WE LIVE TO SING

WE SING TO LIVE

2018-2019 School Year

Director: Genevieve Tejeda

Printed Student Name ______

Class Period ______

Principal Signature ______

Attention Sun Ridge Choir Parents and Students!!!!

Please go to the Sun Ridge website and access the choir page under Ms. Tejeda or type in and read through the choir handbook. Once you and your parent/guardian have read through all the information please fill out and turn in the letter of documentation. If you wish to be a volunteer please follow the directions on the back of this page.

LETTER OF DOCUMENTATION

Student Name ______

Class Period ______

I (Printed Student’s Name) ______have read and agree to all policies listed in the choral handbook.

Student Signature ______

I (Printed Student’s Parent/Guardian Name ______have read and agree to have my child follow all policies listed in the choral handbook.

Parent/Guardian Signature ______

Home Number ______

Cell Phone Number (Parent/Guardian) ______

Work Number ______

Emergency Contact Name and Number ______

If you filled out an online parent volunteer form please let me know

Dear Parents and Students:

Welcome to SRMS Choral Organization. The following information will outline expectations for all students in the Sun Ridge Middle School Choir Program during the school year. These policies and procedures are necessary both for the growth and for the future improvement of our choral organization.

MY PHILOSOPHY

WE LIVE TO SING

WE SING TO LIVE

I believe all my students should behave appropriately in my classroom. I will not tolerate student behavior that prevents me from teaching or any student from learning. I believe all students should be expected to foster a strong work ethic not only for themselves but also for the team. Music is an individual and team activity that demands dedication by all involved. Through music education, students can enhance their learning abilities in all areas of study and lead a fuller life.

GENERAL INFORMATION

Students are expected to follow all class rules listed below:

1)Enter class with a positive attitude and ready to sing- if you do not participate you will receive a daily grade of 0 and phone call home

2)Enter class with all required materials

3)Place backpacks and purses neatly behind the risers against the wall- if you do not comply with this rule you will receive lunch detention- this is a safety concern

4)Adhere to the guidelines set by the students as the components of creating a successful team

5)No use of cell phones- if a cell phone is not put away teacher will take the cell phone away

6)Listen when the director is speaking and students are sharing information

7)No gum chewing, food or outside drinks, other than bottled water, are allowed in class- we need to take care of our room and show pride- if you do not comply with this rule you will be expected to clean up the room and phone call home

8)Keep hands, feet, objects to self – NO HORSEPLAYING as this will result in an immediate detention/referral and phone call home

9)Be respectful of others, in feelings, in thought, in actions, and in words

10)Raise hand for permission to speak or leave seat

11)Refrain from using profanity or inappropriate gestures

12)Be in your seat and in proper school uniform by class time and ready to learn

13)No make-up/hair spray/ or brushes to be used in class

14)If you have questions or do not understand ask for help appropriately

15)No playing piano/do not touch sound system/ do not go behind teacher’s desk

16)The phone is for emergencies

17)Must use pass when leaving the classroom

Not following these rules will result in the following consequences:

  1. Verbal Warning/conference with teacher/parent phone call
  2. Conference with teacher/parent phone call and detention after/before school
  3. Office Referral- please keep in mind if a student receives a referral from any class during the school some choir activities may not be allowed

In case of severe disruptions, willful disobedience, injury to another, or destruction of property, the student will be sent directly to the office bypassing steps 1 through 2!!!!

REWARDS

  1. Verbal Praise
  2. Prizes- pens/pencils/candy
  3. After school activities such as movie nights, pizza party, lock-in

Rewards are not a right but a privilege

CHOIR MATERIALS

Students will receive daily grades that are based upon in class rehearsal technique, worksheets, notebook checks and quizzes. Students will also receive at least 2 test grades and a nine weeks test grade. It is essential that each student bring their materials to class everyday. Each student will need the following items:

  1. 3 prong plastic folderwith name written on the folderand notebook paper
  2. Pencil and highlighters
  3. School binder with school agenda should always be in your back pack
  4. In addition to having supplies on hand as part of the student’s daily rehearsal technique grade, students must participate by taking notes, asking questions, answering questions, and singing as part of being well prepared for class. Remember your grade and what you get out of taking this course is what you make out of it. So always try your best!!!

Rehearsal Technique involves and is supplemented in the TEKS (Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills):

  1. Prepared for class
  2. Adheres to Class and School Rules
  3. Participates- answers and asks questions, takes notes, sings, follows class instructional directions without hesitating
  4. Performs individually and in group settings

If a student fails to participate in class and/or is unprepared with the materials the following consequences will occur:

  1. Receive daily grade of 0
  2. Student will call home and inform parents and a written letter confirming that both parent and student were told will be sent home
  3. Student will receive lunch detention/parent phone call
  4. Student will receive a referral

GRADING POLICIES

  1. There will be 15 daily rehearsal technique grades (which can include written work)

Each day is worth 100 points

  1. Each concert will count for 1 Test Grade and/or Final Grade
  2. Quizzes are worth 1 Daily Grade 100 points
  3. At least 2 test grades will be given each nine weeks- these may be written and/or performance based
  4. A final written nine weeks test may be given each nine weeks which covers all theory learned and questions over the music learned (a concert grade may incorporated into this or substituted for this)
  5. After school rehearsal will count as one daily grade 100 points

Make-up assignments consist of research papers and singing aloneafter school

All contests are test grades

CHOIR UNIFORM

Please begin to purchase your kaki bottoms at the beginning of the year

The uniform will add to professionalism and group pride :)

All Choir Students are required to purchase a choir shirt to be worn for all performances/contests/field trips. If you are having financial difficulties please let me know.

All choir students must also wear kaki slacks or kaki skirt to the knees.

The choir shirt can be used on a daily basis as a school uniform shirt.

ADVANCED CHOIR UNIFORM

In addition to the above a dress polo and black dress bottoms must be purchased.

FUNDRAISING

The choir will have fundraising sales throughout the year. It is optional for students to participate. However, the more participation the more monies can be earned and put to good use for the choral students. Fundraisers are used to fund for:

  1. Contest fees
  2. Accompanist fees
  3. Field Trips
  4. Awards
  5. Music
  6. Sound Equipment
  7. Technology Equipment
  8. Choir Professional Attire
  9. Clinician fees
  10. Field Trips
  11. Costumes and Props to enhance performances
  12. The list is endless…..

Fundraisers can be paid with check, cash, and money orders. In order to turn in money a form must be completed by the student and the parent to ensure that the correct amount of monies is collected and turned in. A sample form will be attached at the end of the handbook. Checks and money orders are the preferred payment method- please include driver’s license #, phone number, address and name of the organization.

FIELD TRIPS

Students will have several opportunities to attend evening or weekend field trips to attend dinner and either the El Paso Symphony, El Paso Opera, El Paso Chorale Concerts, UTEP dinner theater performances, and other local musical performances. Some field trips will also be used to serve as a fun bonding experience such as Western Playland, to see a movie, etc. Some of these field trips may cost $7-$80. These trips are optional. Only students who are well disciplined will be allowed to attend.

There will be a few in day school field trips to perform off campus for those that are musically prepared, well disciplined and eligible.

Allchoral field trips require passing grades in all classes if students will be performing- Texas State Law.

COMPETITIONS

During the year there will be several competitions/auditions which students can enter.

  1. Region Choir (7th and 8th grade only in Advanced and Tenor/Bass Choir)- Individual– all students in advance must compete in the region auditions
  2. Solo and Ensemble (6th, 7th, and 8th grade)- Individual
  3. Socorro Advanced Choral Contest- Advanced, Honor Choir (not optional)
  4. SISD Beginning Festival- Beginners, Mixed and Tenor/Bass (not optional)- may go Advanced Choral Contest
  5. UIL Choral Contest- Honor Choir/Advanced choir(not optional)
  6. Jazz Contest- Advanced/Honor Choir (not optional), Tenor/Bass,

All students who participate in contest must pass all classes and adhere to Texas State Law for Eligibility.

CONTEST FEES

Students may be required to pay a $5 entrance fee for Region Choir Competition.

Students may be required to pay a $20 accompanist fee for Solo & Ensemble

REHEARSALS AND CONCERTS

Rehearsals, concerts, contests, and other performances are equal to classroom work and represent a portion of your grade. Performances are identified as essential in the TEKS (Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills). Allowances are made for excused absences stated by parent in advance if possible through phone call or written document. Emergencies include the following only: family emergencies and personal illness. All missed attendance at concerts will be made up by completing a research paper. Events and after school rehearsals will be announced well in advance to help plan your schedules and transportation will need to be provided by Parent/Guardian.

It is in the students’ best interest that we work together in relationship of his/her musical education. I will be in close contact with you regarding your child’s progress in my classroom. Please sign the LETTER OF DOCUMENTATION located at the beginning of this handbook and have your son/daughter bring it with him/her tomorrow.

CONFERENCE PERIODS

If you or your children ever have concerns, please feel free to contact me during my conference 1st period937-6724 or you can email me

Remind APP- To stay up to date with choir/piano activities please join Remind app

Advanced Treble enter 81010 and text @mstejeda

Piano enter 81010 and text @29aag4

Beginning Treble enter 81010 and text @msteje

Boys Choir enter 81010 and text @4k6h6h3

Parent Volunteers enter 81010 @k8fgf7

Attention SRMS Choir/Piano community please read entirely. I must ask for your help with the following for my safety and your child’s safety. We have many concerts, field trips and lock-ins and I want to continue to have these events. When we have out of school day activities it is imperative that students are picked up on time. From this moment on as we have many performances and events coming up if your child is not picked up within 35 minutes of the ending time of the event there could be possible consequences such as CPS or El Paso Police Department being called to handle the situation or student losing the opportunity to attend future non graded functions. I am simply asking for our Sun Ridge Community to respect its faculty and volunteers by following stated guidelines.

Please contact me with questions/concerns- Genevieve Tejeda 937-6724

  • Events that end after 5:30pm must have a parent/guardian pick them up- students cannot walk home after this time
  • Students can be picked up by another adult as long as parent/guardian has specified in advance before the event takes place
  • If ending time is before 5:30pm and student is allowed to walk home parent/guardian must notify the teacher in advance before the event takes place

VOLUNTEERS

If you would like to be a choir volunteer please fill out the following attached forms- the district and Sun Ridge require that a background check be done. The choir needs parental support in helping to lead and manage field trips, concerts, contests, fundraisers, organizing music, making decorations, and even sharing your musical talents with the Sun Ridge Community. I look forward to working with you this year- it is through parental support that the choir program has been able to grow and provide unique learning opportunities for all choral students.