Port Washington High School Vocal Music

Port Washington High School Vocal Music 2005-2006

First of all let me welcome both parents and students to the vocal music program at Port Washington High School. Through the years, a strong and exciting program has developed within this district. It is my hope that we are able to expand upon this tradition and provide a creative outlet for all of your musical interests this year.

To get off to a good start it is important that we all understand how the music department is run, and the rules that make it run smoothly. The grading procedure will be as follows: Quarter 1 Grade = %40 Quarter 2 grade = %40 Semester exam =%20

Lessons Each quarter you will be responsible for attending several individual or group lessons. These will be determined on the amount of time each week available. You will know one week in advance if you will have a lesson. If you are interested in private voice, please feel free to ask me for a suggestion as to who would be available. Lesson time slots will be posted on the door every Friday the week before. Lessons will be held in small groups of like voice parts. At various times of the year lessons may be substituted for extra curricular activities such as music workshops or solo and ensemble.

Daily contributions to the rehearsal: To receive all of these points it is necessary to do more than just be present for class. Within the class period you must:  Arrive for class on time  Bring your music folder and a pencil  Give your best attention and effort to the rehearsal  Be courteous to other students as well as the director

Attendance at required performances: These required performances are listed on the enclosed sheet. Please mark these off on your family calendars to avoid any conflicts as the year moves along. To receive all of the attendance points you must be present and supportive of all choral groups for the entire concert. Exceptions will be granted for personal illness and immediate family emergencies. When exceptions are necessary, the student should give the director a written note within 3 school days after the concert. The student will have 1 week to complete a make up assignment. Without a parental note, you will not be able to make up the concert.

Concert Dress: Each performing group will have choral robes this year. Underneath your robe you are expected to wear the following. Men: black shoes & socks, black dress pants, and a solid white (not off white) collard shirt Women: Black shoes, black dress or black pants with black nylons and a white blouse (if you do not have thee items please purchase them immediately or talk to me)

Tardy to class: Each child will be allowed two tardies to class each quarter. After the second tardy I will call the parents to let them know of the situation. Subsequent offenses will be handled in the following manner. 3rd offense: quarter reduction grade of 1% 4th offense: quarter reduction grade of 2% (and so on after that)

Truant Being excused from class is hard enough, but to skip a class will not be tolerated. Each truant absence will be handled in the following manner. Regardless of offense each student will write me a short letter on why they skipped my class. 1st offense: quarter reduction grade of 1% 2nd offense: quarter reduction grade of 2% (and so on after that)

Grades are then calculated and graded to the following scale A 100% - 93% C 73% - 70% A- 92% - 90% C- 72% - 70% B+ 89% - 87% D+ 69% - 67% B 86% - 83% D 66% - 63% B- 82% - 80% D- 62% - 60% C+ 79% - 77% F 59% - below

Extra-curricular choirs WOMEN’S SHOW CHOIR Women’s Choir is an auditioned choir of 16-25 ladies grades 9-12 incorporate singing and dancing into one exciting performance. This group performs at district and state solo and ensemble as well as several concerts thru ought the year. Practices are every Tuesday from 2:45-4:00 starting in early November. Ladies in this ensemble are expected to be at every rehearsal for the entire time.

MEN’S CHOIR Men’s choir is an un-auditioned group of male singers who meet every Friday morning from 6:45-7:25 to sing in a setting of strictly male voices. This group performs at district and state solo and ensemble as well as several concerts thru ought the year. This ensemble will start Friday November 11th. Members are allowed 1 missed rehearsal without a prior excuse. Any additional missed rehearsals will result in being asked to leave the group.

MADRIGAL DINNER Every year the PWHS Music Department puts on a 16th century feast held at Memories ballroom. Within this feast students play a critical role in serving and entertaining the guests thru ought the evening. If you wish to be part of this event you must be able to make it to the rehearsal on December 1st from 3 – 5:30pm as well as both performances on December 2nd and 3rd. More information will be handed out in early November.

Once again I look forward to meeting all of you and making this an exciting program of which we all can be proud. *** PWHS CHOIRS HAS A WEBPAGE*** Port Washington High School will soon have a working page on the school internet site. On the web page, students are able to find the enclosed calendar, listen to music of songs they will be performing, work on music theory skills, view pictures and much more. Just go to our school site www.pwssd.k12.wi.us and go under High School and then to music. Please Return This Page

On occasion the Port Washington High School Music Department takes pictures, which we would like to put onto our internet sites. Please indicate if you will or will not allow us to put your child’s picture on our internet site. Yes I give the PWHS Choir Department permission to put my child’s picture on their web page

No I do not want my child’s picture on the PWHS Choir Departments web page

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Please sign the below to verifying that you and your child understand the grading procedures and policies of the Port Washington High School Vocal Music Department.

Parents Signature:______Date:______

Students Signature: ______Date: ______