2012-2013

Choir Handbook

One Voice, One Vision

KLEIN COLLINS HIGH SCHOOL CHOIR

HANDBOOK 2012-2013

INTRODUCTION

The Klein Collins Choir Department enjoys a rich tradition of excellence, pride, and high musical standards. You can be proud to be a part of one of the strongest choral organizations in the state. A strong, successful and enjoyable music program involves a cooperative effort from the directors, the students and the parents. Communication and dedication from Choir directors, parents, and Choir students will make this a prosperous musical year.

The purpose of this handbook is to acquaint you with the regulations, responsibilities, expectations and opportunities that are part of the Klein Collins Vocal Music Curriculum. After you have read through this booklet, please sign this contract and return it no later than Thursday, September 20th.

Signed pages (and usage fee) are due by Thursday, September 20th.

CONTACT INFORMATION

Kasey Pope, Director of Choirs

832-484-5304

Briana Kruse, Associate Director of Choirs

832-484-5304

COLLINS CHORAL DEPARTMENT GOALS

-Maintain the tradition of excellence in behavior, attitude, and performance.

-Hold to the highest standard of musical excellence through singing.

-Develop skills and knowledge needed to become lifelong musicians.

-Build a team by sharing musical experiences that are memorable and meaningful.

KLEIN COLLINS CHOIR CLASSES

All choir classes work to develop musicianship and learn musical skills through the rehearsal and performance of choral music. Six weeks grades reflect class participation, musical development, sight-reading skill, rehearsal attendance, and concert performance. All classes are taught by Mrs. Pope and Ms. Kruse.

In each class, singers are held to the highest standard of behavior and attitude. All KCHS Choir students are expected to contribute positively to the Choir team through work ethic, responsibility, attitude, and musicianship.

1st period - A Cappella Women

Non-auditioned Women’s Choir

2nd period - Meistersingers

Non-auditioned Men’s Choir

3rd period - Chorale

Auditioned Mixed Choir – Advanced Level

4th period - Liebeslieder

Auditioned Women’s Choir

5th period - Ein Lied

Auditioned Women’s Choir – Advanced Level

6th period – Conference

7th period - Vocal Ensemble

Non-Auditioned Mixed Choir

*Next year, this group will be an auditioned group. Auditions for Vocal Ensemble 2013-2014 will be held in May.

Collins Cuties

Auditioned Show Choir (Auditions take place in September)

Open to Women only

Must be a current Choir member

Meets after school – time & day to be determined

Commotion

Auditioned Show Choir (Auditions take place in September)

Open to Men & Women

Must be a current Choir member

Meets after school – time & day to be determined

KLEIN COLLINS CHOIR BOOSTER CLUB

The main objective of the Klein Collins Choir Booster Club is to support and enhance the choral program for the high school. In addition, the Booster Club exists to

provide communication to all Choir students and parents. The Booster Club Board is selected in the Spring of the preceding year.

The membership fee for the Klein Collins Choir Booster Club is $15 per family. All members of the family may attend booster club meetings and are encouraged to take part in Booster Club activities. Our Choir Booster Club is actively involved in participating in the choir program. A Sponsorship Information Form was sent out by our president, and we hope that all of our KCC parents will consider becoming a member and/or a sponsor. The KCCB Club depends on donations from the parents and the community to be successful.

Booster Club Meeting Schedule 2012-2013:

Tuesday, September 11th

Thursday, November 29th

Tuesday, March 19th

Monday, April 29th

Tuesday, June 4th

*All Booster Club Meetings will be held

at 6:30 pm in the Choir Room at KCHS.

2012-2013 Booster Club Board

President – Dana Grindal

Co-Vice Presidents ofFundraising – Jennifer Sanders & Lynn Trehern

Treasurer – Cathy LeJeune

Vice President Volunteer & Communications Coordinator – Barbara Buzonas

Secretary – Kathy Richardson

CHOIR OFFICERS

Any student may run for office in choir. Officers are elected by their fellow choir members on the basis of leadership, service, and participation in the choir program. These students are expected to exhibit outstanding behavior and a positive attitude at all times.

2012-2013 Chorale Officers

Co-Presidents – Katie Gonzalez & Lauren Lestage

Co-Vice Presidents – Amanda Lund & Charlotte Reid

Secretaries – Brittany Ginn, Luke Roth, & Claire Tyrrell

Historians – Natalia Alamdari & Michele Higgins

Librarians – Kayla Anderson & Jasmine Kardani

Equipment Managers – Deepak Krishnappa & Jacob Sanford

Chorale Section Leaders – Priyanka Thakker (Soprano), Rebecca Mahle (Alto), Jesse Delgadillo (Tenor), Justin Dresner (Bass)

*Section Leaders for all other classes will be chosen in September.

REQUIRED EXPENSES AND FEES

Students in the Klein Collins Choir Department are required to pay a $50 Operating fee. This fee is necessary to maintain a quality choir program for our students and is required to purchase/pay for items which are not provided by the District.

These items include, but are not limited to:

Choir Tshirt (new this year!)

Pop Show Tshirt

Dry Cleaning Costs

Equipment Costs – copying, supplies, folders, sound equipment maintenance

Music for our choir library

Clinician fees & Accompanist fees

OPTIONAL EXPENSES AND FEES

More specific information will be coming regarding the listed events. To provide expectations for the year, listed are optional activities/events that have mandatory fees associated with them:

District Auditions (September) - $15

Show Choir Uniform (October) – about $30 per student

Region Choir Participation (November) - $20

Solo & Ensemble (February) - $10 per entry

Solo & Ensemble Accompanist Fee (February) – $25 - $35

FACE Participation fee (Only open to Ein Lied & Chorale – February) - $15

Parties (Halloween, Holiday, etc) – no more than $5 each

Spring Trip to New York – see attachment

FUNDRAISING

Klein Collins Choir students are encouraged to participate in three fundraising activities each year. The fundraisers are carried out to help with program expenses, and they also are an opportunity for choir students to raise money for spring trip expenses (10th-12th graders). More information will be coming about each fundraiser throughout the year.

This year’s projects include:

-Entertainment Book Sales (Aug 2012)

-Flag Fundraiser – dispersing and picking up flags throughout Klein Collins neighborhoods on certain holidays.

-Brochure Sales (Oct 2012)

UNIFORMS

Uniforms are provided for all choir students, and the uniform is mandatory for participation in Choir performances. The individual student must provide uniform accessories, including shoes and socks. Each student is responsible for repair or replacement of any damaged or unreturned uniform or accessory.

If your uniform needs cleaning during the year – DRY CLEAN ONLY.

Choir Men

-issued tux coat, shirt, pants, cummerbund, and bow tie.

-Must wear nice, black shoes and BLACK SOCKS

Choir Women

-issued concert dress.

-Must wear concert shoes – black, closed toed

*The $50 usage fee must be paid, and the signed handbook form must be turned in before any student is issued a uniform.

VOICE LESSONS

Klein Collins has a very active private lesson program at Klein Collins.

Why take private lessons?

  • Aids in preparation for contests and competitions through a more in-depth study of the music.
  • Develops student’s personal musical skills and abilities.
  • Increases level of confidence – not only in performance but in other areas of life.
  • Gives individualized attention to the student’s needs and development that may be missed in a large group setting.

Payment Information:

  • The private lesson fee established by KISD is $20 per half-hour lesson.
  • Studying privately requires a year-long commitment.
  • Payments should be made for the entire month at the beginning of the month, and teachers should be paid directly.

KCHS Private Voice Teachers:

  • Jim Baxter, (406) 578 – 1519, (Thursday)
  • Cassandra Black, (408) 813 – 7340, (Thursday)
  • Lisa Borik, (269) 267 – 5749, (Wednesday)
  • Sandra Peterson, (281) 444 – 0208, (contact for days/times)
  • Jenny Roesner, (832) 978 – 6665, (Tuesday)
  • Mark Swindler, (713) 876-1834, (Tuesday)
  • Laura Vacek, (832) 326 – 2308, (Thursday)

Parents should contact one of these teachers TODAY in order to begin lessons. Available spots fill quickly! The individual teacher will discuss the guidelines and policies for his/her personal studio.

GRADING

60% Rehearsal Technique & Concert (Major Grades)

-Students receive multiple rehearsal technique grades per six weeks. These grades reflect student attendance, attentiveness, punctuality, attitude, responsibility, work ethic, contribution to the group, and behavior for daily rehearsals.

-Grades are given for extra activities and rehearsals.

-All concerts are graded. Prompt attendance is mandatory. Grade is dependent upon concert etiquette, music performance, punctuality, and staying through the entirety of the performance.

-If a concert is missed due to illness or family emergency (and directors receive notice), an alternate assignment of a performance assessment will be available for one week following the missed concert.

40% Daily Work (Minor Grades)

-Quizzes

-Written class work

-Sight-reading assessments (individual and group)

-Paperwork checks – papers sent home to be signed

-Singing tests

-Pencil and folder checks

-Late work will be penalized as follows:

  • 1 day late – 10% off
  • 2 days late – 20% off
  • 3 days late – 30% off
  • 4 days or later – 0

- Only two minor grades may be turned in late.

ATTENDANCE POLICY

Each member of the choir is expected to be prompt to all classes, rehearsals, events, and concerts. Any student with two unexcused absences or late arrivals will be removed from that organization or ensemble. An absence is excused if the director is notified in person at least 24 hours in advance of the absence or if it is a family emergency. Excusing rehearsal absences is left to the director’s discretion. Even if a student is absent from school on the day of a concert, there must be communication with the director PRIOR to the event in order for it to be excused.

Chorale members must attend extra rehearsals for each concert. If there are two unexcused absences from rehearsals, a Chorale member will be removed from the group. Points will be deducted from the grade for tardiness. Any unexcused absence from a rehearsal will reflect as a “0” in the gradebook. *See Chorale Calendar for scheduled rehearsals.

ELIGIBILITY

Many events throughout the year require eligibility from Choir students. In order to be eligible, students must pass every class with a grade of 70 or above. (Only Honors, Pre-AP, and AP classes are exempt).

The following performances and competitions require eligibility:

Any District/Region/Area/All-State Event (Auditions, Clinics & Concerts)

Solo & Ensemble

UIL Concert & Sight-reading Competition

Spring Trip

Performing a solo on the Pop Show

KLEIN COLLINS CHOIR AGREEMENT CONTRACT

Detach and Return no later than Thursday, September 20th.

A grade will be given for the prompt return of this form.

We, the undersigned, have read the contents of this vocal music handbook and realize what is expected of the responsible choir student, especially in areas of dedication, promptness, attendance and attire. We understand that these guidelines are important in order to help our students become quality musicians.

We have attached the $50 choir usage fee (checks made payable to KCHS Choir) and further agree to take responsibility for a choir uniform, understanding there will be a cost for replacement if it is damaged or lost.

We pledge to help make this an exciting, educational and musical year.

______

Student Printed Name Choir Class Period

CHOIR T-SHIRT SIZE (circle one):

SMLXLXXLXXXL

I grant permission for the KCHS Choir to identify me by name or by photograph in KCHS publications or on the KCHS Choir website.

______Accept______Decline

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Student SignatureDate

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Parent SignatureDate