8 th Grade Chorus HANDBOOK

1. 8th Grade ChorusHANDBOOK

2. This handbook should give you a detailed understanding of chorus class, including information about and rationale behind:1) Our activities2) Class guidelines, procedures, and expectations3) Concert schedule and expectations4) Full-group rehearsal schedule and expectations5) Grading6) Resource usage (click on a category above to go directly to the section you need, or scroll through this entire presentation to see all of it)

3. Mr. Sanchez’ Goals for Chorus Through my teaching, each student will: • Give excellent concert performances. • Become a better musician and singer. • Learn how to effectively work in a large group. • Enjoy both the process AND the product of hard work. Everything in this handbook is written and implemented with these goals in mind. Back to Table of Contents

4. The Basics… Back to Table of Contents

5. What Will We Do? • SING! • Build Singing Skills • Physical aspects of singing: Posture, Breathing, Face Shape, Expression, etc. • Build Rehearsal Skills • Cooperation, focus, respect, perseverance • Build Music Reading Skills • Pitch, rhythm, melodies, expression markings, following the music, etc. • Build Collaborative Skills • Teamwork, Consensus, Efficiency, Responsibility, etc. • Prepare for Concert Performances Back to Table of Contents

6. What Will We Do? • Build Musicianship Skills, through: • Reading choral octavos (music) • Listening, watching, and evaluating musical performances • Creating original and/or derivative musical products (such as jingles, parodies, arrangements, warm-ups, etc.) • Learning music terminology • Being exposed to a variety of musical styles • Enjoy making music together! Back to Table of Contents

7. Room 201 Guidelines Please be sure to show Respect and Responsibility: • Get to class on time! • Keep the room neat. • Straighten chairs, don’t change how they are set up • Pick up trash • Recycle appropriate items. • No trash in recycling bins! • Hands off: • The blue curtain • My piano • Any other instruments in the room • My computers Back to Table of Contents

8. What should you bring to class each day? • Something to write with. • Something to put papers in. • Small pair of headphones/ear buds • For listening activities using computers and/or phones. We will not use these things frequently, but you should have them when we need them!!! Back to Table of Contents

9. Entry Procedures Follow this procedure every day, unless otherwise directed! 1) Enter class, look for any directions on the screen. 2) Set your books under your chair. 3) Get your folder. 4) Check your folder to see if you have all the music you need. If not, look on the wooden shelf next to the folders. 5) Tape any music that is falling apart. Please tape lengthwise – down the spine of the music. 6) Sit in your chair & put your folder under the chair. 7) Be ready for Mr. Sanchez to start rehearsal. Back to Table of Contents

10. Rest Room/Drink Procedures • Wait for a transition time between activities. • Raise your hand and ASK MR. SANCHEZ to leave. • When he says yes, sign out and take the appropriate rake pass (currently pink for boys, green for girls). • Exit and return from the rear door. • Sign in upon your return. Abuse of this procedure will result in a more rigid rest room plan.

11. Exit Procedures 1) Carefully put your music back in your folder. 2) Put your folder back in the correct slot. 3) Grab your books and go.

12. ChorUS Expectation YOU US It’s not about YOU, it’s about US! Back to Table of Contents

13. Chorus Expectation Chorus is unique because: #1 - It is the only class where you take the final test as a group (twice a year at our concerts!). US Back to Table of Contents

14. Chorus Expectation Chorus is unique because: #2 - NO ONE can ‘ride the bench!’ Everyone is in the starting line up when we sing as a group in front of our audience! US Back to Table of Contents

15. Concerts and After-School Rehearsals… Back to Table of Contents

16. 8th Grade Chorus Performances WINTER Concert • Friday, December 2nd, 9:50 a.m. (for students and staff) • Wednesday, December 14th, 7:00 p.m. (for parents) Relay For Life Opening Assembly • Friday, March 3rd(tentative date), 1:45 p.m. SPRING Concert • Thursday, May 4th, 7:00 p.m. Final Awards Ceremony • Tuesday, June 13th(or later, if snow days!), 8:15 a.m. Back to Table of Contents

17. Absences from Winter or Spring Concert Our concerts are the ‘final tests’ of chorus class, and should be treated with the same respect. You should put our concerts on your family calendar IMMEDIATELY, and avoid scheduling other things at the same time. If there are any possible conflicts with these dates, parents must contact me ASAP!!! The next page lists possible ‘excused’ reasons for missing the concert. Back to Table of Contents

18. Absences from a Concert Excused Absence Examples • Family travel or event (please communicate with Mr. Sanchez ASAP in the fall!) • Sickness or Last minute emergency (bring a parent excuse note or email by the next day you are in school!) • Very few other situations… Unexcused Absence Examples • Too much homework • Going to a concert (such as the Q102 Jingle Ball) • No ride • Sports or other practice • Sports game/meet/match (split time if necessary) • Dr. Appointment (unless it is an emergency!) • Had to go shopping • Forgot to bring me an excuse note. • Forgot we had a concert. • Etc. Back to Table of Contents

19. Absences from a Concert • Excused Absences from the Winter or Spring Concertmay be made up for full credit. There are 3 ways to make up an absence: • 1) record yourself singing the music from the concert • 2) attend another CB music concert • 3) write an essay on a vocal group • Be sure to get the details and requirements of the make-up assignments from Mr. Sanchez. • Excused Absences from during-school performances do not need to be made up. • Unexcused Absences earn a failing grade. The grade will be entered as ‘missing’ (0%) in the gradebook. You may complete a make-up assignment (described above) to earn partial credit (50%). Back to Table of Contents

20. Concert Attire for Winter and Spring Evening Concerts* - Give the chorus a uniform, ‘professional’ look, - Minimize distractions due to clothing, - Help to make the concert performance special. *Please note – concert dress for other performances is a little less ‘uniform’ and is specified on the next slide(s). The concert attire described is expected and required. If you have any concerns about meeting these guidelines, please have your parent contact me. We will be able to work something out! Chorus students wear a particular outfit in order to: Back to Table of Contents

21. 8th Grade Concert Attire(for all performances) Dress Code A: SolidWhite (no stripes or patterns, please) button-down shirt (or other dressy, solid white shirt for ladies) and black dress pants(gentlemen – long tie) (dark socks/dress shoes) Wear this attire for: • Evening Winter Concert in December • Evening Spring Concert in May Dress Code B: You may wear the clothes you wore for Dress Code A OR Any style solid-colored or patterned (no logos) shirt or sweater and dress pants/school-appropriate skirt OR any school-appropriate dress. Ties optional. NO SHORTS. Appropriate shoes to match the outfit. Wear this attire for: • In-School Preview Concert in December • Relay for Life Kick-off Assembly in February Dress Code C: You may wear the clothes you wore for Dress Code A OR Anysolid color button-down shirt (or other dressy shirt for ladies) and dress pants (gentlemen – long tie)OR any school-appropriate dress (solid or patterns ok). (dark socks/dress shoes). NO SHORTS. Wear this attire for: • Final Awards Assembly Performance in June Back to Table of Contents

22. After-School Rehearsals Each chorus class is a part of a larger grade-level chorus. In order to prepare effectively for our concerts, there will be several after-school rehearsals for the full grade-level chorus throughout the year. Rehearsal activities include: Finding out where to sit and stand during the concert. Practicing a professional-looking entrance and exit from the auditorium/stage. Rehearsing Choral Performance Skills. Rehearsing the concert music. Rehearsals are USUALLY held from 2:45-4:00. Dates will be announced in advance. Back to Table of Contents

23. After-School Rehearsals Each chorus class is a part of a larger grade-level chorus. In order to prepare effectively for our concerts, there will be several after-school rehearsals for the full grade-level chorus throughout the year. Rehearsal activities include: Finding out where to sit and stand during the concert. Practicing a professional-looking entrance and exit from the auditorium/stage. Rehearsing Choral Performance Skills. Rehearsing the concert music. Rehearsals are USUALLY held from 2:45-4:00. Pops Concert rehearsals go until 4:30. Dates will be announced in advance. Back to Table of Contents

24. After-School Rehearsals – 8th Grade 3 before Winter Concert (including a recording session for the More 101FM Christmas Choir Competition) 2 or 3 Before Spring Concert 1 before Final Awards Assembly Performance

25. After-School Rehearsals – 8th Grade Winter Concert rehearsals Thursday, November 17th, 2:45-4:00pm* Wednesday, November 30th, 2:45-4:00pm Friday, December 9th, 2:45-4:00pm *recording session for More 101FM Christmas Choir competition, may be changed as of 10/30. Rehearsals for other performances later in the year will be announced in class and on my website

26. After-School Rehearsal - Absences There are always students who have legitimate schedule conflicts with an after-school rehearsal. How to be ‘excused’ for these conflicts will be detailed in the next section of this Handbook. Any student who does not have an excused reason to miss rehearsal will be considered ‘unexcused.’ Back to Table of Contents

27. After-School Rehearsal - Absences • Excused Rehearsal Absences • Marked ‘missing’ (0%) in the gradebook. • Can earn full credit (100%) when made up. • To make up: attend a resource rehearsal for your chorus. • Make-up rehearsal dates announced in class, on the white board calendar in the chorus room, on the Tamanend Choral Calendar on my website, and on the AM and scrolling announcements. • If there is a resource make up before the after-school rehearsal that you know you’ll miss, you should attend it! • If you are unable to attend a resource make-up, make alternative make-up arrangements with Mr. Sanchez. Back to Table of Contents

28. After-School Rehearsal - Absences • Unexcused Rehearsal Absences • Marked ‘missing’ (0%) in the gradebook. • Can earn full credit (100%) when made up. • To make up: attend a resource rehearsal* for your chorus (50%) • AND • Arrange with Mr. Sanchez to observe and complete a report about another after-school rehearsal (2:45-4:00pm) (50%). • If you are unable to attend a resource make-up, make alternative make-up arrangements with Mr. Sanchez. • * Make-up rehearsal dates announced in class, on the white board calendar in the chorus room, on the Tamanend Choral Calendar on my website, and on the AM and scrolling announcements Back to Table of Contents

29. Excused Absences from After-School Rehearsals Q: What if I.... Am absent from school (or sent home early by nurse)? A: If you are absent from school you are excused from rehearsal. You DO NOT need an excuse note. Be sure to make up the rehearsal at resource. Back to Table of Contents

30. Excused Absences from After-School Rehearsals Q: What if I.... Have a Tamanend Sports Practice? A: You will share your time between chorus rehearsal and your sports practice. 1) Inform your coach ahead of time. 2) Get dressed for practice right after school. 3) Come to chorus rehearsal by 2:45. 4) You will be dismissed at 3:30 to go to your practice. 5) You DO NOT need to make up any of the rehearsal. Back to Table of Contents

31. Excused Absences from After-School Rehearsals Q: What if I.... Have a Tamanend Sports Game/Meet/Match? A: You are excused from rehearsal. Be sure Mr. Sanchez knows you are on the team ahead of time, then go kick butt! Be sure to make up the rehearsal at resource (before OR after your game/meet/match). Note – if your game is cancelled/postponed due to inclement weather, you are expected to come to rehearsal instead! Back to Table of Contents

32. Excused Absences from After-School Rehearsals Q: What if I.... Have a doctors appointment / dance lesson / paid tutor session / etc. (any outside of school event)? A: Add rehearsals to your family calendar as soon as I announce the dates. Try to avoid outside conflicts whenever possible! If conflicts are unavoidable, you will be excused with a parent note or email. Be sure to make up the rehearsal at resource. Back to Table of Contents

33. Excused Absences from After-School Rehearsals Q: What if I.... Don’t have a ride home? A: Please check with friends as soon as possible to see if you can carpool! If you are unable to secure a ride, you will be excused with a parent note or email. Be sure to make up the rehearsal at resource. Back to Table of Contents

34. Excused Absences from After-School Rehearsals Q: What if I.... Have a last-minute situation that requires me to go directly home instead of rehearsal. (ex. you get sick at the end of the day) A: You will be excused with a parent note or email THE NEXT DAY YOU ARE IN SCHOOL. Be sure to make up the rehearsal at resource. Back to Table of Contents

35. After-School Rehearsals: Excuse Note Details • When excuse notes are necessary, a parent note or parent email is needed. Communication directly from a student is NOT ACCEPTED. • Excuse notes are due BEFORE rehearsal, except last minute situations, when the note is due the NEXT DAY YOU ARE IN SCHOOL. • Late excuse notes are accepted, but earn you a 25% penalty when you make up the rehearsal. • Excused Absences that are not made up at resource remain ‘missing’ (0%). Back to Table of Contents

36. Grading… Back to Table of Contents

37. Choral Grading Philosophy My grading system is based on 2 principles: • Performing in a music ensemble is a real-world (authentic) experience. Therefore, chorus grades should be based in part on the same criteria that an audience would use (subconsciously perhaps) to evaluate a choral performance. • As a class in school, I am also able to assess students’ level of understanding of various musical, singing, rehearsal, or choral concepts that ultimately lead to the concert performance that an audience experiences. Back to Table of Contents

38. Grading Categories and Weights Back to Table of Contents

39. Grading Categories and Weights Back to Table of Contents

40. CSRS (DAILY) Grading Overview Students earn a single grade, out of 10 points, based on their exhibition of appropriate singing and rehearsal skills on a normal basis in chorus class. This grade may fluctuate throughout marking period, based on my continual observations of students during our regular class rehearsals. The chart on the next page shows a list of Singing and Rehearsal skills that are observed and graded. Back to Grading Categories and Weights Back to Table of Contents

41. Choral Singing and Rehearsal Skills (CSRS) Overview Back to Grading Categories and Weights Back to Table of Contents

42. CSRS (DAILY) Grading Overview The chart on the next page shows the criteria for earning points for your CSRS Daily Grade. Back to Grading Categories and Weights Back to Table of Contents

43. CSRS (Daily) Grades Back to Grading Categories and Weights Back to Table of Contents

44. Grading Categories and Weights Back to Table of Contents

45. CSRS (QUIZ DAY) Grading Overview Students earn a grade, out of 10 points, based on their exhibition of one or more specific singing and/or rehearsal skills on a particular day in chorus class (see CSRS Daily section for details on singing skills and rehearsal skills). There will be QUIZ DAYS approximately every couple weeks. There will usually be at least 3 or 4 each marking period. These particular skills being observed for a QUIZ DAY may or may not be announced specifically at the beginning of class. The chart on the next page shows the criteria for earning points for your CSRS Quiz Day Grade. Back to Grading Categories and Weights Back to Table of Contents

46. CSRS (Quiz Day) Grades Back to Grading Categories and Weights Back to Table of Contents

47. Grading Categories and Weights Back to Table of Contents

48. Concert and Rehearsal Contribution and Etiquette • After-School Rehearsals • Each graded on 10-point scale. • Choral Singing and Rehearsal Skills observed. • See “After-School Rehearsals” section of this presentation for information about rehearsal absences. • The chart on the next page shows the criteria for earning points for your Rehearsal grade. Back to Grading Categories and Weights Back to Table of Contents

49. After School Rehearsal Grades Back to Grading Categories and Weights Back to Table of Contents

50. Concert and Rehearsal Contribution and Etiquette • Concerts • Graded on 10-point scale, weighted twice as much as rehearsals. • Based on your exhibition of Choral Performance Skills, which are described on the next pages. • See “Concerts” section of this presentation for information about performance absences. Back to Grading Categories and Weights Back to Table of Contents