2014 - 2015

Ms. Tarantino & Mr. Vallies,

Directors

September 2014

Welcome Back NHS Choir Members!

We are so excited to have you back for the 2014-2015 school year! It is great to see so many of you continuing our strong choral tradition this year and we are also glad to see many new faces.It is the dedication of you and your families that make this program outstanding, and we truly hope you will continue singing throughout your time here at NHS!

This year brings us a number of exciting performance opportunities, including concerts and master classes. We truly hope that you will take time to enjoy the many music-making opportunities we will share this year.

We are looking forward to working with each one of you this year. Your talent and hard work over the past years has helped to make this program what it is today and that same talent and hard work will continue to make this year at Nutley High School very exciting, fun-filled, and musically rewarding for all of us. Let’s get to singing…

Sincerely,

Ms. Tarantino

Mr. Vallies

Class Objectives

Choir is designed as a study in vocal production, choral repertoire & music fundamentals. Students will have many opportunities to sing for personal enjoyment and perform a wide variety of choral literature. Our goals are:

  1. To develop proper vocal techniques.
  2. To develop basic fundamental music skills in notation and sight singing.
  3. To recognize musical elements and demonstrate expressive qualities in varying styles of choral music.
  4. To contribute to the blend, balance, and quality of the ensemble by developing the ability to sing a part securely.
  5. To develop performance confidence.
  6. To enjoy music through active class participation.
  7. To develop self-discipline by functioning as a responsible member of the organization.
  8. To experience a sense of achievement through team involvement (yes, we are a team!)
  9. To develop personal character traits of leadership, poise, and dependability.
  10. To provide an avenue for self-expression and to develop a desire to continue partaking in musical experiences.

Classroom Conduct and Operating Procedures

We are all here because we have at least one thing in common; we enjoy singing. How we sound as a group has a lot to do with how we work together. If you each follow the class procedures listed below every day of the year, the result will be a choral group that truly makes beautiful music.

  1. Upon entering the room for rehearsal, you are to pick up your folder and be seated before the final bell rings. Tardiness will NOT be tolerated.
  2. Please have a sharpened pencil in your folder at all times. We will use them to mark our music; Music should never be marked with a pen. All marks must be erased at the end of the year.
  3. Our main emphasis in choir is vocal production; therefore, no gum, food, or candy in your mouth will be tolerated. Not only do objects in the mouth affect vocal production, but is also dangerous when singing.
  4. Please remember that proper choir posture is sitting or standing up tall, feet flat on the ground, hands at your sides.
  5. Talking during a rehearsal will not be tolerated.Rehearse as professional as possible so that we sound as professional as possible.
  6. During class sectional rehearsals the parts not singing should always be following along in the score so that total knowledge of the song is achieved. In choral music you should always know all other parts as well as your own.
  7. With up to ninety students and only one director it is imperative that we all pay attention to what is said during rehearsal so that things do not need to be repeated.
  8. Each student is responsible for returning his/her folder to the proper place after rehearsal.
  9. Any damaged or lost music/folders must be replaced by the student to whom it was assigned. The fine for replacing a folder is $10.
  10. You will be able to check out your music overnight for review. It is your responsibility to always have your music in class!! NO MUSIC = NO GRADE!
  11. Since we all will be working with each other very closely over the next year common courtesy is a must. Please treat each other with the utmost respect and understanding.
  12. NOrestroom passes will be given during choir unless it is an extreme emergency. Since we are a TEAM we all need to be in the room rehearsing together.
  13. The NHS cell phone policy will be strictly enforced at all times.
  14. Students with any problems or concerns can feel free to contact Mr. Vallies or Ms. Tarantino at any time to discuss them. Communication between all of us as an ensemble is extremely important for us to be successful. Our door is always open to ALL of you.

The success of our group rests on your individual self-discipline. We must all be willing to follow the above procedures and give 100% at all times!

Singing in harmony can only be accomplished by working in harmony!

Fundraising

Fundraising is a crucial activity for the choir program at NHS. This enables us to purchase those materials necessary to enhance the choral music experience in ways that would normally not be possible through district funding (i.e. CD production, extra music, sound equipment, costumes, travel, etc.). Because we all benefit from being in the choir, all members are encouraged to fundraise. Fundraising opportunities will also be made available to help to defray the costs of our spring trip. Before each fundraiser the students will be notified if the profit made on the sale will be applied toward the choir budget, toward your personal choir account, or a combination of both. Information regarding the 2014-2015 fundraisers will be discussed in class as needed. Please attend the F.O.N.S. meetings for the latest information!

Grading

Choir seldom requires homework or written assignments as in other classes. Your work is done in class by participating and being a responsible member of an ensemble. You are not graded on how well you personally sing, but on the effort you give to making the ensemble better.

The effort you put forth in this class is very important and that is where the majority of your grade comes from. Your grade may also include any of the following:

  • Active Participation in all choral activities, including rehearsals & concerts
  • Voice section & part tests
  • Sight-singing tests
  • Written quizzes/tests
  • Punctual arrival to each class
  • Preparation for class (i.e. having your music/pencil every day)

Make-up or extra credit can be done to earn points at the teacher’s discretion. Points taken away for rule infractions, tardiness, or unexcused absences cannot be made up.

98-100% A+

94-97% A

92-93% A-

90-91% B+

86-89% B

84-85% B-

82-83% C+

78-81% C

76-77% C-

74-75% D+

70-73% D

Below 70 F

* HONORS CREDIT is available for all N.H.S. music students (upon completion of additional assignments/work), forms are available from your music teachers*

Attendance, Extra Rehearsals, Performances:

ATTENDANCE:

Attendance is crucial for every choir member.Due to the nature of the course, when a student is absent he/she misses rehearsal and explanations that cannot be made up. In addition, the entire ensemble suffers because that student was not present to learn his/her part with the rest of the group. If a student’s absence is excused, he/she may make up participation points by doing make up work or extra credit. This privilege is not extended for any unexcused absences or truancies. ** In order for students to be considered excused by their director, they must bring in a note signed by their parent/guardian stating the reason for the absence. **

EXTRA REHEARSALS:

All extra rehearsals arerequiredand will only be scheduled when absolutely necessary. These rehearsals are imperative for a successful performance. If students are late or have to leave early, they must have a written note from their parent/guardian. Excuses will be accepted for missing extra rehearsals ONLY when given prior to the rehearsal. Ms. Tarantinoor Mr. Vallieswill decide if the excuse is valid or not.

PERFORMANCES:

Performances are the most important part of being in choir. We work constantly to be prepared to perform. When performing, students receive a deeper appreciation of music and a greater feeling of unity with the ensemble. This sense of accomplishment is what being in a music ensemble is all about!! PERFORMANCES ARE ABSOLUTELY REQUIRED OF ALL STUDENTS! There are very few circumstances in which excused absences will be given. In order for students to be considered excused by their director, they must bring in a note signed by their parent/guardian stating the reason for the absence. Notes MUST be brought in at least one week before the performance in the event of a scheduling conflict or the day the student returns to school in the event of illness or emergency. Ms. Tarantino or Mr. Vallies will decide if the excuse is valid or not.

Nutley High School Choir Uniforms

N.H.S. CONCERT CHOIR & CHAMBER SINGERS:

MEN:

  1. Grey Vest & Tie w/ Tuxedo Shirt.
  2. Black TUXEDO pants.
  3. Black Shoes & SOCKS.

WOMEN:

  1. Black Velvet Top.
  2. Burgundy Dress.
  3. Black Closed Toe Shoes.

N.H.S. CHORALETTES:

  1. CHOIR GOWN
  2. CHOIR POLO SHIRT
  3. BLACK SKIRT
  4. BLACK CLOSED TOE SHOES & STOCKINGS (Nude).

**PLEASE NOTE THAT OUR CHOIR DRESS CODE IS STRICTLY ENFORCED, IF YOU ARE NOT WEARING THE COMPLETE CORRECT UNIFORM YOU WILL NOT PERFORM WITH YOUR ENSEMBLE !**

** Each student is given a uniform and is responsible for any damage that may occur while in their possession. Please remember when altering tuxedo pants DO NOT cut off excess when hemming, as the hem may need to be let out for future students…

Concert Choir & Chamber Singers Skirts can be hemmed with a small hem, as they cannot be let out.**

NUTLEY HIGH SCHOOL CHOIR SHIRTS:

ALL SHIRTS ARE $15
NAME: ______

I am a member of:

( ) Chamber Singers

( ) Concert Choir

( ) Choralettes

Shirt Size (circle one, adult sizes!!):

X-SMALL SMALL MEDIUM

LARGEX-LARGE XX-LARGE

Please Make Checks Payable to:

“Friends of Nutley Singers”

SAVE THE DATES!

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PATHWAYS TO PEACE DAY

Sunday, September 21st, 2014, Time: TBA

Location: TBA

NUTLEY TOWNSHIP HOLIDAY

TREE LIGHTING CEREMONY

Sunday, December 7th, 2014, Time: TBA

WMS Auditorium

NHS YULETIDE CONCERT

Thursday, December 11th, 2014, 7:00 p.m.

NHS Auditorium

HOLIDAY BENEFIT CONCERT

Friday, December 19th, 2014, 7:30p.m.

Saint Mary’s Church, Nutley

Spring Musical – Sweeney Todd

March 6th, 7th8th 2015

N.H.S. Auditorium

NHS SPRING CONCERT

Thursday, May 14th, 2015, 7:30 p.m.

NHS Auditorium

This handbook was written for all choir members and their parents. After reading this handbook, please fill in this page and the shirt order form and return both to Ms. Tarantino or Mr. Vallies.

I, ______, have read and understand the Nutley High School Choir Handbook. I feel as though I can make a positive contribution to the choir program at Nutley High School and I will follow all rules and procedures outlined herein. Failure to adhere to these rules may result in my expulsion from choir and/or the spring choir trip.

______

Date

______

Signature of choir student

______

Signature of parent/guardian

______

Parent Guardian First Name(s)

______

Address

______

Phone #

______

Student E-mailParent E-mail