HIGHTOWER TRAIL MIDDLE SCHOOL

Chorus Handbook

The choral program at HTMS is designed to educate students in skills needed to achieve success as a choral/vocal musician. Each student will be provided the opportunity to develop age-appropriate vocal skills, proper performance skills, and cooperative skills as each chorus member works within the team to produce a successful choral sound. Membership in all HTMS choruses is a yearlong commitment. Our ultimate goal is musical success as a group, and to achieve this requires 100% from 100%!

OBJECTIVES:

1.  Develop proper breathing techniques.

2.  Sing with a pure and straight head tone.

3.  Identify, notate, perform, and understand notes and rests of different rhythmic values.

4.  Identify and sing pitches on the treble and bass staff.

5.  Identify, sing, and notate major and minor scales/key signatures in relation to music performed in class.

DAILY CLASS OUTLINE:

1.  Physical and vocal warm-up

2.  Notation and dictation of notes and rhythms

3.  Ensemble singing

CLASS EXPECTATIONS:

Students will be expected to follow rules listed in the school handbook/student agenda. Each music classroom exists to educate children in the fundamentals of music. For all students to receive such an education, the following expectations will set a positive classroom climate:

It is simply expected that all students listen at all times.

  1. Follow directions
  2. Show respect
  3. Be prepared
  4. Stay on task

REQUIRED MATERIALS:

·  Folder (2-pocket folder, including lined notebook paper)

·  Clear Pencil Pouch that includes – small mirror, pencil, wide paint brush, small note pad

(this pouch and materials are to remain in an assigned slot in the chorus room outside of class hours)

·  Pencil

·  Student Agenda

·  One Box of Tissue OR Box of Adhesive Bandages for the classroom

Students are allowed to have a CLEAR water bottle in chorus. Bottles must be filled before class begins.

Choral Behavior Management Plan

Students begin each 9-week with no offenses and an “S” in conduct.

Offense / Conduct Grade / Consequence
1 / S / •  Visual Redirection
2 / S / •  Verbal Redirection
3 / S / •  Student behavior/conduct demerit documented in
Behavior Infraction Log
•  conference with teacher after class
4 / S / •  Student behavior/conduct demerit documented in
Behavior Infraction Log
•  Parent contact
5 / N / •  Student behavior/conduct demerit documented in
Behavior Infraction Log
•  Parent contact
•  Appropriate consequence determined
* / U / •  Extreme behavior infraction results in removal from the lesson by
an administrator

·183  Students are expected to participate daily. Written excuses are due at the beginning of each class from those students unable to participate.

GRADING PROCEDURES

70% Daily classroom participation (including daily music notation)

This consists of students exhibiting the following qualities on a consistent daily basis:

Performance: proper posture, always engaged in rehearsal, demonstrates appropriate vowel shapes, dedication to quality musicianship

Effort: sincerely tries to listen, learn, and demonstrate what is taught, preparedness

Responsibility: turns in items/assignments on time, a positive contributor to classroom environment

Attitude: pleasant demeanor, receptive to instruction, falls in line with class activities, obeys adults

30% Written and/or oral quizzes, and assignments

PERFORMANCES – CONCERT ATTENDANCE

Each choral student is required to participate in all concerts and rehearsals since every student is a vital part of the finished product. While our ultimate goal is to achieve individual musical success, performances are our only means of displaying our group success. Absences not only affect the learning of one student, who misses the summative assessment, but also the learning of the other choral students. Please be a responsible and committed member of your choral ensemble!
Concert dates and times are listed on a separate page in this handbook, and will also be on the Chorus blog (http://www.cobbk12.org/HightowerTrail/), the PTSA Newsletter (Husky Highlights), and in concert letters that go out approximately two weeks prior to each performance.


Concert Grading

Students will receive their grade for their concert music based on how well they have learned the repertoire. Concert music will be sung in class for a maximum of 80 points. An additional 20 points will be earned for performing in the concert. All 20 points are earned if the student is on time, arrives wearing the appropriate attire, and displays the appropriate concert etiquette throughout the event both on and off the stage.

If you are absent from the concert you must complete a make-up assignment with the director within 1 full class day of the performance/return to school (option for written or singing assignment), and submit a note from a parent/caregiver stating the absence. It is the responsibility of the student to schedule the make-up assignment.

PERFORMANCE DRESS:

Detailed information regarding concert dress will be distributed in August.

Students who arrive at a concert without the proper attire will be prohibited from performing. This will be treated as an unexcused absence, and the student will not receive the 20 points for performing.

Attire NOT allowed for performance:

·  Jeans

·  Leggings

·  Pants shorter than ankle-length (shorts, capri pants, walking shorts, etc)

·  Flip-Flops, sandals and backless shoes

·  Tennis shoes

You are encouraged to address concert attire issues in plenty of time prior to a performance so that no problems occur at concert time. If you have a problem obtaining an outfit, please contact the director immediately so we can work together to resolve this matter!

PERFORMANCE ETIQUETTE:

Our performances are intended to showcase the choral students’ hard work, and are also designed to teach stage and audience etiquette. Therefore, students are expected to behave in a courteous and professional manner before, during, and after the performance. This satisfies the following CCSD Performance Standards: MMSBC.7.c; MMSIC.7.c; M8AC7.c

TRANSPORTATION

Students may not stay for any after-school activity if rides have not been pre-arranged.

EXTRA-CURRICULAR OPPORTUNITIES

Throughout the year students will have the opportunity to audition for various events sponsored by the Georgia Music Educators Association. Detailed information regarding these events is listed below.

Georgia Music Educators Association

All State Chorus

This event is for students in grades 7 – 12. Participation is selective. Students must pass two state and district level auditions for admittance into one of the choirs. Middle school students have the opportunity to audition for the Middle School Treble Choir and the Middle School Mixed Choir. These two choirs consist of seventh and eighth grade students only. The final event will take place at The Classic Center, Athens, GA, in February.

Sixth Grade Statewide Honor Chorus

This event is for sixth grade students only. There is no state or district level audition. However, each school participating receives an allotment of three slots. Auditions at the school level will be held in October. The event takes place at The Classic Center, Athens, GA, in February.

Large Group Performance Evaluation

Individual choruses have the opportunity to perform two works and sight-read before a panel of judges. This is not a competition, but an opportunity for choirs to be adjudicated and assessed on their individual abilities.

District Middle School Honor Chorus

This event is for students in grades 7 & 8. Participation is selective within each school, with each school receiving various participant allotments. Specific information will be distributed late August.

HTMS Ensembles

7/8 Girls Ensemble Membership is open by audition. Auditions will be held the week of September 8 from 8:15-8:45. Ensemble will rehearse weekly before school.

Men’s Ensemble Membership is open to all male chorus members. Ensemble will rehearse

weekly before school.


Important Dates – HTMS Concerts and GMEA Events

*Unless noted otherwise, all concerts take place in the HTMS Auditorium

September

Week of 8 7th & 8th Grade Girls Ensemble Auditions, 8:15 a.m./Chorus Room

9 Deadline to register and pay for All State Chorus Auditions

Every Monday and Wednesday

8:00-8:45; 4:30-5:15 All State Chorus Audition Rehearsals

10-11 7th & 8th GMEA Honor Chorus Auditions, 8:15 a.m./Chorus Room

17-18 7th & 8th Dessert Theater Auditions – 8:15 a.m./Chorus Room

October

5-16 Fundraiser - MixedBag Designs

*8 Fall Exhibition

6:30 – Warm-up 7:00 - Concert

16 Fundraiser Turn-In

14 GMEA 6th Grade Statewide Honor Chorus Auditions – 8:15-8:45 a.m./Chorus Room

November

7 7th & 8th Grade Dessert Theater (select group, not full choirs)

14 GMEA All State Chorus First Audition

Woodland High School, Cartersville

16-17 GMEA District 12 Middle School Honor Chorus

Lassiter High School, Marietta

December

*15 Holiday Concert

6:00 – Warm-up 7:00 - Concert

January

22 All State Chorus Final Audition - Sprayberry HS

February

19-20 Statewide Sixth Grade Honor Chorus

The Classic Center, Athens

25-27 All State Chorus

The Classic Center, Athens

March

7-8 Large Group Performance Evaluation

*specific information will come later in the school year

April

*21 Arts Night – 6:30 p.m. – select ensembles, more information to come later in the year

May

*10 Spring Concert

6:00 – Warm-up 7:00 - Concert


HTMS CHORUS INFORMATION SHEET

Please print information legibly.

Student Name: ______Grade: ______

Parent/Guardian #1 Name:______

Cell/Home #: ______

Work #: ______

E-Mail Address: ______

Parent/Guardian #2 Name:______

Cell/Home #: ______

Work #: ______

E-Mail Address: ______

Student Birthday: ______

Parent Volunteer Information

Please check areas in which you are willing and able to assist.

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_____ Uniform Fitting

_____ Fundraiser Collection

_____ Room Parent

_____ Concert or Field Trip Chaperone

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We have read all information in the handbook regarding the Hightower Trail Middle School choral program, participation, required materials, important dates and concert guidelines, and understand and agree to comply with the expectations set forth in the HTMS Chorus Handbook.

Student Signature: ______Date: ______

Parent Signature: ______Date: ______

Please sign and return all 4 forms by

Friday, August 14, 2015.

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