Dear Parent or Guardian, August 20, 2013 Welcome to Oakwood Middle School for the 2013-2014 School Year! You are receiving this letter because you have a student that is currently registered for Choir. The purpose of this letter is to inform you of what is expected from all 7 th and 8 th grade choir members for this year. Our main focus is to prepare students for an easy transition into the choral music program at GlenOak High School as well as allowing them to use the skills they learn for the rest of their lives. This includes basic music reading skills, proper singing technique, and other Ohio Music Education Association standards. Occasionally, I will be giving written assignments, tests, and quizzes, however, the majority of the grade will come in the form of classroom participation and concert performances. Please let me assure you that I intend for all students to enjoy themselves while they make music at a high level. I wholeheartedly believe that students will ultimately enjoy challenging themselves to work together as a choir in order to perform at the highest possible level. The satisfaction and fun will come from a realization that their hard work was well spent after giving a wonderful performance for family and friends. We have many activities planned for the year including concerts, the school-wide musical, and some district events to perform for. The culminating event for the entire year is for both 7 th and 8 th grade choirs to compete at OMEA Large Group Contest in May for a rating. Please see the attached information for list of important dates and be sure to write them down in your own calendars. Attached to this letter are a few items that you, the guardian, need to know about your student s involvement: Oakwood Choir Syllabus featuring Policies and Procedures Oakwood Choir Concert Schedule Select Choir Information Student and Parent Agreement Form (Please Sign and Return by Sept. 3!) Please be sure to read all information attached, as well as sign and return the agreement form, so that you are aware of what is expected of your student as they begin a new school year as part of the Oakwood Middle School Choir Program. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me by e-mail at youngja@plainlocal.org or visit my teacher website on the Plain Local website. I m very glad to have you part of the Oakwood Choir Program and looking forward to seeing you at our concert in the near future! Sincerely, Mr. Jacob Young Choir Director Oakwood Middle School
OAKWOOD MIDDLE SCHOOL CHOIR CLASS SYLLABUS CLASSROOM EXPECTATIONS 1. Be on time for class 2. Be prepared to make music, mentally and physically 3. Leave all belongings (including Drama) at the door 4. No GUM, food, drink, candy or GUM allowed in the room. (4 ½). Also, no GUM in the classroom. (Did I mention that already?) 5. RESPECT self and others DISCIPLINE PROCEDURES If you are found to be in violation of any school or classroom policies and expectations, the following action(s) will be taken. Warning/Verbal Reprimand Teacher contact with parents (e-mail or phone) After School Detention Office Referral Alternative Disciplinary Action REHEARSAL PROCESS Participation is required of EVERYONE No talking once rehearsal starts the only sound out of your mouth should be singing Sit or stand tall; eyes should be focused on the music and the director Please have a PENCIL to make markings on the music as told by the director Certain times, the director may work on individual parts, or sectionalize during these times, other students should remain silent and follow along in the music. There is absolutely, NO GUM allowed in choir room. Gum chewing results in an automatic detention. MATERIALS NEEDED The following is a list of materials students will need to supply themselves for Choir: A pencil (NOT PEN) is needed in class everyday to make markings on music Each student must provide a folder with pockets in which to keep their music. Students will not be sharing folders or music with any other student. Music will be provided by Mr. Young and is considered the textbook for the class. Each student will be given their own copy of the music to write in. All music is property of Oakwood MS Choir Department and is on LOAN to each student. Music needs to be returned in the same condition that it was loaned to you. GRADES Choir class is NOT an easy A Grades are earned based on the following: The contribution you make that leads to the success of the group (which includes your ATTITUDE and BEHAVIOR in class)
Class and concert attendance Vocal Progress (posture, proper breathing, singing with energy, articulation, etc.) Progress in learning about music and learning to read music 25% Daily Class Rehearsal Participation Each student is expected to bring his/her best attitude to class each day and participate in the daily lesson and rehearsal. They will be graded daily based on the following: Being on time and prepared for class Participating everyday Being an enthusiastic and contributing member of the ensemble Demonstrating proper vocal technique as learned in class. Talking only when allowed or is appropriate to do so Being willing to cooperate in any way their talent allows them to 25% Written Work and Projects Occasionally, work will be given out in class, and also assigned as homework. Students are expected to complete all assignments for a grade. All work will be consistent with class objectives. 50% Concert Performance All students are required to perform at every concert. Please see the attendance policy regarding concerts. Essentially, each concert should be looked upon as a Final Exam or test grade. CONCERT ATTIRE In order for all 7th and 8th grade choir students to look uniform while performing, the following guidelines will be used: Ladies: BLACK Dresses or skirts with WHITE blouses MUST be within the school dress code restrictions No strapless, no spaghetti straps (unless a sweater, jacket or cover on top), no one sleeve/one bare shoulder, no tank top/sleeveless tops (at least a "cap" shoulder). Dress/skirt length is to be no higher than the TOP of the knee. Dress/blouse neckline must be tasteful and not revealing. Dress shoes with a comfortable heal (no stilettos and no tennis shoes) Gentlemen: BLACK Dress pants, WHITE dress shirts, and BLACK dress shoes (tie optional) Must be button down shirts, NO golf shirts or polos Dress shoes only, NO tennis shoes Shirts must be buttoned and ties tightened to the collar if applicable *Our Middle School concert attire guidelines align completely with the Freshmen Choir guidelines at GlenOak High School to make for a smooth transition for your student.
Any student who does not follow the Concert Attire guidelines will not be permitted to sing in the concert and will result in an unexcused absence from a concert (see below). What if you forgot part of your uniform for a game? Whether it is your shoulder pads, chinstrap, cleats/shoes, etc. - most likely, you wouldn t be allowed to participate. That very same expectation is held for Choir concerts as well! *Please look for these items as soon as possible so you aren t scrambling at the last minute. If you are having problems, please contact Mr. Young. CONCERT ATTENDANCE A concert is a TEST in which a student must demonstrate what has been learned in class. Whether excused or unexcused a missed concert results in a ZERO for that grade because the student failed to take the test. If an absence qualifies as 'excused' (see below) a student may make up the points for a missed concert. Students may NOT make up points for an unexcused absence. Excused Absences Pre-Approved Absence: Notice of a concert absence should be submitted in writing with parent s signature for approval to Mr. Young no later than one week prior to the concert. E-mailed excuses are acceptable, from parent only. Failure to follow this will automatically cause an absence to be marked as unexcused. Illness or Emergency Absence: If an emergency arises the day of the concert, a parent must call the school and leave a message explaining the absence no later than 1 hour prior to the performance. Emergency Absences: If due to the nature of the emergency your parent is unable to leave a message for Mr. Young s prior to the concert, a written note explaining the reason for the absence with a parent s signature should be turned into Mr. Young within 3 days of the concert. Illness/Emergency If a student has a fever or is throwing up they should not attend the concert and a call should be made to the school. A cold or sore throat is not a reason to miss a concert. Emergency situations are exceptions and are considered at the discretion of the director. A note is required within 3 days of the missed concert as described above. Unexcused Absences Unexcused absences include, but are not limited to: Not having appropriate concert attire. Not having a ride to school. Students should make plans to get a ride from a friend or relative. Emergencies will be considered on an individual basis by Mr. Young A cold or sore throat *If a student is well enough to attend school, then it is expected they are well enough to attend the concert.
Makeup Work Only EXCUSED absences can be made up. It is the student s responsibility to make up work for a missed concert. Mr. Young will not track you down to turn in makeup assignments. Make up work must be turned in no later than one week following the missed concert. Extra credit does not apply to a missed concert. Failure to follow the above attendance policy can result in a failed grade for the course, and/or dismissal from choir. OMEA DISTRICT 8 JR HIGH LARGE GROUP CONTEST It is expected of all Oakwood Choir students to participate at the Ohio Music Education Association (OMEA) Large Group Contest on Saturday, May 17th, 2014 at Hoover HS. This is the culminating event for the Oakwood Choir Program. We need all students there to produce the best sound possible to achieve the highest results! Participating choirs will sing for three judges who will then evaluate them based on certain criteria and assign each choir a rating between I and V. Many schools around the area participate in this event. Please MARK YOUR CALENDERS ASAP for this event as baseball, softball, volleyball, etc. may conflict with this event as those activities start getting underway. The performance times are determined by the event coordinator, and will not be known until a week or two before the events so please try not to schedule other events that day. All excuses must be received in writing at least one week before the contest date for makeup assignments to be given. All students will arrive at Oakwood MS that day to ride buses as a team to Hoover HS to perform, and then return to Oakwood once their performance is done. Mr. Young will send out an itinerary for the day once the exact time in known. OMEA DISTRICT 8 SOLO AND ENSEMBLE Students who wish to gain Vocal Music Honors must participate in OMEA Solo and Ensemble on April 12 th 2014 at Tuslaw High School. This event will require students to sing either as a soloist, or a set group of singers and perform for judges for a rating. The music must be selected from a list of approved vocal works. Students will need to memorize all music and words as well as work on their own, with occasional help from Mr. Young to perform at the highest level possible. Students must also pay their own entry fee as well as their accompanist for the day. An accompanist will be provided by Mr. Young and will rehearse at least once with the student before the event. More information will be given out to students as we get closer to the date.
