GENERAL

DSHS Choir Mission

To create an organization that produces quality performances in a fun and cooperative atmosphere. The ultimate goal is to help students:

v       reach the objectives set out in the D.S.I.S.D. Graduate Profile

v       provide positive, successful experiences and opportunities for students of all ability levels

v       create memories that will be cherished for a lifetime

v       develop an enjoyment of a variety of music styles in students so that they will seek out opportunities in their adult lives as music performers and music consumers.

Goals and Objectives

Choir Registration

The following are required of all students in the DSHS Choir:

1.        Parent/Student Contract

2.        Choir Permission Slip/Medical Release and copy of student’s insurance card

3.        Parent/Guardian Volunteer Form

4.        Fees Form

Calendar

v      See the attached calendar for the entire year.  REQUIRED ACTIVITIES NOTED ON CALENDAR.

The calendar is as complete as possible at the time of this publication. It is subject to change with notification of any changes sent out in advance. Please help by letting me know of any address or e-mail changes so that our information is correct.

Eligibility

Students must maintain eligibility (70 or higher) in all classes to participate in any UIL or TMEA activity or any other competitive activity.

Uniforms/Materials

The school provides your child with a formal uniform.  Students are issued music, folders, and other school owned items that must be maintained in good order and returned to the school.  Students are responsible for these items and if lost or damaged, must pay repair or replacement costs.   

GRADES

Assessments vary according to the activities of the six weeks.  Some include singing tests, sightreading tests, written work, tests, concert attendance, extra rehearsal attendance and classroom participation and behavior (daily rehearsal grades). Grading rubrics will be handed out or explained for each graded activity.

Daily Rehearsal Grades

Every Choral Director wrestles with the issue of grading their students.  It does not seem fair to grade a student only on natural ability and talent.  What about the less talented student who works very hard, contributes to the rehearsal and makes the choir class a pleasant experience?  Should they be penalized simply because they lack perfect pitch or a 3-octave range?

 When grading for choir, it seems most fair to assign a daily grade based on the effort a student puts out in the class period. I know that if each student puts out the effort, the choir will sound wonderful and a pleasant, productive class period is rewarding for all of us. Daily grades will reward the student for contributing to this productive rehearsal atmosphere.

DAILY REHEARSALGRADES COUNT FOR 50% OF THE 6 WEEKS GRADE

Students will ALL begin each 6 weeks with a grade of 75.  They will be expected to earn their daily grade by following the criteria listed above. Therefore, you will see an assignment for Daily Classwork posted in the gradebook for the final week of the grading period.  Each week, that grade will be updated.

By the end of the 6 weeks, the student could potentially have earned a grade of 100 as a Daily Rehearsal Grade.

This is a different philosophical approach to grading than has been used in the past and one that I feel is less punitive and more positive.  If you have more questions, please feel free to call me.   

WHAT IS THIS DAILY GRADE BASED ON?

A student who wants to earn their daily points and receive a 100 in choir:

Ø   Always follows expectations, policies and procedures for the rehearsal, including putting music away after rehearsal, no food or drink in class, no rough-housing in classroom, etc.

Ø   Always maintains a consistent positive attitude, participates in rehearsal and works well with others.

Ø   Always follows rehearsal instructions the first time they are given, corrects errors when they are addressed and is silent and attentive when the Director is instructing

Ø   Always participates and sings with good tone, technique and musicianship

Ø   Always applies good breath support and good posture.

Ø   Always precisely marks their music, completes solfege and measure numbers when instructed by the directors.

Ø   Always accepts correction in a mature manner

Ø   Always on time with materials and in their place when the bell rings

Ø   During Sight Reading: Always participates and sings with good tone, technique, musicianship, accurate syllable names and Kodaly hand signs that pulse the beat and move according to pitch.

Consequences for not meeting the above expectations:

1. Verbal warning
2. Verbal warning and does not receive daily point
3. Does not receive daily point, assigned a morning detention by teacher, call to parent
4. Discipline referral to assistant principal

Concerts, Dress Rehearsals, Sectionals, Etc.

(40% of 6 weeks grade)

Concert grades- 400 points

Students are graded in the following manner:

Ø   Being on time (100 points)

Ø   Being in correct uniform (100 points)  see uniform guidelines

Ø   Participating in concert in accordance with what has been learned and discussed in rehearsal. (100 points)

Ø   Displaying proper concert etiquette (explained below) (100 points)

ALL CONCERTS ARE REQUIRED- Failure to attend and perform could result in a failing grade for that six weeks and possible removal from choir.  The only excused absences are serious personal illness or death in the family, and this must be communicated to the Director in writing by the Parent.  A WORK CONFLICT WILL NOT BE EXCUSED.  If an absence is anticipated long before the performance (example: family wedding which has been planned a year in advance, a surgery that has been scheduled) the student should submit a “Pre-Approved Absence Request” (see page 17) at least 2 weeks in advance.

If a student is absent for the following reasons the absence may be considered excused ONLY if the student/parent contacts the choir director prior to or immediately following the concert (24 hours).  Criteria the choir directors will use in determining an excused absence:  severe illness, death in family, other circumstances as determined by Director.

Extra Rehearsals

Additional rehearsals and sectionals may be called as needed.  Ample notice will be given and these rehearsals are part of the six weeks grade.  If there is a question about how to determine which activity takes priority, please ask to see the policy “Conflicts with Choir Activities”.

The point value of these additional rehearsals is:

Ø Sectional Rehearsals- 100 points per sectional

o        Students in each choir class may spend time in sectionals. Sectionals happen before or after school and on or before concert days.

o        Grades will be based on participation, attitude, and contribution to the sectional rehearsal.

Ø Pre-Concert /  Pre-Contest Rehearsals, RETREAT - 200 points per rehearsal

o        Students will have before or after school rehearsals depending on each concert or extra-curricular choir activity's requirements.

o        Students will always be given a schedule of before and after school rehearsals well in advance of the rehearsals so plans may be made. Many of these are already on the choir calendar.

o        Before and after school rehearsals that are required are an extension of the classroom, and students will be graded accordingly based on attendance, punctuality, participation, attitude, contribution to the rehearsal, and preparedness.

o        Note:  A student who misses a required SECTIONAL or REHEARSAL will be given a grade of "0", even if that sectional or rehearsal happens before, after school, or on the weekend.  Schedules of sectionals and/or rehearsals are given far in advance for students to make arrangements.

o        The choir director will determine whether an absence is considered excused or unexcused.

o        Students who are in attendance at school on the day of a required rehearsal will not be considered excused from the rehearsal.

Worksheets, Quizes, Sight Singing Tests,  Six-Weeks Self Evaluation, etc. point value varies in each activity.  (Generally, worksheets may be 25-50 points each, singing tests are usually 100, Six-Weeks Self Evaluation may be 200 points, writing in solfege is 100, etc)

Six weeks grades are calculated by dividing the number of earned points by the number of possible points.  As each six weeks contains different activities, the amount of possible points can vary.

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PARENTS:  PLEASE GO TO “PARENT ACCESS” TRAINING AS SOON AS POSSIBLE SO THAT YOU CAN SEE YOUR STUDENT’S GRADES ON LINE.  THIS IS A VERY USEFUL TOOL THAT WILL HELP YOU STAY UP TO DATE ON YOUR CHILD’S PROGRESS IN EACH CLASS.

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OTHER IMPORTANT INFORMATION

Uniforms

DSISD choir uniforms represent a substantial investment and cannot be quickly replaced.  Therefore, students will be assigned a uniform and will be responsible for that uniform while in their possession.    Students must not alter uniforms without permission. 

YOU WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THAT UNIFORM WHILE IT IS IN YOUR POSSESSION.

In performance, do not wear excessive amount of hair spray, NO perfume or cologne.  It gets hot under the lights and can cause problems for others.  If you are wearing excessive cologne or other scents, you may be asked to sit out for that performance and receive a zero for that concert grade.

The formal uniform for Varsity men will be: Tuxedo, tuxedo shirt, cummerbund and tie, black dress shoes and black socks.

The formal uniform for Varsity women will be:  Formal dress, black dress shoes with no heel higher than 1-2”, and hose.  Jewelry, except for small earring studs will not be allowed in a formal appearance.

INEXPENSIVE DRESS SHOES MAY BE PURCHASED AT PAYLESS SHOES FOR LESS THAN $20.00.

The informal uniform for both men and women will be: Choir t-shirt and jeans (black or blue) or kakhi pants, comfortable shoes.

Dress for a field trip or outside performance must be in accordance with these guidelines and if a student is not dressed appropriately, they will not go on the field trip.  Parents should not drop a student off for a field trip and leave them before I have had a chance to verify that their dress is correct, or they may be stranded at the school.

The JV Choir does not have a uniform at this time. 

Tardies

The following is the procedure for handling tardies, which is handled a bit differently.  By tardy is meant that a student is not in their proper place with their music, ready to begin rehearsal when the bell rings. 

                1^st tardy: warning to student

                2^nd tardy: detention before school at 7:00

                3^rd tardy: detention and notification to parent                                                               

                4^th tardy: referral to principal.                                                                            

Concert Etiquette

Learning proper behavior during a concert is part of your child’s choral music education.  It is critical that each student and parent understand the importance of concert etiquette in insuring our performers the best performance possible.  The following behaviors are maintained during a concert:

Ø   Talking is not allowed. It is rude to the performers on stage and does not show support for the singers.

Ø   Do not leave your seat FOR ANY REASON (other than extreme emergency). You will be given ample opportunity to use the restroom and drinking fountain before concerts begin.   If you must leave, do so as quietly and as inconspicuously as possible ONLY between songs or during applause (making sure doors do not slam shut).

Ø   No food or drink is allowed in the performance area, including the stage, backstage, and seating area. This includes water bottles.

Ø   Support your fellow choir members with appropriate applause. Yelling, whistling, shouting names, etc. are not acceptable.

o        During serious music, applaud only after the conductor has lowered his or her arms.

o        During pop or jazz music you may applaud for a soloist during the song.

Ø   Set a good example for the audience and other students. Other people may not know how to act at   a choir concert and will be watching you for clues.

Ø   Cell phones and pagers should be set to silent during choir concerts.

Ø   Move between the stage and seating areas in quiet, single file lines. Sit in your assigned seat/row.

Ø   Enjoy the concert. This is the only time you will ever get to see it!

Ø   Stay for the entire concert (unless you have been excused, in advance, by the choir director).

Ø   Take photographs in between songs, not during the song.

Auditions For Advanced Choirs And Other Events

Auditions for advanced choirs are held in the spring, usually after UIL Concert and SightReading Contest. The date and format of the audition process will be announced and handed out to students in advance so that they can adequately prepare.  The format of the audition will vary from year to year depending on how many choirs are scheduled for the next year and the voicing requirements needed.  The size of the groups will also vary as enrollment increases or decreases in specific voice sections.

Auditions for other activities such as concert solos, the musical play, Cabaret or Pops Concerts, etc. will be announced to students ahead of time.  The format of these can vary.

DSHS Choir Booster Club

The DSHS Choir Booster Club provides support for the choir program in a number of ways. Boosters help to raise money to cover expenses that are not in the school budget. In the past, Boosters have helped raise money for summer camp scholarships, Director Summer workshops, new equipment, food and drinks for field trips and special events, etc.  Boosters also help with chaperoning, concerts, and trips.  All choir parents are required to become a member of the club. We need your help and input!

All State Choir Auditions

Go to www.tmea.org for more information about the audition requirements.

Go to www.region18.net  for more information about TMEA Auditions.  Audition results are posted here.

Students Who Quit Choir And Return

Students who are in choir but leave mid-year or do not enroll in the next year may be re-admitted into the choir program ONLY by approval from the Director.  Such an approval will be on a case-by-case basis.  Factors to be considered when re-admitting a student could be (but not limited to) the reason why student left, the type of contribution the student had made previously, the availability of a spot in the ensemble requested, the talent level of the individual, parental consultation, etc.  This policy is effective immediately and is completely at the discretion of the Director.

Plagiarism

Plagiarism is a form of academic dishonesty in which you use other people’s words or ideas (pictures, art, charts, graphs, computations, scientific data, music, etc.) as your own by failing to credit the others at all or by improperly crediting them.  If you use someone else’s exact words, you must put quotation marks around them and give the person credit by revealing the source in a citation.  Even if you revise, rearrange, or paraphrase the words of others or just use their ideas, you still must give them credit instead of pretending the words or ideas are your own.  Your teachers will instruct you how to properly credit your sources. 

While some plagiarism is obviously intentional and some might be considered unintentional (missing or improper citation due to carelessness, often because of hurrying to do an assignment at the last minute), both types are still subject to the same penalties.

Cheating--Plagiarism--Academic Dishonesty (Student Handbook)

Academic dishonesty includes cheating or copying the work of another student, plagiarism, and unauthorized communication between students during an examination.  The determination that a student has engaged in academic dishonesty will be based on the judgment of the classroom teacher or other supervising professional employee, taking into consideration written materials, observation, or information from students.  A student found to have engaged in academic dishonesty will be subject to disciplinary penalties per the SCC [two days], as well as, academic penalties.  Teachers who have reason to believe a student has engaged in cheating or academic dishonesty will assign a zero for the work in question.

IMPORTANT!

Unless your teacher specifically tells you that you may work with other students on an assignment, you are expected to work on all assignments by yourself, using only your own thoughts, ideas, and reasoning.

Questions, Concerns or Problems

Sometimes, despite the effort made to communicate clearly through the handbook, newsletters or the website, questions arise about procedures or requirements for this course I am always willing to clarify a situation and keep the lines of communication open.  If you have a question or concern, please call me first at 858-4612, ext. 341 or e-mail me at virginia.volpe@dripping-springs.txed.net.  I try to answer calls and e-mails in a timely manner, but classes take priority, so it may take a day to get back to you.

I have found that most of the time, any issue can be easily resolved by straightforward and open communication.

After speaking with me, if you feel that I have not adequately addressed your question or concern, the next step would be to an assistant principal.  They are each given a copy of this handbook and can assist you.

Letter Jackets

Choir students may earn a letter jacket patches in choir.  Letter jackets are an award given to honor a student who:

• comes to class every day and participates in required activities (concerts, rehearsals) and
• who gets involved beyond the required class activities (UIL, All-State Choir Auditions, etc)

Various activities are assigned a point value as listed at the bottom of the page.  Students use the Application for Letter Jacket form to keep track of their points and must submit the form and all documentation to Mrs. Volpe by May 1, 2007.  The choir department pays for the letter while students are responsible for purchasing the jacket and any extra items they desire.  Jackets are fitted in May and received either by direct shipment to the student’s home or shortly after school starts the following year.

First year students are required to earn 45 points to qualify; second year students, 60; third year students, 70; and fourth year students 80.  Points are cumulative from year to year.