concerts, Mixed Ensemble attends the OMEA District Choral Contest in March and other outside of school performances. Students will be asked to write down any conflicting dates on their audition form. Conflicts with performances and/or rehearsals may have an impact on a student being selected for this group. Rehearsals are on Monday and Thursday mornings. Some extra rehearsals will be scheduled after school as we near special performance dates. Chamber Ensemble Auditions are open to any 8 th grade girl and any 7 th or 8 th grade boys with changed voices. This is traditionally an 8 th grade group but we have on occasions accepted very talented 7 th grade boys. Students must be selected and participate in Mixed and/or Boys Ensemble to participate in Chamber Ensemble. Rehearsals are on Wednesday mornings. Additional morning and after school rehearsals will be added as needed.
Ensembles (cont.) Rehearsals Rehearsals will start at 7:30 AM and will end at 8:15 AM. Schedules will be via the Mrs. Bettinger s teacher webpage. Members are expected to arrive on time to all rehearsals and performances. Attendance is extremely important! Here s why Most of what we accomplish in ensemble happens during rehearsal. If you are not here, you miss the explanation and experience. There is usually no way for you to make up the learning that takes place during a rehearsal. If you are absent, you lose the opportunity to work on learning parts, achieving balance between singing sections, and singing as an expressive group. Being a member of an ensemble is the same as being a member of a sport team. The success of our team will depend on the commitment of all the members! Every member is important! Rehearsal Absences If a student is at school then they are expected to be at ensemble in the morning. We ask that you please try to avoid scheduling appointments on rehearsal days, especially as we approach the concert dates. If you know in advance that your child will miss a rehearsal you may contact me via email at sbettinger@solonboe.org or 349-7414. I have asked all students with conflicting activities to communicate with me prior to the conflict so that I may help to resolve the situation. Membership will be reconsidered if a student consistently misses and/or arrives late to rehearsals. We thank you in advance for supporting your child s interest in singing and hope you will reinforce the importance of regular rehearsal attendance. Concerts Ensemble members are required to attend and perform at all choral concerts (except our 8 th grade Fall Concert) as well as District Contest in March. Students consistently missing concerts will not be able to participate in ensemble for the remainder of the year. Costumes Please see the Concert Attire page. Teacher Webpage All ensemble information such as calendars, concert info, letters to parents, etc. will be located on my teacher webpage. I will be using our google calendar to post rehearsals. Students and parents can use the rss/ical feature to receive automatic updates. Please check frequently for any new information.
Choir Participation Form Please click the link below and fill out the Choir Participation Form. Parents- please double check your preferred email addresses for accuracy when filling out this form. The addresses you provide are what I use to communicate with you throughout year. Thanks! 2018-2019 Choir Participation Form All forms due by Friday, August 24, 2018.