Welcome to Vocal Music at Red Bank Regional H.S.

We’re glad you’re here!

Vocal Majors…

Sing! Work Hard Have fun Are a family!

RESPECT

You have to give it to get it in return!

You’re good when you respect others… You’re great when you respect yourself!

Trust

The key to improvement is being open to change.

You must be responsible for implementing concepts.

Integrity & Dignity

Maintain a sense of awe for the art.

Commit joyfully to the sacrifices necessary in singing.

Classroom RulesFind a place you trust, and then try trusting it for awhile.

General duties of a student- pull everything out of your teacher; pull everything out of your fellow students.

General duties of a teacher- pull everything out of your students.

Consider everything an experiment.

Be self-disciplined-This means finding someone wise or smart and choosing to follow them. To be disciplined is to follow in a good way. To be self-disciplined is to follow in a better way.

Nothing is a mistake. There’s no win and no fail, there’s only make.

The only rule is work. If you work it will lead to something. It’s the people who do all of the work all of the time who eventually catch on to things.

Don’t try to create and analyze at the same time. They’re different processes.

Be happy whenever you can manage it. Enjoy yourself. It’s lighter than you think.

“We’re breaking all the rules. Even our own rules. And how do we do that? By leaving plenty of room for X quantities.”

-adapted by John Cage

Repertoire is at the discretion of the vocal teacher. Choices are made based on years of intensive vocal training and teaching experience, and in some cases, even centuries of sound vocal practice. Although your suggestions for repertoire are welcome, the bottom line lies with the instructor.

Repertoire is to be built in a sequence; however, you should read, study, listen to and absorb as much interesting repertoire as possible. Please decide to trust your teacher and allow them veto power to prevent vocal dilemmas.

I will work with your private teacher regarding repertoire within reason.

Work toward becoming musically independent with regard to song preparation rather than song selection.

La, la, la………

Seek the vocal teacher’s counsel regarding ALL singing, including:

Song repertoire, musical and opera roles, competitions, singing “gigs,”

apprentice programs, music camps, critiques from judges and coaches,

choral singing, college auditions, etc.

Your standing homework every night is to practice singing for at least a half hour!If you don’t know how to practice… ask.

HOUSEKEEPINGHOUSEKEEPING

Any items (books, papers, clothes, lunches, etc.) left in the vocal room will be taken to the lost-and-found in the student council office at Mr. Zook’s earliest convenience. These items will be retrieved on your own time.

Be on time to class, or bring a pass. If class is first period, the pass must be from Attendance.

Restroom and Locker trips should be done outside of class time.

The Vocal Room may seem like your home-away-from-home, but please don’t treat it like it’s your locker, or worse… your bedroom floor.

A capped bottle of water is always acceptable in the vocal room as it is necessary for good vocal health.

You are always welcome to contribute to the “Wall of inspiration” in the studio. Just be respectful of other peoples’ contributions.

Tour of the Room: Instructional Area, Friskies Box, Stereo & Headphones, Sheet music, Class Slots, Recycling, Drawers, Planners, Coaching Record, Computers, Practice Keyboards, Choir Loft, Robe Room, CD shelf, solo copies, the Nook, Librarian Desk, Folder Rack/List, Studio, Practice Rooms

PERMISSION

Please ask before leaving the room, using

books/CD’s, using the student computers, using

the practice room or looking in

drawers/cabinets. My desk area & office are strictly “permission only”

areas.You do not need permission

to use the student drawers, just be sure to

return items to their original places.

TECHNOLOGY All files saved to your H drive on Dell computers unless a teacher instructs

you otherwise; All files saved to SAVE PROTOOLS HERE!!!!! Folder on Creation Stations. Not sure about the Mac’s yet, so stay tuned.

Any files not saved properly will be deleted without notice. When you are absent, you can turn in or request assignments on time by e

mailing them to kzook@rbrhs.org Do not download programs, change properties or play games without the

authorization of a music teacher. No checking of e mail from Music computers. Internet work for non-music class searches must be done elsewhere.

Students in violation will be awarded detention or prohibited from future computer usage.

Do not change fonts or settings on Music computers. A music teacher must be present to use the Music computer labs. Please don’t touch the recording equipment, unless advised

to do so.

Information

Check the “Music News” board daily to stay informed.Refer often to Mr. Zook’s website and the vocal/choir calendar. They contain a wealth of information.Info. regarding colleges, scholarships, summer camps, audition announcements, private instruction, shows, etc. will be posted as it is received on the bulletin boards in the foyer and VPA hallway.If you’re not sure about something… ASK!

REQUESTED MATERIAL CD’S, CASSETTES, RECORDS, TEXT BOOKS , AND SHEET

MUSIC MAY NOT BE REMOVED FROM THE VOCAL ROOM WITHOUT THE EXPRESS PERMISSION OF THE TEACHER.

If you need a printed copy, you must request it in writing at least 24 hours in advance. 48 hours is preferred. Forms will be provided. Place them in the Friskies Box.

If you need an audio copy, the same policy applies; however, you must provide a blank CD-R with the form.

Homework and Classwork

Life goes on without you here… hard to believe, but true. Missed assignments can be picked up from your class slot. This does not

include class notes or material discussed, only paper work. Put all paperwork in the Friskies Box when completed. Be sure to include

the date, period, and your name on all items. Late assignments will lose one letter grade for every day past the due date.

Each day assignments will receive a date stamp; therefore, assignments will reach a terminal grade point.

Remember: You are responsible for making up missed assignments… I will not hunt you down to give you missed work.

There is a one to one ratio between days absent and number of days to complete makeup work without a penalty.

Juries, Recitals, Performance Class, Group Songs and Guest Artist Performances will all be assessed using the Standard Performance Rubric or Performance Evaluation Sheet.

Keep your Resource file up to date

Include the following: Musical goals and aspirations. Make multiple copies of your sheet music.

Keep one copy of all sheet music given to you in your file (and have another one for you to take home to practice, and another for your accompanist, etc.).

Programs or write ups of every performance that you do.

Programs or write ups of influential performances that you see/hear.

Important reports, works, recordings, compositions, etc. that will make a professional portfolio to colleges/employers.

At the end of your high school career you will keep your resource file.

Advice on Service Hours: Must do a service to the

RBR VPA Program. Must do 10 hours each

semester. Keep track of them when

you do them. Get signatures.

Extra hours carry over from one semester to the next, but not from one year to the next.

Summer hours count for the next school year.

Do your service hours early to get them out of the way.

Use service hours as a chance to get to know majors outside of your class.

Booster Club Meetings

• Buc Backer Foundation is highly encouraged for parents.

• Choir Parent Meetings will be sporadic this year. Parents should check their emails for notifications.

• 7 PM in the vocal room• Tell your parents they should come if possible.• This group helps with chaperoning trips, fund-

raisers, organizational items, etc.• Need more parents involved… many “regulars”

graduated with their kids.

Standard performance times for MOST RBRHS VPA performances:

7:00 PM for evening performances 3:00 PM for afternoon weekend

performances

Please be mindful of the fact that Mr. Zook does not live at RBR. It is requested that you plan your after school time with him in advance so that your time,

and his time are utilized to their full potential. Please do not just “expect” him to be in the room.

Failure to plan is a plan to fail.

Vocal Music at RBRHave a great year!