Big Hollow Middle School Choir Handbook 2018-19 Ms. Julie Dee, Director of Choirs 847-740-5322 ext. 5053 juliedee@bighollow.us Twitter: Julie Dee@BHMSChoirs Website: msjdee@weebly.com Boosters Website: bighollowfinearts.weebly.com
Big Hollow School Mission Statement: Inspiring a diverse school community to be passionate and empathetic learners. Big Hollow Fine Arts Boosters Purpose: The purpose will be the promotion and encouragement of the artistic and extracurricular pursuits of fine arts at Big Hollow Middle School and throughout the school and community by providing resources and financial assistance to the Fine Arts Programs organized activities. Big Hollow Music Department Mission Statement: Our goal for the music program is to strive for excellence in personal and ensemble musical growth, build musical skills and knowledge, serve to promote music and the arts within our community, and make choir an enjoyable musical experience for students, parents, community members, and audiences. Big Hollow Middle School Fine Arts Boosters Meeting Dates - 7:30-9:00 p.m. Middle School Lounge September 4 October 2 November 13 December 4 January 8 February 5 March 5 April 2 April 30 May 28
Dear Choir Parent, Welcome to the choral program at Big Hollow Middle School! We are proud of the traditions our choral program has established and I am delighted that your child will be participating in choir during the 2018-19 school year. Your child is bound to experience memories and friendships that will last a lifetime in addition to enhancing their academic achievement. By choosing full-year choir, your child will be incorporating music into their overall yearly curriculum. Through teamwork, performance, music literacy, and creativity, students are better able to establish self-esteem and expression. Choral students are exposed to many different cultures, musical styles, and time periods enhancing their ability to relate to a variety of musical styles. The purpose of this handbook is to inform you of the expectations, grading, and events of the Big Hollow Choral Program. Please read through all of the material in this handbook and sign & return the last page of this document. Commitment is the essential element in maintaining a strong and growing music program. Only through hard work by all students, parents, teachers, and administrators can our goals be fully realized. Please take this opportunity to record all concert dates into your yearly calendar. Choir is performance-based and all students will be graded on concert attendance. If you have any questions pertaining to this handbook, please don t hesitate to contact me at anytime throughout the school year. Our boosters work hard at fundraising for our programs and our meeting dates are included in your calendar. Even if you cannot dedicate to the time to join the boosters, we encourage everyone to attend the meetings. I am looking forward to an excellent year of music! Thank you, Julie Dee
2018-19 CHORAL PROGRAM OBJECTIVES Vocal Development : tone, breath, care for the voice, pitch, intonation Development of Musicality : expression of the written music through performance of varied styles Music Appreciation : exploration of composers, styles, and genres Music Literacy : following a vocal score with all pertinent markings and symbols Sight Reading : reading music through the use of solfege syllables Music Theory : notation, musical symbols Performance Etiquette : presenting oneself in a concert setting as courteous and professional You will further develop your musicianship and total understanding of music in such a way that will allow you to enjoy, learn, and perform music as in independent musician. Your Big Hollow choral experience will not only prepare you for choir in high school, but encourage you to appreciate music throughout your entire life as a performer, listener, or creator of music.
CHORAL STUDENT EXPECTATIONS Members of the choir will adhere to all policies, procedures, and guidelines as stated in the Big Hollow Middle School Student Handbook. Any conduct in violation to these policies will be dealt with by Big Hollow Middle School in accordance with the current policies. You are financially responsible for lost, damaged, or stolen school equipment and sheet music. All sheet music must be returned upon the completion of the school year. Those who fail to do so will be billed for the missing music. Each copy of music costs approximately $2.25. Classroom: o Be on time and sitting in your seat at the beginning of class with all required materials (music, pencil, etc.) o Remain focused during class o Assist the teacher when needed o Mark your music when appropriate o Clean up your materials after every rehearsal o Participate in all rehearsals and performances Concerts: o Attend all concerts on time dressed in proper performance attire o Transportation or attire are not excuses to miss a concert Arrangements for transportation and attire can be made with advanced notification o Plan to stay for the entire concert unless previously discussed with Ms. Dee o Perform to the best of your ability o Sit quietly while your peers are performing o o Display proper conduct and concert etiquette Any absences must be previously discussed with Ms. Dee and/or excused through the school office in order to be an excused absence. If absent, complete an alternate assignment on time with quality work. Food, drinks, and gum should be disposed of upon walking into class or attending a concert. Cell phones or other electronic devices are not allowed during class or concerts. Respect is required at all times for all students, directors, and guests. Disrespect will not be tolerated. Smile and feel proud of your hard work! Singing is a wonderful way to enhance compassion, expression, and creativity.
REQUIRED MATERIALS Choir folder Pencil Choir t-shirt o All students should own a Big Hollow choir t-shirt that is to be worn at multiple events throughout the school year. The design will be voted on by the students, and the cost for each t-shirt is $10. CHORAL GRADING POLICY I. PERFORMANCES (40%) Students are required to attend all performances and concerts. Attendance at each performance is worth 50 points. Please make arrangements to be at all performances throughout the year. In the event of an excused absence from a performance, students will have the opportunity to make up the grade with an alternative assignment for full credit if handed in on the scheduled due date. II. ASSESSMENTS (40%) Evaluation will be based on effort shown during rehearsals and sectionals, musical preparedness, and a positive attitude toward the learning environment. Formal and informal assessments will be given each quarter. III. EVALUATIONS/SELF-REFLECTION (20%) Throughout the year, students will be required to complete various assignments in class. Students will be given ample time and preparation for these assignments. Point totals will vary based on the content of the assignment. The majority of the assignments will be facilitated through Google Classroom and individual conferences with Ms. Dee.
CONCERT ATTIRE 6th-8th Grade Band & Choir Showcase October : choir t-shirt, black pants, black shoes 5th Grade Band & Choir Concert-November : choir t-shirt, black pants, black shoes 6th-8th Grade Holiday Concert December : red, white, green, or blue top, black pants or holiday dress (appropriate lenght) black shoes 7th & 8th Grade MIOSM Concert -March : choir t-shirt, black pants, black shoes 5 th & 6 th Grade Band & Choir Concert March : dress nicely 5th-8th Grade Pops Concert May : dress in attire that fits the theme or choir t-shirt Extra Performances High Note Festival (7 th & 8 th grade students only) choir t-shirt & nice jeans or capri pants, gym shoes Graduation (7 th & 8 th grade students only) dress nicely
CONCERT DATES REQUIRED **All concerts start at 7:00 pm and are located in the middle school gym unless listed otherwise. 6th-8th Grade Band & Choir Showcase Thursday, October 18 th 5th Grade Band & Choir Concert Thursday, November 15 th 6th-8th Grade Holiday Choral Concert Wednesday, December 19th 5 th & 6 th Grade Band & Choir Concert Thursday, March 7th 7th & 8th Grade MIOSM Rehearsal Monday, March 11 th **Grant Community High School **6:00 8:00 pm 7th & 8th Grade MIOSM Concert Tuesday, March 12 th **Grant Community High School **7:00 pm 5th - 8th Grade Pops Concert Thursday, May 23rd Extra Performances (not required for a grade) High Note Festival 7 th & 8 th grade Friday, May 10 th Graduation 8 th grade Wednesday, May 29th
PARENT STATEMENT OF PURPOSE After reading this handbook thoroughly with your child, please sign this page and return it to Ms. Dee by Friday, August 30th.. This will be considered a 10-point assignment. Please include your child s t-shirt size and send payment of $10 with your child (cash or check - please address checks to BHMS Fine Arts Boosters ). Should you have any concerns with the t-shirt fee, please do not hesitate to contact me. ** I have read the Big Hollow Middle School Choir Handbook, which has been issued to my son/daughter. I will support my son/daughter in following the principles, procedures, rules, and guidelines set forth in this handbook. I realize that my son/daughter is enrolled in a performance-based curriculum for academic credit and I agree not to use suspension of his/her participation in rehearsals or performances as a disciplinary tool. I also agree to reimburse Big Hollow Middle School for any missing sheet music issued to my son/daughter. I hereby grant permission for my child to participate in choir activities during the 2017-18 school year. STUDENT NAME: STUDENT GRADE: 5 6 7 8 PARENT SIGNATURE: PARENT EMAIL(S): $10 is enclosed for a choir t-shirt T-SHIRT SIZE: Youth M L Adult S M L XL STUDENT STATEMENT OF PURPOSE I have read, understand, and agree to abide by the principles, procedures, rules, and guidelines set forth in the Big Hollow Choir Handbook. My choice to participate in choir activities is voluntary on my part and is made with the understanding that I will not violate any of the rules and regulations of Big Hollow Middle School or the choir program. STUDENT SIGNATURE: