9
2017-2018
WBMS Choir on Fire Handbook
Mr. Miller – Director
(850)-934-4010
Victor Lowrimore – Principal
Music has the ability to touch our hearts, to calm or excite us, to involve us, to heal us, and inspire. It allows us to relax or participate, to reach out and look with in. Music teaches us teamwork. It reinforces basic skills. It is both a social and an individual activity. Music has been a part of life for all recorded time. It is a part of our history and culture.
Dear Chorus Parents and Students,
Welcome to the Woodlawn Beach Middle School Choir on Fire! You are now part of one of the finest middle school choral programs in the country. The WBMS choral department is known for quality performance, outstanding musical skill, superior behavior and citizenship.
Membership in the WBMS Choral program offers certain privileges to each performer in the organization. Along with these privileges come certain responsibilities. As in any group activity, both curricular and extra-curricular, each student must assume his/her responsibilities in order for the chorus to be successful.
In order that you may be aware of the responsibilities and expected behaviors of the WBMS Choral Department, the policies and procedures by which the department will operate for the year have been organized and detailed in this handbook. Please read it very carefully, and go over the policies, especially our attendance policy for extra-curricular events, as a family. Furthermore, please see the addendum on the Madrigal Dinner on pg. 5. Once you have read the handbook, please fill out the contract located on pg. 8 and return by Monday the 21st, as well as the Uniform agreement (pg. 9) by August 30th. Please also note the calendar of events on the last pages of this handout, as it contains many key events (some mandatory!) for you to be aware of.
If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact me. Email is probably the quickest way to get in touch with me. Looking forward to an absolutely fantastic year!
With best wishes,
Paul Miller
Chorus Director
Woodlawn Beach Middle School
934-4010 ext. 202
GRADING POLICY
Grades will be based on knowledge of concepts, demonstration of skills and participation in
chorus activities, including required performances and rehearsals. Because the chorus is a
performing organization and a class, it is essential that every student and parent
understand that attendance and participation in required performance and
rehearsals are a significant part of their grade. The choir is a team, and just like a
quarterback is expected to be at all games, the chorister is expected to be at all
performances, lest the ensemble suffer without them. Excused absences are determined
using the same criteria as a school absence. Unexcused absences for rehearsals are
recorded as a zero.
· PARTICIPATION - 50% singing folder checks, pencil check, participation in daily rehearsals and activities.
· QUIZZES/AFTER SCHOOL REHEARSALS - 15% These are written quizzes based on music theory in which the students are given notes and instruction in class.
· PERFORMANCES – 25% There are three required performances; the Spring and Winter concerts and District Performance Assessment. These are counted as tests. (Keep in mind that the rehearsal directly preceding the performance is also mandatory and will be graded accordingly).
· MUSIC THEORY – 10% This includes work in theory binders, tests, worksheets and composition projects
CONFLICT RESOLUTION
Being aware that in the event conflicts occur in the scheduling of practices, rehearsals, games, performances and field trips the following guidelines will be used:
1) The Spring, Winter Concert, and District Music Performance Assessment are the only required performances for all students. Both Advanced choirs, Showchoir, and occasionally Intermediate may have additional mandatory performances. Dress and final rehearsals are also mandatory.
2) A performance or a game takes precedent over a practice or rehearsal, but does not mean that these practices aren’t crucial to the success of the ensemble. In short, try your best to be at all extracurricular practices.
3) The student is responsible for notifying Mr. Miller of any conflict no less than 2 weeks in advance unless special circumstances arise. A vacation is not considered special circumstance.
DISCIPLINE POLICY
The behavioral journal is used for disciplinary behavior. There are four steps in the journal.
1) Warning.
2) Consequence with parent signature.
3) Parent contact.
4) Disciplinary referral. At this point, a conference will be scheduled at this point and a contract will be made regarding acceptable behavior in the chorus program.
**IN THE EVENT OF A FIELD TRIP OR EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITY, STUDENTS MUST MAINTAIN SUFFICIENT GRADES IN CORE CLASSES (no lower than a C) AND AVOID EXCESSIVE DISCIPLINARY PROBLEMS IN ORDER TO ATTEND.
CHORUS SUPPLY LIST
UNIFORMS
Girls- Long black dress purchased or rented through Chorus Department $59 or $25
Boys- Black dress pants and white tux shirt rented through the Chorus Department $25
No student will be denied participation in chorus should the cost of a uniform present a financial hardship for you. If this is the case, please contact Mr. Miller. All information will be kept confidential.
PERFORMANCE GROOMING
· Hair - All hair must be away from face
· Jewelry- No jewelry should be worn on girls or boys during a chorus performance. Small stud earrings will be allowed for those students with pierced ears.
· Shoes- Only closed toed, flat, black dress shoes are acceptable. Please contact Mr. Miller for rental options.
