Prairieview

High School

Choral Handbook

2015-2016 School Year

Joined as one, we get the job done.


Goals of Our Choral Program

Welcome to the Prairieview Choral Program!

The purposes of the Prairieview choral program are to:

Develop lifelong learners
Strengthen students aural skills through the use of
handsign solfege
Provide multiple opportunities for sight-reading in both
unison and four part music
Develop each students individual vocal technique
Create singers who can sing in tune and can hear when
they are singing out of tune
Teach the artistry of music making, including dynamics,
phrasing, articulation, and the affect of music making
Explain proper breathing techniques for singing
Provide education on singers health
Foster productive discussions in which students can
gather their thoughts and communicate them clearly to
their peers
Create independent musicians
Foster a safe, accepting, and positive environment for
each and every student
Create critical thinkers able to analyze poetry, text, music,
and think beyond a surface level
Provide a comprehensive curriculum that teaches aspects
of all content areas

Rehearsal Room Procedures and Expectations

By following these procedures everyday, our classroom will be
able to operate smoothly and productively.

Students are expected to show up to class on time, take
their folder from the cabinet, ensure they have a pencil, and
be in their seats when the bell rings.
Food and drink will stay outside of the choral classroom,
however water in a water bottle is okay and encouraged.
Practice rooms are available for students use. When a
student wishes to use one during a study hall, they must see
me and I will write them a pass.
Students will always be respectful to their classmates and
support them in their music endeavors. Joined as one, we
get the job done.
Students will come into rehearsal focused and willing to
work at a high level to the best of their ability. There is a
real magic in enthusiasm. It spells the difference between
mediocrity and accomplishment. Norman Vincent Peale

Performance Policies

Attendance at all performances is required by all members of the
choral program. This attendance constitutes 30% of the students
grade. If the student is absent from a concert, they will forfeit all
the points for that concert.

In the case of a death in the family or extreme illness, students
will be allowed to make up the forfeited points. To do so, they
will ask five other members of the choir to come act as their
audience at a time outside of choir, and they will individually
sing the concert program alongside the recording from the
performance.

Assessment and Grading Policies

Students grades will be determined on a percentage-based system:

Daily Work 30%
Concerts 30%
Lessons 20%
Assignments 10%
Testing (Any assessments/voice checks) 10%

Daily work may consist of anything from quick writes and exit slips
to participation and attitude in each rehearsal.

Students are expected to attend at least two individual or group
lessons with me each semester. At the beginning of each year, we
will create a master schedule of lessons based on each students
class schedules.

Concert Attire/Travel Attire

Concert attire for women consists of a robe provided by the school,

black opaque tights, and black closed toed shoes. Hair should be
pulled out of the face, and no jewelry should be worn. Underneath
the robe, women should wear a dress, a skirt, or dress pants that
can easily be rolled up and secured.

Concert attire for men consists of a robe provided by the school,
black dress pants, black socks, and black dress shoes. Hair should
be pulled out of the face.

Travel attire to and from contests and performances should be
professional. We want to represent our choral program well. For
men, this means black dress pants and a button up shirt or polo.
For women, this means dresses, skirts, or dress pants with a dressy
shirt.

Choral Ensembles


Freshmen Womens Ensemble
This ensemble consists of solely freshmen women to give them as much
individual attention as possible to develop their voices at this critical
age before they move into the mixed chorus or singers.

Freshmen Mens Ensemble

Like the Freshmen Womens Ensemble, this ensemble consists of solely

freshmen men to give them as much individual attention as possible to
help them work through any voice changes at this critical time.

Mixed Chorus

This ensemble consists of both men and women who are sophomores,
juniors, and seniors.

Prairieview Singers

This is our most select group, consisting of approximately 30 men and

women singers. They sing at every concert, as well as perform the
madrigal dinners each December.

Spring Musical

During the spring semester, students have the opportunity to audition

for and participate in a musical, which will open at the end of April.
Auditions will take place in early December, and rehearsals will begin
once school begins in January from 6-9 pm on Mondays and Thursdays.

Contest/Festival Opportunities and Yearlong

Calendar of Events

August 1: Wartburg All-State Camp
August 8: ISU All-State Camp
**September 14, 6-10 pm: Prarieview Singers retreat
October 18: All State Auditions
*October 21, 7:30 pm: Fall Choral Concert
December 2, 5-7 pm: Spring Musical auditions
*December 6, 7:30 pm: Winter Choral Concert
**December 10, 11, 13, 6-9 pm: Night Madrigal Dinner rehearsals
**December 15-16, 6:00: Madrigal Dinners
January 6: Spring Musical rehearsals begin
*February 12, 7:30 pm: Pops Concert
March 19: Small Group Contest
April 18-19, 7:30 pm, April 20, 2:00 pm: Spring Musical
*May 9: Spring Choral Concert
*May 12: Large Group Contest

* required for all choral participants
** required for Prarieview Singers members

Fundraising Opportunities

Butterbraids: In the middle of September, students will receive order
forms to begin selling Butterbraids. The money raised through this
fundraiser will help the student save up money for the trip to New
York we take every four years. The order forms will be due at the
beginning of October, and the orders will be in before Thanksgiving
for the student to deliver.

Concession stands: The programs in the school are on a rotation for
working in the concession stands at athletic events. There will be
multiple opportunities for students to volunteer to work in these in
order to fundraise for the choral department and earn money for
their individual accounts toward the New York trip.

Choral Music Awards

By participating in activities throughout the year, students may
earn points toward receiving a letter in choir, as well as
chevrons to place on that letter. It takes 500 points to letter in
choir, then for each additional 250 points, the student will
receive a chevron. At the end of the year, the student will
receive a form to fill out with the exact breakdown of point
values for each activity, but these activities include:
Auditioning for All-State
Making All-State
Participating in the Spring Musical
Being a Lead in the Spring Musical
Singing a solo at Small Group Contest
Singing a duet at Small Group Contest
Singing in a group at Small Group Contest
Being a section leader
Being a choir officer
Singing at church
Singing at a wedding
Singing a solo at a contest
Choreographing a piece for the pops concert
Attending other musical concerts in town
Assisting with robes
Assisting with attendance
Singing in the madrigal dinners
Attending All-State camps

Etc Each activity will have its own point value, depending on
how much work and effort are required for each one. For
example, auditioning for All-State would be worth more points
than assisting with the robes.

Student/Guardian Signature

Student:

I, _____________________________ insure that I have read through this
handbook in its entirety and understand the expectations and
procedures involved for me in the Prairieview choral program.


Parent/Guardian:

I, _____________________________ insure that I have read through this
handbook in its entirety and understand the expectations and
procedures involved for my student in the Prairieview choral
program.


Parent/Guardian:
Please check any of these statements if you would be willing to
volunteer your time with our choral program in any of these
areas. We rely on the help of wonderful guardians and so
appreciate any offer to help!

____ I could help with Butterbraid pick-up and delivery day.
____ I could help with robe fitting and management.
____ I could help supervise the concession stand fundraising.
____ I could help chaperone on the bus to large group/small
group contests.
____ I would like to get involved with a booster club for the
choral department or music department.