Skyview Middle School
Choir Handbook
2014-2015
Name______Grade______
Mrs. Tracie Hanson, Director, 6th Grade Choir
Dr. Lesa Jacobsen, Director, 7th & 8th Grade Choir, Show Choir
Welcome to the choral program of Skyview Middle School!
Skyview Middle School’s Choral program is dedicated to helping each student achieve his or her highest musical potential. Students will be exposed to music theory, sight singing, composition, and the fundamentals of healthy singing through a wide variety of choral literature. Students will also appreciate how and why music and the arts are important to our society and will learn about and understand each selection’s unique historical and/or cultural context.
The success of a choir is determined by the attitudes and participation of the membership. A positive learning environment is a key factor. The nature of a choir classroom is unique in that there are typically no desks, students are asked to sit in close proximity, and choir class numbers are larger than in a traditional classroom. Within this distinctive environment, students will engage in rehearsal techniques/procedures that will lead to group success in performance.
Students will be expected to perform leadership and membership responsibilities within the choir when appropriate. Students will develop, maintain, and demonstrate a positive attitude toward themselves, the ensemble, its members, and the directors.
Please take the time to read this booklet. It contains important information for both the parents and students. After you have read through this information, please complete and sign the form at the end and return to your choir teacher. This is our way of knowing that this information has reached home. We also ask that you mark the concert dates on your calendar now, then come and enjoy the music your children are making! We think you will be impressed with their performances and hope you enjoy them as well! Friends and relatives are welcome, too. It is extremely motivating to see people you know in the audience, supporting your efforts. This year we have more than 250 students in the choir program! If you have any questions, feel free to contact us at school. We would be very happy to visit with you!
Once again, welcome to the Skyview Middle School Choral Program!
Meet your Directors!
Mrs. Hanson has been teaching in District 622 since 1998 at Tartan High School. This year she will be dividing her teaching duties between Tartan High School and Skyview. Mrs. Hanson received her degree in music education from Gustavus Adolphus College. Singing is her passion and she loves to teach others how to use their singing voices.
Dr. Jacobsen is new this year and comes to us with 18 years teaching experience in the public school systems of Houston, Texas, 6 years at the college level (most recently from UWRF), and 6 years as a private voice teacher, which she continues to do. She received her doctorate (DMA) in music education and choral conducting from the University of Oregon, her Masters degree (MM) in voice performance from the University of Houston, and her Bachelors degree (BA) in music from Luther College. She did additional work at the University of Northern Iowa in teacher education and at The Ohio State University in vocal pedagogy. Her published dissertation is on the use of verbal imagery as a teaching technique in the choral classroom. You are always welcome in her classroom for a visit at your convenience, or a pre-arranged conference! Dr. Jacobsen will direct the 7th and 8th grade choirs and the show choir. She is very eager to get to know the students and to uphold the tradition of choral excellence at Skyview!
Contact information:
Tracie Hanson Classroom: (651) 702-8057 M-F until 10:00am
Lesa Jacobsen Classroom: (651) 702-8046 M-F from 10:00 a.m. – 2:15 p.m.
What do I need for choir?
1. YOUR SINGING VOICE!!!!! J
2. A SHARP PENCIL
3. ACADEMIC BINDER
4. WATER (staying hydrated for singing is essential!)
Students will be asked to deposit their gum in the trash can upon entering the room, prior to rehearsal.
NO GUM OR CANDY IS ALLOWED IN CHOIR
It is impossible to use good singing technique while chewing or eating and it can be a choking hazard.
Students will lose points for chewing gum which may be the difference between an A and a B, or B and a C.
WHAT DO WE DO IN CHOIR?
Our goal is to build skills and self-confidence through daily participation. We will concentrate on skills, such as lifelong healthy singing, understanding the anatomy and physiology of singing, music reading, music writing and notation, concert etiquette, and working within a large family of music-makers. These skills will contribute to students becoming outstanding musicians and assist them in building self-confidence through performance. We will have a daily routine including warm-ups, movement, vocal technique tips, group and individual participation, and skill perfection. We will also enjoy ourselves as we build new friendships, enjoy new experiences, and have a lot of fun!
All of this will culminate in public performances in front of friends and family for two concerts, a Winter/Holiday Concert, and a Spring Concert. The first concert will take place on December 16th, and the second set of concerts will take place on May 19th (8th graders with Tartan HS Varsity Choir) and May 14th (6th and 7th graders).
The musical this year, in which all students can participate, will be “Hairspray,” presented March 20-22nd in 2015.
All concerts and musical productions take place at the Tartan High School Auditorium.
How will I be graded in choir?
Your choir grade will be determined by the following criteria:
I. Daily Approach to Learning (50% 1st trimester: 40% 2nd and 3rd trimesters)
A. Preparation for class
1. Brings materials
a. Pencil
b. Academic Binder
c. Patterns of Sound book (should leave in folder)
2. Be on time, in assigned seat with assigned folder immediately after bell rings
B. On task during class
1. Watches director
2. Positive attitude
3. Actively engaged in singing
4. Follows instructions and sings when music indicates you should sing
5. Does the daily instructional focus in class
6. Does not engage in extraneous talking.
C. Skill learning and development
1. Learning notation (rhythm, pitch, dynamics, phrasing)
2. Consistently singing assigned part
3. Improving vocal technique. (proper singing posture, dropping jaw, matching pitch, etc.)
II. Music Fundamentals (20%)
A. Written worksheets and Instructional Focus sheets
B. Music Theory
C. Quizzes
III. Vocal Skills Assessments (30% 1st trimester: 25% 2nd and 3rd trimesters)
A. Demonstrating to director specific vocal skills learned during the trimester (i.e. scale with hand signs)
B. Counting and clapping rhythms
C. Sight reading pitches and rhythms
D. Singing in small groups using supported, energized tone
IV. Concert Attendance and Participation (15% 2nd and 3rd trimesters only)
SKyview Choir and band CONCERT ATTENDANCE POLICY
Choir and band are performance-oriented subjects which make them different from other classes. Attendance at concerts is a mandatory, integral part of the curriculum and each student is an important part of the ensemble. Everyone must participate in concerts to achieve the sound we practice in class.
If you are unable to attend after school events or have a conflict, please contact your director as soon as possible. Unexcused absences will affect your grade by 15%. That is the difference between an A and a B, or a B and a C! Unexcused absences cannot be made up, so please communicate well in advance.
Do I need a Special Outfit? Yes, Concert ATTIRE
We desire to uphold a professional, polished, and uniform look for all our choirs. The following dress code represents all middle schools in ISD 622.
1. Girls: White, short or long-sleeved blouse/shirt (no writing or figures of any kind, with or without collar)
Dressy black pants/skirts on bottom (knee length or longer, no black jeans).
Black shoes and Black hosiery. (No tennis shoes)
2. Boys: White, button-down, dress shirt with collar
Black dress pants or black Dockers/chinos.
Black shoes and socks.
Choir Concert Dates
All concerts will take place in the Tartan High School auditorium. Choirs meet 30 minutes before the concert start time in the Tartan Choir Room to take roll and to warm up. On each concert date, two concerts will take place the same night, so please do not arrive early, as another concert will be in progress!
6th Grade Choirs (Winter & Spring Concerts)
DATE ARRIVAL TIME CONCERT TIME WHERE DO I GO?
Tuesday, Dec. 16 5:45 p.m. 6:15 p.m. Tartan HS Choir Room
Thursday, May 14 5:45 p.m. 6:15 p.m. Tartan HS Choir Room
7th & 8th Grade Choirs (Winter concert)
DATE ARRIVAL TIME CONCERT TIME WHERE DO I GO?
Tuesday, Dec. 16 7:00 p.m. 7:30 p.m. Tartan HS Choir Room
8th Grade Choir (With Tartan Varsity Choir)
DATE ARRIVAL TIME CONCERT TIME WHERE DO I GO?
Tuesday, May 19 6:30 p.m. 7:00 p.m. Tartan HS Choir Room
7th Grade Choirs (With Tartan Varsity Choir)
DATE ARRIVAL TIME CONCERT TIME WHERE DO I GO?
Thursday, May 14 7:00 p.m. 7:30 p.m. Tartan HS Choir Room
Parents: Expect to receive a reminder flyer in advance of these concerts
with exact times and locations for the pre-concert warm-ups, as well as concert attire.
Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions!
You might want to cut out this page and put it on your refrigerator!
Special Singing and Performance Opportunities
SKYVIEW SHOW CHOIR
Sing and dance this school year with show choir! Made even more popular by the hit TV show “Glee,” show choir is a genre that teaches singing skills including breath support, phrasing, and interpretation as well as physical skills of stage presence and coordination. Show choir auditions will be in September, and are open to 6th-8th grade students. Rehearsals will take place on Tuesday afternoons. Students will be able to take the activity bus home.
~ Auditions ~
2:30 p.m.
Monday, September 22nd
We will learn the music and choreography for the actual audition.
Tuesday, September 23rd
We will have the actual audition.
You will come in to the choir room in quartets and sing/perform
the two audition selections for evaluation.
The list should be posted Friday, September 26th
SKYVIEW 2015 MUSICAL, Hairspray
Skyview Middle School will be performing “Hairspray” on March 20 – 22, 2015 at Tartan High School. Auditions will be held on November 18th and 19th and recall auditions will be held on November 20th & 21st. Participation in the school musical is open to all students in grades 6-8. Last year, over 70 students were involved in The Little Mermaid and had a blast! Stay tuned for more information! (Some dates may change.)
PLEASE CHECK HERE:
_____ Yes! I am interested in auditioning for the Skyview Show Choir! _____ Not interested at this time.
_____ Yes! I am interested in auditioning for “Hairspray!” _____ Not interested at this time.
Please return this page to your choir director by Friday, September 12th
Parent Signature Page
Parents, please fill out this sheet indicating that you have read and understand the Choir Handbook and all performance and attendance policies. Please keep the handbook for reference during the year.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * RETURN BY OCTOBER 1, 2014. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
I have read and understand the Choral Handbook and the Skyview Performance Attendance Policy.
Student’s Name (please print): ______
Student’s Signature: ______
Grade: 6 7 8 Day: ______Period: ______
Parent/Guardian’s Name (please print): ______
Parent/Guardian’s Signature: ______
E-mail Address: ______
Home Phone #: ______Cell Phone #: ______
SKYVIEW CHOIR BOOSTERS
_____ Yes! I am able to help out at concerts! Please contact me by:
Name: ______
Phone: ______Email: ______
_____ No, I am not able to help at the concerts, but I would like to volunteer to help with other choral events and activities!
Name: ______
Phone: ______Email: ______
PLEASE CHECK ALL THAT APPLY!
___ Choir Retreat ___ Choir Banquet ___ Fundraiser Activities
___ Boosters Parent Council ___ Costumes/Sewing ___ Hair and/or Makeup
___ Ushers/Programs ___ Musical Set Construction ____ Show Choir
___ Advertisement ___ Chaperone ___ Other: ______
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * RETURN BY OCTOBER 1, 2014. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
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