Mrs. Sink: Deer Creek Chorus

Deer Creek Choral Music

HANDBOOK

2010-2011

Lori Beth Sink, Choral Director

sinkl@deercreek.k12.ok.us

(W) 405-348-6100 ext. 2117

Keith Sinor, DCHS Principal

Tracy Skinner, DCMS Principal

Sean McDaniel, DC Superintendent

August 17, 2010

Dear Choral Students & Parents,

I am so glad you have decided to be a part of the 2010-2011 Deer Creek Chorus Program. Welcome! I look forward to meeting you throughout the year, which will be an exciting & busy one. Both the middle school and high school choirs will have the opportunity to present 3 home concerts, be involved in numerous festivals and contests, participate in community outreach, and much more!

Looking ahead at this year, I want you to know my goals for the music classroom. While we will be taking part in many outside activities, the students will be learning how to read music; with music literacy in mind, the students will be taught to not only be musicians for my class, but to also be musicians for a lifetime! I have high expectations and standards for Deer Creek Chorus; your cooperation with guidelines is a must so we can achieve choral excellence at a local, state, and national level.

In this handbook I am including course descriptions, required materials, a proposed calendar, grading procedures, classroom procedures, fundraising opportunities, a parental information sheet (to be returned), and a travel permission sheet (to be returned). Throughout the year I will be contacting you through email, handouts, or phone calls. Please do not hesitate to contact me with any ideas, questions, feedback, or concerns you have for Deer Creek Chorus or your student. I will post below my contact information.

“Sing”cerely,

Lori Beth H. Sink

Chorus Teacher

Deer Creek Middle & High School

6101 NW 206^th

Edmond, OK 73012

(405) 348-6100 ext. 2117

sinkl@deercreek.k12

www.teacherweb.com/OK/DeerCreekHighSchool/LoriBethSink

“What is best in music is not found in the notes...”-Gustav Mahler

Course Descriptions

6^th Grade Chorus is for any male or female 6^th grade singer. No prior experience is necessary. Students will learn beginning, healthy vocal and choral techniques. Students will learn the basics of musicianship such as reading, notating, listening, and performing skills.

7th/8^th Grade Chorus is designed for continuation of 6^th Grade chorus members, though any student is welcome and encouraged to join. Students will continue learning healthy vocal and choral techniques. Independent musicianship is taught as music literacy is stressed.

Mixed Chorus is designed for both male and female singers in high school. Any high schooler can join mixed choir. Students are taught healthy vocal techniques and independent music reading. Skills such as pitch matching, blending, and sight reading are introduced, expanded, and expected.

Advanced Chorus is a chorus for students with previous experience. Because the students are no longer beginner musicians, the class is expected to sing more difficult part music, while working on skills such as blend, intonation, and tone quality. Students will prepare and perform at a state level 5-A contest in performance and sight-reading.

Statement of Purpose

· to develop a lifelong appreciation and pursuit for the many genres of music

· to help students learn healthy vocal technique

· to teach independent musicianship through music literacy

Course Objectives

All choruses will have the following objectives, as appropriate for the course level, which are the National Standards for Music Education:

· Sing, alone & with others, a varied repertoire of music

· Perform, on instrument, alone with and with others, a varied repertoire of music

· Improvise melodies, variations, and accompaniments

· Compose and arrange music with specified guidelines

· Read and notate music

· Listen to, analyze, and describe music

· Evaluate music and music performances

· Understand relationships between music, the other arts, and disciplines outside the arts

· Understand music in relation to history and culture

Required Materials

All chorus members are expected to have:

· a pencil to mark music scores (NO pens!)

· BLACK, 3-ring, 1” or 1.5” binder for music

· bottled water (optional, but encouraged for singing)

· willingness to participate with positive attitudes

· if you plan to use, please bring 1 box of Kleenex and/or 1 dispenser of hand sanitizer for community use

Concert Attire

Middle School:

We will most commonly perform in a Deer Creek choir t-shirt (ordered at the beginning of the year for $15) with nice, neat blue jeans. This will be the uniform for Dessert Review and any trips or school performances throughout the year. Money from fundraisers can help cover the cost of the t-shirt.

For the Holiday concert, students will wear a solid red or green top paired with dark bottoms (long skirt or pants).

The Spring concert and contest attire will be determined next semester.

High School:

There are two uniforms for high school choir members: a casual uniform and a formal uniform. The casual attire consist of the Deer Creek choir t-shirt (ordered at the beginning of the year for $15) with nice, neat blue jeans. This uniform will be worn at the Dessert Review and any casual trips or school performances throughout the year.

The formal attire consists of black formal dresses for the women and tuxedos for the men. The formal attire is worn at the holiday and spring concerts, contest, and graduation. The costs of both uniforms can be offset by the students' fundraising account.

Women: There are a limited number of discounted, used dresses for sale, or a student can always choose to purchase a new dress. Measurements and orders will be taken in the early fall. All dresses need to be hemmed to floor length. Black shoes are to be worn with the dress.

Men: Men will be issued a tux jacket from the school collection. The bow tie and cummerbund is purchased through the school for $10. Men are responsible for their own black dress pants, black socks, black dress shoes, and white tux shirt. If you already own any of these items, please use what you have rather than purchasing new.

Classroom Expectations

My vision for success in the choral classroom relies on the expectation that there is respect for three areas:

· RESPECT for music

· RESPECT for others (classmates, teacher, audience)

· RESPECT for self

Everything I ask will fall under this simple expectation for the classroom. Classroom procedures will be discussed during the first weeks of school.

Classroom Procedures

1. Arrive to class on time.

2. Spit out foreign objects such as food or gum.

3. Place all bags against the wall.

4. Pick up music notebook, sightreader and pencil.

5. Sit in assigned seat.

6. Organize music in the order of rehearsal as posted on the smart board.

7. Participate with a positive attitude and eye contact.

8. Return materials to appropriate places.

9. Reset classroom for next class.

Common Sense and Courtesy

No set of policies and regulations can possibly cover every imaginable situation. You are asked to use common sense and good judgment, along with common courtesy, in those situations that arise that are not described by the choral, school, or district handbook.

Discipline

Please see the Deer Creek School handbook for discipline procedures, as the guidelines outlined in the school handbook will be the ones used and followed. Consequences include verbal warnings, detention, phone calls home, and referrals.

Assessment

Daily Musicianship Grades (35%)

Performances (35%)

Further Class Assessment: Performance Quizzes, Theory/History Quizzes, etc. (20%)

Semester Exam (10%) (High School only)

The daily musicianship grade is given based on each of the following, for a total of 100 points: punctuality, no gum, materials ready, on-task participation (without interruption), proper eye contact/posture.

Performances are MANDATORY for this class because the ensemble practices with every student and depends on every student. Concerts act in choir as unit tests act in other subject areas. Students are expected to be on-time and present for each scheduled performance and group contest. Absences must be discussed in advance, if possible, and will only be excused for extreme emergencies such as severe illness. Unexcused absences result in ZERO credit in the performance part of the grade. If circumstances arise, such as a natural disaster, expect an appropriate make-up performance or assignment as determined by the teacher so the performance grade may be fulfilled.

Further class assessment will be given on a weekly basis. These assessments will be varied in length and type. For example, these grades can be notebook grades, performance assessments, practice charts, self-evaluations, reflections, or projects. Students will be notified in advance of the date and type of all further class assessments.

The semester exam is a comprehensive exam, measuring PASS objectives & cumulative knowledge of the given course.

Please note: Extra Credit can be given for participation in extra, outside honor choirs, weekend events, and classical concert attendance. Please let me know how you are spending time learning and loving music outside of the Deer Creek Chorus classroom, and you may receive additional points added to your “Further Assessment” grade. Other possible examples for extra credit include: tutoring a younger choir student, writing a summary or reflection on a musical article, journaling on your music experiences, creating advertisment for our concerts, or participating in outside performances (verified by program, bulletin, or parent note).

Antler Time Flex Schedule Requirements (High School)

It is the goal of DCHS and its faculty to provide learning opportunities that are aligned with experiences needed by students as they transition from high school to higher education, military, or the workforce. Any student that appears on the weekly tutoring list will be required to attend tutoring in the subject they are scoring below 70%. Some students will be required to attend for EOI remediation coursework to prepare to retake any EOI test that was not passed with a Satisfactory or above. Teachers may also assign mandatory tutoring for students who need to make up exams or assignments. From time to time there will be subject wide or grade wide requirements to attend Antler Time. Not attending mandatory tutoring and remediation will result in disciplinary action.

