Course Description

Students taking Advanced Choir develop musicianship and specific performance skills through ensemble and solo singing.  The choir may be composed of (1) male choir, (2) female choir, (3) mixed choir, or any combination thereof.  Activities create the development of quality repertoire in the diverse styles of choral literature appropriate in difficulty and range for the student.  Instruction is designed so that students are enabled to connect, examine, imagine, define, try, extend, refine, and integrate music into other subject areas.  Choir classes provide instruction in creating, performing, conducting, listening to, and analyzing, in addition to focusing on the specific subject matter.  Students develop the ability to understand and convey the composer's intent in order to connect the performer with the audience.  Students have the opportunity to experience live performances by professionals during and outside of the school day.  A limited amount of time, outside of the school day, may be scheduled for dress rehearsal and performances.  A limited number of public performances may serve as a culmination of daily rehearsal and music goals.  Students must participate in performance opportunities, outside of the school day, that support and extend learning in the classroom.  The choral repertoire must be of the highest caliber.  Mastery of basic choral technique must be evident.  Areas of refinement include a cappella singing, sight-reading, and critical listening skills.   (A Core 40 and AHD one-credit course, this course may be taken for successive trimesters.)

Grading
 
The ECHS vocal music courses are, by their very nature, mostly "applied" classes, meaning that the majority of what is done in class is active, not objective "pen and paper" course work.  This does not mean, however, that an "A" is an automatic grade.  Students earn a grade through each day's active participation as well as some written course work.  There will be varied assigned work, from basic music knowledge assignments and possible individual computer-assisted instruction to evaluation of performances (self and others) and of recordings, in addition to the evaluation via the group performances.  Attendance at these performances is mandatory and is part of the term grade as well as establishing eligibility for earning a letter.  Appropriate rehearsal/classroom behavior and participation is expected, as is being on time.  The calendar of performances (as of July, 2008) is at www.blueblazers.org/echs/music/music4.htm
 
The grading scale in general is                100                A+                           78-79             C+                           0-59                F
                                                          93-99             A                             73-77             C
                                                          90-92             A-                            70-72             C-
                                                          88-89             B+                           68-69              D+
                                                          83-87             B                             63-67              D
                                                          80-82             B-                            60-62              D-
 
Daily class participation is 50% of the class grade.  Points will be awarded for being present and participating fully in rehearsal and class work. Points will be deducted for absences, tardies, repeated talking, or not participating. Concert/festival performances are 20% of the class grade, with a two letter grade penalty for an unexcused absence from a concert/festival performance.  Assigned paperwork is 15% of the class grade, and quizzes/tests are 15% of the class grade.  Final exam grades are added after the class grade is calculated, and are 20% of the trimester grade.
 
Basic Classroom Rules

1.  Regular school attendance is extremely important in every class, but is vital in an applied class such as choir.  Every minute available needs to be productive.   Credit course and performance attendance guidelines are established by ECHS administration and will be followed.  ECHS conduct and attendance policies will be followed.
 
2.  Be on time to class. When the bell rings to signal the end of the five minute passing period, all students need to be in the choral rehearsal room and getting folders out in order to start rehearsal and instruction immediately upon completion of attendance and/or any announcements needing to be made.  ECHS tardy forms will be used.  Tardy students need to complete these forms before being seated. 
 
3.  Please dispose of any gum, candy, etc. upon entering the room.  In order to produce the best possible vocal sound, there should be nothing in the mouth that can obstruct vocal production or projection.  There are garbage cans in the room for this purpose.  Detentions may be assigned for repeated problems in this area. All books, book bags, purses and other items need to be elsewhere - at the back of the room, under your chair, etc.
   
4.  When the choir is rehearsing, there should be no talking, as all voices will be used in singing.  If the group is not singing and is receiving instruction, clarification, etc. from the director, there should be no talking.  If a specific section is being rehearsed (tenors, sopranos, whatever) and your section is not asked to sing softly, this time should be utilized for students to go through their part silently in order to make more progress.  Repeated talking and/or inattentiveness to the class activity may result in a detention being assigned.

5.  Participation is expected at all appropriate times.  It is realized that illness may occasionally prohibit participation.  At such times, the student needs to inform the director at the beginning of the class period of the illness and is expected to pay attention to what is happening in class.  Studying other subjects is not permitted.  If the inability to sing continues longer than one class day or is frequent, a doctor's/parent's note is requested or the student's participation grade may suffer.  If there are other circumstances which prohibit a student's participation, it is the student's responsibility to make these other circumstances (religious or cultural beliefs, etc.) known to the director.  Simply not wishing to participate or sing a particular selection is unacceptable.

6.  Take care of personal matters between classes.  Brief and occasional use of the water fountain in the room is encouraged during class as long as your section is not rehearsing.  Only one person should be at the water fountain at a time to limit distraction of other students.  Other drinks and food items are not to be outside the cafeteria area. Requests to see the nurse will be honored only when it is a serious medical situation - this is from guidelines created by the school nurse.
 
7.  Ask questions whenever necessary.  If there is a problem with a specific song, line, note, etc., please feel free to ask for clarification.  This should be done in a proper manner ­ through raising a hand and waiting to be called upon.  Please respect others when they need to ask a question.

8.  Discipline will be handled as the need arises.  All students are expected to exercise proper school behavior as explained in the student handbook.  Any problems in class or concerning the ECS/ECHS conduct code will be handled in accordance with school policy. This includes the school dress code.
 
9.  Maintain proper singing posture in the class.  As with chewing gum, in order to produce the best possible vocal sound it is necessary to sit correctly.  The group will also be requested to stand periodically, and all students are expected to promptly do so.

10.  Work to maintain a positive attitude toward the choir and the class in general.  We are all in this together!

Attendance/Performance Conflict Resolution Policy
 
The following policies govern choral organizations which are selected by the student.  All efforts are made to avoid calendar/schedule conflicts, but they do happen.  Many times a conflict can be worked around if enough advance notice is given.  It is the student's responsibility to notify the director of a potential conflict.  The following basic guidelines shall be used in determining appropriate resolutions to conflicting performance schedules:
 
1.  Scheduled IHSAA tournaments, school activity contests, and ISSMA events shall take precedence.  If the conflict is between two of these activities, the student shall make the choice without penalty. Often a rearranging of a concert order or the change of a game time can be done as long as the adult(s) involved is notified in enough time.
 
2. Regularly scheduled games and performances beyond Item #1 shall be the #2 priority.
 
3.  A previously scheduled event on the official school calendar will take precedence over a calendar addition or a rescheduled event. Rescheduled events need to be brought to the director's attention right away if there is a potential conflict.
 
4.  The importance of the student's participation in the success of the total group's performance.
 
5.  Attendance at routine rehearsals scheduled outside of school hours is required unless excused by the music director.  Unexcused absences may be a factor in determining student grades and eligibility for awards.
 
ECHS Attendance/Performance Policy
 
Students are expected to attend all scheduled performances.  The ECHS choirs will excuse a student from a performance for the following reasons:  student's illness (verified attendance office or parent note within one week), verified attendance at religious services, death in the family/funeral, and emergency situations which will be handled and excused at the director's and administration's discretion.  Other school activities will be worked around as much as is possible, including the option when possible of splitting time between two activities' rehearsals/practices. Work is NOT an excuse for missing a performance or rehearsal.  If an absence which is not approved occurs, any of the following disciplinary actions (or combinations of same) will occur:

Loss of grading period points toward grade (normally a two letter grade penalty).

Removal from all remaining performances for that trimester.  If another absence occurs in the same trimester, the student will be advised to drop the class.  Guidance counselors and parents/guardians will be involved since a schedule change may be in order

A second absence from a performance may forfeit any award for which a student would be eligible.  This will be handled with ECHS administration.

Removal from the activity/performing group for the academic year.

Proper attire is a necessity for performances.  When wearing school-provided robes, the primary concern is for what is visible outside the robe.  It is necessary for all students to be clothed appropriately: for men, dark socks, dark dress shoes (no tennis) and slacks (no jeans of any kind).  For women, dresses/skirts are fine with nice shoes (not sandals) and hosiery.  Any skirt or dress should not be longer than the robe being worn over it.  If slacks are worn by women, they should be nice (no jeans) with appropriate shoes.  Questions about whether an item of clothing is appropriate must be asked in advance. Rehearsals for the choirs which occur outside the school day will occur only when absolutely necessary, and it is expected that students who are involved will attend.

Choir Fees/Costs
 
In order to provide and appropriately maintain robes for the various ensembles at ECHS, an $8.00 fee is charged each student at the beginning of the academic year, payable by the end of the first trimester.  Individual student fund raising profits may be used at the student's discretion to pay these fees/costs.  Students will not be penalized for late payments.

Choir Leadership Positions
 
The following leadership positions may be elected by the choir.  Periodic meetings may be held to discuss upcoming events and concerns of relevance to the choral music program.  Any elected leaders not fulfilling their duties or who are representing the choirs in a less than positive manner may be removed. 
 
President:  Assumes leadership within the choir, will be primary student help for any substitute teacher.  Will substitute for Secretary and/or Treasurer if those students are absent.  The President may also be asked to make appropriate announcements at concerts or other public events.  The President is expected to be a positive role model.

Secretary:  Takes daily attendance in class; also takes attendance at concerts.  Must be prompt (if not early) to events in order to take attendance. Must be accurate in attendance. Frequent errors will result in replacement.

Treasurer:  Works with the collection of robe fees, trip payments, and fundraiser proceeds, and will work with director on money items such as ISSMA solo/ensemble fees.  Will write receipts for any monies turned in by students.  Accuracy with funds is a requirement.

ECHS Choral Awards Points System
 
The number of award points needed for a year's award recognition is calculated via the number of events during the year at which attendance is expected.  This number is reached via number of required choir performances x 250 points per required performances, plus 50 miscellaneous points accumulated throughout the year (service, additional vocal music activities, etc.).  This number may vary yearly depending upon the activity of the ensembles.  In this way, students receive their yearly award only if they have fulfilled the basic expectations of the ensemble.  Awards points are not accumulative year-to-year.  It is the student's responsibility to check the award point listings (posted on the Choir Room bulletin board) for accuracy, and to submit information concerning any event for which points may be awarded.  At the end of the year, the appropriate award (letter, chevron, etc.) will be awarded to the student.            
 
Points                     Activity or Activity Type

  10                        Per hour school choir rehearsal outside school day (does not include rehearsals of the school musical)
 250                        Each required ECHS Choir performance (concert, ISSMA Organizational Festival)
  25                         Each "Shades of Blue" performance outside of school day
  25                         All State Choir auditions
  25                         Solo performance at ISSMA piano or solo/ensemble festival
  15                         Ensemble performance at ISSMA solo/ensemble festival
  25                         Performance at pre-festival recital or other school-organized recital
  50                         Ensemble/Chorus role in  school musical
 100                        Principal role in school musical
  25                         Performing solo or other feature or accompanying at concert
  50 max.                 Church music activities/choir (during school year, 2/month min.)    
  10/hr.                    Helping at school vocal music concerts or musicals      
  20                         Working backstage during ECHS choral concerts

Other categories or credits may be added/awarded as deemed appropriate. 

For 2008-2009, the number of points (as of July, 2008) needed for the Advanced Choir is 1550.  If the choir has additional required performances, members will need to earn the 250 additional points per additional required performance.  No allowance is made for "excused" or "unexcused" absences from performances - it is the student's responsibility to make up any points lost from absences through working for the choir program outside of class time, working backstage at concerts, etc.  Students who have unexcused absences from more than one concert performance may forfeit any award they may have received, even if enough points have been earned in other ways. 

"Shades of Blue" members removed or resigning from the group during the course of the year will forfeit any/all points earned through their membership in that group. 

Updated 07/05/08 by WN