Dear Chorus Members and Parents

BCMS

Choral

Handbook

2017-2018

Mrs. Wilson, Director

Dear Chorus Members and Parents,

Welcome to the Burke County Middle School Chorus Program! I am Jennifer Wilson, your chorus instructor for the 2017-2018 academic school year, and I am very excited to be working with you. I am giving my best so that students will have a fun, educational, and musically challenging year.

Our school theme this year is CARE and I have decided to use this theme for chorus as well. For chorus the CARE acronym stands for this:

Choristers Are Reaching for Excellence.

This reflects my desire to bring the highest quality music instruction I can possibly bring. Chorus students will also be expected to show they CARE by giving their best in class, rehearsals, and performances.

This handbook is compiled to inform you of all performance dates, grading procedures, behavior expectations, and fees associated with the chorus.

In order to communicate effectively with you I have registered for a REMIND 101 account. Please see the last page in this handbook for instructions about how to receive messages from me.

I am looking forward to a great year. Thank you for supporting the BCMS Music Program.

Grades and Materials

Students should always come with pen or pencil to class. In addition, a pocket folder would be helpful so that they can store papers and handouts for studying.

Grades in Chorus will be based on the following criteria:

Formative (Participation and Performance Skills) – 60%

Summative (Quizzes/Tests) – 30%

Homework and Classwork- 10%

Participation and Performance 60% - Formative
Students will receive a weekly grade based on daily participation in all class activities. They will be expected to sing unless excused due to illness. Participation grade will also include:

·  Proper posture

·  Positive attitude

·  Bringing chorus folder with all assigned music and a pencil to class daily.

·  Making obvious attempts to master performance skills and sight-reading.

Chorus is a performing organization. Students MUST attend all concerts. Please note the dates of concerts now and adjust your schedule accordingly.

·  All concerts are scheduled to take place after-school. It is mandatory that students attend and participate in all concerts.

·  Students will also be expected to attend extra rehearsals after school in the weeks preceding concerts.

·  The dates for the 2017-2018 Chorus concerts are:

o  Fall Concert -Tuesday, Oct.3rd at BCMS at 6:00 p.m.

o  Christmas Concert - Thursday,Nov.30th at BCMS cafe at 7 p.m.

o  All County Concert –Thursday, Feb. 22nd at BCHS at 6 p.m.

o  Large Group Performance Evaluation (during the school day/afterschool) – March 19-20, TBA

o  Spring Musical - Tuesday, May 1st at BCMS 6:30 p.m.

Students also have an opportunity to try out for the Georgia All-State Chorus. Look for a letter coming home soon.

·  Unexcused absences from any performance, or after-school rehearsal, will affect your child’s grade. An alternate assignment will be required.

o  An unexcused absence from a performance or after-school rehearsal will result in a zero in the grade book.

o  Excused absences will only be granted in the case of family emergency or severe illness with doctor excuse.

o  Excessive missed after-school rehearsals/performances may result in your child being removed from chorus and placed in another connection class.

o  Lack of transportation will not be an excused absence from after-school rehearsals or performances.

·  Any concert missed without prior notification will result in an automatic zero in the grade book.

·  Students must earn their spot in every performance. Failure to participate or contribute to the excellence of the chorus will disqualify students from participation.

Quizzes/Tests- 30% - Summative

·  Students will be tested over music learned in class weekly

·  Students will be tested over music memorization before every concert.

·  Students will be tested on sight-reading ability at least once every nine weeks.

·  Students will have written quizzes and tests regularly.

Homework and Classwork-10%

·  Students will receive a weekly class grade for daily work.

·  Students will have homework occasionally.

Discipline

In order for your child to reach their full musical potential this school year it is imperative that they understand the expectations from the beginning to the end of the school year.

Students are expected to adhere to the following classroom rules:

·  Follow all rules in the handbook

·  Follow directions first time given

·  No food, gum or drinks

·  Show respect for all persons, time and property

Students who choose to not follow the rules stated in this handbook or are uncooperative, disrespectful and/or disruptive will:

·  Receive communication in planner to be signed: stamp or sheet

·  Receive a phone call home -- Step 1 in the Office Referral Process

·  Submit to a parent/teacher conference

·  Receive probation from choral activities

·  Receive consequence as assigned by the administrators and/or be removed from the class.

Severe Clause: Any student behavior of a severe nature, even on the first offense, may be subject to discipline as deemed appropriate by the teacher and/or administration.

Concert Attire and Fees

Each BCMS Choir member will need to have a tuxedo shirt, a royal blue polo shirt, and a chorus t-shirt. We will be performing in all three outfits this year. All students will need black dress pants or a black skirt, and black close-toed shoes and black socks to be worn with the choir shirt for all concerts and performances. Black dress pants are to be purchased outside of school. Jeans, jewelry, and perfume are not allowed. If a belt is needed it must be black.

7th Grade and 8th Grade students will not be required to purchase a new polo shirt, but they will need a new chorus t-shirt.

New students – Chorus fees are $55.00. This includes chorus fees, uniforms except for pants and shoes, and rental of bow ties and cumberbunds.

Returning students: The Chorus participation cost this year will be $28. This covers our administrative fees for LGPE competition, our accompanist and any awards for the school year, the new t-shirts, and rental of bow ties and cumberbunds.

STUDENTS WILL HAVE OPPORTUNITIES TO PARTICIPATE IN FUNDRAISERS THIS YEAR TO COVER ALL CHORAL EXPENSES.

This includes uniform and chorus fees and trips we have planned for the year.

Please sign the last sheet and return with money for fees and uniforms.

Signing indicates you have read this handbook and understand all the requirements for your child to be a part of the 2017-2018 Burke County Middle School Chorus.

______I have read this hand book and certify that I understand and will adhere to all the rules and guidelines for the BCMS Chorus Program.

Student Name ______

Grade/Homeroom Teacher______

Student Signature ______

Parent Signature ______

Date ______

Shirt Order Form

SHIRT SIZE (adult sizes for both shirts): S M L XL XXL 3XL

We will measure students for their tuxedo shirt.

Choice 1 Total: $55 (ALL 6th grade students should select this option)

___ I am purchasing a tuxedo shirt (including cumberbund and bow tie rental), a royal blue chorus polo shirt, and a chorus t-shirt , and I am including the $15 chorus fee for LGPE, accompanist, and chorus awards. Due Aug. 25th.

Contact me if you need to extend this deadline by getting on a payment schedule.

Choice 2 Total: $28

____ I am purchasing the t-shirt, the cumberbund and bow tie rental, and yearly chorus fees for LGPE, accompanist, and chorus awards. Due Aug. 25th.

Contact me if you need to extend this deadline by getting on a payment schedule.

Please detach and turn into Mrs. Wilson in a sealed envelope with student’s name and amount enclosed written on the envelope.