Carl Junction Junior High
Vocal Music Department Handbook
Dear Junior High Choir Parent,
I would like to take this opportunity to welcome you and your child to the Carl Junction Junior High Vocal Music Department. Your child has expressed an interest in singing in the Junior High Choir. I am pleased that he or she has chosen to participate in what I anticipate to once again be an excellent performance group. I hope that your child will feel honored to be a part of the choral program. We have worked hard to build a program of excellence. The hard work has paid off in the ratings our choirs have received. In four years of singing for more than twenty judges the choirs have received 30 I or I+ ratings. We have been invited to sing at the Titanic museum in Branson, Carnegie Hall in New York, and we have had forty one students selected to the Missouri State Honor Choir.
This handbook will have the answers to most of the questions you may have concerning the Junior High Vocal Music Department.
Daily attendance is very important to the success of the choir as well as each individual’s progress.
Our local performances will take place outside of school time. Please place on your home calendar the performance dates and times now so that there will be no conflicts. Attendance at the performance is very important since each event is considered a part of the student’s grade for the class. It will not be difficult for the students to receive an A in choir if he or she is attentive in class and is present at the concerts and festivals.
This year we will sing music of different styles and periods of history including traditional, religious, popular, folk, and jazz. We will spend a great deal of class time working at becoming more mature musicians. In addition to learning how to sing, time will be spent learning basic to more advanced music fundamentals, theory and history.
If you have any questions regarding curriculum or grades, please feel free to call me at school (649-7246) or email me at dcampbell@cj.k12.mo.us.
I am looking forward to an exciting year of making music with your child. I also look forward to seeing you at the Fall Concert in October.
Sincerely,
Doug Campbell
Carl Junction Junior High Vocal Instructor
CARL JUNCTION JUNIOR HIGH
7TH / 8TH GRADE GIRLS/BOYS CHOIR GRADING POLICY
FIRST SEMESTER SECOND SEMESTER
Daily Points: 10 points per day Daily Points: 10 points per day
Fall Concert: 100 points NEO: 100 points
Christmas Concert: 100 points Branson performance: 100 points
HS Christmas Concert/boys only 100 pts. Spring Concert: 100 points
ATTENDANCE: Attendance is the BIGGEST contributor toward a good grade. Daily points may be earned by being present and on task during rehearsal. If absent from class, daily points may be earned if the student requests a make-up assignment on the day he/she returns to class. School activities are the only exception to daily attendance requirements.
CONCERTS: Concerts and Festivals are required. You have been given concert and festival dates for the entire year. These are scheduled in accordance with our Junior High calendar, and are part of the REQUIRED curriculum for the class. It is your responsibility to be available for these dates in order to earn performance points.
MISSED CONCERTS/FESTIVALS: If you miss a concert or festival due to illness or emergency, you may bring a note from a parent on the day you return to school, to receive 50% of the concert points. To receive the other 50%, you will have to handwrite a three-page report on a topic that deals with music. If you miss a concert or festival due to a school-related activity, you may be able to earn all of your points. See School Related Activity Absence below.
DAILY POINTS: Each day you are in class and are on task you will earn 10 points. Points may be earned by doing the following.
Listening Singing Staying focused
Using correct vowels Good posture Sitting in assigned seat
Showing leadership Look at music when sightreading
DISCIPLINE: Inappropriate behavior will not be tolerated. Carl Junction Junior High Choirs are honor groups. The choirs also represent Carl Junction Schools and the community when they perform. It is a privilege to be a part of this ensemble. The class will follow Carl Junction Junior High discipline procedures. Any referrals will be directed to Mr. Chase. Excessive problems may result in removal from choir.
SCHOOL RELATED ACTIVITY ABSENCE: If you are absent from a performance due to a school-related activity, you may earn points by writing a three page report on any aspect of music that you are interested in.
PERFORMANCE DRESS
GIRLS: Red choir shirt
Black slacks (preferred) or skirt
Black hose or tights
Black shoes (no open toed or athletic shoes)
BOYS: Red choir shirt
Black pants
Black socks and shoes (no athletic shoes)
We will perform better if we look like an ensemble. I have had many judges over the years compliment my choirs on their uniformity.
Note to girls: No jewelry except small earrings, no hair bows or ribbons. If your parents allow you to wear make-up, some extra make-up will help you to avoid looking “washed out” on stage.
Cell phones have been a problem in the past. I suggest the students leave their cell phone in the car or at home during a concert. We have had cell phone interference on our recordings. Please help in adherence of this rule.
If you are not properly dressed, you WILL NOT earn full points for the performance.
FINES and FEES
Performance Fees:
There will be an opportunity for your child to perform a vocal solo, if he/she wishes to do so. Students will be responsible for the entry fee of $7. The students will also have the opportunity to audition for the 7th and 8th grade All-State Choir. This audition costs the student $10. These activities are optional and more information will follow.
Material Fines:
We use printed music and folders in choir. Students are expected to take care of these materials. If materials are damaged, they must be replaced by the student.
Replacement costs are:
Folder: $6
Music: $2 per copy