Kent-Meridian High School Choir Syllabus

Heath Thompson, Director 253-373-4015 Heath.Thompson@Kent.k12.wa.us www.kmchoir.com Kent-Meridian High School Choir Syllabus 2016-2017 If I can help somebody, as I move along If I can help somebody, with a word or song my living shall not be in vain. -David Whittley Goals: To establish and reinforce correct singing/musical techniques and skills. To improve the use of expressive elements such as dynamics, phrasing, and tempo. To develop a sense of fulfillment, responsibility, and pride in quality performance. To expand interest and knowledge of repertoire, performances, and artistic achievement form a variety of countries, societies, and cultures. To cultivate a sense of identity, pride, group spirit and improved self-image through participation in a successful performing ensemble. Evaluation (see Choir Handbook for specific details): Class Participation Concert Attendance /Behavior Written/Vocal Assessments Common Summative Assessments Classroom Assignments Extra credit will also be given to students who attend concerts other than their own and for various other items throughout the year. Please see Mr. Thompson for details or questions. Ensembles Men s Choir a non-auditioned ensemble available to males in grades 9-12 that prepares students for a lifetime of singing. In addition to learning the repertoire, students will learn proper vocal technique and music theory. Commitment to every minute of rehearsal and concert is needed and expected. Men s Choir will sing a varied repertoire of literature selected from antiquity to the present in two-part, three-part, and four-part men s voicing. Women s Choir a non-auditioned ensemble available to females in grades 9-12 that prepares students for a lifetime of singing. In addition to learning the repertoire, students will learn proper vocal technique and music theory. Commitment to every minute of rehearsal and concert is needed and expected. Women s Choir will sing a varied repertoire of literature selected from antiquity to the present in two-part, three-part, and fourpart women s voicing. IB Choir an auditioned ensemble available to students in grades 11-12. Auditions take place in the spring of the previous school year. Skills learned in Men s and Women s Choir will be built upon and a new level of 1

excellence is expected. Commitment to every minute of rehearsal and concert is needed and expected. For IB students, the content learned is especially rigorous, challenging, and rewarding. See the separate IB Syllabus for as a supplement to this syllabus as well as an outline of the curriculum. Sound Connection a zero hour, auditioned ensemble made up of 9-12 students engaging in Jazz and Show choir literature. Sound Connection is an extremely hard working, small ensemble style group committed to achieving the highest possible standard of vocal excellence. All choirs a varied repertoire of literature selected from antiquity to the present. Classroom Expectations Attendance: Attendance is essential in this course. A missed rehearsal will result in loss of participation points which cannot be made up. Students must make up any written classwork, if applicable, upon their return. To make up a rehearsal, a student must meet with director/section coach if they miss 2 days or more in a 2-week period. Unexcused absences, as well as tardies, will follow KM Attendance Policy. Concert Attendance: As a member of a performing ensemble, concert attendance is mandatory. Personal Growth: Improve each day. Always move forward, especially mistakes. Failure is always an opportunity to learn and grow. Enjoy the process. Many of our goals will take time. Do your best, but be patient. Habits to build Choices to make: Go directly to your seat with music folder, notebook and pencil by the time the bell rings this reflects the kind of dedication and attention to detail that we need in a rehearsal. Do not talk when the director or classmates are speaking. Check your posture regularly whether you are sitting or standing, and especially when singing. Display focused silence when other parts are rehearsing. Ask questions by raising your hand. Classroom Contributions: Be respectful of the director and your classmates at ALL TIMES. Take part in all activities - we all participate fully and as a team. Be supportive of one another - help make choir a place for all students. Dare to take risks and take chances. Group Skills / Leadership: Lead by example yelling for people to be quiet does not work. Follow your part when other sections are rehearsing. Classroom Policies: Cell phones during rehearsal. Once rehearsal starts, they go away. No gum use the wastebasket at the door. No candy, food, beverages, including coffee (Mr. Thompson gets a pass), in rehearsal rooms. However, WATER is encouraged. No headphones, ipods, or other electronic items in rehearsal rooms. Do not write on the white boards or bulletin boards. 2

Students must pay for any lost or damaged music, folders, or robes. If you are ill and cannot sing, you must talk to the director before class. Materials Needed: An all-black, pocketed binder for music Music (will be provided to you) A pencil (not a pen) with an eraser A notebook for note and test taking KM Student Handbook KM Choir s exterior rules and regulations are in alignment with the KM Student Handbook. Classroom dress code, technology use, code of conduct, and all other discipline-related guidelines are decided by the school wide policies. Please consult the handbook located on KM main page for reference. KM Progressive Discipline School Wide Progressive Discipline Model (PDM) is a referral system used to manage low level behavior while promoting productivity and student conduct in our KM classrooms. We use a tiered intervention approach to establish individualized needs for our students. Our goal at KM is to bridge the gap between academic success and behavior. This model builds relationships and communication between teachers, students and parents. Discipline at Kent-Meridian High School progresses in administrative steps. Behaviors that require an administrative step (defined below) will be entered in the student information system and will result in discipline. Most cases progress as follows: PDM Step Process 1. Warning 2. Letter home to parent 3. Lunch detention 4. After school detention 5. Two after school detentions 6. In-school suspension (ISS) 7. One to three-day suspension 8. Four to five-day suspension 9. Six to ten-day suspension 10. Long-term suspension In general, the step process for more serious infractions are 1. ISS 2. Short-term suspension 0-10 3. Long- term suspension 11+ 4. Emergency Expulsion 5. Expulsion. You can find links to the PDM forms at Kent-Meridian s Website. Concert Attire: 3

All attire costs will be payable to the ASB cashier. As soon as you pay your fee, bring your receipt to Mr. Thompson informing him you have paid the cashier. If you cannot pay the upfront cost of your uniform, we have fund-raising options available to you. See the fundraising section below. Sound Connection Men Three-piece show choir ensemble, $25* Women Dawn Dress $25 IB Choir Men Poplin Vest Ensemble with Cavalier Pants and Bowtie - $25* Women Laurel Dress - $25 *If you are a male or female in both Sound Connection and IB Choir, total cost for both outfits is $50 Men s Choir and Women s Choir Black dress pants, black dress shoes, black dress socks, white button down collared shirt, and robe cleaning - $10.00 4

Grading Policy Each choir student has the opportunity to earn a Level 4 assessment in choir. This grade will be based on your ability to meet standards in the Choir subject content, not your talent or personality. The following is a breakdown of the grading structure: Level 4.0 The student demonstrates extended understanding of the standard and skill. The student will: Level 3.0 The student demonstrates thorough understanding of the standard and skill. The student will: Level 2.0 The student demonstrates emerging understanding of the standard and skill. Level 1.0 The student demonstrates limited understanding of the standard and skill. Level 0.0 The student HAS NOT demonstrated understanding of the skill. Your choir grade will consist of points earned from each of the categories listed below: 1. Communicates at a Basic Level in Music Journals, quizzes, assignments (25%) 2. Develops ad presents basic analysis of works of art - Essay (20%) 3. Performs proficiently in choir and music Final exam (20%) 4. Musical Reading and Notation Journals, assignments, quizzes, tests (25 %) 5. Demonstration of choir norms Participation (5%) 6. Creating a positive learning environment Participation (5%) 7. Develop habits for college and career readiness not weighed in final grade Daily Participation Your presence, cooperative attitude, and sincere effort to learn and grow are essential to your growth in choir. Please note that all these elements have nothing to do with your natural talent or ability level. All expectations regarding conduct, behavior, readiness, and treatment of equipment and materials (as stated previously) are taken into consideration. 5

Tardiness Please make sure that you are in the classroom with all your necessary materials before the tardy bell rings. If you are absent from class for any reason, it could dramatically affect your ability to achieve high marks in your standards, as well as directly affect your grade in standard 5. Students should also get their absences excused through the attendance office to avoid this, and if the absence is excused (within two weeks of the absence) you may make up the sight-singing exercises missed that day. Performances Each individual choir has required performances throughout the entire year. Choir works like any sports team, where each member of the choir must be present to achieve success in the performance. When we perform, everyone is expected to be there at the stated time. Absences due to work, sporting events, babysitting, family vacations, college visits, etc., are not acceptable excuses for missing a performance. If there is a transportation issue that suddenly arises on the day of a concert, it is your responsibility to ask a friend or another choir member to help give you a ride to the concert. You may have many fellow choir members to choose from to help you out! Missing a required performance due to a transportation issue is never a valid excuse and will result in you not being able to demonstrate knowledge of content standards for performance. Listed below are the required performances for the 2012-2013 school year. Please mark them on your personal calendar immediately! Please inform me of any conflicts within the first month of school so I can assign you an alternative assignment. Extra Credit other ways to generate evidence of content knowledge There is no actual extra credit in standards based grading, but there are ways you can provide evidence of content standard knowledge by doing activities outside of the classroom. You can generate evidence of performance by participating in Honors Chorus, GRMEA Festivals, and attendance of other area concerts, which include other high schools, middle schools, college, or elementary choir concerts, band concerts, musicals, operas or symphony concerts. To receive credit, you must turn in the concert program with comments and a brief evaluation written on the program itself. Please be sure to sign your program and turn it in within two weeks of the performance! See me before the concert if you have questions about whether a particular concert qualifies for d. GRMEA Solo/Ensemble Contest The state Solo/Small Ensemble Contest is a wonderful opportunity that all students should take part in at some point in their time at KM Choir. This spring semester event provides students an opportunity to select a song, memorize it, and perform it for an appointed judge. The judges give a score to the student based on musicality, interpretation, and skill level, and give encouraging and helpful criticism to each individual to better understand the song, and how to better sing it with their vocal talent. It is encouraged that students work with Mr. Thompson for individual instruction before the contest. All-State The Iowa High School Music Association sponsors an All-State music festival (band, choir, orchestra) each fall. Singers are selected throughout the entire state of Iowa through district auditions. The entire process is based on individual effort. Singers must be personally motivated to make time and effort to learn the music, pitches, and rhythms. Mr. Thompson will offer before or after school rehearsals and help each interested student. This process is not easy, however rewards for those who audition can be tremendous. 6

All State Audition Materials All Northwest Audition Materials Officers (Concert Choir) The responsibilities of the officers consist of helping to oversee the outside activities of the choir, and assisting Mr. Thompson in responsibilities. The officers must set a good example for the choir, be comfortable with people, and be willing help to take up the responsibility of organizing various activities. Student Accompanists The student accompanist is responsible for accompanying the choir when requested, and should be ready at all times to assist in playing voice parts when needed. Voice Lessons Private voice lessons are a wonderful way to engage further with your content. All private lessons are handled outside of school and taught be various teachers. If you are interested in voice lessons, please contact Mr. Thompson. Private voice lesson are for all musicians, beginning to advanced. Prices vary depending on instructor. Voice lessons from Mr. Thompson are free and are given to all choir students after school. A schedule will be made soon after school begins. For voice are short, 5-10 minute sessions with Mr. Thompson initially, and will progress depending on each case. Links to Vocal Teachers: https://www.learningmusician.com/sallyramsden http://voice123.com/hollyrose1 https://www.facebook.com/joshuaottvox/ 7

KM Choir Performance Schedule 2016-2017 Date Performance Dress Code Choirs Involved Performance Type Venue Call Time TBA Fall Concert Formal All Concert PAC 6:20PM September Homecoming School Spirit TBA Spirit GYM PM 27 th Assembly Assembly September 29 th Homecoming National Anthem School Spirit Sound Connection National Anthem French Field 6:00PM October 3 rd November 8 th November 10 th November 26 th Dec 6 th January 13th Feb 14 th March 11 th or 18 th All State/All Northwest Audition Materials South Sound Jazz Symposium Veterans Day Assembly Singing with Santa Winter Concert Casual Formal Individuals, open to all Sound Connection Recorded Audition Festival Choir Room Auburn Riverside HS GYM TBA All Day MLK Assembly Formal TBA Formal Assembly Valentine Grams March 15 th Early Spring Concert April 21 st Multicultural Assembly April 25 th Large Group Advanced Festival April 27 th Large Group Beginning Festival March/TBA Field Trip to 5 th Avenue Formal Sound Connection Solo/Ensemble Formal Individuals or small groups Formal IB Choir Formal Assembly AM Festive/Formal/Warm All Caroling Kent 10AM- Station 11AM Formal/Festive All Concert PAC 6:20PM In- School/Field Trip Field Trip GYM KM Auburn Riverside HS AM All Day AM or PM Formal All Concert PAC 6:20PM TBA TBA Assembly GYM AM Formal IB Choir Field Trip Festival Formal Men s Choir/Women s Choir Field Trip Festival Nice casual TBA Field Trip/Non- Performance Auburn HS KL All Day All Day 5 th Ave All Day May 30th Spring Concert Formal All Concert PAC 6:20PM TBA Graduation Formal TBA/All Choir Field Trip Showare AM 8

There may be some variance in the dates, and you will be notified with at least two weeks in advance. They will be posted on our website at www.kmchoir.com. Parent Volunteers I need parent volunteers for the measuring of and organization of student uniforms and other various responsibilities. Please contact me at Heath.Thomponson@Kent.k12.wa.us or fill out the parent contact form at the bottom of this syllabus if you like to help. If you are interested in volunteering, especially for field trips, you should on-record with the district. The information for this is at the in the volunteer section of the KSD website. About KM Choir KM Choir believes that when you sing, you express your heart. When you sing with other people, uniting your hearts together in musical harmony, you create a very powerful sense of community. Being able to connect to one another musically is a profound experience that everyone should have. It builds bridges, creates empathy, fosters creativity, and teaches us to have joy. KM Choir teaches the values that inherent to choir such as teamwork, critical thinking, discipline, compassion, and musicianship. KM Choirs shows that every student regardless of experience should have an opportunity to experience choir, and we welcome anyone is curious about choir to ask Mr. Thompson about joining Choir. About Mr. Thompson Mr. Thompson has been teaching at KM Choir and Music Tech for ten years. He has taken KM Choirs on trips to Seattle, Portland, Disneyland, Disneyworld, and New York City. Mr. Thompson also directs KM s musical theatre productions. He has a Bachelor s Degree in in Music Education from the University of Washington, a Master s Degree in Musical Theatre from Antioch University, and is a doctoral candidate in Educational Leadership at Walden University, currently writing his dissertation on high-stakes test score prediction. He loves running, video games, and coffee. When Mr. Thompson isn t at KM, he is spending time with his beautiful fiancé and his two cats, Zara and Finn. 9

Choir Contract and Parent Volunteer Form Membership in an ensemble offers many valuable and personal learning experiences. Therefore, it requires that each student accept a large amount of responsibility. I hereby agree to uphold my responsibility as a member of the Kent- Meridian High School Choir Department by following the rules and guidelines of this organization. 1. I will arrive at rehearsal on time with my music, a pencil, and a good attitude. Cell phones and gum chewing will NOT be allowed at ANY TIME in the music room. (I will find gum receptacles clearly marked and in view in which to dispose of the gum in my mouth). Failure to do so will result in a PDM step. 2. I will be responsible for keeping all dates, as given to me by my director open and clear of other responsibilities. In the rare chance that I cannot be at a concert (funeral, severe illness) I will talk to Mr. Thompson and have my parents contact Mr. Thompson prior to the event. 3. I will attend all scheduled performances, rehearsals and sectionals unless excused in advance by Mr. Thompson. I understand that I will always be given at least one-week advanced notice before any required activity, and that most rehearsals and performances will be announced far in advance. Therefore, it is understood that jobs and work are not acceptable excuses. 4. I understand my grade in choir will be determined by the following standards on the standards-based grading (SBG) found on page 5 of the syllabus. 5. Concert Attire It is my responsibility to secure my uniform as outlined in the syllabus. I will communicate the cost to my parents/guardians and fund raise if needed to earn the uniform. --------------------------------(Please remove this portion and return it to Mr. Thompson) ------------------------------------------------ Student/Parent Choral Handbook Contract I, (print student name), have received the Kent-Meridian High School contract, and Calendar, and I understand the responsibilities therein. Student Signature/Date Parent Signature/Date for (please circle) I am interested in Volunteering Uniforms Field Trips Fund Raising Concerts Other Please Contact me at Number or Email This signed form is due by no later than Friday, September 9 th, 2016. 10