Policies, Procedures and Guidelines Corey J. Poole Director Welcome Email: corey.poole@sdhc.k12.fl.us www.steinbrennerchorus.webs.com Welcome to the SHS Vocal Music Program! I hope that everyone enjoyed a wonderful summer vacation that provided for a lot of fun (and at least a little rest)! Welcome back to all of our returning singers and their families. And welcome aboard to all of you new singers and your families we re so glad that you have chosen to join our chorus! I would like to encourage all of you (singers and families!) to get involved in the many things our program has to offer. There are multiple opportunities throughout the year for fun and for musical growth and we have many previous successes on which to build! Let s all work together to make this another successful year! Communication This handbook is intended to provide students and parents with a comprehensive overview of the SHS Vocal Music Program. Additional information regarding events, fundraisers, chorus boosters, and more will be available through REMIND 101, hand-out documents and the website. On your child s Blanket Release Form and Booster Membership Form, please include your e-mail address. Students and Parents will always be notified about scheduled events as soon as they are confirmed. Most choral events are already planned and on the Department Calendar. Please put our dates on your family calendar so there will be no confusion or conflicts when performance dates arrive! Any changes that are made to required performances will be made at least two weeks in advance and Parents will be notified. Please see grading policy regarding missed rehearsals or performances. REMIND 101 SERVICE: Students and Parents will have separate Reminds. This program will send out information as a text message and you may also use it as a way for 2 way communication. You may download the app from both the Apple or Android Store, but follow these instructions to sign up for this free service: Parents or Guardians text @shsparent2 to 81010; Chamber Members text @gschamber to 81010; Una Voce Members text @gsunavoce to 81010; High Profile Members text @highprof to 81010; Entourage Members text @entou to 81010 I want to be accessible to my students and parents in the most convenient ways for all of us. Please feel free to contact me via e-mail or through Edsby at any time if you have a question or concern. My e-mail address is corey.poole@sdhc.k12.fl.us. Contact me to schedule a conference if we need time to talk in person. First and Foremost Chorus is a performance-based class. The work we do every day in class is preparation for the ultimate result, which is our performance of the music. Music performance is a necessary extension of the learning process. Most of our performances and activities take place after school hours not during the school day. Performances that take place after school hours are considered CO-CURRICULAR (required), not extra-curricular (optional). Students are expected to attend all rehearsals and performances (minimally one per nine-week grading period). The calendar is set well in advance of our activities to provide students and parents the opportunity to adjust work schedules, re-schedule dentist/doctor appointments, and/or complete homework assignments and projects for other teachers without defaulting on their chorus obligations. Your chorus is your team and it relies on you to achieve success!
General Goals and Objectives Steinbrenner High School A. Provide and encourage interest and participation in various aspects of music. B. Develop the individual student s voice and an understanding of how it can make a positive contribution to an ensemble. C. Promote poise and self-confidence through creative self-expression. D. Learn how to express emotion through musical expression. E. Channel individual energy and thought to achieve a conscious group goal. F. Acquire an understanding and appreciation of different styles and forms of music. G. Instill values of individual and group effort, cooperation, tolerance, fellowship, self-discipline, self-respect, respect for others, dedication, and responsibility. H. Represent Steinbrenner High School with the highest standards of musical performance within our community, school district, and state by acting, speaking, and performing to the best of each member s ability at all times. Choral Ensembles All organizations will be designed for the study and performance of choral literature from numerous style periods and composers written for advanced voices. The class will be designed to stress the development of choral vocal technique, comprehensive musicianship, music reading, sight reading, ear training, music theory and composition, music history, and to study and perform music written by composers of various styles and periods. Students will have the opportunity to sing in small groups and individually to develop vocal independence. Students will perform a wide variety of genres including various foreign languages. Required performances will occur throughout the year. Students will be given the opportunity to perform outside of school at workshops, festivals, and competitions to increase their musical knowledge and practicality of music in the real-world experience. Una Voce --- This women s choir consists of members who are not auditioning for Chamber Choir or women who miss the cut off scores from the music theory and sight-reading test for Chamber Choir. This class sets the foundation for more advanced classes. Students in this course will work on group vocal techniques, music theory, and sight-singing skills. Chamber Choir --- This AUDITIONED SATB choir is comprised of all male singers and all experienced women singers who pass a music theory and sight-reading test. This ensemble will learn and perform a variety of choral literature representing different periods and styles, engage in the study of music theory, and continue to develop sight-singing skills. High Profile and Entourage --- These choirs are comprised of auditioned students in grades 9-12 who exhibit a higher competency in small vocal ensemble singing and choreography. Students in these choirs are also members of another Choir (any exceptions to be made by Director in conjunction with Guidance Staff and Assistant Principal for Curriculum). ****PLEASE NOTE: Students who are involved with these choirs will need to audition for all extracurricular events making a minimum passing score based on a rubric. The same will be in effect for the Florida Vocal Association Music Performance Assessment. Eligibility Each student in the Chorus program must maintain an academic Grade Point Average (GPA) of 2.0 at all times. This is a State Law and a requirement to participate in all Chorus events. If a member s GPA falls below the required standard, he/she will be placed in a study hall situation during rehearsals until he/she shows improvement in the deficit subjects. High Profile and Entourage High Profile and Entourage are auditioned ensembles within our choral program. Students are required to be enrolled in another Chorus class concurrently with both groups. Students are expected to be involved in all chorus activities and to demonstrate commitment and leadership within the choral program. These specialized classes offer our more advanced chorus students an opportunity to expand their performance experiences by singing in an alternative ensemble without sacrificing their vocal skills and choral training. Both groups are auditioned groups that perform a variety of music ideal for the small vocal ensemble. High visibility, sharp choreography and flashy uniforms help create the image while strong vocals, instrumental backup, and an entertaining program have defined performances. These groups perform many times throughout the year. Auditions are held in the Spring and are open to all Steinbrenner students. There are additional expenses and extra responsibilities for those students chosen for these groups. Students who would like to be part of these programs should plan their academic schedules well in advance to create the openings for two Chorus classes. Page 2
Honors Chorus Credits and the Master Musician Project Advanced students in the Vocal Music Department may apply for the Honors Chorus program in their junior and senior years. This offers the opportunity for the student to earn honors points toward their GPA. District curriculum is utilized. Students will be expected to participate in choral experiences that extend their music career. The Master Musician Program does not offer honors credit, but allows students to benefit from scholarships for summer music camps. A theory test and portfolio is required. Both programs require a teacher recommendation. Awards and Recognitions The Vocal Music Department proudly acknowledges the outstanding accomplishments of our musicians in an annual awards ceremony. Students in each ensemble are eligible to earn a letter award in recognition of their contributions to the program. Letters will be awarded to students who have distinguished themselves through their performance and participation. In order to receive a Chorus Letter, a student must meet the requirements established by Hillsborough County Schools and by the Director. A letter will be given the first year and a service bar each succeeding year the student qualifies. Students will also receive awards for their outstanding leadership within the Vocal Music Department. Chorus Officers, Student Accompanists, Master Musicians, and those who participate in an All-State Honor Choir and/or All-County Honor Choir will receive the pin, medal, plaque or trophy that is traditionally awarded for that accomplishment. Award of Merit and Award for Musicianship trophies are given to deserving Chorus members from each class. The highest award, the Director s Award, is presented to one student each year. Chorus Congress Leadership is an essential part of any well functioning program. All officer positions, with the exception of Senators and Section Leaders, will be elected at the end of the school year and announced at the end of the year banquet. These students will serve the entire program. Offices include President, Vice President, Secretary, Historian, Event Planner, Webmaster, Middle School Liaison and One Senator per Choir. Detailed descriptions for each position will be handed out separately from the handbook. Students will run for offices completing the necessary documents and elections will be held with an announcement of the final Choral Congress members. The Chorus Congress will meet once a month to plan and carry out chorus activities. Students will attend a Leadership Training Camp provided by the University of Tampa during the summer to provide the opportunity to meet with other schools and their Leadership Teams. Members of the Chorus Congress are expected to be ambassadors for good will and will lend a helping hand to other members of the program. Jobs/Work & Choral Program It is your responsibility to notify your place of employment about rehearsal and performance dates. You should submit a copy of the performance schedule along with rehearsal dates to your employer at the beginning of the school year. Employers are happy to work around your schedule if they know it well in advance. They are usually less willing to work around your schedule when they find out the day before. Work is an unexcused absence under any circumstance. Poole Standard Time Also known as P.S.T., this means that if you arrive to a concert on time, you are late. P.S.T. means that you arrive early enough to become prepared to begin an outside scheduled rehearsal or performance at the designated time. Count on arriving at least 5 minutes early for every scheduled event. Blanket Release Form We utilize an all-in-one blanket release form for our program to ease the burden of paperwork on our families. This form is located on the website as well. It includes: 1) an agreement form for the syllabus and handbook; 2) a photo/video/web release so that we can publicize our performances; 3) a field trip release good for any chorus field trip this year; 4) a medical release for any chorus field trip this year. IT IS CRUCIAL THAT WE RECEIVE THIS FORM. We use the form to include our students and parents on our email lists, which are the primary means of communication for all events. We also need to know (in writing) that parents have a basic idea of how our program works so that we can avoid unnecessary problems during the year. THIS FORM MUST BE NOTARIZED. Page 3
Steinbrenner High School Classroom Expectations Exhibit Positive and Effective Behavior in Class and On Stage Respect: Take pride in respecting classmates, director, and property Develop a listening attitude in following class expectations. Refrain from gum-chewing, disruptive talking, and other negative behaviors Remember that class begins when the bell rings and ends by dismissal of the director and not the bell. Contributions: Work on the development of proper vocal skills and alert posture! Participate with a positive attitude and Present an eagerness and willingness to learn Leadership: Set examples of positive self-discipline Learn music quickly to help others with their parts Take initiative in all class activities Consequences for students who choose negative behaviors: Step 1: Verbal warning in class Step 2: Conference with Mr. Poole and detention, phone call to parents Step 3: Written referral to dean, phone call to parents Step 4: Referral, ISS, conference with Mr. Poole Harassment: Music is internationally understood as an art form that brings people of diverse backgrounds and opinions together. Harassment in the choral program is unacceptable. We expect you to do your best to resolve simple disagreements on your own. If it is impossible to resolve disagreements without assistance, the officers will help to find a resolution. Serious issues that remain unresolved by the officers should then be addressed to Mr. Poole. Choir Folders and Music: Each member will be required to purchase a black choir folder. This folder will be used for your entire time in the choral program. You will be issued music throughout the year. This music should be kept in your folder and be with you in class each and every day. You will be charged replacement cost for any lost or damaged music. Music shall be marked with PENCIL ONLY. Replacement costs for each piece of music range from $1.25 to $7.95. You will be assigned an unsecured slot in the choir room for folder storage. If you choose to keep it in your slot, you are still responsible for the contents therein. Any folder left out will be collected and a demerit will be issued. If for some reason, you do not receive a piece of music, share with your neighbor for the day, then write a note with your music number and the title you are missing. The Chorus Facilities: 1. Each student will be expected to maintain the chorus facilities in a clean and orderly manner. 2. The Directors office and storage room are restricted areas and, while the door is always open to students, it is not intended to be a student lounge. If the office door is closed, the student should knock and wait for a reply. If it is open, please ask before entering. 3. The telephone is intended only partially for the use by Chorus students, and should be used only with specific permission from the Director. The telephone is to be off limits to students during regular school hours. 4. The audio-visual and sound equipment are highly restricted and will only be operated by the Director, Sound Technician, or other specified person. 5. Personal belongings may not be left in the chorus facility. If it is left, it is at the risk and responsibility of the individual student. Grading Policy ALL CHOIRS Grades will be determined by the effort a students puts into the choral ensemble. The grades will be based upon Participation, Performances and Assessments. Participation Students will receive points for classroom rehearsals. Points will be awarded based the rubric which will be placed in the student choral folder. Rehearsal time is very valuable and we must make use of each and every moment. Tardies will result in points being deducted from that day s participation point value. As detailed earlier in this handbook, each student will be assigned a folder and music. The folder, all music and a pencil must be with each student each day. Failure to have the folder and all contents will result in points being deducted from that day s participation point value. Dress Rehearsal Attendance Extra rehearsals may be necessary for various performances and may be called outside the school day. 100 points will be awarded for each rehearsal. Page 4
Performances Performance Attendance Students will receive 400 points per performance providing they arrive at the appointed time and remain until the completion of the performance. Absences In order for an absence to be excused, the student must have prior approval from the director. Excused absences will be granted only in extreme circumstances. If an excused absence is granted, and alternate project will be assigned. Work schedules or family trips will be unexcused, as all concert dates are known well in advance. In the event of illness or family emergency immediately before a concert or extra rehearsal, a good faith attempt (Remind 101, Edsby message, e-mail, call to the school, etc.) must be made to notify the director. Assessments Lotteries Lotteries are singing tests in which the participants are either chosen at random or chosen by the director. Portions of the literature will be assigned and then assessed. Lottery dates will be announced for new material. Unannounced lotteries will cover material that has already been assigned. Accuracy, diction, tone, phrasing, and musicianship will be evaluated. Lotteries will consist of group singing, solo singing and recorded singing. Each lottery is worth 100 points. Written Work Quizzes, tests and essays may be utilized during any given quarter. Each assignment will be worth 100 points. Semester Exams At the end of each semester, all students will take an exam consisting of two parts (75% Individual Performance Evaluation and 25% Written Examination). These exams are devised by the District Supervisor of Secondary Music and are intended to assess student progress for the semester. Concert Attire FORMAL PERFORMANCE UNIFORMS We are very fortunate to be able to provide our students with formal attire through the Hillsborough County Uniform Rental Agreement. The fee is $37.45. Students must present a signed rental agreement contract and the rental fee before being allowed to take the uniform home. Women Formal gowns 1) Shoes Black dress shoes with closed toes. 2) Jewelry No noticeable jewelry or hair ornaments are allowed on stage. 3) Hair Young ladies should wear their hair off the face. 4) Makeup Heavy makeup is discouraged. Pink, red or coral lipstick and blush is best under stage lighting. (No brownish, purple, or black shades of lipstick, please.) Bright colors look better on stage than dark shades. 5) Undergarments Dark Pantyhose or knee-highs are encouraged. Please wear conservative underwear. Men Dress Pants, Shirt, Vest, Jacket and Tie 1) Shoes black dress shoes. Black sneakers are not appropriate. 2) Socks Black socks are required. 3) Grooming You will be expected to be well-groomed, shaven and neat at all times. 4) Hair Hair should be clean and in a conservative style. 5) Manners When we are in our performance uniforms, ties and other accessories are not to be removed until the conclusion of the concert or the performance event. Students uniforms should be dry-cleaned, washed, steamed or pressed with a warm iron prior to wearing so that the image of the chorus is upheld. This is the reason why the uniform rental fee for the district is low as you are expected to clean the uniform throughout the year. CASUAL PERFORMANCE UNIFORMS Chorus students will receive a choral t-shirt with their Chorus Program fee. Students will also be asked to wear the t-shirts on days when we want to show our support for Chorus activities like the days before concerts, etc. The shirts are available through our Booster Organization. Family and friends may also purchase t-shirts for $15 each. Casual Uniforms 1) Chorus T-shirt 2) Khaki pants or jeans held up by a belt whichever has been chosen 3) Shoes sneakers 4) Grooming, Hair and Makeup as for formal concerts Field trips/ Chorus trips are an extension of classroom activities and therefore the Hillsborough County Dress Code is in effect at all times, at every school-related event. Parents will be notified in advance if there is ever an occasion when the dress code is NOT in effect. A reminder that Mr. Poole will be the final judge of any issues pertaining to our Chorus Dress Codes and/or what is considered appropriate attire in other situations. Page 5
Financial Responsibility Steinbrenner High School Outstanding choral programs exist and grow because of the dedicated parents and guardians who support them. The value of ones time, talent and funding is sincerely appreciated. Below is the financial responsibility of each students and their family. IF YOU ARE EXPERIENCING FINANCIAL DIFFICULTY, CONTACT THE DIRECTOR RIGHT AWAY SO THAT A PAYMENT PLAN CAN BE MADE. $37.45 Uniform Rental - This annual fee covers the rental cost of the formal performance uniform. $50 Program Fee for Chamber Choir & Una Voce - This fee helps cover the costs of music, student incentives and choral t-shirts. $60 Program Fee for Entourage & High Profile - This fee helps cover the costs of music, accessories, student incentives and choral t-shirts. (For students involved in Entourage & High Profile, they are NOT required to pay both program fees. These students will only pay the program fee for Entourage & High Profile.) Concert Fundraising Fee (This is the our only fundraiser) - These funds help cover the cost of instructional materials, equipment, office supplies, accompanist fees, registration fees, etc. Students are asked to fundraise by selling a minimum of 3 General Admission tickets to each of our chorus concerts. Ticket information will be sent out prior to each concert and cash or check will be accepted for payment. You may purchase as many tickets as needed and there are 2 options: RESERVED ADMISSION TICKETS are $7 each and MUST be purchased by the specified deadline for each concert. Reserved Admission Tickets will have a designated area to sit for each performance. GENERAL ADMISSION TICKETS are $5 each and can be purchased in advance or at the door. If buying at the door, provide the name of the student so they may be credited for the sale. General Admission tickets can sit anywhere they choose with the exception of the reserved admission ticket designated area. You will not be required to participate in any other fundraisers, so please tell friends and family about our concerts! SHS Choral Boosters For Parents and Guardians Booster Organizations exist to provide support, volunteers and financial assistance for chorus activities. We are seeking a group of dedicated parents whose mission is to support our choral program logistically and financially. Our Boosters will make arrangements for fundraisers, manage our cash flow, help to provide us with needed music and supplies, serve as chaperones, and will assist the director in organizing chorus events. We hope that every family will become members of the Booster Organization. Your membership donations help pay for the many expenses for which there are no school funds. Join the other parents and friends who make a real difference in your child s musical experiences! Your volunteer time and your contributions are extraordinary gifts that are greatly appreciated! ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- FORMS TO BE RETURNED Blanket Release Form (MANDATORY FOR ALL STUDENTS - must be notarized) Booster Membership Form (OPTIONAL) Department Calendar Do Not Return Online SERVE Volunteer Form ad Parent Remind 101 Info Page 6
Optional Performances Special Performances at Winter Concert and Horizons Our most talented students are showcased at our Winter Concert and Horizons by allowing a select number to perform solos or as part of a small group of their own choosing. Students must audition their act for the director on or before the deadline to be considered. If CD or taped accompaniment is used, the lead vocal must not be audible. If using a live accompaniment, the accompanist(s) must be present at the time of the audition. The audition must be memorized. Students will be chosen based on the quality of the audition, and the appropriateness of the selection for the concert on which it is to be performed. The director must also give consideration to programming and artistic concerns. EPCOT Candlelight Holiday Program The Choral Department will be submitting a video recording of all of its choirs to Disney. Students MUST be present at the audition recording to participate. If selected, the choirs will perform as part of a choir of 300 high school students and volunteer singers with the Walt Disney World Orchestra at EPCOT. If we are accepted, we will rehearse the music in class on a limited basis, but each student will be responsible for practicing the music with CD/mp3 on his/her own time as well. We will have periodic check tests, and students who don t know the music for that rehearsal could be ruled ineligible for participation. The program consists of narration and 13 songs that tell the traditional Christmas story. The narration is done by a guest celebrity. The date of the performance will be announced with notification of acceptance later in the fall. EPCOT allows one chaperone for every five students. Each student will receive a free boxed lunch as well as two one-day, one-park tickets to any Disney theme park. All participants must ride buses into the staging area. Parents not chaperoning may purchase park tickets to view the show. In addition, meal and show packages may be purchased at an additional cost to guarantee a seat to this extremely popular show. Each person will be responsible for a share of the bus transportation, the cost of which will be announced at a later date. Please watch for more information about this exciting performance! FMEA All-State Honor Choirs Students must pass a written musicianship exam, a sight reading exam, and a vocal audition on the music to be performed. The director will help students learn the information by providing resources and offering help sessions during August and September after school (a session schedule will be provided at the All-State informational meeting). If necessary, students will take a pre-test. Students who pass that test will be ranked, because we may only take 12 girls (3 of each voice part) and 20 boys (any voicing) to the test. The audition fee of $12 (cash only). Check calendar for dates and times. If a student passes the written exam and sight reading, he/she will be responsible for the cost of the music packet to be learned for the vocal audition. Once passing the vocal test, students will also be responsible for a registration fee of approximately $30 for the January conference during which the rehearsals take place in downtown Tampa. Students must be transported by parents or other chaperones, as directors have sessions and clinics to attend. Students wishing to stay in a downtown hotel may do so at their own expense, but I must know about it as soon as they have been accepted into All-State in order to make reservations for them at the convention price. All-County Honor Choirs Students wishing to audition will purchase a packet of music for $15 in the fall and will be given a resource containing all of the music for All-County. If money for this is a hardship, please contact the director for assistance. This music will not be rehearsed during class, so individual preparation is very important. There may be a few rehearsal sessions before or after school. 9th & 10th grade ladies may audition for the 9-10 SSAA Honor Choir and all other students may audition for the SATB Honor Choir. Students will audition live with 2 other students for a panel of 2 judges on random excerpts from the All-County songs for their choir. Students will be judged both on vocal quality and knowledge of the music. This means that all students must know every note of every piece. Please check the calendar for dates and times. District Solo & Ensemble MPA All students may choose to prepare and perform a solo or ensemble and be judged as well. Students performing a solo must memorize two songs, one of which must be in a foreign language. Students performing an ensemble (2-7 singers) must memorize two songs. The registration fee for soloists is $15, and the registration fee for ensembles is $25. Students must also pay their accompanist, but the amount is unknown at this time (usually between $20-$40). The director will arrange for an accompanist unless the student gives advance notice that they will be using their own accompanist. The director will work with students on an appointment only basis, and setting up sessions is the responsibility of the student. Pieces can be chosen as early as desired the earlier the better. However, the director will not make any selections or offer any help for Solo & Ensemble until the necessary fees have been paid. It is strongly recommended that students who choose to do this event begin working toward it right away. Students who earn a Superior rating are eligible for State Solo & Ensemble MPA (see below). The solo event is helpful in preparation for college music auditions. Students will perform for a judge who will rate them and give them comments for improvement. If a student or group earns a Superior rating, they will be eligible to perform at State Solo & Ensemble MPA (see below). District Choral MPA This is the most important event of the year, and, as such, all students will audition formally or informally for this performance. It is the one guaranteed chance to show other choral musicians everything for which the students will work so hard throughout the school year. The students and director take a great deal of pride in consistently representing Steinbrenner well with high-caliber performances and exemplary conduct at this event. Choruses will perform for a panel of three adjudicators who will evaluate each choir, give them a rating, and provide comments for improvement and encouragement. The choruses will also read a harmonic exercise and a rhythm exercise for a fourth judge. Choirs that receive an overall Superior rating are eligible to advance to the State level. Students are required to listen to all choirs in their time block when they are not performing, and must stay in the auditorium (except when performing or sight reading) until the time block is over. State Choral and Solo & Ensemble MPA At State MPA, choirs, show choirs, solos, and ensembles that earned a Superior rating at District perform and are adjudicated at the highest level. Page 7