2013-2014 OAKWOOD MS CHOIR CONCERT SCHEDULE Please be aware that the following are the required concerts for Oakwood Choir students: OAKWOOD CHOIR WINTER CONCERT Date: Tuesday, November 26, 2013 Time: 7 th Grade Choir: 6:00pm Student Call Time: 5:30pm 8 th Grade Choir: 7:00pm Student Call Time: 6:30pm Location: Oakwood Middle School Auditorium OAKWOOD CHOIR SPRING CONCERT Date: Thursday, March 20, 2014 Time: 7:00pm 7 th Grade Choir Call Time: 6:15pm in HS Choir Room 8 th Grade Choir Call Time: 6:30pm in HS Band Room Location: GlenOak High School Auditorium OMEA JR. HIGH SOLO AND ENSEMBLE CONTEST Date: Saturday, April 12, 2014 Time: To be determined by event coordinator. Location: Tuslaw High School *Optional Event only students wishing to gain Vocal Music Honors must participate. OMEA JR. HIGH LARGE GROUP CONTEST Date: Friday or Saturday May 17, 2014 Time: To be determined by event coordinator. Location: Hoover High School All choir students are expected to participate in Large Group Contest being held at Hoover High School. We will be given a time for each choir. We will be evaluated by music professionals and given a rating for our performance. I will provide more information as we get closer to the date. For more information regarding OMEA Solo and Ensemble and Large Group Contest, please visit www.omea-ohio.org and click on adjudicated events. We are located in District 8.
Information about Select Choir Auditions 2013-2014 Coming within the first couple weeks of school, we will be holding auditions for the Select Choir at Oakwood Middle School. The Select Choir is an auditioned, extra- curricular choir for students who are identified as musically- gifted, and possess a great attitude and work- ethic. When will Select Choir meet? The meeting time for the choir is planned for immediately following school, one or two days a week. Tentatively, we think that Tuesday/Thursday practices may work the best. How do we audition? Auditions will be scheduled both before and after school. Your student will sign up for a 5 minute slot by themselves, and will be asked to sing anything a cappella (without accompaniment) as well as do a few vocalises to determine range, ability, etc. These auditions will be proctored by Mr. Young. What about the choir? The plan is for the choir to be modeled after a College Glee Club with the idea to perform a wide variety of repertoire ranging from classical to pop music depending on ability and commitment level. Some choreography may be utilized, as part of a mini show choir. Does my student need to be in Choir class also? Preferably, yes. Special considerations may be made to those with difficult schedules. What is expected for the individuals that are selected? Once selected, a set meeting time will be announced. All members are expected to be at every rehearsal if a student misses too many rehearsals, the director has the authority to dismiss that student from Select Choir. The same would go for those students who are struggling in other academic classes, or are prohibiting the rehearsal process with attitude or behavior problems. More information will be sent out once the members have been announced. Will there be special Select Choir performances? This is indeed a possibility, as this choir would have considerably less members than those in regular choir class. The hope is to establish a group that would have the ability to perform regularly at school events such as singing the National Anthem for athletic events, performing for Arts Explosion at Oakwood, performing at board meetings, and taking trips to see/hear other groups perform. What if my student is involved in athletics, or other clubs? I would never penalize a student that is gifted in other areas and is utilizing those talents! I understand that practices and such may get in the way, and I will try to be as flexible as possible as long as the student is willing to get with friends to try and catch up! I would encourage anyone to audition for Select Choir so long as their busy lives permit them and will share the time with other organizations. Again, if you have any questions regarding this or any other Oakwood Choir related issues, please feel free to e- mail Mr. Young at youngja@plainlocal.org Thank you!
OAKWOOD MIDDLE SCHOOL CHOIR STUDENT AND PARENT AGREEMENT FORM ***Please sign and return by Tuesday, Sept. 3 2013*** Statement I, (student s name), have read all the information included in this packet and understand that I am expected to follow all guidelines and procedures for participating in the Oakwood Middle School Choir Program. This includes knowing all responsibilities included in this choir handbook. I understand that I must participate in class everyday, and put forth my best effort at all times. I also am aware of all concert expectations including uniform, and absence policy. I will participate in every concert, and continue to give my best effort throughout the entire school year. Student Signature: Date: Parent Signature: Date: **Parents and guardians, please provide contact information below in order to keep up to date from Mr. Young regarding concerts, other school events, and necessary contact regarding student progress. All information will be kept private. Parent Contact Information (Please print legibly): Primary Contact Name: Primary Contact Relationship: Primary Contact Phone: Primary Contact E- mail: