Handbook and ImPortant Documents
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| Updated Calendar 14-15 |
Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont Rocket Chorale HS Choir Handbook 2014-2015
Dear Parents and Students,
Welcome or welcome back to the Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont Rocket Chorale! Being in a choir is a great decision to make as you are in a group of students who enjoy singing like you. Being in a choir will also challenge you musically, develop your sense of team efforts, and give you opportunities to learn more than music. I will also try to provide opportunities for you to meet and work with students from other schools.
In this handbook you will find:
· Answers to many questions you may have about being in choir
It is important to:
1. Read through it
2. Sign and return the sheet that shows you understand the rules and expectations, and will do your best to help make the choir not only the best it can be, but also to help be a leader for the group.
Besides attending and participating in choir with an attitude for teamwork, it is important to attend vocal lessons as well. Unlike sports where you can control the muscles to participate in your activity, I have to help teach you to use muscles and parts of your body you cannot control or see. You do not need to tell yourself to breathe, but I will help you breathe, stand, and learn well so that I can help make your voice as beautiful as possible.
You will be informed about all choral activities on my website. Please check it regularly and feel free to contact me if you have any questions, concerns, or otherwise. I am available before and after school and check my e-mail regularly. Letters may also be sent to families not using e-mail on a regular basis.
I am excited to see continual growth in participation and the quality of this ensemble. Because of this my expectations will continue to increase and I hope you will as well with the knowledge that you represent our school well. Please feel free to invite me to important events besides choir because I want to support you in all of your efforts.
Musically yours,
Christopher Ellerston
7-12 Director of Choral Activities
Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont Choir Mission Statement
The goal of the choral program is to foster the vocal talents of the EBF students to create a well-rounded musician, cultivate both teamwork and independence in a group, and encourage lifelong singing.
Philosophy of Choir Participation (based on the Chorus America Impact Study)
Participation in choir helps students:
· Increase civic leadership (voting, reading, volunteerism)
· Foster skills in teamwork
o Accepting criticism
o Reliability
o Accepting work outside area of strength
· Achieve better grades academically especially in English/language arts and math
· Increase participation in other activities
In addition, students learn:
· To be better team players
· More advanced social skills
· To work better in groups
· How to appropriately express emotions
· Self-discipline and punctuality
Choir Parents
Please help support your student in their endeavors to develop their voice individually as well as their efforts in the teamwork of the junior high choir.
· Please ask them about what they are learning in choir
· Be aware of their activities, concerts, etc.
· Help them be on time to choral events
· Notify the director in advance, if your child will be tardy or absent to a rehearsal, concert, event, etc.
· Please communicate with the director to help them better understand your student better
· Attend all choral events, meetings, and be involved
Choir Rules
♫ Keep hands and feet to yourself.
♪ Stay in your seat with all the chair legs touching the floor unless given permission to move.
♫ Work when you are supposed to, talking only about your work.
♪ Follow directions immediately.
♫ Listen while the teacher is giving instruction.
Classroom Expectations
· Be ready to listen/sing in your seat with your music ready to begin upon hearing the bell
· Bullying of any kind is not tolerated. Be respectful and treat others how they want to be treated.
· Have a pencil for all rehearsals and lessons. Never use pens!
· Chewing gum, candy, or eating during choir is not permitted due to the hazard of choking
· Choir meets every day with one weekly 15 minute lesson
· Behave with respect and have a positive attitude in rehearsal
· Keep music in your music slot and keep your folder clean
· Attend and perform all scheduled performances
· Feel free to state any positive comments!
· Always work as a team!
o I understand you have strong friendships or that you may be having a hard time in your life. Please tell me about it outside of choir. Choir rehearsal is not the time to console friends, apply make-up, or doing things unrelated to the group effort of beautiful singing.
· If you disagree with anything, have a concern, have negative comments, or have a question
o See your instructor before/after class, set up another time to meet, or send an e-mail.
o Class time is not an appropriate time to raise personal concerns, say negative comments, or ask personal questions
Classroom Discipline
Please communicate with the director prior to rehearsal if you are under emotional stress or have problems with your voice. Do not take your first verbal warning as anything but a calm reminder to monitor whether your behavior is for the best of the choir.
· Verbal warning (this is to let you know that you need to change your behavior and may simply be stating your name)
· Verbal warning and loss of daily participation points
· If misbehavior persists after second verbal warning, failure to meet classroom expectations will result in one of the following:
o Detention
o Phone call to parent
o E-mail/Meeting with parents
o Meeting with principal
o Permanent dismissal from choir
Grading
It should be simple to earn a satisfactory grade in choir if the choir rules and expectations are followed. Communication and responsibility are two important values that will make choir fun and enjoyable.
25% Classroom Preparation (students will earn up to 10 points per class period) – Formative Evaluation
· Rubric used to assess posture, conditions for singing, attitude toward musical performance, and collaboration (See rubric)
· Written tests, worksheets, and computer work will be averaged for the quarter
25% Lessons (students will earn a maximum of 10 points per lesson) – Summative Evaluation
20% Semester Test (maximum of 40 points per semester) – Summative Evaluation
· Tests will cover concepts covered in class such as singing, songs, and music literacy
· This 20% is not accounted for in the classroom weighting and is performed by office
50% Performances (Maximum of 20 points for each scheduled performance) – Summative Evaluation
· Excused absences shall only be for illness of the student or a family emergency (This does not include social functions.) No exceptions. Remember, that prior communication allows for options and prevents problems.
· Excused absences must be at least one week in advance, in writing, through the EBF Absence Form, or by telephone if an emergency dictates. No exceptions.
· Excused absences will be allowed to make up the points.
· Unexcused absences will NOT be allowed to make up the points. No exceptions.
o Honor choirs are optional and NOT a required part of being in choir.
Attire for Performances
Because performances are special, formal occasions, regular clothing such as t-shirts and jeans are not appropriate. Many weeks of hard preparation go into the performance and the final presentation begins with looking our very best. It is important to follow the guidelines to make a positive visual as well as aural presentation. These guidelines are required of all performances unless otherwise notified.
Note: If purchasing dress clothes are a financial burden, please contact the director in advance.
· Black dress pants
· Choir Robe (supplied by school-a cleaning fee is assessed to the student each year of participation)
· Closed toe dress shoes (women), black dress shoes (men)
Dear Parents and Students,
Welcome or welcome back to the Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont Rocket Chorale! Being in a choir is a great decision to make as you are in a group of students who enjoy singing like you. Being in a choir will also challenge you musically, develop your sense of team efforts, and give you opportunities to learn more than music. I will also try to provide opportunities for you to meet and work with students from other schools.
In this handbook you will find:
· Answers to many questions you may have about being in choir
It is important to:
1. Read through it
2. Sign and return the sheet that shows you understand the rules and expectations, and will do your best to help make the choir not only the best it can be, but also to help be a leader for the group.
Besides attending and participating in choir with an attitude for teamwork, it is important to attend vocal lessons as well. Unlike sports where you can control the muscles to participate in your activity, I have to help teach you to use muscles and parts of your body you cannot control or see. You do not need to tell yourself to breathe, but I will help you breathe, stand, and learn well so that I can help make your voice as beautiful as possible.
You will be informed about all choral activities on my website. Please check it regularly and feel free to contact me if you have any questions, concerns, or otherwise. I am available before and after school and check my e-mail regularly. Letters may also be sent to families not using e-mail on a regular basis.
I am excited to see continual growth in participation and the quality of this ensemble. Because of this my expectations will continue to increase and I hope you will as well with the knowledge that you represent our school well. Please feel free to invite me to important events besides choir because I want to support you in all of your efforts.
Musically yours,
Christopher Ellerston
7-12 Director of Choral Activities
Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont Choir Mission Statement
The goal of the choral program is to foster the vocal talents of the EBF students to create a well-rounded musician, cultivate both teamwork and independence in a group, and encourage lifelong singing.
Philosophy of Choir Participation (based on the Chorus America Impact Study)
Participation in choir helps students:
· Increase civic leadership (voting, reading, volunteerism)
· Foster skills in teamwork
o Accepting criticism
o Reliability
o Accepting work outside area of strength
· Achieve better grades academically especially in English/language arts and math
· Increase participation in other activities
In addition, students learn:
· To be better team players
· More advanced social skills
· To work better in groups
· How to appropriately express emotions
· Self-discipline and punctuality
Choir Parents
Please help support your student in their endeavors to develop their voice individually as well as their efforts in the teamwork of the junior high choir.
· Please ask them about what they are learning in choir
· Be aware of their activities, concerts, etc.
· Help them be on time to choral events
· Notify the director in advance, if your child will be tardy or absent to a rehearsal, concert, event, etc.
· Please communicate with the director to help them better understand your student better
· Attend all choral events, meetings, and be involved
Choir Rules
♫ Keep hands and feet to yourself.
♪ Stay in your seat with all the chair legs touching the floor unless given permission to move.
♫ Work when you are supposed to, talking only about your work.
♪ Follow directions immediately.
♫ Listen while the teacher is giving instruction.
Classroom Expectations
· Be ready to listen/sing in your seat with your music ready to begin upon hearing the bell
· Bullying of any kind is not tolerated. Be respectful and treat others how they want to be treated.
· Have a pencil for all rehearsals and lessons. Never use pens!
· Chewing gum, candy, or eating during choir is not permitted due to the hazard of choking
· Choir meets every day with one weekly 15 minute lesson
· Behave with respect and have a positive attitude in rehearsal
· Keep music in your music slot and keep your folder clean
· Attend and perform all scheduled performances
· Feel free to state any positive comments!
· Always work as a team!
o I understand you have strong friendships or that you may be having a hard time in your life. Please tell me about it outside of choir. Choir rehearsal is not the time to console friends, apply make-up, or doing things unrelated to the group effort of beautiful singing.
· If you disagree with anything, have a concern, have negative comments, or have a question
o See your instructor before/after class, set up another time to meet, or send an e-mail.
o Class time is not an appropriate time to raise personal concerns, say negative comments, or ask personal questions
Classroom Discipline
Please communicate with the director prior to rehearsal if you are under emotional stress or have problems with your voice. Do not take your first verbal warning as anything but a calm reminder to monitor whether your behavior is for the best of the choir.
· Verbal warning (this is to let you know that you need to change your behavior and may simply be stating your name)
· Verbal warning and loss of daily participation points
· If misbehavior persists after second verbal warning, failure to meet classroom expectations will result in one of the following:
o Detention
o Phone call to parent
o E-mail/Meeting with parents
o Meeting with principal
o Permanent dismissal from choir
Grading
It should be simple to earn a satisfactory grade in choir if the choir rules and expectations are followed. Communication and responsibility are two important values that will make choir fun and enjoyable.
25% Classroom Preparation (students will earn up to 10 points per class period) – Formative Evaluation
· Rubric used to assess posture, conditions for singing, attitude toward musical performance, and collaboration (See rubric)
· Written tests, worksheets, and computer work will be averaged for the quarter
25% Lessons (students will earn a maximum of 10 points per lesson) – Summative Evaluation
20% Semester Test (maximum of 40 points per semester) – Summative Evaluation
· Tests will cover concepts covered in class such as singing, songs, and music literacy
· This 20% is not accounted for in the classroom weighting and is performed by office
50% Performances (Maximum of 20 points for each scheduled performance) – Summative Evaluation
· Excused absences shall only be for illness of the student or a family emergency (This does not include social functions.) No exceptions. Remember, that prior communication allows for options and prevents problems.
· Excused absences must be at least one week in advance, in writing, through the EBF Absence Form, or by telephone if an emergency dictates. No exceptions.
· Excused absences will be allowed to make up the points.
· Unexcused absences will NOT be allowed to make up the points. No exceptions.
o Honor choirs are optional and NOT a required part of being in choir.
Attire for Performances
Because performances are special, formal occasions, regular clothing such as t-shirts and jeans are not appropriate. Many weeks of hard preparation go into the performance and the final presentation begins with looking our very best. It is important to follow the guidelines to make a positive visual as well as aural presentation. These guidelines are required of all performances unless otherwise notified.
Note: If purchasing dress clothes are a financial burden, please contact the director in advance.
· Black dress pants
· Choir Robe (supplied by school-a cleaning fee is assessed to the student each year of participation)
· Closed toe dress shoes (women), black dress shoes (men)