Woodlawn Beach Middle School

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Woodlawn Beach Middle School

• WILDCAT CHORUS

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Music has the ability to touch our hearts, to
calm or excite us, to involve us, to heal us, and
inspire. It allows us to relax or participate,
to reach out and look with in. Music teaches us
teamwork. It reinforces basic skills. It is
both a social and an individual activity. Music
has been a part of life for all recorded time.
It is a part of our history and culture.

• Dear Chorus Parents and Students,
• Welcome to WBMS Wildcat Chorus Program! A
  successful chorus program is dependent on
  positive active participation by both the
  students and their parents. It is with great
  enthusiasm that I look forward to working with
  you this year. This handbook is designed to help
  you understand the expectations for all chorus
  students at WBMS. If you have any questions of
  any kind, feel free to call, write, or e-mail me.
  I will return most calls at the end of the
  school day, but please allow me a return call
  window of 24 hours. Rarely does a situation
  arise for which there is no workable solution.
  Please dont hesitate to contact me.
• 
  Yours in Harmony,
• 
  
• 
  Gina LaVere
• 
  Chorus Director
• 
  934-4010 ext 202

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CLASSROOM PROCEDURES

• 1) BE READY FOR CLASS WHEN THE BELL RINGS
• A) Be in your assigned seat with music
  folder, pencil, and water bottle before your bell
  rings.
• B) Fill water bottle before class. The
  water bottles must be brought to the chorus room
  prior to homeroom. If the bottle requires
  filling, it must be filled at the water fountain
  directly outside the chorus room.
• 2) BE PREPARED FOR CLASS
• A) Bring music/theory folders, pencils,
  and water bottle every day.
• B) Utilize the restrooms before or after
  class for personal grooming.
• 3) RESPECT OTHERS
• A) Keep inappropriate comments to
  yourself.
• B) DO NOT touch classroom equipment
  without teacher permission (this includes the
  PIANOS).
• C) Students must remain quiet and
  attentive even when they are not singing. Much
  rehearsal time is saved when students observe
  other sections.
• 4) STRIVE FOR EXCELLENCE
• TRY YOUR BEST AND YOU WILL ALWAYS END
  UP A WINNER!!
• Remember. Shoot for the Stars and Land on the
  Moon!!!!!!

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DISCIPLINE POLICY

• The behavioral journal is used for disciplinary
  behavior. There are four steps in the journal.
• 1) Warning
• 2) Consequence with parent signature
• 3) Parent contact
• 4) Disciplinary referral
• Note A conference will be scheduled at this
  point and a contract will be made regarding
  acceptable behavior in the chorus program.

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GRADING POLICY

• Grades will be based on knowledge of concepts,
  demonstration of skills and
• participation in chorus activities, including
  required performances and
• rehearsals. Because the chorus is a performing
  organization and a class, it
• is essential that every student and parent
  understand that attendance
• and participation in required performances and
  rehearsals is a part of the
• grade. Excused absences are determined using
  the same criteria as a
• school absence. Unexcused absences for
  rehearsals and performances will
• require the writing of a curriculum based paper.
  Students are expected
• to bring a signed note from their parent the day
  they return to school.
• CONFLICT RESOLUTION
• Being aware that conflicts will occur in the
  scheduling of practices,
• rehearsals, games, performances and field trips
  the following guidelines
• will be used
• The Spring and Winter Concert and District Music
  Performance Assessment are the only required
  performances for the year.
• A performance or a game takes precedent over a
  practice or rehearsal (except final rehearsals)
• 3) The student is responsible for notifying
  Mrs. LaVere of the conflict no less than 24 hours
  in advance.

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GRADING POLICY CONTINUED

• There are five categories in which the concepts
  are graded in
• CLASSWORK 15
• HOMEWORK 15
• QUIZZES 20
• TESTS 40
• NINE WEEKS EXAM 10
• (performance based)
• ? PARTICIPATION- singing folder checks, pencil
  check, and music journal entries. (based on a
  rubric)
• ?SINIGING QUIZZES- In-class singing quizzes will
  be administered at least every two weeks. These
  quizzes are done is a small group setting (3-6
  students) grading is based on their level of
  improvement.
• ? VOCAL PRACTICE SHEETS- These practice logs are
  done at home during the week. Chorus students
  are to practice the music in their folder for an
  hour and a half per week. Students log the time
  spent practicing on notebook paper and have it
  signed by a parent or guardian and are due Friday
  of each week. They may be turned in on Monday
  for a 70.
• ? PERFORMANCES- There are three required
  performances the Spring and Winter concerts and
  District Performance Assessment.
• ? MUSIC THEORY- This includes work on the Music
  Ace program, tests, worksheets, composition
  projects and music journal.

