GREGORY-PORTLAND MIDDLE SCHOOL 7 th /8 th Grade Choir Handbook 2018 2019
PRELUDE The Gregory-Portland Middle School Choir Handbook is prepared and presented to choir students and their parents/guardians. The outstanding tradition of this choral program has been built on each member s adherence to the policies outlined in this handbook. All choir members and parents are advised to read the entire handbook and review the choir calendar carefully at the beginning of the school year to avoid conflicts with the policies, procedures, and required dates. The G-P choral program will provide your son/daughter the opportunity to develop an appreciation of music through study and performance. Our success is dependent upon the commitment of each choir student, parent and music director. We must work together with respect and understanding so that our common love for music will help each of us grow. Let s make it a great year! Darren Campion Janell Stallard Jo Lynn Niemann GP Middle School GP Middle School GP High School 7 th /8 th Grade Director 6 th Grade Director 9 th -12 th Grade Director dcampion@g-pisd.org jstallard@g-pisd.org jniemann@g-pisd.org 361-777-4042 ext. 5058 361-777-4042 ext. 3029 361-777-4251 ext. 6009 Terry Jacobson Secondary Piano Accompanist 2
CHOIR GOALS Our goals are derived from state mandated TEKS and national standards. They include that the student will: 1. demonstrate proper singing posture. 2. develop proper breathing technique while singing. 3. develop characteristic vocal tone. 4. demonstrate understanding of music notation. 5. perform different styles of music. 6. sight-read music. 7. evaluate musical performances. 8. exhibit proper concert etiquette. STUDENT RESPONSIBILITIES Our choral groups can be compared to music teams. The actions of any individual can either help or hinder the entire group in rehearsals and performances. Selfdiscipline is required. All choir students are expected to: 1. have required materials in class daily (music folder & pencil). 2. be in their seat/on the risers by the required time set by the director. 3. put forth their best effort every day. 4. maintain good behavior and exhibit self-discipline. 5. be cooperative, courteous, and respectful to others. 6. maintain their choir uniform. ASSERTIVE DISCIPLINE PLAN No student will be allowed to interfere with the teaching and learning process in choir. By their active participation, teamwork and positive behavior in class, your child will earn the right to perform on stage. The following actions will be taken in response to inappropriate behavior: 1. verbal warning/signature in the conduct log 2. detention assignment (must be signed by parents)/call to parents 3. second detention assignment (must be signed by parents)/call to parents 4. office referral 5. removal from upcoming social events and/or choir performance If a serious situation occurs, disciplinary action will take place immediately by the school administration in accordance with the G-P Middle School Student Handbook. 3
Verbal Praise Stickers and Friday Rewards Student Recognition Calls or Notes Home Field Trips POSITIVE REINFOREMENT GRADING POLICY The grading policy for choir students is outlined below: 1. 25% - Participation: Will be based on rehearsal participation and a positive working attitude. 2. 25% Daily Work: Includes all daily written assignments, both classwork and homework; can also include sightreading assignments. 3. 20% Tests and Quizzes: Any assessment of material and skills; can be written or oral, including sightreading assessments. 4. 30% Performances: Includes every major performance and dress rehearsals. CHOIR PERFORMANCES The Choir Calendar for this year has been distributed, so please mark your personal calendars now! Attendance at all choir concerts is MANDATORY. At the same time, enrollment in choir does not guarantee that your son/daughter will be able to perform on stage. They earn the right to perform by their effort in class and ability to exercise self-control on stage. If your son/daughter does not perform in concert because they did not earn that privilege, they must make that grade up by taking a comprehensive exam which covers the music that was to be performed and by singing-off the music for a director. Performances fulfill part of the TEKS that are required for choir, and it represents 20% of your child s grade in this class. The 7 th /8 th grade choirs normally give four formal/major performances per year: a Fall Concert, a Winter Concert, a Pre-UIL performance (in conjunction with UIL Concert and Sightreading Contest), and a Spring Show. All concerts this year will be performed in conjunction with the 6 th grade choirs and will be held in the GP Middle School Auditorium. Other opportunities for informal or school-day performances do occur during the year. Parents and students will be notified about those performances when they arise. 4
ABSENCES FROM CONCERTS Unexcused absences would include the lack of an available ride to the concert, birthdays of family members, doctor appointments, etc. In the rare event that there is a true emergency, a parent note or e-mail must be received within 3 days after the concert, at which time the director will decide whether it is an excused absence or not. In either situation, as stated above, the student will take a comprehensive exam over the music that was to be performed and sing off the music for a director in order to make up their grade. In the instance of both excused and unexcused absences, the student has the opportunity to make up the grade for full credit. However, unexcused absences may jeopardize the student s ability to participate in extra choir events, such as social events and trips. UNIFORM FOR CONCERTS and UIL CONTEST The 7 th /8 th grade choirs have two uniforms for performances formal and informal. 1. Formal Uniform consists of a long black formal dress for ladies and a white tuxedo shirt and black tuxedo pants for the gentlemen. These items are provided to each student by the district; they are checked out to each student at the beginning of the year and must be returned to the choir department in April. Students/parents are responsible for purchasing closed-toed, black, formal shoes to wear with their formal uniform, and the gentlemen are responsible for purchasing long, black socks to accompany their tuxedos as well. The formal uniform is worn for all formal concerts and major performances (such as UIL contest). 2. Informal Uniform consists of the choir t-shirt, long blue jeans, and closed-toed shoes. The informal uniform is worn for informal and school-day performances. ** Choir members must be in full choir uniform for concerts. Failure to do so will result in a reduction of 20% of the performance grade. It is the student s responsibility to take care of their choir uniform so that it looks presentable at concert time. TMEA All-Region Choir COMPETITIONS All-Region Choir is an individual competition. Participation is optional but strongly encouraged for students in the concert choirs. Participation by individuals in the treble choir is subject to approval by the choir director. Our choir is stronger when individuals compete in the All-Region Choir process. The entry fee will be paid by GPMS for those wishing to compete; however, it must be repaid if a student drops out of the competition after entries are made. Auditions will be held on Saturday, October 13 th at Tuloso-Midway Intermediate. Those students who make the All-Region Choir will travel together to Victoria on Saturday, November 10 th, to participate in the All-Region Clinic and Concert an all-day affair where they rehearse and perform a concert with the other members of the All-Region Choir from other schools around the region. 5
Solo and Ensemble Contest Each year, we host an in-house solo and ensemble contest for our GPMS students with judges from around our region. Preparing for this contest is a great way for students to build musicianship skills and improve vocal technique in their individual singing voice. Solo: Competing with a solo at Solo & Ensemble is optional, but is strongly encouraged, especially for students in the concert choirs. Students wishing to compete must pay a $5.00 entry fee. Ensemble: All Students will learn an ensemble in their gender choir class. Therefore, all eligible students are strongly encouraged to participate. Ensemble fees are paid by GPMS. UIL Concert and Sightreading Contest THIS IS OUR BIGGEST EVENT OF THE YEAR! Each class (and when possible, Top Cats, at the director s discretion) will compete at this event. ALL ELIGIBLE CHOIR members are expected to participate. Please review UIL Contest dates on the GPMS 7 th /8 th Grade Calendar to avoid setting appointments on these two days. COMPETITION GUIDELINES 1. Students must be academically eligible to participate in all competitions. 2. Students must have good school attendance as determined by school officials. 3. Students must demonstrate good behavior during rehearsals and not have more than 4. Students must demonstrate readiness in order to compete. Songs must be completely learned and memorized as required. Students may be excluded from competition for failure to meet any of these competition guidelines. TOP CATS An additional opportunity exists for 7 th and 8 th grade students to participate in a select mixed-gender choral ensemble here at Gregory-Portland Middle School. All students learn mixed-gender music in their regular choral classes for each concert, but the experience of rehearsing in a mixed-gender setting is a great benefit to choral singers who wish to enhance their musicianship skills, particularly for those who wish to continue their choral career in high school and beyond. In order for students to earn a spot in Top Cats, they must audition for and make the All-Region Choir in October. 6
Participation in Top Cats is not compulsory based solely on membership in the All- Region Choir. If an All-Region member wishes to decline their spot in Top Cats, they may do so. If an All-Region member does wish to participate in Top Cats, though, consistent attendance is of the utmost importance. (See below.) Beginning in late October, after All-Region Choir auditions, Top Cats will meet every Tuesday after school, from 3:40 to 4:30. Attendance is mandatory for ALL members at Top Cats rehearsals. Only one excused absence is allowed per concert cycle. More than one absence from a Top Cats rehearsal will result in the student s removal from the group until the next concert cycle, or, if unexcused, for the remainder of the year. Please refrain from scheduling doctor/dentist/orthodontist appointments on Tuesday afternoons for Top Cats members. Academics are VERY important to the choral staff, and we do understand that some students benefit from tutorials that the core teachers offer their students each week. Tutorials are required to be offered more than one time per week, so Top Cats members need to choose to attend tutorials at a time other than Tuesday afternoons. We do work with the coaches to share students who are in team sports with after school practice and Top Cats. Normally, students will come to Top Cats for a given amount of time and then return to athletics, just as they did when Region Lessons were being given. In the event of a game or a meet, arrangements will be made between the choir directors and the coaching staff, and students will be informed of where their attendance is needed and when. Top Cats is an excellent opportunity for choir members to extend their learning and grow their musical abilities! The success of the ensemble, though, is wholly dependent on members adherence to the attendance policy. If attendance issues become pervasive throughout the ensemble, Top Cats will not be able to perform as a group at concerts or contest at the discretion of the choral director. FUN TIMES! The 7 th /8 th grade girls and boys choirs work hard every day to achieve their goals, but part of being in choir is being like a family with one another. We like to have fun together, and we encourage social connections and friendship between all choir classes! Opportunities for social events arise throughout the school year, and time permitting, the choir directors try to organize at least one social event per semester. Sometimes these social events don t cost anything; other times, there will be an associated fee. Details will be communicated to students and parents when a social event is scheduled. Please remember that performance attendance, active participation, and consistent good behavior in choir and their academic classes are required in order to be eligible to attend these events. Making a habit of being placed in ISS or being suspended from school even ONCE will take the privilege of these fun activities away. 7
CHOIR FEES The 7 th /8 th Grade choir fee this year is $30.00. This fee is used to pay for supplies, the choir t-shirt, and uniform costs, including dry-cleaning expenses. The choir fee may be paid in cash or by check made out to G-P Middle School Choir. Deadline for payment of this fee will be Friday, August 31, 2018. If an extension for payment is needed, please contact Mr. Campion, and alternate arrangements can be made. We are definitely willing to work with you to best suit your needs. Other Fees may be incurred during the school year, usually associated with optional or extra-curricular activities. Other Fees may include: All-Region Choir Audition Entry Fee: $5.00 All-Region Choir Audition Lunch Fee: $7.00 Solo and Ensemble Contest Fee: $5.00 Social Event Costs: $5.00 $10.00 A fee will also be assessed for our annual spring trip to Fiesta Texas. The cost of the spring trip is dependent on the cost of the charter buses, entrance fees, and meal costs, and those change from year to year. When the cost of the spring trip is determined, it will be made known to parents and students so that you may begin to plan accordingly if participation is desired. 8
POSTLUDE We are THRILLED to have your child in the choral program! We hope they will continue singing with us through their senior year of high school! At this age, it is very important that your son/daughter feel like they re a part of a group. They learn teamwork and patience, and they gain self-confidence. They also make friends that will last a lifetime! If you have any questions, don t hesitate to e-mail or call. Communication is very important to the members of the choral staff! We encourage you to be fully involved in the school life of your child! That s the only way to truly make a difference, and they ll be out of high school before you know it! We re looking forward to a great year! 9