Students taking Beginning 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 in this
class 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. (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
is posted at www.blueblazers.org/echs/music/music4.htm
The grading scale in general is
100
A+
78-79
C+
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, bookbags, purses, and other items need to be elsewhere - at the back of the room, under your chair, etc (not on your lap).
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 will result in a loss of participation points
and 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 condition, as the nurse has requested.
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 via 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 deduction).
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 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 choir concerts x 250 points per concert, 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 for school musical)
250 Each
required ECHS Choir performance (concert, ISSMA Organizational
Festival)
10
Per
hour attendance at other school vocal music concerts or musicals
25
All State Choir auditions
25
Solo
performance at ISSMA piano or solo/ensemble festival
20
Ensemble
performance at ISSMA solo/ensemble festival
20
Performance
at pre-festival recital or other school-organized recital (per
performance)
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.)
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 to earn a letter for Beginning Choir is 800. If the choir has additional required performances, members of that group 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. Any exceptional medical circumstances will be handled on an individual basis in accordance with ECHS administration.
Choral/Vocal
Events Page
Updated 07/5/08 by WN