September 2018 Dear Singers: This handbook is intended to give you all the information you need to make your participation in vocal music at Okemos High School exciting and rewarding. In it you will find an informal OVERVIEW of our program, a CALENDAR of vocal music events, a POLICY regarding absences from required performances, an explanation of our GRADING SYSTEM, our performance UNIFORMS, and a partial listing of our REHEARSAL EXPECTATIONS. Throughout the beginning of the school year, I will be passing out and sending home information about various outside of school vocal opportunities, such as Solo and Ensemble, Honors Choirs, and Private Voice Lessons. I hope you will take the time to read over this material and consider participating in some of these extracurricular events. By the end of the second week of September, you can also find up-to-date information on my website on the Okemos High School Staff Directory. The Okemos High School vocal music program has a reputation for excellence. I assume that since you have joined us you want and expect your choir to be excellent. Consequently, I will not accept anything but a strong effort from each and every one of you, challenging you to grow musically and vocally to your greatest potential. I will expect you to show RESPECT for your fellow students, our music, myself, and the work we must do together to make our choirs perform at their highest possible level of achievement. I will also expect you to show RESPONSIBILITY for your individual contribution by working hard and being attentive at all rehearsals and performances. If, indeed, you do these things your REWARD will be an experience unlike any other you can have in school - encompassing feelings of pride, joy, accomplishment, success, fun and self-satisfaction and creating memories that will last a lifetime! I have been looking forward to the start of this school year for months! The opportunities that are ahead of us are endless, and I am eager to get to know all of you throughout the course of the year. Making incredible choral music with wonderful students is a passion of mine, and I think that this is going to be a fantastic year. Please do not hesitate to contact me with any questions or concerns and I will be glad to address anything. Sincerely, Claire Bellamy, Director PHONE (517) 706-4945 E-MAIL claire.bellamy@okemosk12.net OKEMOS HIGH SCHOOL CHOIRS OHS CHIEFTONES OHS CHORALE OHS SOMEKO SINGERS Claire Bellamy, Director
Grading Policy 1. REHEARSAL POINTS. Two points are earned for every rehearsal in which you participate. Rehearsal points are denied for disruptive behavior (e.g. talking), lack of attention, poor participation and other inappropriate behaviors (see "Rehearsal Expectations"). Chewing gum during a rehearsal, not having a pencil with which to mark your music, not having your assigned folder, and not putting away your assigned folder are each an automatic loss of one rehearsal point. 2. PERFORMANCE POINTS. Up to forty points are earned for participation in each required choir performance (50 points for each performance). 3. TEST POINTS. Up to thirty points can be earned through tests, which may be either written or sung. This includes in-class and out-of-class writing assignments as well as vocal tests done in and outside of class. 4. PARTICIPATION POINTS. Excellent participation is shown in such factors as beginning on time, working hard each day, respecting the director and fellow choir members, showing correct rehearsal etiquette and demonstrating a desire to help your group improve. The director will grant participation 15 points each week. These points are earned by being prepared for and during rehearsal and active participation during each rehearsal. 5. MAKE UP POINTS. You earn no points when you are absent from any rehearsal, performance or test. However, just as in your academic classes, you can make up missed points if your absence is excused. REHEARSAL points lost through absence can be made up through attendance at certain concerts, participation in honors choirs, solo and ensemble festivals, recitals, musical productions and other vocal music activities, through written reports on music topics and through other projects that are from time to time announced in class. These extra credit activities do not carry specific point values but are used as a help in boosting point totals that are just shy of a better letter grade. TEST points are made up by making arrangements to take the test. PERFORMANCE points can be made up by following the procedure outlined elsewhere in this handbook. REMEMBER that anytime you want make up points YOU must ask for them and make the necessary arrangements! 6. EXTRA CREDIT - Extra credit may be earned in a variety of formats. You can complete as many of these per quarter to receive the extra credit. Each option is worth the given amount per grading period. (Examples provided on the back)
Independent Performance (not performances in our school ensembles) Public performance on your orchestra instrument over and above the scheduled choir performances, such as: A solo performance, such as at your place of worship, civic club, library, community program, etc. (5 pts.) A concert in an additional ensemble, such as All-State Choir, Youth Arts Festival, Regional Honors Choir, State Honors Choir, etc (5 pts. each) Performance at District Solo and Ensemble Festival (5 pts. per festival, no matter how many events) A studio recital, where you are one of the performers (5 pts.) A solo recital where you are performing repertoire for the entire recital. (20 pts.) Concert Attendance Attendance at a concert which DOES NOT feature choir prominently: Elementary school or middle school such as Hiawatha Elementary Orchestra, CMS Band (1 pt.) High school, college, adult or professional such as MSU Symphony, Lansing Concert Band, an opera at MSU (1 pt.) Attendance at a concert, which DOES feature choir prominently: Elementary school, middle school such as KMS Strings, CMS Strings (1 pt.) High school, college, adult or professional such as MSU Symphony, Lansing Symphony, Wharton Center Events: (2 pts.) High school, college, adult or professional recital for your instrument, such as a recital by a MSU music vocal major: (3 pts.) If you attend one of these events, please provide either an original or a copy of the program. If they are not provided, please have a parent send an e-mail listing the type and date of the performance that you attended.
Dress Code for Concerts SOMEKO SINGERS Students can choose between either option listed below: Option 1: tuxedo (purchased by students), white tuxedo shirt, satin maroon bow-tie (cummerbund optional), black socks, black dress shoes Option 2:: formal gown (purchased by students), pearl necklace and make up, appropriate black dress shoes CHORALE Students can choose between either option listed below: Option 1: Black pants, White button-up shirt, Black Dress Shoes and Socks, Black tie and vest (provided by Mrs. Bellamy) Option 2: Black dress (provided by Mrs. Bellamy), black closed-toe shoes OHS CHIEFTONES Students can choose between either option listed below: Option 1: Black pants, White button-up shirt, Black Dress Shoes and Socks, Black tie and vest (provided by Mrs. Bellamy) Option 2: Black dress (provided by Mrs. Bellamy), black closed-toe shoes A FEW NOTES: 1. Groups that work as hard to sound good as these do should strive to look good, too! 2. Tennis/athletic shoes are not "dress shoes." Borrow if necessary! 3. T-shirts and polo shirts are not "dress shirts." A dress shirt is one with which you would wear a tie. 4. I must also be able to see both of your eyes during rehearsal and it is crucial that your hair be out of your face for concerts. 5. We will be happy to assist you if you need help but please give us plenty of notice before a concert! 6. Not all performances require performance dress. Check if you are not sure. 7. Please call in advance with your questions or comments. 8. Failure to meet ANY concert dress requirement may, at the director's discretion, result in the loss of 5-15 Performance points.
By signing and returning this page, you: CHOIR AGREEMENT FORM 1. Agree that you have read and understand the content of the Choir policies in the handbook. 2. Give written permission for your child to participate in the activities listed on the Choir Calendar. 3. Give written permission to include your child s name in event programs. 4. Give written permission to allow your student to be videotaped during concerts. STUDENT NAME (print): STUDENT SIGNATURE: PARENT(S) NAME(S) (print): PARENT SIGNATURE: Home Address (Street, City, Zip): Home Phone #: Cell Phone & Name: E-Mail & Name: Preferred method of contact: Student Birthdate: PRIVATE TEACHERS Additional Information Private Teacher Name Years of Study Teacher Phone No, we are not currently taking private lessons, but I would be interested in help finding a private teacher. COMMENTS / QUESTIONS Please return this form to Mrs. Bellamy by FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 2018
OHS VOCAL MUSIC CALENDAR 2018 2019 Thursday, Sept. 14th- Musical Theater Intensive Auditions Due Friday, Sept 28- Homecoming Parade Float Building/Cookout/Parade (OHS Choir Room 3:30-6pm) Monday, October 2 MSU Choral Leadership Workshop (MSU, 8:00 AM - 3:00 PM) September 18 (open)- October 5 (deadline) Regional Honors Choir Auditions (online auditions) Saturday, September 29- MSVMA Musical Theater Intensive (Portage Northern HS) THURSDAY, OCTOBER 4 FALL CHOIR CONCERT (OHS, 7:30 PM) SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 3 TASTE OF OKEMOS FUNDRAISER (OHS Commons, 2-4PM) Saturday, December 1 Regional Honors Choir Performance & State Auditions (WMU) WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 18 WINTER CHOIR CONCERT (OHS, 7:30 PM) FRIDAY, DECEMBER 21 OHS HOLIDAY ASSEMBLIES Friday, Saturday, January 11-12 MSVMA District Solo and Ensemble Festival (Location TBA) Thursday-Saturday, January 24, 25, 26 State Honors Choir Rehearsals and Performances (Michigan Music Conference, Grand Rapids) THURSDAY, FRIDAY, SATURDAY - FEBRUARY 25-26 DISTRICT CHORAL FESTIVAL (Holt HS) (Specific date/time tba) FRIDAY, MARCH 8 OMP SPAGHETTI DINNER (OHS, time TBA) Ensembles TBD TUESDAY, MARCH 19 OHS CHOIR CABARET CONCERT (OHS, 7:30 PM) SATURDAY, MARCH 23 FINE ARTS FESTIVAL COLLAGE (OHS, 7:30 PM) Friday-Saturday, April 12-13 MSVMA STATE SOLO & ENSEMBLE FESTIVAL (Location tba) FRIDAY, APRIL 19 SOMEKO ELEMENTARY TOUR (daytime) Thursday-Saturday, May 9-10-11 Michigan Youth Arts Festival (including All-State Choir) (Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo) TUESDAY, MAY 14 SPRING CHOIR CONCERT (OHS, 7:30 PM) SUNDAY, JUNE 2 OHS COMMENCEMENT (MSU Auditorium, time tba) Note: Students will be responsible for writing down and informing parents regarding any additions, changes or deletions announced in class! = REQUIRED FOR SOMEKO SINGERS = REQUIRED FOR CHORALE = REQUIRED FOR CHIEFTONES