Licking Valley High School Vocal Music Department

Handbook 2014­2015

Jessica Myers, Director

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LVHS Vocal Music Department Handbook

Welcome to the LVHS Vocal Music Department. This handbook has been prepared for your convenience throughout the school year. It contains almost everything that participating students and parents need to know to achieve success in the Licking Valley Vocal Music Program. A vocal music calendar is included which lists an overview of mandatory concerts and performances as well as optional vocal music events which students may choose to participate in. This schedule is subject to change. For a more detailed schedule, please check out www.teacherpage.com/lvmusic. It is strongly recommended that you keep this handbook within reach so that it can be referred to if a question or problem should arise. Parents and students should read all items in the handbook before signing and returning the form on the back page by August 29 along with your robe maintenance fee.

I am delighted that you have chosen to be a part of the vocal music department and am looking forward to working together this year. You will have the opportunity to learn vocal technique, good vocal health habits, improve your musicianship, work hard, have fun, and be a part of a team. It’s going to be great year. Jessica Myers, Choral Director 763­2275, myersj@lickingvalley.k12.oh.us @Choir_Myers

Course Descriptions

Concert Choir/Women’s Choir Course number 850 1 Credit­Year/Period 1 section Prerequisite­none Open to any student interested in choral singing. The course offers students the opportunity to sing many different styles of choral music in a group setting. Students will perform during three concerts and District 10 Large Group Competition. Students will have the option to perform for solo & ensemble competition. Outside of school day rehearsals and performances are required for credit. Vocal Impact Course number 857 1/2 Credit­Year/Period Prerequisite­Audition Students must audition and be selected for the group during the spring of the previous year. During and outside of the school day competitions, performances and rehearsals are required to receive credit. Students are also required to purchase his/her own outfit.

General Classroom Expectations

1. Be on time. Please be in the room ready to go when the tardy bell rings to begin warm­ups. The secretary will take attendance during vocal warm­ups. If you are late, you must have a pass.

2. No gum, candy, food, or soda is allowed in the classroom. Water is encouraged! 3. Come prepared for class. You will be provided with a choir folder slot and choir

music. You must provide: a pencil & a folder. Bring all materials to class with you

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every day or leave them in the choir room. There will be random materials checks. 4. Honor deadlines. Turn in all assignments and paperwork when they are due. 5. Save conversations for another time. Talking during rehearsal is disruptive to the

learning process. Respect my right to teach and other students’ rights to learn. 6. Participate. Singing and working in class everyday is formative assessment and the best

way to get immediate feedback on how you are doing. Absences and Make­up assignments

For teamwork, balance, and blend issues, it is extremely important that all members of the ensemble be present as much as possible, but illness happens! If you are sick or cannot sing during class, you will journal the class while following along in your music in order to stay on pace with the learning process.

YOU are responsible for missed classes/rehearsals and assignments by checking with the director, the choir president, the choir secretary, or your class representative upon your return to class or during the absence via phone or email.

Practice

Practice makes permanent. The acquisition of effective practice skills is critical to the development of excellence in music. If you practice with poor techniques (sloppy posture, pitch and rhythm problems, inadequate breath support, etc.) you will make those habits permanent. Practice wisely. As time allows, practice recordings may be made by the director for your use on CD, flash drive, or website. SmartMusic will also be available for use on your laptop. Please take advantage of these practice opportunities. Memorize accurately and completely including dynamics and expression markings. Be a singer who is a musician. Materials

Singers are assigned a choir robe and music. Failure to return the choir robe or music in good condition or failure to return the choir robe or music at all will result in a replacement fee.

In order to help with dry­cleaning costs and to plan for additional robe purchases, there is a choir robe fee of $10.00 payable to the Licking Valley Music Boosters. $5.00 will go toward cleaning and the other $5.00 will go in a robe fund for additional robes, replacement robes, or repairs. Please turn this fee in with your handbook form.

The music may not seem to be that big of an expense to you at $1.80 to $3.75 per copy. However, you must multiply that amount by 75 to 90 choir members to understand how expensive furnishing singers with music can be. The music is the equivalent of a textbook in any other course and is the most important material that the singers will use. Please treat it with respect and take care of it to avoid paying to replace it.

ALL ROBES AND MUSIC MUST BE TURNED IN BY THE LAST DAY OF CLASS TO AVOID CHARGES.

Concerts, Performances, and Contests

Concerts and other performances are REQUIRED for credit. Concerts are Summative Assessments. Without concerts there would be few goals to reach in a choir setting. All rehearsals and class assignments lead toward and are rewarded by the applause during a concert performance or the high rating from adjudicators at competitions.

Absences from Performances

If a student is absent from a concert or performance, the highest grade that student can earn for that 9 weeks is a C.

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If you have a conflict with a concert date contact the director before the concert or performance.

Acceptable reasons for an absence from a concert or other performance include ONLY:

1. Illness with a doctor’s note. 2. Death in the family. 3. Unavoidable sports conflict. In order to be be given an alternative assessment instead of a concert or other

performance, a note, written and signed by the parent or guardian must be presented to the director before the concert or performance or in an unexpected situation, a phone call (763­2275) or email (myersj@lickingvalley.k12.oh.us) at the time of the performance followed by a note on the next day of class. Failure to present an acceptable excuse will result in a lowered course grade.

Concert Attire

All Choir members will wear a robe to all choir performances. In addition, the following dress code will be in effect: Gentlemen: Black dress pants, black socks, black dress shoes, and a white dress shirt underneath the robe or Concert Band uniform. Ladies: Black skirt or dress slacks, black socks or hose, black dress shoes (high heels are not recommended) and a white blouse underneath the robe or Concert Band uniform. NO jeans, t­shirts, or tennis shoes. NO necklaces or beeping watches. Small earrings are acceptable. Other facial/body piercings should be covered or have clear non­shiny jewelry. NO nail polish. NO perfume, cologne, or scented lotions. Anti­perspirant or deodorant is a must. Hair color must be of a shade that you could possibly have been born with (blonde, brown, black or natural red). All Vocal Impact members will wear his/her purchased outfits.

NO necklaces, bracelets, anklets, rings or watches. Hair must be out of the face and of

normal hair color (NO wild colors ex. Hot pink). Make­up must be tasteful. NO nail polish. NO perfume, cologne or scented lotions. Other facial/body piercings should be covered or have clear non­shiny jewelry. For concerts, Vocal Impact members are to wear the designated attire under the robe during the Choir portion of the concert, unless otherwise directed.

Solo and Ensemble Competition

Participation in Solo and Ensemble Competition is optional and voluntary. Music selection will begin in October or earlier. Fees

Soloists must pay a registration fee of $16.00 before the director sends in the registration in order to participate. Should a soloist decide not to participate after the registration deadline, the fee will not be refunded. There will be a $10.00 accompanist fee due to the accompanist before the date of the competition if Mrs. Myers is not playing for you.

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There is a $21.00 registration fee that will be split among the ensemble members and is due before the registration deadline. The $10.00 accompanist fee will also be split among the ensemble members and is due to the accompanist before the date of the competition. Should the ensemble decide not to participate after the registration deadline, the registration fee will not be refunded.

Any solo and ensemble fees not turned in by the registration deadline will result in the student not being able to participate and his/her event to be cancelled. Rehearsals

SOLOISTS are responsible for scheduling at least 6 rehearsals with the director and 2 rehearsals with the accompanist before the competition. Failure to do so will result in the soloist not being able to participate. Soloists that take private voice lessons should consult the choir director regarding rehearsals.

ENSEMBLES are responsible for 6 ensemble rehearsals with the director, 2 individual rehearsals with the director and 2 rehearsals with the accompanist before the competition. Failure to do so will result in the entire ensemble not being able to participate.

Large Group Contest

At Large Group Contest the choir is required to perform one musical selection chosen from a required list of selections decided upon by a committee of vocal music directors from the state of Ohio and two other musical selections of contrasting styles chosen by the director. There are four different levels of difficulty of music that the director may choose to enter his/her choir. The most difficult is Class AA, followed by Class A, Class B and Class C. Again, these classes are based on musical difficulty not school size. The three musical selections are heard by three adjudicators that make vocal and written comments and then give the choir an overall score of Superior (I), Excellent (II), Good (III), Fair (IV), or Poor (V). These three scores are averaged together along with the score from the sight­reading adjudicator.

Sight­reading is the most difficult and most important component of Large Group Contest. Since the three performance selections are sung memorized, the adjudicators want to make sure that the choir can also read the music instead of just learning it by ear. During sight­reading, the choir is presented with a piece of music that they have never seen before. They are given 4 minutes to look at it and then may sing it using solfege syllables with an accompanying piano. The director is then given one minute to make suggestions and corrections before the choir must sing the selection again without the aid of the piano. The choir must know the key signature, the time signature, the pitches and the rhythms with very little help from the director.

Large Group Contest can be an extremely rewarding experience if the choir has worked hard, worked together, and is prepared to perform. The choir will have the opportunity to hear comments and suggestions from other choral directors and will have the opportunity to sit and hear other choirs from our district. Should the choir received a Superior (I) all around rating, the choir will have the opportunity to perform at State Contest. However, if the choir has not worked and is not prepared the experience can be dreadful. Should the director feel that the choir is not fully prepared and would not have a successful experience at Large Group Contest, then the choir will not attend.

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GRADING Course grades are calculated based on student performance on individual standards and expressed as an integer that is combined with other standard grades and converted to a letter grade at the end of the class.

Student performance rating Within this class, evidence of learning is measured using a four­point scale. The following table further defines how performance looks at each level in this class. This table will be applied in relationship to each student’s pre­assessed ability level at the beginning of the course.

INTEGER DESCRIPTOR DEFINITION

4 Mastery Student shows in­depth mastery of knowledge,

can reason using that knowledge and can

consistently apply skills at a high level

independently.

3 Proficiency Student shows proficiency with knowledge, and

can reason using that knowledge and perform

skills independently most of the time.

2 Limited Proficiency Student shows limited proficiency with

knowledge, but needs assistance to apply it or

perform skills.

1 Minimal Proficiency Student has minimal proficiency with knowledge,

and can’t apply that knowledge or perform skills.

Standards

This table describes the content standards for the course, the relative weight of each standard in

the overall grade calculation, and how the final mark for each standard will be calculated.

Standard Category / Type Weight Calculation

CE1 Interpret music symbols and terms expressively while performing a varied

repertoire of music.

Perceiving/Knowing/ Creating

1 Weighted Average

CE2 Identify traditional harmonic progressions in selected repertoire.

CE 1 Decaying Average

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PR1 Sing alone and/or in ensembles demonstrating accurate intonation and rhythm, fundamental skills, advanced

technique and a high degree of musicality

Producing/Performing 1 Weighted Average

PR2 Prepare and accurately perform a varied repertoire of ensemble music

showing continuous individual improvementin performance ability given the level of

complexity found in the selected literature.

PR 1 Weighted Average

PR3 Demonstrate sight­reading abilities at a developing level of complexity equal to thelevel of complexity found in the literature

chosen for performance.

PR 1 Decaying Average

PR4 Demonstrate ensemble skills (balance, intonation, rhythmic unity, phrasing, tone quality, articulation, and expression) while

performing in a group

PR 1 Weighted Average

PR5 Respond appropriately to the cues of the conductor or section leader.

PR 1 Weighted Average

RE1 Apply assessment practices to demonstrate the learning and progres made in their development of music skill and

music literacy.

Responding/Reflecting 1 Weighted Average

RE2 Respond to aesthetic qualities of a performance using music terminology.

RE 1 Weighted Average

RE3 Assess how elements of music are used in a work to create images or evoke

emotions.

RE 1 Weighted Average

RE4 Analyze and determine the correct technique require for proper tone

production.

RE 1 Weighted Average

VI1 Demonstrate knowledge of dance sequences and timing

Dance/Stage Awareness

1 Weighted Average

VI2 Perform dance sequences with correct technique including posture.

DS 1 Weighted Average

VI3 Demonstrate competition level stage presence (facial expression, eye contact,

emotional connection)

DS 1 Weighted Average

Exceptions to Calculation for final standard mark

Because of the performance based nature of this class, all students will be expected to complete

ALL assessments in Standard PR4. If a student is absent from a concert or performance, the

highest grade that student can earn for that 9 weeks is a C.

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Types of assessment

The following types of assessment will be used in this class:

Type Purpose Discription

Observation Listening to students individually and in groups during class for vocal technique

Formative

SmartMusic Individual work to assess pitch and rhythmic accuracy

Summative

Concerts/Competitions/Community Performances

Large group performances Summative

Handouts/Solfege sheets

Practicing sight reading skills Formative

Listening Critiques Critique Live and Recorded Choir performances of ourselves and others

Formative and Summative

Reaction Paper Apply writing skills to our subject matter Summative

Re-assessment, flexible deadline policies

Concert Choir and Women’s Choir are Tier 1 Classes. Vocal Impact is a Tier 2 Class. SmartMusic assignments may not be re­assessed after they are submitted since students may do them as many times as they wish before submission. Concerts/Contests may not be re­assessed since there are five or more of them.

Reassessment policy

Tier 1, Tier 2

Reassessments are permitted until the Friday preceding the last day of each quarter, unless teachers specify otherwise. Course syllabi will specify conditions for reassessment (i.e., what demonstration of learning is necessary before reassessment). Individual or group academic overtime will be assigned at the discretion of the teacher. Teachers can restrict reassessments in standards measured by numerous summative assessments over the course of the year (at least five) in which the method of grade calculation is not “Weighted Averaging.”

Deadline policy

Tier 1 Tier 2

Late / missing work impacts student performance ratings on behavioral standards (see below)

Late / missing work impacts student performanceratings on behavioral standards (see below) Teachers assign academic overtime at their discretion; students subject to consequences

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Teachers assign academic overtime at their discretion; students subject to consequences (lunch AO, etc.) for repeated academic overtime. Students subject to quarterly deadline for work submission to avoid reporting of incomplete on report card: October 24, January 15, March 27, June 2. Students with late work required to be at school at normal time on quarterly late start days and during OGT week.

(lunch AO, etc.) for repeated academic overtime. Teachers’ syllabi should specify deadline flexibility procedure. Teachers have discretion to reduce or eliminate deadline flexibility, which requires parent notification. Students subject to quarterly deadline for work submission to avoid reporting of incomplete on report card: October 24, January 15, March 27, June 2. Students with late work required to be at school at normal time on quarterly late start days and during OGT week.

Academic overtime

In the event that assignments are completed in an untimely manner, AO will be assigned to students after school to allow them additional time to make up their work. Students will be allowed 5 days from the deadline before AO is assigned.

Incomplete Work / Inadequate evidence of knowledge and skills Any missing work at the time that grades are reported will result in an Incomplete appearing on your report card. Students may make up missing work according to the Tiered schedule above.

Independent Study Students In the event that a student cannot get choir or show choir in his/her schedule, a student may take those courses independently for credit with Mrs. Myers’ permission. Students are required to complete all SmartMusic assignments and reaction papers. Students are required to check in with Mrs. Myers at least once per week and are responsible to make sure they have all pieces of sheet music.. Students are required to attend at least two rehearsals with other members of the choir before each performance. Students are required to attend all performances.

Choir Officers

Co­Presidents The president is the choir member’s main representative. He/she shall appoint

committees, assist the director with some decisions, learn basic conducting in order to direct the choir in the director’s absence, begin warm­ups each day and, in general, be a good role model by displaying a good work ethic and a positive attitude.

*The President shall be a Senior. Co­Secretaries

The secretary is responsible for taking attendance during warm­ups and assisting the

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director in passing out assignments. The secretary is the first person a choir member should talk to if he/she has been absent from a rehearsal. The secretary will be able to give that choir member any assignment or notes that he/she has missed.

*The Secretary shall be a Junior or Senior. Co­Librarians

The librarian is responsible for passing out and collecting music. Should a piece of music or a folder come up missing, the choir member should go to the librarian. The librarian will also be responsible in part for fitting and assigning choir robes with the Junior Representative.

*The Librarian shall be a Junior or Senior. Class Representatives

Members of the freshman, sophomore, and junior classes shall elect a representative from their respective classes. This representative will listen to and report any concerns from his/her class to the president and/or director. The representative will assist the director and president in any function deemed necessary by the director or president. The representative will be a role model for his/her class by displaying a good work ethic and a positive attitude. Additional responsibilities include:

The Junior Representatives are responsible in part for fitting and assigning choir robes with the Librarians. The Junior Representatives are also responsible for passing out robes before concerts and making sure that the robes are put back correctly and in order.

The Sophomore Representatives are responsible for putting any important student, choir or school announcements on the announcement board. The Sophomore Representatives are also responsible for obtaining a list of and announcing birthdays in the choir.

The Freshman Representatives are responsible for erasing the chalkboard. *Class Representatives will be elected during the second or third week of school.

Candidates will be nominated from the floor by their class. A total of three candidates may be nominated for each class. Nominees may decline the nomination. If the candidates wish to say something to the choir, they will have three minutes to do so. Nominees will leave the room and be voted upon by show of hands. Director will count the votes.

Vocal Impact Auditions and Participation Vocal Impact Auditions will occur in the spring for the next school year’s group. The

Audition will consist of a vocal selection performed for the director and a short dance routine. The vocal selection will be provided and rehearsed during the clinics or the student may choose to sing their own selection with or without accompaniment. There will be two dance routine clinics prior to the dance audition.

All Vocal Impact members are required to buy his/her own outfit. It must be completely paid for by the end of the school year. There will be plenty of fundraiser opportunities and a payment schedule. Failure to comply or make arrangements will result in the amount owed being added to the student’s school fees. Stage crew members will wear all black. Combo outfits are yet to be determined. All Vocal Impact members are required to attend all outside of school rehearsals and performances in order to participate. Stage­crew members and Combo members will have a separate schedule. Those students that are fortunate enough to get show choir in his/her schedule must attend all evening rehearsals and performances to receive credit in addition to

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classroom attendance and assignments. Should a conflict arise, let the director know ahead of time. Phone calls or emails to the choir office are expected in the event of any absence! (See Absence procedures on page 4) Three unexcused absences from after school rehearsals will result in removal from the ensemble. One unexcused absence from a community performance will result in removal from the ensemble. One unexcused absence from a competition will result in removal from the ensemble. All members must keep their grades up and remain eligible in order to perform with the group.

Should a member quit the group after selections are finalized and outfits have been ordered, that person must still pay in full for his/her outfit and may not audition the following year. He/She may audition again the second year after quitting. Ex. A Freshman that quits may not try out again until his/her junior year.

Vocal Impact Officers Dance Captains

There shall be 1 male and 1 female dance captains. They must have at least one year of experience with the group. They are responsible for knowing all of the dance moves, helping other members with movements, being early to rehearsal on new choreography days, and being positive role models. Uniform Chairs

There shall be 1 male and 1 female uniform chair. These persons are responsible for making sure that all members have all pieces of their uniforms, checking make­up and hair prior to performances and shall be in charge of extra uniform materials. Communication Chair

This person should be a junior or senior. This person is responsible for taking attendance and initiating the use of the phone chain and notifying members that are not in attendance of announcements and performance changes. Motivation Chairs

There shall be 2 motivation chairs. These persons shall endeavor to help motivate the choir to work hard and have positive attitudes. Platform Chairs

There shall be 2 platform chairs. They must have at least one year of experience in Vocal Impact. They will be responsible for making sure that the stage is set up correctly prior to rehearsals and performances.

Trip and Bus Regulations

All choir members must ride the bus to outside performances and contests. When the choir takes a trip, all choir members must be at the designated point on time or risk the chance of being left behind. Buses will leave at the appointed time. If you have been unavoidably detained, call the school or the director’s office. It may be possible to wait a few minutes. In the event of a conflict, contact the director.

1. Only choir members, staff, and chaperones are permitted to ride the buses. At the discretion of the director, children of chaperones may be allowed to ride the bus, but they (the children) will be responsible to pay for any admission costs.

2. If the student’s parents wish to take their child home after a performance, the student’s parent/guardian must provide a written notification to the director in advance.

3. Obey the bus driver and chaperones promptly and cheerfully. Drivers and chaperones have the authority to tell you what to do.

4. Keep the bus clean. No open beverages, food, or gum will be allowed on the bus. 5. Do not move from seat to seat.

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6. The emergency door is for emergencies only. 7. Be silent at railroad crossings until the bus crosses the tracks. 8. Be sure that all of your equipment is easily identifiable. 9. Be responsible for your own equipment. Do not lay it down and expect someone to put it

in its proper place….Load it yourself and unload it yourself. 10. No shrill screams, whistles, or loud noises are permitted for you safety and the safety of

others. 11. Keep hands, feet and arms inside the bus at all times. 12. Anything judged as “inappropriate conduct” or “obscene” will not be tolerated. 13. No intimate conduct or behavior.

Conduct

1. There is to be no tobacco use or possession in conjunction with any choir function. 2. There is to be no drinking or possession of alcoholic beverages or drugs in conjunction

with any choir function. There will be no demonstrating evidence of use of alcohol or drugs at any choir function.

3. There is to be no foul language or disrespect of anyone or anything in conjunction with any choir function

4. In traveling to other locations for performances, homerooms are sometimes assigned for the purpose of securing coats or equipment. They are not to be used as changing rooms. Where changing rooms are not provided, restrooms should be used for changing.

5. Gambling for money is inappropriate in conjunction with any choir function. 6. Learn to work with people. The success of your choir is dependent upon 100%

cooperation. Remember…we are an individual group…not a group of individuals.

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2014­2015 Licking Valley Choral Department Concert and Performance Schedule

All dates listed in bold type are mandatory for all choir members. All dates in italic type are optional activities and are provided for family scheduling purposes. A full music department calendar with all rehearsals will also be provided and is available on www.teacherpage.com/lvmusic Dates and times are subject to change! DATE TIME EVENT LOCATION October 28 11:00 am Community Friends Day HS

Auditorium November ? all day District X Honors Choir Delaware Hayes HS December 11 7:00 pm Winter Concert HS Auditorium January 17 all day Show Choir Competition Beavercreek

HS (Vocal Impact ONLY)

January 31 all day OMEA Solo & Ensemble Granville HS

(*Vocal Impact will participate on this date; mandatory for all members*)

March 10 7:00 pm Music­in­our­Schools Concert HS Auditorium

March 13 or 14 all day OMEA District Contest Granville HS March 21 all day Show Choir Competition Sheridan HS

(Vocal Impact ONLY) April 17 & 18 7:30 pm HS Musical HS Auditorium April 21­23 2:30­4:30 pm Vocal Impact Auditions HS

Choir Room April 24 all evening OMEA State Contest TBA April 25 all day OMEA State Contest TBA May 7 7:00 pm HS Band Concert HS Auditorium May 14 7:00 pm All­District Choir Concert HS Auditorium May 18 6:00 pm Music Banquet HS Commons

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Please initialize each statement. Parent Student ______ ______ I understand that concerts and performances are required to receive the highest possible grade and credit for the course. ______ ______ I understand that students needs a pencil and a folder for this course. ______ ______ I have read through the new grading policies for this year. ______ ______ I have looked at the teacherpage website or marked all the important dates on our family calendar. ______ ______ I understand that students need black dress shoes, black dress pants/skirt, and a white dress shirt for performances. I have read the handbook for the Licking Valley Vocal Music Department and understand the policies, rules, and expectations. I have made note of all dates and understand that student participation is mandatory for all events listed in bold type and optional for all events listed in italic type as it pertains to my son/daughter. STUDENT’S SIGNATURE ________________________DATE___________________ PARENT SIGNATURE(S) _________________________DATE___________________ Please attach $10.00 for robe cleaning and replacement fund payable to Licking Valley Music Boosters.

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