St Francis of Assisi Catholic Church Children s Choir Handbook 2015-2016 I will praise God s name in Song and glorify Him with Thanksgiving Psalm 69:30 Arlene Anderson Jones, Director aandersonjones@gmail.com 254-424- 1454
Children s Choir Calendar 2015-2016 First Semester September 1-14 Sign- up 4:00-5:30 pm 14 First Rehearsal 4:15-5:15 pm 21 Rehearsal 4:15-5:15 pm 28 Rehearsal 4:15-5:15 pm October 5 No Rehearsal Mrs. Jones out of town 12 Rehearsal 4:15-5:15 pm 17 Sing at Mass 5 pm Saturday Mass 19 Rehearsal 4:15-5:15 pm 26 Rehearsal 4:15-5:15 pm November 2 Rehearsal 4:15-5:15 pm 9 Rehearsal 4:15-5:15 pm 15 Sing at Mass 8 am Sunday Mass 16 Rehearsal 4:15-5:15 pm 23 No Rehearsal Thanksgiving Break 30 Rehearsal 4:15 5:15 pm December 7 Rehearsal 4:15-5:15 pm 14 Rehearsal 4:15 5:15 pm 21 Rehearsal 4:15 5:15 p.m. 24 Sing at Mass 4:00 pm Christmas Eve 28 NO REHEARSAL Christmas Break
Second Semester January 4 Rehearsal 4:15-5:15 pm 11 Rehearsal 4:15-5:15 pm 18 No Rehearsal MLK Holiday 25 Rehearsal 4:15-5:15 pm February 1 Rehearsal 4:15-5:15 pm 8 Rehearsal 4:15-5:15 pm 15 No Rehearsal Presidents Day 21 Rehearsal before Mass 8:30 a.m. Sing at Mass 10:00 a.m. Sunday Mass 22 Rehearsal 4:15-5:15 pm 29 Rehearsal 4:15 5:15 pm March 7 Rehearsal 4:15-5:15 pm 14 No Rehearsal Spring Break 21 Rehearsal 4:15-5:15 pm 27 Sing at Mass 8 am Easter Sunday 28 No Rehearsal Easter Break April 4 Rehearsal 4:15 5:15 pm 11 Rehearsal 4:15-5:15 pm 18 Rehearsal 4:15-5:15 pm 25 Rehearsal 4:15-5:15 pm 28/29 Sandy Lake Competition TBA May 1 Sing at SFA May Crowning After 4:30 Mass
Attendance The success of our choir depends upon each and every member attending all rehearsals and performances. Each choir member makes the ensemble stronger; one missing person makes the ensemble weaker. In addition, rehearsals and selected music are planned based on the full membership. We need you present at rehearsals and performances. If you must miss any of the rehearsals or performances, please email Mrs. Anderson Jones before the activity you will miss at aandersonjones@gmail.com or call 254-424-1454 and leave a detailed message. Please call or email even if you send word with someone else. If you miss without notification, your absence is considered unexcused. After two (2) unexcused absence your membership in the choir will be in jeopardy. If you are tardy, you will be disrupting the choir rehearsal, so please be on time each day. Consecutive tardiness will cause a review of your membership as well. It is understandable that choir members have other activities and homework so that an occasional absence will be necessary. However, if there is a conflict that will result in an absence, please call or email BEFORE the activity you will miss. The earlier we receive the notice of an absence, especially in the case of being out of town and sports, the better we can plan. Parents are asked to ensure the following expectations are met: Attendance at rehearsals and performances Being on-time for every rehearsal Singing at Weekend/Sunday Mass when scheduled Attend and participate in other choir activities Having music prepared and ready for performance. If attendance has been such that the choir member does not know the music at a satisfactory level, the choir member may not be allowed to perform.
Dismissal/ Pick-up from Rehearsal or Performances Please pick up your child on time from rehearsal. If your child is not picked up within 10 minutes after the end of the choir event, you will need to come in to the church office to personally pick up your child. Choir Music and Folders Each choir member will be assigned a choir folder with music. These are to be treated with the utmost care. The supplies and music cost money, and in the event a child s music or supplies are lost or damaged, you will be charged for the replacement item. This includes hymnals, music, folder, and any church owned item. Choir Uniform As a member of the St. Francis Children s Choir, you are not just making a commitment to sing at Mass, you are committing yourself to take part in a Sacred Service that is filled with tradition. One important tradition is how we dress for our ministry. We will follow these guidelines when dressing for Mass and performances: Girls will wear dresses that are weather appropriate and modest, covering the knees and the shoulders. Dress shoes will be worn, no tennis shoes or flip-flops Boys will be dressed in nice slacks and a button-down shirt. Dress shoes will be worn, no tennis shoes or flip-flops We do not wear jeans, shorts, short skirts, or spaghetti-strap tops unless covered by a jacket or sweater. There may be occasions when we will wear a certain liturgical color, or another type uniform. If this is the case, you will be given prior notice. Your hair should be neat, clean and pulled or combed away from your face. At various times of the year, you may be asked to wear a white dress shirt, top, or blouse and black dress pants or skirt with dress black shoes. Please plan to have these in your wardrobe. Please let me know if this will cause a financial burden.
Parent Involvement The more our parents are involved, the better the experience for our singers. When we have parents available to help with our activities, helping find our music, and with general Mass behavior, it allows the director to focus on teaching the music. We will have a teen assistant as well. Please let me know if you can help in any way. Rehearsals Rehearsal chaperones walk singers to the restroom as needed and give singers individual help finding music, etc. as needed. We also need to have an adult available to wait for parent pick-up after rehearsal. Masses Before Mass, chaperones assist with preparations for the Choir for Mass. During Mass, the chaperones sit among the choir to monitor behavior and help singers find their place in the music if needed. Party Chaperones Party Chaperones help to set up for choir parties, monitor singers during the party, and help direct singers in cleaning up after themselves. Music Librarians These wonderful people help to sort music after it has been turned in and file it in the cabinet, creating new files if necessary. This can be done during choir rehearsals or in the evening or other convenient time. Safe Environment All volunteers and liturgical ministers in the Diocese of Fort Worth must participate in a Safe Environment class before volunteering and renew online every 3 years. Classes are offered throughout the Diocese and at St. Francis year-round. Check the bulletin for future classes.
ST. FRANCIS OF ASSISI CATHOLIC CHURCH CHILDREN S CHOIR REGISTRATION FORM Choir Member Information Name Height Last First MI Address Zip School Attending Grade Phone Numbers: Home Cell Email address DOB 1. Are you enrolled in Faith Formation at St. Francis? yes no 2. Are you enrolled at Holy Trinity Catholic School? yes no 3. Are you enrolled at any other Catholic School? yes no If no to all of the questions above, the choir member must attend a Keeping Children Safe Class. (date TBA). This is required by the diocese. The choir member must attend the class to be in the choir. Parent Information Father s Name Place of Employment Work # Cell # Email address Mother s Name Place of Employment Work # Cell # Email address Who will pick-up the choir member after rehearsals/masses/performances? (over)
Attendance and Dress Policies Attendance: Choir members are expected to attend all rehearsals, Masses, and performances regularly. If a rehearsal, Mass or performance must be missed, the director is to be called BEFORE the activity to be notified. 254-424-1454. If there is prior notification, then the absence is excused. If you miss without calling, your absence will be unexcused. After two (2) unexcused absences, your membership will be in jeopardy. Consecutive Tardiness or multiple excused absences will require membership re-evaluation. See the Choir Member s Handbook for specific information regarding attendance and for our uniform/dress policy. Specific dress requirements may be given for a particular performance. Contract of Commitment: I understand the Children s Choir Requirements, Attendance Policy, and Mass Dress Policy and I COMMIT MYSELF to the St. Francis of Assisi Children s Choir. Choir Member s Signature Parent Signature For Director Use only: Audition Date: Time: Song: Singing Experience: Pitch matching: Range to Tone quality Breath support Rhythm response: Memory Pitch Response: Memory: Voice Part: Initials: