Hello Choir Parents/Guardians

Hello Choir Parents/Guardians,

We are starting a new year of choral experiences and I’m excited to get started on new, fun, and challenging choral pieces! For parents new to the Bradford Area High School music program, my name is Andrew Dutko, educator of vocal activities and general music at BAHS. I’m currently in my seventh year of teaching. I have almost 13 years of conducting experience ranging from children’s choirs to adult community choirs. I have a Master of Music in Music Education from Kent State University.I graduated from Mansfield University, double majoring in Music Education and Vocal Performance. I’m proud of my accomplishments, but what would make meeven prouder is to achieve a higher level of performance at BAHS this year.

Each choir is a graded course in which the student must actively participate to pass the course. Here’s a list of things to know as a choral parent:

Attendance at rehearsals, voice tests, the December concert, and the April concert are the course requirements.

• Students in chorus will report to the choir room on time or else they will lose daily attendance points for being tardy.

Each student is required to complete at least 1 hour of practice outside of rehearsal for each marking period. Students can practice at home with music on Mr. Dutko’s teacher page or by staying before/afterschool to work with Mr. Dutko.

• A form must be completed and signed by a parent, guardian, or teacher on how long the student practiced. Students may practice together as a group, but each one needs a parent signed form.

Concert performances are essential to give the student a final sense of accomplishment in their music progress.

• If your child will not be present, then I must have an email, note or phone call about his/her absence one day prior to the concert day. The only types of excuses for no notification accepted are if there is an immediate death in the family, hospitalization, or a car accident en route to the concert.

Concert attire: Girls=a school appropriate dress with nice shoes, or slacks, a school appropriate top and nice shoes. Boys=dress shirt, nice slacks, and nice shoes

• No JEANS or TENNIS SHOES. It is important for a performer to show respect to the audience by presenting their best both visually and aurally.

Each student is required to complete a voice test for each grading period to test his or her basic vocal abilities and contributions to the chorus.

• Students will have to sing by themselves
• Surprise vocal tests can occurring during any rehearsal and students should be prepared for them because the quiz will be on a section of music that we have rehearsed the entire week.

A sight-singing quiz will be given once a grading period. Students will practice the melodies to be tested in class, but ultimately will be required to sing alone on a neutral syllable (like la or dah) or solfeggio.

Students that withdraw from either chorus after the 1st marking period will receive an "F" grade for the class the rest of the year.That is the school policy.

Getting involved is a great way to get to know the fine students who make our program successful and enjoyable. We have a parent organization to assist with the choir program called the Choir Boosters. If you are interested in that group, you can come to find out more information at our first parent meeting on September 1st @ 7pm in the choir room. We have an extremely talented group of kids here at BAHS,so let’s make it an unforgettable year for them.

Please take the time to read and sign the agreement of the rules and medical form by September9th.

All this information is provided to you so that you can prepare yourself for any questions you may have during the year.I look forward to working with you this year to help make our choir a SUCCESS!

Andrew R. Dutko

Bradford Area High School Vocal Music Teacher

Women’s Choir, Chorale, and VocaAwesomeGrading

All students will start with an 80% and will have to earn points to attain a higher grade.

• HOWEVER, students in a shared class with a band ensemble are still responsible for all choral assessments. Since it is a shared class with the band director, the grade with combine both band and choral assessments.

Ways to increase your grade:

+ 15 for weekly attendance

+ 10 for concert performances when applicable

+ 10 when achieving an A on your voice test (30-27) or sight reading test (14-13), + 8 for a B on your voice test (26-24) or sight reading test (12-11), + 6 for a C on your voice test (23-21) or sight reading test (10), + 4 for a D on your voice test (20-18) or sight reading test (9)

+ Up to 10 points for practice outside for rehearsal (One hour equals 5pts)

+ 5 preparedness for class WITHOUT the teacher’s need for intervention the entire marking period. Ex. Having music, folder, and pencil and not being told by the teacher to go it.

+ 3 for assistance during the rehearsal or outside choral activities Ex. Taking care of risers or piano for class, or help for our vendor fairs, or selling tickets at our annual faculty sporting event.

Ways to decrease your grade:

-1 for talking excessively in class

-1 for being told to put away your phone

-1 for not having materials for class

-2 for not putting away your music or attire for performance

-3 for causing aggressive arguments with others of the class or leaving class without an excuse

-3 per day for every unexcused absence

-5 for not turning in a practice slip for the marking period

-10 for failing a voice test or sight reading test

-10 for missing a concert performance

Voice Test 1st Marking Period

Name:

Date:

Part:

Score:
Posture
Breathing
Pitch
Articulation
Expression/Dynamics

6 - Excellent, consistent throughout the entire exam

5 - Great, 1 slip up without stopping

4 - Good, 2 mistakes or stopped 1 – 2 times

3 - Fine, 3 mistakes or stopped 3 times

2 - Okay, 4 mistakes or stops frequently

1 - Poor, numerous mistakes while singing but at least attempted the test

0 - Unacceptable, refusal to take the exam, gave up mid-way

Comments:

Sight-Singing Quiz1st Marking Period

Name:

Date:

Part:

Score:
Key Identification (2 points)
Rhythmic Accuracy (5 points)
Pitch Accuracy (5 points)
Tempo/Dynamics, Time Signature (2 pts)

5 - Excellent, none or 1 slip up without stopping throughout the entire exam

4 - Great, 2 mistakes or stopped 1 – 2 times

3 - Good, 3 mistakes or stopped 3 times

2 - Fine/Okay, 4 mistakes or stops frequently

1 - Poor, numerous mistakes while singing but at least attempted the test

0 - Unacceptable, refusal to take the exam, gave up mid-way

Comments:

Total Score: ______/ 14

Practice Sheet

Name(s):

Date:

Time Started: Time Ended:

What exactly did you practice (song title, measure numbers, trouble spots, etc)

Total time practiced:

Parent/Guardian/Teacher Signature:______

Practice Sheet

Name(s):

Date:

Time Started: Time Ended:

What exactly did you practice (song title, measure numbers, trouble spots, etc)

Total time practiced:

Parent/Guardian/Teacher Signature:______

Tentative Choral Department Dates*

August 31st-Sept. 2nd Travel Choir Auditions

September 1st- Choir Parent Meeting @ 7pm

September 15th & 16th District Choir Auditions (10th grade and up)

September 24th Autumn Classic at BAHS starting at 4:15pm (Chorale performs)

October-Choral Retreat TBA

October15thGaleton Music Festival @ Galeton High School 11am-7pm (Travel Choir only)

November 10thDie Fledermaus@ Mansfield University(All Day)

November 13thAn American in Paris at Shea’s in Buffalo

November 19th Fall Vendor Fair

December 5th-9thAnything Goes Auditions (Student chooses 1 day)

December 15thChristmas Concert @ 7pm

December 16th In-School Concert and yearbook pictures

January 11th -13th District Chorus in Bradford!

Feb. 23-25 Regional Chorusat ???

March 13th - March 19thShow Week for the Musical

March 17-19th Show Dates for Anything Goes

March 31st-Sound of Music at Shea’s in Buffalo

March or April Spring Vendor Fair TBA

April 18-21 States at Erie

April or May Faculty Event Night TBA

May 10th Lunch in the Square (10am-1:30pm)

May 18th-Chorus Concert at 6:30pm

May28thBaccalaureate

May 30th Senior Awards

June 1stGraduation (seniors only) at 7pm

Last week of June or First week of July- New York City Performance for Travel Choir

Parent/Guardian Contact Information and Rules Agreement

Name (First and Last):______

Student Name (First and Last):______

Home Phone: ______Cell Phone (emergency): ______

E-mail address:______Grade:______

[ ] I have my clearances filed with the Bradford Area School District, and would like to help when I can.

[ ] I do not have my clearances, but Iwill contact to Lisa Brown 814-362-3841 or or more information so that I can participate in future functions.

[ ] I do not have clearances, and do not wish to help.

I have read and agree to the rules and consequences set by the District and theBAHS Choral Program.

Date:

Student Signature:

Parent/Guardian Signature: