Music expresses that which cannot be said, and on which it is impossible to be silent. -Victor Hugo Willow Wood Choir 2017-2018 Student/Parent Handbook
Table of Contents Letter from the Director.2 Calendar of Events.3 Program Mission and Course Description.4 Parental Involvement.4 Meet the Choirs.5,6 Choir Expectations.7 Grading Policy 8 Concert Attendance 9 Extra Rehearsals 10 Eligibility and Uniforms 11 Private Lessons and Expenditures.12 Charms...13 Contact Information...14 Parent Volunteer Form..15 Medical Release Form...17 Statement of Understanding.18 1
Welcome to Choir! Hello Choir Students and Parents, I am delighted you have chosen to be a part of the fantastic choral program here at Willow Wood Junior High. This is my sixth year at Willow Wood and seventh year teaching. I love the art of choral music and enjoy working with students as they grow to be young musicians and singers. I hope you are as excited as I am to begin a wonderful year in choir! Please take the time to read through the student/parent handbook. When you have finished reading the handbook in its entirety please print the last 2 pages and return them to class completed and signed by THURSDAY, August 31. You may also wish to print the calendar of events and post in an important place! It is our goal to answer any and all questions you may have about being a member of the Willow Wood Choral Program. However, if you find you have a question or concern not addressed, please contact me. It is my goal to ensure that each student has a rewarding and growing musical experience in choir. Sincerely, Jessica Radke Choral Director, Willow Wood JH 281-357-3030 ext. 1291 jessicaradke@tomballisd.net 2
Calendar of Events August 30 Mandatory Parent Meeting 6 pm WWJH Cafeteria September 12 First Booster Club Meeting 6 pm WWJH Choir Room October 5 Fall Concert* 7 pm TMHS Auditorium 6-20 Cookie Dough Fundraiser 20 Karaoke Night 5-7 pm WWJH Cafeteria November 3 Solo & Ensemble Contest # 5 pm Tomball JH 15 Wildcat Manfest TBA TMHS December 18 Winter Concert* 7pm TMHS Auditorium January 11-25 Coupon Card Fundraiser 24 Girls Game Night Social 5-7 pm WWJH Cafeteria February 22 Pre-UIL Concert* 7pm TMHS Auditorium March 6 & 7 UIL Concert & SR Contest*# TBA Spring Baptist Church April 7 Region Auditions # All Day Peet JH- Conroe ISD 20-21 Region Weekend TBA Spring Baptist Church May 3 Pop Show!* 7pm TMHS Auditorium 12 Spring Trip All Day Spring High School & Splashtown Wet n Wild Park 15 Choir Banquet 6-8pm WWJH Cafeteria *- Required Attendance #- Must be eligible to participate 3
Program Mission The mission of the Willow Wood Junior High School Choral Program is to provide quality singing, ensemble, and solo training for young singers. The choral program offers professional musical direction as students strive to further their skills of music literacy, healthy singing and speaking habits, and ensemble participation. We aim to build confidence and self-esteem in our young singers through teamwork, self-discipline and dedication to our craft. Committed to the rigor of a quality musical education, the choral program provides an opportunity for students to discover their musical gifts and skills, explore and express their emotions, and continue their quest towards a lifelong love of music. Course Description This course is constructed to improve upon musical skills already set in place and introduces basic and more advanced principles of musicianship. Throughout the course, students will develop a stronger understanding of music literacy, sight-reading techniques, singing techniques, ensemble participation and concert etiquette. It is our hope that students will use this time and new found knowledge to begin evaluating their own musicianship and performances. The ultimate goal of this course is to provide students with the skills and knowledge of singing and sight-reading they will use throughout high school and into their future. Parental Involvement We, as a choral program, cannot function without the support of our parents. There are MANY ways to be and stay involved in your student s activities. First and foremost, we need an audience to sing to! Please make plans to attend ALL your student s performances. They will have worked so hard and will look forward to sharing each of those experiences with you. We have a wonderful Booster Club that helps support our organization. We will be recruiting for this cause at our MANDATORY PARENT MEETING on WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 30 at 6:00PM in the WWJH Cafeteria. Please make plans to attend this meeting! Future Booster meetings are posted on the Charms calendar. ***IMPORTANT*** ALL parents are required to complete a Volunteer Application AND be approved prior to an event. The application is posted on the main page of the TISD website. www.tomballisd.net 4
Meet the Choirs! The Concert Girls Choir is made up of girls with choral experience in school choir and beginners. Students participating in this class will concentrate on fundamentals of singing, sight-reading, and ensemble skills. This group will combine with the Treble Choir for concerts and UIL Contest. This will require a few scheduled rehearsals before each concert, and several before UIL. The Treble Girls Choir is made up of girls with one or more years experience in school choir. Students participating in this class will concentrate on improving upon the fundamentals of singing, sight-reading, and ensemble skills. This group will combine with the Concert Girls Choir for concerts and UIL Contest. This will require a few scheduled rehearsals before each concert, and several before UIL. The Chamber Girls Choir is made up of girls with one or more years experience in school choir. Girls who have demonstrated the highest level of musicianship and sight-reading skills gain entrance to this ensemble. The expectation of this ensemble is that all its members remain eligible throughout the year, attend ALL performances and events, and participate in extra events (Solo & Ensemble, Region Choir, Pop Show, Show Choir, etc.) The students in this class will work towards perfecting advanced singing, sight-reading, and ensemble techniques. Students are eligible to perform an ensemble at Solo & Ensemble Contest. The class will combine with Tenor Bass Choir to form our Mixed Choir. This will require a few scheduled rehearsals before each concert, and several before UIL. The Tenor Bass Choir is our male ensemble for all boys! This class will concentrate on improving the fundamentals of singing, sight-reading, and ensemble skills. We will also focus on male-centered vocal and music literacy needs. This class will combine with the Chamber Girls to form our Mixed Choir. This will require a few scheduled rehearsals before concerts, and several before UIL. 5
The Mixed Choir is our SATB choir that meets outside of school. This choir is formed to compete at UIL Concert and Sight-Reading Contest as well as singing Festivals. This group introduces and begins to prepare these young singers for a lifetime of mixed ensemble singing. The Chamber Girls Choir and the Tenor Bass Choir make up this ensemble. Check Charms for rehearsals before concerts! Wildcat Showstoppers! This group is an auditioned group of coed singers who don t mind dancing a little! In order to audition, you must have at least 1 year school choir experience, remain in good academic standing (pass your classes!), and be able to attend regular rehearsals. This group will headline our Pop Show! Auditions will be held late January and rehearsals will begin after spring break until Pop show. 6
Choir Expectations Rehearsal Expectations Respect the director, choir officers and other peers at ALL times. (Treat others the way you wish to be treated) Upon entering the choir room, please place ALL belongings in the hallway by the folder cabinets. The ONLY items you are to have at your seat are yourself, folder, pencil and bottle of water. Do NOT disrupt rehearsal. This includes talking, whispering, horseplay, tardiness, leaving early, etc. You must attend each rehearsal and BE ON TIME. Any tardy to a rehearsal is a MAJOR distraction. If you are tardy or coming from another class, please join the rehearsal quickly and quietly. Please use the restroom and take care of personal matters before or after class. There is a water fountain located in the choir room; this is to be used before or after class, NOT during. Use sign out sheet and passes for restroom use during rehearsal. NO cell phones. Refer to the school cell phone policy during school hours. During rehearsal before/after school, leave phones OFF with your belongings. NO GUM EVER. Please spit out any unnecessary items that may be in your mouth AS SOON as you enter the choir room. This is for your safety. Facility Expectations Please do not spray perfume or hairspray, apply make-up, nail polish, brush hair, or apply scented lotion in the choir room. Please treat supplies you are given with respect. If music, folders, or uniforms are damaged or lost, you are responsible for replacing them. Feel free to visit the directors in our office, but please KNOCK and WAIT to be acknowledged before entering. No student should be alone in the office without director permission. Practice rooms are ONLY to be used with director permission. If you need a CD player, please return it to the choir room. Other Expectations If you choose to participate in fundraisers, YOU must be responsible for all items being sold and all funds being collected. In order to participate in some events, you MUST be eligible. PASS YOUR CLASSES! Remember, you are reflecting the image of our choir everywhere you go, and should do so with respect, pride and integrity. 7
Grading Criteria Choir follows the district policy of 60% Major Grades and 40% Daily Grades. Daily Grades 40% Weekly rehearsal participation and improvement grades Worksheets or Quizzes Music Preparation Assignments Extra Rehearsals- PROMPT arrival and participation of ENTIRE rehearsal Major Grades 60% Concerts (Concert participation, prompt arrival, audience behavior and attendance of all performances in their entirety) Written Tests Performance Tests Participation Grades Students will earn a grade according to their visible participation throughout class. All students who are actively participating in rehearsals and consistently have all materials will earn a higher grade. Examples of participation grade deductions are: No pencil No music Not singing and contributing to the ensemble Talking or disruptive behavior during rehearsals Chewing gum Homework Homework is not given on a daily basis. Sometimes, class time will be given for worksheets and music preparation assignments, however if the student does not complete the assignment during this time, it will be given as homework. In Choir, success can be equated to the amount of effort and dedication displayed by each student. Our grading system offers reward for effort and improvement and deducts points for lack of attendance, participation, and dedication to the choir. 8
