8/30/16

Dear 5th Grade Students and Parents,

The R.R.E. Rockin’ Rhino Choirwill have its first rehearsal on Thursday, Sept. 8, 2016, at 7:30 a.m.,in the RRE music rooms!

It is the goal of the R.R.E. music teachers to have a choir in which all students will learn singing skills, choreography, and performance etiquette. The Rockin’ Rhino Choir is a group that will proudly perform at school programs, school events, and throughout the community during the school year. Above all, it is our goal that all choir members will enjoy being a part of a performing group with high standards.

Membership in the choir is voluntary, and there will be no auditions. However, every student who joins choir is expected to participate in singing and choreography during rehearsals and performances. Before a student signsup for choir, please be sure that he/she is comfortable with performing with enthusiasm in front of an audience and has excellent behaviorduring rehearsals and performances.

No student currently enrolled at R.R.E. may join choir after the initial September enrollment.

REQUIREMENTS FOR THE ROCKIN’ RHINO CHOIR:

  1. ATTENDANCE:
  • REHEARSALS = Tuesday and Thursday morning, 7:30-8:15 a.m., in Music room 607. Drop students off in bus drive only (not front parking lot); enter the door by the Music rooms between 7:10 and 7:30 a.m. Pleasedo not drop your child off before 7:10 because no adult will be available to supervise your child before that time.
  • ABSENCES = A choir member will be allowed only 3 unexcused absences for the entire year. Please be diligent to get your child to rehearsals on time eachTuesday and Thursday morning! Members who miss rehearsal for illness or other excusedabsences will need to bring a note from parents or guardians to the choir directors or e-mail the music teachers at or .
  • TUTORING = If a choir member needs help in an academic subject, his/her teacher has the option of holding him/her out of rehearsals for before school tutorials. This is an excused absence.
  • BREAKFAST = There is not enough time for choir members to eat breakfast in the cafeteria after rehearsals, so please be sure your child eats breakfast before coming to choir.
  1. MAINTAIN GOOD BEHAVIOR:
  • Excellent student conduct is required and expected at all rehearsals and choir events!
  • If a student exhibits lack of self-control such as excessive talking, not keeping hands and feet to self, disrespect to directors or choir members, or not participating in singing, these steps will be implemented:
  • Student will receive a verbal warning from the director.
  • If the student’s behavior does not improve, he/she will be asked to sign the choir conduct book and a note will be sent home to the parents.
  • Three signatures in the choir conduct book will result in the student’s permanent removal from the RRE Choir.
  • Severe misbehavior will not be tolerated and will result in immediate removal from the rehearsal. A call will be made to parents and the student will be permanently removed from choir.
  1. CHOIR UNIFORMS:
  • ROCKIN’RHINO CHOIR SHIRT. Cost = approximately $16.00. Send no money at this time. Feel free to use an older brother or sister’s shirt if you have one. Choir shirts will be worn tucked in.
  • BLACK SLACKS OR JEANS, AND SHOES. Solidblack slacks or jeans (not faded), black shoes, and black socks or hose (no short athletic socks, please) for performances; it is up to the choir member to get these items. Sandals, boots and backless shoes will not be allowed because they are not safe to wear on the risers.
  • FIFTH GRADE T-SHIRT. Choir students will need to purchase the 5th Grade T-shirtlater in the year to be worn on our spring trip to Moody Gardens;order forms are sent home by 5th Grade room mothers later in the school year.
  1. ELIGIBILITY:
  • According to Texas state law, students must maintain a passing grade in ALL classes to perform and participate in the Rockin’ Rhino Choir, which is considered “extracurricular.”
  • Students who do not pass one or more classes for the nine week reporting period may lose eligibility to participate in choir concerts, field trips or other activities.
  1. 2015 - 2016 RRE CHOIR PERFORMANCES/EVENTS:
  • WINTER CONCERT - Thursday, Dec. 8th, 7 p.m., R.R.E. gym; wear choir uniform
  • CHOIR FIELD TRIP – TBA (a school day during December)choir performance field trip to area mall, retirement home and lunch out; wear choir uniform to school
  • R.R.E. SING-A-LONG, Friday, December 16, 2016, 8:45 a.m. in the R.R.E Gym.
  • SPRING CONCERT – MARCH 23, 2017, 9:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. in RRE gym. Wear choir uniform.
  • CHOIR PERFORMANCE AT MOODY GARDENS, GALVESTON, Saturday, March 25, 2017. Times and information to be announced later; wear 5thGrade T-shirt and khaki shorts(purchase information about 5th grade shirts to be given later by PTA moms); travel by chartered buses to Galveston.
  • If other concert opportunities arise during the school year, we will inform you.

It is our goal to keep you well informed about choir events! Please look for choir information letters in the Parent Contact folders on Tuesdaysand some email messages. We are anticipating a wonderful year with our Rockin’ Rhino Choir! The R.R.E. fifth graders are enthusiastic, energetic, and very talented, which all make for a great choir!

Sincerely,

Mrs. Brown and Ms. Kessler

R.R.E. Choir Directors

PLEASE SIGN AND RETURN THIS PAGE ONLY

I WANT TO BE IN THE R.R.E. ROCKIN’ RHINO CHOIR!!!!!! SIGN ME UP NOW!

STUDENT’S NAME: ______

PARENT’S or GUARDIAN’S NAME: ______

PHONE NUMBERS: ______

(Home #) (Work #/Cell)

PARENT’S E-MAIL:______

ROCKIN’ RHINO CHOIR NEEDS PARENT VOLUNTEERS!

Below are some areas where parent volunteers are needed. Please check the areas in which you would like to help with the ROCKIN’ RHINO CHOIR.

______HELP WITH CHOIR SHIRT TRY-ON DAY– Parent volunteers determine what size shirt

each choir student needs to order during rehearsal time (7:30 a.m.)on Tuesday, September 27th

______DECORATING FOR DEC. CONCERT – Parent volunteers are needed to do simple

seasonal decorations for the Winter Concert that will be held on Dec. 8, 2016 @ 7 p.m.

______CHAPERONE MALL TRIP – Week of December 5 - 9; date TBA later

______CHAPERONE MOODY GARDENS TRIP TO GALVESTON – March 25, 2017

“I have read everything in the choir information letter regarding requirements for membership in the 2016 - 2017R.R.E. ROCKIN’ RHINO CHOIR. I agree to abide byall of the choir expectations. If I cannot abide by these expectations, I will be removed from choir.”

Please sign this page and return to Mrs. Brown or Ms. Kessler by Wednesday, Sept. 7, 2016.

______

Student’s Signature Parent’s Signature

Homeroom Teacher______