GRAHAM MIDDLE SCHOOL CHOIRS Develop Artistry Advance Communication Inspire Joy Jennifer Gaderlund, Director jgaderlund@mvwsd.org 650-526-3570 X2703 1
Welcome! The 2016-2017 school year should be an exciting one as we work toward our first performance in our brand new Auditorium! It is supposed to be ready in April, which will mean that our Final concert will also be our debut in the new space. The Performing Arts Program here at Graham has always been strong, and I am really looking forward to having a proper performance venue to showcase these awesome kids! If you are new to choir, be sure to read this entire handbook because it will answer many of your questions. If you have been in choir before, make sure you skim through to refresh your memory about what we do! There have been a few minor changes. Please sign the last page (students and parents) to show that you have read this information. This signature page is due Friday August 26th. We are going to have a wonderful year of singing! Thank you for your participation in, and your dedication to Graham Performing Arts. Mrs. Gaderlund!1
The Goals of the Graham Choir Program As a member of a Graham Choir, you will develop your musicianship skills that will prepare you to sing in high school and also prepare you to enjoy music throughout your life as a performer, creator, and/or consumer. My hope is that being part of a Graham Choir will awaken a creative desire to make music, help you learn to communicate emotions and stories, and inspire joy in performing! Your Objectives For This Year Include: VOCAL DEVELOPMENT - tone, breath, care of the voice, pitch and intonation. DEVELOPMENT OF MUSICALITY - expressing the written music through the performance of songs in varied genres, styles, cultures, and languages. MUSIC APPRECIATION AND HISTORY - understanding of periods, composers, styles, and genres. SIGHT READING- reading music through the use of scale degrees. MUSIC LITERACY following a choral octavo with all pertinent markings, symbols and directions. MUSIC THEORY understanding all notes, rest values, and musical symbols found in the pages of our music. MOVEMENT - expressing music through choreography (if the music calls for it). PERFORMANCE AND CONCERT ETIQUETTE- Poise in an informal and formal concert setting, as well as showing the kind of demeanor and courtesy one should have as an audience member. The Graham Choirs Boys Choir This course is designed specifically for boys who want to sing and learn to use their voices effectively. The curriculum focuses on the male voice and all aspects of voice change. Boys in any and all stages of the voice-maturation process are encouraged to join. Typically, Boys Choir is made up of new baritones, mid-voice tenors, and unchanged voices. A varied repertoire is explored, with an emphasis on vocal technique and music-reading skills. 6-8 Performances per year.!2
Girls Choir This course is designed specifically for girls who want to sing and learn to use their voices effectively. The curriculum focuses on breathing, tone production, and the balance and coordination of the young voice. Music-reading and aural skills are emphasized. Girls in all stages of voice maturation and experience are encouraged to join. Typically, Girls Choir comprises a wide range of young singers who come together to express themselves musically, explore new repertoire, and perform with newfound friends. 6-8 Performances per year. Vocal Ensemble This advanced choral ensemble is designed for experienced singers who are dedicated to the choral art and possess some sight-singing skills. The ensemble consists of both boys and girls and encourages, equally, the unchanged, the changed, and the changing voice. The repertoire is drawn from a cappella as well as accompanied styles of all genres, ranging from classical to contemporary. Vocal Ensemble represents the school in the community. Audition Only. 8-10 Performances per year. AM Choir (sponsored by MVEF) This course is an extended day elective choir designed for kids who are in band and strings (or other electives), but also want to sing. Singers in the choir classes may also want to join this group for the fun and camaraderie of it. It meets on Tuesday and Thursday mornings at 7am. Traditionally, we drink hot chocolate! The repertoire is contemporary and light. There are no grades for this class since it is not part of the regular school day, however regular practice and a commitment to performances is required. 5 Performances per year. Materials Needed Expectations and Grading Folder or thin binder (I recommend the binder because it is sturdier) in BLACK. Pencil!3
Choir is a very rewarding class... but it requires hard work, enthusiasm, energy, focus, proper conduct, and class participation. You will only get out of this class as much as you put into it, so give 100% each rehearsal! Grades are given in three categories: 1. Participation (40% of Grade) This grade is based on teacher observation of the following: Being prepared with materials (music/folder/pencil), conduct, effort, enthusiasm, energy, cooperation and class participation. Everyone has an off day here and there, but try not to let bad habits take hold! 2. Concerts (40% of Grade) Concerts are the culmination of all your hard work for the 8+ weeks that we are rehearsing. This is where the you show all you have learned in a public setting. Not only is it a final exam of sorts, but you are learning concert etiquette, ensemble skills, and poise during the concert itself. Therefore, All concerts are required and students receive a grade based on their attendance, performance, conduct, and correct attire. The only excused absences are illness or family emergency (please send me an email or write a note). If you have an unexcused absence, you can do a make-up assignment for 80% of the concert grade. Even if you have another activity (sport, other musical performance, etc) that was scheduled well in advance, if it conflicts with a concert, you will need to do the make-up assignment, or accept a zero. Girls Choir, Boys Choir, Vocal Ensemble and AM Choir have several formal concerts/ performances per school year. All of these are outside of the school day and off!4
campus (until the Auditorium is done!). PARENTS: If you cannot take your child to and from these events, please arrange alternate transportation. Many choir parents are very willing to carpool. Please see the Performing Arts Calendar (on our website) for all performance dates and times. I highly recommend syncing this calendar to your own so that you are always up to date on our performances. 3. Assessments (20% of Grade) Assessments include part-tests and musicianship tests. Part-tests are done individually and in a group. During these tests, I am checking to see how well a student or section knows their part. How well you know your part is directly related to how much and how effectively you practice (see page the following section for practice requirements)! Musicianship tests have to do with sight reading and will be done in class as a group, and individually. There may also be written assessments having to do with Music Theory and Musicianship. Practicing Practicing is important for every musician. Not only do you need to practice in order to master musicianship skills, but practicing itself is a skill you need to develop! Every choir student is expected to practice at least 15 minutes per day. It takes time to develop a habit, so make sure you carve out that 15 minutes in your day early on in the school year. Some truths about practicing: Practicing is a habit. It takes time to form a habit. Do a little every day instead of lots all at once. Practicing is not an all or nothing venture. Only have a few minutes? Focus on one thing you can improve. Practice makes PERMANENT (so practice it right). Talent is no substitute for daily, focused practice. Practicing is not a race. If you are struggling with a particular part, slow it down. That almost always solves the problem.!5
You don t have to practice the entire song. If you really, really don t want to, it probably means you should. (Practice, that is.) Some tips for practicing: Warm Up! Sing the warm ups we do in class. You don t need the piano for this. Just pick a note and go for it. Sing your scales and intervals. Speak the words to the song in rhythm, focusing on overly-clear diction and pronunciation. If it sounds weird to you, it probably sounds normal to the people in the back of the theater. Work on specific sections of a song. Invite your friend, who is in another section, over to practice with you! Invite your friend, who is in your section, to practice with you! Invite lots of friends over to practice with you! If a question comes up during your practice time, write it on a sticky note and put it in your music so that you remember to ask it in class. Uniforms Boys: Black Necktie and Black Vest (purchased through Graham Performing Arts). You will need to acquire your own: black dress slacks (no jeans), a long sleeved white button-down dress shirt with a collar, black socks, black dress shoes, and a black belt. Girls: Southeastern Apparel Oratorio Dress (purchased through Graham Performing Arts). You will need to acquire your own black dress shoes. Any closed-toe black dress shoe with a low heel is fine. AM Choir: If you are already in Band, Strings, Guitar, or Choir, wear your uniform. If you are not in a performing arts elective, you may purchase the choir uniform if you want to, but you are not required to. If you decide not to, you will need to procure your own outfit of all black.!6
Communication Communication is paramount in your student having a successful year in choir. Email is the primary way that I will communicate with you, and it is the best way to reach me. I am a part-time teacher and so I am not on campus after 4th period. Please, periodically check the Performing Arts Website for information. graham.mvwsd.org click on the Performing Arts Link and then click on Calendar. This is the most up-to-date calendar for Performing Arts. If you want to sync the calendar to yours: click on the calendar link, and click on SYNC Calendar. All the instructions for syncing to your device are there. Please note that concert dates can be subject to change and we will notify you via email if this does occur. Families are expected to review the Performing Arts Calendar frequently to ensure that there are not conflicts with performances. Remember: Absence from a performance does reflect on a student s grade. Tour (Vocal Ensemble Only) The Performing Arts Tour is a grand tradition at Graham. We travel to Southern CA, work with the music department at a University, perform at a festival, and go to Disneyland. Only the students at the highest levels of our program are on this trip. It is a privilege to attend! More information will be forthcoming about the students expectations and fundraising opportunities. AM Choir Hot Chocolate AM Choir has a tradition of drinking hot chocolate at every rehearsal. After many years of drinking different kinds of hot chocolate, we have found that the brand the kids consistently like is: Nestle Rich Milk Chocolate Flavor. If your child is in AM choir, please consider a donation of a large can of hot chocolate and a package of 8oz hot beverage cups. Graham Musical Unfortunately, the new Theater won t be ready in time for a full musical production this year.!7
So, we will plan on doing something similar to last year, and perform the concert version of a Musical. More information about the chosen Musical, Auditions for Lead Roles, and additional rehearsals will be forthcoming. Graham Performing Arts Graham Performing Arts Funding is now flowing through the Graham PTA! So if you would like to donate to Graham Performing Arts, PLEASE write a check to the PTA, but MAKE SURE the memo line says GPA! GPA exists to support Graham Performing Arts Groups (Band, Strings, Choir, Dance, and Musical Theatre) through parent volunteers and fundraising. We meet about once a month to discuss upcoming events and review our budget. Please get involved! Meetings are advertised on our calendar, the school calendar, and the marquee. A program of this size and caliber requires Teachers, Parents, and Students to work together to succeed! Our Volunteer needs are listed for each event on the performing arts calendar, but there are other ways you can help. Please see the volunteer form for a list. Take care of yourself! You are your instrument. Illness, emotions, fatigue, and diet all play a role in your ability to sing well. Please get plenty of rest, stay hydrated, and always eat something for breakfast. Singing is a very physical activity and you will need your energy!!8
Signature Page Please detach this page and return to Mrs. Gaderlund by Friday August 26th I have read the choir handbook and taken note of class requirements and other important information. Student Signature Date Parent Signature Date!9