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Chino Valley High and Heritage Middle School
Students: About
Choral Handbook
(of fun!)
Students: CV
Chino Valley High School
Choir Handbook
Welcome to Chino Valley High School’s Choral Program! Being part of a music ensemble can serve to be extremely valuable in any person’s life, and I am so excited that you have made a decision to join forces to create something amazing. We are going to work together to make memorable moments, and better understand the influence music has from a performer’s perspective. We know that each of you has the desire to represent yourself as a positive and dedicated team member.
This handbook is designed to acquaint you with the expectations and goals of the choirs. You and your parents should familiarize yourselves with the information that it contains. If we all know what is expected of us, then we all can succeed!
We are looking forward to a fantastic school year, and I can’t wait to work together as a team. Let’s sing on and make it a year to remember!
Grading
Your grade is determined by the effort you put forth in the class. This system is designed to give each student a high degree of control in obtaining the grade he/she wishes to achieve in choir.
Following is a list of requirements and percentages needed to earn a grade in choir:
Grading by Percent
30% Daily attendance/Active participation in class
50% Attendance at ALL CONCERTS
20% Quizzes, Formal Assessments, and Homework/Assignments
Please note that this means an unexcused absence from the first concert will result in a Quarter grade of D or below.
Grades accumulate throughout the semester.
To determine grades, percentages are averaged together at the end of each grading period. Grades are based on the following scale:
A 90-100%
B 80-89%
C 70-79%
D 60-69%
F 59% and below
Absences
If a student is absent from a daily rehearsal, he/she needs to make up the absence by doing a listening resume plus any daily assignments that were given the day of the absence. The listening resume may be completed online or in class. Part of being in an ensemble is committing to the rest of your fellow performers to be present.
Link to Listening Resume: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1OD-RbA6fS__TffY-LoN-32MTeWnM0hPS-PKXgisCH3E/
Choral Expectations
Principles
Safety
Respect
Courage
Expectations
Being a member of choir means being a member of a team. We must work together for our team to be successful and accomplish our goals. Teamwork takes cooperation, courtesy and commitment. Everyone is important to the team and everyone has responsibilities to the team. These responsibilities can affect your grade and include (but are not limited to):
Showing respect for the director, other members of the ensemble, and yourself.
Showing respect for the choir room, the equipment and the music
Being on time to all rehearsals and performances.
Being prepared with binder and in seat when it is time for class to begin. Students must provide their own black, one- to two-inch three-ring binder for choir classes. This binder is to be brought to class every day. Please label the binder on the inside only. In this binder, students are to keep all course materials distributed by the director, paper, and two sharpened/mechanical pencils. Please speak to Mr. Betz privately if help is needed to obtain any of these materials.
Being responsible for all classroom materials including music, written work, handouts, permission slips, choir uniforms, etc
Listening attentively and putting forth your best effort every day with a positive attitude.
Doing other class work outside of choir.
Leaving gum, food, and drinks outside of the choir room (water bottles are an exception, and are encouraged).
Participation is mandatory! (If you are ill and cannot sing, notify the conductor before rehearsal begins)
Being in an ensemble is a fun privilege! Abuse or repeated offense of these expectations may result in:
Warning (verbal or non-verbal)
Student/Teacher conference and loss of daily points
Written contract
Guardian/Teacher phone conference, detention
Guardian/Teacher conference, detention
Administrative intervention
Responsibilities
Performance Attire
How we represent ourselves on stage is so important. We want to look professional and have a unified presence on stage. Each choir will have a uniform to help define them as a whole. Please take good care of these uniforms.
Fundraising
All choral music students are expected to participate in fundraising activities. Proceeds are deposited into the Choir Activities account to be used for choir expenses. This money will allow us to pay for new music, equipment, uniforms, travel, field trips, and festivals. All money left over at the end of each school year will go into the choir general fund.
Care of Music
Each student will be assigned music. It is his/her responsibility to take care of this music. Students are responsible for their own black 3 ring binders.
Performances
I will be updating an electronic calendar which I encourage you to follow and mark dates from. Every performance is important and students are expected to attend. A performance cannot be made up after all the work is done to put it together. You will concert details at least two months in advance of any performance. Please make note of each required performance early on as to avoid time conflicts. An absence from a concert is only excused if cleared with the director several weeks in advance, or in cases of emergency. Communication is key!
Performance Behavior Expectation
Be on time for all performances
Wear appropriate attire
Demonstrate appropriate behavior as a performer and as an audience member
Represent the CVHS Choir Program with pride
Conflicts with Performance
Students need to build their work schedules and activities outside of Chino Valley High School around our performances. There is no excuse for a schedule conflict that occurs only weeks before a concert. If a conflict arises with a performance, it needs to be resolved immediately. Though there is no way to duplicate the performance aspect of this class, there is a make-up assignment for those who properly communicate conflicts with the director well in advance. Please remember: 50% of your grade is based on the performance.
Opportunities
Regional Choir Auditions
Any choral student who secures the approval of their director by adequately preparing their music is eligible to participate. The audition includes a solo vocal performance and a sight-reading exam. Students are responsible for preparing the music outside of class and for finding their own accompanist. An accompanist may be provided. If you are interested, please see Mr. Betz to pick out an appropriate piece of music. Registration for auditions is in November. Mr. Betz must approve all music to be auditioned with.
Regional Choir Concert
If selected for regional choir, students are required to prepare and memorize an entire program of music prior to the festival and participate in two days of rehearsal and one performance.
All-State Choir Auditions
Students who participate in Regional Choir Concert are eligible to audition for All-State choir. The audition process is the same as the Regional Choir auditions, with more rigor.
All-State Choir Concert
Students selected for the All-State choir are required to prepare and memorize an entire program of music prior to the festival and participate in three days of rehearsal and one performance.
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