Edgewood Fine Arts Academy

VarsityChoral Ensemble

Vanessa Osburn, Choir Director

Email:

Phone: (210)444-7925 ext.

Pre Requisites:Freshman Choir and other applicable experience as determined by instructor. Audition held in the spring semester the previous year. Students are placed in this ensemble at the discretion of the director to maintain correct ensemble balance.

Course Description:

Varsity Choir is the second, third, and fourth level of curricular choral music class at the Edgewood Fine Arts Academy High School. The ensemble is comprised if students in grades 10-12. This choral ensemble aims to further build upon the skills and techniques learned in previous years. Depending on the makeup of the class, the ensemble performs 2-part, and 3-part mixed SSA, OR SAB music. At this level more emphasis is placed on musicality, intonation, and a cappella singing.

Course Objective:

To improve and further develop the individual and choral singing, including but not limited to: pitch, intonation, scales, vocal blend, tone quality, diction, music literacy, sight-singing and musicality.

Required Materials:

Each student is required to have a folder, assigned music, highlighter and pencil for every class. The teacher will provide printed scores for each student. The music for each class session, rehearsal and performance is the sole responsibility of the student. Students are expected to treat their music with care. All music must be returned at the end of each concert session. Failure to turn in music on time, or the loss of music will result in a reduced grade. If lost music is found, please return to the director. Excuses for forgetfulness (i.e. folder in friend’s bag, folder at home, etc.) will not be accepted after the first day of school.

Attendance Policy:

Student Daily Attendance

Students are expected to attend as many classes as possible. Absences should be avoided at all costs. Ensemble building and music covered is difficult to recreate and can’t be created anywhere but in the classroom. Therefore, if a student misses more than 5 classroom session per concert season, he or she may be required to make up those classes with the teacher on a mutually agreed upon time. Failure to make up those days will result in a lower classwork grade.

Dress Rehearsals (Day of Concert or the day before)

A dress rehearsal in the process of running a program exactly the way it will be performed with an audience present. For choral dress rehearsals, students do not need to wear the attire they will wear for the concert. ON THE DAY OF THE DRESS REHEARSAL YOU MUST BE PRESENT IN CLASS IN ORDER TO PERFORM AT THE CONCERT. Failure to attend class on the day of the dress rehearsal may jeopardize your opportunity to sing in the concert, and therefore, adversely affect your grade. Student with excessive absences may be ineligible to perform in the concert. Students missing more than 30% (5 classes) of rehearsals in a period may lose the privilege to sing at the next concert.

ATTENDANCE AT ALL CONCERTS IS MANDATORY. If you are in school, you must attend the concert. Absences from performances will not be accepted unless under extreme circumstances. Students and parents are responsible for securing transportation to and from concerts or rehearsals held in the evening. Please arrange back up plans, in the even that your first choice ride not does not work out. Transportation excuses will not be accepted unless in the event of a dire circumstance. Doctor’s appointments will not be accepted, unless it is an emergency. In the event of an emergency, please call (210)444-7925) or email () Ms. Osburn and leave a message explaining the reason for absence. If it is possible to call within 24 hours, Ms. Osburn must receive written documentation explaining your absence. When the student returns to school, a note from a doctor or other appropriate party will be required in order to avoid a grade of zero for the evening’s performance. A make-up assignment may be given at the discretion of the teacher. Failure to complete the assignment will result in a zero for this portion of the grade.

Make-up Policy

Students will be required to make-up classes in which he or she was not present before the concert. Students should make an appointment with the teacher to make up that class. Before school or after school are acceptable times in which to schedule a make-up class. If the student can demonstrate that he or she has learned all information covered on the days he or she was absent then a make-up is not required.

Policies and Procedures:

Dress Code

Unless otherwise specified, the attire is as follows:

  • CONCERT CHOIR- ALL BLACK
  • FREHSMAN CHOIR- BLACK BOTTOM, WHITE TOP
  • MIDDE SCHOOL CHOIR- BLACK BOTTOM, WHITE TOP
  • Please note that dressing for a concert is a semi-formal attire. No jeans, sneakers, sweaters, other casual-type clothing is appropriate. If you fail to dress appropriately, your grade will be docked 20 points.

Call Time

The ‘CALL TIME’ in the performing arts is referred to the time you will be ‘called’ to be at a given destination for a rehearsal or concert.

Please be aware that students are required to sign in and out at concerts. If you fail to arrive or sign in on time, your grade will be docked 20 points.

Concert Etiquette

Concert etiquette is known as the way an audience should behave at a concert. Since you as students will function as both performers and audience members at a concert, please note the following:

a)NO TALKING/MESSANGING/PLAYING GAMES ON CELL PHONES AND OTHER ELECTRONICS. PLEASE TURN IN THESE DEVICES BEFORE A CONCERT.

b)Do not enter/exit while an ensemble is performing.

c)Do not applaud at inappropriate times, nor should you catcall, boo, or wave from the risers, etc.

d)AVOID talking during musical selections.

e)Stay and enjoy the concert in its entirety.

Failure to adhere to these standards will result in points being deducted from the concert grade. Failure to behave appropriately after a warning will result in a zero for the concert grade and a discipline referral to your grade level administrator.

Grading Policy:

Major Assessments [Concerts and Performances]

EXPECTATION- This class is a PERFORMING ensemble. Your individual performance is an integral part of the whole. Proficiency must be demonstrated as a part of the whole and as an individual. Concerts are the single most important event in any one semester. All course work in the semester culminates at the concert.

Minor Assessment [Daily preparedness, effort and growth]

EXPECTATION- Students are expected to come to class fully prepared and ready to work. Students are encouraged to aim for proficiency in each category. Students are expected to conduct themselves in a manner that is consistent with the maturity level of high school students. Cooperation and self-discipline are expected.

Quarterly Assessment [Singing and/or Written assessments]

EXPECTATION- Students will be expected to use daily practice to prepare for each quarterly assessment, which may be written and/or sung. Students will be made aware of the date and content of the quarterly assessment well in advance of the date of the assessment.

Classwork [Attendance and Participation]

EXPECTATION- Students are expected to be in class, and arrive on time. Students are also expected to participate. Cell phone use or doing other work during class is not acceptable use of class time.

AGREEMENT

I have read and understood the syllabus for the 2015-2016 Edgewood Fine Arts Academy Music Department Choral Class. I understand that my grades are based upon my ability to follow the syllabus. My signature is a written agreement to follow the expectations set forth to the best of my ability as well as to maintain my part of the contract.

Parent [print name] ______Parent [signature]______

Date______

Student [print name] ______Student [signature]______

Date______