WILDCAT CHORUS

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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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ACADEMIC ELIGIBILITY

• Chorus students are expected to be good role
  models both academically
• and socially. Disruptive students are not
  permitted to participate in off
• campus activities. All chorus students must
  maintain a C average or above in every class.
  If a student does not meet this requirement they
  are put on academic probation for one nine weeks
  to pull up their averages to at least a C. If
  this goal is not reached during the probationary
  period, there will be a parent conference
  scheduled to discuss the student continuation in
  the choral program.

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CLASSROOM PROCEDURES

• 1) BE READY FOR CLASS WHEN YOUR 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 from 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 with
  out 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!!

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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

• The following concepts will be used
• in determining grades
• ? Tone
• ? Vocal Control
• ? Intonation, Rhythm, and Pitch Accuracy
• ? Good Diction and Pronunciation
• ? Phrasing
• ? Facial Expression
• ? Stage Presence
• ? Sightreading Progress
• ? Concert Etiquette
• ? Proper Breath Support
• ? Correct Singing Posture
• ? Participation in class, concerts, and rehearsals

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GRADING POLICY CONTINUED

• There are five categories in which the concepts
  are graded in
• ? PARTICIPATION- folder checks, pencil check,
  proper breath and posture support
• ?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).
• ? 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 and composition
  projects.
• PLEASE NOTE ALL TESTS ARE DONE ON ODD NUMBERED
  DAYS TO REDUCE THE AMOUNT OF TESTS DONE ON THE
  SAME DAY

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2005-2006 CHORUS SUPPLY LIST

• UNIFORMS
• Girls- Long black dress purchased through Chorus
  Department 54
• Boys- Black dress pants and white tux shirt
  purchased through the Chorus Department 35
• 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.

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

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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)
• ? Solo and Ensemble (anyone enrolled in chorus)
• ? 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 four 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 fundraiser is the annual
  WBMS Talent Show. We only ask parents to help
  chaperone, work concessions or sign-up to bring
  items to sell for concessions and door prizes for
  the talent show.

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HELPFUL HINTS FOR VOCALISTS

• Always warm up before singing music (a warm up is
  like stretching before exercise)
• Drink lots of water. 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.musicvt.edu

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CHORUS HANDBOOK CONTRACT

• Students are required to submit this sheet to
  Mrs. LaVere by Friday August 12th.
• 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.
• YES _____
  NO____
• Telephone Number_____________________

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CONTACT AND FIELD TRIP EMERGENCY INFORMATION

• Students are required to submit this sheet to
  Mrs. LaVere by Friday August 12th.
• Group Woodlawn Beach Middle School Chorus
• Teacher Gina LaVere
• Student__________________
• Home Phone_____________
• 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
• 12TH students turn in chorus contract and
  emergency contact sheets to Mrs. LaVere
• 25th Chorus Parents Meeting (600pm)
• SEPTEMBER
• 15TH Beginner chorus rehearsal (2-3pm)
• 19th Barbershop workshop (9-3pm)
• 22nd Advanced/Intermediate chorus rehearsal
  (2-3pm)
• 26th All-State Musicianship test (time TBA)
• OCTOBER
• 1st All-State Sightsingging test
• 11TH-21ST Fall fundraiser (cookie dough)
• 20th Beginner chorus rehearsal (2-3pm)
• 24th Treble All-State voice test
• 25th Mixed All-State voice test
• 27th Advanced/Intermediate chorus rehearsal
  (2-3pm)
• NOVEMBER

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CALENDAR OF EVENTS CONT

• JANUARY
• 4-7TH FMEA Convention (All-State in Tampa)
• 12th Beginner rehearsal (2-3pm)
• 19th Advanced/Intermediate rehearsal (2-3pm)
• FEBRUARY
• 9TH Beginner rehearsal (2-3pm)
• 16th Advanced/Intermediate rehearsal (2-4pm)
• MARCH
• 22ND Beginner rehearsal (2-3pm)
• 23rd Advanced/Intermediate (2-4pm)
• 24th District Music Performance Assessment (time
  TBA)
• 30th All-County rehearsal (time TBA)
• APRIL
• 6TH Beginner rehearsal (2-3pm)
• 10th All-County rehearsal (time TBA)
• 13th Advanced/Intermediate rehearsal (2-3pm)