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Choral Department Handbook
I. PRELUDE
Welcome to the Creek Wood High School Choral Department! Being a part of a choral ensemble is a great way to get involved in school and have fun. It can also be challenging, so dont be afraid of a little hard work. Always remember that being a part of this organization is a group effort, which means that everyone must give their best in order for us to be successful. We are going to have a great year!
II. TABLE OF CONTENTS
1.
Prelude
.......................................................page 1
2. Table of Contents
..............................................1
3.
Guidelines
...........................................................
A.
Objectives
.............................................1
B.
Goals
.....................................................2
C. Personal Responsibilities
.....................2
(1)
Participation
..............................2
(2) Choral Behavior
........................2
(3) Materials and Equipment
.........3
D.
Attendance
............................................4
E. Tests/Exams/grading scale
...................4
F. Hall
passes
............................................4
G.
Fundraisers/activity fee
.......................5
H. Concert
Attire
......................................5
I.
Trips
.......................................................5
J. Mid-State/All-State/Freshman Honors Choir
..6
K. Barbershop/Beautyshop Singers (Concert Choir only)
..6
L.
Tri-M
.....................................................7
4.
Postlude
..............................................................7
III. GUIDELINES
A.
Objectives
1. To develop vocal skills
2. To learn to sing in tune with excellent tone quality
3. To develop sufficient skill in reading music to carry your part
independently
4. To learn to use and understand basic music terms
5. To gain knowledge and understanding of choral works
6. To identify basic musical forms
7. To develop discrimination in listening
8. To develop a degree of refined artistic interpretation of the
different musical styles
9. To prepare and perform great choral literature from all periods
of music history in a highly polished and well-
rehearsed fashion displaying
proper blend, balance, purity of tone, articulation , enunciation, pronunciation,
and all other musical
attributes befitting the aesthetic
qualities of the Choral Art.
B.
Goals
1. To do the very best you can for this organization.
2. To give your audience exactly what they expect-and more!
3. To enjoy what you are doing and convey this to your audience.
4. To have wonderful musical experiences and to learn the true
value of musicianship.
5. To have pride in your school, in your ensemble, and most
importantly: TO HAVE PRIDE IN YOURSELVES.
C. Personal
Responsibilities
1. Participation
A. This class is a
participation class. It is
therefore imperative to have great attendance. After all, it is impossible to
ever
make up a missed rehearsal. Your attendance will also play a part
deciding which ensemble you will be in next year (if
applicable).
B. Participate in ALL choral rehearsal activities.
C. APPLY all vocal and choral concepts that have been
taught in class, workshops, etc.
D. Bring ALL materials to class EACH day. This
includes your choral folder with music, pencils, water, and a great attitude.
E. Expect to do lots of activities every day:
warm-ups, sight singing, theory, music history, and most of all SINGING! If you
are
unable to sing for some reason, follow the directions in section E.
2. Choral Behavior
A. Follow all rules as established by Creek Wood High School and
the Dickson County school system.
B. What your choral director expects:
(1) a positive attitude
(2) good
choral posture, whether standing or sitting
(3)
marking your music in pencil when asked to do so by the director or when
you need to correct personal mistakes.
(4) having your music ready at the beginning of
rehearsals.
(5) being ready to sing ASAP.
(6) drinking water at appropriate times
(a) bring ONLY WATER to this class (no other beverages,
including flavored water)
(b) you may purchase bottled water for $1- place money in metal box on the wall.
(7) Keep the choir room clean
(8) Stay focused on the rehearsal.
C. What your director considers to be unacceptable behaviors:
(1) chewing gum at ANY TIME in this department
(2) eating
inside the Choir Room, carpeted area
(3)
rudeness and disrespect
(4) excessive talking
(5) using profanity or crude language
(6) grooming in the classroom: applying make-up,
brushing hair, etc.
(7) using scented lotions, hairspray, perfume, nail polish, etc.
D. Consequences for unacceptable behaviors:
(1) reduction in daily grade
(2) demerits
(3) meeting with the director or director and class
officers
(4) written work
(5) parent contact
(6) a trip to the office to see one of the principals
**NOTE: consequences will vary according to each situation**
3. Materials and
Equipment
A. Bring ALL materials to class each day.
B.
Personal belongings (backpacks, purses, etc.)
will be placed in one of the storage rooms and left there until class is
dismissed.
C. The choral folders are your responsibility. If you lose your
folder of music you will be expected to pay the current price listed in
the J.W.
Pepper catalog. This will cover the replacement costs.
D. The piano is off limits! If you are
pianist and would like to assist in rehearsals, please let me know.
E. The equipment in this room is fairly new and must last a long
time. Please respect and protect the equipment by treating it well.
D. Attendance
1. Please notify the director in advance if you know you will be
absent.
2. The last four weeks prior to a performance are CRITICAL:
A. Attendance in class during the day of a performance
is REQUIRED in order to participate in the performance
3. Excused absences will be given a grade based upon your current
standing in class.
4. Unexcused absences will result in a zero for the day(s) absent.
(Reminder: see your Creek Wood handbook. Absences excused but
without
documentation (blue slips) are considered unexcused after the fourth absence).
5. Make up work will be given when there are more than four excused
absences within a grading period.
6. Be sure to copy all markings in your music that you have missed
from your choir officer or neighbor.
7. Participating in performances is mandatory. The Christmas and
Spring concerts count as all or part of your exam grade. Other
performances
may include singing in the community. These are also required. A
student may be excused from these if there is an
appropriate reason given
in a parent or doctors note. Work and not having a ride are not appropriate
reasons for missing
performances.
8. Absence from a performance will result in zero points if
unexcused.
9. Extremely poor attendance
(7 days or more with pink or blue slips) will prohibit a student from
participating in a performance or going
on a trip. Absences due to
sickness or court (yellow slips) will not be counted as part of the "7 days" as
long as the number of absences
are within reason.
10. Emergencies happen. Each student should discuss his/her
situation individually with the director as each persons situation is
unique.
A missed performance due to an emergency situation can be made up
with written work.
E.
Tests/exams/grading scale.
1. Participation accounts for 100% of your grade per grading period
unless written or vocal exams are given.
2. Written work/tests account for 20% of the grade when given
(participation 80%).
3. During grading periods in which there are performances, the
performances account for 40% of the grade (participation 60%)
4. All tested material covered in class is the students
responsibility.
5. The concert at the end of each semester will serve as your final
exam UNLESS you are overdays ( have missed 10 or more days)
and/or missed
the concert. In that case, a written final will be given.
F. Hall
passes
1. Students MUST have their Creek Wood High School planner in order
to leave class.
2. Unless an emergency situation arises, do not ask to leave the
classroom during rehearsal (this includes warm-ups).
3. If you have a medical condition which requires you to leave
class on a consistent, daily basis (such as needing medicine, having a kidney
infection, etc.), please bring doctor documentation.
G.
Fundraisers/activity fee
1. The
activity fee for any chorus class is $5.00 per semester and is due within the
first month of semester.
2. One major fundraiser will be held later in the semester. All
choral students are expected to participate in some fashion.
3.
Other opportunities for fundraising may arise throughout the course of the
school year. All choral students are strongly encouraged to
participate if
possible.
H. Concert Attire
1. MEN
a. Concert Choir: the Choral Department will provide
you with a black tuxedo, a black cummerbund, and black bow tie.
b. Students need to provide their own tuxedo shirt,
black dress shoes, and black dress socks.
2. WOMEN: The Choral Department will provide a long, black concert
dress. Students need to provide their own black dress shoes (must
cover toes-no
sandals), and skin colored hose. NO BIG JEWELRY. We will discuss jewelry as
the concert approaches.
3. Failure to adhere to the Concert Dress Code will affect your
grade (such as wearing white hose or tennis shoes, etc.). There is the
possibility that you will not be allowed to perform if the violation is severe.
4. A
$20.00 dress/tux rental for those
enrolled in chorus for two semesters. It is $10.00 for those who are enrolled
for one semester.
5. Dresses/tuxes must be maintained in good condition throughout
the year.
6. The
Choral Department will store ALL attire at the school - Students will come to
school and dress at the school for the concert.
I. Trips
1. Trips to festivals and other places will be a result of your
attitude, behavior, and vocal progress.
2. Trip guidelines and procedures:
a. Poor attendance or poor grades in any class will
prohibit a student from participating in trips.
b. Students must obtain approval from each teacher in
order to participate (school policy). Students will be given forms for this.
c. Students are required to complete all make up work
from other classes.
d. Other guidelines will be given if a trip is planned.
J.
Mid-State/All-State/Freshman Honors Choir
1. It is a privilege to audition for the Middle Tennessee
Mid-State, All-State, and Freshman Honors Choirs. It is a great honor to be
selected for one of these outstanding groups. The auditions are optional, but
all eligible students are encouraged to try.
2. Every Concert Choir and Womens Ensemble member in good standing
will have an opportunity to audition for Mid-State/All-State.
Every
freshman Mixed Chorus member will have an opportunity to audition for Freshman
Honors choir.
3. The audition material will be taught in class to ALL students
(auditioning or not). Each student who plans to audition must sing for
the
director at least twice before auditioning.
a. The director reserves the right to not
allow a student to attend the audition if the student is not fully prepared,
does not sing in
tune, or does not sing audibly (loud enough to be heard).
b. Students should seriously consider
singing before their ensemble or before the others auditioning as it is
good preparation.
c. Practice tapes will be provided for
interested students.
4. All students who are selected for Mid-State/All-State MUST
attend. Only audition if you know you can attend (if selected).
5. Summary of the audition process for Mid-State/All-State/FHC:
a. Learn the music in class
b. First mini-audition in front of the
director and class. (students will be given a yes or no at this time.)
c. Those students selected after the first
try-out need to pay a $5.00 non-refundable fee by Sept. 5, 2008. Make
check payable to
CWHS CHORAL BOOSTER
d. LOTS of practice! (Daily at home)
e. If selected, students must learn more
music (tapes provided)
f. Mid-State/FHC
will be held Thursday, November 20, 2008.
g. Those selected for All-State must learn
All-State music (CDs provided)
h. Saturday, January 31, 2009: Second Tier audition in
Nashville (transportation provided).
i. All-State Choir in
Nashville will be in April 2009.
K. Barbershop/Beautyshop Singers (Concert Choir only)
1. All Concert Choir members may audition for these groups.
2. Beautyshop
and Barbershop rehearsals will be held on Wednesdays from 3:10 to 4:30. Plan to block out time for
this group.
3. As these groups practice only one day a week, rehearsals are
MANDATORY. If you have a conflict that is school-related, you will be
expected
to work out that problem (your director will help you if necessary).
4.
Work, not having a ride home, and non-medical appointments are not acceptable reasons for missing
rehearsal.
5. Please arrange medical appointments, if possible, on days that
do not interfere with rehearsal.
6. If you know you will not be at rehearsal, call the music office
and leave a message. (740-6007)
7. Two unexcused absences during the semester (for any other
reasons than illness, death in the family, unforeseeable emergency, etc.)
will
result in your dismissal from Beautyshop/Barbershop.
8. To be chosen to be in one of these groups is an honor and a
privilege. Please treat your role in the group as such.
III. POSTLUDE
While this is a lot of information to absorb, it is my hope that you will use this information to help you and your parents. With the implementation of these guidelines and our hard work and dedication, there is no doubt we will have an outstanding year!
Lisa Benton, Creek Wood High School Choral Director
Main office phone: 740-6000 Music office phone: 740-6007
Planning time: 1:30-3:00 E-mail:
lbenton@dcbe.org