Bishop Ireton Choir Handbook 2011-2012 Welcome to Bishop Ireton High School chorus! Your choice for choral music as an elective class will provide opportunities to improve your musical abilities and use them in performances. You will learn about teamwork, make new friends, and meet new challenges together as an ensemble. This will be an excellent use of your time and talent and, with good concentration and effort you will be amazed at the progress made within a few months. Chorus will help instill and develop a love for singing and a deeper understanding of your developing voice through rehearsals and performances. The individual development of your voice blended together in an ensemble of singers will provide a choral experience that will be fulfilling, exciting, and challenging. Since the total learning experience includes public performances, it is important that the instructor and the students accept a commitment to excellence. If at any time during the school year you have questions or concerns about the choral program, please contact Mrs. Reddig at 703-212-5162 or via email at reddig@bishopireton.org. Goals and Objectives Students will further their singing ability and musical knowledge by participation in full ensemble rehearsals and performances Students will grow and develop as musicians by understanding the following concepts: vocalizing, breathing, posture, intonation, tone, balance, blend, sight reading, expression, dynamics, musical notation, etc Expectations, Practice and Good Habits Be Respectful! to classmates, teachers, music, instruments, and personal/school property. This means being attentive and quiet during rehearsal. Do not be a distraction to classmates and instructor. Gum, candy, food, and soda and other beverages are not to be brought into or consumed in the music room!! No exceptions and consequences will apply. Learn your music memorize words, notes, phrasing, dynamics, and everything on (and not on) the page! Have a positive attitude toward new music. If you don t have something nice to say, don t say anything at all Negative feelings may be expressed to the director privately after class or school. Rarely will a song sound good when it is first sung. Give it time to develop! Cleaning up after yourself, putting folder and all other music in the appropriate place. If a folder is not stored appropriately in the assigned slot at the end of class, it will be put in 1
folder jail and the choir member will need to post a 25 cent bail to retrieve their folder. Each student will be allowed one forget per semester. Uniforms Uniforms are required to participate in out of school performances. They are necessary for presenting a clean, professional looking choral group to an audience. An order will be placed in early September so that we can receive our uniforms in time for the Winter Concert. Ladies uniforms: Long, black concert gown with black hose, and black, preferably closed-toe, dress shoes that you can easily move and stand in. Hair must be back from the face and only small earrings are allowed. No necklaces, watches, etc. Other facial jewelry will need to be removed for performances only. The idea is to look uniform, without visual distractions! Men s uniforms: White, long-sleeved tux shirt with, vest and tie. Black tux pants and black dress shoes No Sneakers. Black dress socks. Same jewelry rules for boys as for girls. 2
Assessments and Festivals Each year the Virginia Choral Director s Association sponsors several activities for chorus members. Selected high school chorus members are eligible to participate in the following events: All-District Chorus by audition only; this chorus will consist of the best high school chorus members from each of the high schools in District 10. The chorus rehearses and performs with a nationally recognized choral director. Students that participate in All-District Chorus may audition for All-State Chorus, which takes place in the spring. Note: A participation fee is required for these events. District Chorus Assessment we participate in an assessment with other choruses from District 10 for a rating and judges comments. We perform three selections for a panel of judges as well as sight read for another. The judges grade each chorus based on their performance and give comments. Spring trip The choir and concert band take a yearly spring trip. This spring it will be to New York. This festival gives school music organizations the opportunity to perform for a panel of distinguished judges for a rating, placement, and comments. This is a part of our curriculum, and it is expected that all will participate. For the ensemble to perform to its best ability, the full participation of the group is needed. After the performances, the students spend the remainder of the trip sightseeing and enjoying time together. This tradition started last year and has become quite popular with our students and has proven to be both educational and fun for all! The cost for the trip is approximately $750. Payments will be made throughout the year to the Bishop Ireton Music Boosters. A mandatory meeting about the trip for all parents and students will be held on October 13. Grade Plan Work Habits (30%) Have required folder, pencil, music; all other materials are put away Demonstrate visible effort and positive contribution to the class Arrive on time (This means prior to the bell, prayer, and announcements) Exhibit appropriate classroom conduct at all times Attend rehearsals and in school liturgies After-school rehearsals as needed Quizzes/Tests (10%) Complete any assigned written or performance-oriented work including checking for knowledge of performance music 3
Smart Music (10%) Repertoire and sight singing assessments will be assigned at least once per quarter. Required Subscription: SmartMusic $30.60 per year available at http://www.smartmusic.com Performances (30%) Evening concerts or other performances Proper concert dress and behavior All performances, in and out of school, are required for all members of the choir Make-ups will only be considered for excused absences. For missed performances, the student will be required to sing all of the prepared concert music privately for the instructor and/or a written assignment pertaining to the music performed. The director must be notified in advance, if possible, about missed performances and events via email, letter, or phone. 4
Choir Calendar for 2011-2012 September 20 All School Mass October 4 Opening Mass with Bishop Loverde October 13 6:15 pm Choir Informance & Trip Meeting November 1 All Souls Day Mass November 8 Advisory Retreat Mass November 12 8am-3 pm All-District Choir auditions at Mt. Vernon HS December 8 Feast of the Immaculate Conception Mass December 9 2:35-3:30 Dress rehearsal with combined choirs December 11 7:00pm Winter Concert January 24 Feast Day Mass February 9-11 All-District Choir February 22 Ash Wednesday Mass March 9-10 District 10 Choral Festival March 19 All School Mass April 16 3:10 pm Dress rehearsal for trip with combined choirs April 19-22 Spring Trip with Concert Band to NYC April 27-29 All-State Choir (Parent attendance required) April 27-28 7:00 Evening with the Arts May 20 7:00 Spring Concert May 21 Senior Farewell June 4 7:00 Baccalaureate Mass Items in italics are not required. All other items, attendance is required for all members of the choir. 5
Parent/Student contract By signing, you affirm and agree to the following: I have read and fully understand the information set forth in the Bishop Ireton High School Chorus Handbook and will conform to the obligations therein. This includes attendance at ALL required performances. I have noted the performances dates on my calendar and understand that attendance is part of the class grade. Parent: *Both student and parent must sign Signature Date Printed Name Student: Signature Date Printed Name IMPORTANT: This form is due to Mrs. Reddig by Friday, September 9. 6