Wachter Middle School Choir 8th Grade Choir 2016-2017 school year Welcome to WMS 8 th Grade Choir!!! Meet Your Director I m excited to have you join us! I m Mrs. Bondley, the choir director at Wachter Middle School. I am in my 14 th year of teaching and 13 th year at Wachter. I am also an 8 th grade volleyball coach. Originally from Montana, I graduated from University of Mary with degrees in Elementary Education, Elementary Music Education, and Vocal Music Education. My husband and I have two children, 8 year old Hayden and 11 year old Brooke. In my spare time I enjoy playing softball, camping, reading, and spending time with my family. I truly enjoy working with students! Teaching gives me the greatest opportunity to see individual growth, not only musically and intellectually, but also as successful members of society. I am looking forward to a great year! My goal is to encourage and strengthen your musical abilities and help you reach your full potential. Choir Curriculum Learning to read music Singing on pitch Singing in harmony Singing with appropriate expression (dynamics, phrasing, articulation, etc.) Singing with good vocal tone You will be exposed to a wide variety of musical styles & tests, including but not limited to secular, sacred, and multicultural compositions. All of these compositions are chosen with their educational and aesthetic values as top priorities. Expectations 1. Come to class ready to learn 2. Show respect towards others 3. Be prepared and on time * A folder and music will be provided for you. You are responsible for all music you are assigned. Any lost or damaged music will need to be reimbursed by you.
Grading Concerts Grades in Choir are based on National Music Standards, WMS behavior expectations (ROAR), and performances There are four main standards we will focus on this year: 1) MUS-MS.PrEE.06.1a Demonstrate attention to technical accuracy and expressive qualities in prepared performances of a varied repertoire of music. Since Choir is largely a performance class, one of the best ways to evaluate your progress is through group performances. Therefore, concerts are considered assessments and a very important part of this class. All students are required to participate in these events. -It is your responsibility to avoid scheduling conflicts with the choir calendar. I do understand there may be conflicts with other school activities from time to time. Therefore, it is very important to inform me of the conflict ahead of time. Working together and communication with the sponsor/coach of the conflicting activity, we will come up with a solution. 2) MUS-MS.ReEE.09.1a Explain the influence of experiences, analysis, and context on interest in and evaluation of music. -As performing is one of our main standards, missed concerts will be made up with an equivalent assessment. 3) MUS-08.Pr.04.2b When analyzing selected music, read and identify by name or function standard symbols for rhythm, pitch, articulation, and dynamics. 4) MUS-08.Pr.06.1b Demonstrate performance decorum (such as stage presence, attire, and behavior) and audience etiquette appropriate for venue and purpose. ~ Each standard includes a proficiency scale, which we will record assessment results. Concert Uniform Girls: ~WMS Choir performance polo. ~Black dress pants (no yoga pants, shorts, capris, or skirts) ~Black shoes (no flip flops) ~Black socks (if applicable) Boys: ~WMS Choir performance polo. ~Black dress pants ~Black shoes ~Black socks
Additional Opportunities NDACDA Honor Choir 7 th & 8 th grade choir students are invited to audition for NDACDA Honor Choir. Recorded auditions are due in October. The Honor Choir will take place in spring 2017. Show Choir You will have the opportunity to audition for Show Choir, provided that you are enrolled in choir. Meeting and audition dates/times will be announced during the school day towards the middle of September. Northwest Festival of Music Minot State University holds honor choir ensembles the first weekend of November. Auditions will be held at the end of September. Middle School Music Festival 6-8 grade students may choose to perform a solo, duet, or participate in an ensemble in April. Their performance will be critiqued by an adjudicator. Additional opportunities are not required. However, I encourage every choir student to take advantage of these excellent choral opportunities! National ACDA Honor Choir 6-8 grade choir students may choose to audition for the National ACDA Honor Choirs. This year the event will be taking place in Minneapolis, MN. Recorded auditions are due in September. The Honor Choirs will take place in March.
2016 2017 WMS Choir Concerts/Performances/Honor Choirs Date/Time Mon, October 17 7:30pm Tues, October 25 6:00pm Tues, October 25 7:30pm Concert/Performance/Honor Choirs 8 th Grade Choir w/bhs Choirs 6 th Grade Choir 7 th Grade Choir Location Knaak Center @ BHS Fri/Sat, Nov. 4 & 5 Northwest Festival of Music* Minot State University Mon, December 19 6:00pm Mon, December 19 7:30pm 6 th Grade Choir 7 th & 8 th Grade Choirs Fri/Sat, Feb. 3 & 4 ND ACDA Honor Choirs* TBA Wed Sat, March 8 11 National ACDA Honor Choirs* Minneapolis, MN Thurs, March 16 6:00pm Thurs, March 16 7:30pm 7 th Grade Choir 6 th & 8 th Grade Choir Sat, April 8??? Middle School Music Festival Simle Middle School Mon, May 15 6:00pm Mon, May 15 7:30pm 8 th Grade Choir 6 th & 7 th Grade Choirs ~Concerts in bold print are a requirement for choir students~ * Participation in these honor choirs is selected by audition. All WMS Choir students are invited and encouraged to submit an audition. More info will be provided separately for each of these events. On time for the performance = In concert position, ready to warm-up at specific venue at least 20 minutes prior to the starting time of the concert. The concert schedule can also be viewed on the WMS Choir Website: http://wacther.bismarckschools.org/wachter/wmsfinearts/choir/events/
Contact Information Please contact me with any questions or concerns you may have now or throughout the year: School Phone: 323-4650 E-mail: desiree_bondley@bismarckschools.org The previous information and additional updates can be found on the WMS Choir website: http://www.wachter.bismarckschools.org/wachter/wmsfinearts/choir/ We are also on Facebook @ Wachter Wildcat Choir Please sign and return this boxed portion before, 2016 I understand the expectations as a member of choir. I will do my personal best to meet these expectations, which includes, but is not limited to, participating in class and completing assignments. I have read the information regarding concert attendance. I realize the importance of my participation at all required choir concerts. I have received the concert dates for the school year. I understand that I am responsible for the music, folder, and performance polo assigned to me. Any lost or damaged property of WMS Choir will be reimbursed by me. I understand what appropriate concert attire is and will do my best to meet those expectations. (Please talk to Mrs. Bondley if you have questions or concerns regarding the concert attire.) (Student) (Parent/Guardian) For Parents/Guardian: Best way to contact me E-mail: