ELCA Middle School Chorus Syllabus

Fort Valley Middle School

Chorus Syllabus 2013-2014

Mr. A.J. Young, Choral Music Director

712 Peggy Drive,Fort Valley, GA 31030

Room 237 Phone: (478)825-2413/Fax: (478) 825-1332

Fort Valley Middle School strives to graduate college and career ready students.

Course Description

Course is designed to provide students with many opportunities to experience many different styles of choral music. Performances include both on-campus and off-campus venues.

Course Objectives

They will develop strong musicianship skills including note recognition, understanding rhythms, performance etiquette, and vocal techniques. This class is in alignment with the National Music Education Standards, as well as the Georgia Performance Standards. From time to time, I will incorporate music from a variety of religious backgrounds and different languages which encompass a diversity of ethnic cultures. Concert music WILL also include BOTH secular and sacred music.

Grading

Class Participation

Participation includes, but is not limited to: Good posture, vocalizing, sight-singing, learning choral literature, discussion of theory and musicianship, attitude, and following classroom expectations. Non-participation will result in a zero for the day. A parent note is required for a student to be excused from singing.

Chorus Concerts/Performances and Rehearsals

Chorus is a performance class that is taught during the school day. Most performances and extra rehearsals are held outside of the school day. One hundred percent attendance at rehearsals and performances is mandatory. In Chorus every voice is important and essential to the overall quality and unique sound of each group. A performing group cannot develop fully as a team if even a few members are missing.

Written Assignments

Written assignments include, but are not limited to: bell work, classroom assignments, projects, quizzes, and tests. Students are required to maintain a calendar, (school planner), with dates of all choral activities and assignments. All chorus students are to keep a CHORAL MUSIC FOLDER (the folder will be provided). All written assignments and information materials will be kept in this folder.

Chorus Classroom Expectations

1. Students are expected to report to class on time. A student reporting late to class without a pass in their agenda will be noted on the attendance roster.

2. Students are expected to bring notebook paper and a writing utensil with them to class EVERYDAY. Student music notebooks should contain any music, notes, or handouts from class and graded papers. If other special materials are needed, students will be informed at in advance.

3. Students are expected to be respectful to the teacher and fellow classmates at all times.

4. Students are expected to participate in each class.

5. Students are expected to place their personal belongings in the desired areas in the classroom.

6. The instruments and other materials used during Chorus/music class are school property and are to be treated as a textbook. If any of the materials are damaged or destroyed, the student will be expected to pay for the replacement.

7. Consumption of food, candy, drinks or gum WILL NOT BE TOLERATED IN THE MUSIC ROOM. Any student seen with any of these items will be documented.

8. NO ELECTRONIC DEVICES WILL BE USED AT ANYTIME!!! This includes but is not limited to cell phones, iPods, mp3, pagers, and beepers.

9. Keep the music room neat and tidy by taking personal responsibility for your belongings and picking up any trash they may leave behind.

10. Mature and positive behavior is expected at all times.

Consequences

If all of the expectations are met and exceeded, then we will have apositive and safe learning environment.

Repeated and/or excessive discourteous behavior may result in mecontacting parents, detention after school, loss of participation points, and/or a discipline referral to the office.

Performances

Since chorus is a performance based course, students are required to attend all chorus concerts. In the case of an emergency or illness, a parent should contact the director as soon as possible. Parents will be notified well in advance of each performance date in order to plan effectively.

Calendared Dates

The following dates are already approved for the 2013-2014 school year. If any future dates are added, announced, or corrected you will be notified as soon as possible.

Oct. 12 Allstate Chorus AuditionsCrisp County
Nov. 9 Choral Solo/Ensemble Gray, GA
Dec. TBA-Winter Concert (all students)
Jan. 23-24 District Honor Chorus (selected 7th and 8th grade students)
Feb. 14-15 Sixth Grade Statewide Honor Chorus Event Location: UGA Tifton Campus Conference Center (selected 6th grade students)
Feb. 20-22 All state Chorus Event Athens, GA
March 17-18Chorus LGPE-Large Group Performance Evaluation (selected students) Warner Robins, GA
May TBA- Spring Concert (all students)

Selected students will have the opportunity to audition and participate for the GMEA District Honor Choir, 6th Grade Statewide Honor Choir, and other Performance choirs at FVMS. You will receive information about these rehearsals and auditions on an individual basis. These will involve after school rehearsals.

Performance Attire

For Concerts, that all students are to participate,the attire is White tops (blouses or collared shirts) and Black bottoms (skirts or long dress pants). Note performance that the attire may be different for honor choirs or special performance opportunities.

Additional Information

The best way to contact me is via e-mail at the address listed. I will respond within 24 hours. We always welcome parent volunteers! If you are interested in helping, in any way, please let me know. There are many opportunities for you to be involved.

PLEASE SIGN AND RETURN THIS PAGE BY MONDAY, AUGUST 19, 2013.

I have read the given information and understand the requirements and regulations of the Chorus Program at Fort Valley Middle School. I understand that this is an important part of my child’s education and will help them to become a well-rounded individual.

Parent/Guardian’s Name______

Parent/Guardian’s Signature______Date______

Contact Numbers______

Email Address______

I have read the given information and understand the expectations of Mr. Young. I will do my best to rise to the challenge of the Fort Valley Middle School Chorus Program.

Student’s Name______Student Grade Level____

Student Signature______Date______

Learning today-Leading tomorrow!