Dear Colts Chorale Student and Parents:

Welcome to the McElhinney Choral Music Department.

I am so pleased you have chosen to participate in the Colts Chorale as a full-year elective. From now until June 11th, we’ll learn many new skills in areas such as proper breathing, singing technique, rehearsal and performance etiquette, music notation reading, and so much more. I encourage you to rehearse what you learn at home. Be diligent with your notebook upkeep, and participate to the best of your ability.

All music students will need to provide the following/bring to each class:

Black 1” – 1 ½” 3-ring binder with a clear window front ( to hold the practice record)

A pencil pouch

5 page dividers , labeled: Music, Rhythms, Scales, Composers, Notes

15 – 20 sheets of non-glare page protectors (not the shiny ones/too glary for music )

1 -2 highlighters

#2 pencils (always have pencils sharpened and ready to go! )

Eraser, either pink rubber or pencil toppers

30 pages or so of regular notebook paper

Put your name and Colts Chorale on the inside left corner of your notebook.

You will be graded on your notebook daily, so always have it with you, with all the required papers and supplies intact. Ripped up or marked up notebooks will lose points/please keep it performance ready at all times, replace it as needed.

The music binder:

You will be graded frequently on your notebook, so always have it with you, with all the required papers and supplies intact. Ripped up or marked up notebooks will lose points/please keep it performance-ready at all times; replace it as needed. Any binders found laying around will lose points. Keep it in your music cage when not using.

An important note about sheet music: It is VERY expensive and there are a limited number of parts that come with each song we purchase. When music is given to you, it is on loan to you; put it in your notebook and take care of it. You will need to turn it back in in its original condition. If you take care of our music, we can make it last longer for other students to enjoy. Destroyed or damaged music will be fined to pay for replacement. RESPECT THE MUSIC!

Uniform: We have to have a variety of uniforms for our different kinds of performances, soColts Chorale students will need to have available. Two use the music polo shirt

(1) Formal uniform and (1) Concert Casual uniform and (1) Concert Dress uniform.

Formal Concert Uniform: Ties will be provided for this uniform

Boys:

Black cotton dress pants (Dickies or Dockers best choice) with a plain black belt

White long sleeve, button-down collar dress shirt (oxford style)

Black socks/dress shoes (no other colors, please)

Black solid tie (length to top of belt)

Girls:

Black cotton pants (Dickies or Dockers) with a plain black belt

White long sleeve, button-down collar dress shirt (oxford-style). Must button to the neck/NO V

Black socks/dress shoes (no other colors, please)

Concert Casual Uniform:

Department polo shirt with nice looking, PLAIN BLUE jeans. No rips, decorations.

Concert Dress Uniform:

Department polo shirt with “black below”: dress black pants from formal uniform, including black dress shoes, socks, belt. This will be the most often used uniform.

Activities and Concerts:

Performing group will be performing several times throughout the year, both on and off campus, in concerts, conservatories, district festivals, and special programs. Calendar, programs and information will be posted under GORDON on the DMMS website.

6th Grade Performance Dates & Events so far, subject to additions and changes:

Choir/Band Picture Day Monday, October 24th (In Formal Dress uniform)

Christmas Concert Wednesday, December 7th, 6:30 pm, DMMS MPR

District Choral Concert Thursday, February 23rd, Murrieta Mesa HS, 9:00 am (bus)

Spring Concert Wednesday, May 23rd, 6:30 pm, DMMS MPR

CHOIR PARENT CO-OP: Welcome to the Choir Parent Co-op!

We are a group of active parents who assist the DMMS Music Department in crucial fundraising for OUR students’ music education. The Music program does not receive any support financially from the district, therefore we have to earn all our own funding for purchases of music, uniform accessories, staging props, and bus transportation.

Please consider how you can help in our CHOIR PARENT CO-OP.

If everyone does a little, then it all gets done and our students benefit!

NEW TIME: CHOIR PARENT CO-OP meeting: Wednesday, August 17th

We’ll meet right after the Open House agenda, so you don’t have to come out again to the school for another meeting night! We’ll be brief!

At least (1) ADULT REPRESENTATIVE FROM EVERY MUSIC FAMILY, PLEASE!

All- Music Department Fundraisers:

Adopt-a-SongAugust

Juice It Up Coupon BooksAugust

Bowlathon Fundraiser Saturday, October 22nd

See’s Candy Gift Fundraiser November/December

Spring Bulb/Flowers March/April

Various Restaurant nights Throughout the year

Ongoing Fundraisers:

Daily Break/Lunch Concessions Otter Pops, Popcorn, Fruit Bars, Snacks (M/T/W/Th/F)

Juice It Up (run by Juice It Up!) Every Tuesday after school by the exit gate/$3

Rules:

All rules and regulations listed in the student handbook will be enforced beginning immediately the first day of school. I encourage you to read it carefully with your parents so you are aware of the consequences for poor choices.

Grading System: Point system

5 points daily for materials: notebook, all music, pencils, highlighter, etc.

5 points daily for quality participation/points deducted for warnings of any kind

Points will be deducted for missing items and tardiness. All papers and study sheets need to be placed in notebook and kept there for referral all year. Points will be awarded for notebook checks, quizzes, tests, singing tests, practice records, attendance at all rehearsals and performances is mandatory.

Grade System

Straight A-B-C-D-F. No pluses or minuses.

If you want that A, you’ve got to be in the A range without question.

A 90 – 100%

B 80 – 89%

C 70 – 79%

D 60 – 69%

F 59 and lower

Consequences: SEE DMMS HANDBOOK, front pages.

ADVICE: Be respectful, diligent, on task, on time, doing your best.

Don’t do or say anything that requires any kind of warning and you’ll be fine.

Colts Chorale Contract 2011 - 2012

(3) Items due Wednesday, August 17th (5 class points)

THIS SIGNED CONTRACT

Attach: $20.00 cash or money order for uniform polo shirt, if you haven’t already. Mark size/s below. Please feel free to order extras for parents and family members.

Attach: Parent Volunteer form

We (parent and student) have read the syllabus and we are aware of the expectations of this class. We will provide the required uniform and materials as required.

We will abide by the rules of the school and the music room to the best of our ability. We realize that music is a journey and there may be additional requirements, rehearsals, and added performances, which we will attend joyfully because we love music!

______

Student Name (please print) Student Signature

______

Parent Name Parent Signature

Parent Cell Phone Number: ______

Home Phone Number: ______

Parent Home E Mail address: ______

____ Check if you are a daily reader of your e mail.

Check size/quantity of choir polo shirts. Order one for you, too!

Support the Choir!

Youth sizes: ___ YS ___YM ____YL

Adult Sizes: __S __M __L __XL __XXL ($25.00) __XXXL ($25.00)

____ Number of shirts total x $20.00 = $______

Total money attached: $______(Cash only please!)