Perry High Choir Handbook
2011-2012
This year our choirs are going places! Intermediate: to area hospitals & retirement communities
Jazz/Show: to area schools & special engagements
Concert: New York’s Carnegie Hall… HERE WE COME!
Joe Little
Choral Director
Choir Office(480)224-2958
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CONTENTS
Welcome ................................................................................................................. 1
Objectives ............................................................................................................... 1
Classroom Routines and Expectations ....................................................................... 2
Consequences ......................................................................................................... 3
Grading .................................................................................................................. 3
Attendance ............................................................................................................. 4
Class Supplies .......................................................................................................... 5
Uniforms/T-shirts .................................................................................................... 5
Fundraisers ............................................................................................................. 6
Concert Etiquette .................................................................................................... 6
Calendar ................................................................................................................. 7
Signature Form ........................................................................................................ 7
Forms ..................................................................................................................... 8
1
Welcome
Welcome to the Perry High School choral program! You have enrolled in one of the most exciting and rewarding programs at Perry High School--the choral music program. The Perry Choral Department consists of the following choirs this year: Intermediate Mixed Choir (Les Troubadours) Grades 9-12 This choir will learn a
variety of standard music literature. The group participates in festivals, contests, and major concerts, and may tour in the spring. Students must show serious dedication and have a professional approach to singing and musical excellence. Participation in concerts and festival performances is required.
Concert Choir (Belles Voix) Grades 10-12 This is an advanced mixed choir of 25-70 singers who study classical to contemporary literature. The group participates in festivals, contests, major concerts and may tour in the spring. Students must show serious dedication and have a professional approach to singing and musical excellence. Members are expected to tour with the choir and perform at regularly scheduled concerts.
Show/Jazz Choir (Très Chic) Grades 9-12 This advanced choir is an ensemble of select singers who study and perform literature for Madrigal, Show Choir and Jazz Choir. First semester will focus on building our voices and a program for elementary & junior high schools and second semester the emphasis will be on performance. The group participates in festivals, contests, concerts and usually tours in the spring. Performances are required.
Douze Voix This select choir of twelve advanced singers performs many styles of music, representing Perry in the community and at Festivals. This meets outside of school time.
Objectives
1. To emphasize the development of singing and music reading skills necessary to make an enjoyable contribution to a quality choral organization.
2. To enjoy making music. Music is fun, but there is no fun in mediocrity. To ensure the success of the group, each student, parent, and director must realize his/her responsibilities. Each must be willing to sacrifice individual desires for the betterment of the choir.
3. To have a good attitude about choir. The amount of satisfaction and fun you receive from your choir will be no greater than the amount of hard work and enthusiasm you are willing to consistently contribute. Your attitude will have a direct impact on your achievements.
4. To understand the importance of proper conduct, consideration of others, and courtesy as a vital part of the choir.
5. To meet the Arizona State Choral Music Standards, which may be found on the Arizona Department of Education website.
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Classroom Routines and Expectations Self-discipline is an important element of choir rehearsal and performance. Students must realize that they are a member of a group or team with an excellent reputation. Their behavior during school classes and at public performances reflects on both Perry and the Choral Department. Please remember the following basic rules:
• Respect yourself and others! • 100% positive participation will prevent disruptive behavior. Criticizing another
student’s voice or effort is not allowed. • Be in your seat on time, with your folder, sight reading book and pencil, ready
to begin when the bell rings. Water bottles are permitted. NOTHING ELSE! • You will be marked TARDY if you aren’t where you belong when the bell rings. • When we are ready to rehearse—you are quiet and ready. • We expect students to leave all food, gum, and drinks outside of the room. • Leave all supplies along the south wall and pick up your folder as you enter the
classroom. We expect our students to take all of their belongings with them each day when they leave the choir room.
• You provide your own choir folder. Perry provides the music, which should not be lost or damaged. Students will pay for any lost or damaged music.
• Students may not play the piano or adjust any sound equipment. • Proper concert etiquette will be observed at all performances.
Expect vocal improvement. You will learn to use your voice in a healthy, free and focused manner. Expect to be exposed to many kinds of choral music. Each year we’ll study a variety of outstanding compositions from many styles, languages and periods of music history. Approach each composition with an open mind and heart, ready to discover what it has to offer. Expect to improve your musicianship. We give daily attention to learning the skills of music reading and sight-singing, as well as understanding the written language of music and its various musical forms and styles. Expect to build lasting friendships. Singing in choir is much more than teamwork: it's like being in a family. Whether through daily rehearsals, performances or social events, there is ongoing opportunity to improve your interpersonal skills. Expect a teacher who demands excellence from himself, his program and his students.
Expect the best. Dedicate yourself to being the best. Have the discipline to do the work to get you there.
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Consequences Any student who does not follow the class expectations and routines may receive the following consequences:
• Director / Student conference • Parent phone call • Office referral • Removal from performance based setting and alternative assignments given
Grading Grades are an important part of choral music education, and it is important for each member to be acquainted with the expectations of the PHS Choir Department grading system. Tutorials are offered at a variety of times and can be arranged by making a morning or afternoon appointment. Beyond the daily participation grade, a minimum of 4 grades will be given during each grading period. Grades will include but are not limited to the following: Daily Participation - Daily rehearsal grades will be determined by attitude, effort,
respect, cooperation, effort, attendance, did we say effort and improvement whether in full rehearsal sectionals or sight-reading.
Skills - The choir member will be expected to improve individual musical skills. An
evaluation of this improvement may include recorded music tests, individual sight-reading tests, and written quizzes. The choir member will be evaluated on improvement of his/her ensemble skills during daily rehearsals.
Performances - All performances are mandatory. Failure to attend a choral
performance may result in failure of the course for that nine-week grading period, if the absence is unexcused. A performance is considered an examination of the material that has been covered in the singer’s classes. Students can make up an excused absence for up to 90% credit. 1) Medical emergencies or personal injury and 2) Family emergency are the only excused absences that will allow for up to 100% credit on make-up work. The absence of just one student changes the choir’s sound. Each singer matters at performance time.
Extra Practices are called only if really needed with at least 2 weeks notice. It is
expected that everyone attend. See “Performances” above for absence policy.
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Attendance Policy As a member of the Perry Choir Department, you have an obligation to your fellow choir members to be at school, at all outside-of-school rehearsals, and at performances on time, prepared, and with all necessary equipment. We are not tolerant of poor daily attendance. Read carefully.
1. All students are expected to have excellent daily attendance at school. 2. Attendance at rehearsals, and concerts scheduled outside of the regular school
day is required and graded. Absence from sectionals or outside-of-school rehearsals can result in a reduction of grade and possible removal from performance opportunities.
3. Absence from outside-of-class rehearsals and concerts will be excused for the
following reasons (for 90% credit): • Medical emergencies or personal injury • Family emergency
4. Examples of unexcused absences (which could mean 0% credit) include but are
not limited to: • Work • Oversleeping • Transportation • Driver’s Ed • Babysitting
5. You must notify Mr. Little by note or e-mail 2 weeks in advance if you are
planning to miss a rehearsal or performance. (480-224-2958) In every case of absence, a note is required for documentation. The note must be brought in no later that the next day the student comes to school.
6. Chronic absenteeism from school, unexcused absences from rehearsals or
performances, and tardiness may result in: • Grade reduction • Loss of performance status • Removal from current choir or removal of performance opportunities
7. After the 4th unexcused tardy (and each subsequent tardy) the student will be
issued an administrative referral.
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Class Supplies
These are the supplies you need for the start of class and that you will need to maintain throughout the year:
1. Pocket Folder with 3 clasps. This folder will also hold your music and should not go home with you
2. Sheets of lined 3-hole punched notebook paper to be placed in the above folders.
3. You must have a pencil during EVERY rehearsal. Absolutely no pens. 4. Water. Nothing else is allowed at your seats!
Uniforms / T-shirts
Women (Intermediate & Concert Choirs): Pay $25.00 Choir Uniform Rental Fee to the bookstore no later than Friday, August 12, 2011. Make checks to PHS Choir. Hem (with thread or hem tape) the long dress provided by Perry, but DO NOT CUT any material. Measure the dress 1 inch up from the floor, with the shoes you will wear during the concert. Wear black, low-heeled DRESS shoes. (NO sandals, mules, or flip-flops) Hair accessories should be neutral or black and invisible to the audience. Keep jewelry to a minimum.
Men (Intermediate & Concert Choirs): You buy or rent a black “peak lapel” Tux from an area tux shop of your choice. For your convenience, a shop will be in for measurements; but where you do business is ultimately your choice. All men must furnish tux coat & pants, black dress shoes and socks. (Nothing else!) Intermediate men are also responsible for getting a tux shirt, black bow tie and cummerbund. Concert Choir men have Tux shirts, button covers and vests (hence no cummerbund) will be provided. **Please launder the tuxedo shirts after each wearing. Men must meet school guidelines in regard to grooming. Keep jewelry to a minimum.
Jazz/Show Choir: There will be a meeting to choose uniforms. **See Mr. Little if you need financial assistance. Return all uniforms at the end of the year, dry-cleaned or washed.**
In addition, all students are encouraged to purchase the official Perry Choir T-shirt when it is made available.
A note to all choir members and parents: We consider our concerts formal affairs and expect all students to present themselves in a professional manner. Your uniform is to be maintained and complete throughout the year – clean, pressed, and hemmed.
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Fundraisers Most fundraisers for the Perry Choir Department are sponsored through the Choir Booster Club. Participation in these events is optional for all but Concert Choir; however, strongly encouraged. Expenses continue to rise (travel, music, musicians, entry fees, etc.), so we need to have very successful and prosperous fundraisers to help pay for these costs! A portion of fundraisers may also be designated for choir trips, when applicable. Thank you for your support with this!! Because of Concert Choir’s trip to New York in March of 2012, it is expected that ALL Concert Choir students participate in ALL fundraisers. Even if your portion of the trip is paid; there are costs that the whole group incur, there are some students who may need scholarships and there are unforeseen costs that arise. This Choir must work as a team to raise approximately $100,000.00 for our trip.
Concert Etiquette Audience members are encouraged to follow some well-established standards for formal concert behavior. This allows each group to perform at their best. A portion of each student’s Concert Grade is affected by their etiquette when others are performing. • Refrain from talking during the performance. • Remain seated for the entire concert if at all
possible. If it is absolutely necessary to do so, move only between selections and exit at the nearest door.
• Wait to re-enter the auditorium until the performing group is finished.
• Applause is the only appropriate form of expressing appreciation. A good rule of thumb is to wait until the conductor lowers his or her hands to indicate the completion of the selection or work.
• Please eliminate disruptions by turning off pagers, cell phones, and removing small children who are crying or speaking loudly.
• Students are not permitted to leave until the end of the concert and are expected to observe all performing groups. This is part of the Choral educational process.
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2011-2012 Calendar All concerts begin at 7:00 PM in the Perry High School Auditorium. Unless told otherwise, the normal time students must arrive (call time) is 6:30 SHARP, ready for performance. That means be in the Choir Room at 6:25, ready to start at 6:30!! Important dates are:
• Thursday, September 29th : CONCERT • September 28th & 29th: Chandler-Gilbert CC Fall Vocal Ensemble Festival??? • September 30th & October 1st: ChoDA HS Fall Choral Festival??? • November 4th ChoDA HS All-State Jazz/Show Festival??? • November 21st, 22nd & 28th : Auditions for Musical • December 5th & 6th : Rehearsals for PHS Winter Festival • December 8th & 9th : PHS Winter Festival **There is an admission fee.** • January 13th: Deadline to register for Regional audition & Solo and Ensemble • January 27th – 28th: Regionals & Solo and Ensemble • February 10th & 11th: NAU Jazz/Madrigal Festival??? • February 17th & 18th: Regional Festival • February 24th: Deadline to register for All-State audition • March 1st – 3rd : Musical - GREASE • Monday, March 5th : CONCERT • March 9th & 10th: All-State auditions • March 16th – 19th : CONCERT CHOIR to New York’s Carnegie Hall • March 23rd: Deadline to register for All-State • March 29th & 30th: Chandler/Gilbert CC Spring Choral Festival??? • April 26th - 28th: All-State Festival • Monday, April 30th : CONCERT • Throughout May we will book various choirs to perform in area venues. • May 30th: Graduation
**More performances will be announced when confirmed**
Please sign and return by Friday, July 29th.
I have read the 2011-2012 choir handbook and understand the responsibilities and requirements in this class. I understand that during the school year, more information will come to me concerning the choral program.
Date: _____________________ ________________________________ Parent e-mail & phone ____________________________ ________________________________ Print student name Print parent/guardian name ____________________________ ________________________________ Sign student name Sign parent/guardian name
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Help our choirs and your student have a great year, while you stay in the loop.
You may even choose to help out when you can. - NO MAJOR COMMITMENT!
Your contributions really do make a difference, and your help is very much appreciated! There are many ways you can be involved! Here are just a few ways you can help:
SAMPLE VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
• Become a Booster Member
• Attend Choir Boosters meetings • Help your student with fundraising • Buy Choir fundraisers • Sell Ads for the Choir programs to
Businesses You frequent and to your employer
• Buy Well Wish Ads for the Choir programs
• Make and solicit Tax-Credit donations for the Perry Choir program
• Buy flowers at the concerts • Work the Boosters table at the concerts • Usher at a concert • Help with student fundraisers • Chaperone Choir trips • Assist with set-up and/or clean-up for the
choral concerts
Fill this part out to join our Booster Club and help how & when you can!
Perry Choir Booster Club 2011 - 2012 membership
Your Name: ________________________________________________________ Student: __________________________________________________________
Choir: ___ Concert Choir ___ Intermediate ___ Jazz/Show Choir
Preferred Email:________________________________________________
Preferred phone:_________________________
*** We will include your e-mail and phone number in a Perry Choir Booster contact list in order for members of our boosters to contact you regarding important events and fundraising. Should you wish to be excluded from the list, please check below:
__ Please do not include my email in the PHS Choir Booster list.
Perry Choir Booster Club Needs YOU!
