Garner Middle School Choral Handbook 2018-2019 Kimberly Mendez, Director 210.356.3800 (School) 210.802.6228 (Personal) Kmende@neisd.net 4302 Harry Wurzbach San Antonio, TX 78209
Come prepared. Handle all class materials with care. On time means in your seat. Involve yourself 100%. Respect everyone, including yourself. Choir Expectations Discipline Step Process Verbal Warning Redirection by teacher (seat change, reflection paper, alternate assignment, etc.) Student/teacher conference Detention (before school, after school, or lunch extracurricular and/or after school activities do not excuse students from serving detention) Parent/teacher conference Referral to counselor Referral to AP Severe Disruptions: Student is sent immediately to the office. Bullying of any sort will be immediately reported to your assigned administrator. Materials 6 th Grade: 7 th /8 th Grade: * Pencil Pouch * Pencil Pouch * Plenty of #2 Pencils * Plenty of #2 Pencils * Spiral Notebook * Spiral Notebook * 1 inch binder * Pack of colored highlighters * Yellow highlighter * Box of tissues All copies of music will be provided. Students will be financially responsible for lost or damaged original sheet music. Sheet music may only be written on in pencil.
Fees and Fundraising The Garner M.S. Choral Budget and Student Accounts will cover most costs of participating in choir; however, occasional fees may arise for t-shirts, competitions, and field trips. In order to minimize costs, all choir students must participate in fundraising activities to the best of their ability. Maintaining the choir program is expensive*. The school district provides only a portion of that money; therefore, we must fundraise the rest. * The following is a breakdown of costs per student that have been completely covered by fundraising in the past, and CANNOT be paid with budget money: - Region Entry Fee and Sheet Music - $22, campus fee - $50 - Buses for field trips to ZDT s Kidz in the Park, Schlitterbahn Soundwaves, Six Flags Celebrate the Arts, Zoo Lights, River Barge Caroling, Region Concert in San Marcos - $3.00 to $31.00 depending on distance and time - Solo and Ensemble Fee - $5 - Dry Cleaning for Dresses and Tuxes - $13 - Schlitterbahn Soundwaves Festival - $50 - Zoo Lights Performance - $5 - $20 towards ZDT s Kidz in the Park Festival or Six Flags Celebrate the Arts Festival.times 30-85 students, = $$$ (It quickly adds up!) Once we have used up our budget money on sheet music ($1.00-2.00 per piece per student), piano accompanists ($50 per hour), choreographers for Pop Show ($100 per song), CD practice and performance tracks ($25 per track), and various other supplies, we depend on fundraising money to get us through the year. Your participation in fundraisers will help minimize the out of pocket costs for all students, and ensure that your children have all they need for a quality choir experience! Note: Finances should NEVER effect a student s participation, progress, or potential in choir. In the event that finances become a concern, PLEASE contact me. Arrangements can often be made.
Choir Council The Choir Council is determined through an application. Students and will serve as a governing body for the organization. Responsibilities include but are not limited to the following: To act as responsible members of the organization. To remain in good academic standing. To use good leadership skills and work well with others. To report once/twice a month to discuss duties, progress, and concerns. (Meeting dates and times will be arranged.) President: He or she will be the main spokesperson for all choirs, such as at concerts, and help with publicity and organizational matters. He or she will assist the choir director and the other officers when the need arises. The council members will elect this individual. Council Members: 1-2 members will be chosen per class period based on a written application and grade/behavior check. Travel The choir will have opportunities throughout the year to perform at off-campus locations. When on the bus or off-campus, students are expected to abide by all of the policies and procedures in this handbook, as if they were on campus. If a student continually misbehaves, consequences will follow. Facilities Choir Room *Absolutely NO running or horseplay inside or outside the choir room. *Do NOT talk during rehearsals. *NO food or drinks. This includes gum!! Piano/Stereo *Can only be used with my permission, before or after school. *Do not set any of your belongings on top of any of the pianos. Practice Rooms *Can only be used with my permission. *Priority will be given to students taking individual assessments or practicing for upcoming contests.
UNIFORMS * Provided by Garner M.S. Choir Program ALL GRADES - INFORMAL UNIFORM 2018 Garner M.S. Choir t-shirt (tucked in) Khaki pants (must cover the entire leg) Closed-toe shoes ALL TREBLE CHOIRS - FORMAL UNIFORM White dress shirt/button-up/polo Black dress pants (must cover the entire leg) Black closed-toe shoes (No high heels, open-toed shoes, tennis shoes/sneakers, sandals, non-black shoes, boots, flashy shoes, flip-flops.) VARSITY TREBLE CHOIR - REGION/UIL UNIFORMS *Choir Dress Black dress shoes (NO high heels, open-toed shoes, tennis shoes/sneakers, sandals, non-black shoes, boots, flashy shoes, flip-flops.) Black pantyhose ALL TENOR-BASS CHOIRS - FORMAL UNIFORMS White tuxedo shirt/button up shirt (if you wear an undershirt, it must be plain white) Black dress pants Black socks Black shoes (NO open-toed shoes, tennis shoes/sneakers, sandals, non-black shoes, boots, flip flops.) *Choir vest *Bow tie POP SHOW: For our final concert, a costume list will be sent out weeks in advance. Please contact me asap if you need assistance providing any uniform. TREBLE CHOIR (FORMAL): Hair must be pulled away from the face in a neat fashion using black hair ties/clips or bobby pins. (NO hair ribbons, hair bands, large clips, colored hair ties, or colored clips, UNLESS otherwise stated.) Jewelry: You may only wear small studs on the lower ear. HYGIENE: Middle school marks a time in your life where your body goes through many changes. It is important that each student keep good hygiene rules in mind when preparing for concerts. This includes showering and using deodorant. Do NOT use perfumes or cologne for a performance because this can lead to health problems or allergic reactions on stage when you stand close together.
Daily Procedures ENTERING: Students will enter the classroom quickly, quietly, and safely. Students will place belongings under the Bags sign, grab choir materials, go immediately to assigned seats, and begin working on the Bell Ringer assignment. HEALTH: Talk to me at the very beginning of class if you are sick. If you do not communicate with me, I will not know and will assume you are simply choosing to not participate, which will affect your grade. PENCILS: I will sharpen your pencil only before class starts. If you need a pencil at any time, raise your hand and I will loan you one in exchange for your broken one. ATTENDANCE: If you are not in your assigned seat with your materials when the tardy bell rings, you will be counted tardy! In the event that you are tardy, sign in, and enter quickly and quietly. If you are absent, it is your responsibility to check online for any announcements you may have missed, as well as see me before/after school or during lunch to make up any assignments and see what we did that day. DO NOT ASK DURING CLASS TIME. RESTROOM/HALL PASSES/NURSE: Students will raise their hands to ask for permission after sightreading and before the last ten minutes of class. Only one student will be allowed to leave the room at a time. You will sign in and out. DISMISSAL: Students will clean up their area, return choir materials, gather belongings, and return to their seat. Students will be verbally dismissed. PHONES: Students will use their devices in class occassionally, but only when instructed to do so.
Grading Meets Rehearsal Expectations (Weekly) 40% 100 Consistently and actively engages body to sing. Consistently displays proper rehearsal etiquette, to include interpreting individual copies of sheet music. Consistently is on task, focused, watches and responds to teacher. Consistently sits/stands with appropriate singing posture. Consistently communicates energy when singing. 85 Often actively engages body to sing. Often displays proper rehearsal etiquette, to include interpreting individual copies of sheet music. Often is on task, focused, watches and responds to teacher. Often sits/stands with appropriate singing posture. Often communicates energy when singing. 70 Sometimes actively engages body to sing. Sometimes displays proper rehearsal etiquette, to include interpreting individual copies of sheet music. Often is off task, unfocused, and does not watch and respond to teacher. Often does not sit/stand with appropriate singing posture. Sometimes communicates energy when singing. 50 Does not actively engages body to sing. Consistently displays poor rehearsal etiquette, and does not have necessary materials. Is off task, unfocused, and does not watch and respond to teacher. Rarely sits/stands with appropriate singing posture. Rarely communicates energy when singing. Extra Rehearsals: Extra rehearsals will be called before or after school in order to prepare for an upcoming concert or event. These rehearsals are necessary when several groups are scheduled to perform together, or in preparation for a concert. You will be given advanced notice to make arrangements. Alternate assignments will be given for missing rehearsals (up to a 70 for unexcused absence, 100 for excused absence.) Assessments 20% Post-Concert Reflections, Projects Performance and Written Quizzes (Music Theory, Rhythm, Solfege, Sight-Reading, Vocabulary, Singing, Repertoire) Classwork/Homework 20% Score Study (Analysis, Solfege), Written Assignments Late Work: No late work will be accepted after the end of the 9-weeks period.
Concert Attendance 20% Performance outside of the school day is a necessary component of performing in choirs. Attendance is required for all concerts, as they are a form of assessment in choir. You will be given advanced notice to make arrangements. Performance Grade 100 Contributed to a positive and productive performance. Consistent effort was made to perform all articulations and dynamic markings. Phrasing and breaths were planned and effectively executed. Student consistently sang with energy, and was attentive to vowel shape and diction. 85 Made frequent effort to perform with appropriate vocal technique. Some effort was made to perform all articulations and dynamic markings. Phrasing and breaths were sometimes planned and effectively executed. Student sometimes sang with energy, or was sometimes attentive to vowel shape and diction. 70 Demonstrated inconsistent effort to perform with appropriate vocal technique. Little effort was made to perform all articulations and dynamic markings. Phrasing and breaths were not planned and effectively executed. Student sang with little energy, and was not attentive to vowel shape and diction. 50 Did not sing. Concert Etiquette 100 Student was an example of appropriate concert etiquette. Maintained eye contact, attention, and focus with the director throughout the performance. Safely, quickly, and properly moved from stage to audience when appropriate. Breaks in performance were quiet. Student refrained from talking, eating, and using cell phone. 85 Sometimes maintained eye contact, attention, and focus with the director throughout the performance. Did not properly move from stage to audience when appropriate. Breaks in performance were sometimes quiet. Student sometimes refrained from talking, eating, and using cell phone. 70 Rarely maintained eye contact, attention, and focus with the director throughout the performance. Did not properly move from stage to audience when appropriate. Breaks in performance were rarely quiet. Student was talking, eating, and/or using cell phone. 50 Did not sing. Excused absences will be given a make-up assignment for up to full credit. Excused absences must be communicated with me as soon as possible. The only reasons for Excused Absences are: Extreme Illness (Proof is Doctor s Note) or Death in the Family (Proof is Obituary or Note from Funeral Home) Not having a ride is not an excuse!!! Get in contact with me, and we can figure something out. Unexcused absences can only earn up to a 70 on make-up assignments.
UIL and No Pass/No Play According to University Interscholastic League (UIL) rules and House Bill 72 (No Pass/No Play), students must be academically eligible in order to participate in an extracurricular activity. Students are required to participate in all class rehearsals and performances where admission is not charged, regardless of eligibility. Students who are ineligible will not be allowed to participate in the following: - Any Garner M.S. choral concert where admission is charged. - All-Region Choir Auditions and Concerts - Solo & Ensemble Contest - UIL Concert & Sight Reading Contest - Choir Field Trips - Any event where we leave campus by means of school transportation In order to receive a grade for these situations when ineligible, appropriate written or performance assignments will be given. A student who is ineligible after the nine-week grading period cannot become eligible until the threeweek mark of the following grading period, granted that he/she is passing the class failed on the report card. Students cannot lose eligibility at the three-week mark if they passed their classes on the previous nine-week s report card. Sacred Music in Public School North East ISD, Garner M.S., and Mrs. Mendez do not sponsor, endorse, or promote any particular religious ideology or group. Any compositions containing religious lyrics are selected on the basis of their musical and educational values rather than the religious context. The omission of sacred music from the repertoire or study of music would present an incorrect and incomplete concept of the comprehensive nature of the art form. If your child is unable to perform any piece of music at any time, please let me know so I can accommodate them.
End-of-Year Awards Awards will be given at the final concert. Students have the chance to earn awards for contests they participate in. The following major awards will be based on a point system. Excellence in Leadership Award-GMS Choir Students consistently display qualities of focus, confidence, integrity, positivity, and commitment. Students attend all performances their choir has for the year, and earn a minimum of 7 points for 6 th grade, and 9 points for 7 th and 8 th grade. GMS Star Choir Musicians (1 per choir) Students must be in choir all year, and consistently display all leadership qualities and excellence in musicianship. Points will be taken into high consideration. GMS Outstanding Choir Musician (1 student) Student must be in choir all 3 years, and consistently display all leadership qualities and excellence in musicianship. Cumulative points from all 3 years in Garner M.S. choir will be taken into high consideration. This student s name will be engraved on the plaque that hangs in our choir room for years to come. Attendance/Performance at each assigned curriculum concert 1 pt. per concert Additional (optional) performances - 1 pt. per concert Semester Grade of 90 or higher 1 pt. per semester Auditioned for Region 1 pt. (only open to 7 th and 8 th grade students) Earning a Chair in Region Choir 5 pts. UIL Concert & Sight Reading Contest 1 pt. (required for Choir II & Choir III students) Solo & Ensemble Contest 1 pt. per song (maximum of 1 solo and 1 ensemble) Division 1 Rating 3 pts. Division 2 Rating 2 pts. Division 3 Rating or lower 0 pts. Volunteer Work for Choir at Fun Night 1 pt. Choir Council Membership 1 pt.