Curtis High School Choral Department Vocal Handbook 2011-2012
Handbook for Vocal Music Curtis High School has a long tradition of choral excellence - and you are part of that tradition. That means that each of us has a responsibility to commit musically and personally to maintaining vocal excellence. Achieving excellence means being able to focus, have fun, and fostering pride in every performance. Attendance Because of the unique requirements placed on the individual in choral performance and preparation, it is vital that attendance be maintained at a high level. Daily preparation is the key to individual as well as group development. Daily attendance, participation and performance attendance will determine the major part of the semester grade. It is not possible to make up work in choir. The music we make in a given rehearsal is not possible to experience in any other way except by being there. Students who are absent for ten rehearsals during the semester shall have their grade lowered by a minimum of one full letter. Students who miss a performance will have their grade lowered two letter grades. Students who are not in their seat when the bell rings will be considered tardy. Three unexcused tardies shall equal one absence and per school policy, will result in one hour of after-school or before-school detention. Students who need to use the bathroom during class are required to sign-out and use the designated hall pass. Each student will be issued 5 bathroom passes per semester. Students leaving the classroom without signing out or a pass will be assigned one hour of detention. There are only two types of absences that are considered excused: 1) the student is ill or physically unable to perform vocally or 2) a scheduling conflict has occurred with another school activity. *** MR. DICKERSON MUST BE NOTIFIED IN ADVANCE FOR AN EXCUSED ABSENCE TO BE GRANTED FOR CONCERTS OR PERFORMANCES. *** Written excuses will not be accepted. Mr. Dickerson can be reached at Curtis: 253-566-5710, extension 2191; or by cellular phone: 253-961-1417 (text as well). Any performance conflict with another performing arts group performance must be coordinated with the teacher in advance (note: Tech rehearsals are not considered performances). Excused absences will not be granted for social or job conflicts, nor if the student is unable to get a ride.
* In order to receive performance credit for an excused absence, a student shall attend another school choir concert (junior high, high school, or college) and submit the concert program along with a two-page review to Mr. Dickerson within one week of the reviewed performance. Students may make-up up to 10 points for excused class absences and a maximum of 20 points for excused performance absences. The majority of choral performances will occur during non-school hours. As all musicians will attest, performance is a critical part of the learning process and provides an opportunity to display achievement. A performance is the equivalent of an exam. *** MR. DICKERSON MUST BE NOTIFIED IN ADVANCE FOR AN EXCUSED ABSENCE TO BE GRANTED FOR CONCERTS OR PERFORMANCES. ***
****************************************************************** Rehearsal Mode and Classroom Expectations Each student upon entering the classroom should first leave their bookbag on the tables in the back, then retrieve their folder and go to their assigned seat. Assigned seating is designed to facilitate attendance and rehearsals. It is the student s responsibility to assure that their assigned folder has a pencil in it. (Periodic pencil checks will be done during roll call). Any student not in their seat at the bell shall be considered tardy. An effective choir rehearsal requires the members to be operating in one of three modes or levels: Level One: This level occurs for the singer when other singers are working in level two or three. Individuals in level one are not singing but are sitting quietly with music and taking notes or are mentally singing their assigned part. There is no talking while another section is singing. Note: the same letters used to spell the word silent are also used to spell the word listen - that's not a coincidence! Level Two: With music, singer sits on the front edge of chair with their feet planted and back straight. Music is held with arms out and is below eye level to see conductor. Level Three: Standing straight with feet at shoulder-width, the singer is producing concert-sound. Knees must not be locked. Arms are relaxed at sides (no hands in pockets, arms crossed, etc.) Most effective rehearsals are in Level Two Mode. (Any Mode below Level One is considered Slacker-Mode and will result in public accountability. The Mode above Level Three is considered Riser-Focus and will be discussed in class).
Classroom Guidelines 1. No hats are to be worn during rehearsal in the auditioned choirs. Hats can inhibit tone production. These should be removed with bookbags at the beginning of class before the bell rings. 2. There is no food or drink in the classroom. This is to protect the facility as well your vocal instrument. STUDENTS BRINGING FOOD INTO THE CHOIR ROOM WILL LOSE CLASSROOM PARTICIPATION POINTS. 3. If you are interested in losing more points... chew gum in class. When you are breathing properly during singing, you will choke on gum (yes, really)! Also, moving your corpse creates more work for the custodial staff, and is generally considered to be an unpleasant experience for most people. Grading While attendance will determine the majority of a student s grade, also included are the instructor s evaluation of student participation, attitude, effort, and selfdiscipline. Because of the size of the performing groups and the level of concentration required to maintain excellence, student effort, attitude, and self-discipline should be maintained at high levels. Any or all of the following items may be used to determine a student s grade in a choral music class. 1. Performance test, either solo or in small ensembles. 2. Essays or reports reviewing performances of professional musicians. 3. Performance in class (including consistent display of rehearsal levels ). 4. Class discussion. 5. Tardies to class, concerts, or contests. 6. Assistance in concert set-up and concert teardown. 7. Participation in sectional rehearsals/concert and contest attendance. 8. Chewing gum in rehearsal or performance (neither is acceptable). 9. Attitude, Effort, Conduct, Cooperation, & Courtesy during rehearsals. 10. Text messages/celluar phones/ipods or other personal listening devices: If a student is using any of these during a rehearsal or performance, the student's grade may be lowered one full letter and the device will be confiscated. Students shall be awarded 100 points at the beginning of the semester. These points will be used to determine the student s overall grade.
The 100 points are broken into 3 categories: 50 points for concert attendance, 20 points for class attendance, and 30 points for in-class performance and conduct. A student must attend all required concerts for the semester from roll call until the end of the concert to received full credit (5 points will be deducted for arriving late to concert roll call, 10 points will be deducted for leaving the concert early). A student shall lose one point per class absence; after the 10th absence the student can earn a letter grade no higher than a B+. The 30 points for in-class performance are determined by the teacher and vary widely depending on the student s consistent meeting of expectations (see items 1-10 above). For example, a student who is off-task frequently, chews gum in class, fails to use music, uses profanity in class, etc, will probably not earn more than 5 to 10 points in this category. These points can be earned back (if deducted) only by improving inclass conduct. Extra Credit Extra credit will only be granted if the above grading requirements are met. Bonus points will vary and include: Private voice lessons and recitals In-class solos, concert solos, and solo auditions Extra-curricular vocal or instrumental ensembles Listening reports or concert reviews Out-of-class sectionals (in addition to scheduled sectionals) and/or help sessions Additional activities as announced Private Voice Lessons Choral students are encouraged to consider private voice lessons. While not required, voice lessons offer students excellent preparation for All-State/All-Northwest audition taping, solo contest literature, scholarship auditions, and most importantly - specific attention to the singer s individual needs.
Uniforms Note: there are to be no necklaces or large earrings worn with any concert attire. Men's Choir: Men will wear "solid color" (No stripes or patterns) long-sleeved dress shirts with tie, black dress pants, and black dress shoes (no Docs, combat boots, floppies, sandals, or tennis shoes). Black socks are required. A Cappella Choir: A Cappella Choir students will need to purchase a choir shirt in September. The cost will be $30, and the shirts will be used in various performances throughout the year. Shirts must be paid for by September 16 th. Each member will be issued a robe and stole in September and be charged a $15.00 cleaning/alteration/repair fee. One check for $45 may be written to cover the sweatshirt and the cleaning/repair fee by September 16th. Any necessary alterations will be done the first month of school. If a student s robe is found on the floor, they will be issued a $10.00 fine for each infraction. Robe travel bags will be shared for off-campus performances. Men will wear black dress slacks (no jeans), black socks, and black dress shoes (no tennis shoes, sandals, combat boots, or flip-flops). Women will wear black dress shoes (no flip-flops, combat boots, tennis shoes, heels, or spikes), and flesh-colored nylons. The Dorian Singers: The Dorian Singers will wear a formal concert dress from Southeastern Performance Apparel (The Chorale Dress: #D549). Southeastern is a mailorder/on-line choral uniform company, and each dress will cost $62.00 (includes shipping) per student; Tall Sizes will cost $65.00 per student. Dresses will need to ordered and paid for by September 16 th. Checks should be made payable to Curtis High School. Comfortable black dress shoes are recommended. Do not wear heels, spikes, combat boots, flip-flops, or tennis shoes. A number of dresses from last year s Treble Choir members may be purchased for $30 from individual students. See Mr. Dickerson for a list of sizes available, these preowned dresses are on a first-come, first-served basis. Valhalla Vox: These singers will choose their own formal concert attire each year, usually in the summer. Men wear tuxedos, with vest and ties chosen in the fall. Women will order the Black Cantilena Dress #D599 Southeastern Performance Apparel. This dress will cost $80 per student plus (please add an additional $3.00 for tall sizes).
Curtis Performing Arts Calendar of Events 2011-2012 Dates: Event: "End-of-September" WMEA All-NW due: Instructions available on-line: wmea.org ) October 8th A Cappella Choir Fall Retreat, 7:00-4:00 $30 payable by 9/16/11 October 19th October 25th October 27th November 16th-19th December 1st December 6th December 8th December 13th December 16th February 15th February 24th February 16th February 17th-20th February 29th March 1st March 1st -4th March 10th March 10th March 22nd-24th April 12th April 14th APRIL 23RD April 27th April 28th May 23rd May 30th May 31st June 4th June 8th Fall Concert Part I (Orchestra), Theater Fall Concert Part II (Choir), Theater Fall Concert Part III (Band), Theater Fall Musical Holiday Concert Part I (Orchestra), Theater Holiday Concert Part II (Choirs), Theater Holiday Concert Part III (Bands), Theater 40th Street Cafe, Cafeteria (Time TBA) Performing Arts Assembly (Valhalla) District Choir Festival (Curtis Junior High) Jazz Band Swing Dance, Caféteria District Band Festival, CHS Gymnasium WMEA All-State Music Convention, Yakima Orchestra Concert PLU Choral Invitational (A Cappella Choir) Tentative A Cappella Choir Tour to Portland Gresham Orchestra Festival Vocal Solo & Ensemble Contest at Clover Park High School Dance Blast Spring Choir Concert (Theater) Daffodil Parade CMBEA LARGE GROUP CHOIR CONTEST @ Mt. Tahoma HS State Ensemble Contest (Ellensburg) State Solo Contest (Ellensburg) Orchestra Final Concert Choir Finale Concert, Theater Band Finale Concert, Theater CHS/CJHS Jazz Band Finale, Theater Graduation @ Tacoma Dome
Student and Parent/Guardian acknowledgment of course requirements IMPORTANT: Please return this page to Mr. Dickerson I have received and read the Curtis High School Vocal Handbook. I have also read and understand the course and attendance requirements for The Dorian Singers (Treble Choir), A Cappella Choir, Men's Choir, and Vahalla Vox (Chamber Choir) at Curtis High School. Student Signature Date Parent/Guardian Signature Date Please include a mailing address and phone number below: Name: Address: City, Zip Code: Phone: Student E-Mail: Parent E-Mail: Comments/Questions:
A Cappella Choir Addendum Choir Tour Attention A Cappella Choir Parents! What: The first parent meeting of the year. Information will be given regarding: * The upcoming school year and choir events * Uniforms, tour, and fundraising. * Curtis High School Choral Boosters Club When: Monday, September 12th at 7:00 p.m. Where: The Choir room at Curtis. Please come! Your support is vital and appreciated!