Learning Target Skills Include

2016-2017

RUCKEL CHORUS

HANDBOOK

CURRICULUM

The CHORUS CURRICULUM for all Chorus Classes at Ruckel is based on the Next Generation Sunshine State Standards. These standards are in line with the Common Core Standards.

Learning Target Skills include:

·  Demonstrates correct tone and pitch placement

·  Demonstrates correct posture, breath support, and control

·  Demonstrates correct vowel formation

·  Demonstrates both head and chest voice

·  Sings with steady Beat

·  Demonstrates awareness of internal pulse

·  Reads notes on the staff in appropriate clefs

·  Demonstrates the ability to sing a major scale

·  Identifies and describes musical elements specific to music rehearsed and performed

·  Consistently demonstrates musician-specific behaviors in all rehearsal and performance settings. These include: focused attention, positive contribution to the ensemble, positive attitude.

·  Makes value judgments regarding music and music performance based on specific criteria. These include: rhythm, melody, harmony, tone color, expressive elements, style.

·  Examines composer intent and origin in relation to specific repertoire.

·  Performs note and rest values of whole notes through sixteenth and dotted rhythms.

·  Critiques, using correct music vocabulary, changes in one’s own or others’ musical performance resulting from practice or rehearsal

·  Discuss how music relates to the world outside of the music classroom

·  Discuss how technology has changed the way we consume and perform music

ATTENDANCE POLICY

STUDENTS ARE EXPECTED TO ATTEND ALL REHEARSALS AND PERFORMANCES! (see calendar).

GRADING (all grades will be posted on GRADEBOOK)

·  Daily Class Participation

·  Performance and rehearsal attendance and participation

·  Written Skills tests

·  Vocal Assessments (see Vocal Music Performance Assignment Evaluation Form)

PERFORMANCES are ASSESSMENT ACTIVITIES, and therefore GRADED ACTIVITIES.

·  Any student who has an unexcused absence from a performance will receive a grade of ‘zero’, and may not be allowed to continue to participate in the RUCKEL CHORUS.

·  The only excused absence from a performance would be death in the family, or personal illness with a doctor’s note. ANY OTHER SITUATION would require notice PRIOR TO the absence and excused by the director.

·  Prior to a concert or MPA, there most likely will be after school rehearsals to combine groups not in class together. You will be notified of these rehearsals well in advance of the date.

·  When CONFLICTS occur, school activities must take precedence over non-school activities. CHORUS IS A CO-CURRICULAR CLASS, and therefore a SCHOOL ACTIVITY. If a student is involved in more than one school activity, the faculty members in charge will help the parents and students work out an acceptable solution. COMMUNICATION is KEY!

·  A PERFORMANCE takes precedence over a NON SCHOOL EVENT or a practice.

COMMUNICATION

The Ruckel Chorus uses the CHARMS information system. The CHARMS calendar is also on our Ruckel Website. You can link in to the calendar on your mobile phone. Information will be given at the Uniform Fit Day as well as at the Parent Communication Meetings. Information is also linked on our Ruckel Website.

Information for the week will be on the front board in the CHORUS ROOM. It is the Ruckel procedure for students to write the weeks’ activities in their AGENDA/PLANNER. Please check this for updates.

Email is the BEST way to reach me:

I check email REGULARLY throughout the day. I use the CHARMS email system and Text Remind to get information out quickly.

PARENTS, PLEASE SIGN AND DATE THE FOLLOWING HANDBOOK ‘CONTRACT’. HAVE YOUR CHORUS STUDENT READ AND SIGN THE HANDBOOK ‘CONTRACT’ (FOLLOWING PAGE). THE HANDBOOK CONTRACTS ARE DUE ON OR BEFORE FRIDAY, AUGUST 19 BY THE END OF THE SCHOOL DAY. Keep reading……………………..

CLASSROOM RULES It is understood that the following will be done with RESPECT for the director, each other, and the materials/property:

ABSOLUTELY NO GUM, FOOD, OR DRINK IS ALLOWED IN THE CHORUS ROOM AT ANY TIME.

1.  Folders and pencil out

2.  Sit in Assigned Seat

3.  Become quiet, focused , and standing upon hearing the piano begin the warm-ups.

4.  Participate as directed

5.  Put materials away at the end of class

6.  The pianos are off-limits to students unless prior approval has been given

CONSEQUENCES FOR ISSUES Exhibiting behavior that is not worthy of Ruckel Middle School or the Ruckel Chorus

1.  Warning

2.  Two Strikes

3.  Action Plan (must be signed by parent)

4.  Office Referral

GRADING (all grades will be posted on GRADEBOOK)

·  Daily Class Participation

·  Performance and rehearsal attendance and participation

·  Written Skills/Theory tests

·  Vocal Assessments (see Vocal Music Performance Assignment Evaluation Form)

UNIFORMS for FORMAL PERFORMANCE

UNIFORM FIT DAY IS SATURDAY, AUG. 6 from 9-11:30 a.m.

All Chorus Students must have the Ruckel Chorus uniform. Used dresses have either been donated, or consigned to the chorus for resale. New dresses are available.

ALL CHORUS STUDENTS: Shoes must be black, closed toe, low or NO heel (girls), black socks (boys), knee highs (girls).

Hair for girls: Ruckel Chorus follows the same hair procedure as the Niceville High School Chorus. Hair must be in a bun at the back of the head. No hair adornments. Tasteful braids going into the bun are permissible.

NO JEWELRY. No earrings, no necklaces, no bracelets.

ALL PERFORMANCES ARE CONSIDERED FORMAL. In the rare occasions that an informal performance is requested of our students, CHORUS T-SHIRTS and jeans with closed toe shoes will be worn for those type performances. AMBASSADORS will need KHAKI pants for a few of the year’s performances. YOU WILL BE NOTIFIED WELL IN ADVANCE OF ANY SUCH INFORMAL PERFORMANCE (primarily CHANSON and AMBASSADORS).