Whitney Point High School Chorus Member Handbook 2019-2020 - Whitney Point Central School ...
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Whitney Point High School
Chorus Member Handbook
2019-2020
Goals for the year:
• To perform a diverse repertoire of choral works
• To achieve superior sight-singing skills using hand-sign solfege
• To improve intonation through a focus on listening and vowel matching
• To develop excellent performing skills, including posture and expression
• To develop a connection to music and its expressive power
• To become better individual singers through focused instruction in small
group voice lessons
Personal Expectations:
• Work to become the best singer you can be
• Maintain a positive attitude
• Be mature and respectful
Mr. Ken Jones, Choral Director
Email: kjones@wpcsd.orgWhitney Point High School
2019-2020 Chorus Performance Calendar
REQUIRED PERFORMANCES:
Winter Concert - Monday, December 16th, 7:00pm, HS Auditorium
Cabaret - Tuesday AND Wednesday, February 25/26, 7:00pm, HS Auditorium
NYSSMA Majors – Tuesday OR Wednesday, May 12th/13th, Owego MS
Spring Concert - Tuesday, May 19th, 7:00pm, HS Auditorium
Ice Cream Social - Wednesday, June 3rd, 5:00pm, High School
The five performances listed above are REQUIRED for all chorus members.
Additionally, this year the Chorus will be going on a one-day trip to New York City, on
Saturday, January 4th, where we will perform on the main stage of Radio City Music
Hall in front of 6,000 people as the opening act for the Radio City Christmas Spectacular
featuring the Rockettes. This trip is not mandatory and will include a cost, but there are
many fundraisers planned for this year and I would love it if everyone could attend.
Detailed information will be given out early in September.
The events listed below are other things you might want to consider trying out or perhaps
just attending. They are not required, but if you are not going to participate and if you are
free, I encourage you to attend and show your support of the arts in our hometown.
HS Band Combined Concert with SV Band – 10/30 @ 7pm, SVHS
Veteran’s Day Service (featuring our Select Chorus) – 11/11 @ 7pm, First
Congregational Church of Greene
HS Drama Club Show - 11/22 & 11/23 @ 7pm, HS Auditorium
WP Village Tree Lighting – 12/6 @ 6:30pm, Corner of Collins and Rte.26
(featuring HS and TRA Select Choruses)
TRA Winter Concert (4-6 Chorus, 6th gr. Band) – 12/10 @ 7:00pm, TRA Auditorium
TRA Winter Concert (7-8 Chorus & Band) – 12/12 @ 7:00pm, TRA Auditorium
HS Winter Band Concert – 12/18 @ 7pm, HS Auditorium
HS Musical – 2/7 & 2/8 @ 7pm, HS Auditorium
TRA Musical - 3/27 & 3/28 @ 7pm, TRA Auditorium
TRA Spring Concert (4-5 Chorus & Band) – 4/29 @ 7pm, TRA Auditorium
TRA Spring Chorus Concert (6-8) – 5/7 @ 7pm, TRA Auditorium
TRA Spring Band Concert (6-8) – 5/13 @ 7pm, TRA Auditorium
HS Spring Band Concert – 5/28 @ 7pm, HS Auditorium
Baccalaureate – 6/28 @ 7pm, Whitney Point Methodist Church, Non-denominational
service for graduating seniors and their families, with music by the Select ChorusClass Expectations & General Information:
Materials
• Folders – The district has provided the chorus with choral folders. These have
been numbered and will be assigned to each of you – keep it in its corresponding
spot in the folder rack.
• Music – I will be providing everyone with copies of every piece of music we sing.
Do not share music with a friend - sharing music causes bad posture. Keep your
music in your own folder, follow along with your own music when singing and
make marks in your own music.
• Pencil – You need to provide your own pencils. You may not use pens, as Mr.
Jones will instruct you to write things in your music that he may later change.
Make sure you have at least one pencil in your folder at all times.
Communication
I use the Remind app extensively in my communication with students and parents.
Remind is a website as well as a smartphone app that allows me to send messages to
students and parents, as well as receive messages in return. These messages typically
come in the form of messages on your cell phone (smartphones are not required, just any
phone that can send/receive text messages), although they can also be sent and received
via email. For more information visit remind.com
To receive chorus reminder messages, including lesson reminders, concert
reminders and general information chorus members should know, connect to the WP
Chorus remind group. Both parents and students can do this. If you have a smartphone
you can download the remind app, and if you don’t have a cell phone you can go to
remind.com on a computer, make an account and join the WPChorus group. But the
simplest way to join is to just send a text message to the number “81010” with the
message “@wpchorus” (see example below).Performances
There are four required performances for the year. These are listed on the
performance calendar. Attendance at these performances is a requirement for the course
and part of each students grade. Performances are the only opportunity the public has to
find out what we have been working on in chorus class. They are the equivalent of tests
in other classes – the one chance the students have to take all that they have learned over
the course of weeks or months and demonstrate it. Missing a performance is like missing
a final exam, and is just as detrimental to a students average.
Excused absence
If any chorus member has to miss a performance due to an unavoidable emergency
(such as illness, a death in the family, etc.) they must bring in a note from a parent
or guardian explaining the situation. They will then be considered excused from
the concert and will be allowed to complete the makeup assignment (see bold
section below).
Unexcused absence
If any chorus member fails to attend a performance and does not bring in a note
from a parent explaining their absence they will be considered unexcused from the
concert. Also, if it is determined the reason for missing the concert was not an
unavoidable emergency the absence will still be considered unexcused.
Examples of avoidable emergencies include:
• Not having a ride to the concert (students can stay through after school or arrange
weeks in advance to have another chorus member or family member that can give
them a ride should the need arise)
• Work (students are allowed and expected to put in for time off from work for
required school activities)
Makeup Assignment
If a student is determined to be Excused from a performance, they will be allowed to
complete a makeup assignment. Students who have an Unexcused absence from a
performance will not be allowed to complete the makeup assignment. Any student
who does not complete the makeup assignment by the due date will be considered
Unexcused from the performance.
Any student who has an unexcused absence from a concert (either due to initially being
unexcused or being excused but not completing the makeup assignment) will
automatically incur in a 30% decrease in their Final Quarter Average.Trips & Competitions
New York City – January 4th – Detailed information will be distributed ASAP, but
the day will include: Charter bussing to NYC, sightseeing, dinner as a group, and most
importantly: we will be performing 2 songs for the crowd at Radio City Music Hall just
prior to the Radio City Christmas Spectacular. WE are going to be the warm-up act for
the world famous Rockettes on the massive Radio City stage in front of the crowd of
roughly 6,000 people. Immediately after we perform we will be brought up to our seats
where we will get to watch the Christmas Spectacular performance. Information about
cost, chaperones, permissions slips, fundraising, etc. will all be handed out in the first few
weeks of school.
NYSSMA Majors – May 12th/13th – We will once again be travelling to Owego
Middle School on one of these two days to perform and receive a rating from two
NYSSMA adjudicators. The Concert Chorus will be competing at level 4, while the
Select Chorus will be competing at Level 5. Attendance is required and there is no cost
involved. We will be missing the majority of the school day on this day.
DISNEY 2021 – FOR YOUR INFORMATION & PLANNING PURPOSES: The
Band and Chorus will once again be travelling to Orlando, Florida in the Spring of 2021
to perform and compete as part of Festival Disney, as well as attend the Disney parks.
Fundraising for this trip will begin in the Spring of this school year (in May of 2020).
Any student that has an Unexcused Absence from any required performance
will be disqualified from attending chorus trips for the school year. Any money that
they have fundraised or paid will be forfeit after an unexcused absence from a
required performance.
Concert Attire
The way we dress for performances is critical to our success. It can make the
difference between an audience member enjoying the performance or not. It is certainly
a distraction if someone in the chorus does not match the rest of the group. Therefore,
everyone MUST come to each concert in clothes that conform to this dress code:
Males: Black button down shirt, black dress pants, black socks, black shoes, black
necktie (long tie, not a bow tie)
Females: Black shirt with sleeves, black pants OR black floor length skirt OR black
skirt with black leggings or opaque black tights, black shoes
(Concert Attire continued on the next page)If you do not have appropriate concert attire and are not able to purchase or borrow
any, I will have extra clothes you may borrow for the concert (I promise they will be
clean). If you show up for a concert in clothes that do not comply with the dress code
you will be required to change into these clothes (I cannot guarantee sizes, but you will
have something to wear).
If you chose not to change you will not be allowed to perform with the chorus
and you will be marked as having an Unexcused Absence from the concert.
Honors Credit
Chorus and band students have the opportunity to apply for honors credit. Honors
Chorus means you are agreeing to complete 2 additional projects outside of the general
chorus requirements. If completed, your chorus average will be weighted as an honors
class. Failure to complete these projects will result in your average being calculated
according to the “Regents Course” formula. If a student wishes to be in Honors Chorus
and Honors Band they must complete 2 separate projects for each course.
Students must complete 2 of the following projects:
• Membership in NYSSMA Conference All-State Chorus or All-Eastern Chorus
• Membership in NYSSMA Area All-State Chorus
• Membership in BCMEA All-County Chorus
• Performance of a level 4-6 solo or level 3-6 ensemble at NYSSMA Solo and
Ensemble Festival in Johnson City
• Membership in Binghamton Downtown Singers, Madrigal Choir of Binghamton,
or other approved organization for an entire season
• Participation in the WPHS Musical as an on-stage performer
• Participation in Select Chorus for the full year
• Research paper and brief lecture presentation to the class on a pre-approved music
topic
• Fulfilling duties as Chorus Secretary or Chorus Leader for the full year
• Performing in Cabaret in a solo or small ensemble
• Volunteering as a concert assistant at multiple TRA concerts/drama performances
• Volunteering as a light or sound technician for all High School concerts
• Private voice lessons for the full year
Students must choose which two projects they will be completing at the start of the year.
If you plan on doing more than two of these things, you may list all that you are planning
on doing.
For more information or to sign up for Honors Chorus, please see Mr. Jones to receive an
Honors Chorus form. Forms are due to Mr. Jones by October 1st.Grading Policy
Daily Participation – 25%
The Daily Participation grade is a simple 2, 1 or 0 for each day. If you are
present, prepared with your folder, music and pencil, singing, and not being disruptive,
you will receive a 2 for the day. If you are being disruptive, fail to show an effort to
participate, or exhibit any other negative behavior, you will receive a 1 or 0. Absences
will not count as 0’s. These grades will be kept up to date on SchoolTool, as will
Performance Readiness Checks, Folder Checks, lesson attendance and critique papers.
Overall Effort & Participation – 25%
On the following pages you will find the grading sheet and the rubric used to
determine grades in all nine areas of Overall Effort and Participation. These grades
will be entered into SchoolTool at the end of each quarter.
Lesson Participation – 20%
Group Chorus Lessons will take place during periods 2, 5, 6 and 7. Lessons
provide you with an opportunity to get much more individualized instruction on how to
become a better singer, music reader and all-around musician than you get during a
chorus class. Everyone will be assigned to a lesson group, and you will receive a
schedule for when your lesson group will be meeting. Your attendance at and effort
during these lessons determine your grade for this 20% or your average. If you forget to
come to a lesson or are unable to attend you will be required to attend a makeup lesson.
Lessons can be made up by attending another groups lesson within your voice group (S/A
or T/B). You will never be scheduled to miss the same class more than twice a quarter.
Folder Checks – 10%
Each quarter there will be one announced and one unannounced Folder Check.
Each time this happens you will be required to show that you have your assigned folder
and that it contains a copy of each piece of chorus music and a pencil.
Performance Readiness Checks – 10%
Once per quarter each member of the chorus will be assigned a performance
readiness check. These are individual performance assessments that are done on your
own through the Seesaw app, either on a computer or smartphone. You will be given a
couple of excerpts from the music that we have prepared in rehearsal and you will use the
app to perform your part along with the piano part and submit it digitally. You will be
graded based on your ability to sing your part accurately. No one will ever be required to
perform this assessment on your own in front of Mr. Jones or your peers!
Concert Critique Paper – 10%
After each performance each student will have to write a Concert Critique Paper.
We will watch a video recording of our performance and students will be required to
critique it. They will need to identify things the chorus did well, things the chorus could
have done better, and suggestions for ways to improve. More specific information on
these assignments will be given as they approach.WPHS Chorus
Mr. Ken Jones, Director
Quarterly Evaluation Sheet
Name: ________________________________________________ Year: _________________
Term 1 Term 2 Term 3 Term 4
Total Grade
Term 1 Term 2 Term 3 Term 4
Daily Participation /25 /25 /25 /25
Overall Effort Max Term 1 Term 2 Term 3 Term 4
& Participation Points
Posture 5
Expression/Diction 5
Solfege 5
Effort/Attitude 5
Focus/Awareness 5
Total 25
Chorus Lessons Max Term 1 Term 2 Term 3 Term 4
Points
Attendance &
20
Participation
Assignments Max Term 1 Term 2 Term 3 Term 4
Points
Folder Checks 10
Performance
10
Readiness Check
Critique Paper 10Overall Effort and Participation Rubric
Musicality
4 3 2 1 0
Posture The student The student The student The student The student
will will sit or will sit or needs to be does not sit
consistently stand in stand in prompted to or stand in
sit or stand proper proper sit or stand proper
in proper singing singing in proper singing
singing position position singing position
position about 75% about 50% position
throughout of the time of the time
the rehearsal
Expression The student The student The student The student The student
will will apply will apply needs to be does not
(Dynamics, consistently the use of the use of prompted to apply the use
Phrasing, apply the use musical musical use musical of musical
Diction, of musical expression expression expression expression
etc.) expression about 75% about 50%
as directed of the time of the time
by the
teacher
Solfege The student The student The student The student The student
consistently is able to use is able to use needs to be does not use
uses proper proper proper prompted to proper
solfege solfege solfege use proper solfege
techniques techniques techniques solfege techniques
as directed about 75% about 50% techniques
by the of the time of the time
teacherParticipation
4 3 2 1 0
Effort/ The student The student The student The student The student
Attitude consistently generally sometimes needs to be makes no
gives gives good gives good prompted to effort to
excellent effort or effort or make a participate or
effort with an frequently sometimes minimal never
enthusiastic displays an displays an effort or displays an
and positive enthusiastic enthusiastic rarely enthusiastic
attitude and positive and positive displays an and positive
attitude attitude enthusiastic attitude
and positive
attitude
Focus/ The student is The student The student The student The student
Awareness always is frequently is sometimes is rarely is not at all
focused on focused on focused on focused on focused on
the task at the task at the task at the task at the task at
hand and hand and hand and hand and hand or
aware of the aware of the aware of the aware of the aware of the
conductor’s conductor’s conductor’s conductor’s conductor’s
directions directions directions directions directionsWhitney Point High School
Chorus Parent/Student Contract
Parents/Guardians, thank you for going over this handbook with your son/daughter and
for your support. Please fill out this form and return it to school NO LATER than
September 27th, 2019.
I have gone over the chorus handbook with _______________________ (students name).
We understand and support that chorus is a class for which students earn grades that
count towards their GPA. We are familiar with all aspects of the chorus handbook and
respect and support the grading policy and class expectations. We have marked our
calendars with all of the required performances and understand these performances are
mandatory and part of the students grade. We understand that chorus is a full year
commitment.
________________________________________
Student Signature
________________________________________
Parent/Guardian Signature
________________________________________
Parent/Guardian Email address
________________________________________
Emergency Contact Number
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