Leonard J.Tyl Middle School CHORUS HANDBOOK 2018-2019 Judy Abrams Choral Music School jabrams@montvilleschools.org Director of Leonard J. Tyl Middle
Welcome back! Thank you for choosing to be a part of our choral program! I look forward to an exciting year with you as we sing and perform great music. There will be many opportunities for you to grow as an individual musician and also to grow as a choral ensemble. My goal is for Chorus students to become IMCQPs (Independent Musicians Creating Quality Performance), work as a TEAM and THINK LIKE MUSICIANS. Music involves a collaboration of students of different talents and skill levels working for a common goal. Effort DOES make a difference! The keys to a successful chorus are practice, communication, teamwork and a shared enthusiasm and pride for the music you perform. I am confident that this year will be one of the best for our Chorus. Outlined in this handbook is the information and policies of the Tyl choral. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions. To the parents and guardians of our Chorus students: Thank you for your support of this program. As a parent, you play a huge role in the success of your child and Chorus. Your encouragement and support will be directly reflected in your child s performance in school. I look forward to a year filled with music making! Sincerely, Judy Abrams, Director of Choral Music Leonard J. Tyl Middle School jabrams@montvilleschools.org 2
- CONCERT AND REHEARSAL RESPONSIBILITIES - Concerts and full-grade (6 th, 7 th, 8 th ) rehearsal grades an important part of the final trimester grade. Participation in our scheduled performances is required of all Chorus students. All concert absences, including student s illness, family emergencies, etc., must be detailed in writing by a parent/ guardian within one week of the student s absence from a concert. A makeup assignment will be given to take the place of their concert grade. Please write these dates on your calendars so you can plan around them: WINTER CONCERTS: 6 th Grade Chorus & Chamber Choir - Thurs., Dec. 13, 2018 Report time: 5:15 pm. Concert begins at 6:00 pm. 7 th Grade Chorus & Chamber Choir Thurs., Dec. 13, 2018 Report time: 6:45 pm. Concert begins at 7:30 pm. 8th Grade Chorus & Chamber Choir Tues., Dec. 18, 2018 Report time: 6:15 pm. Concert begins at 7:00 pm. SPRING CONCERTS: 6 th Grade Chorus & Chamber Choir Tues., May 23, 2019 Report time: 5:15 pm. Concert begins at 6:00 pm 7th Grade Chorus & Chamber Choir Tues, May 23, 2019 Report time: 6:45 pm. Concert begins at 7:30 pm. 8 th Grade Chorus & Chamber Choir 1. Combined Concert with MHS Choirs Wed., March 13, 2019 @ 7:00 PM at MHS 2. Spring Concert Thurs., May 16, 2019 Report time: 6:15 pm. Concert begins at 7:00 pm 3
CONCERT UNIFORM: ALL SINGERS MUST BE COVERED FROM THE COLLARBONE DOWN, WEARING WHITE ON TOP/BLACK ON BOTTOM (ALL BLACK FROM THE WAIST DOWN) AS FOLLOWS: Ladies Must be covered from below the knees to the collarbone as well as shoulders. Acceptable: * plain white long/short sleeve shirt (with shoulders covered). Shirt may be dress shirt or top, or golf -type shirt. * black slacks/black jeans, black skirts below the knee * black socks/tights/nylons, black shoes/black sneakers Not Acceptable: * strapless/tank tops/spaghetti straps, colored shirts * blue jeans, pajama bottoms, skirts at or above the knee * bare legs, flesh-colored or any color other than black nylons/socks/tights and any shoes that are not black. Flipflops and slippers are not acceptable. Gentlemen similar to the Ladies with the exception of the shirt. Acceptable: * plain white collared, button-up long/short sleeve shirt (dress shirt or golf shirt). I will provide red bowties. The men are often complimented on how spiffy and professional they look in the bow ties! * black slacks/black jeans; * black socks, black shoes/black sneakers Not Acceptable: * shirts without a buttoned-collar (like T-shirts), colored shirts * blue jeans, pajama bottoms, bare legs, colored socks, shoes that are not black. Flip-flops and slippers are not acceptable. 4
Just as a sports team, we are a musical team. Our choral concert uniform reflects the professionalism and excellence of our ensemble. ****Please plan ahead and contact Ms. Abrams if you have questions. Many students borrow clothing from friends or family, or shop at consignment shops if necessary. Plan ahead! **Please let me know if you need any help finding concert attire.**** CLASSROOM RESPONSIBILITIES - The Chorus grade is a skills-based grade on the music skills we cover in class: Musical Skills: the fundamental abilities a musician must possess in order to perform, appreciate, and create a piece of music at a higher level. No prior choral experience is necessary to do well in Chorus. Students will be graded individually as follows: 1. Sings with effective vocal production using appropriate singing Technique (posture, breathing, etc.) 2. Sings repertoire accurately with expression appropriate to the piece 3. Sings assigned voice part Part 1, Part 2, Soprano, Alto, Baritone 4. Sight-sings using solfege syllables 5. Identifies standard notation symbols in music 6. Demonstrates effective ensemble etiquette working with the ensemble as a team CLASSROOM EXPECTATIONS: Preparation - comes to class on time, takes out chorus music folder, stretches, ready to sing and participate, checks message board for class objectives, including sightsinging examples and rhythm pattern examples Effort - makes observable efforts to improve vocal and music skills. Uses Chorus website for practice outside of class. Participation - demonstrates effort to sing and participate to the best of their ability, contributes to the success of the group by working well with and respecting those in the ensemble, and maintains proper behavior.** **School discipline policies and procedures apply. Students desiring extra help are encouraged to schedule a time during X-block or after school to practice with Ms. Abrams. 5
Students with consistently poor class effort and disruptive behavior will not be allowed to sing in the concert. A written and/or singing assignment will be given in lieu of the concert grade. - ASSESSMENTS - Formal and informal assessments and proficiency tests include lyrics tests and other written/singing assessments will be given as necessary. - CHAMBER CHOIR - The Tyl Middle School Chamber Choir is a select, honors choir for students in grades 7 and 8. All Tyl 7th and 8th Grade students are encouraged to audition for this ensemble; students are not required to be in Chorus to be in Chamber Choir. Chamber Choir meets once a week during the school day and twice a week after school. The award-winning Chamber Choir performs in the community, at Chorus concerts, and competes in the Fantastic Festivals/Six Flags in the Spring. Audition dates and requirements will be posted in the Chorus room and on the Sound Board in the music hallway and take place the first week September. - EASTERN CONNECTICUT MIDDLE SCHOOL REGIONAL FESTIVAL - Each year an honors festival is held for all schools in the Eastern Connecticut Region. Students audition in the Fall and, if chosen, perform in the Spring. This is a tremendous opportunity to perform with peers throughout the Eastern Region and sing amazing music conducted by professional conductors. CMEA guidelines state that a student must be a member of a school music ensemble in order to audition (Chorus, Chamber Choir, Band or Jazz Band). All interested 6th, 7th and 8th grade ensemble students are encouraged to audition for this festival. I will provide copies of the requirements, audition piece and a practice CD for each student auditioning. Audition date Saturday, Nov. 3, 2018 Performance dates Fri., March 9 (rehearsal) and Sat., March 10, 2019 (snow date March 16/17) Additional information can be found at http://cmea.org/auditions/eastern-region-middle-school-auditions. 6
- TYL CHORUS WEBSITE http://wp.montvilleschools.org/tylchorus is our Tyl Chorus website for concert dates, rehearsal information, class assignments, repertoire listening examples, and audition deadlines, as well as links to helpful music websites. It is a valuable tool for you and students are expected to frequent this site. Please familiarize yourselves with these great resources. Excellence is an art won by training and habituation. We do not act rightly because we have virtue or excellence, but we rather have those because we have acted rightly. We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act but a habit. - Aristotle 7
Please detach and fill out this form and return to Ms. Abrams by September 7, 2018 for a homework grade. Keep this handbook for your records. (All handbook signature pages turned in on time and filled in completely - will receive full credit AND a Super Singer Card!) We acknowledge that we have read this handbook. We understand the policies and agree to their terms and conditions. _ Grade: 6 7 8 (circle one) (Student Name printed clearly) **Day **Block (Student Signature) (Date) _ (Parent/Guardian Name printed clearly) (Parent/Guardian Signature) 8