2011-2012
Lakeville SOUTH
Choirs
Student/Parent
Handbook
Dear Lakeville South Choir Members, Parents and Guardians,
Welcome to the 2010-2011 school year. I look forward to what promises to be a successful year for the Lakeville South Choral Program. It is a privilege to have your child as a valued singer in the program. You play an instrumental role in everything we do. Thank you for your support, particularly for encouraging your child to continue his/her study of music. The investment of time, effort, and energy will produce life-long dividends.
Both the choir member and his/her parents/guardians should read the following pages. This handbook provides information regarding policies, expectations, grading policies, the calendar, and other information necessary to give choir members and their families a clear and concise picture of what is expected as a South choir member. Please print these pages, read them thoughtfully and return both the attached Handbook Sign-Off Form and MSHSL Eligibility Form no later than Friday, September 16th.
As you read, pay close attention to the Choir Activities Calendar. Mark these dates on your calendar and make them a priority in your family planning. Please feel free to call or email anytime with questions or concerns regarding your student.
May all of your experiences be musically satisfying, personally meaningful, and a source of great pleasure and pride.
Sincerely,
Mrs. Julie A. Brott
jabrott@@isd194.k12.mn.us
voice mail: 952-232-3360
lshschoirs.org
INTRODUCTION
As a member of the Lakeville South High School Choirs you are an important part of an organization that takes pride in musical performance. Singing in choir provides you with the opportunity to work as a team with other talented students toward common goals that include refining our performing skills, understanding and appreciating the art of music more fully and sharing the joys of musical performance with our audiences and each other.
CHORAL MUSIC COURSE OBJECTIVES
Choral music students will:
1) Learn through performing, listening, and studying a variety of choral music representing the major historical periods of western music, music of other world cultures, and popular music.
2) Understand the basic concepts of healthy, efficient vocal production and sing with proper vocal technique.
3) Demonstrate a working knowledge of music fundamentals and the ability to recognize and interpret the musical terms and symbols in the literature studied.
4) Demonstrate growth in the areas of musicianship including sight-reading, pitch and rhythmic accuracy, independence in part and solo singing.
5) Develop positive attitudes about singing and the ability to make informed aesthetic judgments about music performed or heard.
6) Grow in confidence and self-esteem through public performance.
7) Experience the joy of working together as a team to realize our shared group goals.
EXPECTATIONS
As members of a choir, as with any family or team who work together for a common purpose, we all have expectations of ourselves and each other. Below are student expectations:
1. Be respectful.
2. Be positive and supportive.
3. Be on time.
4. Work hard in rehearsal. Never settle.
5. Have pride in your group’s rehearsal and performance.
6. Have fun!
In the choir room…
7. Please throw away or recycle any garbage you have in the room (clean-up after yourself).
8. Don’t bring pop, snacks, or gum into rehearsal. We encourage you to have water though!
9. Read the announcement board daily and watch for announcements posted in the hallway.
10. Ask if you want to use equipment.
CONSEQUENCES
Consequences of persistent failure to accept responsibilities: warning, individual reprimand, private conference, referral to parents and dean, in-school suspension (ISS), reduction of grade, loss of credit, permanent dismissal from choir.
MN State High School League Eligibility
You have the right to an environment free from harmful substances. You have the responsibility to abide by the rules of the Minnesota State High School League and ISD 194 concerning the possession and use of tobacco and mood-altering chemicals. MSHSL penalties, as they affect public performance, will be applied in cases of infractions of league rules regarding use of tobacco, alcohol and other drugs.
LSHS CHORAL MUSIC PROGRAM
Curricular Courses
Concert Chorale. Open to grades 10-12. This choir performs in 4 major home concerts, the South Suburban Conference Choir Festival and takes an extended tour every three years.
Bel Canto. Treble voices, open to girls grades 10-12. Performs at four major home concerts each year and the South Suburban Conference Treble Festival.
Cougar Choir. Open to grades 9-12. Performs in four major home concerts and possibly a field trip.
