LOUDOUN COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL Choral Department Handbook 2016-2017 Loudoun County High School 415 Dry Mill Rd. SW Leesburg, VA 20175 Main Office 571-252-2000 Choral Office 571-252-2004 Mr. Willis Rosenfeld, Choral Director William.rosenfeld@lcps.org
Dear Students and Parents: Welcome to the 2016-2017 school year and the Loudoun County High School Choral Program. I am excited to be your choir director this year! Last year was a great first year here as your director. I am looking forward to continuing to build upon the foundation we laid. This year we will focus Enclosed is a handbook containing all the vital information you need to prepare for another successful year. Parents: please take time to review this handbook with your student. Feel free to contact me with any questions or clarifications if something is unclear. Once you have reviewed the handbook together, I ask that both parent and student sign and complete both sides of the last page and return it to me by the requested date. We are continuing last year s goal to improve communication amongst everyone involved in the choral department, including myself, parents, and students. Please be sure to include your email address on the Handbook Acknowledgement page I have found this to be the most effective way to reach everyone involved. We will also be utilizing the Remind system. This system allows you to sign up for text notifications from me. More information will be provided to students in class and available on the website. The biggest change in communication, however, will be the addition of the CHARMS Office Assistant program to manage our program. This system will be our central source of communication about calendars, student account balances, uniform assignments, and all other administrative tasks. I encourage you to login and see it for yourself. In addition, this year our new Choral Boosters Association will be fully up and running. They will now manage all fundraising activities and all volunteer scheduling. I m very excited to have their support and encourage all choir parents to join! Please be sure to make note of the calendar of dates included, and mark these on your calendars. As always, we have a busy schedule of performances and activities planned for our choral program this year, including a number of new activities. Please make these a priority in your scheduling as much as possible and avoid scheduling other events during the dates and times I have listed. Thank you for your interest and support in the Loudoun County High School Choral Department. I look forward to meeting each one of you and working with you this year. We will all work together to make an outstanding year of music and accomplishments. Please contact me anytime with questions or concerns. Go Raiders! Sincerely, Mr. Willis Rosenfeld Choral Music Director William.rosenfeld@lcps.org (Email Preferred) 571-252-2004 (Choral Office)
CHORAL MUSIC OBJECTIVES The Standards of Learning for High School choral music in the state of Virginia include 9 different standards. These standards will be the objectives of our choral program. 1. The student will read and notate music, 2. The student will develop aural skills, 3. The student will demonstrate vocal techniques and choral skills, 4. The student will sing expressively, 5. The student will respond to music with movement, 6. The student will demonstrate collaboration and concert etiquette as a performer, 7. The student will explore historical and cultural aspects of music, 8. The student will analyze and evaluate music, 9. The student will investigate aesthetic concepts related to music. CLASSROOM EXPECTATIONS As a member of a Raider performing ensemble, you are expected to look and act professionally in class and at performances. To achieve success requires a tremendous amount of self-discipline. We should demand excellence in everything that we do, and should expect the same in our choral singing. Every student who is a member of any LCHS chorus ensemble is subject to all school and county policies regarding behavior, in addition to the following expectations listed below. Students will: 1. Be RESPECTFUL a. Treat this class as a safe environment be nice to each other, b. Use appropriate language leave the bad words out, c. Listen to the director and to each other, d. Focus on the class work for other classes should be done somewhere else, e. Electronics should be OFF during class NO TEXTING, f. Water only in class no food or other drinks in the classroom, including NO GUM! 2. Be RESPONSIBLE a. Attend all scheduled rehearsals and performances for your group these dates should be treated as priorities in your life, b. All music and equipment should be handled with care Lost or damaged music or uniforms will be charged replacement costs, c. Take pride in the care of our facility clean up and straighten up, even if it s not yours. 3. Be READY TO GO a. Be on time every time, b. Have your music and materials ready even if you think you don t need it, c. Bring a pencil to every class only PENCILS allowed (NO PENS, even erasable), d. Let your primary focus be on the music leave everything else at the door, (NO DRAMA). Consequences for Inappropriate Behavior First offense: Warning. Second offense: Student will turn in a written letter of apology signed by parent or guardian. Third offense: Parent or guardian will be notified for a meeting.
