FORWARD
Welcome to the Day Middle School Choral Music Department. The following information is intended to provide students and parents at James L. Day Middle School information and requirements for each choral music class. Please keep this handbook at home for future reference throughout the year.
PLEASE BE SURE TO READ THIS INFORMATION COMPLETELY, AND CALL ME IMMEDIATELY IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS.
GOALS
1. To provide a background in the appreciation of music by learning the skill of choral singing.
2. To provide a foundation in the fundamentals of music in preparation for future musical involvement.
3. To provide aesthetic education that will establish a means for self-fulfillment as well as a lifelong outlet for performance and appreciation.
4. To broaden a student’s sense of self-discipline and group responsibility as he/she works toward a common goal of musical achievement and performing excellence.
5. To promote responsibility and good citizenship habits through the music medium.
COMMUNICATION
In order for your child to be successful in their choral music class, it is vital that we all communicate with each other. Students are encouraged to feel free to discuss problems or concerns with me. Parents, please feel free to contact me at school with any and all questions you have regarding your child. I will return your call as soon as possible. It is important that we all receive accurate information so positive learning can take place.
THE SCHOOL PHONE NUMBER IS (951) 699-8138 X1404
CLASS DESCRIPTIONS
This year the Choral Music Department consists of four performing groups: Day Sound Wave Show Choir, Treble Tones Girls Show Choir, Day Show Choir and Mixed Chorus.
“DAY SOUND WAVE” SHOW CHOIR
“Day Sound Wave” is a year long elective class open to all advanced choral music students by audition only. Students must audition at the end of the previous year or the beginning of the new school year. This class is designed for students with previous choral and dance experience. The class provides students with the opportunity to explore many different styles and forms of choral music and movement, as well as, basic through intermediate music theory and ear training. Sound Wave gives the student many performance opportunities during and outside the school day. Students will participate in school concerts, choral festivals, show choir competitions and provide entertainment for local businesses and organizations. Students in this group are required to attend one sectional rehearsal a week after school from 3:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. and one dance rehearsal per week after school from 3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. Additional rehearsals will be called and are required before a competition or festival. Students will receive a monthly calendar with all sectionals, dance rehearsals and performances listed. One calendar is sent home with the students and one will stay in the student’s music folder so corrections and additions can be made. Because this group will be performing during the school day, students are required to maintain a “C” average in all classes and less than 12 demerits.
A specific outfit is required for this class which can be obtained by donation or use of school attire.
DAY SHOW CHOIR
Day Show Choir is a year long elective class open to all 6th grade students by audition only. Students must audition at the end of the previous year or the beginning of the new school year. This class is designed for students with previous choral and dance experience or a strong desire to learn and experience show choir. The class provides students with the opportunity to explore many different styles and forms of choral music and movement, as well as, basic music theory and ear training. Show Choir gives the student many performance opportunities during and outside the school day. Students will participate in school concerts, choral festivals, and show choir competitions. Because this is an advanced choral class, students may be required to attend sectionals and rehearsals outside the school day and on Saturdays when festivals and competitions are near. However, most rehearing will take place during the school day. However, most rehearing will take place during the school day. Because this group will be performing during the school day, students are required to maintain a “C” average in all classes and less than 12 demerits.
A specific outfit is required for this class which can be obtained by donation or use of school attire.
“TREBLE TONES” Girls Show Choir
New this year, “Treble Tones” Show Choir is a year long elective class open to all 7th and 8th grade girls with previous choral music experience and a strong desire to learn and experience show choir. The class is by audition only. Students must audition at the end of the previous year or the beginning of the new school year. This class provides girls the opportunity for more advanced study of choral music literature written for girl’s voices in both traditional and show music. Students will also learn basic through intermediate music theory and ear training. This is an advanced performance class and girls will be participating in school concerts, show choir competitions, choral festivals and music workshops. Because this is an advanced choral class, students may be required to attend sectionals and rehearsals outside the school day and on Saturdays when festivals and competitions are near. However, most rehearing will take place during the school day. Students will receive a monthly calendar with all sectionals, dance rehearsals and performances listed. One calendar is sent home with the students and one will stay in the student’s music folder so corrections and additions can be made. Because this group will be performing during the school day, students are required to maintain a “C” average in all classes and less than 12 demerits.
A specific outfit is required for this class which can be obtained by donation or use of school attire.
DMS MIXED CHORUS
DMS Chorus is a yearlong elective class open to 6th, 7th and 8th graders by audition only. The class provides students with the opportunity to explore many different styles and forms of choral music, as well as, basic music theory and ear training. This is a performance group and students will be participating in school concerts, choral festivals and music workshops. Students maybe required to attend rehearsals outside the school day when concerts and festivals are near. Because this group will be performing off campus during the school day, students are required to maintain a “C” average in all classes and less than 12 demerits.
A specific outfit is required for this class which can be obtained by donation or use of school attire.
ALL REHEARSALS AND PERFORMANCES ARE MANDATORY. FAILURE TO ATTEND A PERFORMANCE WILL AUTOMATICALLY RESULT IN THE LOWERING OF THE STUDENT’S GRADE BY ONE GRADE.
Students are encouraged to stay in the choral music department for all three years of their Day Middle School experience and progress to a more advanced choral class each year. Each class and every school year is different and challenging because of the advancement of the students and changing dynamics of the class.
CHORAL MUSIC GRADING POLICY
REMEMBER: CHOIR IS A YEAR LONG COMMITMENT!
Student's grades are based on the following:
Ø 1. Daily class attendance.
Ø 2. Active daily participation and maintaining a good attitude
Ø 3. Having music, binder reminder, sight-reading materials, composition book and a pencil in class daily. (Music folders and pencils must be out before the tardy bell rings.)
Ø 4. Singing, theory, note tests, music spelling words and Choreography Tests on music learned (tests for choreography when applicable)
Ø 5. Practice Sheets: Each student is required to practice at home for a minimum of 30 minutes per week on music, dance or theory sheets. Practice sheets are available in the classroom every Monday and MUST be turned in EVERY FRIDAY. If a student is absent on Friday, his/her practice sheet MUST be turned in the day he/she returns to school. A parent signature is required after each practice session in order for the practice sheet to count for credit. Practice sheets will not be accepted without the correct date, class period and name filled out completely. Practice sheets are the responsibility of student NOT the parent.
Ø 6. Attendance at all performances.
Ø 7. Attendance at all extra rehearsals.
ALL REHEARSALS AND PERFORMANCES ARE MANDATORY. FAILURE TO ATTEND A PERFORMANCE WILL AUTOMATICALLY RESULT IN THE LOWERING OF THE STUDENT’S GRADE BY ONE GRADE.
MUSIC
Music is the textbook for our class. There are no replacements available for student use when music is left at home, lost or stolen. It is the responsibility of the student to have his/her music and pencil in class every day. If the student forgets his/her music or pencil, it will count against his/her grade. Music must be in the student's hand and the student must be seated when the tardy bell rings, or the student will be counted as tardy. It is the responsibility of the student to make a copy of lost music for his/her use in class.
CHOIR OUTFITS
A specific outfit is required for each class and the school will provide the outfit or designate how the student should dress for performances. The cost of choir outfits is significant and donations are greatly appreciated. If a student wishes to purchase their own outfit, the cost will be posted. Again, the school greatly appreciates all donations towards the outfits for each class. As part of the choir outfit, students are required to remove all nail polish, (clear and French nails are acceptable) and all jewelry (including: pierced earring and pierced nose rings) prior to performance. Hair MUST be out of the student’s face. Girls will be required to have their hair half-up half-down. Boys MUST wear their hair out of the faces. No bangs.
CHORAL FUND RAISING/DONATIONS
In order for the choral classes to participate in competitions and festivals, it is necessary for Day Chorus to raise approximately $200.00 per student. Day Show Choir to raise approximately $400.00 per student. Treble Tones Show Choir approximately $400.00 and Day Sound Wave to raise approximately $600.00 per student. The funds can be raised through fund-raisers, donations from parents, businesses, community clubs and organizations. Again, the school greatly appreciates all donations towards festivals, competitions and transportation for each class.
All choral groups will be participating in at least four major fund-raisers this year. All funds raised will be used for transportation, festivals, competitions and workshops. Fund-raisers are very important if we are to provide a high quality Choral Music program here at Day Middle School. The fall fund-raiser will be an Innisbrook Fund-raiser with an assortment of Christmas items from gift wrap to food. The fund-raiser will begin on September 12, 2011. Our second fund-raiser will be Fun Pasta. It will start on October 3rd. Our annual Choral Dinner and Silent Auction will be on February10, 2012. Tickets go on sale January 23, 2012. Our Spring fund-raiser will be through Helen Grace Chocolates. The sale begins on February 21, 2012.
