Millikin Children s Choir Handbook 2017-2018 I. Program Goals To achieve music literacy through sequential music activities. To foster personal and musical growth of singers. To make Choir membership available to all children and youth of all racial, cultural, religious, and economic backgrounds. To perform at the highest level of excellence possible. II. III. Membership/Choir Placement Students interested in becoming members of the Millikin Children s Choir (MCC) must first attend an informal placement interview. New students may be accepted for the second semester or at other times at the discretion of the director. The Program The program consists of four separate choirs. Each choir is dedicated to excellence in music learning and performance. Dolce Choir singers are taught, primarily through play party game songs and simple unison songs, to love singing and to use their voices with freedom. Meeting time is Tuesday 4:15-5:15 pm. Grades K-2. Cost: $100.00/semester Cantabile Choir singers continue to develop their musical knowledge and skills through tonal and rhythmic exercises, singing repertoire in 2 and 3 parts. Meeting time is Tuesday 4:15-5:45pm. Grades 3-5. Cost $150.00/semester Concert Youth Chorale singers are ready for the most challenging repertoire, increased rehearsal intensity and performance requirements. Multiple languages, solos, and small ensemble performances can be expected at this level. Meeting time is Tuesday 4:15-5:45pm. Grades 6-12. Cost: $150.00/semester IV. Faculty/Staff Christine Smith, Artistic & Program Director, Dolce Choir Director Phone Number: 217-413-7811 Email: cksmith@millikin.edu Cora Herek, Cantabile Choir Director Phone Number: 217-414-1508 Email:cherek@argenta-oreana.org Stephanie Rayl, Concert Youth Chorale Director Phone: Email:stephanierayl14@gmail.com Melissa Miller, Preparatory Department Coordinator Phone Number: 217-424-6212 Email: mmiller@millikin.edu
V. Commitment/Responsibility The Millikin Children s Choir is a year-long choral program. Should a singer need to withdraw from the program prior to the Spring semester, written notification must be received by the Artistic/Music Director on or before January 9, 2018. A $25.00 cancellation fee will be collected if notification is received after January 9, 2018. Full tuition will be collected if no notification is received after first rehearsal of second semester. VI. Rehearsals & Performances Faithful, consistent, and punctual attendance at rehearsals is expected. Each semester includes approximately 15 rehearsals. Missing one rehearsal is comparable to missing more than one week of school in a semester. Every rehearsal is critically important to the individual and to the choir. Much can be learned by being present in rehearsal, even if the choir member cannot actively participate due to laryngitis, sinus problems, or other non-contagious conditions. Parents are expected to notify the director in advance if a choir member will be absent from rehearsal. More than three absences, numerous tardies to rehearsals, or habitually leaving rehearsal early may lead to dismissal from the choir. Final Rehearsals/Dress Rehearsals for upcoming performance are MANDATORY. An absence, for any reason that is not cleared with director prior to absence, may result in the singer not singing the corresponding performance. Performances are MANDATORY. If a major conflict occurs, the absence must be discussed as far in advance as possible with the director. Singers are required to wear the outlined uniform for performances. Failure to do so may result in not being allowed to perform. See section VIII. Uniform Requirements. Performers and directors put in many hours of work for each and every performance and most performances are audio recorded. Therefore, we ask that all audience members are respectful to the performance by silencing cell phones/pages, remaining seated, and removing those that are disruptive to the concert. We also ask that photographs not be taken during a performance. Time will be given either prior to or after every concert to photograph choirs. Concerts for the 2017-2018 school year outside of our practice schedule will be Saturday, December 9 at 4:00 p.m. in Kaeuper Hall (Cantabile and CYC) and Saturday, April 28 at 4:00 p.m. at Central Christian Church (all choirs).
VII. Tuition Millikin Children s Choir is considered a year long commitment. Dolce Choir Tuition is $100.00/semester Cantabile Choir and Concert Youth Chorale Tuition is $150.00/semester A deposit of half of the semester fee is due at placement appointment and the remainder is due by October 13, 2017. For the spring 2017 semester, bills will go out the first week of January. Half of the semester fee is due by January 26, 2018 and the remainder is due February 23. Checks should be made payable to Millikin Preparatory Dept. or MCC Bills can be paid online at http://shop.millikin.edu Singers with an outstanding balance at the end of a semester will not be allowed to participate in any further Preparatory Department activities until balance is paid in full. Tuition payments and deposits are non-refundable. The tuition obligation stays in effect, even if a child withdraws or is removed from MCC at any time during the season (unless written notification is received by January 9 to withdraw from Spring semester) There is no pro-rating of tuition for late enrollment Limited partial scholarships are available for those demonstrating need. An application must be completed and returned to Artistic/Musical Director prior to first rehearsal of fall semester. Family Discounts are available for multiple children participating in Cantabile Choir and Concert Youth Chorale: o First Child full fee o All other children 15% discount Dolce Choir does not factor into family discount. VIII. Uniform Requirements Performance uniforms will be worn by each singer in MCC. Gently used and new uniforms may be purchased through MCC. *Polo Shirts will be ordered for new students must be paid for at the placement interview. Cost is $25.00. Dolce Choir: no special requirements. Concert dress is Sunday best. Cantabile Choir: Boys: Khaki bottoms, black socks, black shoes, black belt, MCC Polo* Girls: Khaki bottoms, white tights (if wearing skirt), black closed-toe shoes, MCC Polo* Concert Youth Chorale & Men s Ensemble Boys: Khaki pants, black socks, black shoes, black belt, long sleeved white button-down oxford shirt, and MCC Polo Shirt* Girls: L.L. Bean item # TA286347, Wrinkle-Free Classic Fit, Hidden Comfort Waist Bayside Twill Skirt in khaki** nude hose, black closed-toe shoes, long sleeved white button-down oxford shirt, and MCC Polo* **CYC ladies MUST have the appropriate skirt to perform. To order skirt, go to: https://www.llbean.com/llb/shop/82428?feat=615-gn1&page=wrinkle-free-bayside-skirt-classic-fithidden-comfort-waist&csp=f or call 1-800-441-5713.
IX. Commitment to School and Church Music Programs The success of the Millikin Children s Choir will be dependent in large part on the support of music teachers and church choir directors of the program singers. MCC singers are expected to remain in their school and church choirs. X. Snow Policy Should a rehearsal or performance need to be cancelled due to inclement weather, it will be reported to Millikin University Safety/Security, WAND TV, and WSOY Radio. The cancellations will be posted on the MCC facebook page and emailed as well. There will be no rehearsal if the Decatur Public Schools close due to inclement weather. COLD weather will not be a factor, except in extreme circumstances! XI. XII. Parking/Drop-off Limited visitor parking is available in the Staley lot off Main Street, adjacent to Perkinson Music Center. For the safety of MCC participants and others, please avoid delaying traffic behind you and be aware of cars wishing to exit parking spaces. Additional parking is available at the corner of Main and Fairview in the Westminster Church parking lot or in the DISC parking lot. Disciplinary Action We have very high standards for appropriate conduct at rehearsals and performances. All MCC singers are expected to be respectful and responsible during every rehearsal and performance, which includes being prepared, attentive, and possessing a positive attitude. At the discretion of a conductor, any singer may be removed from a rehearsal/performance (sent home) for violating a provision of the Millikin Children s Choir Handbook or engaging in conduct that they deem to be inappropriate. Singers that are removed from a rehearsal/performance three times in one semester will automatically be withdrawn from the MCC program and will not be entitled to a refund. At the discretion of the MCC Director, any singer may be barred from further participation in the MCC upon repeated violation of the handbook policies or if the singer engages in conduct deemed by the Director, at his or her sole discretion, to be a serious violation. Singers barred from further participation in the MCC will not be entitled to a refund of any fees paid. On behalf of the Millikin Children s Choir Program, we THANK YOU for your support of music and the arts in your child s life! You are giving your child a valuable gift, and we are thankful that you are making this experience a priority for your family. We will do everything that we can to make this a positive experience for your child and give them the best music and choral experience that we can!
Millikin Children s Choir Handbook 2017-2018 Student Name(s) (printed) Parent Name (printed) I HAVE READ THE MILLIKIN CHILDREN S CHOIR HANDBOOK AND UNDERSTAND THAT BY SIGNING THIS DOCUMENT I AGREE TO ALL POLICIES WITHIN. Parent Signature Date Students will not be allowed to participate in MCC until this document is returned. Please return to your child s director as soon as possible or mail to: Christine Smith, MCC 1184 W. Main Street Millikin University Decatur, IL 62522 **For office use only** Registration form Medical/photo waiver payment in the amount of: Billing preference: paper email