Welcome to a new school year in the EMS Choral Program. My name is Christopher Kirby. This is my third year at Estacado MS. I have loved working with these students and always look forward to a new year.
The EMS Choral Program has a very strong tradition of excellence. Last year, the advanced Women and Men’s choir received division one’s at UIL. For the first time in known district history, the non-varsity Women’s choir competed in UIL as well! All three choirs received outstanding and excellent ratings at the Greater Southwest Music Festival in Amarillo.
This Choir handbook is designed to outline the rules, policies, expectations and opportunities for all EMS Choir students. Memos will be sent to you via Remind and Charms throughout the year as reminders of choir policies and upcoming events along with more detailed rehearsal schedules.
As you look through the handbook, you will find several forms. To count as a student grade, forms on pages 14-17 must be filled out and submitted by September 5, 2017.
It is going to be a great year! I am so excited to get to know you and your student. With your help and support, we will continue the EMS Choir tradition of excellence.
Sincerely,
Christopher Kirby
Director of Choral Activities, EMS
CONTACT INFORMATION
Christopher Kirby–
HMS Middle School phone number –(806)293-6015
School Address:Estacado Middle School
2200 W. 20th Street
Plainview, TX- 79072
WEBSITE INFORMATION:
Please log in to Charms using the info below and fill out student/parent information for your student. Completion of this ensures you will receive all communication throughout the year!
Charms Office Assistant -
School code: estacadojhschoir
Password: student ID (located on class schedule)
TEXTING SYSTEM:
Remind (formerly Remind 101) –81010
Men’s Choir text @mestchoir to 81010
Beginning 6 Grade Choirtext @6estchoir to 81010
Intermediate 7/8 Women text @jvwomenest to 81010
Varsity Women text @vwomenestto 81010
Estacado MS CHORAL PROGRAM
The study and practice of choral music is a highly disciplined and technically challenging art form. It offers unique opportunities to students to develop self-expression and communication abilities as individuals while contributing to the success of a large group. Our goal is to provide each student with the necessary skills to express himself/herself through music while developing the technical requirements of choral musicianship. This will be accomplished through instruction in the three major disciplines of art.
KNOWLEDGE
▪Theory & Sightreading – Students will be able to read and understand musical notation.
▪Music History – Students will learn basic music history as it pertains to the music being prepared for concert.
SKILLS
▪Vocal Technique and Development – Students will perform various warm-ups, vocalises, solo/ensemble singing and a varied repertoire of choral music designed at improving vocal abilities.
EXHIBITION
▪Performances – Students will perform as individuals, in small ensembles or with a full chorus. Each performance will exercise the knowledge, skills and expressive demands required of the music.
SUPPLIES PROVIDED BY STUDENT
▪1 ½inch choir binder to be kept IN CLASSROOM
▪Pencils
▪Pocket Folder - Students are expected to take music home for personal practice time
▪Black dress shoes (7th, 8th grade girls and ALL boys only)
▪Map colors to be kept at home for score analysis homework
The key to any successful program lies in the students participating in that program. Plainview ISD and the EMS Choral Program have a very prestigious history of success and a reputation for excellence. We want to continue the tradition of excellence this year with your EMS Choir student.
Listed below are activities and expectations that all EMS Choir members need to know and understand in order to continue the EMS choral tradition.
▪Participate in all major concerts, including: Fall Concert, Christmas Concert, Pre-UIL Contest, and Spring Concert.
▪Participate in the choral contests during the year: All-Region Choir audition (7th / 8th), 6th Grade Region Honor Choir,Solo & Ensemble, UIL Concert and Sight-reading Contest (Advanced Choirs), Music Festival.
▪Maintain eligibility in all classes.
▪Attend after school rehearsals and called sectionals. Advanced notice will be given for you to plan accordingly.
▪Develop correct vocal production for choral and solo singing.
▪Develop and maintain sightreading skills.
▪Participate in choral social events.
Advanced 7/8th women Varsity Choir
▪Select seventh and eighth grade girls
▪Established history of a strong work ethic and willingness to follow directions
▪Established history of maintaining eligibility
▪Established history of participation and attendance
▪No history of discipline infractions
▪Teacher approval required
Advanced 7/8th grade Men’s Choir
▪7th and 8th grade men
▪Established history of a strong work ethic and willingness to follow directions
▪Established history of maintaining eligibility
▪Established history of participation and attendance
▪No history of discipline infractions
Intermediate Women’s Choir
▪All seventh grade girls and eighth grade girls not in Advanced
▪Previous choral experience preferred but not required
Beginning Mixed Choir
▪All sixth grade girls
▪Designed to meet the needs of the inexperienced choir member
DAILY GRADES 75% of six weeks grade
TEST GRADES 25 % of six weeks grade
DAILY GRADES INCLUDE:
▪Participation grade for following class procedures
▪Participation grade for daily work, written assignments and warm-ups
▪Participation grade given for providing necessary materials
▪Participation grades given for correct posture, use of solfege hand signs, pulsing during rhythmic exercises, etc.
▪Participation grade for attending before / after school rehearsals
▪Overall cooperation
TEST GRADES INCLUDE:
▪Written tests – music symbols, rhythmic notation, theory & sightreading syllabication
▪Rhythm and Sightreading Tests
▪Singing Tests
▪Major concerts –REQUIRED FOR ALL CHOIR MEMBERS
Students are required to be in attendance for the entirety of the concert (50% performing / 50% observing teammates)
▪Major contests – REQUIRED FOR ALL ELIGIBLE CHOIR MEMBERS
▪Various choir clinics – REQUIRED FOR ALL CHOIR MEMBERS
PLEASE NOTE: Choir is a participation based class. Participation in all events is vital to a choir member’s grades and to our choirs’success.
ATTENDANCE EXPECTATIONS
Participation in choir is both a co-curricular and extracurricular activity. Co-curricular activities include any outside-of-the-classroom activity that is required by the class (graded). Co-curricular activities that students will be required to attend are concerts and any scheduled after-school rehearsal. Students do not have to be academically eligible to participate in a co-curricular activity. All Choir students are graded for participation in co-curricular activities.
Extra-curricular activities include any outside-of-the-classroom activity for which academic eligibility is required. Extracurricular activities may include field trips, competitions, performances during the school day, any choral contest.
All Choir members are expected to attend all required rehearsals** and performances. Choir is one of the performing arts and is a part of the TEKS. Performances (assessments) are regarded as an extension of what is worked on in the classroom. Rehearsals are just as important as the actual performance. Students must participate in both required events. There will be a grade taken at each event for participation and demonstration of rehearsal and performance skills learned in the classroom. Just as a sports team needs all of their athletes to play, Choir needs all of its members to function; Choir is both an individual and team activity.
Tardies and truancy from class will be dealt with by following district policy. Excessive tardies and truancy could prompt an office referral.
Many students are involved in other activities that also demand their time. I understand that Choir is not your only activity and that you may have to deal with conflicts throughout the year. Extreme circumstances such as a death in the family or an emergency-type situation will be handled at the director's discretion. Please understand that an unexcused absence from any required choir event will result in a failing grade. In the event a student does have an unexcused absence from a required choir event, that student will be given the opportunity to complete an alternate assignment (at the director's discretion) that will reflect similar expectations to the missed event. Failure to complete the alternate assignment will result in the failing grade standing.
Please understand that not all choir events are listed on the attached calendar. There are events that come up during the school year that may also be required. The same attendance and grading expectations apply so long as the Choir informs parents / students of these events as soon as they are made known.
In case of a conflict, parents must:
Send a note or email as soon as you are aware of the conflict
Call the Choir office at 806-293-6015 ext.515
In case of a last minute emergency, call the Choir office and leave a message or send a note the day after the event
BEHAVIORAL EXPECTATIONS
As a member of the EMS Choral Program, your student is held to a very high standard of excellence. When participating in out-of-school activities, Choir members are serving as ambassadors of EMS in our community. I take this role very seriously. For this reason, participation in any extracurricular event is based on both grades and behavior. I will work with students, parents and administrators to ensure that every student is given a fair opportunity to participate in all choral activities. Should concerns arise over the course of the year, I will communicate with all parties involved and work to find solutions that will benefit the individual student and the Choir program as a whole.
CHOIR EXPECTATIONS
1)Be in your riser position at the bell
2)Be prepared with all supplies
3)Actively Participate in rehearsals and performances
4)Respect yourself and others
5)Keep food and gum out of the classroom
6)Keep hands, feet, and objects to yourself
7)Teacher dismisses class, not the bell!
OTHER HELPFUL TIPS
▪Keep the Choir room clean and orderly
▪If it does not belong to you, leave it alone. This includes any equipment, supplies, and instruments that belong to choir program.
▪If you borrowed it, put it back
Consequences:
1. Points deducted from participation grade / Verbal warning
2. Removal from group participation - Student/Teacher Conference
3. Call to parent; conference set up if necessary
4. Discipline Referral –referred to Assistant Principal
DAILY PROCEDURAL EXPECTATIONS
A successful classroom is dependent upon daily procedures being established and practiced by every student who enters the room.
Daily procedures are:
▪Enter the room calmly and quietly.
▪Place ALL of your belongings in the hall on the shelves provided. This includes all electronic devices!
▪Remove all foreign objects from your mouth…including GUM!
CHOIR IS A “NO GUM ZONE”!
▪Pick up assignments, forms, etc. from the stand as you walk in the room.
▪Check / read the board for daily instructions.
▪Get your folder (music, etc.), binder, highlighter AND a pencil.
▪Be in your seat at Voice Level “0” and ready to go when the tardy bell rings.
▪Wait for instructions before turning anything in.
▪Raise your hand and wait to be called on before asking questions.
▪Ask for permission to leave your seat.
Establishing and following through procedural expectations is key to any classroom’s success. I am confident that following procedures will help ensure student learning and productivity.
RESTROOM AND PERSONAL GROOMING POLICY
In an effort to keep students in the learning environment (the Choir room) as much as possible, students will be expected to utilize the passing period between classes to take care of their personal needs, including personal grooming needs. Students are expected to arrive on time and prepared for class. Restrooms are conveniently located in the hallway near the Fine Arts wing.
COMPETITION AND ELIGIBILITY
The Advanced Women’s and Men’s Choirs are considered competitive UIL Choirs. Students will be expected to uphold these requirements in order to participate in competitions and maintain membership in these competitive ensembles.
i.Attend 90% of all in-class and after-school rehearsals.
ii.Meet director’s expectations of ability to be an asset to the choir as a whole.
iii.Meet the EMS Choir standards of student behavior, conduct and expectations as listed. Any discipline by the school could affect the student’s continued participation. Constant failure to obey rules or show an Advanced work ethic may cause the student to lose his/her position in these ensembles.
iv.No Pass, No Play - Grades must be at least a C (70) in every class to be eligible per UIL rules.
v.Student must pass voice testing over a) the music required for competition and b) sightreading excerpt of director’s choice. Eligibility will be considered at all auditions (See “Auditions”).
FUNDRAISING POLICY
i. Students are encouraged but not required to participate in all fundraisers.
ii.All monies in fundraisers will be used for choir trips, choir parties and any extra choral activities.
iii.If any parent does not wish their student to participate in fundraising, they will be expected to cover the student’s cost to attend the annual choir trip and festival.
iv.If student fails the 5th 6 weeks report card and is not eligible to attend the choir festival, money that was fundraised or donated will not be returned to the student. (UIL eligibility rules and PISD policy)
TRIPS
i.Cost and payment schedules will be provided in the fall to help students meet trip payment deadlines. Every effort will be made to keep the cost at a reasonable amount.
ii.Deadlines for this trip are important to keep in order to maintain bus reservations and the like. It is crucial that students communicate EARLY with the director if he/she cannot meet a deadline.
iii.Discipline - The trip is considered an extension of the classroom. Students are expected to conduct themselves in a demeanor that reflects well on Estacado Middle School and the choral program.
Detailed information about the Spring Trip will be sent home at a later date.
BEFORE / AFTER-SCHOOL REHEARSALS
Top notch concerts, UIL Sweepstakes, and Division I ratings take dedication and hard work. To maintain EMSChoirs’reputation of choral excellence, extra rehearsals will be required. In the spring semester, competing ensembles will be give a rehearsal schedule for UIL and festivals. Each student’s voice is distinctive and helps “flavor”the sound of their respective ensemble. For this reason, it is imperative that every member is present at these rehearsals. If you have a situation that would keep you from attending the extra rehearsals, please visit with Mr. Kirby ahead of time. Let’s see what we can work out together.
CHOIR CLINICS
From time to time, guest conductors will come work with the choirs to improve certain areas of our singing. These clinics are mandatory as the conductor will not be able to fix the problem without hearing the full choir. Students will be given advance notice of clinic dates so they may make plans to attend.
AUDITIONS
There are several singing opportunities for which students may audition throughout the school year:
- All-Region - Everyone is encouraged to audition.
- Solo & Ensemble –Everyone is encouraged to audition.
- Spring Production/Pops Concert –Anyone from any Choir may audition for a solo/ensemble.
AUDITION GUIDELINES
i.You must be prepared! It is up to you to impress the judges. Never expect a judge to use his/her imagination to guess what it would sound or look like if more prepared.
ii.You will NEVER be allowed to audition with a lead vocal on the tape/CD. For instance: Singing on top of Brittany Spears or another singer because you don’t have an accompaniment tape. (Refer to #1).
ii.You must consistently demonstrate a quality work ethic. Do not expect to be granted a placement if you do not show up regularly for rehearsals, are always negative or rude, and/or are always ineligible.
iii.Auditions that include questionable vulgarity of any kind will not be allowed to continue. Even if the music/moves are approved for another venue, this is a respected school activity and we will show great integrity and class with what we present.
Estacado CHOIR UNIFORMS
INFORMAL UNIFORM (all Choir students) CONSISTS OF:
Choir T-Shirt
Jeans – plain, dark blue (no holes or designs)
Tennis Shoes or closed-toe shoes (no boots, sandals)
Choir members will wear their informal uniforms at all choral activities, with the exception of our formal concerts and Concert and Sightreading Contest (Intermediate / Advanced Choirs). The cost of the Choir t-shirts are included in the Choir fees.
FORMAL UNIFORM (Intermediate / Advanced Choirs, boys):
i.Students in these ensembles will be issued a formal uniform by the director. Formal uniforms will remain the property of the EMS Choral Department and are to be returned in the same documented condition as when assigned. The student is responsible for the care and maintenance of all issued items.
ii.Uniforms MUST be hemmed before the Fall concert. Failure to do so will result in a lowered concert grade.
iii.Uniforms will be returned to the EMS Choral Department after the final competition in the spring semester. If any item is lost, stolen, or damaged, the student must pay to replace that item.