A Cappella Choir Matthew Krage, Director 2014-2015 Handbook Welcome to the 2014-2015 school year. Whether you are a veteran to the VHS Choral Program, or a newcomer, you are a member of one of the most respected choirs on the Iron Range. The history of the A Cappella Choir goes back over six decades, and it has always maintained a tradition of excellence, integrity, and dedication. No doubt, many of you have had siblings, parents, other relatives, and friends who have sung with this ensemble. Now, it is your time to uphold this great tradition. The 2014-2015 school year is going to be very exciting for the A Cappella Choir, and I hope you take full advantage of all the opportunities available. This year is full of many time honored traditions along with several new opportunities. As always, it is my goal to find new and enriching experiences for each of you. This year is going to be busy, but it s all to make you the best choir possible. The following are goals we all must share if we want this year to be a success. Being a member of this choir is not about the ability of one, but the shared ability of us all. Please know these goals and remember them as we rehearse, perform, and travel together. THE GOALS OF THE VHS VOCAL MUSIC PROGRAM: 1. To increase musical knowledge. 2. To improve musical understanding. 3. To develop performance skills. 4. To gain respect for musical arts. 5. To provide new musical experiences. 6. To build good team work skills. 7. To explore leadership opportunities. 8. To encourage self-directed, life long learning. 9. To promote responsible citizenship. 10.To become effective communicators through music.
Section 1: Classroom Policies BEHAVIOR EXPECTATIONS: 1. Respect will be shown at all times. This is a SAFE ROOM. 2. NO GUM, CANDY, POP, etc. in music rooms. 3. Raise your hand to speak. 4. Be in assigned seat when bell rings. 5. Have all necessary materials with you. 6. When others are singing, sit quietly and listen or study your part. 7. Be courteous to fellow students as well as to the teacher. 8. Use our time productively. 9. Do not throw any objects in choir room. 10. Enjoy making great music together. *You are adults, and will be treated as adults. Please take responsibility for your actions. Grading policy: The grading policy will be quite simple. Every student in the A Cappella Choir has an A, and will get an A for the entire year. There are two things you must do to maintain that grade: 1. Participate in ALL scheduled performances (plan now if you have a job) 2. Understand that membership in the A Cappella Choir is a privilege, not a right Concert dates and missing concerts: Excused vs. Unexcused: An excused absence is a sudden emergency or family matter. EVERYTHING ELSE is unexcused (even if your parents call in). You know well in advance of when our concerts are, and part of being in this ensemble means you are committed to performing. Reschedule work times, plan rides, and do whatever you need to do so you don t miss a concert. If you have more than ONE unexcused absence from a concert, your grade will not drop. Instead you may be removed from the choir. Every situation is different and consequences will be decided by Mr. Krage on a case by case basis. We have four concerts during the year that take place outside of the school day...plan now: Sunday October 26th, Sunday December 7th, Monday March 2nd, and Tuesday May 19th A privilege, not a right: If, during the course of the year, you show signs of disrespect or disinterest, your membership in this choir may be taken away. You are here for a reason (talent, passion, pride, and dedication), and I expect you to continue to uphold the high standards and traditions of this ensemble. This means always showing respect for your fellow choir members, your director, and your school. This does not apply to......learning in rehearsals. You will not be punished for making mistakes. I want you to make mistakes. Be involved, be conscience, and make active mistakes.
Folder Policy: Each student will be issued a folder with an individual number. These folders and their contents are property of Virginia High School and they must be taken care of and treated with respect. Students will be held accountable for the care of their folders. Students may be asked to pay for a new folder if damage, more than common wear and tear, was done. Cost is $14 per folder. Robes: Each student will be issued a robe with an individual number. These robes are property of Virginia High School and they must be taken care of and treated with respect. Students will be held responsible for the care of their robes. After a concert, students must immediately hang them up in the choir room before meeting the public. Students may be held accountable for damage, more than common wear and tear. Tardy Policy: The tardy policy at VHS is a school wide policy and can be found in the VHS handbook. This tardy policy WILL be enforced in this class. When a student is tardy (dramatically late), they will be written up and the Dean of Students will be informed. I will send a note home letting the family know of the tardy, and the Dean of Students will determine the punishment based on previous offenses. *This class is right after lunch. No one should be tardy Leaving Class: Students will be allowed to leave class for the purpose of using the restrooms. Students will sign out, take the hall pass with them, and should return promptly. If it is discovered that a student is abusing this policy, they will lose their right to leave the class for the remainder of the year. Cell Phones/iPods: This falls under the category of this class being a privilege, not a right. If you find the need to use your phone during this class on a regular basis, then your membership in this choir may come into question. If you are seen using your phone, and you are asked to put it away, please do so. This is a respect issue, not a discipline issue. Dropping Choir: If you drop choir at any time during the year, you will receive an F for that quarter and your semester grade will reflect that grade change. Staying Updated: Please check in with these sources to stay updated on all things choir Choir Website: http://staff.vmps.org/mkrage/ Twitter account: @virginiachoirs Remind 101: Texting notifications
Section 2: Lettering in Choir Students have the opportunity to letter once they are in there second year of a senior high choir. Letters will be earned through a point system called Choir Points. Students can earn points towards lettering by doing various things. Students must fill out the Choir Points form and turn it into Mr. Krage to receive points. Students must earn 50 points to letter in choir. Points will carry over from year to year. LIST OF CHOIR POINTS Six consecutive years of participation 2 If you transferred here after 7 th grade but have participated in choir every year since, you are also eligible for this. (minimum of 3 years required) Selected as a Choir Officer Selected as a Section Leader Audition for All-State All-State Participant Singing a solo in concert Festival/Camp Participant Superior Rating at Section Contest Solo or Small Group Participating in the All School Musical Excellent Rating at Section Contest Solo or Small Group Singing a duet or a small group in concert Taking private lessons Auditioning for a solo Not valid if you GET the solo Performing in an extra choir Community Choir Church Choir 1 1 Other: Student can discuss other possible activities with Mr. Krage. LOSS OF CHOIR POINTS Students will lose 10 Choir Points if they miss a required concert (Voices of Virginia, Holiday, March, or Spring), unless the absence is EXCUSED. Students will lose ALL CHOIR POINTS if they break the Minnesota State High School League Tobacco/Alcohol/Illegal Drug policy.
Section 3: Scheduled Events The A Cappella Choir has a very busy year, and it is important that all members make a commitment to the performances that are scheduled. These events are beneficial to everyone in the choir, and the performance will suffer if members of the choir are missing. Please read through the schedule carefully and mark down all the dates in your calendar/phone. Monday Sept 29th- Man Up, and Sing Concordia College Tuesday Sept 30th A Cappella Choir Men Sunday, October 26th Voices of Virginia Concert @ 7:00pm Concert and Festival More details to come Sunday, December 7th High School Holiday Concert Concert @ 2:00pm TBA Rotary Club Performance Coates Hotel @ noon Saturday, February 7th Concert w/ The Singers Details to come Monday, March 2nd All Choirs Pop Concert Concert @ 7:00pm March 16th and 17th MSHSL 7A North Music Contest Virginia High School Monday March 30th- Tour to San Diego, CA Details to come Saturday April 4th Tuesday, May19th High School Spring Concert Concert @ 7:00pm TBA Graduation Performance Ceremony @ 7:00pm Monday, April 13th Workshop with Six Appeal During day, in choir room Fundraisers (more to come): All Year Candy Sales September Great American Opportunities (frozen food and gifts) October Voices of Virginia Concert October Rock-a-Thon November Fruit Sale December Spaghetti Feed
Please take this packet home and share it with your parents. Read through the policies and the expectations of the Virginia Choral Program and return this page to Mr. Krage. This is worth ten points, and it must be turned in by the due date to receive full credit. If there are questions about any of the items in this packet, please feel free to contact me. Mr. Matthew Krage Malone Hall 249 mkrage@vmps.org 218-749-5437 ex. 1249 Due: Monday September 8 th Student s Name: Choir: Yes, I have read the Virginia Vocal Music Handbook and am aware of goals, expectations, procedures, and the schedule outlined within. Student Signature: Parent/Guardian Signature: Date: Comments/Concerns: