2009-2010
Handbook
Head Director: Emily Fry
Assistant Director: Laura DeCutler
A Letter from the Directors
Welcome to the DeWitt Perry Choral Department! We are very excited about this year and know that with the help and support of parents, choir members, and friends this will be a very successful year of music making together.
We believe that lives can be enriched through choral music and that every child with a positive attitude and a good work ethic will benefit greatly as a member of the Perry Choir. We have high expectations for student skill and behavior. We are all working towards a tradition of excellence which requires that EACH member must claim personal responsibility and ownership of the program. Together we can achieve great things!
This handbook was written to inform you of the choir goals, expectations, and procedures. Please read this handbook thoroughly and sign and return the appropriate forms in the back of the booklet. If we can be of assistance or answer any questions, please feel free to contact us.
We look forward to working with each choir this year. It is going to be a wonderful year for choral music at Perry. With your help and dedication we will achieve great things!
Emily Fry, Director Laura DeCutler, Asst. Director
972-968-4494 972-968-4494
frye@cfbisd.edu decutlerl@cfbisd.edu
Table of Contents
Purpose Page 4
Expectations .Page 4
Music/Folder Responsibilities ...Page 4
Eligibility Page 5
Uniforms Page 5
Absence Policy .Page 6
Grading Policy Page 6
Concerts .Page 8
Field Trips and Outings .Page 9
Fundraising ..Page 9
Parent Volunteers Page 9
Our Purpose
1.
The purpose of the DeWitt Perry Choirs is
to provide experiences in basic vocal production techniques, part-singing and
expression through music.
The content includes, but is not limited to, the following:
- basic and fundamental skills in vocal tone production
- choral performance techniques
- musical literacy
- sight reading and ear training
- music appreciation
- elements and characteristics of music
- role and influence of choral music and musicians.
Expectations
1. Be in your seat with your materials (choir binder and pencil) when the tardy bell rings.
2. No gum, candy, food or drinks allowed in class. Water is allowed in a clear plastic container with a lid.
3. All students are expected to actively participate at all times.
1. Take care of the music.
2. Students will be issued a ½ inch 3-ring binder to use for the safekeeping and organization of their choir music and materials.
3. Use only pencil (not pen or erasable pen) when marking music.
4. Return all music in good condition. There will be a charge a $2 charge for lost or damaged music.
Certain activities are classified as eligibility activities. Texas Education Agency has a specific list of activities that are eligibility activities which include competitions, activities that charge an admission fee, and pep rallies. For more information about eligibility see UIL-TEA Side by Side which can be viewed either through the TEA website or the Texas Music Educators Association (TMEA) Website.
Maintaining eligibility is the students responsibility! Students must have a grade of 70 or above in all classes including P.E, athletics, electives as well as academic classes on their progress reports and report cards to be considered eligible.
Uniforms
Uniforms are worn for all performances and all students are expected to perform in complete uniform. A few scholarships are available for those students who meet the financial criteria and cannot afford a uniform. Please contact the director for more information.
6th Grade Eagle Choir & Gentlemens Chorus (Tenor/Bass Choir):
· Perry Choir T-shirt (purchased by student)
· Black pants (full length) (supplied by the student)
· Black shoes and black socks (supplied by the student)
Harmonia Choir (Non-Varsity Treble Choir):
· Perry Choir T-shirt (purchased by student)
· Black pants (full length) (supplied by the student)
· Black shoes and black socks (supplied by the student)
· Solid white dress shirt for use at UIL Competition (supplied by the student)
Bel Canto Choir (Advanced Treble Choir):
· Perry Choir T-shirt (purchased by student)
· Choir Dresses* (supplied by Director)
· Black dress shoes (supplied by the student)
· Concert Jewelry (supplied by Director)
*There will be a $10.00 fee for the care and maintenance of all concert attire.
*Choir T-shirts will be ordered in September.
Absence Policy
REHEARSAL, CONCERT, AND CONTEST
Good communication between teacher, student and parents can prevent misunderstandings. Please read the following rules and contact the director if you have any questions.
1. Written notice from parents is required for all absences. Email is acceptable. Verbal or student written notices are not acceptable.
2. Advance notice is required for all prior commitments. A prior commitment is defined as a date already committed to before the choir schedule/handbook is released at the beginning of the year. A notice of such a commitment should be sent to the director as soon as the schedule/handbook is received.
3. In the case of illness and/or family emergency, the parents should send a written notice to the director as soon as they are aware that a situation exists. Illness that does not result in an absence from school will be excused only at the directors discretion. If there is a family emergency situation, e.g. something that happens 30 minutes before a concert is to begin, it may be impossible to get in touch with anyone. Thus, please follow with a written note as soon as possible after the fact. This is the ONLY category where absences will be excused the same day, or after the event.
4. Students who have an excused absence from a performance will be given the opportunity during morning tutorials to take a make-up assignment. Students who have an unexcused absence from a performance will receive a major grade of a zero.
Grading Policy
A students choir grade is made up of two types of grades:
Summative (Tests, Concerts)60%
Formative (Daily Participation, Homework)40%
Weekly Grade: 50 points weekly (10 pts./day) Every student will begin each week with the full 50 points. However points may be subtracted for inappropriate behavior, a lack of participation, and/or not having the correct materials. This may include, but is not limited to, the following:
o Talking during rehearsal
o Horseplay on the risers
o Not being prepared in your seat with all materials when the bell rings
o Refusal to participate
o Chewing gum
o Forgetting your choir binder
o Not having a pencil available at all times
Full participation from every choir member is a must! We learn as a group, perform as a group, and have fun as a group! Our choir is only as strong as its weakest member. We will work to do our very best each day.
Binder Grade: 25 points - Binders will be checked at various times during the grading period to ensure proper organization and proper sheet music maintenance. Each choir member is expected to be responsible for the music and materials entrusted to them. Damaged or lost music will result in a grade deduction as well as a $2.00 replacement fee for each missing piece.
To earn the full 25 points students must have the following in their binder:
o Three sections divided by tabs. (Sight Reading, Music, Handouts)
o All current sight reading materials in use by the choir
o All current repertoire music in use by the choir
o All assigned markings in music as assigned by the director (This may include solfege, numbered measures, circled dynamics, etc.)
o All handouts given by the director throughout the year
Unless your director has instructed you to throw something away or asked you to turn in your music ALL CHOIR MATERIALS MUST REMAIN IN YOUR CHOIR BINDER!!!!
Sight Reading Grade: 25 points bi-weekly- Sight reading quizzes will be based upon participation, effort, ability and progress. This may be a full group grade, small group grade, or an individual grade.
Performance Grade: 100 point test grade for each performance/concert -The frequency of this assessment will vary based on the concert schedule for each grading period. However, this is the most important grade you have as it is a culmination of everything we do in class. It is mandatory to attend every concert. If a student must miss a concert due to illness or family emergency, the director MUST receive a written note from the PARENT OR GUARDIAN of the student prior to the event in order to receive a make-up assignment.
Other assignments may be added at the discretion of the director.
Concerts
Choir concerts are the way students show what they have learned in class. They are the culminating event of a unit of study. Parent attendance at concerts is highly important, just as staying involved in your childs life all through middle school is highly important.
The choir is like a team. If a member is absent from a performance, all students are affected. The choirs perform best with all members present. Therefore, students are required to participate in all rehearsals, concerts, and contests unless excused by the director according to the absence policy. Please refer to the attendance policy and grading policy for further details.
Field Trips and Outings
Throughout the year there will be opportunities for choir field trips and social activities. In order to participate in these fun events, STUDENTS MUST ATTEND ALL CONCERTS!!!!!!!!! Or have an excused absence as described above.
Fundraising
There will be one formal fundraising opportunity this year. It will take place September 14th -23rd . There will be more information going home later in the year.
Parental involvement in the choir program is welcomed and highly encouraged. Throughout the year parent volunteers will be needed for: costume coordination, fundraising check-in and check-out, music library organizing, data base updating, as well as chaperoning concerts and contests. Please contact the choir office if you would like to be involved in one or more of these ways.