September 2018 Welcome! On behalf of the Washington-Lee Choral Music Department, I would like to say welcome. I am very excited that you have decided to participate in the vocal music offerings at Washington-Lee High School. I am eager for the opportunity to work with you to develop your talent, challenge your mind, engage your emotions, and create a lifelong musician and learner in you. By choosing to be a part of the Washington-Lee Choral Music Department, you are becoming an intricate part of an instructional organization designed to enrich the lives of students at Washington-Lee High School and the greater Arlington community. With your decision comes the responsibility to uphold the program goals and guidelines, which have been established for the good of every member and for the further development of the vocal music program. It is imperative that every member of the choral department understands and complies with program goals and guidelines to ensure the success of every student within the program. The Washington-Lee Choral Music Department is unique from general education classrooms where instruction is given and the student performs individually on a series of tasks to earn a letter grade. We need to work together, teacher with student. Parents and Students: Please take the time to read and fully understand all of the information presented in this handbook, as the guidelines described apply to everyone. Please be aware that by signing and returning the forms found in this handbook, you acknowledge and agree to abide by the contents of that form. I am anxiously anticipating all of the outstanding musical experiences that we will have together this year! If you have any questions about the handbook, please contact me. Email is the easiest and best form of communication. Sincerely, Theresa Severin Director of Choral Activities Washington-Lee High School theresa.severin@apsva.us 1
PROGRAM GOALS AND OBJECTIVES Choir students will develop their singing voices, learn to sing in a choral ensemble, learn to read music, learn the basics of music history, genres and styles, develop self-discipline, concentration, and cooperation. A great deal of class time is spent on vocal and musical techniques as well performance standards and will be demonstrated in performances throughout the school year. The goal of our choir program is to develop individual potential as far as possible. The use of music, as a means of self-expression and communication, is seen as a primary ingredient in that development. We will strive to instill in our students a sense of responsibility and maturity. In order to achieve this, we will participate to the best of our abilities in all aspects of the school experience. We will give the best of ourselves individually so that we as a whole may help each other attain the highest level of performance, not only in music, but also in life. INDIVIDUAL and ENSEMBLE GOALS Singing alone and with others a varied repertoire of music. o Know the basic concepts to achieve a resonant, in tune, and healthy vocal tone. o Develop and evaluate progress toward singing in tune o Perform with appropriate dynamics, phrasing, articulation, and expressive musicianship. Reading and Notating Music. o Identify the various elements of a musical score o Demonstrate an understanding of numbers-based counting system. o Demonstrate the process of self-correction and refinement of a vocal line. Listening to, describing, analyzing and evaluating music and music performances. o Understand the technical vocabulary of music o Develop specific criteria for making critical evaluations of the quality and effectiveness of musical works. o Evaluate a given musical work in terms of its aesthetic qualities and explain the musical means it uses to evoke feelings and emotions o Analyze and describe uses of the elements of music in a given work that make it unique, interesting, and expressive: rhythm, melody, harmony, timbre, texture, form, and expression. Understanding the relationships between music, the other arts, history and culture. o Analyze characteristics that cause musical works and/or performances to be considered exemplary. o Explore the relationship between music and text. o Explore the genre, style, composer and historical background of repertoire being studied and perform choral repertoire in an authentic style that reflects the culture and origin. Nurturing an Attitude of Excellence, Growth, and Reflection o Demonstrate proper social behaviors during rehearsal. 2
