CHORUS NEWS
MUSIC NEWS in REVIEW
Dear Choir Members and Parents:
I am thrilled to be the new Director of Choral Music at Sackets Harbor High School. I am anticipating a wonderful year. My goal is to build the choral program to one deserving local and regional recognition. To make this happen, I will share my knowledge and love of the music making process with your students. It truly is the most rewarding experience when hard work culminates into a beautiful performance.
As your son/daughter will soon realize, I expect everyone’s best effort in every rehearsal and I ask the students to be open to learning and to experiencing new, unique, and meaningful musical moments. Individual hard work and commitment to a group are a vital part of being in choir. Each student is a participating member of a larger group that emphasizes individual concentration, energies, attendance, quality, and cooperation. This being said, each of my choir students will also be charged with the unique responsibility to support and respect each other in and out of the music department.
I have many performance opportunities planned, as well as a few fund raising events. The first fundraiser involves participating in the Sackets Harbor Haunted Walk. All choir members will be expected to be involved in this endeavor in some aspect. More information will be forthcoming.
Any parent wishing to also contribute to Sackets Harbor High School Choir’s success in any way, please contact me. I am open to all suggestions, and I am looking forward to getting to know each and every one of you. Please do not hesitate to contact me with any questions throughout the school year. I can be reached at 315-646-3575 or at [email protected].
Choir Conduct
Expectations of good conduct are essential from all choir members. Each student will represent the choir, the Music Department and Sackets Harbor School in the best way possible at all times. In addition to the expectations of conduct stated in the SHS handbook, choir students are expected to display proper conduct and respect of the highest caliber during dress rehearsals, performances, festivals, contests, field trips, or any activity associated with choir. Respect toward peers and adults are a must. Unacceptable conduct from a SHS choir student may result in disciplinary action, and/or removal from choir.
Educational Disruption Procedures:
1st and 2nd offense- Teacher/Student Warning /Phone Call, if needed, with parent
3rd offense- Discipline referral and contact with administration and parent
4th offense- Administration discipline referral and student will be removed from choir
Rehearsal Expectations
*Discard gum before going to rehearsal seat.
*Be in assigned seat / area with your music and pencil with an eraser when the bell rings.
*During the course of the rehearsal students are to refrain from talking. When another section is rehearsing, silently follow along, should you be called upon to join in, or critique the performance. This also provides constructive rehearsal time.
*When rehearsing, remain quiet when we stop to polish. It is not a time to begin socializing or talk about what just happened-something important is about to happen. This is known as podium etiquette.
*Students are responsible for treating each other and their environment with respect. This includes inside and outside or rehearsal.
Participate in all class discussions are encouraged. Everyone has a voice in the choir.
*Students should bring a pencil to each rehearsal. Mark your music as instructed.
*Students should keep their music in good condition and their folder in its proper place.
*There will be no food or drinks (except water) in the music room. This is a K-12 room, and I have many students with life-or-death food allergies.
*Before returning a piece of music, erase your name and all markings.
*Please use bathroom privileges sparingly before the rehearsal begins, not in the middle of the rehearsal time. Leaving rehearsal is not permitted unless it is an extreme emergency.
Attendance/Absences
Students are required to attend all rehearsals and concerts. A death in the family, court dates, and some pre-approved situations are excusable absences. Absences must be reported beforehand and not after the occurrence. Students are responsible for making up any material or assignments missed due to absences.
Students missing 8 classes will receive a warning as per the absentee policy. For students who work, be fair to your employer and give them advance notice of performances and other choral activities. When there are direct conflicts with other school activities, a note from your parents/ guardians must be submitted to Mrs. Davis as far as possible in advance. Again, students are responsible for making up any material or assignments missed due to absences.
Non-Performance Rehearsals
It is in the best interest of those who are ill to remain at home until such time that they are well enough to attend school. It is sometimes the case when wellness still does not compensate for vocal health and a student must rest for a rehearsal. While this is allowed as an exception, a student who requires more than 4 separate "Non-Performance Days" without prior notification from the parent will risk dismissal from the ensemble.
It is quite apparent that vocal music uses full body participation and is physically demanding. If a student still rehearses but is frequently ill during class, a parent-teacher conference will be requested to consider other options for the student.
Concert Dress
Each concert will have individual concert dress requirements. It will always be expected that students wear school appropriate clothes that are clean and do not have holes. Students are expected to dress in their best!
Music/Materials
Music and folders will be assigned to each student. Students are to use pencil for performance markings and properly shelve their choral folio following rehearsals. Due to the high cost of music, students will be assessed a "face value" charge for lost original sheet music or folders. This includes those folders lost in the choral area. In the event a folder is lost, please notify Mrs. Davis as soon as possible.
Contests/Festivals
NYSSMA Solos, Festivals, All States, Talent Shows and Concerts are only a few of the choral experiences offered to the choral students. Students participate in contests and festivals to learn new approaches to choral learning through working with recognized conductors and other choral students.
The Music Department pays for most fees associated with Festival Events. If a student cancels his or her performance in a festival, the student is responsible to refund the fee to the school district within 2 weeks of the cancellation. We insist that if a student makes a commitment, he or she honors that commitment through to the end.
Bi-County and All-State Festivals - [Pre-audition required] Participation in the Bi-County and All-State Festivals is a prestigious and highly sought after achievement by Jr. High and Sr. High School musicians. Preparation involves rehearsals outside of the school day. Students accepted into Bi-County and All State are selected by Mrs. Davis and the chairperson of the event. Eligibility for this honor is based upon the work ethic, effort, and the talents of students selected. High School students wishing to be selected must participate in the Spring NYSSMA Festival Solo Festival of the previous school year.
Fundraising
Each year the choral department will sponsor student fundraisers offered throughout the year on a strictly voluntary basis. Students may accumulate money in an account to use as credit towards trips. If your child exits the choral program, their fund will be directed to the general choral fund for capital outlay. It may not be transferred to another activity or to another person. If your child does not travel with the group, their money raised will be directed to the general choral fund. Please watch for upcoming information on fundraisers.
Trips/Tours
The choral ensembles of SHS will perform at school events and throughout the community. These programs are part of the curriculum and require student attendance as in any other concert. Students are required to have a field trip permission form including a parental signature for each trip to attend. We will usually plan to take a Spring Choral trip. Travel is not mandatory, but is a good experience. Every trip will be approached differently, so students are to follow the written instructions given to ensure every experience is a positive one.
Student Leadership Teams - Each choir will have a student leadership team, or choir officers that assist the director and act as communicators between the ensemble and the Mrs. Davis. The officers will meet as needed to conduct choir affairs.
Offices include (but not limited to):
President - acts as a student director, supervises all officer activities, and helps with organizing special projects as needed.
Vice President - assists the president, acts in place of the president if absent and helps with organizing special projects as needed; acts as publicist –organizes all publicity including placing all concert flyers around the school and removal of the flyers the day after each concert.
Secretary - handles all official communications, takes attendance when needed, makes or records notes at meetings/events, and writes thank you notes.
Treasurer- responsible for all funds and reports related to these funds.
Librarian-prepares new music for distribution and helps distribute and collect music and repair music as needed; aides in the organization and filing of all the choir music into folders.
Stage Manager-communicates with Mrs. Davis regarding performance needs, recruit and coordinate volunteers for stage set-up and teardown.
Photographer- photographs choir events; emails digital photos to Mrs. Davis, aides in creating concert flyers for the school.
Section Leaders- Each section of the choir will have a student leadership team, or choir officers that assist the directors and act as communicators between the ensemble and Mrs. Davis.
GRADING
Choral ensembles are graded on the following:
Participation (Good use of time during rehearsals and professional participation at concerts)
Attendance/Punctuality for Concerts and Performances (Professionalism.)
Preparation: (Use of Class Time and Homework)
Assessments: (Singing voice tests and written exams given for Common Core Assessments only.)
Listening and Behavior: (Effort to Achieve Personal Excellence Professionalism as a Musician Respect of Others and Attention to Classroom Standards)