H-B WOODLAWN CHORAL DEPARTMENT
2013-2014 SYLLABUS
Bill Podolski, Director of Choral Activities
Our General Expectations
- Be respectful – to yourself, the director and all others.
- Be prepared – with your pencil and music at every rehearsal
- Be present – arrive on time and keep your focus on the task at hand.
- Be musical – maintain good posture and always try your best.
- Be digested – keep the eating, drinking and gum chewing for other times!
- And of course… Be Singing.
Attendance
In a class that is based on a performing art, daily attendance is crucial for the ensemble and the individual to succeed. If you miss a rehearsal, there is no way to make it up. Rehearsals are interactive and require participation and effort from every member of the group. Attendance at every rehearsal is expected in order to reach the level for which our choirs are striving.
Every element of the rehearsal is imperative towards our overall success. Students are expected to be on time. Excessive lateness will ultimately lower your grade.
Performances, Concerts and Dress Rehearsals are absolutely mandatory. They are equivalent to exams. Since chorus rarely has written work or any homework, performances are a huge part of your grade. Work commitments or other school activities are NOT excused absences from these performances. You will be given plenty of notice prior to all concerts and are expected to make arrangements in order to attend all scheduled performances.
If there is an emergency, please call the choral department prior to the concert and leave a message at (703)228-2215. Serious illness or death in the family are the only excused absences from a concert.
Grading Policy
Each quarter’s grade will be determined by the following criteria:
Class Participation = 40%
Every class rehearsal is worth 10 points, and will reflect if a student is present, on-time, prepared and participating. The total number of points earned will determine the student’s grade for Class Participation
Performance = 30%
Concert performance is so essential to the music experience. Our daily class work culminates with a public performance and reception of our work. As stated above, attendance at all dress rehearsals and concerts is mandatory and is reflected thusly. Each dress rehearsal and concert is worth 100 points.
Assessments = 30%
As important as our performances are, so too are the lessons learned in class, such as music literacy, vocal development and general music knowledge. These elements will be assessed each quarter in a variety of means. Each assessment will be given a point value and will determine this portion of the quarter grade.
Music
Everyone in choir is assigned a number that has a corresponding folder and music to go in the folder. Each student is responsible for his or her folder and music. This is your textbook for the year and you are expected to bring it to class everyday. If you do not bring your music to class, your daily grade will be affected. You are expected to keep your music in good shape and return it at the end of the semester or year. If you lose or destroy your music or your folder, you are financially responsible for it. Replacement fees vary depending on the cost of the music and your report card will be held until you return your lost music or pay for the replacement of it.
All students are expected to have a pencil in their folder for rehearsals. Music must only be marked in pencil—NEVER USE PEN!! All measures should be numbered within one week of getting a new piece of music to allow for an efficient rehearsal process.
Uniforms
Remember that our concerts are about the sound we’ve worked so hard to create, not our individual fashion statements. Additionally this is standard performance practice, which is expected of music performances, especially when we perform outside of HBW. All high school choir members will be outfitted in tuxedos or formal dresses. All middle school students will be outfitted in black shoes, pants or skirt, a white shirt and a necktie for the men. Students will be asked to purchase their uniforms and keep them cleaned throughout the year. Those in need of ordering a new uniform, or a replacement, must submit measurement forms and payment before Friday, September 13th. Failure to do so will prevent the student from performing in the Fall Concert, and will thus affect the first quarter grade.
Auditions
Auditions for solos will be held either during the regular rehearsal period or during a free block, at the director’s discretion. Solos are open to all students depending on range and will be chosen by the director. Auditions for Members Only, Women’s Camerata and Chamber Singers will be held each year in April or May for the following academic year. All students are required to re-audition for these groups each year. The audition will consist of tonal memory, a sight-reading example, a range check, and a prepared piece.
Music Department Spring Trip
Each year the music department hits the road and explores another city. During the trip our ensembles perform for judges, who assess and offer instructional feedback. This serves as an educational activity and offers a rare opportunity for the students to learn from a different perspective, while exploring another city. While we can’t mandate that all students attend, it is strongly encouraged so that our ensembles are complete for performance. Every musician is essential and we hope that we can all be together for this great experience. The budget of this trip, which includes transportation, accommodations, attractions and meals, will be announced some time during the year. Fundraising activities, as noted below and a payment plan are in place to help make this trip affordable. It is not uncommon for a student to fundraise their entire trip, though it takes a significant amount of work.
There may be other times when our ensembles travel to perform. Whenever we travel it is expected that students abide by the rules they would at HBW. Should a student fail to adhere to the rules, they will be sent home at the expense of their parents.
Music Activities Fee – Fundraising
Each family is asked to make a donation of $35.00 per student in order to support the music department each year. This donation helps to offset the many costs of running the music department including music, awards and scholarships, just to name a few. The Music Activity Fee can be paid at the beginning of the year, or students are asked to participate in the annual citrus fruit fundraiser to raise this amount for the department. Students who elect to attend the Spring Trip are required to pay the Music Activity Fee in addition to their trip cost.
Once a student has sold enough to cover the activity fee, all additional funds earned go directly to the individual student’s account and are credited to his/her spring trip. There is also a winter sale in January/February for students who wish to earn extra money towards their spring trip. Involvement in these fundraisers is purely voluntary, but strongly encouraged.
With the cost of the uniform, activity fee and spring trip, participation in a music organization can be expensive. We facilitate these fundraising opportunities for families to lessen the burden of these expenses and encourage all students to take advantage of them. However, it is our responsibility to offer every student equal opportunities and experiences, and so we offer financial scholarships. These scholarships are only available to students who qualify for such financial assistance as outlined by Arlington Schools. Should financial assistance be necessary, please contact Bill or Frank to make arrangements. Students who receive scholarships are required to participate in the fundraising opportunities in some capacity.
Acknowledgement of Syllabus & Calendar
Please read the information found on the syllabus and the calendar. Sign and return this form to the choral department.
I have received and read the syllabus for the 2013-2014 school year. I understand the expectations the H-B Woodlawn Choral Department. I understand the attendance and grading policies and agree to abide by these. I have received the calendar of events for this school year, and will abide by the attendance policy in regards to these events. Should additions or changes be made to the calendar, sufficient notice will be given by the director. I recognize that I am financially responsible for the cost of the uniform, activity fee and any lost music. I am aware of the travel opportunities, the expectations during these, and the options to fundraise. I am looking forward to making music and an excellent year in chorus.
Student Name: ______
Student Signature: ______
Student E-mail Address:______
Student Cell Phone #: ______
Student Birthdate: ______
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Parent Signature: ______
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