DISCIPLINE PLAN
In order to guarantee your child and all students in my classroom the excellent educational climate they deserve, I have developed a Discipline Plan that will be in effect at all times.
CLASSROOM RULES:
1. Be in your seat with your music, pencil, binder reminder, notebook and sight-reading when the bell rings.
2. Follow directions the first time they are given.
3. No talking during rehearsals.
4. Keep hands, feet and objects to yourself.
5. Be respectful and courteous to all adults and each other. NO PUT DOWNS.
6. NO FOOD, GUM, CANDY, SUNFLOWERS SEEDS OR DRINKS in the classroom.
7. WATCH, FOLLOW, AND LISTEN TO YOUR CHOIR DIRECTOR.
CONSEQUENCES:
FIRST TIME: Verbal Warning
SECOND TIME: 15 min. Lunch Detention
THIRD TIME: 1 hour P.M. Detention in 404/phone call home.
FOURTH TIME: Class Suspension. Sent to Counselor with referral.
If a student is severely disruptive, he/she will be sent immediately to his/her Counselor and a parent conference will be arranged. Because this is an auditioned elective, if a student is constantly disruptive and unable to follow the rules of the class, he/she will be removed from the class.
I have very high expectations for all of my students. RESPONSIBILITY is the key factor in the success of any music program. Be responsible for yourself and to the group. Know your music, bring your supplies to class, turn in your practice sheet, attend all performances and rehearsals, be on time, dress appropriately, and behave appropriately and last, but not least, have fun and make beautiful music
PERFORMANCES
ALL SCHEDULED PERFORMANCES ARE MANDATORY! That means you MUST attend. Don’t miss them.
I will be sending you a list of currently scheduled concerts within the next month. Information on additional performances will be sent home a soon as they are scheduled. Please make arrangements to take care of any transportation problems or schedule conflicts so your child may participate.
Remember, the overall success of our choral music program as well as your child’s academic grade will depend on their participation.
Illness and family emergencies will be accepted as an excused absence only with a written note. Anything else is up to the discretion of the director.
Missing any performance or rehearsal without a written note will result in a lower grade. Please write me a note and deliver it to me 48 hours or more before the performance if possible. If you are absent the day of a rehearsal before a major performance or competition, please call and let me know if you will be attending the performance. If you do not I will assume that you will not be attending the performance or competition.
It is highly recommended that family and friends attend our performances! The student’s work very hard to present a quality concert/performance and it is discouraging to perform for an empty auditorium. Please come and I know you will enjoy the show and take great pride in your child. Your encouragement both at home and at performances can have a tremendous positive effect on your child’s success in choir.
Dear Choral Music Parents,
We are very excited about the choral music program at James L. Day Middle School. The success we enjoy is a direct reflection of the students who participate in choral music. We are very proud of the success we achieved last year and know our tradition of excellence will continue this year.
There are many benefits that result from the study of music. The aesthetic joys of music making cannot be duplicated in any other art form; it is a communication unto itself. It also has been found that the study of music strengthens the mind's learning potential. The students who are part of a music program tend to achieve at higher levels in all areas of school. Simply put: music makes better students, and music makes students better.
Ongoing research continues to offer dramatic statistics concerning young people who participate in their school music programs. In the 1997 publication, Profiles of SAT and Achievement Test Takers, (from The College Board), it was discovered that, "Students with course work experience in music performance scored 89 points higher on the SAT tests than students with no course work in the arts. This kind of information clearly and positively marks the future of our young musicians.
Parents need to know that their child's educational experience is designed to create a solid foundation. This foundation may be used for advanced education and, more importantly, as a training ground for developing successful life-patterns. The very qualities that are essential for success in business and education such as analytical skills, self-discipline, communication skills and creative thinking are the foundation blocks of our music program. What your child is learning in music is preparing him/her for a more prosperous and enjoyable life.
Thank you for your patronage to the arts and to our music program. You help us make a positive difference.
In the interest of your child,
Patricia Wear Halic
James L. Day Middle School
Choral Music Director