R.J. Fisher Middle School Vocal Music Handbook 2015-2016 Lauren Schlueter-Diez, Director of Vocal Music lschlueter@lgusd.k12.ca.us (408) 335-2362 Room B3 Women s Choir p. 1 Open Choir p. 2 Mixed Choir p. 3 Open Choir p. 4 Sing A Cappella Choir Welcome to Choir at Fisher Middle School! I am excited that you have chosen to be part of this community, and I look forward to making music and learning with you this year. Students will have an experience in choir that is unlike any other activity or subject. The art of choral music engages the body, mind, and soul all at once. It is a skill, an art, a science, and a language. It is analytical, mathematical, social, and collaborative. It builds confidence, independence, social awareness, problem solving skills, artistry, creativity, and interpersonal intelligence. And, perhaps most importantly, it creates memorable and meaningful experiences with others. The Choral Music Program at Fisher is a community that depends on the excellence of each individual focused toward the success of the ensemble as a whole. Unlike a Math or English course, the amount of effort put forth by an individual will directly affect the success of everyone in the group, whether positively or negatively. We become great, or not so great, as one. We can t do it alone. This is the wonderful, collaborative nature of what we do as musicians, and I m asking you to commit to always giving your best for the success of the ensemble. The following handbook provides important information for parents and students regarding objectives, expectations, materials, grading, dates, etc., to refer to throughout the year (in addition to any up-to-date information posted on my website or sent out via email). Please read all sections of this handbook carefully, as students will be held accountable for these details. The page at the end of this handbook contains instructions for submitting an online acknowledgement of the information presented in this handbook and is due by Friday, September 11, 2015. This acknowledgement will serve as students first graded assignment, and those received late will earn a lower grade each day it is past due. I very much look forward to working together this year to create harmonious music and wonderful memories! Ms. Lauren Schlueter-Diez Director of Vocal Music
Objectives Develop healthy and effective singing technique Develop music literacy skills to promote independent musicianship Rehearse and perform quality choral literature from a variety of cultural and historical contexts Gain respect for and an understanding of many styles of choral and vocal music Gain respect for fellow musicians and yourself Understand the mechanics of the human voice Learn the role choral music plays in society and in our lives Make meaningful connections between music and other areas of life Materials Each student is expected to come to class prepared with the following items each day: 1. Pencil and eraser 2. Choir folder and workbook (will be provided) All other items and personal belongings should be placed along the right side wall of the classroom during class time. Folder slots will be assigned within the first two weeks of school so that students may keep their folders in the classroom at all times. Students who do not have their required materials in class will lose participation points, which will negatively affect their grade. Concert Formal Attire Choir members are expected to look uniform and professional at all performances, which means each singer will need the following formal attire for concerts: OPEN CHOIRS (Periods 2 and 4) Dress: Ø Black dress with velvet bodice (rented) Ø Black closed toe dress shoes, 1 1 ½ heel (you provide) Tuxedo: Ø White tuxedo shirt (rented) Ø Black dress slacks (you provide) Ø Black closed toe dress shoes (you provide) AUDITIONED CHOIRS (Women s and Mixed) Dress: Ø Black dress with rhinestone brooch (rented) Ø Black closed toe dress shoes, 1 1 ½ heel (you provide) Tuxedo: Ø White tuxedo shirt with red vest and bow tie (rented) Ø Black dress slacks (you provide) Ø Black closed toe dress shoes (you provide) In addition, it is expected that singers keep their hair tidy and out of their faces, and refrain from wearing any large, distracting pieces of jewelry or heavy makeup. This is not the time to stand out as an individual. We want audiences to listen to our music without being distracted by our appearance.
Formal Attire Rental Information Members of all choirs need to have the appropriate formal attire for concerts, as listed on the previous page. Arriving to performances in proper attire will count for a portion of students concert grades. Please take note of what is rented to you and what you need to provide on your own! Any alterations made to rented choir wear must be TEMPORARY, meaning they can be undone at the end of the year. For example, you can hem a choir dress with a light stitch that can be taken out, or take it in by pinning it in the back, but you may not cut or heavily stitch it. Attire should fit comfortably and not be skin tight. You have to breathe easily to sing well! It is the responsibility of the students at the end of the year to return all pieces of their rented formal attire in the same condition they received it, alterations taken out. They do not, however need to be washed before returning they are all professionally dry cleaned over the summer. There is a $30 rental fee for formal choir attire, which takes care of dry cleaning, storing, and replacing, if needed, all pieces of rented attire. Scholarships for formal attire rentals are available for families in financial need. The payment and signed rental agreement are due by Friday, September 11, 2015. You can make your payment and sign the rental agreement online via the link on the choir website, or by scanning below: If you would rather pay by cash or check please see Ms. S-Diez for a hard copy of the rental agreement form for you to sign and turn in. Checks made out to Fisher HSC. Vicki Gordon has graciously stepped up to be our wonderful choir attire organizer this year. Please see her contact information below and direct any questions you have regarding concert formal attire to her. She will be coming in to class during September to take students measurements and will hopefully have items passed out by early October. This gives ample time to try everything on, acquire the pieces of your outfit that you need to provide, make sure it all fits, and make TEMPORARY alterations, if necessary. If there are any issues with rented attire, please contact Vicki. Vicki Gordon (408) 455-3262 vgordon2020@gmail.com
Music T-shirts In addition to formal concert wear, students will need to own a choir t-shirt for assemblies, off-campus trips, and casual performances. For casual performances t-shirts should be worn with LONG, DARK-COLORED PANTS (no skirts or shorts) and closed-toe shoes. T-shirts are $15 each. Scholarships are available for families in financial need. The student t-shirts are black with a yellow Fisher Music logo on the front. We also have parent volunteer t-shirts available that are the same style, but purple. Please follow the link on the Choir website or Music Boosters website to order and pay for t-shirts, or scan below to go directly to the online order form: Cash or check payments are also accepted. Please indicate child s name and t-shirt size on the memo line and make checks out to Fisher HSC. Turn in to Ms. S-Diez. Music Boosters The RJF Music Boosters is an important group that supports the music program at Fisher by gathering donations, facilitating performances, and planning fundraiser events. If you are looking for ways to get involved, please visit the Music Boosters web page (on the Fisher website under Programs tab, or follow the link on the choir webiste). The events and activities we do throughout the year would not be possible without this wonderful organization, so I encourage you to volunteer in any way possible. Please see the calendar on the website for meeting dates and times. Music Booster Presidents: Margaret Kvamme musicboosters1@fisherhsc.com Karen Anderson Miller musicboosters2@fisherhsc.com Information and Communication Generally, the easiest way to contact me is through email between the hours of 8:00 am and 5:00 pm. After lunch I travel to teach at the LGUSD elementary schools, and therefore am not on campus to answer my phone at that time. Emails will generally be answered faster than voice mails. I will do my best to reply to emails within 24 hours. Inperson meetings may be made by appointment. The up-to-date choir calendar, PDFs of important documents, and general info can all be found on the RJF Vocal Music website, which Ms. S-Diez will be updating regularly. You can expect all important announcements, updates, reminders, and concert information to be sent via email. It is important that parents list an email they check often on the vocal music handbook acknowledgement form so they receive this information
throughout the year. Also, please include more than one parent s email on the form if necessary. I will communicate information and reminders to students verbally in class, and will also occasionally use Remind to send messages containing last minute reminders, changes, or details. It is a simple and safe program that allows me to send group messages to students phones without revealing anyone s phone number. If you would like to know more about Remind, visit their website: https://www.remind.com/learn-more To subscribe to Ms. S-Diez s messages on Remind: 1. Send a text message to the number 81010 2. In the body of the text message, write the code for your class: Women s: @rjfwomens Mixed: @rjfmixed Open 2: @rjfopen2 Open 4: @rjfopen4 Sing: @singaca 3. You can unsubscribe any time by texting unsubscribe in front of your class code (ex: unsubscribe @rjfmixed) to the same number. Subscribing to Remind is optional, but I have found it is a very useful way to get small bits of information out quickly to students and parents. Member Conduct Members of the Fisher Vocal Music Program are continuously representing themselves, their ensemble, their school, and their community at various musical events throughout the year, both on and off campus. It is expected that students maintain professional etiquette at these events and retain an awareness of the image they convey with their actions. Behavior that will not be tolerated includes, but is not limited to: distraction from and/or interference with performances, defiance, indecent actions, inappropriate language, and failure to follow instructions. Inappropriate behavior at events or performances will result in disciplinary action, and in extreme cases, may include removal from the ensemble. The choral art relies on the participation and cooperation of all members in the ensemble. We always work as a team and can only perform to our fullest potential when each student is contributing their best work. Any member that prevents others from giving their best, or exhibits negative or disruptive behavior that is detrimental to the group in rehearsal or performance will receive appropriate consequences for their behavior, and in extreme cases, may include removal from the ensemble. Classroom Expectations Expectations: 1. Show SUPPORT for your choir, director, classroom, and yourself. 2. Work as a team. 3. Strive for excellence.
Unsupportive behavior will result in the following consequences: 1. Verbal warning 2. Written reflection 3. Parent contact 4. Office referral Daily Procedures and Other Norms Students that are not seated in their assigned seat when the tardy bell rings will be marked tardy/absent. Rehearsal begins immediately at the bell. No gum or food allowed in the classroom. Water bottles, however, are recommended. The only items allowed at seats are pencils, music folders, and water bottles. Bags and other belongings should be left along the right side wall in the classroom. Cell phones or other electronics are prohibited in class. The white board is not to be written on by students, except with permission. 5 bathroom passes will be given to each student each semester to use at their discretion. Exceptions will be made for students with certain medical conditions. Students stay in their seats during rehearsal unless given permission to get up. If students are unable to sing for a rehearsal due to temporary vocal impairment (illness, sore throat, etc.) but are still well enough to attend school, they will need to provide a parent note and are expected to be at rehearsal and follow along silently, making important markings and notes in their music with the rest of class. Personal items left in the classroom will be put in lost and found or thrown away at the end of the week. Questions, concerns, or issues that are personal in nature or only pertain to an individual student should be brought up to me before or after rehearsal, not during. Music is the property of the school. Students will be held financially responsible for replacing any music that is lost, torn, defaced, or otherwise mangled to the point it can no longer be used. Students that have been absent are responsible for checking in with a classmate to get caught up. Grading Category Points Overall Grade Weight Participation 20 per week 50% Performances 100 25% Assessments/ Musicianship varied 25% Participation Participation is weighted heavily because it is the most important factor in the outcome of our work together. Each week, students will be given a grade based on their participation in class, which includes: engagement in class activities visible effort preparedness adherence to classroom expectations Students may lose weekly participation credit on a point-by-point basis when exhibiting the following behaviors: classroom disruption being unprepared for class improper seating posture that communicates laziness or indifference use of electronic devices, aka cell phones
Performances Performing as a group is essential to what we do. Therefore, students are expected to participate in all their ensemble s performances as listed on the calendar, and their participation in these performances will be graded. If a conflict arises that necessitates a performance absence, parent notification is required a minimum of two weeks prior to the performance. Students will be given a make-up assignment to be completed for full credit up to two weeks after the performance. Late notification of an absence or an unexcused absence the day of the performance will result in a zero for the performance grade, and only up to 50% credit for the performance makeup assignment. Absences caused by illnesses or sudden emergencies will be treated as excused absences with the opportunity to be made up for full credit. Performances are worth 100 points each. To receive full credit, students must arrive on time, be dressed in appropriate concert attire, exhibit respectful concert etiquette both on and off stage, and stay for the duration of the performance. 10 points will be deducted for each of the following: lateness, improper attire, inappropriate behavior, or leaving early. Assessments and Musicianship Students will perform singing assessments periodically to mark their growth as a musician. Many of these assessments will be centered on music literacy. In this grading category I also include some written assignments to be done during class time, but may occasionally require work at home. Point values will vary depending on the assignment.
Mandatory Choir Performance Calendar Please note the dates and times on the calendar below. Performances are mandatory for the participants of the groups listed. Parent notification is required at least two weeks prior to the event date in the case of a schedule conflict. Please refer to grading procedures. DATE EVENT PARTICIPANTS DRESS CODE November 9 Monday Veteran s Day Assembly @RJF, During school day Mixed Choir Women s Choir Music T-shirt December 9 Wednesday Winter Choir Concert @RJF, 6:30 & 7:30 Open & Sing @6:30 Mixed & Wom. @7:30 Concert Formal February 11 Thursday CASMEC Performance @ St. Joseph Basilica San Jose, All day Women s Choir Concert Formal March 22 Tuesday Combined Spring Choir Concert w/ LGHS @LGHS, 6:00 & 7:30 All Choirs Performance times TBA Concert Formal March/April TBA CMEA Choral Music Festival @TBA Mixed Choir Women s Choir Concert Formal April 23 Saturday April 25 Monday Music in the Parks Festival @Milpitas HS & Great America, All day Elementary School Music Tour @LGUSD Elementary schools, During school day Open Choirs TBA Concert Formal & Music T-shirt Music T-shirt May 24 Tuesday Picnic and Pops Concert @RJF, 5:00 All Choirs All Bands All Orchestras Music T-shirt Additional performances may be added throughout the year. Any additions or changes made to this calendar will be sent out via email.
Vocal Music Acknowledgement Please visit Ms. Schlueter-Diez s website and follow the instructions to fill out the acknowledgement form, OR scan to go directly to the form online: This is a mandatory, graded assignment and must be completed by Friday, September 11, 2015! If you would prefer to submit a paper copy of the acknowledgement form, please detach this page, fill out the back side, and turn it in to Ms. S-Diez before the due date.
Vocal Music Acknowledgement Parents and Students: Please carefully read through the 2015-16 choir handbook and submit this acknowledgement page no later than Friday, September 11, 2015. This is a graded assignment and mandatory for participation in choir. We have read, discussed, and understand the contents of the Vocal Music Handbook for the 2015-2016 school year at Fisher Middle School. We have made note of the mandatory performances and are aware of the grading policies. Student Name: Student Signature: Date: Circle your class: Women s p.1 Mixed p.3 Open p.2 Open p.4 Parent Name(s): Parent Signature(s): Date: The majority of my communication with parents regarding important choir info and announcements will be through email. Please list an email address that you check regularly, and include more than one parent s address if necessary. Parent email(s): o Please check this box if you do NOT want your email to be added to the RJF Music Boosters email list.