2019-2020 Albany High School Vocal Music Department Handbook
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2019-2020 Albany High School
Vocal Music Department Handbook
Welcome to Albany High’s Vocal Music Department! You have joined a team dedicated to creating a
vibrant and memorable choral and vocal experience. We strive to excel in performing arts and in all aspects of our
lives, and we hope to build lifelong memories and longlasting relationships together.
Philosophy
Music changes our lives. The ensemble experience brings our diversity and differences together for a collective purpose
teaching us to respect, empathize, work, live, and be together. Music expresses our most fundamental emotions and
sensations; music helps us be human. Through music, students work together as an ensemble towards a unified goal
while still nurturing an individual personal aesthetic for the arts. Choral singing gives each of us a sense of pride, self
discipline, selfconfidence, motivation, and a drive for excellence; music inspires us to be the best that we can be.
Musicians don’t just happen. They are built with schools, teachers, parents, and members of the community. These
groups create the foundation for growth and flourishing; it is the collective responsibility of the ensemble, the director,
the parents, and the community to put forth their best efforts at all times.
Program Objectives
The goal of this program is to help you develop, strengthen, and master vocal concepts, skills, and literacy, enabling you
to be a confident musician throughout your life. You will develop your breathing and vocal mechanisms, as well as gain
an understanding and appreciation for many vocal styles and genres. You will study and develop skills to take you
through the creative process, involving discipline, perseverance, selfreflection, selfmonitoring, team effort, team spirit,
analysis, interpretation, and assessment. We believe in the aesthetic value of music in our lives, and we strive to make
the vocal arts a meaningful part of your high school experience.Academic Planning
Choir Music
All students will need to supply their own threering binder (CC, BC) or folder (TC, CS) and a pencil by the end of the
first week of school (let me know if you need assistance). All students will be provided music, worksheets, and other
paperwork. If you lose your music, you must replace it. Track your music carefully and have all items at each rehearsal.
Vocal Music Testing [510.214.AHSC]
To take a voice test:
Call 510.214.AHSC
Speak your name, the piece you are singing, and the starting page/measure number
Sing the required test section
Hang up!
Schedule and Event Planning
Choir Website (homework assignments, performance calendar)
albanychoirs.com! This handbook, calendar, all events, reminders, and much more can be found on our choir website.
Choir Council (students, in person meetups)
Your Choir Council is a group of students that plan and organize fundraisers and choir events, discuss community
outreach and travel, and serve as rolemodels for the vocal program. Your 20192020 President is Emma Traynor.
Choirs Online (social media, social events)
To keep posted about choir socials, logistical reminders, and sharing photos/videos/other pieces of our choir history,
students are highly recommended to:
a) keep eyes on the albanychoirs.com website
b) follow the choirs on instagram: @albanyvocalmusic
c) use our hashtag: #firmusfam
Remind System (all of the above)
We use a textmessage based system called Remind to keep all students and families on top of all of our coming events
and activities. Students are strongly urged to join. Family members can add, but will sometimes receive noncritical
information. Send texts to [81010] to join:
@ahsvmac: AllChoir announcements @ahsvmtc: Treble Chamber announcements
@ahsvmcc: Concert Choir announcements @ahsvmcs: Chamber Singers announcements
@ahsvmbc: Bass Chamber announcements @ahsvmvs: Vocal Soul announcements
Choral Core: Family Volunteer Opportunities
We absolutely cannot do all of the amazing things we are capable of without your incredible gifts of time and support!
The Choral Core is our dedicated family base, led by parent coordinator Anne Hsu . Please be
sure to fill out the online Choral Core registration form online.Academic Policies
Grade breakdown:
Rehearsals: 25% Paperwork: 10%
Performances and Special Rehearsals: 35% Tests: 15%
Written Work: 15%
Late Work: Late work must be turned in within one week of the due date for partial credit.
1. Daily rehearsals are worth 10 points each.
2. Special rehearsals and performances are worth up to 150 points each.
3. Written work is done both in class and out. These assignments can include repertoire checks, etiquette
evaluations, listening logs, music theory and vocabulary sheets, and journal entries.
4. Paperwork is done in conjunction with families, including permission slips and attire forms.
5. Tests are done both in class and out, including both singing tests and music/vocal theory tests.
Choir Attire and Trip Information
All students will own a current or prior year version of the Albany High School Choirs shirt at no charge (thanks AMF!)
Students can optionally purchase the studentdesigned vocal music sweatshirt for approximately $35.
Students should have a pair of long jeans as part of their informal uniform.
All students have access to attire and field trips regardless of trip related fees or voluntary donations. The notes below
are listed for planning purposes only (paperwork, explanations, and more will come in the first months of school).
Projected Expenses for the year:
Festivals/Trips: Choir: Projected Expense:
Retreat CS $80
Sleepover TC $25
Laser Tag Night BC $40 ($30+BART ticket)
Spring Tour all ensembles $395
Attire (to be discussed in classes)
Choir Shirt (can wear prior years) all ensembles $0
Tuxedo Ensemble CS, BC $90115/borrow or keep
Vest Ensemble CC $5080/borrow or keep
**single items available for size changes/upgrades
Choirspecific dresses all ensembles $20/borrow
Black closedtoe dress shoes/socks all ensembles $30 or on your ownBehavior Keys
1. Empathy: Put yourself in someone else’s shoes, and works towards understanding another’s point of view.
2. Respect: Treat others as you would like to be treated for the good of the team.
3. Etiquette: Follow the procedures and rules given for each type of interaction.
4. Order: no gum, food, drinks (bottled water is fine), or cell phones without explicit permission.
Choosing to break these keys will result in loss of rehearsal points, calls home, drops from ensemble privileges, or
referral to administration.
Class Procedures
1. Come to class prepared with your music, binder/folder, pencil(s), and any paperwork assigned.
2. Leave your other belongings in the outer perimeter of the room.
3. Be ready to stand in rehearsal formation.
4. Raise your hand to ask any questions or for clarifications/commentary.
5. Take all of your materials with you at the end of each rehearsal.
Attendance Policies
1. If you are at school but unable to sing for more than two rehearsal days, you will receive 0/10 rehearsal points
each day until an official note of illness is given.
2. You will only earn up to 6 of 10 rehearsal points if you are tardy; excessive tardies = ensemble privileges lost.
3. You will only earn up to 8 of 10 rehearsal points if you leave class early for personal appointments.
4. Conflicts to major rehearsals and performances must be submitted at least three weeks in advance. If the
conflict is approved, you have the opportunity to make up lost points.
Performance Requirement
Performances are absolutely critical. When you miss a performanceôfestival, concert, or field tripôour team suffers.
Your commitment is vital to our team; it is impossible for us to reach all of our goals when you are gone. Your grade
will drop up to a full letter (an A drops to a B, a C drops to a D, etc.) if you miss a performance with no advance
warning. Please look over the 20192020 events calendar with your family very carefully and submit any conflicts.
Minimum Grade Requirement:
Albany High School students strive for excellence in all areas of their lives, including academic studies and endeavors.
Traveling with Albany High School Vocal Music is a privilege, not a right. If you have less than a 2.0 GPA or receive an F
in the first semester through the week prior to any major trip, your ability to travel is jeopardized.
Contact Information
If you have any questions or concerns, I am available by email
and phone [510.558.3750 x2575]. You will be given my cell phone number in class and
can contact me via Remind. Office hours are by appointment only. A copy of this handbook and other important
documents will be available to you via email, in class, and at albanychoirs.com.2019-2020 Albany High School Vocal Music Department Calendar
Dates Days What Where When Who
August 27 Tuesday First Day of School AHS all day all students
August 30 Friday Bass Chamber Break Concord afternoon/evening BC
Sept. 67 Fri.Sat. Chamber Singers Retreat Montara all day CS
Sept. 78 Sat.Sun. Treble Chamber Sleepover Albany afternoon/evening TC
September 11 Wednesday BackToSchool Night Gym 7:00pm (brief) CS
September 13 Friday Concert Choir Chaos Albany/El Cerrito afternoon/evening CC
Sept. 21/28 Saturday Honor Choir Auditions W.Creek/C.Valley AM [HC 11/2123] interested students
September 27 Friday Sound Off! (RMS) San Jose State school day BC, CS*
October 14+ Monday Sing For Pleasure Grace Cathedral/SF 12:00pm4:30pm BC*, TC, CS
October 24 Thursday Fall Preview Concert St. Albans/M. Hall 7:00pm (call 6:30) BC, TC, CS
November 1 Friday Sonoma State Festival Sonoma State 7:00am10:00am CS
Nov. 6, 13, 20 Wednesday Elementary Performances Cornell, OV, Marin 8:00am10:45am TBA
November 13 Wednesday CSUEB Tenor/Bass Festival Cal State East Bay 8:00am4:00pm BC, CS tenor/bass
November 14 Thursday Contra Costa Festival Contra Costa 12:30pm5:00pm TC
December 8 Sunday Arts and Crafts Fair Albany Middle early afternoon VS
Dec. 1314 Friday, Dessert Theater Memorial Hall 7/1/7 (call 5/12/6) ALL CHOIRS
(+10/11/12) Sat./Sat. + after schools
December 15 Sunday St. Alban’s Tea St. Alban’s 2:00pm–2:30pm CS/VS select
Dec. TBA TBA Gift Wrapping/Books Inc. Books Inc. all day interested students
December 18 Wednesday Carol Of The Bells Memorial Hall 7:00pm (call 6:00) ALL CHOIRS
(after 12/17) after: Dec. 17, 3:45pm
February 6 Thursday Vocal Showcase AHS Little Theater 7:00pm VS, selected
February 8 Saturday District Choir Festival Ocean View 10:00am CS, TC*
February 14 Friday Valentine’s Grams Albany High all day VS
February 28 Friday SJSU Choral Invitational San Jose State 10:00am2:00pm BC*, CS
March 58 Wed.Sun. AHS AllSchool Musical AHS Little Theater 7pm, 8pm, 2/8pm, 3pm auditioned singers
March 19 Thursday Superintendent’s Concert AHS Gymnasium 7:00pm (call 6:30) ALL CHOIRS
March 20+ Friday Gilroy Sings! Festival Gilroy 11:00am7:00pm BC, TC
March 21 Saturday CMEA Area Festival Acalanes High TBD (8:00am1:00pm) CC, TC, CS
March 25 Wednesday The Gift To Sing Memorial Hall 7:00pm (call 6:00) ALL CHOIRS
(after 3/24) after: Mar. 24 3:45pm
April 25 Thur.Sun. AllChoir Spring Tour Anaheim/LA all day ALL CHOIRS
April 1324 all week 2021 Auditions/Elections Music Room 22 After school ’20, ’21, and ’22
April 17 Friday DVC Choral Festival D. Valley College afternoon/evening VS
May 7 Thursday Spring Sing St. Albans/M. Hall 7:00pm auditioned singers
th
May 2829 Thursday 13 Annual Variety Shows AHS Little Theater 7:00pm (call 6:00) ALL CHOIRS
(+5/2627) Friday after: 3:45/2:45
June 5 Friday Vocal Music Awards AHS Little Theater 7:00pm class of 2020
June 12 Friday Graduation AHS Gymnasium 5:00pm CS, class of 2020
additional dates may be added 30 days in advance
* = attendance not confirmed, keep on radar + = weekdays where school is not in session2019-2020 Albany High School
Vocal Music Department Contract
Please sign and return this sheet only to Mrs. Stocker no later than Friday, August 30.
You can find the choir handbook online at albanychoirs.com/students/forms.
We have gone through the 20192020 Albany High School Vocal Music Department Handbook.
We understand all grading policies, procedures, rules, and responsibilities described within the handbook.
We have seen the 20192020 Vocal Music Department Calendar and plan to attend all required events.
We agree to abide by Albany High School’s DISCIPLINE REGULATIONS
We agree to abide by Albany High School’s STUDENT CONDUCT CODE
We have completed the online Student Information Sheet (students) and Core Registration Form (families).
Student’s Name Parent/Guardian Name
__________________________________ __________________________________
Student’s Signature/Date Parent/Guardian Signature/Date
__________________________________ __________________________________
Vocal Music Spring Tour Information
Education Code 35330 allows for the charge of a fee for the direct costs for field trips. However, students cannot be
denied the opportunity to participate in the field trip for failure to pay the fee.
The Albany High School Music Department is dedicated to taking all qualified students on tour. This year’s tour to Los
Angeles, California will cost approximately $395. More information will be coming in the following months, and all
students are asked to participate in fundraisers throughout the year. As always, you can contact me via phone, text, or
email with any questions or concerns you may have.
Comments, questions, concerns:
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
(please turn over and sign the AMF and Media Release)Albany Music Fund Mailing Release
On occasion, Albany Music Fund will send email information regarding fundraisers; some of these are
directly participated in by the choirs, while others are optional and informational only. We request that all
families allow AMF to send periodic emails to our choir families.
To give your consent, please sign here: _____________________________________________
Albany Unified School District Media Release
On occasion, representatives from and/or employees of the Albany Unified School District wish to
photograph, videotape, and/or interview individuals in connection with school programs, projects, and events.
To release photographs, video footage, and/or comments, and/or to post on district, school, and community
websites, we need written permission.
To give your consent, please complete the following form below.
I, ______________________________, parent/guardian of __________________________________,
give permission for my child to be photographed, videotaped, and/or interviewed by representatives from
and/or employees of the Albany Unified School District for educational or public relations purposes. I
authorize the use and reproduction by the Albany Unified School District or anyone authorized by the District
of any and all photographs and/or videotapes taken of my child, without compensation to me/my child. All
these photographs/video recordings shall be the property, solely and completely, of the Albany Unified School
District. I waive any right to inspect or approve the finished photographs/videotapes, and the soundtrack,
script, or printed matter that may be used in conjunction with it.
Signature of Parent/Guardian: ___________________________________ Date: _________________
OR
I am 18 years of age or older and I give my consent without reservations to the foregoing on by own behalf.
Signature of Student: __________________________________________ Date: _________________You can also read
