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Ms. Franke-CFHS CHOIR |
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PURPOSE
It is the philosophy of the Cannon Falls Vocal Music Department that teacher and students must work together in order to maintain and further enhance the tradition of musical excellence. Music has unique qualities that make it a most desirable medium of organized aesthetic education. People universally respond to music and can find satisfaction and meaning through experience with it. Although abilities vary, every person can find enrichment and enjoyment not only as a consumer, as also as a producer of music. Who can question the importance of aesthetic experience in the life of a human being? Who can deny the prevalent influence of musical art in all cultures throughout history? Who can challenge the fact that music lends itself to organized instruction, group participation and enhances interdisciplinary learning? Therefore, I believe that schools and teachers are responsible for providing: 1. an environment which promotes aesthetic appreciation, expression, and creative thinking skills. 2. an awareness of music as a leisure activity and a life-long skill. 3. musical experiences that are free from sacred, secular, sexist, ethnic, physical, and cultural bias. 4. opportunities that generate student confidence which will develop a positive self image. 5. an awareness of career opportunities in the music field. 6. a curriculum that promotes sequential musical maturation. 7. a relaxed atmosphere for critical analysis of individual and ensemble performance. 8. an interdisciplinary approach to musical knowledge, skills, and abilities. 9. proper assessments that will monitor choral and individual development. 10. communication with parents and community to keep them knowledgeable of program expectations and the importance of their involvement. 11. exposure to technology as it relates/affects music. 12. performance opportunities that will demonstrate mastery of music skills as deemed by the performance repertoire. Professionals in the choral art cannot impugn the urgency for aesthetic education in today’s world when there is a pervasive tendency to stress the material, and the technological, and the intellectual facets of life, and to deemphasize spiritual and human values. COURSE RATIONALEMusic reflects the values and behaviors of society. Music has multiple functions in all cultures. These functions are: a. emotional expression b. communication c. validation of social institutions and beliefs d. promoter of social concerns and issues e. self-identity by relating to cultural heritage CLASSROOM EXPECTATIONSA. Be prompt and prepared. a. Be in your assigned seat before class begins with a music folder. b. Pencil in music folder. c. Be ready for the day’s activities. d. Bathroom or locker privileges will not be allowed during class time. B. Show a concern for learning. a. Listen to instructor and each other. b. Follow instructions promptly. c. Accept responsibility for behavior. d. Remain on task, participate (no sleeping, talking, eating, drinking, gum, homework, passing notes, cell phones, i-pods or disc-mans). e. Study your part while others are rehearsing, mark your music. f. Sharpen your sight-reading and music reading skills. Learn to recognize intervals and work on counting. g. Practice proper posture. It promotes mental alertness and good breath support. h. Study and practice good singing techniques. Attention to clean diction-pronunciation, and articulation; deep breathing and solid support; correct vocal production. i. Recognize the sound of quality vocal production. Beautiful tone is rich, resonant, and free. It is steady with firm breath
support; it is controlled with a relaxed, open throat; it is full with
a vowel placement; and the voice has a wonderful resonance throughout the
entire vocal range. You can achieve it. C. Show appropriate social skills. a. Use appropriate voice, tone, and language. b. Respect opinions and viewpoints of others. c. Display courtesy and tact. d. Refrain from all harassment. e. Raise your hand if you have a question or comment.
D. Show positive and productive character. a. Respect property and the environment. Keep the room clean and do not deface music, etc. b. Use of the telephone, only with permission. c. Maintain high expectations, work hard. d. Be cooperative. e. Maintain a positive attitude. Attitude more than aptitude will determine your altitude. Be aware of negative remarks. Allow the director to direct and do the job. Leave personal problems at the door. Treat others as you would like to be treated. Accept suggestions for improvement positively. f. Be honest. g. Enthusiasm! The only thing more contagious than enthusiasm is the lack of it. T .E . A . M . Together everyone accomplishes more! USE OF THE VOCAL
MUSIC ROOM I welcome and encourage students to use the facilities during their free time. It is understood that the time will be spent in a legitimate musical endeavor. A pass will be issued to the student or students. The choir room is not to be used as a locker. Keep all personal belongings in your assigned school locker. Leave valuables at home. Ladies, do not leave your purses unattended. MUSIC OFFICEThe director’s office is NOT a student lounge. Do not help yourself to the contents of the office without permission of the director. Usually I am in the classroom, but when I am in the office, you are welcome to see me at anytime. Please respect my space. ATTENDANCEIn order to create responsibility and self-discipline, it is necessary to practice promptness and good attendance. Irregular attendance or tardiness by a student not only retards his/her own effectiveness, but also interferes with the progress of those students who are regularly prompt in attendance, thereby limiting the growth of the group. EXCUSED ABSENCES FROM PERFORMANCE/ACTIVITYSerious illness, death in the family, or actions considered beyond the student’s control. Written verification by the parent is required. An alternate assignment will be given to make up the points. UNEXCUSED ABSENCES FROM PERFORMANCE/ACTIVITYAll other absences are considered unexcused. If you have a job, be sure to make arrangements with your employer for a substitute at least two weeks in advance STUDENT EMPLOYMENTStudent employment is a mixed blessing. It gives freedom of having money for a car and social life. It helps family financial situations in some cases, and it gives a sense of being independent and grown up, as well as teaching responsibility. Jobs can also create some real problems, such as conflicts in rehearsal, performance obligations in music groups, and the rest of your school work. Too many hours, scheduling conflicts, uncooperative bosses, and transportation problems are sure to be encountered. Every student’s first job is to attend high school, including school activities and functions. Future collage admission counselors, and future employers, are more impressed with how active students were in their high school organizations, than with how many hours they worked at a part time job. REHEARSAL DISCIPLINEExcellence in performing can only be achieved through excellence in rehearsal. 1st Violation -verbal warning. 2nd Violation-Loss of daily points and if necessary 30 minute detention in choir room before school (7:30-8:00), or after school (3:00-3:30. Detention is to be made up within two days. If the student does not serve the detention within two days, it becomes an office detention (1 Hr.). **Severe Clause- Student will be sent directly to the office for fighting, vandalism, insubordination, swearing or anything that interferes with the running of the class. The student may also be suspended from class for 5 days resulting in a loss of 50 daily points. *****Remember you are here to sing – not to socialize. If you have a concern or a suggestion you wish to discuss with me, see me after class or make arrangements for another time. Choir is a class like any other and your attentiveness and cooperation along with 100% participation is necessary for a great musical experience. Excellence requires hard work and dedication. I am here for you. Please feel free to come in to ask questions and for individual help. DAILY SCHEDULE1. Physical warm-ups 2. Vocal warm-ups 3. Sight reading 4. Attendance 5. Announcements 6. Rehearsal of music 7. Music is put away at the end of the hour. GRADING5 POINTS Daily participation and attendance. 25 POINTS Required lessons 25 POINTS Required rehearsal or community gig (Baccalaureate and Graduation are mandatory for senior choir members) 75 POINTS Required contest/concert. If a concert/contest is missed, an appropriate project/assignment will be assigned. The student has one week to complete the project/assignment. 50 POINTS Vocal Clinic. If a clinic is missed, an appropriate project/assignment will be assigned. The student has one week to complete the project/assignment. 40 POINTS Graded Solo 4th Quarter 50-100 POINTS Quarterly Singing Tests. Learn and know your music. -3 POINTS Unexcused tardiness. If more than half of the period, all 5 daily points are deducted. Excessive tardies will be reported to the office -5 POINTS Absent from class whether unexcused or excused. School activity and/or family vacation are exempt. -50 POINTS Five day suspension from class; 10 points / day Each student will be voice tested at the beginning of the year. Singing tests will be given each quarter for high school students. Grading Scale: Percentage A 96-100 A- 93-95 B+ 89-92 B 86-88 B- 83-85 C+ 80-82 C 75-79 C- 70-74 D+ 67-69 D 64-66 D- 61-63 F 60 and below ELIGIBILITYStudents must maintain
eligibility standards. Students who use
alcohol, tobacco, or drugs shall be declared ineligible according to the State
High School League rules. Students must
maintain satisfactory academic progress as stated in the High School League
rules. In addition to the MSHSL rules
for students wishing to participate in school activities, the following
academic requirements must be met: A
student must be passing all credit classes.
If at the mid-quarter or quarter grading period, a student has received
an “F” in any subject, he/she will be allowed 10 days to raise the failing
grade to passing. If the grade is not passing
after 10 days, the student will be declared ineligible and not permitted to
participate in any activities, performances, or contests until the start of the
next grading period. Grading periods are
mid-quarter and quarter. CONCERT DRESSHigh School students will wear robes. Black hose, socks, pants, and shoes. Jewelry such as earrings (both male and female) unless part of the issued concert attire, watches, bracelets, necklaces and excessive rings are not to be worn. 7-8 Grade Students will be asked to dress-up. T-shirt, jeans, and tennis shoes are not acceptable. Jazz Choir members will rent their outfits. CONCERT RULES1. Choir members will proceed quietly to the concert site after warm-ups and wait for the time to enter. This is not a time to be cracking jokes and messing around. It is the time that all concert members are to be taking into consideration the concert ahead. If the choir is not taking this time to concentrate, it is very feasible that all of the many hours of hard work will not be evident to the audience. All music is memorized. 2. All members should have their eyes on the director at all times during the concert. There should be no distractions from choir members on risers such as coughing, scratching, sneezing, fixing hair, etc. If a member feels faint, he/she should simply sit down in place. 3. Choir members are expected always to practice good citizenship and audience behavior. Listen carefully to the other choir, never entering or leaving in the middle of a selection. Whenever choir members are performing for the community, they must be aware of the many they are representing and behave accordingly. Let’s set a good example. Be role models for others. 4. Attention to good hygiene is always a must. We are very close to each other on the risers. Showering is good! Deodorant is good! Heavy perfume, cologne, after-shave, or hairspray is not good. Hair should be out of the face. We want the face to be fully visible to express what the composer intended. 5. It is the responsibility of each choir member to take good care of the issued concert attire. Robes need to be hung up appropriately after each performance. Any member showing up for a concert, performance, or contest in incomplete attire will not be allowed to perform and the performance will be counted as a missed concert. No jewelry permitted. 6. All concerts are open to the public. Most of them are free. Every attempt is made to publicize our concerts, but many times a personal invitation from a parent or student will yield the best results. AUDIENCE ETIQUETTEPlease try to arrive forty minutes before the scheduled concert time. Please do not leave in the middle of a selection, or in the middle of a concert, if it can be prevented. The concerts are not sporting events. To talk during a performance shows disrespect to the performing group, as well as ruining the performance for the other audience members around you. PRIVATE LESSONSPrivate lessons are always encouraged from qualified instructors in the area. STUDENT LEADERSHIPIt is the sincere desire of the director to have more student involvement in the leadership capacity. Section leaders, student conductors, librarians, officers, etc. will either be appointed or voted upon. PERFORMANCE OPPORTUNITIESConcerts-all members of the performing groups are required to participate in the performance of their organization as listed in the Calendar of Events. State Contest (large ensemble) - each performing group has an opportunity to perform for a rating in a contest sponsored by the MN State High School League. Three judges provide comments, both verbal and written. A minimum of two superior ratings is necessary for a performance to receive a trophy or medal. Each entry is required to perform one selection from the Approved Music List. This contest is required of H.S. Choir members. State Contest (solo and small ensemble)-students will be encouraged to sign-up if they are interested in participating. Events possible are solos, duets, SSA and SSAA ensembles, TTB, TBB, and TTBB ensembles, mixed ensemble, barbershop quartet, and miscellaneous vocal ensembles. All-State is the highest individual honor a high school student can achieve. Auditioning for the group will greatly enhance the student’s musicianship. Students, if selected, will have the opportunity to work with nationally recognized conductors and perform with the best musicians in the state. Students will be encouraged to participate. 7-8 choir students can audition for the Anacrusis Honor Choir. Taped auditions are in September. 9-10 choir students can audition for the ACDA 9-10 Honor Choir. Taped auditions are in October. 11-12 choir students can audition for the ACDA 11-12 Honor Choir. Taped auditions are in November. The Jazz Choirs are auditioned extra-curricular groups. Unscheduled extra performance activities will come up from time to time. The student is required to attend these activities. A $10 rental fee is charged for the costume. The choir is currently taking trips on alternate years. The rules, contract, etc. will be handed out at a later date. AWARDS AND LETTERSStudents will have the opportunity to receive awards and letters in choir. A point system is attached at the end of the handbook. The more a student participates in vocal music activities the faster he/she will letter. It takes 40 points to letter the first time, 20 points after that. The following is a sample lettering sheet.
FUNDRAISINGSome of our basic needs are
budgeted by the MUSIC CAMPSSummer music camps are fun and will provide the opportunity to improve musicianship, meet new people with common interests, develop leadership potential, and encounter new perspectives. Information regarding these camps is plentiful. See the director if interested. HONOR CHOIRSOpportunities to participate
in honor choirs are available to students.
The director will provide you with the necessary information when the
time comes. Currently the H.S. students
attend the HVL Honor Choir and the Dorian Vocal Festival at Luther
College/Decorah, COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIPSAll students who are going to college should see their director or counselor about auditioning for music scholarships. Even if you do not plan on majoring in music, most universities and colleges will still give you money just to have you participate in their performing ensembles. All of these scholarships require a prepared audition, as well as a recommendation from your director. Plan ahead. Participating in music ensembles while in high school is the best strategy for obtaining these scholarships.
STUDENTS / PARENT EXPECTATIONS CONTRACTPlease read this handbook in its entirety. Keep it in a convenient place for future reference. Post the calendar of events in your home (subject to change). Sign the statement below and return this sheet in one week. Thank you. Sue A. Franke, Choir Director
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- For the student: I have read and understand the details of this handbook. I agree to these policies as outlined, and I will do my part to ensure the continued success of this organization. _______________________________________________( student’s signature) Cell Phone Number______________________________________ For the parent(s): I have read and understand the details of this handbook. I will assist my son/daughter in fulfilling their obligations, to support his/her efforts, and to do what I can to ensure the organizations continued success. _________________________________________________(parent signature) Parent(s) first and last names (please print)______________________________________________ Phone Number: Home___________________Cell_____________________Work______________________ Address:_________________________________________________________________________ |
