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Objectives During
the course of the year, students will develop the following skills and understandings:
Art of singing- fundamental vocal techniques, such as posture, breath control, tone, diction,
and intonation.
Sight-reading, ear training, and audition.
Understanding and meaning of the text and its cultural and historical perspective.
Critical thinking- applying interpretational skills of dynamics, articulations, phrasing, blend and balance.
Social Responsibility- moral and ethical responsibility to members of the ensemble, the composer of the
music and the audience.
Tolerance- positive personal attitudes and values toward each other and the wide spectrum of musical styles and cultures.
Laker Express Laker Express is an SSAATTBB show choir. Laker Express is the WBHS Show Choir,
an advanced performing group specializing in show tunes and a cappella vocal jazz. Placement in this choir will
be based on vocal ability and balance through audition. Students taking this course must demonstrate advanced vocal technique
and music reading ability. Participation in school & community concerts as well as the MSVMA Solo/Ensemble, Festival,
and graduation will be included as part of the course. AUDITION ONLY.
Chorale Chorale
is a women’s choir. This choir will focus on three part women’s literature. Chorale will participate
in MSVMA District and, if it qualifies, State Choral Music Performance as well as concerts throughout the year. This
choir gives younger singers the chance to be leaders in a choir and have a positive choral experience. It is open to women
in the vocal music department. It is also open to women not in the vocal department by audition.
Concert Choir B Concert
Choir B is for students with prior background in singing and music reading at a High School primary level. This class includes
work on developing sight reading skills, music theory in the preparation of classical to contemporary choral repertoire. Membership
is with director’s approval only. Students will participate in solo & ensemble festivals, choral festivals
and school & community concerts.
Concert Choir A Concert
Choir A is for experienced students with prior with the ability to read music at a High School intermediate level, as well
as. This class includes work on developing sight reading skills, music theory in the preparation of classical to contemporary
choral repertoire. Membership is with director’s approval only. Students will participate in solo & ensemble
festivals, choral festivals and school & community concerts. AUDITION ONLY.
Classroom
ExpectationsExhibit Positive and
Effective Behavior in Class and On Stage Respect: - Take pride in respecting classmates, director, and property
- Develop a “listening attitude” in following class expectations.
- Refrain from gum-chewing, disruptive talking, and other negative behaviors
Contributions: - Work on the development of proper vocal skills
- Participate with a positive attitude
- Present an eagerness and willingness to learn
Leadership: - Set examples of positive self-discipline
- Learn
music quickly to help others with their parts
- Take
initiative in all class activities
Consequences for students who choose negative
behaviors: - Step
1: Verbal warning in class
- Step 2: Take Home detention sheet
- Step 3: Conference with Mrs.
Hauk and detention, phone call to parents
- Step 4: Written
referral to dean, ISS for class period, phone call to parents
- Step
5: Referral, ISS, conference with Mrs. Hauk & Mr. Pryor
Harassment: - Music is internationally understood as an art form
that brings people of diverse backgrounds and opinions together.
- Harassment in the choral program is unacceptable. We expect you to do your best to resolve
simple disagreements on your own.
- If it is impossible to resolve
disagreements without assistance, the section leaders will help to find a resolution.
- Serious issues that remain unresolved by the section leaders should then be addressed to Mrs. Hauk.
Choir Folders and Music: - You will be issued a folder and music throughout
the year. This music should be kept in your folder and be with you in class each and every day. You
will be charged replacement cost for any lost or damaged music.
- You will be assigned an unsecured slot in the choir room for folder storage. If you choose
to keep it in your slot, you are still responsible for the contents therein.
Grading Vocal music class demands participation through daily rehearsal and concerts. Each experience enhances individual and group success. Each individual member’s
persistent contribution develops the objectives of this course. Marking Period Percentages 1. Participation – 50%Rehearsal Attendance – Students
will receive up to 10 Points - Participates fully and attentively during
warm-up Involved actively in
rehearsal vast majority of time Displays correct posture
at all times while singing
9 Points - Participates fully
during warm-up Involved actively in
rehearsal most of the time Displays correct posture
at all times while singing
8 Points - Participates in
warm-up with minor attention lapses Involved in rehearsal
but has minor attention lapses Displays correct posture
most of the time while singing
7 Points - Participates in
warm-up with some attention lapses Involved in rehearsal
but has some attention lapses Displays correct posture
intermittently
6 Points - Participation in warm-up is casual Involved in rehearsal but is frequently distracted Displays correct posture inconsistently
5 Points - Fails to take warm-up seriously Involves himself /
herself in rehearsal casually and distractions are many Displays correct posture only after warning from director
4 Points - Infrequently participates in warm-up Infrequently involved
in rehearsal and off task a majority of time Infrequently displays
correct posture
3 Points - Rarely participates in warm-up Rarely involved in rehearsal and frequently off-task Rarely displays correct posture
2 Points - Participation in warm-up is negligible Involvement in rehearsal is negligible
0 Points - Absent from rehearsal, excused or unexcused, or removal from rehearsal for disciplinary reasons
In the event that behaviors in the three categories are vastly different, the student will be awarded
the point value of the lowest valued behavior. As detailed earlier in this handbook, each student will be assigned a folder and music. The
folder, all music and a pencil must be with each student each day. Failure to have the folder and
all contents will result in 2 points being deducted from that day’s participation point value. Rehearsal time is very valuable
and we must make use of each and every moment. Tardies will result in 2 points being
deducted from that day’s participation point value. Written Assignments –
20%Worksheets, written classwork and homework, and written tests may be utilized
during any given quarter. Each assignment will be given a point value ranging from 10 points to 50
points. Performances – 30%Performance Attendance – Students will receive up to 100 points per performance providing they arrive
at the appointed time and remain until the completion of the performance. MSVMA District and State Festival – Students will receive up to 200 points for each MSVMA performance. Absences – In order for an absence to be excused, the student must have
prior approval from the director. Excused absences will be granted only in extreme circumstances. If
an excused absence is granted, and alternate assessment will replace assigned grade. When conflicts
between school activities, the students may choose without penalty, however the grade must be made up through an assessment.
Work schedules or family trips will be unexcused, as all concert dates are known well in advance. In
the event of illness or family emergency immediately before a concert or extra rehearsal, a “good faith” attempt
(Parent-link, call to directors home, e-mail, etc.) must be made to notify the director. Jobs/Work WBHS Choirs It
is your responsibility to notify your place of employment about rehearsal and performance dates. You
should submit a copy of the performance schedule along with rehearsal dates to your employer at the beginning of the school
year. Employers are happy to work around your schedule if they know it well in advance. They are usually
less willing to work around your schedule when they find out the day before. Work is an unexcused
absence under any circumstance. A 90
– 100 B 80 –
89 C 70 – 79 D 69
- 60 F 0
- 59
CLASSROOM MATERIALS
NEEDED:
Pencil
ALL CLASS PERIODS
(There will be random pencil checks for 10
Class work points throughout the year.)
Box of Kleneex
(To share with the class.)
Blank CD(s) or flashdrive
(If student would like to take home recorded parts or
accompaniment for practice ONLY)
Attendance You are an important member. We couldn’t be a team without you. You must
do your best to be at each activity our team has planned. 1.
Daily Attendance- You are expected to participate daily. If you are not singing, you are not participating.2. Rehearsals- All rehearsals are for a grade. If
you must miss a rehearsal, a written note must be turned in before the set rehearsal date. Failure to turn in a note
will result in an unexcused absence and a zero will be given for the missed rehearsal.3. Performances - All concerts are for a grade. Students
may be given the opportunity to participate in local\state honors chorus, choral festivals, school programs, community service
and solo/ensemble contests during the year. Participation in these activities will be based on student performance and attitude
in the classroom. If you must miss a concert, a written note
must be turned in before the set concert date. A singing assignment will be given to make-up the missed performance.
Failure to turn in a note will result in a failed grade.4. School Activities- All choir members are encouraged to be involved in other school activities.
When a conflict arises between 2 school activities, it is the student's responsibility to inform both teachers. The
teachers will work together to help the student be involved in both activities if possible.5. Non-School Activities - Most choir members are involved in non-school
activities. Schedule conflicts with non-school activities should be brought to the director's attention as soon as possible.
Some conflicts can be resolved, but again, please remember that choir is a school activity and for a grade. A written
note must be turned in before missing a rehearsal/concert for a non-school activity. Partial credit for the rehearsal/concert
can be received by singing the appropriate music for the director for a grade.Guidelines
for Citizenship * Our Goal - All members of the West Bloomfield Choral Music
Department are expected to reflect only their best qualities in their everyday contact with people in and out
of school. We want to be known as an organization that is sincere in its interests in music and in serving the community.
The following suggestions are designed in aiding the student to achieve success in fulfilling this goal. Section Leaders are elected by the section members and will hold the position
for one (1) semester. Section leaders must be in good standing within the WBHS Choral Department and carry an A or B average. The Director retains the right to review and remove a Section Leader
during the current term if the Section Leader is not performing their responsibilities in a manner suitable to the position. The following job description applies to all Section Leaders within the
WBHS Choirs : · Provide musical leadership to the class in the event the Director is absent. · Submit song suggestions for concerts. · When possible, conduct vocal exercises at the start of rehearsal. · Inform Director of Music if you are not comfortable or prepared to conduct a particular selection. · Promote teamwork and cooperation within the section. · Mediate section member disputes. · Inform Director of any areas of concern.
Fundraisers
The
WBHS does need extra funds for accompanists, microphones, and travel expenses which are not covered through the general school
budget. Money earned or donated towards fundraising will go towards these operating expenses through an interschool
vocal music account such as uniforms, travel expenses, microphones, etc.. All students are encouraged to participate
or make a donation.
2011-12 WBHS Choir Fundraiser
September – Choir T-shirts and sweatshirt sales
October - Singathon
November – Booster Gala, Cookie Sales
May – Pop Concert
?
= Candy Sale
Awards & RecognitionsFabulous Freshman · Freshman that show high standards of vocal technique, citizenship, and leadership. Most Improved · In honor of the students who show the most improvement vocally . Citizenship Award · These students receive 10s in participation all year. Service Recognition – 3.5 Years · These students are recognized for enrolling in one of our curricular ensembles
in 7 of a possible 8 semesters. Directors Award – 4 Years of Service · Seniors were enrolled in the curricular ensembles of the Choral Department
during all eight semesters of attendance at WBHS. Andy Chase Memorial Award – Spirit of the Choral Department · Not a traditional “Spirit Award”, but an award to that student who has the most remarkable spirit. National
School Choral Award · Award certificate reads: “In recognition of singular merit, ability, and achievement, of outstanding
contributions to the success of the school vocal program, and of an unusual degree of loyalty, cooperation and high qualities
of conduct.” |
|  | Each ensemble has a unique performance uniform. Visual effect is important
in creating a professional performance. Each student is assigned a uniform through out the year. Uniforms
can remain at school or taken home. They will be returned at the end of the year. Missing
or damaged articles will be charged to the students. Girls must provide
footwear and other personal items. Comfortable black shoes (NO HEELS) and no jewelry (with the exception of stud earrings)
or are a requirement for uniformity Boys must provide black dress shoes and socks are required. |
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