Coconino High School Choir Handbook 2017-2018

Coconino High School Choir Handbook

2017-2018

“Music is the movement of sound to reach the soul for the education of its
virtue.”

-Plato

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Coconino High School Choir Handbook 2017-2018

Welcome to the premier choir program of Coconino High school!

Within this handbook you’ll be able to find everything you need to
know about the upcoming academic year. From requirements to
grading policy all information will be at your finger tips. It is
required that every student and their legal parent or guardian
thoroughly read this handbook and return the acknowledgment
form located on the last page.

Course Description

This course is designed to promote academic achievement through creating and

performing music. Students who are enrolled in the class will actively participate
in ensemble and solo performance. They will learn basic fundamentals like
reading and notating music, dynamics, balance, and intonation. Many
opportunities to performance will be given to each students enrolled such as
concerts and festivals. The goal for each student in this class is to have fun and
experience making music surrounded by new friends and colleagues.

Expectations

Each student has the right to learn without distraction in the classroom. It is
expected that each student enrolled in this course will observe this and
understand that no one have the right to violate a person’s right to learn.
Violations to the academic code and expectations will not be tolerated.

Each students assumes the responsibility for their own education. This includes
participating in the choir within in the classroom and outside of it as well. Such as
practices and being able to attend festival trips etc. Each rehearsal has an
expectation of creating the best music each time while helping and guiding your
peers as well. Considering these expectation it is important to know that you
outside practice time will affect your overall grade as well. See grading policy on
page 3.

Classroom Rules/Procedures

1) Constantly create beautiful music with each opportunity

2) Respect your peers, yourself, and your teacher. This includes equipment
such as chair, stands, and personal belongings.
3) No food or drinks in the classroom, only H2O!

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4) Arrive to class on time and do not bring non-related music items to rehearsal.
All phones are turned off or stored in school locker.
5) No talking during rehearsal unless instructed otherwise by instructor
6) Use the restroom before coming to class as not to disrupt and take away
rehearsal time.
7) Each student is responsible for their own music folders. The instructor will
provide the music. Each student is responsible for taking care and return the
music provide as it was given at the beginning of each concert cycle. These
folders should be back and can be found at any local office store. The
replacement fee for each missing or damaged piece is 7.00 dollars.

Required Materials

1) Standard black three ring folder (found at local office store)

2) One pencil, or how many needed if you lose pencils often.
3) Provided music. If music is forgotten one day please see teacher for further
instructions.
4) Beautiful voices
* If any student is unable to afford the folder please see teacher for further
instruction.

Attendance and Grading Policy

Students will receive three attendance points for each class period. Tardiness will
result in one point docked, three tardies equal one absent. A student who has an
unexcused absent will receive zero points for the day. An excused absent will
result in full points, up to six excused absent will result in one absent. 


For each class period students have the opportunity to earn three participation
points. If a student is absent, excused or unexcused, the student will not earn
participation points. To earn these points a students must be on time and
completely involved in rehearsal each day, meaning singing and participating in
the warm up and classroom activities for that class period. 


Students will be required to hand in a practice log at the beginning of every class
period on Monday morning. The practice log template will be provided in this
handbook. It is mandatory for each student to have at least two hours of practice
every week. This can include private lesson time as well as outside music. It is
encouraged that each student does spend time on their class music as well. 


We will have a total of three full ensemble performances each semester and two
small ensemble performances. The director will form one quartet and one quintet.
Auditions will take place for these smaller ensembles at the beginning of each

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semester. The grade for performances is based on how well one knows their
part, tone quality, and overall improvement since prior performances or
rehearsals. Being absent for a performance will lower the student’s grade. If a
student can absolutely not attend a performance then another assignment will be
discussed and assigned for credit. Students will also have occasional written
assignments and quizzes throughout the entire school year.

*In addition to part of the first quiz, 10 points of this quiz is dependent on the
return of the acknowledgment form and signature by both parent and student. 


Grades will be based on the following areas in all ensembles:

Daily participation and Attendance: 50%
Practice logs, Written Assignments and Quizzes: 15%
Performances: 35%

93 - 100 A 73-76 C 

90-92 A- 70-72 C-

87-89 B+ 67-69 D+

83-86 B 63-66 D

80-82 B- 60-62 D-

77-79 C+ 59 and below
*Below is a cut out copy of the practice logs that will be turned in at the
beginning of each week.

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Coconino High School Choir Handbook 2017-2018

----------------------------------------------------------------


PRACTICE LOG

WEEK OF:______________
NAME:_________________
CLASS PERIOD:_________

SCLAES/WARM UPS: GOALS:

ETUDES/EXERCISES: GOALS:

REPERTOIRE: GOALS:

OTHER: GOALS:

NOTES: TOTAL TIME:____________

Questions:

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Coconino High School Choir Handbook 2017-2018

Travel

Throughout the year each music group, including band and orchestra, will have
the opportunity to travel to festivals and regional/ all-sate auditions. Travel
expectations are very similar to class expectations, but each students must be in
good academic standing in each other their classes to be able to travel. This will
be discussed with the administration for each student and a sign off form will be
provided to each core teacher to give permission for each student to be absent
from class on travel days.

Concert Attire

Men: Top: Black, long sleeve, button down shirt, tie

Bottom: Black dress pants

Black socks
Black shoes
Women: Top: Black blouse
(quarter length sleeve, no shoulders showing)

Bottom: Black dress pants or long floor length skirt

Black socks or black stockings
Black shoes (closed toe and heel)

* Please keep jewelry to a minimum as it is distracting when reflected off the

stage lights. Please do not wear heavy perfume as it can cause allergies and
also be distracting

Calendar for the 2017-2018 Academic Year

August 18th - First day of School!

September 21st - Beginning/ Intermediate Choir Concert

September 22nd - Advanced Groups Choir Concert

September 30th - Start of new music cycle

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Coconino High School Choir Handbook 2017-2018

October 9th - Columbus day No School!

October 13th - Pep rally! Advanced Mixed Choir sings national anthem!

November 3rd - Beginning / Intermediate Choir Concert

November 9th - Advanced Choir groups Concert

November 13th - Winter Concert cycle music

November 10th - Veterans day No School!

November 22-24 - Thanksgiving Break No School!

December 14th - Beginning/ Intermediate Choir Concert

December 15th - Advanced Groups Choir Concert

December 18- Jan 8th - Winter Break No School!

January 8th - New Music cycle

January 26th - Regional auditions! Solo and Ensemble!

February 9th - Beginning/ Intermediate Choir Concert

February 10th - Advanced groups Choir Concert

February 12-14th - AMEA regional choir festival TRAVEL!

-choir groups will be chosen in January

February 15th - New Music Cycle

February 19th - Regionals! TRAVEL!

March 15th - Beginning/ Intermediate Choir Concert

March 16h - Advanced Groups Choir Concert

March 19-23 Spring Break no School!

March 26th - New Music cycle

March 27th - ALL STATE AUDITIONS TRAVEL!

April 10-12th - ALL STATE!

May 30th - Beginning/ Intermediate Choir Concert

May 31st- Advanced Choir groups Concert

June 7th - CHOIR BANQUET 6pm main cafeteria!

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Coconino High School Choir Handbook 2017-2018

Available Choirs to Join!

Coconino high school offers many opportunities to join and sing in a choir! The
choirs available are:

Beginning mixed choir: Open to all students, freshman-senior

Intermediate mixed choir: Open to sophomores-seniors
Advanced women and men’s choir: Open to Juniors and Seniors
Advanced women’s choir: open to Junior and Senior women
Advanced men’s choir: Open to Junior and Senior men

Festivals and Auditions

All choir students, freshman-seniors, have the opportunity to audition for regional
choir. The teacher will provide the students with the audition material and if
outside help is needed each student is welcome to set up a time with the teacher
for some individual work. The intermediate through advanced men’s choir
ensembles will travel and participate in regional and state festivals. One to two of
these choirs will be picked each year depending on their progress.

Basic Vocal Health Tips

It is important for each student’s voice to stay healthy throughout the year. Each
choir will have the opportunity to learn and participate in an in class activity that
will help them better understand keeping their voice healthy and their body
healthy as well. If any student or parent has concerns do not hesitate to contact
the teacher to discuss steps that need to be taking.

________________________________________________________________

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Coconino High School Choir Handbook 2017-2018

Dear Parent or Guardian:

Thank you for the opportunity to teach and create music with your student. I look
forward to working with all ensembles and discovering new and exciting things
about it and how to perform it! This will be a very awarding year for you son ro
daughter and for the school as well.

Please take sometime to read through the Coconino HS choir handbook. It has
important information regarding expectations, grading policies, and events. After
reading the handbook please indicate that you and your child have done so by
both signing below.

If you have any question at any time please do not hesitate to contact me.

Sincerely,

Sophia Rechel
Director of Coconino HS choir activities
sophiarechel@gmail.com

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

Name of student:___________________________________________________

Name of Parent/Guardian:____________________________________________

We have read and the Choir handbook and acknowledge and understand all the
information provided.

______________________________________________________
Signature of Parent/Guardian Date

______________________________________________________
Signature of Student Date