CHORUS T-SHIRTS $15
This is a required part of our uniform for Intermediate and Advanced chorus. It is optional for all other classes.
CLASSROOM SUPPLIES
· 3 RING BINDER
· PENCIL
· WATER BOTTLE (optional)
· $15.00 Lab Fee (covers portion of cost of sheet music, buses, field trip fees, etc. etc.)
FUNDRAISING
The WBMS Choir on Fire has grown quickly over the past thirteen years and our cost to
run the program has grown as well. Fundraising is essential to help keep our costs low.
These fundraisers pay for rental uniforms, bus transportation, competition fees, extra
music, chorus materials and much more. Your participation and the success of our
fundraisers keep the cost of chorus very low.
We offer two fall fundraisers:
1. Soliciting friends, family and businesses for sponsorships and ads in our WBMS Choir on Fire Program Book (overview letter and form located at back of the handbook)
2. Selling of Classic Cookie dough (yum!)
Our three spring fundraisers are:
1. Valentine Grams (sold in the school)
2. Annual WBMS Talent Show. We only ask parents to help chaperone and
bring items to use for door prizes during the talent show.
3. Yankee Candle Fundraiser
All profit raised by Disney students goes directly to their Disney balance.
EXTRA MUSICAL OPPORTUNITIES
· These performances and events are extra opportunities for select chorus members (extra expenses are required for some of these activities).
· ♫ All-County (6-8 grade audition) ($5.00 audition fee)
· ♫ All-State (8 grade by audition only)
· ♫ Disney chorus trip (Advanced and Intermediate chorus members only.
These students must have no ISS, OSS, bus suspension, or two referrals in one semester. No D’s or F’s are allowed.
· ♫ Student Councils
· ♫ Outreach Concerts:
These performances are for the community and any student in
Intermediate or Advanced may participate.
· ♫ Madrigal:
Advanced performs, with roles available for Intermediate Students. Renaissance Dinner as a fundraiser for the fine arts department.
MADRIGAL DINNER
This year the WBMS Chorus and Band will present a school-wide Madrigal Dinner to fundraise for the Fine Arts Department. These Dinners have been extremely well received by the community and allow the students an opportunity to closely study the history of the Renaissance era, including spoken dialect, musical style, performance practice, and even clothing styles. During this event, the cafeteria will be transformed into a Renaissance era castle dining hall where patrons will be provided with food, era-style service, and entertainment.
All Advanced Chorus members are required to attend both nights of performance and rehearsals. Members of Intermediate who are selected to act and serve are also required to attend. Intermediate students will be selected based on theory grades, academic grades, and behavior, school-wide. In the event that selected students decline, we will open the floor to volunteers and 6th graders.
All Advanced students involved in the production will need an era-appropriate costume. Woodlawn Choir has near 70 costumes to rent, and many avenues to purchase your own. Our rental fee is $15.00 and costumes are rented first come first serve. A letter will be sent out closer to costume fittings with more information. This fee covers laundering of the costumes, seamstress charges, as well as offsetting the cost of any costumes that must be made.
Please also keep in mind that all students taking part in Madrigal will be subject to some extra after school rehearsals to ensure the production runs smoothly (truly, the Madrigal Dinner is less a Dinner and more a musical in terms of the amount of preparation it entails). Furthermore, as Advanced is split into two groups this year for management and rehearsal purposes, there may be some additional after school rehearsals that are necessary. I will get these dates out to you in plenty of time. Please know that the sooner you let me know of any conflicts, the more flexible I am.
We thank you in advance for your support of this fundraiser. It is known county-wide as a huge success, and is frequently visited by multiple members of the Santa Rosa School Board. I’m greatly looking forward to embarking on this journey with the students and to presenting it to you, the parents, in December!
CHORUS HANDBOOK CONTRACT
Students are required to submit this sheet to Mr. Miller by Monday, 22nd
By checking each item and signing this form, you agree that you:
____ have read the Chorus Handbook and understand the information it contains.
____ have examined the calendar of events for conflicts.
____ understand that an unexcused absence from an after-school performance or rehearsal will earn zero points.
Student’s Name (print please): ____________________________
Parent’s Name (sign please):______________________________
I give permission for my child’s picture to appear in the newspaper:
yes___ no____
I give permission for my child’s picture to appear on the school website:
yes___ no___
CONTACT AND FIELD TRIP EMERGENCY INFORMATION
Group: Woodlawn Beach Middle School Chorus
Teacher: Paul Miller
Student: _______________________________
Home Phone: _______________
Cell Phones: ________________
Student Address: _______________________________________________________
Parent e-mail Address: ______________________
(we have an e-mail newsletter with chorus news & reminders)
Parent/Guardian: ______________________________
Daytime Phone: _______________
Evening Phone: _______________
Other Parent/Guardian: _______________________________
Daytime Phone: ______________
Evening Phone: ______________
Emergency Phone number for parent/guardian if other than above:
_______________________
Comments regarding special health problems or severe allergies of student:
ALL CHORUS STUDENTS MUST HAVE A PERFORMANCE UNIFORM
BOYS: All boys have a $25 rental fee. Boys are only allowed to rent because they often change uniform sizes during the same school year. If you have been chosen to sing with the advanced girls then, a chorus t-shirt must be purchased for performances in the community.
