Transcript wildcat chorus - Santa Rosa County School District

Music has the ability to touch our hearts, to calm or excite us, to
involve us, to heal us, and inspire. It allows us to relax or participate,
to reach out and look with in. Music teaches us teamwork. It
reinforces basic skills. It is both a social and an individual activity.
Music has been a part of life for all recorded time. It is a part of our
history and culture.
Dear Chorus Parents and Students,
Welcome to WBMS Wildcat Chorus Program! A successful chorus program
is dependent on positive active participation by both the students and their
parents. It is with great enthusiasm that I look forward to working with
you this year. This handbook is designed to help you understand the
expectations for all chorus students at WBMS. If you have any questions
of any kind, feel free to call, write, or e-mail me. I will return most calls at
the end of the school day, but please allow me a “return call window” of 24
hours. Rarely does a situation arise for which there is no workable solution.
Please don’t hesitate to contact me.
Yours in Harmony,
Gina LaVere
Chorus Director
[email protected]
934-4010 ext 202
CLASSROOM PROCEDURES
1) BE READY FOR CLASS WHEN THE BELL RINGS
A) Be in your assigned seat with music folder, pencil, and water bottle before
your bell rings.
B) Fill water bottle before class. The water bottles must be brought to the
chorus room prior to homeroom. If the bottle requires filling, it must be
filled at the water fountain directly outside the chorus room.
2) BE PREPARED FOR CLASS
A) Bring music/theory folders, pencils, paper, and water bottle every day.
B) Utilize the restrooms before or after class for personal grooming.
3) RESPECT OTHERS
A) Keep inappropriate comments to yourself.
B) DO NOT touch classroom equipment without teacher permission (this
includes the PIANOS).
C) Students must remain quiet and attentive even when they are not singing.
Much rehearsal time is saved when students observe other sections.
4) STRIVE FOR EXCELLENCE
TRY YOUR BEST AND YOU WILL ALWAYS END UP A WINNER!!
Remember………. Shoot for the Stars and Land on the Moon!!!!!!
DISCIPLINE POLICY
The behavioral journal is used for disciplinary
behavior. There are four steps in the
journal.
1) Warning
2) Consequence with parent signature
3) Parent contact
4) Disciplinary referral
Note: A conference will be scheduled at
this point and a contract will be made
regarding acceptable behavior in the
chorus program.
GRADING POLICY
Grades will be based on knowledge of concepts, demonstration of skills and
participation in chorus activities, including required performances and
rehearsals. Because the chorus is a performing organization and a class, it
is essential that every student and parent understand that attendance
and participation in required performances and rehearsals is a part of the
grade. Excused absences are determined using the same criteria as a
school absence. Unexcused absences for rehearsals are recorded as a zero. Any absence
of a required performance must be replaced by either the writing of a curriculum
based paper or solo performance of the pieces. Performances are the nine week
grade for that grading period.
Students are expected to bring a signed note from their parent the day they return
to
school.
CONFLICT RESOLUTION
Being aware that conflicts will occur in the scheduling of practices,
rehearsals, games, performances and field trips the following guidelines
will be used:
1)
The Spring and Winter Concert and District Music Performance Assessment are the
only required performances for the year.
2)
A performance or a game takes precedent over a practice or rehearsal (except final
rehearsals)
3)
The student is responsible for notifying Mrs. LaVere of the conflict no less than 24
hours in advance if possible.
GRADING POLICY CONTINUED
There are five categories in which the concepts are graded in :
CLASSWORK 15%
HOMEWORK 5%
QUIZZES 35%
TESTS 45%
(performance based)
♫ PARTICIPATION- singing folder checks, pencil check, participation in
daily rehearsals and activities.
♫SINIGING QUIZZES AND CHECKS- In-class singing quizzes will be
administered at least every two weeks. These quizzes are done is a
small group setting (3-6 students) grading is based on their level of
improvement.
REGULAR QUIZZES- These are written quizzes based on music theory
in which the students are given notes and instruction in class.
♫ PERFORMANCES- There are three required performances; the Spring
and Winter concerts and District Performance Assessment. These are
counted as tests.
♫ MUSIC THEORY- This includes work on the Music Ace program, tests,
worksheets, composition projects.
2011-2012 CHORUS SUPPLY LIST
♫ PAPER
♫ PENCILS
♫ FOLDER (for notes/worksheets)
♫ STAFF PAPER (optional)
♫ WATER BOTTLE
2 BLANK CDS
UNIFORMS
Girls- Long black dress purchased through Chorus
Department $54
Boys- Black dress pants and white tux shirt rented
through the Chorus Department $15
No student will be denied participation in chorus
should the cost of a uniform present a financial
hardship for you. If this is the case, please
contact Mrs. LaVere. All information will be
kept confidential.
PERFORMANCE GROOMING
Hair- All hair must be away from face
Jewelry- No jewelry should be worn on girls or
boys during a chorus performance. Small stud
earrings will be allowed for those students
with pierced ears.
Shoes- No sneakers, slides, sandals, or strappy
shoes. Only closed toed black dress shoes
are acceptable.
CHORUS T-SHIRTS 20$: This is a required part
of our uniform for Intermediate and Advanced
chorus. It is optional for all other classes
EXTRA MUSICAL OPPORTUNITIES
These performances and events are extra
opportunities for select chorus members (extra
expenses are required for some of these
activities).
