2006-2007 Choir Handbook

Personnel

• Mr. Aaron Snell, Choir Director
• Mrs.Donna Wareham, Accompanist
• Music Office phone: 559-793-3428
• Email: asnell@portervilleschools.org

Class Rules, Guidelines, Requirements & Information

• RULES - 1. 1) Have your music folder/pencil in hand and be ready to sing when the tardy bell rings. 2) No gum, food, or drink (besides water) allowed during the class period. 3) No swearing, unnecessary talking or roughhousing will be tolerated. 4) Be respectful of classroom property and others. 5) No public display of affection any time in choir room or on trips. Acceptable behavior is holdings hands, and a hug or kiss that is not prolonged.
• GUIDELINES - 1. 1) The offices phone may be for student use if permission is granted by the director, however, the phone is off –limits during class time (exceptions are made to choir board members and aides). No student may use the phone to call a parent to pick them up during the school day for appointments or illnesses. All such calls must be placed in the administration office. Plans for after school pick-up, etc. need to be scheduled ahead of time. Habitual callers will not be granted permission. 2) Cell phones are to be turned off during the school day. 3) Students must ask permission to be in any of the two choral offices. 4) Use the restroom before coming to class. A bathroom pass will be given only in emergencies or in special circumstances. 5) The choir room is open for all students during brunch, lunch, and after school. Food and drink is allowed; however, all perishable items must be thrown away in outside trashcans. 6) Students may not play the new piano. Never have food/drink on piano. 7) Take pride in yourself and in others. 8) Constantly recruit other singers! 9) Commit 100% effort into becoming a better singer, musician and person this year in choir!
• REQUIREMENTS - 1. 1) Regular class attendance. No more than 10 excused absences within a semester should occur. There is limited to no homework assigned in each class, so daily participation is a major factor in grade evaluation. A student’s grade will be lowered if more than 10 absences occur within a semester. This same consequence may also be in effect after 3 unexcused absences. Each tardy is counted as one half of an unexcused absence. Therefore, a student’s grade will be affected after the sixth tardy within a semester. Habitual tardiness may result to disciplinary action, ineligibility in performing, and being dropped from choir. 2) Everyday participation. Each student is expected to sing everyday. If a student is ill and unable to participate by singing, he/she must sit in the designated area (usually in the front row) and follow along with the rehearsal. Working on outside homework during class time is not allowed, unless in rare situations (i.e. a non-singing day). A student who is ill and wish not to sing, must inform the director before the beginning of class. A doctor’s note is required by the third consecutive day of non-singing. 3) Attendance at all scheduled performances and special rehearsals are required. An unexcused absence from a major performance/rehearsal, such as concerts, festivals, tours, dress rehearsals, will result in a student’s quarter grade lowered by 2 letters (for example: A to C). An excused absence is an illness or a family emergency WITH NOTIFICATION. Work is not excused as long as a two-week notice is given. Family events, such as vacations, are not excused as long as a two-month notice is given. Exceptions may occur by the discretion of the director. Think of performances as examinations. Please make early arrangements for attending all dates outlined in your schedule. Note: A student must be in school for all periods on the day before and on the day of any major performance. 4) It is a privilege to be a member of any music ensemble. If a student fails to work at a professional level with the instructors and/or peers, that student will receive disciplinary action and may be asked to find another class and/or be considered for ineligibility of performances.
• GRADING - Musicianship = 100 points; Preparation and Participation = 100 points; Individual Study and Work Ethic = 100 points; Citizenship = 100 points; Total points = 400; 360-400 = A , 320-359 = B, 280-319 = C, 240-279 = D, 239-below = F
• REQUIRED MATERIALS - Following are materials needed by the end of the first week of school: 1) This year the department will provide one 3-Ring Binder per student that will be used only for choral music and handouts, and is to be kept in the choir room. No marks other that your name are permitted on the outside cover of the binder. 2) Pencils, at least two that you bring or leave in choir folder. Pens/markers will not be allowed. 3) $15.00 Uniform Agreement. This cost will cover one choir T-shirt, and the end of the year dry cleaning fee for all choir uniforms. Payment will be due Friday, August 25, 2006! 4)Choral sheet music will be provided – however, each student is responsible for returning all music in good condition at the end of each season. A $3.00 fine will be charged per piece of music lost or destroyed.
• UNIFORMS - Each student will receive a choir T-shirt that will be required to wear on special occasions, such as on choir exchanges, tours, concert days, etc. A student may wear the shirt on non-scheduled days, as long as it stays in good condition throughout the school year. If a student damages (or fades by excessive use), loses, or noticeably alters the shirt, he/she must purchase a new shirt for $10.00. When wearing the shirt, the student is representing the high standard of our vocal department, and must be aware of his/her actions and attitude. For this reason and because of a lack of accountability, no outside student may wear a PHS choir shirt. Mrs. Wareham is in charge of issuing a tuxedo, dress, and/or choir robe to each student. Please see her or the assigned officer for uniform information. Men are responsible of providing their own black dress shoes and black socks (athletic shoes are not acceptable). Women are responsible of supplying their own black nylons, black pumps or heels (depending on the length of dress/robe). Every student must be assigned an outfit by September 23, 2005. Students are responsible for the upkeep and cleaning of their uniform throughout the school year. Students will also be responsible for their own alternations, once approved by Mrs. Wareham. All uniforms must be turned in by May 25, 2007. If a student fails to turn in, loses, or damages beyond repair his/her uniform, he/she will be fined current replacement costs. The 2005 costs were as follows: Concert Choir Dress: $100, Treble Choir Dress: $65.00, Choir Robe: $75.00, Tux Jacket: $150.00, Tux Pant: $45.00, Tux Shirt: $15.00, Tie: $10.00, and Cufflinks: $5.00.
• HOW TO DRESS TO IMPRESS - At all performances the formal outfit must be cleaned and un-wrinkled, and fit the student appropriately. Ladies hair must be “up” and out of face. Modest make-up is encouraged. No jewelry is allowed other than rings, small stud earrings (one for each ear), and/or uniform jewelry the department may provide (such as pearls). Men must be clean-shaven (or beard be neatly trimmed), hair (if long) should be pulled back and out of face, and wear no jewelry other than rings and a watch. Both women and men’s hair must be of natural color. As an ensemble, uniformity is a must. NOTE: All uniforms are DRY-CLEAN ONLY. Please DO NOT ATTEMPT TO WASH or CLEAN UNIFORMS yourselves (exception being the white tuxedo shirts which may be washed and must be ironed!).
• PERFORMANCE ETIQUETTE - CALL-TIMES for students will be announced prior to each performance or choir event. Students are not to bring family members or friends with them to the pre-performance warm-up. At all times students actions are to represent the vocal music program with the highest level of pride and professionalism. Before, during, and after performances, students will display appropriate behaviors and respect to their surroundings and people around them. Bathroom breaks are discouraged during any concert or festival setting. Exceptions will be on an individual basis. When the choir sits as an audience (such as when another group is performing), there may be no slouching in chairs, sleeping, or talking. Students are to sit upright and dignified. Crossing legs is encouraged, especially for the ladies. Choirs will show their appreciation to performing groups by applauding. Whistling, hooting, and screaming are strictly prohibited, and would reflect badly on our department. Students unable to maintain appropriate behavior in concert/festival or tour settings will not be allowed to perform in future events and will lose the privilege of being in choir the following semester.
• EXPENSES - The PHS Vocal Department has always been a self-funded organization, with the exception of a small materials and transportation budget. It cost tens of thousands of dollars every year to run a dynamic program, such as we have here at Porterville High. Examples of our expenditure are purchasing dress attire, music, costumes, props, microphone equipment, awards, office supplies, photocopying, participating in festivals, and travel. Therefore, each student in the department will be called upon a maximum of three times to participate in departmental fundraisers. There may be other fundraisers for specific needs, and individual fundraisers in addition to the departmental fundraisers. If at any point in the year you have financial concerns, please speak with Mr. Snell privately. He will help in finding a solution. All monies will be only accepted in specific envelopes provided by the vocal department. The sealed envelopes must be completely filled out with first and last name, period, amount enclosed, and purpose you are turning in money. All checks are to be made out to PHS Choir. If a student/parent turns in a check with insufficient funds, there will be a $25.00 penalty. After this occurs one time, checks will no longer be accepted by that student/parent.
• A FINAL THOUGHT - As a member of the choir, you belong to one of the school’s most important and successful organizations. Not only are you respected in your own community, but throughout the state of California as well. You will be called upon several times this year to represent Porterville High School by singing at public events. I am confident that, as a representative who is proud of his/her school and who wants the school to be proud of him/her; you will do your best to display the highest type of conduct and appearance. Any organization, in order to function well, requires teamwork. To operate as a team, each individual member must be loyal and willing to cooperate; he/she must think of the good of the choir and not just his/her own interests, and he/she must be willing to put forth his/her best effort at all times and work hard to achieve success for the team. I challenge each of you to be this kind of choir member.