Fundraising

Fundraising will be joint fundraisers for the music department at Deer Creek. The Band & Choral Fundraisers will be optional, but strongly encouraged to help with the costs of vocal music at Deer Creek. You can opt to give money to the program, rather than participating in the fundraisers, and we graciously accept these offers.

Money raised through fundraising goes into a personal student account, used for paying for trip fees, uniform, contest fees, and more. Money remains in student accounts until graduation or leaving the program, at which time the money belongs to the Vocal Music program.

The three fundraisers will be: Magazines, Blue/Gold Sausage, and Cookie Dough. Please see the calendar of events for fundraising dates. Further information will be distributed at the time of the event.

Choral Boosters

Choral Boosters can be joined by supporting parents & community members of the Deer Creek Community. We will need support for the choral program through donations of time, talent, and finance! As we meet to organize the group, we will determine the priority of needs and how funds will be spent. Current needs include new uniforms, accompanists, sheet music, instruments, judges, choreographers, contest fees, advertising, professional development, and classroom supplies.

Deer Creek Chorus Calendar of Events

*all dates & activities are subject to district approval; any can be changed!

*updates will be made through web announcements, email, and classroom notification

Ongoing: National Anthem opportunities for singers: football, basketball, baseball!

Fall Semester

August 24: Middle School Parent Night, Choral BOOSTERS interest and Drug testing meeting

August TBA: High School Parent Night, Choral BOOSTERS interest and Drug testing meeting

August 30-September 9: Magazine Fundraiser

September TBA: audition deadlines, rehearsals, & auditions for honor choirs

October 12, 6:30 PM: Dessert Review featuring Middle & High School Choruses; “You eat, we sing!” in the High School Cafeteria

October TBA: additional auditions for honor choirs

October 27-November 4: Blue/Gold Sausage Sale

November TBA: Community Performances: Retirement center, Elementary school, & Mall

November TBA: last honor choir auditions; honor choir festivals begin

December 7, 7:00 PM: Holiday Performance featuring Middle & High School Choruses in the High School Auditorium: Alumni Hall

December TBA: Choir Party

Spring Semester

January 13-15: OCDA All-State Honor Choir Weekend

January 19-22: OMEA Convention and OkMEA All-State Choir Festival

January TBA: Circle the State with Song Festival

January 18-February 1: Cookie Dough Fundraiser

January 24-26: Beauty & the Beast Auditions for the High School musical (after school)

February 19: District Solo & Ensemble (Junior High & High School)

March TBA: District Junior High Choir Contest

March 31-April 2: Beauty and the Beast

April 5: OSSAA 5A West State High School Choir Contest

April 21 or 22: State Solo & Ensemble

May 6-9: High School Trip: TBA

May 13: Senior Showcase at the High School

May 14: Middle School PAC contest and trip to Frontier City

May 15: High School Graduation (all High School choir members perform)

May 16, 7:00 PM: Spring Formal Concert featuring Middle & High School Choruses; in Alumni Hall

May TBA: End-of-the-year Party

Choral Organizations, Honor Choirs, Festivals, and Lessons

Listed below are the organization, choirs, festivals, and outside activities I have found in Oklahoma. Participation in honor choirs & festivals is strongly encouraged and expected from dedicated choral students. The opportunities awarded strong singers includes working with world-renowned conductors, singing with new friends from around the state, and traveling! I am more than willing to help ALL interested in the audition process during AND after the school day. I will also help provide application materials, audition practice cd's, and continued guidance throughout the process. Please let me know of your interest; I am here to help YOU!

ACDA: American Choral Directors Association

This organization has regional, state, and national honor choir festivals. The COCDA is the Central Oklahoma Choral Directors Association. They sponsor the COCDA Honor Choir for 7^th, 8^th, and 9^th graders. The deadline for audition registration is September 5. Auditions are September 25. Rehearsals are in October, and the Festival Weekend is November 5 & 6.

OCDA is the state level of ACDA, representing Oklahoma Choral Directors. OCDA sponsors the All-OCDA choir. Students who complete the COCDA Honor Choir Audition are able to audition for the All-OCDA choirs (Mixed & Treble). The deadline for audition registration is September 25. First round auditions are October 30. Second round auditions are November 16. Honor Choir weekend is held January 13-15.

MENC: National Association for Music Education

Oklahoma Music Educators Association (OkMEA) is the state organization that falls under national MENC. OkMEA sponsors Circle the State with Song (4th-8th), All-OMEA Children's Choir (4th-8th), All-OMEA High School All-State Choirs (Mixed & Women's, 10th-12th). I will pass along more information about the auditions and deadlines after I hear of your interests. MENC offers some of the most exciting opportunities for our singers, of all ages! I encourage you to audition!

Canterbury Youth Choruses

The Canterbury Choral Society has a youth program directed by master teacher Judith Willoughby. Canterbury offers four choirs: Apprentice Choir (grades 2-6) Chorale, (grades 5-9), Young Men’s Chorus (boys with voice change), and the newest ensemble, CYC’s Southwest Young Choral Artists (outstanding high school singers). Information regarding UPCOMING auditions and performances can be found online at: http://www.canterburyokc.com/

Central Community Music School (CCMS)

CCMS is sponsored through the Oklahoma Center for Arts Education. They offer applied lessons in private or group settings, for half hour or full hour. Lessons are offered with master teachers. Registration materials can be found online at: http://www.ocae.net/ccms

Private Lessons

Private lessons are valuable to enhance a singer's skills through one-on-one instruction. Teachers are willing to help prepare students for contest in order to participate in the many choral festival opportunities. Please let me know of your interest!

Here is a contact list of some local voice teachers:

Joanie Pullen 405-473-5635 pulljw@sbcglobal.net

Alyssa Peslis 765- 631-3623 AlyPeslis@gmail.com

Dr. Jane Hawes 405-471-6058 oudiva@gmail.com

Mrs. Jan Hulsey 405-722-6059 jshulsey8@gmail.com

Student/Parent Information & Handbook Agreement

Student Name:

Student Email:

T-Shirt Size: Small Medium Large X-Large 2XL

Parent(s) Name(s):

Parent Email:

Home Phone #:

Cell Phone #:

Your support and involvement in the choral program is very important!

I will need your help in musical and non-musical ways.

Please let me know your interests and ways of possible support!

1. I can assist in musical ways:

_____Singer

_____Piano accompanist

_____Instrumental accompanist (Name of instrument: ______________)

2. I would be willing to share my musical talents with students in an informal classroomperformance setting. Circle: Yes No

3. I can chaperone trips:

_____During the school day

_____Weekends

4. I can assist in non-musical ways:

_____substitute for choir classes on audition and festival days

_____decorating for concerts

_____uniform alterations

_____costuming

_____refreshments for special events

_____videotaping or audio recording (concerts)

_____t-shirt design & ordering

_____riser set-up

Other: _____________________________

I HAVE READ THE DEER CREEK CHORAL HANDBOOK AND AGREE THAT I WILL FOLLOW THE REGULATIONS AS OUTLINED. I UNDERSTAND THAT A TEAM MENTALITY IS IMPORTANT FOR A SUCCESSFUL CHORUS; I AM COMMITTING TO POSITIVE PARTICIPATION AND RESPECT. IF I HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, I WILL CONTACT MRS. SINK IMMEDIATELY.

Student Signature________________________________Date____________

Parent Signature_________________________________Date____________

Medical Release Form

I hereby authorize Mrs. Lori Beth Sink, choir director for Deer Creek Public Schools and/or her designee, to obtain necessary and reasonable medical services for my child,

_________________________________, while he/she is participating with the Deer Creek Choir during the 2010-2011 school year. I accept full financial responsibility for said services. I release the Deer Creek Public Schools, Mrs. Sink, and all attending chaperones from all liability in the event medical assistance becomes necessary. I will continue to update any medical changes should they occur during the remainder of the school year.

Parent Signature_______________________________________________

Personal Information

Name of Student:_____________________________________________

Name of Parent: ______________________________________________

Mailing Address: _____________________________________________

Emergency Contact Person and Phone Number:

____________________________________________________________

Primary Physician_____________________ Phone No. __________________

Insurance Information

Insurance Company ___________________________________________

Policy No. ______________________ Phone No. _______________________

Medical History

Does your child take any medications on a regular basis? Yes or No

If so, please be specific as to the proper name of the medication and the dosage instructions.

Will your child require assistance in administering their medication? Yes or No

________________________________________________________________

Please list any drug allergies.