Wooster High School Vocal Music Department Handbook

Wooster High School Vocal Music Department Handbook Wooster High School B126 Miss Emily Patterson, Director

August 2014 Welcome Choir Members and Families! Here we are beginning another year of music-making, voice-building, leadership opportunities and expanding your musicianship. This handbook will help you to get the most out of your choir year, so I encourage students and parents/guardians to read it carefully. The last two sheets need to be filled out and returned no later than Thursday, August 28. Meeting this deadline will earn an A+ on your first assignment! Our choirs are all about creating music and growing as a musician. If you, the student, love to sing and want to become a better musician, you have scheduled yourself for the right class. We will work hard this year and enjoy every minute of the work. It allows us to start every school day with being physically involved in creating something beautiful. Our goals are to sing in a number of varying styles and genres of music. We will work on our voices as an ensemble "The whole is greater than the sum of its parts." However, we will also work on our voices individually because we are "only as strong as our weakest member." Like so many organizations, we thrive because of generous volunteers. The Music Parents Association makes a huge contribution to the success of ALL of the ensembles at WHS. Their income from the Concession Stand at home football games supports our program. Choir parents will join in the fun by staffing the Stand, together with Orchestra parents, on Friday night, October 10 th. Parents, please join us for the first meeting of Music Parents on Tuesday night, Sept. 2, at 8:00 p.m. in the Band Room B-136. We will also need Choir Parents to help out with various activities throughout the year. Some of our events, such as the Fall Dinner and Concert, have been completely organized by parents. If you are interested in helping out or talking charge of a project, please let me know! Please stay in touch feel free to email or call me. I am rarely in the music office because I am teaching at the high school and the middle school, so email is typically the best. You can email me at wstr_epatterson@woostercityschools.org about your concerns/questions or call 330-345-4000, ext. 7101 and leave a voicemail. Check out www.whsmusic.nvi.net for all Music Department activities. Under Groups," you can find choir activities, schedules and photographs. Thank you for all the time and energy you are committing to make this a fabulous choir year for our singers, our school and our community! Friends in Music, Emily Patterson, Director of Vocal Music

WHS VOCAL MUSIC SCHEDULE 2014-2015 Concert Choir Please mark the following dates in all family calendars and adjust schedules to allow for full participation. The choirs need every member present and ready in order to do our very best. Performance dates are highlighted in bold type, as attendance is required. August 28 September 2 September 15 September 22 October 10 October 13 Nov. 15, 16, 21-23 December 8 December 13 December 16 December 18 January 7-9 January 22 January 24 February 24 February 25 March 2 March 4 Handbook Agreement and T-shirt Money Due First Music Parents Association meeting - 8:00 p.m. (B136) Auditions for Chamber Singers after school Sectional rehearsals begin Homecoming Game Performance - meet before game (Follis Field) Fall Concert and Choir Dinner - 6:30 p.m. (Commons) WHS Drama Club and Music Department Fall Musical (WHS PAC) Rotary Sponsored Senior Citizen Dinner 3:30 p.m. after school (PAC) Pancake Breakfast and Tuba Christmas (WHS PAC/Commons) Winter Concert 7:30 p.m. (WHS PAC) Solo and Ensemble Registration Due Auditions for "We Sing Songs" - after school Music Faculty Recital 7:30 p.m. (Zion Lutheran Church, Wooster) OMEA Solo and Ensemble Event (TBA) Music Parents Meeting (important meeting for NYC Trip) 8:00 p.m. (B136) Festival of Choirs rehearsal during school day (Smithville Field House) Wayne County Festival of Choirs - 7:30 p.m. (Smithville Field House, Smithville) Mid Year Choir Concert 7:30 p.m. (WHS PAC) March 13 or 14 OMEA District Large Group Adjudicated Event - TBA March 21 Wooster City Schools Fine Arts Festival - All Day (WHS PAC/Commons) Mar. 30 Apr. 2 Vocal Music Spring Trip to NYC!!! - Monday p.m. to Thursday a.m. May 1 or 2 May 4 May 7 May 18 May June 7 OMEA State Adjudicated Event (if applicable) TBA Music Parents Scholarship Auditions 2:30 p.m. (B136) All City Choir Concert 7:30 p.m. (WHS PAC) Music Awards Night 7:00 p.m. (WHS PAC) Senior Awards Assembly(seniors only) during school day (WHS Gym) WHS Commencement 2:00 p.m. (Follis Field or Gym) We may add to this schedule, depending on what our personal schedules allow us to do.

WHS VOCAL MUSIC SCHEDULE 2014-2015 Women's Chorus Please mark the following dates in all family calendars and adjust schedules to allow for full participation. The choirs need every member present and ready in order to do our very best. Performance dates are highlighted in bold type, as attendance is required. August 28 Handbook Agreement and T-shirt Money Due September 2 First Music Parents Association meeting - 8:00 p.m. (B136) September 15 Auditions for Chamber Singers after school October 13 Fall Concert and Choir Dinner - 6:30 p.m. (Commons) Nov. 15, 16, 21-23 December 8 December 13 December 16 December 18 January 7-9 January 22 January 24 February 24 March 4 WHS Drama Club and Music Department Fall Musical (WHS PAC) Rotary Sponsored Senior Citizen Dinner 3:30 p.m. after school (PAC) Pancake Breakfast and Tuba Christmas (WHS PAC/Commons) Winter Concert 7:30 p.m. (WHS PAC) Solo and Ensemble Registration Due Auditions for "We Sing Songs" - after school Music Faculty Recital 7:30 p.m. (Zion Lutheran Church, Wooster) OMEA Solo and Ensemble Event (TBA) Music Parents Meeting (important meeting for NYC Trip) 8:00 p.m. (B136) Mid Year Choir Concert 7:30 p.m. (WHS PAC) March 13 or 14 OMEA District Large Group Adjudicated Event - TBA March 21 Wooster City Schools Fine Arts Festival - All Day (WHS PAC/Commons) Mar. 30 Apr. 2 Vocal Music Spring Trip to NYC!!! - Monday p.m. to Thursday a.m. May 1 or 2 OMEA State Adjudicated Event (if applicable) TBA May 4 Music Parents Scholarship Auditions 2:30 p.m. (B136) May 7 All City Choir Concert 7:30 p.m. (WHS PAC) May 18 Music Awards Night 7:00 p.m. (WHS PAC) May Senior Awards Assembly(seniors only) during school day (WHS Gym) June 7 WHS Commencement 2:00 p.m. (Follis Field or Gym) We may add to this schedule, depending on what our personal schedules allow us to do.

ASSESSMENT AND EVALUATION Each term will include a different balance according to the events of that quarter, but over the course of the year, the following percentages provide the approximate basis for your final grade. Class participation 40% Audition, Dictations, Assignments and Tests 20% Sectional rehearsal attendance 20% Performance participation (punctuality, uniform, concert etiquette) 20% Please know that I am observant and thoughtful about your attitude, dedication and sense of responsibility towards this class and school in general. Taking a genuine interest in your success is a great adventure! The Student Learning Objective Pre-Test and Post-Test will count towards your overall class grade this year. ATTENDANCE POLICIES Choir members have an obligation, not only to themselves, but to their fellow singers. In order to achieve the finest results, attendance at all sectional rehearsals and performances is mandatory. There will be few occasions when absences due to illness, death in the family, etc., necessitate exceptions being made. The following policy is designed to maximize your success and that of the entire ensemble. Excused Absences 1. A note with the student s name, the reason for the absence, the date of the absence, a phone number, and the student s signature must be submitted BEFOREHAND to Miss Patterson for each absence from a sectional rehearsal. In the case of anticipated absence from a performance, the note must be written and signed by a parent, submitted AT LEAST ONE WEEK IN ADVANCE, and must include a phone number where the parent can be reached, in case the absence needs to be validated. 2. If a student misses a rehearsal or performance due to an emergency, the student should turn in a note from the parent/guardian with the same information the next day. If a student has an excused absence from school, s/he is automatically excused from sectionals or performances that day; however, a note explaining the reason for absence is greatly appreciated. 3. Absences will be excused for reasons of conflicting school activities, illness, or a death in the family. Please do not schedule routine medical, dental appointments, vacation leave, etc. on days when you have sectional rehearsal. 4. When there are direct conflicts with other school activities, a note must be submitted to Miss Patterson as far as possible IN ADVANCE. This includes athletics, so missing sectionals or rehearsals because of a scheduled game or practice, and NOT notifying Miss Patterson in advance is NOT a plausible excuse. Our activities are an academic commitment. See the WHS policy entitled: Guidelines for Students in Multiple Activities. Unexcused Absences 1. Failure to give advance written notice or, in the case of emergencies, to provide an immediate written explanation. 2. Transportation issues: You are expected to make arrangements in advance for a ride to

and/or from school, but with enough notice, we can try to arrange a ride with a fellow singer. 3. Jobs. Your first obligation is to your school and its activities. Employers should be notified, well in advance, about your school obligations. Provide them with a copy of your schedule to assist them in scheduling your work hours. Miss Patterson will call your employer if necessary. 4. Observation of other school activities. 5. Vacations without parents. (School trips may not apply.) 6. You will make up your sectional if you miss more than half of it. Tardy/Late Policy Students will be considered tardy if they are not already in their seats during the first warm-up. If you are later than this, you will have to go back for a tardy slip from the teacher or administrator at the Welcome Desk. Students are considered LATE for class if they are not seated and ready with music and pencil to begin working after the first warmup. Three tardies in one quarter will result in after-school detention. This is perfectly reasonable. Let's not get to the point where we have to count more than three tardies please. ATTIRE Concerts For our Fall Concert and Homecoming Game attire is: Blue Jeans without holes and rips WHS Choir T-Shirt new members/returning students will need to purchase one at the beginning of the school year For our Winter Concert, Mid-Year Concert, OMEA Adjudication and the All-City Concert: Women black dress shoes (low heel), black dress socks/knee highs, black dress pants, "nice" top Men black dress shoes, black dress socks, black dress pants, "nice" top For formal concerts, we will wear our blue and gold robes. They have lasted at least 20 years, let's make them last longer please take care of them. Robes will be assigned to each member for the entire year. After each performance, it is your responsibility to return the gown, zipped, to the hanger with your nametag, with your stole hanging on the same hanger and the hook facing the left shoulder. Allow for time to do it properly after each performance. You have been assessed a class fee to cover dry cleaning of your choir gown. All of these items are relatively easy to find in and around Wooster. The idea is to start looking a month ahead of time. If you have problems finding these items at thrift stores or department stores, please let Miss Patterson know. CHOIR OFFICERS Choir Officers are made up of student volunteers and then finalized by the director. Besides the duties listed below, the Officers will meet 5-6 times during the year. Please consider the jobs below and submit an application (see Miss Patterson) showing your preferences to by September 4 th.

PRESIDENT 1. Remind other Council members about upcoming meetings and obligations. 2. Coordinate with and assist the Director and substitute teachers. 3. Marshall choir members into proper order for performances. VICE PRESIDENT 1. Plan and coordinate social events and team builders. 2. Assist with trip planning. 3. Take minutes during meetings and post a typed version on our bulletin board. CREW MANAGER 1. Liaison with the Director regarding performance needs. 2. Recruit and coordinate volunteers for stage set-up and tear down. LIBRARIANS 1. Prepare new music for distribution. 2. Help distribute, collect and organize music. 3. Repair music as needed. CHORAL REHEARSAL RULES Be in your seat or at your place, with your folder, by the beginning of the first two-minute warm-up. Attendance will be taken at that time. Books, etc. brought to rehearsal MUST be placed in the designated areas. Once rehearsal begins, there is to be NO talking unless instructed to do so by the director - So much time is wasted by talking in between starts and stops! NO restroom passes. Please take care of this on your way to class. In case of true emergencies, DO NOT INTERRUPT REHEARSAL TO ASK TO LEAVE!!! A sign-out sheet will be posted near the door. Abuse of this policy will be dealt with accordingly. Correct posture, attentiveness, and a positive, hard-working attitude are expected. On days of illness, PLEASE inform the director AT THE BEGINNING OF THE PERIOD of your non-participation. You are, however, expected to follow along with us, and NOT complete homework, read, etc., during the rehearsal. You are expected to take the best possible care of your folder and its contents, as well as other equipment in the choral room. Only pencil should be used when marking in your music. If your music needs to be repaired, give your music to Miss Patterson or the class librarians to be repaired. NO gum, candy, food, drinks, etc. during rehearsal or in the music department. That includes General Grounds. Show our GENERAL'S PRIDE in the choral room by helping to keep it clean and presentable. We respect each other's ideas and opinions, the music we perform and it's history, and we will NOT use mean words or derogatory terms to bully or demean others. Pianos in the room may be played only with permission. Choral accompanists are not required to ask permission.

Cell phones are not permitted on or out during any choral rehearsal or performance including all after school activities. We are here to study and phones, ipads, ipods, laptops are not part of this study (technology assignments aside.) At the end of class, wait INSIDE the door for the bell to ring. Always do your best! Disciplinary action will be taken for any offense of the above rules as well as the rules set forth by Wooster High School listed in the student handbook. ENSEMBLES Women's Chorus This ensemble is created from female student singers in grades 9-12. The Women's Chorus performs four formal concerts a year, with smaller informal concerts throughout the year including the Rotary Concert in December. This ensemble participates in OMEA Large Group Adjudication in March. These singers are also encouraged to perform at OMEA Solo and Ensemble and The Wayne Country Fine Arts Festival. Concert Choir This ensemble is created from student singers in grades 9-12. The Concert Choir performs four formal concerts a year, with smaller informal concerts throughout including Homecoming and Rotary Concert. They also participate at OMEA Large Group Adjudication in March. These singers are also encouraged to perform at OMEA Solo and Ensemble and The Wayne Country Fine Arts Festival. WHS Chamber Singers This is a mixed ensemble that performs in the first semester of the school year. The main musical focus is music from 1600 1980. They will be performing at the winter concert as well as smaller informal concerts during the fall and winter quarters. This is an audition only group and these singers must already be in Women's Chorus or Concert Choir when they audition. We Sing Songs This is our school's "show-cappella" group. We Sing Songs performs during the second semester of the school year. Their music is a mix of a cappella (no other instruments) and more showy music with accompaniment. Any student in WHS is able to audition, not just current choir students. They perform at the large concert in May, with other informal performances and springtime performances at Edgewood and the Wooster elementary schools. LESSON SCHOLARSHIPS Many of our students will take advantage of Music Parent scholarships that cover half the cost of private lessons in either voice or piano. Our singers start the year at all levels of experience and vocal skill, but it is always a thrill to watch you work together and to support each other so that everyone rises to the next level and beyond. Scholarships forms are available online on the music website or with Miss Patterson. After you fill out the form, return it to Miss Patterson and she will pass it on to the Music Parents.

MEMORY CHECKS Memory checks are in class, memorized sectionals that test your knowledge of our material. Miss Patterson will pick three or four singers from each section to sing a selected passage from a piece of music. The passage and date of the music check will be announced several days in advance. However, students will not know if they are singing or not until the memory check takes place. Students are allowed to volunteer for a particular song, but there is no guarantee they will be picked. It is the responsibility of every singer to know that material for that memory check. NOTES 1. We treat all music with great care so it can be used in subsequent years. You are financially responsible for returning your music in pristine condition. It costs approximately $2.00 per copy to replace any lost or damaged copies. Folders do not go home, unless the director says so. You are not to take your folder out of the choir room unless Miss Patterson has given permission. 2. Use your slot ONLY for the choir folder. Please do not place stickers or other decorations on school-owned music folders. Before returning your music, remove all pencil markings. 3. Never touch an instrument unless it belongs to YOU. 4. Enter the Music Office only after asking permission. The phone is used only with a Director s permission. 5. Students may use music practice rooms only with prior permission and when there is a Director present in the music area. 6. Remember: We represent the Vocal Music Program, Wooster High School, and Wooster City Schools. Our behavior should reflect our pride in our school and ourselves. SEATING ARRANGEMENTS There will be several seating arrangements throughout the year to keep the sound mixed and balanced. The seating charts are created to put singers next to other voices that create similar blend and balanced sound. If you have problems with those around you, please talk to Miss Patterson. Each singer will have to sing for Miss Patterson in an audition format. This audition will help me to know your voice and your level of expertise, which will in turn increase the effectiveness of the time we spend together. There is no reason to be nervous because this is the only way she can hear your individual voice. Please always sit in your assigned seat. Points are taken off if you are not in your assigned seat for class rehearsal.

SECTION LEADERS Each section will have a section leader and these leaders will be in charge of helping out during concerts, taking sectional attendance, and helping out in general. These people are chosen by Ms. Patterson, and they must show responsibility, dedication and vocal promise. These are also people that help a substitute teacher and are great assets when a singer might have a question, but is not able to ask Miss Patterson directly. If you would like to be considered, please complete a form and return it to Miss Patterson by Thursday, September 4 th. SECTIONALS Concert Choir members have a mandatory sectional rehearsal once each week after school. These rehearsals are very important because they are the times when the director and the singers can work one on one without disrupting other sections. Without these extra rehearsals, the group suffers greatly, so these need to be a priority. Those sectional rehearsals will begin the week of Sept. 22. Concert Choir: Women will meet every Tuesday from 2:30 to 3:00 pm. Men will meet every Thursday from 2:30 to 3:00 pm. These dates may occasionally be moved to a Monday or Friday when Miss Patterson have a conflict. Women's Chorus: As concert times near, you may have extra after school sectionals. However, these will be given to you in writing two weeks ahead of time. I will keep you as up to date as I can with any changes. If we do not have school (snow day, holiday, etc.), your sectional may be rescheduled. These rehearsals are required and form about 20% of your grade in Concert Choir. Excused Absences for more details. If you miss more than half of your sectional, you will make it up at a designated time of the director. PARENTS: please DO NOT schedule routine dental, medical or other appointments on your student s assigned sectional rehearsal day until 3:30 or later. TRIPS Field Trips Field Trips are a great way to experience music outside of school. Whether it is a concert or a musical, our choirs will try to take at least one per year. A list of near by concerts will be posted on our bulletin board, so if you would like to go on your own, you can pick and choose. Depending on the event and where it is, students may have to pay for their own tickets, especially if the Vocal Music Department is paying for transportation. Spring Choir Trip This spring, the Vocal Music Department is traveling to New York City during Spring Break. Additional information will be coming out in early September. The trip typically costs $550.00 for bus travel, sight seeing, workshops and in this case, seeing a Broadway show. As a whole Music Department, our Pancake Breakfast fundraiser(december) and Citrus Sale(January) help many students pay for part of their trip. Start thinking about this early on. Students will need to decide in September whether they are able to commit to the trip. Parent chaperones are also welcome on the trip!

WE NEED YOUR HELP! Please volunteer to help the students and program by checking a job listed below. You will meet a great group of music supporters, all of whom help to keep things running smoothly behind the scenes. Even checking one is very helpful in taking care of all of our yearly activities. Thank you so much! Name of Volunteer 1. Interested/Willing to organize our Fall Concert Dinner (October 13). 2. Work at the Football Game Concession Stand on Friday night, October 10. 3. Work a shift at the Pancake Breakfast on Saturday, Dec. 13. 4. Collect and tabulate fruit orders and money at the end of the Citrus Sale (a weekday morning in late January). 5. Help to distribute fruit at Buehler s warehouse (an early evening in Feb., date TBD). 6. Bake or buy cookies/refreshments for Concerts on Dec. 16 & May 7. 7. Chaperone for performances and/or bus trips (not Spring Break trip) if available. 8. Be willing to help as needed, when available. 9. Interested in a position for the Choir Music Parents: Choir Vice President Receptions Sponsor A Song choir fundraiser campaign CHOIR PARTICIPATION CONTRACT Student s Name (print) I have read and agree to abide by the policies, stated in this handbook, of the Wooster High School Choral Music Department. Signature of Parent or Guardian Date Signature of Student Date

DATABASE INFORMATION (please print legibly in dark ink) Student s Name Grade Voice Part Home Phone Number Previous ensembles (title and years, including this one no middle school): Parent/Guardian s Full Name Work Phone Cell Phone Email Other Parent/Guardian s Full Name Work Phone Cell Phone Email EMERGENCY MEDICAL AUTHORIZATION has my permission to attend choir activities at various locations during the 2014-2015 school year, including travel by bus. It is understood that my child is responsible for his/her own conduct by following all school rules and regulations and that the school will not assume any liability. In the event that reasonable attempts to contact me have been unsuccessful, I hereby give consent for the administration of any treatment deemed necessary by our preferred physician,, who can be reached at or preferred dentist,, who can be reached at OR, in the event the preferred practitioner is not available, by another licensed physician or dentist, and for the transfer of the child to any reasonably accessible hospital. (This authorization does not cover major surgery unless the medical opinions of two other licensed physicians or dentists, concurring in the necessity for such surgery, are obtained prior to the performance of such surgery.) Please list specific needs and/or facts concerning the child s medical history including allergies, medications being taken, and any physical impairment to which a teacher and/or physician should be alerted during any choir activity: Signature of Parent/Guardian Date Thank you for taking the time to fill out these forms and for volunteering to help out this year!