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2008-2009 CHORUS SUPPLY LIST

• UNIFORMS
• Girls- Long black dress purchased through Chorus
  Department 54
• Boys- Black dress pants and white tux shirt
  rented through the Chorus Department 15
• No student will be denied participation in chorus
  should the cost of a uniform present a financial
  hardship for you. If this is the case, please
  contact Mrs. LaVere. All information will be
  kept confidential.
• PERFORMANCE GROOMING
• Hair- All hair must be away from face
• Jewelry- No jewelry should be worn on girls or
  boys during a chorus performance. Small stud
  earrings will be allowed for those students with
  pierced ears.
• Shoes- No sneakers, slides, sandals, or strappy
  shoes. Only closed toed black dress shoes are
  acceptable.
• As extra items we have necklaces and chorus
  T-Shirts for sale.

• ? PAPER
• ? PENCILS
• ? FOLDER (for notes/worksheets)
• ? STAFF PAPER (optional)
• ? WATER BOTTLE
• 2 BLANK CDS

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EXTRA MUSICAL OPPORTUNITIES

• These performances and events are extra
  opportunities for select chorus members (extra
  expenses are required for some of these
  activities).
• ? All-State (7/8 grade audition)
• ? All-County (6-8 grade audition)
• ? 8th grade chorus trip (any 8th grade chorus
  member with no more than one ISS referral and an
  A/B average in chorus)
• ? Barbershop Workshop (auditioned boys and 8th
  grade girls)
• ? Running for Chorus President (select students
  who have been in chorus for 3 years)
• ? Running for Chorus Vice President (select
  students who have been in chorus for 2 years)

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FUNDRAISING

• Our chorus program has two major fundraisers a
  year. The chorus program at Woodlawn has grown
  quickly over the past seven years and our cost to
  run the program has as well. These fundraisers
  pay for rental uniforms, bus transportation,
  competition fees, extra music, chorus materials
  and much more. The success of our fundraisers
  keep the cost of chorus very low. The fall
  fundraiser is the selling of Classic Cookie dough
  (yum) and our spring fundraisers are Valentine
  Grams (sold in the school) and the annual WBMS
  Talent Show. We only ask parents to help
  chaperone and bring items to use for door prizes
  during the talent show.

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HELPFUL HINTS FOR VOCALISTS

• Always warm up before singing (a vocal warm up is
  like stretching before exercise)
• Drink lots of water. About 64 oz a day to be
  exact.
• Eat 30 minutes before you sing. Eating and
  singing right after can cause many singing
  problems (i.e. water in a gas tank).
• 4) Stay healthy!!! Your body is your
  instrument and it cant be taken into the shop to
  replace. Eat right, exercise, and get plenty of
  rest )

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HELPFUL HINTS FOR PARENTS

• Have a set time and space for your musician to
  practice.
• Encourage your child with positive words and
  actions. This makes a big difference in their
  progress.
• Here are a few web sites to check out with your
  budding musician!!
• www.musictheory.net
• www.menc.org
• www.jwpepper.com
• www.essentialofmusic.com
• www.musictechteacher.net
• www.fva.net

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CHORUS HANDBOOK CONTRACT

• Students are required to submit this sheet to
  Mrs. LaVere by Thursday, August 28th
• By checking each item and signing this form, you
  agree that you
• ____ have read the Chorus Handbook and understand
  the information it contains.
• ____ have examined the calendar of events for
  conflicts.
• ____ understand that an unexcused absence from an
  after-school performance or rehearsal will earn
  zero points.
• Students Name (print please) ___________________
  _________
• Parents Name (sign please)______________________
  ________
• I am available and/or interested in chaperoning
  on one or some of the chorus trips/rehearsals.
• Note all chaperones must fill out a volunteer
  form (these are found in the forms given in
  homeroom).
• YES _____
  NO____

