Rehearsal Skills and Participation 

• Success in choir depends on active participation and consistent rehearsal habits. Students will earn up to 5 points per class. Students are expected to demonstrate the following skills during every rehearsal: 

• Remain On Task and Fully Engaged 
  Students are expected to actively participate in all rehearsal activities, follow directions promptly, listen attentively, and contribute positively to the learning environment. 

• Maintain Proper Singing Posture 
  Students should sit or stand with appropriate alignment to support healthy breathing, vocal technique, and ensemble performance while we’re rehearsing. 

• Be Prepared with Required Materials 
  Students are expected to have their music, pencil, folder, and other necessary materials ready at the beginning of each rehearsal. 

• Mark Music Accurately 
  Students are responsible for musical markings and teacher instructions in their music. 

• Students will have 2 absences and 1 tardy per semester that will not count against them. Beyond the allowable absences (2) and tardy (1), make-up work for missed classes will only be given for emergency situations (i.e.: funeral, illness, hospitalization or other significant emergencies. Family vacation, lunch date with parent, etc. will count as the two (2) allowable absences but will NOT count as emergency situations). After 6 absences, regardless of reason for absence, special determinations may need to be made since participation, attendance, and performances could be adversely affected by missing so many classes. 

• Students may only use electronic devices with permission of the teacher. If a cell phone is used without permission, the student will take it to the office. Please review the school cell phone policy. If another electronic device is used, without permission, the student will leave it on the teacher's desk until the end of class. 

• Students are encouraged to bring a water bottle to class. Other food or drink, including gum, is not allowed in class or rehearsal spaces. Students may leave food on the shelf at the sink to pick up after class. Students who do not leave it on the shelf will lose up to 2 points. 

• Students are expected to follow student handbook behavior and dress guidelines.  

• Students are part of a team, which requires trust and vulnerability. For the students to succeed, members are expected to be honest, respectful, and kind to everyone, both in and out of class. Any behavior that pulls away from the team (bullying, lack of participation, poor effort, etc.) can result in points deducted in participation or the role/responsibility given to another student. 

• In addition to losing participation points for not following directions, behaviors will be logged on edHub and administration will follow through with discipline. 

Performances & Concert Attire  

• Students need to attend scheduled performances. Each student will arrive by the designated call time, in proper concert attire, with proper hygiene and grooming, focused and ready to work. Students who arrive after call time, or who arrive at call time without meeting the other expectations will lose points for performance. Any conflict with a performance must be communicated with the teacher via email before the event to receive any make-up work.  

• Make-up work will be given on a case-by-case basis. Students can earn up to 90% depending on the circumstances. The ensemble relies on everyone attending.  

• Concert attire will be concert black. Black shirts, pants, dress, skirts, dress shoes, black socks or nylons/tights. Students who would like to order clothing through the catalog I use for Honor Choir can do so before September 9th. Shirts - $21, Pants - $25, Skirt - $30-45 (depending on style), Blouse - $20-45. You can check styles and sizes here: Concert, Show Choir & Band Attire | SE Performance Apparel 

• Students should maintain proper hygiene for concerts. Please don’t come sweaty after sports practice. Please be clean and use deodorant. Body sprays and perfumes should not be used. They can irritate those with allergies or respiratory problems making it difficult for them to perform. 

Evaluations, Music Theory & Assessments 

• Students will do written evaluations of performances they participate in or others they may attend.  

• The students will do music theory lessons and assessments throughout the semester. These will be on canvas and musictheory.net 

• Students will be assessed on music terms and theory at the end of each semester. 

• Students will perform their music memorized and will be asked to have periodic memorization tests in preparation for each performance. Students who fail to meet these memorization tests may be asked to sit out of the performance of that piece. Students are still expected to attend the performance in its entirety, regardless of whether they will perform every piece. These will be submitted on canvas, performed for the teacher, or performed in small groups for the class.  

• Sight Reading Factory will be used again this year. Students will practice and be tested on their ability to sight-read music alone and with a group. Students will be expected to demonstrate proper vocal technique, pitch, rhythm, and solfege accuracy. 

 
Band App 
 

• Please add yourself to this class: https://band.us/n/a9afbaI1P0M6J 

• This will be used for announcements and for parents/students to message me via my cell phone.  

• You can always use my email but please do not use my personal cell phone number. 

The National Association for Music Education has released the following statement regarding music with a sacred text. 

• “It is the position of the National Association for Music Education that the study and performance of religious music within an educational context is a vital and appropriate part of a comprehensive music education. The omission of sacred music from the school curriculum would result in an incomplete educational experience.”  In my class, if a student has personal beliefs that do not permit him or her to perform or rehearse a certain piece of music, notice must be given within a week of it being introduced, so an alternate assignment may be given.  If notice is not given, no alternate assignment will be given and the student will lose points for lack of participation if he/she chooses not to rehearse/perform the piece.