GIRLS: Girls have the option to rent or buy. Returning girls and new girls in the 8th grade are given the opportunity first to try on rentals for two reasons: because they either rented last year and/or also it is their first and last chance to be in chorus.
T-SHIRTS ARE OPTIONAL FOR EVERYONE EXCEPT FOR THE ADVANCED AND INTERMEDIATE GROUPS: $15 (these two groups do outreach concerts in the community and the chorus t-shirt is the uniform used for those performances)
PLEASE FILL OUT THE ORDER FORM BELOW AND ATTACH CASH OR CHECK (CHECKS MADE PAYABLE TO WBMS CHORUS).
T-shirt and new uniform orders must be turned no later than TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 16th. If more time is needed or there is a financial issue please send a note to Mr. Miller on the September 16th deadline.
NAME: _________________________________________________
I OWN MY DRESS _______
GIRLS RENTALS: $25. PLEASE CHECK IF RENTING _______
GIRLS BUY: $59. PLEASE CHECK IF BUYING _______
BOYS RENTAL: $25. PLEASE CHECK IF RENTING_________
T-SHIRTS: $15. PLEASE CHECK IF BUYING A T-SHIRT__________
T-SHIRT SIZE_________
(adult sizes only S,M,L,XL)
2017-2018 Chorus Calendar of Events
9
August
Monday, 14th 1st Day of School.
Friday, 18th First Council Meeting.
Friday, 25th Parent chorus meeting. 6:00-6:45pm @ WBMS Cafeteria. Students called @ 5:45.
Monday, 28th Chorus Welcome Workshop for new students. 1:30-3:30pm @ WBMS Cafeteria.
September
Tuesday, 5th 6th Grade Open House. 6:30pm
Thursday, 7th All County Honor Choir vocal auditions. 4:00 @ WBMS. Required for Advanced.
Tuesday, 19th All-State Written Exam. 3:30pm @ Milton HS.
Thursday, 21st All-County rehearsal. 3:30-5:30 @ Avalon MS.
Saturday, 23rd All-State Sightreading Exam. 8am-2pm @ Crestview HS.
Tuesday, 26th Cookie Dough fundraiser begins. Orders accepted Oct. 11th. Last day to turn in: Oct. 13th
Thursday, 28th All-County rehearsal. 3:30-5:30 @ Avalon MS
October
TBA, Auditions for Disney Singers (applicable to Intermediate Women and 7th & 8th grade Men.
Monday, 2nd All-County Honor choir rehearsal. 3:30-5: 30 @ Avalon MS.
Tuesday, 3rd All-County Honor Choir Concert. 7:00pm @ Pine Terrace Church, Milton.
Saturday 7th PCC District 1 Men’s Day.
Tuesday, 10th Military Appreciation Concert (Advanced). Lunch @ WBMS Cafeteria
Tuesday, 17th All State Vocal Auditions – 5 PM @ Navarre High School.
Thursday, 19th Chorus Group Pictures -1:45-2:15 @ Cafeteria. Chaperones needed.
November
Thursday, 9th Veteran’s Day Concert with WNIS (Advanced only, choir T-shirt and Jeans). 8:15 @ W. Navarre Intermediate.
Tuesday, 14th Veteran’s Day Concert with WNIS (Advanced only, formal uniform) – 6:30 PM @ W. Navarre Intermediate.
Thursday, 16th Mandatory rehearsal – 1:30-3:30 PM @ WBMS Cafeteria. Chaperones needed.
Wednesday 29th Dress Rehearsal for Winter Concert – 1:30-4:30 PM @ St. Sylvester Parish Center. Bus transportation to the church only. Student pick-up.
Thursday, 30th Winter Concert @ St. Sylvester Parish Center – 6:30 PM curtain. Students to arrive at 5:30 for mandatory warm-up.
December
Friday, 15th, Saturday, 16th Madrigal Dinner. 6:30 @ WMBS Cafeteria. Ticketed.
January
Wednesday, 10th-14th FMEA Conference.
February
Monday 5th-13th Valentine’s Grams @ Cafeteria.
Tuesday, 27th District MPA Combined Men’s Chorus rehearsal – 1:30-3 @ WBMS Chorus Room.
Thursday, 29th District MPA Advanced Chorus rehearsal (both classes) – 1:30-3 @ WBMS Chorus Room.