2013-2014 Choirs

Dear Choir members and Parents/Guardians,

I am so excited to get this year started with all of my choirs. I am
anticipating a wonderful, and exciting year! My goal for this year, and all
consecutive years is for my students to understand, and show their knowledge of
music, not just performing, but also knowing what they are performing. I love to
share my knowledge of music, and it is so rewarding to see my students grasp the
concepts all while putting on an amazing show!
To have this amazing aesthetic experience, all students need to put forth
their best efforts in all rehearsals and be open to learning new things. Each choir
rehearsal will be a unique and exciting experience that leaves the students
wanting more in each class. It takes a lot of individual work for the choir to be
successful as a whole, and I believe that all students can do this. All of the
individual work that each student puts in just leads to a more successful choral
experience in the long run. This is why the students must have a say in the
leadership of the choir. With all of the individual ideas and personalities, I expect
an amazing collaboration to form, which will be shown in our concerts and
performances.
Students are not the only ones who make our program successful. We
need volunteers to help our program run smoothly, and to remind our students
of what they need to be doing throughout the years. This handbook contains all
of the information that students, parents, guardians, and volunteers need to
know so everyone can plan for the upcoming year. I cannot wait to get to know
each and every person that makes this program run! If you have any question,
please do not hesitate to ask! You can contact me at 812-555-6132 or at
futuremusicteacher@gmail.com
Musically Yours,
Laura Schuley

Classroom Management Policies

Procedures:
1. Come into class quickly and quietly.
2. Make sure to get your assigned folder from the cabinets.
3. Sit in your assigned seat.
4. Be attentive to when the teacher is ready to begin.
5. Actively participate the entire length of the class (Participation
points!)
6. Class is not over until the bell rings and I dismiss the class.
Rules:
1. Be respectful. Treat others how you wish to be treated.
2. NO GUM!
3. Only leave your seat when asked to do so, or given permission from
the teacher.
4. Be on time to class and in your seat. Students not in their seats by
the time the bell rings, they will be counted tardy.
5. Have all of your materials ready for class.
6. Participate and show leadership in every aspect of the classroom.
REMEMBER: CARE: Expectations with rewards and Consequences
Attendance Policy:
1. All students are required to attend all performances.
2. If there is a conflict, the student should notify me at least 3 weeks in
advance. Emergencies are an exception, but try to contact me if at all
possible.
Disciplinary Actions:
First Offense
The student will be given a verbal warning in class.
Second Offense
The students will be asked to stay after class and discuss with the
teacher his or her infractions.

Third Offense
The student will be sent to the office for further disciplinary actions.
Fourth Offense
A parent of the student will be contacted to discuss the students
disciplinary problems.
Concert Dress
All Ensembles have specific concert attire. Students are responsible for
their attire and should place their name in each piece of their uniform.
Students are required to wear concert dress before, during, and after all
performances. (You are performing from the time you walk into the
building to the time you leave.) All members must have the official choir
shirt for casual performances and traveling. If you are new to choir,
bring your $15 dollars for your shirt ASAP. *** Students not dressed
appropriately (See Below) will not be able to perform in the concert***
Choral Union
Women- ALL BLACK
Black Pants or skirt below the knee with black tights
Black crew neck top with sleeves. NO tank tops!
Black dress shoes with minimal ornaments
Minimal jewelry- Silver only (See Miss Schuley if you have
question on appropriateness of jewelry)
Men-

ALL BLACK
Black button up dress shirt with red tie
Black dress pants
Black Dress shoes and BLACK SOCKS

Concert Choir
Concert Choir will have the same dress code as Choral Union (See
above) unless performing and wearing the Choral robes provided to
each student at the beginning of the year.
Madrigal/Show Choir

Madrigal/Show Choir singers will be required to select from the choral

closet (Madrigal outfit) or purchase their outfits. The group and Miss
Schuley will decide on all outfits.
All students participating in the Fall/Spring Musical will be responsible to
get their own outfit as decided upon by Miss Schuley and the Musical
that is being performed. All costumes must be approved by Miss Schuley
a week before dress rehearsal in case of a change needed. If costumes
need to be rented, Miss Schuley will arrange to do so, but all students
are responsible for damage done to costumes.

Grading Policy
All Ensembles are grade on the following:
Class Participation, Behavior, Preparedness- 40% (150 pts.)
Professionalism as a Musician
Striving for Excellence
Respect of everyone in the classroom
Respect of Classroom Rules
Use of Time
Prepares with materials
Informal Assessment Participation
Assessments- 40% (150 pts.)
Tests (2 each semester 30 pts. X2)
Voice Tests (over difficult material or sections in a piece 10 pts. X4)
Written Assignments, Study Guides (10 pts. X 2)
Quizzes (over study guides 15 pts. X2)
Attendance- 20% (75 pts.)
Overall Attendance
Punctuality
Concert Dress
Professionalism during performance (before, during, and after)
Total Points in class per semester= 375
Grading Scale
100%-93% = A
92%-86% = B
85%-77% = C
76%-70% = D
69.9% and below = F

Hush! Somebodys Callin' My Name: Singing Rubric

Students will sing the B section of Hush! Somebodys Callin My Name accurately and expressively.
Total Points Possible: 48

Phrasing

Unsatisfactory
(0-6.9pts.)

Basic
(7-8.9pts.)

The student does not

phrase correctly at all
throughout the
section.

The student shows the

knowledge of
phrasing, but does not
phrase correctly.

Proficient
(9-10.9pts.)

The student
correctly phrases
for the majority of
the section with
minimal mistakes
A good, solid sh The student does not The students sings the The students
ant the end of
sing the sh
sh incorrectly more portrays the correct
each hush! As
correctly at all
than correct through
sh through the
discussed in
throughout the
the section.
majority of the
class (Diction)
section.
section.
Pitch Accuracy/ The student shows
The student shows
The student sings
Intonation
little to no knowledge effort in knowing their the majority of their
of their part, or sings part, but does not sing part correctly in the
the entire section
the majority of the
B section.
incorrectly.
piece correctly.
Dynamics
The student does not The student uses
The students sings
use dynamics in the B some dynamics
the majority of the B
section
through the B section, section with correct
but not to
dynamics, but lacks
expectations.
some.

Distinguished
(11-12pts.)

The student goes through

each phrase without
breathing, as designated in
class.
The student does the
correct sh as
demonstrated in class
throughout the entire
section.
The student sings the notes
of their part correctly
throughout the entire
section
The student sings section B
with the correct dynamics
labeled in the piece

Choral Calendar 2013-2014

th

August 25 - Open House to meet the Director and get all Ensemble
materials. 7:30 pm in the Choir room.
September 3rd-Show Choir begins rehearsal every MW before school 7:30-8
September 10th- First Choir Parent Organization meeting (all interested
please attend) 7:30-8:30 in Choir Room
September 25th- First Fundraiser begins
October 5th- Pancake Breakfast at Applebees starting at 8 am.
October 30th- Fall Concert- All choirs 7:30 pm. Call time at 6:30
November 20th-21th- Fall Musical- South Pacific
December 6th- Madrigal Dinner at St. Marys Parish Hall- 7:00 pm
December 15th- Winter Concert 7:30 pm Call time 6:30- All Choirs
January 12th- Choir Parent Organization meeting- 7:30
January 29th- Meeting for all students going to Choral Invitational 6pmchoir room
February 16th-17th- Choral Invitational in Indianapolis
March 28th- Spring Musical- Guys and Dolls
April 25th- Spring Concert All choirs 7 pm Call 6pm
May 5th- Choir Awards- 7pm
May 15th- Graduation Performance

***All dates subject to change***

Student Information Sheet

(Print legibly)

Name________________________________________________________________
Email Address______________________________________________________
Grade___________________ Voice Part_______________________________
Home Phone_________________________________
Cell Phone (For Teacher Text site) ________________________________
Previous Ensembles? _________________________________________________
Number of Years participated_________________________________________
Do you play and Instruments? _________________________________________
Are you willing to play with the choir? ___________________________

Parent/Guardians Full Name(s)

_______________________________________________________________
Parent/ Guardians Phone Number
________________________________________________________________ (daytime)
________________________________________________________________ (cell number)
Parents email address ______________________________________________________

Choral Handbook Agreement

Student:
I have read the choral handbook and fully understand all of its components.
If I had questions, I have addressed Miss Schuley and had them answered. I
fully understand that part of being a choral student means I will not miss
concerts or mandatory choral events without plenty of prior notice with a
valid excuse. Being a choral student means that I want to further my
musical abilities and maximize my musicianship all while being a part of a
positive and encouraging learning environment.
Student Signature: _______________________________________

Parent:
I have read and discussed the choral handbook with my student. I have also
discussed the dates of required concerts and events and found no conflict. I
will help my son/ daughter achieve the statement above.
Parent Signature: ______________________________________
Date: _____________________________

Can You Help?

Parents and Guardians a re a crucial part of making the Choral Department go round!
We have several opportunities and needs for parent volunteers this year! If you could
volunteer your time for an of the following it would be greatly appreciated! Our
wonderful parents are what keeps our organization running smoothly! Thank you so
much!!

____ Work a shift of the Pancake Breakfast on October 5th

____ Assist in sorting/ handing out Choir Robes and Show Choir/Madrigal dress
____ Make baked goods for the bake sale at the Holiday concert
____ Work the Bake Sale at the Holiday Concert
____Chaperone the overnight event in Indianapolis: The Choral Invitational Feb. 16-17
____ Check bags for proper attire before choral Invitational Event.
____ Make baked goods for the Spring Bake Sale at the Final Concert
____Work the Bake Sale at the Final Concert
____ Help distribute Butter Braids when the orders come in for the Fundraiser
____ Other

Please return this sheet by September 1st to the choral secretary.