GRADING POLICIES Grades will be determined by: Performance Evaluations o Weekly ensemble performance o Concerts Sight-Singing Assessments Written Assessments o Music Theory o Concert Evaluations Performance Evaluations Concerts/After-School Rehearsals: All after-school rehearsals and concerts are considered MANDATORY events and are a significant portion of your grade for chorus essentially, these are your chorus quarter exam grades and should be treated with an equivalent level of importance. Dates for these events are provided from the beginning of the year. It is the student s responsibility to notify Mr. Rosenfeld directly of an expected absence. Athletics and school conflicts are not automatically excused; you must check with Mr. Rosenfeld. Please also note these points on attendance: NOTE: When UNAVOIDABLE conflicts arise, your parent or guardian must submit the reason in writing (note or email) at least two weeks prior to the absence. Emergencies such as sudden illness or family problems require a written excuse on the day you return to school. Actions of irresponsibility which result in missing mandatory events can result in an unexcused absence. Unexcused absences will affect the student s grade. Weekly Ensemble Performance: Students will be given a weekly grade based on their overall quality of performance in class. Grades will be determined using the Classroom Expectations listed above plus concepts of musical integrity, students will demonstrate Excellence by attitude and actions while working towards Intermediate, Advanced, and/or Artist Level VDOE Standards of Learning. Sight-Singing Evaluations Vocal evaluations will be done periodically in small groups on both music being studied in class and on pieces for sight-reading. Written Classwork Students will demonstrate formal musical knowledge by taking periodic written assessments. Students will be assessed on information which has been discussed or rehearsed in class, such as Solfege, rhythm and interval studies, vocabulary, and memorization of music. Students will also submit short written evaluations after major concerts to demonstrate their growing knowledge of performance level expectations.
LCHS Choral Department Calendar 2016-2017 When Time What Who Where August Tuesday, August 23 9:00am- Chamber Choir Summer Chamber LCHS Choir Room 1:00pm Retreat Wednesday-Thursday, 9:00am- Raider Rhapsody Summer Raider Rhapsody LCHS Auditorium August 24-25 3:00pm Retreat September Tuesday, September 1-30 ACDA National Honors Choir Audition Window September 9-12 TBD All-County Chorus Auditions LCHS Choir Room TBD TBD LCHS Musical Auditions LCHS Auditorium October Saturday, October 8 TBD Honors Choir Auditions Longwood University Saturday, October 8 7:00pm A Capella Concert Featuring Chamber LCHS Auditorium the Chorus of the Old Dominion Monday-Friday, TBD All-County Chorus Auditions Choir Room October 3-7 Sunday-Tuesday, TBD Show Choir Choreography Raider Rhapsody TBD Oct. 9-11 Dates Friday, October 14 7:00pm Homecoming Game National Anthem All Choirs LCHS Football Field Thursday, October 20 7:00pm Raider Rhapsody Showcase RR LCHS Auditorium Monday, October 24 4-6pm Fall Concert Rehearsal C, CC, W, M Leesburg Community Church Tuesday, October 25 7:00pm Fall Concert C, CC, W, M LCC November Monday, November 7 TBD District Chorus Auditions Tuscarora High School Friday-Saturday, November 11-12 Thursday-Saturday, November 17-19 December Thursday-Saturday, December 1-3 All Day All-County Chorus Briar Woods High School All Day Honors Choir Hot Springs, VA Winter Musical: Bye, Bye Birdie Auditorium Thursday, December 8 7:00pm JLSMS Winter Choir Concert LCHS Auditorium Wednesday, December 14 4-6pm LCHS Choir Dress Rehearsal LCHS Auditorium Thursday, December 15 7:00pm LCHS Winter Choir Concert LCHS Auditorium Friday, December 16 All Day Chamber & Show Choir on Elementary Tour Wednesday, December 21 AM Chamber & Show Choirs to Simpson and Evergreen *Items in BOLD are mandatory events for all choir members. Various JLSMS & EMES
When Time What Who Where January Saturday, January 7 All Day LCPS A Capella Workshop Rock Ridge High School February Saturday, February 4 6:00pm Broadway Showcase LCHS Library Friday-Saturday, February 10-11 All Day District Chorus Dominion High School Wednesday, February 15 7:00pm All-State Chorus Auditions Freedom High School Saturday, February 18 All Day Show Choir Competition Raider Rhapsody Menchville HS, Newport News March Wednesday-Saturday, TBD ACDA National Honor Choir Minnesota, MN March 8-11 Friday-Saturday, TBD District Choral Assessment Riverside High March 17-18 Friday-Monday, March 30-April 2 April Monday-Friday, April 10-14 School TBD Tentative Choir Trip Dates Disney World Orlando, FL All Day SPRING BREAK Monday, April 24 All Day Spring Choir Tour Concert Choir, TBD Chamber Choir Thursday-Saturday, April 27-29 All Day All-State Chorus Virginia Beach, VA May Monday, May 22 7:00pm JLSMS Winter Choir Concert LCHS Auditorium Wednesday, May 24 4-6pm LCHS Choir Dress Rehearsal LCHS Auditorium Thursday, May 25 7:00pm LCHS Spring Choir Concert LCHS Auditorium Friday, May 26 7:00pm Choral Awards & Senior Showcase June Friday, June 9 Last Day of School Monday, June 12 8:00am Graduation Chamber & Seniors Sing *Items in BOLD are mandatory events for all choir members. Cafeteria & Auditorium Front Lawn
ADDITIONAL CHORAL ACTIVITIES AVAILABLE In order to participate in any extra-curricular choral activity, students must maintain at least a B+ average in music classes, be in good standing in ALL courses, and have NO disciplinary infractions in any school related activity. ALL-COUNTY CHORUS: Students who are interested in participating must complete an audition for Mr. Rosenfeld. Students selected will perform in the event which occurs on November 6-7. This year s All-County performance will include an Advanced Chamber Ensemble, Women s 9th and 10th grade SSAA Sight-Reading Choir, Women s 11th and 12th grade SSAA Sight-Reading Choir, and a Men s TTBB Sight-Reading Choir. ALL-DISTRICT CHORUS: Auditions will be held on Tuesday, November 7 for All-District Chorus. If selected, Extra rehearsals are required to prepare for the performance February. This year s All-District event will feature a Women s SSAA Choir and a Men s and Women s SATB Choir. If selected, you must be available to attend both days of the event, which takes place on Friday-Saturday, February 10-11, 2017. ALL-STATE CHORUS: All-State auditions will be held February 15. Juniors and Seniors who participated in All- District Chorus are eligible to attend these auditions. Extra rehearsals are required for the auditions and if selected, extra rehearsals are also required to prep for the performance which will be held April 27-29, 2017. VMEA SENIOR HONORS CHOIR: Honors Choir auditions will be held October 8 at Longwood University in Farmville, Va. Only seniors are eligible to audition. If selected to the choir, you must be available to attend the rehearsals and performance which occur at the Virginia Music Educator s Conference November 17-19, 2016. Extra rehearsals will be required prior to the audition as well as to the event itself. ACDA HONORS CHOIRS: The American Choral Directors Association sponsors Honors Choirs at their annual Regional and National Conferences each February or March. This year s event is a National event in Minneapolis, MN, to be held on March 8-11. Recorded auditions will be due for this year s event by September 30. A Cappella Workshop: This is an opportunity for students involved in the middle and high school choral programs in Loudoun County to experience singing and working with experienced professionals in a cappella music, such as barbershop, sweet adelines, and contemporary a cappella. Music and learning tracks will be provided to the students via e-mail. It is expected that students who attend the workshop will learn their music before arriving on the day of the event. CHOIR OFFICERS The choir officers serve as student leaders in the choral program. All officers are expected to provide strong musical and personal leadership, demonstrate a positive and loyal attitude, model support of the director and choir by their words and actions, and have available time to dedicate to the choral program. Officers are required to attend occasional officer meetings, as well as all other planned choir activities, social or otherwise. They are also expected to assist with various projects as necessary throughout the school year. Officers should be visible as leaders in class and in our concerts. PRESIDENT: The President oversees the entire choral organization. They will help plan special events, plan and preside over officer meetings, preside at concerts, and communicate with the Vice-President and other Choir Officers. VICE-PRESIDENT: The Vice-President assumes the duty of the President if they are not present, serves on all committees, and proof-reads all programs, t-shirts, and other materials.
SECRETARY: The Secretary keeps records of officer meetings, assists with department correspondence, and assists with tracking of choir letter points. The secretary is also responsible for helping with communicating information to the choir members from the leadership, including maintenance of department specific social media. HISTORIAN: The Historian documents the year in the choral program. They will save a copy of any concert programs and recordings. It is also their responsibility to ensure that photos are taken at choral events throughout the year, to be posted on a regular basis in the classroom. AT-LARGE: These positions represent the non-senior students on the board. ENSEMBLE PRESIDENT: Each ensemble elects Ensemble Presidents. Ensemble presidents will take attendance at rehearsals and concerts to be submitted to Mr. Rosenfeld. They are also responsible to help organize their group, set the tone for behavior, and encourage their choir members to be present and on time to all functions. LIBRARIAN: This position is appointed by Mr. Rosenfeld. The librarian will file and catalog all repertoire in the Music Library. Each ensemble will also have an assigned librarian to assist with distributing and managing music. CHORAL LETTER Students who consistently work hard in chorus can receive recognition for their efforts. Certificates, letters, and pins are awarded to students who earn the necessary points each year. Awards are announced at the Spring Choral Banquet in June. Students must accumulate 200 points in a school year to be eligible for awards; points do not carry over from one year to the next. The award system is structured as follows: 1st year meeting qualifications Certificate 2nd year meeting qualifications Letter 3rd year meeting qualifications Pin 4th year meeting qualifications Senior Pin POINT SYSTEM You, Your teacher, and class leadership will be involved in the documentation and recording of this information throughout the school year. Each major choral concert Performed Each additional performance All-County, District, State, or national participation Extra-Curricular Auditions performed Broadway Cabaret Winter Musical Roles: Ensemble Supporting Character Lead Character Multi-Ensemble 30 pts. Each 15 pts. each 25 pts. Each 20 pts. Each 15 pts. 15 pts. 20 pts. 25 pts. 10 pts./year Tri-M Membership Participation in other nonschool musical activity (ensembles, lessons, etc.) Perform the Nat l Anthem at an LCHS event Other LCHS musical performances attended Other non-lchs musical performances attended Choir Officers: LCHS Choir Ensemble President Section Leader 10 pts. 15 pts. per activity 15 pts. each 15 pts. Each 10 pts. each 20 pts. 15 pts. 10 pts.
Parent and Student Chorus Contract COMPLETE BOTH SIDES OF THIS PAGE I have read, understand and agree to adhere to the policies and expectations presented in the 2016-2017 Choral Handbook for participation in the Loudoun County High School choruses. Print Student Name Grade Print Parent/Guardian Name Student Signature Parent/Guardian Signature Preferred Parent Phone # Preferred Parent E-mail Preferred Student Phone # Preferred Student E-mail Choral Permission Slip After signing the section above, please turn over this page and complete the permission slip. This permission slip will cover all LCHS Choral activities for the 2016-2017, including after-school rehearsals, performances, and field trips. Please sign & return both sides of this page to Mr. Rosenfeld by Friday, September 9, 2016. 9
LOUDOUN COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS SCHOOL DAY AND EXTENDED DAY FIELD TRIP PERMISSION FORM Instructions: This form and an attached field trip description (1) must be provided for each student (K-12) participating in an LCPS field trip or series of VHSL activities, and (2) must be with the vehicle transporting the student named. (3) The Trip Organizer will complete Section I and provide a copy to each student participant. (4) Section II is to be completed and signed by the student s parent/guardian and returned to the Trip Organizer. Section I To be completed by Trip Organizer: FIELD TRIP INFORMATION See attached Description and Itinerary School Name: Loudoun County High School Today s Date: 08/29/2016 Permission Due Date: 09/09/2016 Class/Grade/or Club Participating: Choir Destination(s): All activities listed in the Choral Handbook Purpose of Trip: Various Risks Involved: (check all that apply to trip) Amusement/Theme Park Activities Swimming/Boating/Water Activities Athletic/Sporting Event Participation Outdoor Activities/Ropes Course Other (describe): Name of Trip Organizer: Willis Rosenfeld Title or Position: Choir Director Date, Time and Place of Departure Various Date, Time and Place of Return Various Transportation (check all that apply to trip) Walking School Bus Commercial Charter Bus/Metro Bus or Rail School Vehicle Private Vehicle Leased Vehicle None Parents or Participant will be responsible for transportation to and from the activity. PARTICIPANT AND EMERGENCY INFORMATION Drivers of Private or Leased Vehicles (check all that apply) Parent Teacher or Staff Member Chaperone/Other Adult Vehicle Type (check all that apply) Car Van (10 passenger or less) Other Student s Full Name: Full Name of Parent(s)/Guardian(s): Home Address of Student (include number, street, city, state & zip code NO P.O. Boxes): Home Phone (w/area Code): ( ) Cell or Work Phone (w/area Code): ( ) 10 Section II To be completed by Parent/Guardian of Student Participant: Emergency Contact #1 Name and Relationship : Emergency Contact #2 Name and Relationship : Describe any medical condition/s or special needs of the above named student: Name of Child s Primary Care Physician: Phone Number (w/area Code): Phone Number (w/area Code): Phone Number (w/area Code): Phone Number (w/area Code): Phone Number (w/area Code): Name of Health Insurance Company: Phone Number (w/area Code): Health Insurance Policy/Member #: For Secondary School Extended Day Field Trips Only: Do you give permission for your child to receive Tylenol or its generic substitute while on this field trip? (Age/weight appropriate dose will be given.) Yes No FIELD TRIP MEDICATION NOTE: On field trips that occur during the length of the school day, any prescription medication already provided to the school will be carried and administered by Loudoun County Public Schools staff. On Extended Day Field Trips, additional physician s orders and parental permission may be required for medication that is to be given. Please contact the school nurse or health clinic assistant. PARENTAL PERMISSION AND AGREEMENT 1. I understand that participation in this field trip is voluntary, that it is not required, and that it exposes my child to some risk. I have read and understand the attached travel itinerary or VHSL schedule and the description of the activities involved, and I give my permission for my child to travel and fully participate in all aspects of the trip. 2. I understand that LCPS will not be responsible for personal property that may become lost or damaged during the trip and that LCPS does not provide medical or accident insurance for student illness or injury which may occur while on the trip. 3. In case of emergency, I authorize and give permission for my child to receive first aid, 911 emergency medical care and transport, or to have the designated emergency contact pick up and transport my child to a physician or hospital. I understand that I will be responsible for any related medical bills, fees, or costs incurred. 4. I understand that non-refundable tickets purchased by parents/students will NOT be reimbursed if the trip is canceled due to inclement weather, hazardous conditions, or if conditions make it inadvisable to have students on a trip. LCPS will provide as much advance notice as possible of any cancellations. 5. I understand that during a middle or high school field trip that there may be periods of time when my child will not be supervised by an adult, but he/she will be required to adhere to check-in times with a chaperone, and that all regular school rules and regulations apply during the field trip. Parent Signature Date **SIGNATURE INDICATES AGREEMENT WITH ALL CONDITIONS LISTED ABOVE**