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CONTACT AND FIELD TRIP EMERGENCY INFORMATION

• Students are required to submit this sheet to
  Mrs. LaVere by Thursday, August 28th.
• Group Woodlawn Beach Middle School Chorus
• Teacher Gina LaVere
• Student__________________
• Home Phone_______________
• Cell Phones________________
• Student Address ___________________________
• Parent/Guardian___________________
• Daytime Phone_______________
• Evening Phone _______________
• Other Parent/Guardian____________________
• Daytime Phone ______________
• Evening Phone ______________
• Emergency Phone number for parent/guardian if
  other than above
• _______________________
• Comments regarding special health problems or
  severe allergies of student
• __________________________________________________
  ____________________
• __________________________________________________
  ____________________
• __________________________________________________
  ____________________

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CALENDAR OF EVENTS

• AUGUST
• 28TH students turn in chorus contract and
  emergency contact sheets to Mrs. LaVere
• 28th Chorus Parents Meeting (630pm)
• SEPTEMBER
• 15TH Barbershop Workshop Field Trip (Christian
  Life Center 9am-3pm)
• 30th All-State Musicianship Test (Avalon Middle
  School, Milton 530pm)
• OCTOBER
• 4th All-State Sight singing test
• Navarre Beach Arts Festival (time TBA/Advanced
  Chorus Only)
• 13TH-27th Fall fundraiser (cookie dough)
• 25th Fall Festival-Advanced Chorus only (St.
  Sylvesters Church 1pm)
• 28th Mixed All-State voice test (Ruckle M.S.
  530pm)
• 30th Treble All-State voice test (Avalon M.S.
  430pm)
• NOVEMBER
• 14th Cookie Dough Pick up (chorus room 2-6pm)

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CALENDAR OF EVENTS CONT

• JANUARY
• 7-10th FMEA Convention (All-State in Tampa)
• FEBRUARY
• 9-13 Valentine Grams
• MARCH
• 18-20th District Evaluation (time and place TBA)
• 31st All County Honor Choir Rehearsal
  (430-630pm WBMS)
• APRIL
• 6th All County Honor Choir (430-630pm Avalon
  M.S./Milton)
• 7th Talent Show Auditions (cafeteria 2-5pm)
• 13th All County Honor Chorus rehearsal (430-7pm
  WBMS)
• 14th All County Honor Chorus (First Baptist
  Church, Milton 9am practice/7pm concert)
• 20-22nd Talent Show Rehearsal (2-5pm)
• 23rd Talent Show Parent Performance (arrive
  530pm/perform 630pm)
• 24th Talent Show Student Performance (2-4pm)

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CHORUS UNIFORM/T-SHIRT ORDER FORM

• ALL CHORUS STUDENTS MUST HAVE A PERFORMANCE
  UNIFORM.
• BOYS All boys have a 15 rental fee. Boys are
  only allowed to rent because they often change
  uniform sizes during the same school year.
• GIRLS Girls have the option to rent or buy.
  Returning girls and new girls in the eighth grade
  are given the opportunity first to try on rentals
  for two reasons because they either rented last
  year and/or also it is their first and last
  chance to be in chorus. The 7th grade girls will
  try on rentals second, followed by the 6th grade
  girls. There are only a limited number of
  rentals available. The fee will be 15 for used
  rentals and 25 for new rentals. This price
  change offsets the chorus department costs for
  the dresses.
• T-SHIRTS ARE OPTIONAL FOR EVERYONE EXCEPT FOR THE
  ADVANCED AND INTERMEDIATE GROUPS (these two
  groups do outreach concerts in the community and
  the chorus t-shirt is the uniform used for those
  performances)
• PLEASE FILL OUT THE ORDER FORM BELOW AND ATTACH
  CASH OR CHECK (CHECKS MADE PAYABLE TO WBMS
  CHORUS)
• NAME_____________________________________________
  ____
• GIRLS RENTALS PRICES GIVEN DURING CLASS DRESS
  TRY-ON. PLEASE CHECK IF RENTING _______
• BUY 54 PLEASE CHECK IF BUYING ___________
• BOYS RENTAL IS 15. PLEASE CHECK IF
  RENTING_________
• T-SHIRTS ARE 20. PLEASE CHECK IF BUYING A
  T-SHIRT__________T-SHIRT SIZE_________