LUCILE ERWIN MIDDLE SCHOOL Choirs HANDBOOK Music is a more potent instrument than any other for education, because rhythm and harmony find their way into the inward places of the soul. Plato 2011-2012 SCHOOL YEAR
CONTENTS Welcome... 3 Contact information... 3 Why music?... 4 Class materials... 5 Choir uniforms... 5 Life Skills... 6 Grading... 7 Other opportunities... 7 Concert attendance... 8 Fundraising... 9 Important dates... 9 Agreement form... 10 GE hires a lot of engineers. We want young people who can do more than add up a string of numbers and write a coherent sentence. They must be able to solve problems, communicate ideas and be sensitive to the world around them. Participation in the arts is one of the best ways to develop these abilities. - Clifford V. Smith, President of the General Electric Foundation Page 2
Welcome to Choir! Hello singers and parents! My name is Mr. (Kelby) Siegfried and I am looking forward to another wonderful year of making music. Parents, I want to thank you for your support and particularly for encouraging your child in his/her study of music. Students, I want to thank you for your desire to pursue vocal music. I hope you find it as fulfilling as I have. The purpose of this handbook is to inform choir parents and students of the procedures and policies of the LEMS choir program. I appreciate you taking time to read this information. To help us have the most successful year possible, I would like to share several goals for the choir program this year: To establish a means of self-fulfillment as well as a life-long recreational outlet through the development of the student's musical and vocal ability To provide a fundamental background in music appreciation, theory, choral thinking and vocal technique To promote responsibility and good citizenship through participation in a choral organization To encourage self-discipline and team cooperation To listen to and evaluate choral performances To have successful, meaningful, and enriching musical experiences To have FUN! I am happy to announce that LEMS has been authorized as an International Baccalaureate (IB) school. The choir program looks forward to incorporating the IB philosophy into the daily classroom procedures and structure. The LEMS choir program is not only a place for students to be involved, but also for you as parents. Most choir programs do not function well without the assistance of parental involvement. Please consider the capacities in which you might be able to serve. Every little bit helps. There are several ways to keep our communication lines open during the school year: Through this handbook My choir web site and the school s web site Letters and other information sent home Email Phone calls Please feel free to Email or call at any time with questions. I am looking forward to a fun and productive year! My voicemail number is: (970) 613-7649 My Email is: kelby.siegfried@thompsonschools.org (recommended) LEMS Music Website: www.lemsmusic.com LEMS Website: http://fc.thompson.k12.co.us/~ems/index.html Page 3
Why Music? 1. Music is worth knowing. 2. Music is one of the most important manifestations of our cultural heritage. Students need to know about Beethoven, Pavarotti, and Louis Armstrong as well as about Newton, Eisenhower, and Einstein. 3. Music is a potential in every individual that, like all potential, should be developed to its fullest. 4. Music provides an outlet for creativity, self-expression, and individual uniqueness. It enables us to express our noblest thoughts and feelings. 5. Music teaches students about unique aspects of their relationships with other human beings and with the world around them, in their own and other cultures. 6. Music opens avenues of success for students who may have problems in other areas of curriculum and opens approaches to learning that can be applied in other contexts. 7. Studying music increases the satisfaction students derive from music by sharpening sensitivity, raising their level of appreciation, and expanding their musical horizons. 8. Music is one of the most powerful and profound symbol systems that exist. 9. Music helps students learn a significant lesson - that not all aspects of life are quantifiable. 10. Music is a part of everyday life. You can t live through a normal daily routine without being affected by music in some way. Page 4
Class Materials Spiral-bound/composition notebook, pencil Notebooks need to be available by the second week of school. The notebook will be used as a Developmental Workbook, which is part of the IB/MYP programme. Students will be assigned a choir folder containing music for rehearsals. The folders will be shared between the same grade level classes. Students are responsible for the borrowed sheet music. All folder and sheet music materials must be returned in good condition. Replacement fee for the lost or damaged folder will be $3.00. Each piece of sheet music will cost $3.00, plus a S&H fee. Choir Uniforms 6TH GRADE: Girls: Long black skirt or pants, black hose, and black closed toe dress shoes Boys: Long black pants, black socks, and black closed toe dress shoes BOTH: A solid color shirt or blouse (NO T-SHIRTS) 7TH GRADE: Girls: Long black skirt or pants, black hose, and black closed toe dress shoes Boys: Long black pants, black socks, and black closed toe dress shoes BOTH: a white shirt or blouse (NO T-SHIRTS) 8TH GRADE: Girls: Long black skirt or pants, black hose, and black closed toe dress shoes Boys: Long black pants, black socks, and black closed toe dress shoes BOTH: a black shirt or blouse (NO T-SHIRTS) HONOR CHOIR: Girls: Long black skirt or pants, black hose, and black closed toe dress shoes Boys: Long black pants, black socks, and black closed toe dress shoes BOTH: the Lucile Erwin Middle School official honor choir shirt (may be rented for the year for $5.00 and returned after the final concert or purchased for $20.00) STUDENTS MAY BE ALLERGIC TO COLOGNES AND PERFUMES. THESE CANNOT BE WORN DURING PERFORMANCES. PLEASE KEEP JEWELRY TO A MINIMUM. Page 5
Life Skills Thorough knowledge, understanding, and commitment to the LEMS Handbook and Disciplinary Code is assumed. The following information is intended to clarify classroom expectations and procedures. Students are simply expected to DO THE RIGHT THING! The following areas further clarify this: 1). PROMPT "The trouble with being punctual is that there is no one there to appreciate it." -Be in your assigned place by the time the bell rings -Have assignments completed 2). PREPARED "No one plans to fail, but many fail to plan." -Be ready to learn -Be organized with necessary materials (folder, pencil, agenda) -Be responsible for your own work when absent 3). PARTICIPATORY "He who asks questions is a fool for five minutes; he who does not ask a question remains a fool forever." -Ask questions -Answer questions -Daily participation is REQUIRED 4). POSITIVE "The best thing to do behind one's back is pat it." -Encourage yourself and others 5). POLITE "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you." 6). PRODUCTIVE "No farmer ever plowed a field by turning it over in his mind" -Complete and turn in assignments on time -Redo unsatisfactory work -Stay focused during rehearsals - even when you are not singing at the moment Whoever has skill in music is of good temperament and fitted for all things. We must teach music in schools. Martin Luther Page 6
Grading Daily participation and concert attendance constitute a significant portion of the grade percentage in choir. Choir is a performance-based class where learning occurs by doing. On rare occasions when a student does not feel well enough to participate in class, but is still in school, he/she will need to provide a note from his/her parent/guardian on that day or the next day of class. In addition to participation, students will be evaluated according to the IB assessment criterion for the fine arts. This includes knowledge and understanding, application, artistic awareness and personal engagement, and reflection and evaluation. These criterion will be assessed through daily and concert preparation (Life Skills), in class worksheets, concert reflections/self-assessments, the developmental workbook, common assessments, etc. Other Opportunties HONOR CHOIR: Honor Choir is an auditioned-only ensemble open to 7th and 8th graders. Auditions occur towards the end of the first quarter. Rehearsals are before school typically from 6:30-7:15 a.m. Honor Choir students will be given a rehearsal schedule before rehearsals begin. FALL PLAY: The Fall Play is an opportunity for all LEMS students to participate in a stage production. Auditions are typically at the beginning of September and the performances are in November. Information on the production will be available at the beginning of the year. SPRING MUSICAL: The Spring Musical is an opportunity for all LEMS students to participate in a musical stage production. Auditions are typically before Winter Break in December and the performances are in April. Information on the production will be available after the first quarter. SOLO AND ENSEMBLE: A district middle school solo and ensemble festival occurs the first weekend in March. Students pay a nominal entrance fee, select their solo or ensemble music, rehearse and prepare their music, and perform for judges. The judges provide useful comments and work with the students on developing their musical skills. All students are encouraged to participate. Page 7
Concert attendance There will be four MANDATORY concerts during the 2011-2012 school year. All students are required to attend concerts unless they are excused by Mr. Siegfried or they are ineligible (i.e. suspended). Students are given a grade based on performance, concert etiquette, and conduct. I will give make-up assignments when necessary for excused absences; however, it is impossible to re-create the atmosphere of a performance when it has been missed. The importance of each student s individual participation in the concert cannot be stressed enough as every student has worked both individually and within the group to master the material for presentation at the concert. Therefore attendance is critical! Please see the important information below on what constitutes an unexcused/excused absence. EXCUSED ABSENCES (You will be allowed to make it up): An excused absence is one that has been approved by the director and is accompanied by a written note or Email from a parent. I need to be made aware of these absences as far in advance as possible. I understand that there might be times of emergencies, illnesses, and sudden deaths in the family that can occur. These types of situations will be excused, but I will need a written note from the parent to provide documentation of a student absence. Examples of excused absences: o Significant Illness o Family Emergency o Death in the family o Other extenuating circumstances: Certain absences may be excused at the discretion of Mr. Siegfried. It is imperative that Mr. Siegfried is given adequate notice prior to the event. No absence will be excused the day of the performance or rehearsal other than those listed above. Examples of absences that might be excused with proper WRITTEN notice in advance are: weddings, religious events and other once in a lifetime events. However, the WRITTEN notice must be given two weeks in advance in order for the absence to be excused. Make up work: If a student misses a concert or rehearsal due to an excused absence, he/she will be given a make-up assignment at the time Mr. Siegfried is provided written documentation and excuses the absence, in order to make up for the test grade. If a student neglects to complete the assignment, he/she will not receive credit for the assignment thereby significantly affecting his/her test grade average in choir. UNEXCUSED ABSENCES (You will NOT be allowed to make it up): An unexcused absence is one that has not been approved by the director and is not accompanied by a written note or Email from the parent. Page 8
Fundraising Fundraising provides many opportunities that could not otherwise be managed with our regular budget: music for extra-curricular groups, field trips, buses, and other extras that can help make choir fun and more rewarding for all participants. The school district generously provides funding for the basic educational needs of every program, but through the efforts of fundraising, choir trips and other fun events become a reality. All students are expected to participate in fundraising activities. Information on fundraisers will be available on the LEMS music website: www.lemsmusic.com Important Dates WHEN WHAT WHERE October 20, 2011 6:00 PM (6th Grade) 7:00 PM (7th & 8th Grade) November 17, 2011, 7:00 PM November 18, 2011, 7:00 PM November 19, 2011, 2:00 PM December 15, 2011 6:00 PM (6th Grade) 7:00 PM (7th & 8th Grade) March 3, 2012 March 6, 2012 6:00 PM (6th Grade) 7:00 PM (7th & 8th Grade) April 19, 2012, 7:00 PM April 20, 2012, 7:00 PM April 21, 2012, 2:00 PM May 15, 2012 6:00 PM (ALL grades) Choir Concert (MANDATORY) Fall Play (DRAMA) Holiday Choir Concert (MANDATORY) District MS Solo and Ensemble Festival Choir Concert (MANDATORY) Spring Musical (DRAMA) Choir Concert (MANDATORY) LEMS Cafetorium LEMS Cafetorium LEMS Cafetorium Conrad Ball Middle School (2660 Monroe Avenue, Loveland, Colorado 80538) LEMS Cafetorium LEMS Cafetorium Hammond Amphitheater (Joint concert with the Loveland High School choirs) Page 9
Agreement Form TO BE COMPLETED BY TUESDAY, AUGUST 30! My child and I!!! Print student name Print parent/guardian name have read through and understand the contents of the 2011-2012 LEMS Choirs Handbook. A spiral/ composition notebook is due in class by the second week of school. This will be the IB/MYP Developmental Workbook for Choir. The handbook is available on the LEMS music website: www.lemsmusic.com. Under the Choir tab at the top, select Policies/Handbook. We do not have Internet access and need a hard copy of the LEMS Choir Handbook.!!!! Student Signature Parent/Guardian Signature Date Comments: Volunteer checklist (check those in which you may be interested) A successful choral program depends on, among other things, strong parent support. Here are ways to contribute: Attending concerts is fundamental, and cannot be understated. When parents make the concerts a priority to attend, the students learn that what they have to offer their talents, gifts and hard work is of a fundamental value to others, their school and their community. Accompaniment: Participating in performances by accompanying on piano, guitar, drum, flute, etc. (Which instrument/s are you comfortable in accompanying?) Corporate Sponsor Donations: advertising is available as a benefactor. Choir Hosts: Help supervise and sit with choirs before and during concerts. Chaperone: Be a chaperone on one or more various field trips/festivals, including on bus rides. Concert Production: Help set up or take down equipment and/or decorations before and/or after concerts. Fund-Raising: Bookkeeping, counting money, recording, organizing, selling tickets, etc. Goodies: Bring goodies for a post-concert reception: cookies, punch, napkins, paper cups, etc. Guest Speaker: Be a guest speaker about some aspect of music and/or singing Other: Page 10