Stapleton Public Schools
Choir
Handbook
2015-2016
~ Introduction ~
Welcome to the Stapleton Music Program!
You and your child, or children, are about to become members of some of the largest organizations at the school. This handbook is designed to be a resource for the students and their families as they become familiar with the Stapleton Music Program. Please read through this together and save it for future reference. This Handbook will provide general information about the classes such as class expectations, necessary gear (i.e. pencils, music, stands, mutes, etc.), performance dates, and concert attire. Class specific information will be in the class syllabi that are handed out the first day of classes.
~ Section 1 ~
Your Director…
Hello! My name is Daniel Gibbs. This is my first year of teaching music at Stapleton Public Schools. I am excited to be your new music director for the 2015-2016 school year. I graduated from Kearney High School in 2010 and received my Undergraduate degree from the University of Nebraska Kearney in Music Education K-12 and Performance in Composition. While in college, I played the flute as my primary instrument. It is my friend...most days. I have been involved with multiple music and education organizations such as Delta Omicron, Tau Beta Sigma, the Nebraska Educators Association, Student Education Association of Nebraska, and the National Association for Music Education, and more.
I have been involved with music my entire life! Music opens up the soul to a higher level of emotion and sensitivity. I am looking forward to this year and working with your student. Stapleton offers a variety of music classes including Marching Band, 7th-12th Grade Concert Band, 9th-12th Grade Choir, 5th-6th Grade Band, a 7th-8th Grade Mini-Course, and elementary music for Kindergarten through 6th Grade. We are excited to announce that we will be performing at the Nebraska State Fair on September 1st in Grand Island. There will be more details to come! I cannot wait to meet all of you! Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions or concerns.
Email:
School Phone Number:
308-636-2252
~ Section 2 ~
Philosophy
Excellence in Music
At Stapleton, we are committed to excellence in education. We are here to help guide students to achieve a higher level of understanding and appreciation for the musical arts as well as applying this to everyday life.
Our Goals are aligned to classroom activities to not only enhance the overall experience while in a music class, but to also help students work together and learn from each other as well. We believe that music is an integral part of any education, therefore, you will find the nine national standards for music listed below. These serve as guidelines on how we teach music to your student(s).
Goals
●Improving musicianship
●Exploring styles of music not found in other ensembles
●Gain experience and confidence in playing independently
●An introduction to music history, theory, and composition
●Connection between the arts and other disciplines
●Make new friends who share a similar interest as you
The Nine National Standards for Music:
- Singing, alone and with others, a varied repertoire of music
- Performing on instruments, alone and with others, a varied repertoire of music
- Improvising melodies, variations, and accompaniments
- Composing and arranging music within specified guidelines
- Reading and notating music
- Listening to, analyzing, and describing music
- Evaluating music and music performances
- Understanding relationships between music, other arts, and disciplines outside the arts
- Understanding music in relation to history and culture
~ Section 3 ~
Offered Courses
Stapleton offers the following courses in music:
●Marching Band
●7th-12th Grade Band
●5th-6th Grade Band
●9th-12 Grade Choir
●7th-8th Grade Mini Courses
●K-6th Grade General Music
Marching Band - The Stapleton marching band serves two purposes for students. It helps students improve their basic instrumental technique with the challenge of marching. It also represents the school through competitions, parades, and sporting events. Summer band camp in August is mandatory. The students in marching band will also be required to participate in Pep Band.
7th-12th Grade Band - This ensemble is open to all students so they have a chance to work in a concert setting. They will develop their musicality individually and as a group. The selected repertoire will explore different styles of music at varying difficulties. Students are required to participate in Marching Band and Pep Band.
5th-6th Grade Band - This ensemble is where the 5th grade students are introduced to an instrument that they will continue to practice throughout their career at Stapleton Public Schools. The 6th grade students will continue developing their fundamentals in this ensemble. The selected repertoire will explore different styles of music at varying difficulties. Students in the 5th-6th Grade Band will be switching between general music and band every time they meet. There will NOT be a band concert for the fall semester. The band concert is on May 3rd!
9th-12 Grade Choir - The Stapleton choir is a mixed chorus that will help strengthen past learning from Kindergarten through 8th grade. The students will develop their musicality individually and as a group. The ensemble will explore different warm-up techniques and styles of music at varying difficulties. Students will represent the school through competitions and other performances.
7th-8th Grade Mini Courses - In this course, we will delve into the history and basic theory of music. The students will have projects that will reinforce listening, music history, and music theory. Throughout the course, students will also learn an instrument. This goal of this class is to help students develop a deeper understanding and appreciation for music.
K-6th Grade Elementary Music - Students in these classes will be learning the basics of music theory, history, rhythm, melody, harmony, steady beat, etc.
●K-1st grade students will focus on steady beats, counting rhythms, and identifying high and low sounds.
●2nd grade students will reinforce the previous fundamentals as well as begin to learn to play the xylophone and bells. Music history and the instrument families will be incorporated into the 2nd grade curriculum.
●3rd-4th grade students will learn how to play recorders. This will reinforce all of their previous knowledge as well as start them on the track for playing an instrument.
●5th-6th grade students will switch between band and general music. The students are taught more advanced theory, how to sing, and learn to play an instrument. I will be testing the students out on different instruments in their 5th grade year.
~ Chapter 1 ~
Performances - 2015/2016 Schedule
(The schedule may change! Please check for more details as the events get closer.)
Mon.-Fri., Aug. 10-14 / Band Camp / Band Room / 4:00 PM - 6:00 PMSat., Aug. 22nd / Stapleton Parade / Band Room / TBA
Tues., Sept. 1st / State Fair Band Expo / Grand Island / All Day
Fri., Sept. 11th / Homecoming / Band Room / TBA
Sat., Oct. 3rd / Harvest of Harmony / Grand Island / All Day
Mon., Oct. 12th / 4th Grade Hoedown / SPS Gym / 7 PM
Mon., Oct. 26th / MNAC Vocal Clinic / Hyannis / TBA
Wed., Nov. 11th / Vet’s Day Parade / TBA / TBA
Thurs.-Sat., Nov. 19-21 / *All-State Conference / Lincoln / All Day
Tues., Dec. 8th / High School Concert / SPS Gym / 7 PM
Thurs., Dec. 17th / K-6th Concert / SPS Gym / 7 PM
Mon., Jan. 11th / *OTHB / Gering / All Day
Mon., Jan. 11th / *Doane Vocal Festival / Doane / All Day
Sat., Jan. 23rd / JH Honor Band / North Platte / All Day
Mon., Jan. 25th / *UNK Honor Ensembles / UNK / All Day
Mon., Mar. 21st / MNAC Band Clinic / TBA / All Day
Tues., Mar. 29th / MNAC Music Contest / Arnold / TBA
Fri., Apr. 22nd / District Music Contest / TBA / All Day
Tues., May 3rd / Elementary Program / SPS Gym / 7 PM
Mon., May 9th / Fine Arts Night / SPS Gym / 5 PM - 8:30 PM
* These are audition only events for high school students
Pep Band Schedule
(The schedule may change! Please check for more details as the events get closer.)
Fri. Sept. 11th / Football / SPS Football Field / 7:30 PMThurs. Sept. 17th / Football / SPS Football Field / 7 PM
Tues. Sept. 29th / Volleyball / SPS Gym / 5:30 PM or 6:30 PM
Fri. Oct. 2nd / Football / SPS Football Field / 7:30 PM
Fri. Oct. 9th / Football / SPS Football Field / 7 PM
Sat. Oct. 24th / Volleyball / SPS Gym / 3 PM
Fri. Dec. 4th / GBB/BBB / SPS Gym / 4 PM
Thurs. Dec. 10th / GBB/BBB / SPS Gym / 3:30 PM
Sat. Jan. 16th / GBB/BBB / SPS Gym / 1 PM
Thurs. Jan. 21st / GBB/BBB / SPS Gym / 4 PM
Thurs. Feb. 11th / GBB/BBB / SPS Gym / 4 PM
Fri. Feb. 19th / BBB / SPS Gym / 6 PM
~ Section 1 ~
Attendance
A schedule of performances and other events has been provided in this handbook for the 2015-2016 school year. Every student is important to these events and performances. Attendance at each of these is mandatory. Parents, if there are any conflicts with the schedule, please mark those dates on the calendar provided with the acknowledgement sheet that must be signed and brought back to the director by the end of the first week of classes. Should an emergency or something else come up, please contact the director immediately. I frequently check my email, so that is the preferred method of communication, but you may also call the school. All required performances and events are part of the final grade in the class.
Here is my contact information again:
Email:
School Phone Number:
308-636-2252
Ultimately, the director will make the final decision. Here is a list of some excusable and inexcusable absences:
Excused:
●Sick from school
●Death in the family
●Important family event (e.g. wedding)
●School activities (Must have a written notice about the activity two weeks in advance and a conversation with the director or coach about make up work)
Unexcused:
●Homework
●Birthday
●Work
●Did not have a ride
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me. Should a student have to miss a performance or event for one of the excusable reasons listed above, students will be given a chance to make up some of the missing points to receive credit. The make-up work will be either a concert critique of a concert (not at the school), or a one-page paper on a musical topic chosen by the director.
~ Section 2 ~
Concert Attire
The Stapleton performing ensembles pride themselves in looking professional at all performances and events. In order to achieve this appearance, students are asked to wear the following:
Ladies: You will be wearing red dresses provided by the school. You will also need to buy black dress Character shoes. If you wear make-up and nail polish, please wear natural looking make-up and clear nail polish. Please go very easy on the perfume!
Gentlemen:You will need to buy black dress pants and a long sleeved white dress shirt. You will also be wearing a red vest, bow tie, and cummerbund which will be provided by the school. Please make sure you have black dress socks as well. If you have any facial hair, please make sure you are neatly trimmed for performances. Please go very easy on the deodorant!
~ Chapter 3 ~
Classroom Expectations
The classroom is where learning takes place. Stapleton takes pride in itself for providing safe learning environments for the students. Every student can help continue this behavior in the classroom by following the expectations. Each class period is only a short amount of time. In that time, we are learning new things as well as reviewing previous material. It is important to the learning environment to have a quiet room so every student can hear what is said in class. It will be expected that students will respect this and the other rules of the classroom to maintain a positive and effective learning atmosphere.
We encourage our students to reach for the next level in learning. No one is left behind in band. We are here to build each other up and reach our highest potential as a group in rehearsals, performances, and as individuals. Every member of the Stapleton music ensembles are expected to be positive and encouraging members of the band program as well as in the school.
Some General Rules:
●NO food (especially gum) or drinks (except water) are allowed in the music room during any rehearsal or performance
●Be SAFE, RESPECTFUL, and RESPONSIBLE
●Be in your seat, ready to go, BEFORE the class period begins (this includes bathroom breaks)
●The music room is home to many students. RESPECT other people’s property and the school’s
○This includes all instruments owned by SPS
○If you break it, you pay for it
●Students are expected to PRACTICE at least 10-15 minutes a day
●You will show RESPECT to all directors, administrators, teachers, staff, your peers, and parents at ALL TIMES
●Always conduct yourselves as classy ladies and gentlemen. You are representing Stapleton and the music program
●You are required to be at all choral performances
Choir Rules:
- Students are to be prepared for class
- They need to have their music and a pencil
- Students will need to learn solfege and how to read music
- Students are required to sing and do all of the exercises
- Students will participate in everything we do for choir.
- Please show respect and courtesy to everyone in the classroom
- Students are required to be at all performances (this includes vocal clinics, District Music Contest, concerts)
- Performances account for a major part of the student’s grade.
- If you have an emergency, I need a note at least 24 hours in advance.
~ Section 1 ~
Schedule, Expectations, and Logistics
Mr. Gibbs’ Class Schedule
8:00 AM - 8:55 AM / 1st Period / Planning8:57 AM - 9:47 AM / 2nd Period / Music Appreciation
9:49 AM - 10:39 AM / 3rd Period / K-2nd Music
10:41 AM - 11:31 AM / 4th Period / 5th/6th Music & Band
11:59 AM - 12:49 PM / 5th Period / 3rd/4th Music
1:12 PM - 2:05 PM / 6th Period / 7th/8th Mini Courses
2:07 PM - 3:00 PM / 7th Period / Choir
3:05 PM - 3:55 PM / 8th Period / Band
Schedule - Choir:
●All students should be ready to go in their seats with their folder, music, and a sharpened pencil by 2:09PM.
●Following set-up, we will begin a warm-up activity to get the mind engaged to make music. We may do one or more of the following:
○Vocal warm-ups
○Sing an easy song
○Practice balance and blend in the ensemble
●We will hold regular rehearsals in the band room unless it is a dress rehearsal for a concert. We will be in the gym for dress rehearsals.
●Choir will be from 3:05 PM until 3:55 PM. If a student needs to leave earlier, they must have contacted the director under the conditions listed in the attendance policy.
●The last minute of class will be used to put away music, and announcements. Students will make sure their music is placed back in the folder and return it to the folder slot assigned to them. Students are encouraged to take their music home to practice, but they are responsible for bringing it back to school for rehearsal.
Logistics:
●Should students have a question, they need to raise their hand and wait to be called on.
●If the student needs to sharpen their pencil, they can quietly go to the pencil sharpener. They may not sharpen their pencil until we stop rehearsing a section as to not disturb the rest of the class.
●Students are encouraged to use the restrooms before they come to class in order to decrease time out of rehearsal. If a student needs to use the restroom during class, they must first ask for permission before they are allowed to go. Students must comply with the school policy of carrying a hall pass with them if they are out of the classroom during class time. Students are only allowed two bathroom passes a week.
●If a student is feeling sick, they may take the garbage can by the door on their way to the restroom/office. The student must inform the nurse or administrator to contact the music room so I know the student has indeed made it to the office.
●Students are not allowed to use tablets, iPods/iPads, or any cellular device while in rehearsal. The first time a student is caught with his/her electronic device out, they will be warned. The second time it is seen, the director will confiscate it until the end of class. If the student is expecting an important call, they must talk to the director before class starts and inform him/her. No other exceptions will be made.
~ Chapter 4 ~
Grading and Lettering
Band is not an “extracurricular” activity at Stapleton. We strive to make music an integral part in the normal curriculum that all students are required to take. Stapleton Public School is committed to excellence in education, and music is no exception. We are here to help guide students achieve a higher level of understanding and appreciation for the musical arts as well as applying this to everyday life. We follow the Nine National Standards when we work with the curriculum. By following these standards, we are able to have a more accurate way of grading students. From that, we are able to better mold the classes to achieve higher learning. Specific grading policies will be included in the syllabi for each course.
Stapleton also provides the opportunity for high school students to letter in band or choir. In order to letter in band or choir, a student must follow specific guidelines and accumulate points over the year. The students are responsible for keeping track of their points and providing documentation for each event or activity in which they participated. Lettering is an honor at Stapleton and is denoted by a colored letter, lyre pin, and bar pins for each additional year the student letters in band or choir.