C. W. Goetz Middle School 835 Patterson Road Jackson NJ 08527 CHORUS HANDBOOK Grades 6, 7 & 8 2017-2018 Margaret A. Eisenschmied, Director maeisenschmied@jacksonsd.org (732) 833-4610
CONCERT DATES Winter Concert: Thursday, December 7, 2017 7:00 p.m. Reporting time: 6:15 p.m. Spring Concert: Date: TBD 7:00 p.m. Reporting time: 6:15 p.m. Jackson Memorial High School Fine Arts Center
FROM THE DIRECTOR... WELCOME TO THE GOETZ MIDDLE SCHOOL CHORAL PROGRAM! By signing up for chorus, you have demonstrated a commitment to hard work and excellence that will bring you great pride in your accomplishments. Your dedication and diligence will pay wonderful dividends as you continue your journey through middle school. You will develop skills in teamwork, concentration, discipline, musicianship, and poise in public performance. Did you know studies have shown that students who regularly participate in a quality school music program consistently show an increase in standardized test scores and in overall school performance? This is just one of the many benefits you will gain by being a part of this performance ensemble. I am honored to be working with you this year. We have an exciting and fun program planned for the year, and I know that together, we will accomplish great things! Mrs. Eisenschmied CONTACT ME: Students and parents alike are invited to contact me at any time. I check my email throughout the day and evening, and do respond in a timely fashion. maeisenschmied@jacksonsd.org Phone: (732) 833-4610
GRADING POLICY: Please note: Students are NOT graded according to talent. They are evaluated according to attendance, attitude, effort, preparation, and participation. Each week, students will receive a Rehearsal Grade (please see attached rubric). The grade will be adjusted for the following reasons: Unexcused absence from, or lateness to, class Unprepared for rehearsal students MUST bring music folder and pencil to each rehearsal. Poor or inconsistent participation in warm-ups and rehearsals. Disruptiveness Failure to observe class rules and guidelines. Unexcused absence from dress rehearsals/concerts. Non-compliance with dress code for performances. Missing or late assignments such as homework, permission slips or other handouts requiring a parent signature. Students participation grades are based on the following: Standing/sitting in correct, assigned spot Coming to class prepared each session with music folder and pencil Maintaining appropriate singing posture during rehearsal Actively and consistently engaging in all warm-ups and rehearsals Marking period grades will be based on the percentages indicated below: Daily Rehearsal Skills.:. 60% Test and Quizzes... 25% Homework. 15% A word about participation: This is a performance ensemble. It is all about participation in class, at concerts, it is about being actively involved and meaningfully engaged in the choral experience. Attendance in class and at concerts is mandatory. Unexcused absence from a concert will be marked as a zero test grade. Unexcused absence from a class rehearsal will result in a zero participation grade for the period. Students are NOT to skip class to make up tests, homework, or for any other reason. Persistent lateness to class will result in an adjusted participation grade. If there is a conflict with a concert date, please notify me in writing at least two weeks prior to the concert date so that we can work jointly to find a solution! Notifications less than two weeks prior to the concert may not be accepted.
Chorus Evaluation/Grading Rubric Skill Elements 1-2 3-4 5-6 7-8 Total Posture/ Alignment Student does not maintain appropriate posture/alignment: Feet shoulder width apart; legs straight; knees not locked; hips over knees; shoulders rolled back; elevated ribcage; head centered; chin parallel to the floor. Student maintains appropriate posture/alignment some of the time: Feet shoulder width apart; legs straight; knees not locked; hips over knees; shoulders rolled back; elevated ribcage; head centered; chin parallel to the floor. Student maintains appropriate posture/alignment most of the time: Feet shoulder width apart; legs straight; knees not locked; hips over knees; shoulders rolled back; elevated ribcage; head centered; chin parallel to the floor. Student maintains appropriate posture/alignment all of the time: Feet shoulder width apart; legs straight; knees not locked; hips over knees; shoulders rolled back; elevated ribcage; head centered; chin parallel to the floor. Breathing Student does not demonstrate any of the following qualities of breathing for singing: Deep Inaudible Relaxed Student demonstrates one of the following qualities of breathing for singing: Deep Inaudible Relaxed Student demonstrates two of the following qualities of breathing for singing: Deep Inaudible Relaxed Student demonstrates all of the following qualities of breathing for singing: Deep Inaudible Relaxed Pitch Student has difficulty singing correct pitches and/or musical contour as written/directed. sing the appropriate musical contour as written/directed. sing the correct pitches as written/directed through most of the musical example. sing correct pitches as written/directed with correct intonation through the entire musical example. Rhythm demonstrate the distinction between long sounds and short sounds. demonstrate the distinction between long sounds and short sounds while maintaining a steady beat. sing correct rhythms as written/directed through most of the musical example. sing correct rhythms as written/directed through the entire musical example. Subtotal:
Chorus Evaluation/Grading Rubric (continued) Skill Elements 1-2 3-4 5-6 7-8 Total Diction Student does not articulate consonants with crisp, clean articulation. Student articulates consonants with crisp, clean articulation some of the time. Student clearly articulates all consonants with crisp, clean articulation most of the time. Student clearly articulates all consonants with crisp, clean articulation all of the time. Vowel Formation Student does not demonstrate consistent vowel formation. Student demonstrates appropriate vowel formation as written/directed some of the time. Student demonstrates appropriate vowel formation as written/directed most of the time. Student demonstrates appropriate vowel formation as written/directed all of the time. Expression/ Musicianshi p Student does not demonstrate dynamics or articulation. Student demonstrates minimal evidence of dynamics and articulation. perform a musical example using dynamics and articulation through most of the musical example. perform piece using dynamics and articulation through the entire musical example. Fluency Student is unable to perform musical selection. perform musical selection with significant hesitation. perform musical selection with minimal hesitation or interruption throughout most of the musical example. perform musical selection without hesitation or interruption in the entire musical example. Total:
CONCERT DRESS CODE: Men: Black Slacks Black Socks Black Shoes Solid White Dress Shirt Women: Black Slacks Black Low Heeled Shoes Solid White Blouse *Blouses and shirts are to be tucked in. *Jeans, sneakers, and flip-flops are not appropriate concert attire! CUMMERBUNDS/SASHES AND BOW TIES: Prior to each concert, a set containing a cummerbund/sash and bow/bow tie will be distributed to each student. Cummerbunds are to be worn around the waist with the folds facing up. Sashes are to be worn around the waist and tied in the back. Blouses and shirts are to be tucked in. Men are to wear the bowtie around the neck; women may wear the bow in their hair, as a headband or clipped in, on the LEFT side of the head. Each set is numbered, and each student is assigned a number. Sets will be collected on the day immediately following the concert. Students must return their assigned number set. Credit will NOT be issued to a student returning the incorrect number. To replace a lost or damaged set, a fee of $20.00 will be applied to the student account. All accounts must be settled before the end of the school year. Returning sets will be counted as a homework grade. For each day late, the homework grade will be adjusted accordingly. Students will be given the opportunity to purchase their hair bow. More information will be provided in a separate letter.
CLASSROOM RULES and GUIDELINES: Students must arrive to class on time. Students must be prepared for each class with music folder and pencil Students will not be permitted to skip class to make up work for another class. Respect and courtesy must be afforded to all chorus members. All music and materials must be handled with care and respect. Gum, candy, food, and drinks are not allowed at any time At all times, cell phones and other electronic devices are prohibited from being used in class unless being used for class work according to BYOT guidelines. All students participate at all times in daily warm-ups and rehearsal. Requests to use the pass will be limited to emergency needs only. Please remember that this is a performance-based class. The greatest percentage of the class grade is based on performance and participation. We only meet for 22 minutes a day so let s make every rehearsal count! Please note that performances will be recorded. Students are frequently recorded, both by JTV and by Goetz Live!, and these performances may be aired on JTV, Goetz Live! and even youtube. If you are choosing to opt out of allowing your child to be recorded as per district paperwork, please make a notation that the exception will be for choral performances. A word about solo performances: The emphasis in class is the development of proper and appropriate singing technique for a choral ensemble. Each student is encouraged to develop their natural singing ability to their greatest potential. The primary goal is to work cohesively and collaboratively as an ensemble, and the emphasis is on the team effort. On rare occasions, solo opportunities may arise, depending on the music being performed. When such an occasion arises, soloists will be selected by an audition process, and selections will be made according to what is appropriate for the particular musical selection. Solos are not guaranteed each year for any student.
GLOSSARY OF BASIC MUSICAL TERMS TREBLE CLEF: Notes in spaces Notes on lines Phrases to remember the line and space note names: Every Good Boy Does Fine Every Girl Buys Designer Fashions F - A - C - E Fat Albert Can Eat Extending Beyond the Basic Treble Clef Staff If you can remember the MUSICAL ALPHABET (ABCDEFG), this is all you need to learn the LEDGER LINES. If the ledger lines are above the staff, the note names will go up G, A, B, C. If they are below the staff, the note names will go down...d,c, B, A.. LEDGER LINES:
BASS CLEF: Notes in spaces Notes on lines Phrases to remember the line and space note names: Good Boys Do Fine Always All Cows Eat Grass Extending beyond the basic bass clef staff The same rules that apply to the Treble Clef apply to the Bass Clef. Below are the first few LEDGER LINES to give you an example. LEDGER LINES:
Rhythmic Note and Rest Values To Alter a Pitch Symbol Name of Symbol Definition of Symbol Sharp Flat Natural Raises a pitch by ½ step Lowers a pitch by ½ step Cancels a Flat or Sharp
Relationship between music notes on the staff and the piano Vocabulary We will learn the definition and application of each of the following terms: Soprano Alto Tenor Bass Staff Treble Clef Bass Clef Time Signature Key Signature Bar Lines Measures Breath Support Choral Blend Piano Forte Mezzo (piano, forte, etc.) Crescendo Diminuendo Fermata Repeats Dal Segno Coda...and so much more!
Chorus Letter of Commitment Please circle your child s class/section: Chorus 6A Chorus 6B Chorus 6C Chorus 7A Chorus 7B Chorus 7C Chorus 8A Chorus 8B Chorus 8C Please sign below and return to acknowledge that you have read and understand the following (this will count as a homework grade): Student: I, (please print name), understand the obligations I have made to chorus by joining this class. I have read, understand, and agree to abide by the conditions set forth in the attached letter and in the Chorus Handbook, and I promise to put forth my full effort to make this group a successful experience for myself and my fellow chorus members. Student Signature Date Parent/Guardian: I, (please print name), understand the obligations my child has made to chorus by joining the class. I have read, discussed with my child, and agree to abide by the conditions set forth in the attached letter and in the Chorus Handbook, and will fully support my child and the program. Parent Signature Date