Handbook
 
 
WHHS Choral Handbook 2010 – 2011 Select Chorus/Women’s Chorale/Concert Chorus Choir members and parents, Welcome to the White House High School Choral Program and congratulations on your decision to join one of the finest musical organizations in the state. There are few organizations of any kind so rich in tradition and success that also include so many real-world experiences. The 2010-2011 school year gives us all the opportunity to grow in maturity, responsibility, and vocal ability. The WHHS Choirs provides musical activities that encompass a wide scope and allows everyone a chance to reach the highest possible level of success. Our goals for the year are to learn to work as a team, to become independent musicians and students, use correct vocal technique, and sing expressively and accurately. In order to reach these goals we must stay focused, be prepared, and give 100% each day. The following handbook outlines how we can set ourselves up for success this year. Please read through it and turn in the Choral Handbook Agreement form. By following the guidelines stated in this handbook, you can enjoy success as a singer and a student. I look forward to working with each of you! Sincerely, Katie Baker, Choral Director WHHS Choral Ensembles Concert Chorus: The Concert Chorus is a non-auditioned ensemble open to any White House High School student. No previous singing experience is necessary. A desire to grow and excel musically is expected. The Concert Chorus will perform at one to two concerts per semester. Enrollment in private voice lessons is encouraged, as is participation in all honor choirs. Advanced Women’s Chorale: The Advanced Women’s Chorale is an ensemble for female voices open by audition to any female student at White House High School. While there is no prerequisite for this class, previous choral singing experience is suggested. This course will emphasize correct singing technique, music reading skills, and music listening skills for girls with advanced singing and music reading skills. This ensemble requires a significant time commitment outside of class for performances and other group events. Performance at the MTVA concert festival is required. Enrollment in private voice lessons is encouraged. Select Chorus: The Select Chorus is the premiere choral ensemble at White House High School. Open by audition, this course will emphasize correct singing technique, music reading skills, and music listening skills in a mixed ensemble setting. In addition to the two concerts per semester, it requires a significant time commitment outside of class for performances and other group events, such as the annual White House on Broadway performance in the Fall. Enrollment in private voice lessons is strongly encouraged. Performance at the MTVA concert festival is required. It is strongly recommended that students register for Select Chorus both terms. Repertoire Repertoire for each ensemble will encompass all periods of music history and all musical styles associated with the Western Classical tradition. While some pieces will be accompanied, most of the music studied and performed will be accapella. Because choral music has its beginnings in the church, many of the texts we sing will be religious in nature. Classroom Materials All ensemble music will be provided to each choir member. A folder will be provided for you. This folder is for choral music only and is not to be used for other classes. With the exception of home practice, the folder is to stay in your assigned numbered slot. Any class materials given to students will be given a value; fines will be assessed for any materials lost by students. A pencil (NOT A PEN) is required at each rehearsal. You will need some notebook paper or a small notebook for notes. (Spiral notebooks must fit in an 1” folder slot along with your chorus folder. “Fair Share” Fees are based on the “fair share” principle: the estimated budget for the year is split among all students based on application. Since Select Chorus and Women’s Chorale will use more of the budget than Concert Chorus, for example, the fee per semester is higher. Fees are due within the first three weeks of the semester. Ample fundraising opportunities will be made to raise these fees. Ensemble Fees Select Chorus $35 per semester Women’s Chorus - $35 per semester Concert Chorus- $25 per semester Tuxedo rental fee (Select Chorus Men only) – $15 for the entire year Fundraising There will be ample opportunity to raise your “fair share” of the budget throughout the year, parking cars, and other events. These fundraisers will not only raise money for your class fees, but can also cover any chorus-related expense, including trip payments, audition fees, All-State fees, etc. It is the firm conviction of the WHHS Choirs that money will not be a factor in any individual’s participation in the Choral Program. Scholarships and waivers are available, but only if that student participated in his/her share of fundraising activities. Individual Accounts Money earned from fund-raisers, parking cars, donations, etc. Will be placed into individual financial accounts. You will be able to use your money to pay any fee or expense associated with the chorus. (This doesn’t include spending money on trips.) Mrs. Baker will keep an up-to-date spread sheet on each student so that each student can always know how much money is in your account. Communication Communication is more effective when it is pro-active and cordial. E-mail is the fastest and easiest way to reach me. Most information will be available on the website. Having said this, the responsibility is on the student and his/her family for checking the e-mail and website regularly. If your e-mail changes, PLEASE notify me immediately. Travel There will be occasions which will require travel off campus. The destinations will range from very close, such as the First Baptist Church or White House Middle, to very far, such as our Spring Trip. Student behavior is to be exemplary whenever we travel off campus. Going on trips is not a right; Mrs. Baker reserves the right to forbid any student from attending an off-campus function if he/ she does not exhibit the maturity level needed for such responsibility. A Notarized Health/Medical Treatment Form is required from each member of Select Chorus and Women’s Chorale. (Due the first three weeks of the semester.) Performance Attire It is important that we achieve uniformity in all aspects of our performance. Therefore, the following attire will be worn for all performances, on and off campus. Securing this attire will be the student’s responsibility and part of the semester grade. Concert Chorus Women: A knee length Black Skirt-no excessive slits Black Dress Shoes (comfortable for standing) Black Panty Hose Plain black Blouse or sweater Appropriate Undergarments (Nothing showing underneath blouse) NO PERFUME NO JEWELRY AROUND THE NECK Earrings can be worn, but no hanging hoops or dangling pieces. Concert Chorus Men: Solid Black Dress Pants (not jeans) Solid Black Dress Shoes (not tennis shoes) BLACK DRESS SOCKS Black Belt Solid black Shirt Appropriate Undershirt NO COLOGNE Same jewelry rules as stated above Women’s Chorale: Choral Dress (ordered through school) Black panty hose Black dress shoes ^Strand of pearls around neck. ^Pearl Stud Earrings NO PERFUME Select Chorus Women: Choral Dress (ordered through school) Black panty hose Black dress shoes ^Strand of pearls around neck. ^Pearl Stud Earrings NO PERFUME Select Chorus Men: *Black tuxedo pants and jacket Black dress shoes and socks Tuxedo shirt and solid white undershirt Black bow tie and vest NO COLOGNE * - As stated earlier, there will be a $15.00 tuxedo rental fee. After the final concert, men should dry-clean their tuxedos and return to Mrs. Baker. ^-These will be provided for you at each concert. Performances Concert performance is mandatory. Notify your parents, coaches, employers, etc. as soon as you are informed of a concert performance. A full choir schedule will be available in the choir room every day, updated regularly. There is no excuse for not knowing about a performance. Call times are usually one hour before the performance time. Students will arrive 5 minutes before the call time for roll check in full attire. Call time is for students only – no parents, please! Failure to attend a concert will result in failing the class. Being late for the call time will result in a partial loss of credit for the concert grade. Performing is not a right; Mrs. Baker can forbid you from performing if you fail to meet class requirements of professionalism and/or musical preparation. Concert attendance, however, still is mandatory in order to receive credit for the concert. Procedures for Classroom 1. Respect others—everyone, always! 2. Be prepared. (ex. Be in your seat and prepared to rehearse with all of your materials at the beginning of class. This includes your folder and music, pencil, etc.) 3. Follow directions. 4. Do your best—give 100% ALL of the time. 5. Leave materials not needed against the walls. (We move around A LOT. Keep the risers clear.) 6. No gum, food, or drinks on the risers. 7. NO GUM ever! School policy. County policy. My policy. 8. You may have water during class if you discard all trash. 9. You may leave the room with Mrs. Baker’s permission. 10. No cells phones or MP3’s. 11. Maintain good posture when singing. 12. Maintain acceptable level of professionalism. Choral Professionalism One of the goals of the Chorus class is to give students the experience of being a professional musician. This includes having all class materials, keeping up with music, maintaining proper singing posture, and encouraging a rehearsal atmosphere conducive to success. Therefore, each student will be graded on his or her daily professionalism. Professionals are expected to give 100% each day; students in WHHS Choirs are expected to do the same. Failure to do so will result in a lowering of the participation grade; students who give 100% will be rewarded. The Professionalism Grade will be affected by many infractions, including but not limited to the following: • Not in seat when Mrs. Baker is ready to start class. • No music or pencil • *Using cell phones or MP3’s • Leaving Trash on Risers • Excessive Talking • Gum/Food/Drink in Rehearsal • Sloppy Posture • Leaving your folder out after rehearsal • Forgetting parts of concert attire • Foul language • Acting on a Choral Trip in a manner which embarrasses WHHS and yourself. *Cell phones and MP3’s will be taken if seen on the FIRST offense. By school and county rule all cell phones and MP3’s are to be turned into the office. You will receive one professionalism grade for each week, which will reflect your attitude, preparedness, and performance for that week. Restroom Breaks Please take care of restroom issues at your break. Do not ask to leave at the beginning of class. Do not leave during the rehearsal. If you have an emergency, you must take a hall pass. Hall Passes are located on Mrs. Baker’s desk. Notes You may keep your notes and paperwork in your folder or your notebook. Grading First 9 weeks: Second 9 weeks: 35% Professionalism 35% Professionalism 10% Class/Homework 10% Class/Homework 10% Quizzes/Tests 10% Quizzes/Tests 45% Concert Performance 45% Concert Performance Final Exam (All Choirs): If you attend the two concerts (Fall and Christmas) AND have no more than 3 unexcused absences, you will be exempt from the final exam. The final exam will be cumulative for the entire semester. Individual Opportunities Voice lessons will be offered once a week during your class time. You make choose to take a voice lesson by yourself or with 1 or 2 other people. Voice lessons are a semester long commitment. Those students who are interested in auditioning for honors choirs and colleges in the future are encouraged to take voice lessons. ($20 for a 30 minute lesson) Fundraising Opportunities 2009-2010 Smart Cards-$12 each. $5 profit from each card goes to individual account. Candy Bars (January)—Cost $1.00 each. Profit $.45 per bar. Profit goes to individual account. Parking Cars (Ongoing)—Earns $8.25 an hour per person. Profit $8.25. Profit goes to individual account. (Please e-mail Mrs. Hall at lynne.hall@sumnerschools.org if you would like to be on the mailing list for Parking opportunities.) Kroger Card (Ongoing)—Earns 4% of what you load onto the reusable card. Profit goes into the chorus account. Cards may be purchased from Mrs. Baker at any time for $5.00. These cards are pre-loaded with $5 and are reloadable. Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work. -Thomas Edison mailto:lynne.hall@sumnerschools.orgshapeimage_2_link_0