Director of Choirs
Thurgood Marshall Middle School
858.549.5523
Course Syllabus 2016 - 2017
Courses: Beginning Choir; Intermediate and Advanced Choir; Chamber Singers
Director: Dr. Lukas Schulze
Vocalmusic students will learn performance technique, rehearsal and performance etiquette, and musical theory, vocabulary, and concepts. Marshall students will be presented with musical literature that is an appropriate challenge, as well as representative of different cultures, styles, and periods of music that is appropriate for their level of ability.
Recommended (but not required) Supplies:
- Music paper (these can be printed out online at blanksheetmusic.net
- A folder/3 ring binder or other way to keep your supplies together. We will be taking notes on notebook paper and music paper, as well as collecting our performance scores, so student need a way to keep all of their materials together.
The Notebook and its upkeep are a part of your grade in this course!
Performance Attire (for all ensembles in any and all performance situations):
Girls will be issued choir dresses. These will be given to the students in a clean state, and they need to be returned to Marshall at the end of the year in a clean state. They must be dry-cleaned and returned in a dry-cleaning bag. Girls will also be issued character shoes.
Boys will be issued ties. Boys need to get black pants and a black long-sleeve dress shirt and dress shoes for performances.
Citizenship Grading
Classroom Guidelines:
- R-E-S-P-E-C-T
- Respect Mr. Schulze and all staff members
- Respect your classmates (and their instruments)
- Respect your creative environment (classroom and materials)
- Respect yourself; put forth a good effort everyday
- Ask for, or provide, help when needed
- Ask for help when you need it rather than pretending that you don’t
- Offer help to others if you think they might need it
- “Help others achieve their dreams and you will achieve yours.”- Les Brown
- Appropriate behavior and language
- Participate and follow instructions
- Avoid negative commentary
- Control noises/distractions
- Avoid cursing/swearing
- Food and drink
- No food or drink in the classroom.
- Gum is unacceptable at all times
- Food trash is unacceptable at all times
- Water is allowed at all times
Marshall Middle School Citizenship Policy: As of the 2014 – 2015 school year, the teachers and administration of Marshall Middle School have agreed on a school-wide citizenship grading policy. To understand our grading process for citizenship, you need to know that the baseline citizenship grade for all students is Satisfactory (S). Students need to exhibit certain positive or negative behaviors to deviate from this baseline.
A student who is at the baseline of citizenship (Satisfactory) exhibits behaviors such as being generally respectful, cooperating in class, exhibiting average behavior, using time appropriately when prompted, being engaged most of the time, usually being prepared, occasionally being redirected or coaxed, and having average attendance.
A student who earns a citizenship grade of Excellent (E) exhibits qualities such as always being respectful to adults and fellow students, being dependable, showing leadership, always being positive, following all classroom/school rules, using time wisely and encouraging others to do so, participating actively in all class work, always being prepared, being self-disciplined, assisting others, and having excellent attendance.
A student who earns a citizenship grade of Good (G) exhibits a mix of qualities between the baseline (Satisfactory) and Excellent. A student who earns a citizenship grade of Needs Improvement (N) is failing to exhibit some of the baseline (Satisfactory) qualities. A student who earns a citizenship grade of Unacceptable (U) exhibits little to none of the baseline (Satisfactory) qualities.
Additional information on the school-wide citizenship policy can be found in the form of the rubric on the citizenship policy that was included in the “First Week Packet.” If you need another copy, this rubric can be obtained from the main office, or is viewable in most classrooms on campus.
Academic Grading
Grading: Attendance and participation during class rehearsal time is of the utmost importance and will make up the majority of your grade. Being prepared for daily rehearsals is a part of the attendance and participation grade (practicing your music outside of class time, etc.). There will also be class work, homework (practicing), projects (possibly), and assessments (quizzes and tests) that make up a part of your grade. These assessments will vary between musical performance tests and written music theory tests. Students do not receive points or grade for performances, however, performances are absolutelymandatory. Missing a performance will lower your grade by a minimum of one letter grade from the semester grade unless otherwise excused or cleared in advance. Make-up projects for missed performances will be assigned on a case-by-case basis depending on the circumstances.
Grading Scale:
A = 90% - 100%
B = 80% - 89%
C = 70% - 79%
D = 60% - 69%
Your grade is made up of:
In-class rehearsal and participation 60%
Practice Logs 10%
In-class spot-checks 10%
Notebook 10%
Quizzes 10%
Homework/Practicing: The expectation is that each student practice their class-related music outside of school. All students are required to verify their personal practice time by turning in weekly practice records with parent signature(s)ininkat the beginning of class every Monday. Students absent from school on practice record turn-in days must turn their practice record in on the day they return to school.
Online Grade Access:Online gradebook will be accessible through PowerSchool Parent and Student portals.
Performance Assessments: Performance assessments (a.k.a. “spot-checks”) will occur several times per quarter, and will be performed in class during regular class hours.
- Performances: As these classes fall into the category of the performing arts, attendance and participation in performances and dress rehearsals outside of school hours will be required. No student will be required to participate in an event with less than 14 calendar days’ prior notice. All requests to miss a performance for a conflicting commitment must be discussed with Dr. Schulze as soon as the conflict is discovered. Please contact Dr. Schulze by phone or e-mail AS SOON AS POSSIBLE to report an absence from a performance, ESPECIALLY if the absence is an unexpected, day-of-performance absence.
- Acceptable Excuses for Missing a Performance: Serious illness, unforeseen accident or emergency, major religious observation, wedding, or death in the family. Other prearranged circumstances may excuse a student from a performance at the discretion of Dr. Schulze, but this is very rare. A make-up project will be assigned on a case-by-case basis depending on the circumstances. Always contact Dr. Schulze to inform him of any absence from a performance and the circumstances surrounding said absence.
- If a student cannot perform due to unpreparedness, inappropriate attire, inappropriate behavior, or any other reason, Dr. Schulze reserves the right to dismiss the student from the performance. The student will then incur the same one-letter-grademinimum penalty as missing the performance without an acceptable excuse.
Tentative Schedule of Performances and Events
Marshall Middle School Choir 2016 – 2017
PLEASE NOTE: All information on this page is subject to change and/or cancellation
PERFORMANCES
- Fall Solos Concert: November 3rd, 6:00 p.m. Theater
- Winter Holiday Concerts: December 14th and 15th, 6:00 p.m. Theater
- Spring Solos Concert: April 11th, 6:00 p.m. Theater
- Spring Choir Concerts: May 17th and 18th, 6:00 p.m. Theater
We will also be attending a festival competition in the Spring, the date of which has not yet been set.
Syllabus Agreement
Please complete this forminpen/ink and return to Dr. Schulze by September 9th, 2016
We have read the Marshall Middle School Instrumental Music course syllabus. We agree to all rules, regulations, and requirements for participation in the MMS Choir program for the 2016 – 2017 school year, and understand that failure to abide by these guidelines may result in lower academic and/or citizenship grades, referrals, or removal from the MMS Choir program. We hereby relinquish all interpretation of situations not covered in this syllabus to Dr. Schulze and will do our best to fulfill the requirements of the course and the expectations of the MMS Choir program
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Student nameDate
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Student signatureCell phone (optional)
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Student e-mail address (optional)
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Parent/Guardian name(s)Date
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Parent/Guardian signature(s)Home phone
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Parent/Guardian e-mail address (optional)Other phone