♫ All-State (7/8 grade audition every other year)
♫ All-County (6-8 grade audition)
♫ Disney chorus trip (Advanced and Intermediate
chorus members only. These students must
have no ISS, OSS, bus suspension, or two
referrals in one semester. Grades in chorus
must be an A/B)
♫ Barbershop Workshop (auditioned boys)
♫ Running for Chorus President (select students
who have been in chorus for 3 years)
♫ Running for Chorus Vice President (select
students who have been in chorus for 2 years)
♫ Out-reach Concerts: These performances are
for the community and any student in
Intermediate or Advanced may participate.
♫Musical: Advanced Chorus only * This does not
occur every year.
♫ Madrigal: Advanced members only. Renaissance
Dinner as a fundraiser for the fine arts
department.
FUNDRAISING
Our chorus program has two major
fundraisers a year. The chorus program
at Woodlawn has grown quickly over the
past eight years and our cost to run the
program has as well. These fundraisers
pay for rental uniforms, bus
transportation, competition fees, extra
music, chorus materials and much more.
The success of our fundraisers keep the
cost of chorus very low. The fall
fundraiser is the selling of Classic Cookie
dough (yum) and our spring fundraisers
are Valentine Grams (sold in the school)
and the annual WBMS Talent Show. We
only ask parents to help chaperone and
bring items to use for door prizes during
the talent show. This year we have two
performances that also raise money for
the organization:
Madrigal Dinner: The advanced chorus,
Symphonic band, and the art program will
be transporting the cafeteria into a
castle of time gone by for a dinner filled
with food, music, magic, and much more.
HELPFUL HINTS FOR VOCALISTS
1)
2)
3)
4)
Always warm up before singing (a
vocal warm up is like stretching
before exercise)
Drink lots of water. About 64 oz a
day to be exact.
Eat 30 minutes before you sing.
Eating and singing right after can
cause many singing problems (i.e.
water in a gas tank).
Stay healthy!!! Your body is your
instrument and it can’t be taken
into the shop to replace. Eat
right, exercise, and get plenty of
rest : )
HELPFUL HINTS FOR PARENTS
1)
Have a set time and space for your
musician to practice.
2)
Encourage your child with positive
words and actions. This makes a
big difference in their progress.
3)
Here are a few web sites to check
out with your budding musician!!
www.musictheory.net
www.menc.org
www.jwpepper.com
www.essentialofmusic.com
www.musictechteacher.net
www.fva.net
CHORUS HANDBOOK CONTRACT
Students are required to submit this sheet to Mrs. LaVere by Friday, September 2nd
By checking each item and signing this form, you agree that you:
____ have read the Chorus Handbook and understand the information it contains.
____ have examined the calendar of events for conflicts.
____ understand that an unexcused absence from an after-school performance or rehearsal will earn zero
points.
Student’s Name (print please): ____________________________
Parent’s Name (sign please):______________________________
I am available and/or interested in chaperoning on one or some of the chorus trips/rehearsals.
Note: all chaperones must fill out a volunteer form (these are found in the forms given in homeroom).
YES _____
NO____
I give permission for my child’s picture to appear in the newspaper yes___
no____
I give permission for my child’s picture to appear on the school website. Yes___ no___
E-Mail address: ___________________________
Telephone /Cell Number:_____________________
CONTACT AND FIELD TRIP EMERGENCY INFORMATION
Students are required to submit this sheet to Mrs. LaVere by Friday, September 2nd .
Group: Woodlawn Beach Middle School Chorus
Teacher: Gina LaVere
Student:__________________
Home Phone:_______________
Cell Phones:________________
Student Address: ___________________________
E-mail Address _____________________
Parent/Guardian:___________________
Daytime Phone:_______________
Evening Phone: _______________
Other Parent/Guardian:____________________
Daytime Phone: ______________
Evening Phone: ______________
Emergency Phone number for parent/guardian if other than above:
_______________________
Comments regarding special health problems or severe allergies of student:
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
CHORUS UNIFORM/T-SHIRT ORDER FORM
ALL CHORUS STUDENTS MUST HAVE A PERFORMANCE UNIFORM.
BOYS: All boys have a $15 rental fee. Boys are only allowed to rent because they often change uniform sizes
during the same school year. If you have been chosen to sing with the advanced girls a chorus t-shirt must
be purchased for performances in the community.
GIRLS: Girls have the option to rent or buy. Returning girls and new girls in the eighth grade are given the
opportunity first to try on rentals for two reasons: because they either rented last year and/or also it is
their first and last chance to be in chorus. The 7th grade girls will try on rentals second, followed by the 6th
grade girls. There are only a limited number of rentals available. The fee will be $15 for used rentals and
$25 for new rentals. This price change offsets the chorus department costs for the dresses.
T-SHIRTS ARE OPTIONAL FOR EVERYONE EXCEPT FOR THE ADVANCED AND INTERMEDIATE
GROUPS: 20$ (these two groups do outreach concerts in the community and the chorus t-shirt is the
uniform used for those performances)
PLEASE FILL OUT THE ORDER FORM BELOW AND ATTACH CASH OR CHECK (CHECKS MADE PAYABLE
TO WBMS CHORUS). These orders must be turned no later than FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 30TH. If
more time is needed or there is a financial issue please send a note to Mrs. LaVere on the September
30th deadline.
NAME:_________________________________________________
GIRLS RENTALS: PRICES GIVEN DURING CLASS DRESS TRY-ON. PLEASE CHECK IF RENTING _______
BUY: $54 PLEASE CHECK IF BUYING ___________
BOYS RENTAL IS $15. PLEASE CHECK IF RENTING_________
T-SHIRTS ARE $20. PLEASE CHECK IF BUYING A T-SHIRT__________T-SHIRT SIZE_________
(adult sizes)