o Demonstrate the process of self-correction and refinement of a vocal line (rhythm, melody, and/or both) o Evaluate their contribution toward individual and larger group goals: Participation, Rehearsal Attitude, Sectional Participation, Quiz Scores, Vocal Progress, Music Reading Progress, Journaling, etc. o Understanding and respond to basic conducting gestures and their connection to choral performance. COURSE REQUIREMENTS In order for the student to be successful in this course, they must meet the following expectations. 1. Participation at all choir dress rehearsals and concerts. 2. Daily, professional participation in class. 3. Complete written assignments with accuracy. 4. Practice music studied (homework) in the classroom away from the choral rehearsal for master of the content 5. Complete performance and sight-singing tests with accuracy. GRADING POLICY - QUARTER GRADE DETERMINATION Grading is a complex issue when we deal with an art form such as music. It is difficult to measure artistic talent. With that in mind, your grade as a member of the Washington-Lee Choral Music Department is based on your ability to develop your artistic talents. This is done through your participation in rehearsals and performances. Every member of the choral program will start at a different level and it will be the job of the choral director to assess your progress. Our performances are major examinations and our major examinations are the time for you to exhibit your artistic growth. 50% - Concert Performances and Dress Rehearsals o Participation at required events and subsequent concert evaluations. o Dressed in proper attire. 25% - Daily Rehearsals o Teacher observation of participation. o Daily Rehearsal Etiquette Fully participate in entire rehearsal (NO CELL PHONES IN REHEARSAL) Using proper posture when singing. Prepared for rehearsals on time before warm-ups with music and pencil. 15% - Tests/Quiz Grades o Includes scores from written assessments. o Includes scores from singing and sight-singing assessments. 10% - Weekly Practice Reports, written homework, music theory, journal and notes. 3
GRADING SCALE Letter Grade Percentages Quality AP & IB Quality Points Points A 90, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99, 4.0 5.0 100 B+ 87, 88, 89 3.5 4.5 B 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86 3.0 4.0 C+ 77, 78, 79 2.5 3.5 C 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76 2.0 3.0 D+ 67, 68, 69 1.5 2.5 D 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66 1.0 2.0 E 0 59 0.0 0.0 o Student grades reflect student achievement and not student behavior. o quarterly grades will round up when the percentage is.5 or higher o In addition to achievement, work habits as noted in the report card comments will be evaluated for each course using the following symbols: X - Surpasses Expectations Y - Meets Expectations Z - Approaching Expectations N - Needs Improvement o The final grade is required to be calculated using the quality points and not percentages, letter grades, number or point systems FINAL EXAM The final exam for students in the Choral Department will be to successfully perform in the Small Ensemble Concert for a portion of their final exam. The other portion may include independent projects, sight-singing and/or written exams. A portion of their final exam grade may include performing in the commencement exercises on June 20, 2019. Students in Chamber Choir will perform in the Small Ensemble Concert (50%) and at the commencement exercises on June 20, 2019 (50%.) Seniors wishing to sing in choir for the commencement exercises must be a student in good standing and in attendance at the Period 1 Chamber Choir Final Exam in June 2019. The final exam will count as 20% of the end-of-year grade. Quarter 1 20% Quarter 2 20% Quarter 3 20% Quarter 4 20% Final Exam 20% 4
DAILY REHEARSAL GUIDELINES AND GRADING To receive full daily rehearsal points, students should listen to the director, limit talking during the rehearsal, and contribute musical quality of the choir. You will receive a 5-point daily rehearsal grade based on the criteria below. 1. Follows the music while keeping an eye on the director for cues, pauses, or repeats of a section and marks music accordingly. 2. Works on using correct vocal technique, diction and expression. 3. Sings with energy and enthusiasm and maintains good singer s posture, when appropriate. 5 A Distinguished Always reflects daily rehearsal guidelines and participates fully. 4 B Proficient Almost always reflects rehearsal guidelines with few reminders. 3 C Basic Sometimes they reflect the rehearsal guidelines with several reminders. 0-2 D- E Unsatisfactory Does not reflect the daily rehearsal guidelines. In the event of an excused absence the student must complete a practice session report within one week from the last day of the absence. *Students will submit an 8-10-minute recording/video of music selections rehearsed during the absence. An excused absence INCLUDES: excused absence, school field trip, counselor or college visit. *Recordings should be submitted to Ms. Severin through the messaging center on CANVAS. If you are unable to sing due to an illness, you must complete the rehearsal observation form. Students who use this form two or more times per quarter will be required to have doctor s note and parents will be consulted. LATE AND MAKE-UP WORK POLICY Homework assignments are due on the due date unless rescheduled by Ms. Severin. Make-up for students returning from an excused absence have two responsibilities: 1. Previously assigned work: A: students must turn in any previously assigned written work (homework, papers, projects, etc. by the end of the first school day of their return. B: Written work may be submitted directly to the teacher, or 5
electronically to the teacher. C: Students must be prepared to complete any quizzed, tests, or presentation at the start of the next class they attend. Teachers may choose, in conjunction with the student, to schedule the make-up work for a time outside of class. 2. Any work missed during the absence: A. Unless special arrangements have been made, students have one week from the last day of the absence to submit makeup work. B: Teachers, will within reason, assist students when the absence is excused. C: Students are responsible for the work missed even if the absence is unexcused. However, according to APS policy, credit for make-up work is only given when the absence is excused. MUSIC AND FOLDERS All concert music is furnished at no expense to the student. Music is to be kept in the choir folder at all times. If the music and/or the folder is lost or damaged, the student will pay for the replacement of the items issued to them. Students in the Chamber Choir are required to purchase a professional choral folder. It is highly recommended that you have your folder embossed with your name. SELECTION OF CHORAL LITERATURE Students in the Washington-Lee High School Choral Department will study and perform a variety of choral literature. The director will use the following guidelines in order to determine the best literature for each ensemble. 1. The literature will be of an appropriate level of musical difficulty, determined by the director to maximize growth. 2. The literature will foster and enhance the physical development and function of the vocal mechanism. 3. The literature will include representation from the historical periods of Renaissance, Baroque, Classical, Romantic, Twentieth-Century, and Contemporary. 4. The literature will be written by composers of historical or contemporary significance. 5. The literature will represent a wide variety of text sources and types. ATTENDANCE FOR DAILY REHEARSALS, DRESS REHEARSALS AND CONCERT PERFORMANCES 1. For the sake of excellence and the unity in the choir, each choir student is expected to make every effort to attend and participate in all our rehearsals and performances. 6
2. Choir performances are mandatory and count as major grades. Performances can be made up at the discretion of the director. Each performance is a real-time event and synchronized for all the participants. Every choir member is important and needed. 3. Throughout the year, each choir will present several public performances. Performances are listed on the choir calendar. Additional performances or changes may be added with as much advance notice as possible. 4. Before and/or after-school rehearsals are extensions of the classroom and participation at these will be considered when calculating student grades. Rehearsals or sectionals may be called during Generals Period. 5. Students should communicate with employers and/or coaches as far in advance as possible about rehearsals and performances so that arrangements can be made, and employers are not left without the help they need. Schoolwork must come first! So, please notify your employers and/or of the school choir schedule as soon as possible so that you can help them make other arrangements. If you need a note from me to take to your employer or your coach, please let me know at least a week in advance. I will be glad to have this available for you. 6. When it is necessary to have before/after school rehearsals, students will be notified about the times and dates of these rehearsals in advance. The activity will be graded and some of these rehearsals are on the Choral Department Calendar. 7. Sometimes emergency events happen that cannot be avoided. In these cases, a certain amount of reason will apply provided that a written note or email signed by the parents/guardians is brought in the next day the student comes to school. Acceptable reasons for missing a performance or a rehearsal are: Student illness if you are absent from school on the day of a dress rehearsal or concert. You must complete the alternate assignment. Family distress emergency Illness in the family or other type of family emergency. 8. Unexcused Absences will result in a 0 for daily rehearsals, dress rehearsals and concert performances. PARTICIPATION IN OPTIONAL EVENTS Participation in any optional events where students are representing Washington-Lee and Arlington Public Schools is at the discretion of the director, Ms. Theresa Severin. Students involved in such activities should be students in good standing with no unexcused absences, excellent classroom behavior, and outstanding musicianship. 7
Optional events include, Spring Trip, Singing Valentines, Choral Arts Society of Washington Youth Choir, All-District Choir, Virginia Honors Choir, All-Virginia choir, etc. WASHINGTON-LEE ATTENDANCE POLICY Three unexcused tardies during one quarter will result in an after-school or lunch detention assigned by the teacher. Parents will be notified. Each additional tardy will result in an afterschool detention. Five unexcused tardies will result in a referral to your administrator and may result in Saturday School Seniors: After the 4 th tardy to 1/2 Period, 4/5 Period or 6/7 Period, after lunch parking privileges will be lost and lunch detention assigned. For excessive tardies, those privileges may be revoked by the end of the year. Late to School: Students arriving to school after 8:19 must sign in at the attendance office in order to be marked present for the day. CONCERT ATTIRE Students in the Washington-Lee Choral Department will be required to make a one-time purchase of their performance attire and related accessories, including garment bag. Purchases will be made through the department, but the items will become the property of the student and they will assume the responsibility of all cleaning and alterations as needed. Should the uniform and accessories become lost or damaged, students will replace items needed at full price. If another size is required at any time additional items will need to be purchased by the student. Garment bags will be purchased by the student through the Choral Department and students are asked to keep their uniforms at school during the school year so they are readily available for our performances. Following our last performance of the year, students are free to take their uniforms home to be cleaned over the summer break. Students will have the choice of the following concert attire: Long blue formal gown Purchased from WL Ensemble specific accessory Purchased from WL Tuxedo Ensemble Purchased from WL Coat, Shirt, Cummerbund, Pants, Black Bow Tie Black shoes Hair pulled back away from face. Tied and behind the shoulders SOCIAL MEDIA The Washington-Lee Choral Department will use a variety of social media to advertise concerts, remind students and parents of events, as well as celebrate our many activities and accomplishments throughout the year. 8
INSTAGRAM - @wlchoirs FACEBOOK www.facebook.com/washington.lee.choirs TWITTER - @WLchoirs Ms. Severin will also be using the texting service REMIND all students with cell phones and texting will sign up for this service to communicate quickly to the ensembles. CELL PHONE and ELECTRONIC DEVICE POLICY Cell phones and other electronic devices will not be permitted during rehearsals unless it is necessary for a class assignment. Students will turn in their phones at the beginning of each rehearsal. The students must bring their own USB charging cords if they wish to use the charging stations. Ms. Severin reserves the right to confiscate your device until the end of the class or the end of the school day. In some cases, parents will be called to pick up your cell phone from the classroom. If your cell phone is confiscated, you will receive a 0-daily grade for that rehearsal. ACTIVITY FEE, T-SHIRT AND UNIFORM PURCHASES An activity fee is assessed each year to ensure that students have access to a full range of choral education materials. This type of fee falls in line with other performing groups at this school and others in the area. All students are asked to pay a $35 Choral Department Activity Fee. Each student will receive an invoice for the activity fee and any other purchases, such as class t- shirt and uniforms. All fees are due October 1, 2019. WASHINGTON-LEE HONOR PRINCIPLE PREAMBLE As mature individuals in the Washington-Lee High School community, worthy and capable of maintaining a bond based on honor, we declare our intent to learn, work, and conduct ourselves at all times in accordance to the expectations set forth by the principles of our Generals Pride: valuing education following the rules maintaining self-control working to the best of our abilities respecting the properties of others being courteous to others respecting the diversity of all cultures, creeds, or sects being responsible for our actions preparing for our future I agree that: I expect the highest level of social responsibility from myself, my peers and other members of this community. I believe our community is capable of maintaining an environment based on honor. I accept the responsibility of governing my own behavior through practices and procedures based on mutual trust and respect. To this end, as a student at Washington-Lee High School: I will not lie, cheat, or steal nor will I tolerate such behavior from any other member of the Washington-Lee community. I will not disrespect, slander, injure or embarrass any member of the Washington-Lee community. I understand that there are disciplinary consequences for the below-listed infractions of the Honor Code. 9
HONOR PLEDGE Washington-Lee students are expected to honor this principal. Failure to do so will result in disciplinary action. At the discretion of individual teachers, students may be asked to sign an honor pledge for certain assignments. By signing the pledge, students will acknowledge they understand the Honor Policy and have not violated it. A sample pledge is shown. On my honor, I pledge that this assignment reflects my own efforts and work. WASHINGTON-LEE CHORAL DEPARTMENT 2018-19 ACTIVITIES CALENDAR (update 8/29/18) *Please note that times and dates are subject to change **Items in bold are MANDATORY for all choral students SEPTEMBER 21 Choral Department National Anthem @ Home Football Game and Pizza Dinner All Students, time TBA 1 30 ACDA National Honor Choirs submission window open. Submissions due by 9/30 OCTOBER 9 Dress Rehearsal for Choral Pops Concert - 3:15-4:30 PM 11 Fall Choral Pops Concert - 7 PM 13 Virginia Senior Honors Choir Auditions @ Longwood University NOVEMBER 3 All-District Choir Auditions @ Madison High School, Vienna (SAT day) 14-16 Virginia Senior Honors Choir @ VMEA Conference The Homestead 20 Thanksgiving Assembly DECEMBER 1 W-L Holiday Bazaar (SAT Day) 19 Winter Concert Dress Rehearsal 3:15 PM 20 Winter Concert 7:00 PM JANUARY 17 Pyramid Concert 7 PM FEBRUARY 7 All-Virginia Choir Auditions @ Marshall HS 7-9 All-District Choir @ Marshall HS 29 March 2 ACDA National Honor Choir, Kansas City, Missouri MARCH 12 Pre-Assessment Concert 7:00 PM 14-16 SOL District Performance Assessment @ Langley HS 28-31 Spring Choral Department Trip (TENTATIVE AND LOCATION TBA) 10
APRIL 4-6 All-Virginia Choir, Band, and Orchestra @ Richmond, VA MAY 20 Spring Concert Dress Rehearsal 3:15 PM 21 Spring Concert 7:00 PM JUNE 13 Small Ensemble Concert 7:00 PM 20 Graduation (final exam for Chamber Choir and 1 st performance for the 2019-2020 Chamber Choir) Descriptions of the performance calendar. FALL POPS CONCERT AND DRESS REHEARSAL (mandatory for all choral students in all ensembles) This is our first major concert of the year. WINTER CONCERT AND DRESS REHEARSAL (mandatory for all choral students in all ensembles) Our second concert of the year is a more formal concert highlighting choral literature from the standard repertoire and selected holiday favorites. PYRAMID CONCERT AND DRESS REHEARSAL (mandatory for all choral students in all ensembles) This is our third major concert of the year where we will host singers from select middle schools. SOL DISTRICT PERFORMANCE ASSESSMENT, PRE-ASSESSMENT CONCERT (mandatory for all choral students in all ensembles) sponsored by the Virginia Choral Directors Association. Students will travel to Langley HS to perform for adjudication. Prior to the formal assessment, students will perform a public concert to prepare for the final event. Adjudication involves a warm up piece, two graded selections, and group sight singing. SPRING CONCERT AND DRESS REHEARSAL (mandatory for all choral students in all ensembles) our fifth and final large ensemble concert of the year. This concert features a Senior Night to honor the Class of 2019. SMALL ENSEMBLE CONCERT (mandatory for all choral students in all ensembles) is a culminating activity and part of the final exam grade for students in Concert Choir, Advanced Choir, and Chamber Singers. Students will choose, rehearse and perform pieces in a public performance. GRADUATION (mandatory for Chamber Singers) Seniors who wish to sing for graduation must be present at the final exam for Chamber Choir and be able to perform your part from memory in a quartet test. Singing at graduation will be a portion of your final exam grade. CHORAL DEPARTMENT SPRING TRIP (optional) The choral department will participate in a spring trip based on student interest. Destination is TBA 11
ALL-DISTRICT CHOIR (optional) sponsored by the Virginia Choral Directors Association and open to all students in all ensembles. The auditions are held in the fall and students will be behind a partition. The audition includes a prepared piece and an individual sight-singing example. The three-day culminating activity is in early February. All audition fees and participation fees are covered by the students and their parents/guardians. ALL-VIRGINIA CHOIR sponsored by the Virginia Choral Directors Association and open to students in grades 9-12 who are members of the 2019 All-District Chorus. Audition information can be found at: http://vcda.net/index.php/2013-12-10-04-17-46/all-virginia-menu/allvachorus-audition.html - Registration, lodging, music, and transportation will be at the expense of Arlington Public Schools. VIRGINIA SENIOR HONORS CHOIR (optional) - sponsored by the Virginia Music Educators Association and open to member of the Class of 2019 only. Auditions will include sight singing and will not be a blind audition. Students who successfully pass the audition will perform as part of the VMEA Conference in November and The Homestead. All expenses will be paid for by Arlington Public Schools. Audition information can be found at http://www.vmea.com/index.php/events-menu/honors-choirs (the date should read 2018 I ve been assured that all of the other information is correct.) ACDA National (optional) - sponsored by the American Choral Directors Association and interested students must be sponsored by an ACDA member. The ACDA National Conference will be in Kansas City, MO in late February. All fees and expenses, including the audition fee, will be covered by the students and their parents/guardians. Students will submit a taped audition and information can be found at https://acda.org/images/acda%20web/conferences/honor%20choir%20page%201%20final.jp g 12
W-L Choral Music Department 2018-2019 Ms. Severin Syllabus Signature Page I have read, and I understand the content of this course and the expectations of students enrolled in the course. I have specifically taken notice of the activity calendar, grading policy and the policies concerning late work and student absences and cell phone policy. Student Signature Date Parent/Guardian Signature Date 13