Encore. Select 10-12 mixed ensemble, specializing in the performance of vocal jazz, madrigal and other a cappella literature. Performs regularly at community functions, home choir concerts, regional vocal jazz festivals.
Co-curricular Activities
Harmony. Select 10-12 grade women, specializing in the performance of vocal jazz, a cappella, and other forms of literature. Will perform at the 4 major home concerts as well as community functions.
Annual Musical. Fully staged Broadway musical presented in April. Auditions soon after the holiday break. There are many opportunities for lead singing and acting roles, chorus people, dancers and stage crew.
Solo/Ensemble Contest. Choir members have the opportunity to participate as soloists, ensemble members or both at the Region I-AA Solo/Ensemble Contest in January. Performances are heard by qualified adjudicators who give constructive comments and score each performance to determine a rating for a possible medal or certificate. A great learning experience for singers. All soloists must have their literature selected by Thanksgiving Break.
Private Voice Lessons. Choir students are encouraged to participate in private voice lessons. A program of weekly voice lessons is offered during choir for interested students. A fee is paid by the student to the voice teacher with whom the student studies. Interested students are encouraged to act quickly as available spots will soon be filled. Notify your choir director or a voice teacher if you are interested.
Regional Festivals. Select individuals will have the opportunity to participate in major festivals in the area, including the Dorian Vocal Festival in early January.
MMEA All-State Choir. Auditions are held for sophomores and juniors in March for the All-State Choir program. Audition involves performing a prepared solo and a sight-reading skills check. Singers who are selected spend one week in August on a college campus as a member of an elite Men's Chorus, Women's Chorus or Mixed Choir and perform again in February with their group at Orchestra Hall in Minneapolis. Audition fee.
9th-10th Grade Anacrusis Honor Choir. Taped auditions are held for freshmen and sophomores in early October for the 9th-10th Grade Mixed Honor Choir sponsored by ACDA. Auditions involve singing a Major scale in a specified key and “Down by the Salley Gardens.” Singers who are selected will spend one day rehearsing with the choir and will perform at the MMEA Convention on February 16, 2012 in Minneapolis. Music must be learned in advance. Audition fee.
CONCERT ATTIRE
You get only one chance to make a first impression. Appearance counts!
Bel Canto/Cougar Women and Men. A robe and stole will be assigned by number to each singer to wear at concerts throughout the year. Only wear the robe assigned to you. Required attire with robes:
Women. Black dressy shoes, skin-colored nylons.
Men. Black dress shoes and socks, black dressy slacks (no jeans).
Chorale. Each singer will be assigned a black formal dress or tuxedo. Singers are expected to provide accessory items:
Women. Matching pearls, dress black pumps, skin-colored nylons.
Men. Black dress socks and black dress shoes.
Encore. Men will wear the Chorale tuxedo. Women will wear a floor length black dress of their choosing. Women will also need one floor length colored dress.
Harmony. TBD
GRADING POLICY
LSHS CHOIRS
Rehearsal Observation (50%)
Each student's level of involvement in daily rehearsals will be evaluated. Criteria include: 1) physical effort, including proper singing posture, 2) positive attitude and leadership, 3) attention paid to directions from teacher, student directors or section leaders, 4) cooperation with rehearsal procedures including score marking and bringing required materials, 5) cooperation with stated choir room policies. Daily participation points are given for full participation in all activities, which means singing, standing, writing in markings, trying all warm-ups, etc. Points will be forfeited if students are not present for the entire rehearsal, excluding excused tardies.
Concert Participation (25%)
This grade includes attendance and promptness at call times for concerts and positive and appropriate behavior on and off the risers.
Assessments (25%)
· Music Literacy consists of ear training, rhythm reading, melodic and rhythmic dictation. Sight singing is the skill of singing a short pattern of notes on first sight. Students will practice these skills weekly and then be tested on them at the end of the quarter.
· Each student will demonstrate his/her ability to accurately and artistically perform assigned parts from the repertoire studied in individual and/or small group testing each quarter.
Extra credit. Additional participation points may be earned at the discretion of the instructor. Possibilities are:
· Extra voice lessons;
· Review of high school, college or professional choir concert attended;
· Presentations on pre-approved topics relevant to the music being studied.
ATTENDANCE POLICIES
Daily Rehearsals. Daily participation is critical for any student to achieve choir objectives. You need to be here to learn the music and positively contribute to our group effort. Daily participation points will be applied toward final grades.
Students and parents also need to be familiar with the Lakeville South High School attendance policies and procedures as spelled out in the Student Management Policies. Excessive absences can result in partial loss of credit for any course, including choir.
Punctuality. Being on time means being in the room and in your place with your materials before the bell rings. Remember, “early” is on time and “on time” is late. If you have to be late because of business with another teacher or the office please bring a pass. Any tardies without a pass will be considered 'unexcused'. Unexcused tardiness will result in a deduction of participation points for that rehearsal (see Grading Policy).
Special Rehearsals. Rehearsals outside the regular school day will occasionally be scheduled in preparation for a performance and it is an important responsibility of all singers to be available to participate. Dates and times of special rehearsals will be posted no less than two weeks in advance to allow time to resolve conflicts with jobs, etc. Unavoidable conflicts and absences should be handled the same as for public performances.
Public Performances. Concerts provide us with the opportunity to share the music we have learned with the public, our families and friends and are an essential aspect of the experience of being in choir. It is a very special gift to be able to communicate with others through the language and emotion of music. The contributions of every singer are vital to the success of our concerts and all choir members are expected to participate in all public performances. A schedule of our performances for the year is included at the end of this handbook. Please take time today to get these dates and times on your personal and family calendars and make them a priority in your planning for the year, including work schedules, family vacations, etc. According to school policy, to participate in activities outside the school day, including concerts and special rehearsals, a student must be in attendance for the entire school day of that event.
** In rare instances when special conditions exist which prevent you from participating in a required concert, festival performance or special rehearsal, please follow these procedures:
1) If you have to miss an event due to a projected absence from school present a signed note by you and your parents to the director in advance and you will be required to complete make-up work.
2) Should illness prevent you from participating please notify the director by phone or email, before the concert, if possible. Bring in a signed note when you return to school and arrange with the director for make-up.
3) Students with jobs are expected to participate in concerts and special rehearsals regardless of work responsibilities. Most potential conflicts can be eliminated with good planning, so it's important to inform employers early on of your commitment to choir on days and evenings of scheduled choir activities. If you have trouble getting excused from work, a phone call from the director is almost always effective (provided adequate notice is given).
FUNDRAISING ACTIVITIES
Opportunities will be provided for choir members to earn funds for extended trips, field trips, choir shirts, etc. Individual fund raising accounts are kept so that all additional profit generated by each student is available for his/her use toward the cost of tours, field trips, uniforms, etc. Funds may be transferred into another activity account if needed (ie. Spanish or French account). Funds may not be transferred from person to person (except within immediate families). If a senior has money left in their account when they graduate, that money stays in the LSHS choir booster account. LSHS cannot issue a check to the family for tax purposes.
Our one big fundraiser this year begins on Weds. Sept. 7th. We will again be selling the Hi-Note Books with coupons from local restaurants and businesses. Students will have the entire month of September to sell the books. The cost is $30 and $15 is profit. We are asking that each choir student sell one book from which the profit will go to the LSHS choir boosters. Every book the student sells after that will put $15 in their individual account.
Fundraising information will be on the choir website and will also be e-mailed home. Please make sure the e-mail address you submit is a working one.
Lakeville South Choir Boosters
The Lakeville South Choir Boosters is a volunteer organization made up of parents and friends of our young singers. Our purpose is to organize fundraisers, provide chaperones, and assist at concerts by handing out robes, selling tickets, and serving as ushers. The funds raised by the Choir Boosters are used to defer travel costs for all the students and to provide assistance for our honors choir members. We are excited about the upcoming school year and would like to extend an invitation to ALL parents of our choir students. Please come and see what we are all about and find out how you can volunteer!