Simpson Middle School

Chorus Handbook

2012-2013

Hope Moore, Director

Simpson Middle School

3340 Trickum RoadMarietta, GA 30066

(770) 971-4711

INTRODUCTION

Welcome to the Simpson Middle School Chorus!

I am so excited about what this year holds for us! This handbook contains all of the information you need to know about the requirements, expectations and opportunities of our program. Please read the handbook thoroughly and make sure that both the student and the parent/guardian understand all of the information presented.

My goal is to provide a personal, developmental, and fun musical experience for every student in chorus. They will receive a comprehensive choral education through the study of music theory, music history and vocal technique, as well as many genres and styles of music. To achieve this goal, each student must make a personal commitment to be a contributing member of the ensemble. This commitment requires daily attendance and attentiveness in rehearsals and performances. It is through all of our individual commitments that we combine to form a unique family working towards a common goal.

Chorus gives singers a place to call home and a place to be who they truly are. Through music, we learn, laugh, cry, play, and express ourselves. I promise to create an environment that fosters growth and a mutual respect between all students and myself, enabling them to become better musicians, and hopefully, better people.

Obviously, there is no way to include every piece of information you will need to know for the entire year, so you will receive news and updates from me regularly. If at anytime you have a question, please check my blog, which is updated weekly. If you still can’t find an answer, feel free to get in touch with me. Once again, please read the handbook thoroughly. You may contact me via email anytime with questions or concerns.

We believe that music instruction provides training for students that benefits them in everything they do socially, educationally, and psychologically.Responsibility, self-discipline, and a feeling of self-worth are essential character traits. Students can develop these traits through the study of music.In the future, young musicians may become involved in performances and relationships with students from other schools and communities. He or she will learn about the arts through participation. The greatest music appreciation is achieved through actually performing music in a musical organization.

I look forward to what this year holds!

Sincerely,

Hope Moore, Director

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BEHAVIOR MANAGEMENT PLAN

As educators, we always strive to create warm, supportive classrooms and real interactions between students and teachers. Therefore, in order to guarantee your child and all students a positive experience in chorus, the following expectations will be implemented in the classroom:

  1. Be on time for class.
  2. Be prepared with music and pencil.
  3. Show respect for yourself and others.
  4. Show respect for the property of others.
  5. Gum, candy, food, and drinks that are not water are not permitted in the chorus room and will not be tolerated.
  6. All school behavior policies and discipline will be followed as stated in the agenda and Classroom Behavior Plan.
  7. Follow daily procedures as written on the board.

DAILY PROCEDURES

  1. Place bookbags, purses, gymbags, etc. in the designated area when you enter.
  2. Take your folder from your slot, and go to your seat.
  3. Read the board and begin your jump-start activity.
  4. Work quietly until the director instructs you further.
  5. Follow all teacher-given directions during the rehearsal.
  6. At the end of class, put away your music. You may not take it home with you unless you have been given written permission from Ms. Moore.

CONSEQUENCES

  1. Verbal warning
  2. Infraction followed by consequences as listed in the school discipline plan

CLASS PARTICIPATION

If a student is unable to participate in class due to medical reasons, the student needs to bring a parent note covering the day(s) in question. The student will still be expected to follow along with the day’s lesson and take all markings given.

CONCERT ATTENDANCE

All chorus students are expected to attend all performances of their particular ensemble, except in the case of illness or family emergency. Every concert is prepared with the expectation that all students will be present, and missing singers have a definite impact on the sound and balance of the chorus.

Included in this handbook you will find a calendar of every chorus concert for the entire year. Please plan accordingly now to avoid any conflicts. Feel free to share this calendar with the coaches/instructors of any other activity in which your child is involved. (cont.)

If something appears to be unavoidable, please discuss the situation with the director as far in advance as possible.

This gives us the opportunity to determine if there actually is a scheduling conflict and enables us to make adjustments to the choral sound to account for the missing singer in the case the conflict cannot be avoided. Based on my experience, MOST things can be worked out to the satisfaction of everyone. Non-school related events are NOT excused, with the exception of worship services and religious holidays or observances. Please remember that notifying the director of an absence DOES NOT excuse it. The status of an absence will be determined by the director on a case-by-case basis.

Performances are the culmination of weeks of classroom preparation. The concert calendar is printed in the chorus handbook to allow parents and students the opportunity to plan their schedules in advance. All 6th, 7th, and 8th grade chorus students are expected to attend all concerts and other group events throughout the year unless an acceptable excuse has been approved by the directorprior to the performance. Eighth grade students who do not meet these requirements will not be allowed to participate in the spring trip.

REHEARSALS

The chorus program at Simpson is comprised of one class from each grade level. We will each rehearse daily in class. Before large performances, mandatory after-school and morning rehearsals will be held. These scheduled rehearsal dates and times will be announced at least two weeks prior to when they will take place so arrangements can be made accordingly.

8th GRADE SPRING TRIP

Each spring, the 8th grade band, orchestra and chorus students have the opportunity to travel to Orlando to participate in the Disney “That’s Instrumental” or “Disney Sings” music workshops.This trip is not required, but it is considered a privilege available to students who are in good standing in their respective 3-year music programs. The expectations at these workshops are very high. Participating students are expected to represent their school and artistic discipline in a positive, thoughtfully enthusiastic, respectful manner. Students who participate in this out of state trip must also be free of disciplinary actions from the school administration, such as ISS, OSS, frequent detentions, bus actions, etc. A portion of fundraiser money earned by each student in 7th & 8th grades will go into an account to help offset that student’s Disney cost

VOLUNTEERS

Volunteers are needed on a regular basis. If you are available and willing to help at any time in any way, please notify me by email, and include your contact information so that I may contact you when a need arises. Your help is appreciated more than you know!

UNIFORMS

The Simpson chorus uniform for all 7th and 8th grade students consists of the following:

BOYS:GIRLS:

White tux shirtLong, black dress

Black tux pants Black, close-toed shoes

Black dress shoesBlack hosiery

Black socks

Black bow tie and cummerbund

(provided by the school)

NO WHITE SHOES, WHITE HOSIERY, OR WHITE SOCKS

The 6th grade chorus students will wear the following:

BOYS: / GIRLS:
White, long-sleeved dress shirt / Black dress OR
Black dress pants / Black pants/skirt and black top
Black dress shoes / Black, close-toed shoes
Black socks / Black hosiery

Concerts are considered formal events for our students, so it is very important that our choirs look their best for our performances. At Large Group Performance Evaluation, part of our rating is based on how we look and present ourselves.

For seventh and eight grades, we will place orders for tux shirts, tux pants, and black dresses in the fall. Information will be sent home prior to the measuring and ordering day.

If you have a problem obtaining an outfit, please contact me immediately so we can work together to resolve this matter. Please do not wait until the day of a performance to tell me you do not have the appropriate attire. Students, please do not wait until the day of the performance to tell your parents you need these items!

T-shirts worn under the tux shirts need to be PLAIN and white, without writing or graphics that can be seen through the tux shirt.

We are always in need of parental help in the care and upkeep of our cummerbunds and bow ties. If you are interested in helping in this area, please do not hesitate to give us a call at school. We also need parental help in "dressing" the students before each concert. If interested, please show up in the chorus room 30 minutes prior to the performance.

TECHNOLOGY

We have an exciting year in the works. With our new and expanded use of technology in all classrooms, we are able to offer electronic assignments, increasing our students' opportunities to learn and explore information more independently. We also have a new system to notify students and parents of pertinent information through text or email. These systems add to our avenues of communication within our class and our music community.

QR CODES

Students who have smartphones will be able to use a QR reader to access certain assignments. This allows them to go straight to links with presentations, preparatory information and reminders for their classes. Students will need to:

1. Go to their App store and download a QR reader.

2. As QR assignments are given, the student will scan the QR image into their phone, which takes them to a linked piece of information or assignment.

Here is an example of a QR code. Check it out, and see where it takes you!

REMIND 101

Remind 101 is a safe way for teachers to text and email students and stay in touch with parents. All Chorus students are required to sign up for either text or email alerts. Follow the instructions for your grade below.

6TH GRADE / 7TH GRADE / 8TH GRADE
text / to: 714-409-3136
msg: @6thchorus / to: 714-409-3136
msg: @7thchorus / to: 714-409-3136
msg: @8thchorus
email / to:
Leave subject and message blank! / to:
Leave subject and message blank! / to:
Leave subject and message blank!

GRADING SYSTEM

SKILLS AND TECHNIQUES...... 85 %

  • Expressive Music Performance
  • Conducting Gesture Recognition
  • Musical Independence
  • Repertoire Diversity
  • Concert Etiquette-Performance
  • Class Participation
  • Tuning
  • Intonation
  • Ensemble Skills
  • Pulse Maintenance
  • Technical Performance
  • “At Sight” Performance
  • Rhythm Counting
  • Technique: Scales
  • Notation Identification
  • Note Name Identification
  • Identify Key Signatures
  • Define and Describe Music

CREATION ANDCOMMUNICATION...... 5%

  • Melodic Embellishment
  • Improvisation
  • Composition-Melodic
  • Composition Completion
  • Notation Software
  • Arranging

AESTHETIC AND CRITICAL ANALYSIS...... 5%

  • Rhythmic Analysis
  • Pitch Tendencies
  • Describe Musical Elements
  • Genre and Style Analysis
  • Technology Use
  • Pitch Analysis
  • Ear Training: Melody/Harmony
  • Ear Training: Rhythmic
  • Individual Progress (Comparing and Tracking)
  • Individual Performance Evaluation
  • Musical Preference Evaluation/Preferences

CULTURAL AND HISTORICAL CONNECTIONS...... 5%

  • History/Cultural Connections
  • History/Cultural Periods
  • History/Cultural Analysis
  • Concert Etiquette/Listen
  • Music/Academic Discipline
  • Fine Arts Connections
  • Research Career/Avocation

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