Brentsville District High School

CHORAL HANDBOOK

2017-2018

Kailey Pulos Hoang (Ms. Pulos), Director [email protected]

Course Description

The Brentsville HS Choral Department is committed to cultivating quality in its ensembles, as well as developing life-long participants in music. Ensembles will rehearse, study, and perform music from various historical time periods, cultures, and purposes, both secular and sacred. Sacred music is performed for its historical and artistic merit and not for its theological content. The curriculum includes methods for developing appropriate vocal production, breath management, sight-reading, music theory, performance and rehearsal etiquette, stage presence, and overall musical artistry.

Class Expectations

In all BDHS choral ensembles, the following is expected:

• Be positive and respectful of others and the BDHS facilities. • Please raise your hand to be recognized and wait to be called on to speak. There is to be no talking when the director is speaking, the group is singing, or someone is asking a question. • Sharpened pencils are required at every rehearsal. • Choral ensembles require singing every day. If you cannot sing in any particular rehearsal, you will be required to mark your score accordingly to serve as your participation grade for the day. • No food, including gum, or drink other than water is permitted in the choral room unless specifically discussed with the director, or in the auditorium at any time. • No cell phone use during class or concerts is permitted. • Students may not touch school equipment (pianos, SMART Board, etc.) unless given permission by the director.

Failure to adhere to any of the above expectations will result in one warning, followed by the student’s grade being affected, as well as an administrative referral if deemed necessary by the director.

Concert Attendance

Concerts are an integral part of the chorus curriculum. If a student is unable to attend a concert, his or her parent/guardian must give written notice to the director at least one week prior to the date of the concert in order for the absence to be considered for excusal. Extreme circumstances of illness or family emergency are considered excused absences. Avoidable scheduling conflicts such as work, babysitting, missing a ride, etc. will not be considered excused. An excused absence will not count against a student, but an unexcused absence will be given a zero, as there is no make-up assignment that can replace an ensemble performance.

Any student who misses a performance for an unexcused reason will find their Marking Period grade adjusted according to the grading policy, as explained in the PWCS Regulation 643.04-1: “Members of performing musical organizations are to be present at all public performances except when excused by the music teacher and/or principal. An unexcused absence from such a performance may lower the achievement grade which the student normally would have received not more than one letter grade for the marking period and, in no case, fail the student for the year.”

Grading Policy

40% Participation and Rehearsal Skills:

A B C D F

Student is always Student is usually Student is sometimes Student is rarely participating. Student is never participating. Student has participating. Student has participating. Student has Student has some materials participating. Student all materials needed for most materials needed for some materials needed for needed for class. Student is tardy has no materials needed class. Student is on time class. Student is on time and class. Student is on time and and/or disrespectful of the class for class. Student is and respectful of the class respectful of the class rules respectful of the class rules and rules and procedures. Student tardy and/or rules and procedures. and procedures. Student is procedures. Student has to be needs frequent reminders to disrespectful of the class Student demonstrates rarely reminded to occasionally reminded to participate. Student frequently rules and procedures. outstanding achievement participate. Student displays participate. Student achieves falls below the level of Student infrequently and mastery of the many of the same many of the objectives achievement of which he/she is completes assignments. subject area. Student is characteristics of the “A” developed for the class. capable. Student demonstrates Student demonstrates self-directed in his/her student. Student Student frequently requires little understanding of no effort though he/she attainment. Student demonstrates above-average individual direction. Student instructional objectives. Student has ability. Student evidences understanding scholarship and achievement. achieves sufficient subject may be irregular in attendance receives an “NHI” and and appreciation of the Student does his/her matter mastery. Student and generally fails to make up does nothing to warrant fundamental concepts of assignments thoroughly and finishes most projects or missed work. Student submits its change in the time the subject area. Student accurately and makes creative assignments within the time poor work. Student shows little allowed. Student has shows originality in contributions. allotted. interest in the class and rarely excessive absences. preparation of contributes. Student fails to meet the assignments. minimum requirements of the course.

30% Concert Attendance and Etiquette: Students are to be on time, wearing appropriate concert attire, with music prepared and memorized. Students must follow acceptable performance behavior and remain respectful to chaperones and other adults. Students may not use their phones as an audience member.

20% Projects and Tests: Students must complete written assignments as given by the director within the designated time-frame. Failure to submit assignments on time or at all will affect Projects and Tests grade.

10% Skill Grades: Skills include sight-reading, identification of important musical symbols and language, etcetera.

Concert Attire

In order to give a polished, professional appearance for our performances, each student will be required to purchase and wear the designated uniform for his or her respective ensemble(s). If any student is unable to provide the resources for an outfit, his or her parent(s) can discuss this in confidence with the director.

Varsity Choir Men’s Choir Concert Choir Treble Choir Vocal Ensemble Debutante dress White long- Debutante dress Debutante dress Ladies: $70 sleeved, button- $70 $70 Debutante dress down dress shirt $70 Hair bow and black dress Tiger Singer tee Bracelet $2 pants – to be $15 $10 Pearls provided by $10 Tiger Singer tee student Tiger Singer tee $15 $15 Men: Striped tie Full tuxedo with $10 orange bow tie/cummerbund Tiger Singer tee $120 $15 Tiger Singer tee $15

Jewelry and Footwear: During performances, the only jewelry permitted is that required by the uniform, with the exception of small post earrings and/or rings. Required footwear is black dress shoes (no sneakers) with black socks for men. Ladies need black flat dress shoes without heels and black hose/knee highs. Calendar (attached)

Reminder: Additional performance dates may be scheduled. You will be given at least two weeks notice before a mandatory performance is added to the calendar.

Student Contract/Parent Agreement (attached)

Students, please return this by: ______.

Choral Boosters Information (attached)

Please consider helping out our wonderful Choral Boosters in whatever way(s) that you can. Every little bit of help is appreciated!

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Please contact Ms. Pulos at [email protected] if you have any questions or concerns throughout the year. I am looking forward to a wonderful, musically enriching year together!

BDHS Choral Calendar 2017-2018

September 23 – All-County Chorus Auditions – Brentsville District High School ***Parent and student volunteers needed – more info to come***

October 14 – Senior Honor Choir Auditions – Longwood University 24 – Fall Concert Dress Rehearsal – BDHS - 2:15-4pm 26 - Fall Concert – BDHS – 7pm 27-28 – All-County Chorus Event – Osbourn Park High School

November 7 - All-District Chorus Auditions – Battlefield High School 16-18 – Senior Honors Choir – The Homestead, Hot Springs, VA

December 6 – Handel’s Messiah - Hylton Performing Arts Center – VE only – rehearsal dates to come 16 – Brentsville Courthouse Concert – 5pm – VE and TC only 18 – Winter Concert Dress Rehearsal – BDHS - 2:15-4pm 19 – Winter Concert – BDHS – 7pm

February 9-10 – All-District Chorus Event – Freedom High School 10 – All-Virginia Chorus Auditions (at All-District Chorus event)

March 7 – Pre-Assessment Dress Rehearsal – BDHS - 2:15-4pm 8 – Pre-Assessment Concert – BDHS – 7pm 16-17 – District Choral Assessment – Stonewall Jackson High School 22-25 – Spring Trip to Walt Disney World – Orlando, Florida

April 5-7 – All-Virginia Band, Choir, and Orchestra Combined Event – Richmond, VA 9 -Virginia Opera Field Trip – Hylton Performing Arts Center – 10:30am 20-21 - Musical

May 31 – Spring Show Dress Rehearsal – BDHS - 2:15-5:30pm

June 1 – Spring Show/Cabaret – BDHS – 7pm TBD - Senior Recital and Music Department Banquet – BDHS – 5pm

EVENTS IN BOLD ARE REQUIRED FOR ALL MEMBERS OF BDHS CHOIRS BDHS Choral Department Student Contract

❖ I have read the classroom expectations and agree to follow them at all times. I understand the repercussions if I do not follow the classroom expectations. ______Student initials

❖ I have reviewed the grading procedures and understand how I will be graded. If I have questions about my grade, I will ask my choir director. ______Student initials

❖ I have shared the outfit information with my parents/guardians and will come to concerts on time and dressed appropriately. ______Student initials

❖ I have shared the calendar with my parents and will attend all mandatory rehearsals and concerts. I understand the concert attendance policy and expectations. ______Student initials

❖ I will share the concert schedule with my coaches/activity sponsors/employers. ______Student initials

Parent Agreement

❖ I have reviewed the classroom and grading procedures. I understand how my child will be assessed daily using the participation rubric. If there are questions, I will contact the choir director immediately. ______Parent initials

❖ I understand that attendance at rehearsals and concerts are mandatory, and my child has shared the calendar with me. I have read the concert attendance policy. ______Parent initials

❖ I have reviewed the outfit information. If there are financial concerns, I can discuss arrangements in confidence with the choir director. ______Parent initials

Student Name (print): ______Email Address: ______Parent Contact (print): ______Email Address: ______

Student Ensemble (please circle): Varsity Choir Men’s Choir Concert Choir Treble Choir Vocal Ensemble Student Signature: ______Date: ______Parent Signature: ______Date: ______

We Need You for the ♫ BDHS Choral Boosters Organization ♫

The BDHS Choral Boosters are looking for your help. There are many opportunities to contribute to our organization. Please provide us with your contact information and check below the ways you might like to participate.

I have skills in the following area(s):

o Fundraising o Marketing o Stage Decorating/Gift Wrapping o Poster Making/Art o Baking/Cooking o Organizing community service or service work o Logistics/Driving o I’m happy to do whatever is needed to help our students! o Other ______I can help with:

o Serve as a chaperone or general volunteer to help with choral activities o Choral uniform fitting o Assist with fund-raising events o Other

My availability to help on activities:

o I have a flexible schedule, and can help almost any time o These days work best for me: ______o The best times are:______evening______daytime______weekend

Contact Information: Parent/Guardian Name: Preferred Phone Number: Email: My student is: ______

Comments and suggestions are welcome on the back of this form. Thank you!