THE NASHUAHIGH SCHOOLSOUTH
CHORAL HANDBOOK
2011-2012
PHILOSOPHY
The performing groups in our school are totally committed to offering each student the opportunity to grow in appreciation and performance of the finest literature available. The groups also offer members the opportunity to develop citizenship, a strong sense of self-discipline and an increase in social interaction while broadening their cultural development in the area of the Fine Arts.
THE PROGRAM
The high school choral program carries one full academic credit for each year successfully completed, and may be repeated throughout all four years. Participation in chorus is open to the entire student body, although previous experience is extremely beneficial.
Chorus students should be able to demonstrate the choral objectives below.* Some choral groups require an audition while others do not. The performance aspect of the choral program is a vital part of the musical skills needed to develop musical behaviors that are an integral part of the overall educational program.
As a part of the choral curriculum, the students are required to participate in ALL SCHEDULED FUNCTIONS.Because the performance aspect is so important in the final grading, and realizing the demands placed on the students to meet the scheduled performance requirement, the following procedure will be used to determine the Performance portion of the grade for each marking period in all performance areas:
1. Attendance at all scheduled events, including Winter, MIOSM (March) and Spring Concerts, large group festival, etc. is mandatory.
a. Non-attendance at these performances will be treated as an Excused Absence or an Unexcused Absence and will be graded accordingly. (SEE BELOW)
2. EXCUSED ABSENCE:
All absences due to illness, injury, family emergencies or family commitments are examples. Students are required to notify the choral director of their absence prior to the scheduled event, whenever possible, and bring a note explaining the absence. (Without a note, the absence is automatically unexcused.)
- An Excused Absence will receive a grade of 0%. Students may work out extra credit make-up options with Mrs. Santerre to earn back a portion of the points lost for an excused absence,
3. UNEXCUSED ABSENCE:
Students who miss an event without authorization will receive an Unexcused Absence for that event. An Unexcused Absence from a scheduled performance shall receive a grade of 0%. Make-up extra credit options are not available for unexcused options.
(Work is not an excused absence) Students will always be notified at least two weeks in advance of any scheduled performance.
4. Both classroom and performance averages will be averaged together to determine
each marking period grade.
5. Mid-term and Final grades will include individual or small ensemble performances, or written project with the approval of the director, and a written examination.
*CHORAL PERFORMANCE OBJECTIVES (from page 1)
Students must demonstrate the ability to sing one's part in a chorus setting, demonstrate the ability to blend within a section, show dynamic control, articulates, and sing with good tone, intensity, focus and pitch.
Students in CONCERT CHOIR, JAZZ CHOIR and other AUDITIONED CHORUSES should show an exceptional interest in music and the ability to perform independently with good musical expression. They should also demonstrate the ability to sight-read both melodically and rhythmically with moderate ability. They are also required to perform several concerts and programs outside of school and these are mandatory provided reasonable notice is given.
GRADING
Being a member of the choral program should be a positive, balanced and sound learning experience involving individual work done at home and team or group effort in school. Since performing is a concomitant of learning the disciplines of music, the primary basis for grading students involved in the choral programs is the performance aspect both in class and in performance. Assessments in both the performance aspect of music as well as the comprehensive music reading skills, vocal technique and music history will be administered throughout the school year.
If grading of students involved in the performing areas is to be academically defensible, and if it is to be a measure of learning through musical performance, then two aspects must be recognized. Since the facets of classroom learning and actual musical performance are so inter-related and cannot be separated from each other, the following grading procedures will be followed.
In quarters where there are scheduled performances 70% of the grade will be based on classroom effort, growth, music knowledge, cooperation, and project completion, while the other 30% is performance attendance, cooperation, promptness, uniform upkeep and effort. In quarters where there are no performances grades will be based solely on classroom criteria and project completion. A folder for each student will be kept in the music office with all paperwork and projects collected throughout the year.
Students in Concert Choir, Chorale and Freshman Choirwill be graded on:
Daily Attendance
Daily Effort, Preparation and Participation
Assessments
Homework
All students in Concert Choir will be required to learn the All-State audition material and perform individually for a grade. The Italian will be taught in class. An explanation will be given the first week of school on how the individual exams will take place. More information may be found at
QUIZZES/TESTS/FINAL ASSESSMENTS
- There will be quizzes and tests throughout each quarter. Some of these will be small group performances to determine if a student has learned their music, some will be done on tape with music they have rehearsed, others will be written and each student will be assessed on their improvement in sight-reading skills.
- A musical performance of small groups prepared by the students will be presented to the class at the conclusion of the second quarter.
- Chorus students will take a written and performance final exam. The final exam will be specified in the fourth quarter.
EXTRA CREDIT POSSIBILITIES:
- Students who attend extra chorus rehearsals and sectional rehearsals may use these rehearsals to receive extra credit for that marking period. They must attend all rehearsals in their entirety in order to receive to receive credit.
- Students in Chorale who volunteer to sing for the class in a quartet (one per voice part) will receive extra credit. They must take the performance seriously and perform to the best of their ability.
- Students who volunteer time to work in the music department may use this volunteer time for extra credit. Time must be documented and a written log of work done must be turned in.
*COMPETENCIES IN CHOIRS*
Students must meet the following competencies in Freshman Choir, Chorale and Concert Choir. The requirements for these competencies vary by course and by years enrolled. Details will be provided to students in each class and will be available online.
- Students will perform music of varying styles alone and with others, either vocally or
instrumentally, using appropriate technique and expression.
4. Students will read and notate music appropriate for their instrument or voice part
- Students will evaluate and critique musical performances or varying styles using appropriate music terminology
- Students will evaluate and critique their own performances and/or compositions using
appropriate music terminology.
2011-2012PERFORMANCE DATES
Santa Fund Concert RehearsalsMon & TuesDecember 19&20
Santa Fund Concert ITuesdayDecember 20
Santa Fund Concert IIWednesdayDecember 21
Santa Fund Concert – Snow DateThursdayDecember 22
Nashua Sings! Choral FestivalWednesday February 8
Snow DateThursdayFebruary 9
Grade 5 & 8 Music Push Up Day (in school)WednesdayFebruary 22
Snow DateThursdayFebruary 23
Music In Our Schools Month ConcertWednesdayMarch 21
Snow DateThursdayMarch 22
Large Group FestivalFriday/Saturday March 23/24
Jazz NightWednesdayApril 7
Music Department Trip (Optional)Weds-SunApril 18-22
Spring Concert RehearsalsMondayMay 21
Pops ConcertThursdayMay24
Music Awards ThursdayMay 31
Additional performance dates will be posted ASAP
ADDITIONAL DATES
Jazz All-State Auditions*Saturday, October 22, 2011
All-State AuditionsSaturday, November 19, 2011
NH Jazz All-State FestivalFebruary 2-4, 2012
NH All-State FestivalApril 12-14, 2012
SECTIONALS
Each student will be expected to adjust their work and activity schedules to allow attendance to after school sectionals as scheduled in advance. Students will receive monthly calendars on a regular basis. All sectionals will run from 2:15-3:00, unless otherwise noted. Some sectionals will be run by student section leaders and others by Mrs. Santerre. ALL section leaders and student directors will be treated with the utmost respect and full cooperation given. There will not be many of these rehearsals, therefore attendance will be expected. Due to the Concert Choir MENC Performance, Concert Choir should plan on sectionals on a regular basis – these will be held every other Monday from 2:15-3:00. A schedule will be posted on the board and on the NHSS Music Department website.
CELL PHONE/ELECTRONIC DEVICE POLICY
Cell phones, MP3 players and other electronic devices are not permitted in the music classes. Students should have these devices put away and turned off at the beginning of each class. Students who neglect to do this may have their device confiscated and turned in to the office.
JAZZ CHOIR
This auditioned group will rehearse Tuesdaysfrom 2:15-4:00 (4:30). Any student who is in school, but misses a rehearsal will be put on probation. All rehearsals for this group are mandatory! Extra rehearsals will be called when necessary. There are several performances already scheduled for this ensemble and again, all are mandatory. Students are responsible for learning their music on their own time!
CONCERT ATTIRE:
Concert attire for each of the choruses will be as follows:
Chorale and Freshman Choir:
Boys: White dress shirt, black dress pants, dark tie, dark socks and dark shoes.
Sneakers and/or jeans are not appropriate!
Girls: ***Black dress shirt or blouse (no sleeveless shirts or tank tops), floor length blackskirt or black dress pants, nylons and dark dress shoes (dark socks if wearing pants). Jeans, sneakers, flip flops, sandals, and heels higher than 2 inches will not be allowed!
Concert Choir:
Boys: Tuxedo (provided), white collared tuxedo shirt, black socks, black shoes. Sneakersare not appropriate!
Girls:Black gown (provided), nylons and black dress shoes. Jeans, sneakers, flip flops, sandals, and heels higher than 2 inches will not be allowed!
Jazz Choir:
Boys:Tuxedo and vest will be provided – shirts OR Black Jazz Shirts may be purchased through Mrs. Santerre (approximately $25)
Girls:Vest will be provided – shirts OR Black Jazz Shirts may be purchased through Mrs. Santerre (approximately $25) and students must provide their own long black skirt or black dress pants.Jeans, sneakers, flip flops, sandals, and heels higher than 2 inches will not be allowed!
ALL-STATE/JAZZ ALL-STATE FESTIVALS
Students who wish to audition for these festivals must be sure that they are available on the dates of the festivals AND must pass a preliminary audition with Mrs. Santerre one week prior to the application deadline of said festival, as well as another audition one week prior to the state audition.
THE NASHUA HIGH SCHOOL SOUTH MUSIC BOOSTERS
Parents of all music students are encouraged to become members of the Nashua High School Music South Boosters Association. Meetings are the first Tuesday of every month held in the Nashua High School South Music Department. Parents do not need to attend meetings in order to be a booster. We can use your support in many different ways! Look for an open house this fall!
GENERAL INFORMATION
Students are expected to be in their seats, with their music and a pencil, when the tardy bell rings. Students should consider their music and theory worksheets as their textbooks and are responsible for the condition and return of all music issued.
The music department is for rehearsal and classroom purposes only. NO OTHER ACTIVITIES WILL BE TOLERATED. ANY ABUSE OF THE MUSIC DEPARTMENT including PRACTICE ROOMS WILL BE DEALT WITH IN THE MOST SEVERE MANNER POSSIBLE. Practice rooms are available for individual or sectional practice. No one should be in the music department unless they:
1. Have signed up to practice in a practice room
2. Have an appointment with someone on the Music Department Staff
3. Have a class in the Music Department
4. Are working on a task authorized by the Music Department
Our purpose is to learn and perform. Any non-musical use of the facilities and property is inappropriate and will not be tolerated.
ABSOLUTELY NO GUM, FOOD, BEVERAGES WILL BE ALLOWED ANYWHERE IN THE MUSIC DEPARTMENT.
Students who have been found in violation of the NHSS Chorus Handbook will be issued a warning/citation. Any student issued three (3) warnings will not be allowed to participate in any extra music department events; ie: trips, etc.
WE (students and music directors) will make every effort to start rehearsals promptly. Since class time is limited, PLEASE BE IN YOUR SEATS, WITH MUSIC FOLDER, READY TO START WHEN THE BELL RINGS. Remember, our main purpose is to learn and perform!
The attached HealthForm/Permission Slip and Chorus Contract must be completed and signed by a parent/guardian and you and returned by Friday, September 18, 2009. (The return of the forms, signed will be marked in the rank book and considered a graded assignment.)
Chorus Projects (Part of the final assessment)
Due one week before the end of the second semester. Students must receive approval for each project whether written or performance. Papers must be done in the format detailed below. Written Projects may not be repeated at any time over a four-year period . It is your responsibility to keep track of your projects. Any ideas for a project not on the list must be discussed with Mrs. Santerre.
These projects will be reflected as a portion of each student’s final assessment for each semester.
THE PREFERRED PROJECT:
Students are highly encouraged to prepare a piece to perform for their respective chorus class. This may be a solo or an ensemble with up to 8 members. There may be no more than 2 people per voice part. Each piece must be approved prior to the performance. It is recommended that this approval take place at least on e month prior to the end of the semester to allow students enough time to properly prepare the music.
Additional project and extra credit options for all chorus students:
1)Attend a performance of any non-rock music group and write a review. This performance must occur during the current school year. A musical theatre production is acceptable. Describe who performed, what they performed, the instrumentation, the composer(s), the staging and interpretation. Use mature musical terminology. DON’T just tell me how the music made you “feel”, although you may offer opinions backed up by the musical analysis. Follow guidelines for papers.
2)*Be taking private lessons. (Must submit signed verification form, log, repertoire & personal evaluation)
3)*Participate in the NHS Talent Show, NHS Recital, etc(Must submit signed verification form, log,
repertoire & personal evaluation)
4)*Participate in an outside ensemble: bell choir, town band, orchestra for a show, cast of an area Theatre
musical, etc (Must submit signed verification form, log, repertoire & personal evaluation)
5)*Volunteer your services to a local arts group (Nashua Symphony/Choral Society, American Stage
Festival, Actorsingers….) (Must submit signed verification form, log & personal evaluation)
Written Papers
All papers must be typed or word-processed, double-spaced on typing or computer paper, with one-inch margins, 12-pt font, a title page, and a bibliography or discography page. All spelling, grammatical and structure mistakes COUNT. Please proofread all papers submitted!!!! Body of the paper must be 5-7 pages. All paper topics must be approved by Mrs. Santerre.
Proper Bibliography Format: Title - Author - Publisher - Copyright Information - Volume#. You must use at least three sources for all research papers, and at least one must be a source other than the internet.
Proper Discography Format: Title-composer and/or conductor - group and/or soloists - publisher - copyright information - where and when recorded.
NASHUA HIGH SCHOOL SOUTH MUSIC DEPARTMENT
Medical Form – Due Friday, September 16, 2011
Please PRINT or TYPE the following information – Thank You!
Name:______DOB:______AGE:______SEX:______Parent/Guardian:______Tel:______Pager/Cell phone:______
Home Address (no PO Box, please):______City:______Work phone:______
IN CASE OF EMERGENCY – PLEASE NOTIFY (other than parents)
Name:______Relationship:______
Home Address:______Tel:______Pager/Cell phone:______
Business Address:______Tel:______Pager/Cell phone:______
HEALTH HISTORY
Family Physician:______Tel:______
Heart Trouble (Explain):______
Blackouts/Convulsions (Explain):______
Diabetes (Detail of treatment & control):______
______
Asthma or Bronchitis:______
Uses inhaler:______Has inhaler with patient:______
Date of last Tetanus immunization:______
ALLERGIES:
Bee Sting:______Penicillin:______Food:______Environmental:______
Type of reaction and severity:______
Others:______
Are there any illness for which your child is currently receiving treatment and/or medication? YES______NO______
Please describe and list medications:______
Does the child have the medication in their possession? YES ______NO______
IN CASE OF A MEDICAL EMERGENCY, I HEREBY AUTHORIZE ANY LICENSED PHYSICIAN, HOSPITAL, CLINIC OR OTHER MEDICAL FACILITY TO HOSPITALIZE AND SECURE TREATMENT FOR MY CHILD AS NAMES ABOVE.
I/We, the undersigned parent(s) of the above named student hereby release Nashua High School South, the NashuaSchool District, City of Nashua; and release individually all teachers, chaperones, and personnel from any and all liability that might arise in their capacity as school representatives and individually throughout my child’s high school career.