Concert Attendance Choir is a performance-based class. Students must attend ALL required performances listed on the Calendar of Events. Students earn their grade based on participation, prompt arrival, audience behavior, and attendance of the concert in its entirety. Any deviation from this may result in a grade deduction. The expectation is that all students stay for the entire concert in order to receive credit. ANY NON SCHOOL RELATED ACTIVITIES ARE CONSIDERED UNEXCUSED and POINTS WILL BE DEDUCTED!!!!! Absence Policy Students are required to attend all performances and extra rehearsals. We recognize that some situations warrant an excused absence from events. Excused absences will be considered for the following reasons: Medical Emergency Death in the family Excused school absence from that day Religious holiday Family Event (wedding, reunion, etc.)- Must be approved by the director Excused absences are granted at the discretion of the director. Please follow this timeline when requesting excused absences. Rehearsal before/after school- 3 school days in advance Concerts and Performances- 10 school days in advance UIL Contest or Festival- 1 month in advance ANY AND ALL ABSENCES REQUIRE COMMUNICATION BETWEEN THE DIRECTOR AND THE PARENT. VERBAL OR WRITTEN EXCUSES FROM STUDENTS ARE UNACCEPTABLE. 9
If an emergency arises, the director MUST have a note/email/voice message from the parent/guardian within 24 hours of the missed performance in order for a make-up assignment to be given. Make up Assignments A make-up assignment will be given for a concert or major performance IF the criterion was met according to the outline above. This is to ensure those students who were legitimately excused do not receive a zero for a major grade. Make up assignments ARE NOT given for rehearsals. Extra credit may be offered at the discretion of the director and will be made available to ALL students equally. Extra Rehearsals Extra Rehearsals are necessary to the success of all our singing ensembles. Each choir will have a designated extra rehearsal time, usually before school for a daily grade. These rehearsals will be listed and updated on the Charms calendar. It is the responsibility of both the parent and student to be prompt to any extra rehearsals. Our extra rehearsals are the ONLY time these students will get to rehearse together as a full ensemble before performances. We make special arrangements for our accompanist to be there for these rehearsals as well. Therefore it is VITAL that ALL students are there ON TIME and for the entire rehearsal. Other school activity time conflicts: -Practice/Club Meeting vs. Choir = SPLIT TIME- MUST communicate with BOTH director and sponsor. -Orthodontist Appt. vs. Choir = CHOIR!! (reschedule ) -Off campus practice/activity vs. Choir = CHOIR!! Any extra rehearsals will be scheduled in advance and usually scheduled for before school, so conflicts should be minimal. Please adhere to the timeline listed previously for any absence. Please note: ANY NON SCHOOL RELATED ACTIVITIES ARE CONSIDERED UNEXCUSED!!!!! 10
Eligibility Curricular events (required activities) are those that students are required to attend regardless of academic standing. Then we have extracurricular events which are not required for all students to participate BUT students who participate must be eligible. Lastly, UIL contest is a hybrid of these two types of events; student is required to attend event for a grade but MUST be academically eligible. If a student receives a grade below 70 on a report card, they are ineligible for the following 9 weeks. A student may be reinstated by the first or second progress report if ALL classes are above a 70. Please refer to www.tomballisd.net for the eligibility calendar or www.uiltexas.org/policy/tea-uil-side-by-side Required Activities Required Activity Extra-curricular Activities Fall Concert (but requires eligibility) Spring Trip Winter Concert UIL Concert and SR Solo & Ensemble Contest Pre-UIL Concert Evaluation Region Auditions/Weekend Pop Show Uniforms Informal - Official Choir T-Shirt, blue jeans (no holes or distracting elements such as rhinestones, appliqués, patches, etc.) and closed toed shoes. Formal- Ladies- *Black choir dress, black stockings (at least knee length), closed toed black flats. Men- *Black button up shirt, *Tie, Black slacks, Black dress shoes, Black dress socks and belt *- supplied by TISD Concert hair, makeup, jewelry Hair is to be OUT OF YOUR FACE (boys and girls). Hair accessories are limited to bobby pins and headbands and MUST be the same color as your hair. No jewelry except small studs in ears (girls only). No stage make up. 11
Private Lessons We do not have a private lessons instructor at WW this year. If this changes, sign up process will begin. Students are encouraged to take private voice lessons. Private teachers give excellent guidance to our young singers. These lessons provide you with one-on-one musical instruction. Students may take lessons once a week during their scheduled choir class. Student who take private lessons generally excel in all their musical experiences. It is important to sign up early for the limited number of lesson openings. More information and forms are posted on Charms in the Private Lessons folder. Lesson spots are given on a first come, first serve basis. Expenditures We have a fee that covers informal and formal uniforms throughout the year. During the year, we will collect fees for other events, as needed. Due by Friday, Sept 8 using School Cash Other Fees (optional-due at a later date) Choir T-Shirt Solo & Ensemble Contest Girls Uniform Fee- $21 Region Auditions Boys Uniform Fee- $32 UIL Contest Meal Spring Trip Banquet Socials PLEASE USE THE SCHOOL CASH SYSTEM TO MAKE THESE PAYMENTS 12
Charms Office Assistant Charms Office Assistant is the way we keep in touch with you. The program allows us to send mass emails, reminders, itineraries, and a calendar. It is our hope that you utilize this tool to stay informed and up-to-date with the latest developments in our choral program. Steps to follow: - Enter www.charmsoffice.com into your web-browser - Hold your cursor over the green ENTER button and click Parents/Students/Members - Enter school code: willowwoodchoir - Your password is your student ID number. - Scroll down and click on the Personal Info button to update your account - Please enter as much information as you can (enter cell # if you want text updates) - ALWAYS press update Next: - Select Add Adult at the bottom of your personal information page. - You MUST add one adult: name and email are MOST important - Don t forget to press update when complete - Add both parents if possible Last: - Return to Home page - Click on Forms- check information - Return to Home page - Click on Calendar- check information DO NOT click on Change your password. Feel free to click around and discover the Charms website. Congratulations! You have completed the Charms assignment! 13
Contact Information Jessica Radke Choir Director Willow Wood JH (281) 357-3030 ext. 1291 jessicaradke@tomballisd.net If you have any questions, please let me know! Thank you! At times, we understand you may have questions or concerns regarding the Choral Program. To assist you in resolving these issues, please follow the organizational chart below. Start here and work down 2 nd 3 rd 4 th 5 th 6 th Mrs. Radke Your student s Assistant Principal Robert Frost- WWJH Principal JD Janda- TISD Director of Fine Arts Chris Trotter- TISD Assistant Superintendent Martha Salazar-Zamora- TISD Superintendent 14
Parent Volunteers WE NEED PARENTS FOR EACH EVENT THROUGHOUT THE YEAR!!!!! Please sign up on www.charmsoffice.com Click the colored hand on the Charm Calendar. Enter your info and you will be contacted about that event as it approaches. Volunteer spots may be added throughout the year, check frequently! THANK YOU IN ADVANCE FOR YOUR TIME!! **You are required to complete and be approved through Tomball ISD in order to volunteer. See Volunteer Application on www.tomballisd.net 15
Please print, read, sign, and return the following 2 pages by THURSDAY, AUGUST 31. 16
Date August 8, 2017 T OMBALL I NDEPENDENT S CHOOL D ISTRICT CO-CURRICULAR/EXTRACURRICULAR TRIPS Dear Parent/Guardian: Your child has the opportunity to participate in events that will take him/her off campus. To be able to do this, you must complete the form below and return it to the event sponsor no later than September 18 th. It must be completed and signed before your student will be allowed to travel. Student Name (PRINT) Grade Date of Birth: Male/Female (circle one) Campus Home Phone Father/Stepfather: Work # Cell Mother/Stepmother: Work # Cell Alternate Emergency Contact: Phone # Relation Medical Information about student: Insurance Provider Policy Number Existing medical condition/s: Date of most recent Tetanus/TdBooster Allergies: Medication/s taken routinely: Special considerations: ===================================================================================== My child, (Print name), has my permission to participate in the following activity: All Activities of the Willow Wood Junior High Choir for the year 2017-18. Transportation by: TISD bus transportation Additional Instructions from sponsor: Please be prompt in picking up your student. This form must be turned into the choir office before student may participate in any off campus activities. Name of Sponsor Jessica Radke I, the undersigned, do hereby authorize officials of the Tomball I.S.D. to contact persons named on this sheet in the event of illness, injury and/or inappropriate behavior of my child. If I or persons named on this sheet cannot be reached, T.I.S.D. school officials are hereby authorized to take whatever action is deemed necessary in their judgment, for the health and safety of said child. I realize that this form does not abrogate or modify my rights as a parent/guardian of a minor. I have voluntarily signed this form to facilitate and expedite the treatment of my child. I will not hold the Tomball I.S.D. or the school official(s) financially responsible for the emergency care and/or transportation of said child. DATE Signature of Parent/Guardian 17
Statement of Understanding I have received and read the Willow Wood Junior High Choir Handbook. I understand and agree to abide by the rules and procedures outlined. Student Name (please print) Student Signature Parent Name (please print) Parent Signature Date PRINT AND RETURN BY THURSDAY, AUGUST 31 18