Vocal Music Handbook s1

2017-2018

Vocal Music Handbook

~ 1 ~ Westmoore High School

Anne Dawson, Director of Vocal Music 405.735-4808 [email protected]

Vocal Music Handbook

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Welcome P. 3 Expected Behavior P. 4 Attendance P. 4

~ 2 ~ Vocal Music Fee (due 8/31) P. 5 Concert Dress P. 5 Fundraising Opportunities P. 5 Additional Opportunities P. 6 Choral Calendar P. 7 Course Syllabi Women’s Choir P. 9 Chamber Choir P. 12

Health Form (return by 8/31) P. 15 Transportation Permission Slip (return by 8/31) P. 17 Parent/Student Contract (return by 8/31) P. 19

Here We Go Again!!!!! It is with great pleasure that I welcome you to Westmoore’s Vocal Music program! I am very fortunate to have been the director of the choirs at Westmoore for a number of years, and with your help, I look forward to continuing the tradition of excellence that has been established in the past. Westmoore has a number of vocal music

~ 3 ~ courses, and I’m sure you will find your class fun and fulfilling! The following courses are offered at Westmoore High School:

Women’s Choir – 9-12 women Chamber Choir – auditioned competitive travelling 10-12 choir Music Appreciation – experiencing and learning about music AP Music Theory – 10-12 (prerequisite, teacher approval) Chamber Singers – auditioned small group of Chamber Choir students

We have an exciting year planned, and I look forward to getting to know each and every one of you! My office door is never closed, so if you have questions, feel free to stop by. I welcome you to become part of our Westmoore Vocal Music family! Miss Dawson

Expected Behavior Excellent performance is not an accident. It is the result of the daily pursuit of excellence and consistent improvement. The following behaviors are expected from everyone every day:  Participate enthusiastically in class every day.  Be in your assigned seat with your music folder and pencil before the bell rings. Excellent performance is only achieved if everyone is ready to work when the bell rings. Students who are consistently tardy will be behind in classwork and will cause disruption. If a teacher keeps you late, please bring a pass signed by the teacher. Unexcused tardies will result in a lowering of the daily possible grade (5 points per day)  Spit out your gum before you sit down. If you have a cough drop in your mouth, please

~ 4 ~ let me know before class starts.  No Cell Phones! If I see your cell phone, you can be assured that I will collect it from you and will take it to the principal.  Please write on the music with pencil only! An exception to this will be the All-State music. All students who are auditioning for All-State Choir will be expected to highlight their part in each of the four songs.  Respectful behavior is due to everyone, by everyone. NO EXCEPTIONS. Class disruptions will be dealt with through parent phone calls, detentions and office referrals. A disruption is disrespectful to the class and teacher and will not be tolerated.

Attendance In the Classroom Up to 20 points may be earned daily for achieving the above items and exhibiting a positive rehearsal behavior. These points will be recorded as weekly grades. Excused absences will be awarded the points automatically. Unexcused absences and tardies will result in a student’s inability to earn all of the daily points.

At Performances/Contests Concerts are similar to nine-weeks and semester tests in other classes. Your personal attendance is mandatory. Excused absences (personal illness, family emergency, and death in the family) will need to be made up. Excused absences, when possible, should be cleared with the director two days before the concert. Excused absences may be made up by coming in to get a makeup assignment from Miss Dawson. You will have one day for each day you missed to make up the work. You will not be chased down to complete the work. Completion of make-up work is your responsibility. Unexcused absences (anything other than those excuses listed above) will result in a Zero for that event. Failure to maintain a passing grade that results in an inability to attend an OSSAA or other competition will be considered an unexcused absence and will be graded as such. It is imperative to the success of our program that students keep their academic grades high. In auditioned classes such as Chamber Choir, Women’s Choir and Show Choir, consistent ineligibility may result in a removal from that class.

Vocal Music Fee______There is a mandatory vocal music fee of $35 for Women’s Choir students and $45 for Chamber Choir students, due by August 31st. The fee includes purchase of the choir t-shirt, maintenance of the supplies, applicable workshop fees, purchase of music, and help with the transportation for the year. This fee may not be fundraised. If there is a problem, please have the parent contact Miss Dawson.

All students will be required to purchase a choir uniform (see below). The first fundraiser will be applied to uniform purchase if needed (females only).

~ 5 ~ Choir Uniform______Ladies-Choir 1. Black formal (Serena dress from Stage Accents) $65 (PLUS alterations fee if using the school seamstress) 2. Black dress shoes with a back or back strap. No slides (may be heels or flats) 3. Socks are not to be worn with the dress shoes 4. No bracelets, necklaces or dangle earrings, only stud earrings, please 5. NO perfume, please! 6. Racerback bras and bras that show with the uniform will not be allowed. Student may not be able to perform if undergarments are showing.

Men – You may purchase the items you need at any tuxedo shop. Deadline is Oct. 2 1. Black dress shoes and black dress socks. No tennis shoes. 2. Black tux pants (the pants with a strip down the side). Joggers are NOT appropriate. Neither are black jeans. 3. White wing-tip collar tux shirt 4. Students will be loaned a black tux jacket, cummerbund and bow tie from Westmoore Vocal Music.

Fundraising Opportunities______Each female student will be given the opportunity to fundraise part or all of the choir dress by participating in the first fundraiser (cookie dough) that begins on Monday, Aug. 21. It is possible for each girl to raise the entire $65 for her choir dress. Any amount not fundraised will be the responsibility of the student and will be due by Sept. 29th. All dress payments (either fundraising money or cash only) must be turned in by Sept. 29 in order to give each student time to get her dress hemmed or altered before the fall concert (Oct. 30). Students who have not purchased a uniform will not be allowed to perform on the fall concert. If there is a problem, please feel free to contact me.

Additional Opportunities ______OCDA 2017-2018 Jr. High All-State Choir (Freshmen only) Grade 9 will have the opportunity to audition for the All-OCDA Jr. High Choir on Saturday, October 28 for round one and Tuesday, November 14 for round two. There is an audition fee of $10 and an acceptance fee that is charged by OCDA (this is not included in the Women’s choir fee as it is optional for freshman in that class). Chamber Choir freshmen are required to audition. There is an acceptance fee and hotel fee for students who are accepted into this choir.

OKMEA 2017-2018 High School All-State Choir Grades 10-12 may audition for the All-OMEA Mixed & Women’s on Saturday, October 28 for round one and Saturday November 11 for round two. Chamber Choir students are required to audition. The entry fee is included in the fee for Chamber Choir students. There is an acceptance fee and hotel fee for students who are accepted into this choir.

~ 6 ~ OMEA 2017-2018 High School All-State Jazz Choir Grades 10-12 may audition for the All-OCDA Vocal Jazz Choir on Tuesday, November 14, same day & location as the Jr. High round 2 auditions. There is an audition fee of $10. There is an acceptance fee and hotel fee for students who are accepted into this choir.

National Anthem performance at OU basketball games Westmoore Choirs plan to sing the National Anthem at two OU basketball games (schedule TBA). The bus fees are paid for by the choir fee. Admission to the game might cost extra (usually $10).

National Anthem performance at football, basketball and wrestling events In the past, the choir has provided National Anthem singers for athletic events and assemblies. Auditions will be held in class. Students must be able to sing the National Anthem “straight” (with no added notes) and the student must be able to stay in the same key and sing the correct words. After auditions, I will assign games to those students who have demonstrated a high level of competency in the audition and who will represent Westmoore with a high standard of excellence.

Chamber Singers Chamber Singers is a small (12-16 member) group of Chamber Choir students. This group performs a wide variety of music such as jazz, pop and music from the baroque and renaissance era. Auditions will be held during class and weekly rehearsals will be during lunch or after school (TBD).

All-State Clinic – Highly Suggested for Chamber Choir 10-12 Chamber Choir students will travel to Edmond Memorial on Saturday, Sept. 16 to participate in an All-State Clinic. Bring $3 for pizza lunch. Times to be announced… Transportation will be provided by school bus.

Westmoore Vocal Music Dates --Fall

Aug 21 Monday Great American cookie dough fundraiser begins - highly suggested to pay for the required uniform and the choir trip (Prepaid only) Aug 31 Wednesday Forms from the back of the handbook are due. Choir fee due (cash only). Sept 16 Saturday All State Choir clinic at Edmond Memorial HS 9:00-2:00 ($3 for pizza lunch) Sep 29 Friday all uniform payments are due in order to participate on Oct. 30 (cash preferred) Oct 25 Wednesday Okarche cinnamon roll fundraiser begins (prepaid only-cash) Oct 28 Saturday OkMEA and OCDA All-State Choir 1st round auditions - Lawton (schedule TBA) Oct. 30 Monday Fall Choir Concert-WHS Auditorium-5:45 call, 7:00 PM concert Nov 11 Saturday OkMEA All-State Choir 2nd round auditions - UCO (schedule TBA) Nov 14 Tuesday OCDA All-State Choir 2nd round auditions/OCDA Jazz All-State Choir auditions (schedule TBA)

~ 7 ~ Nov 16 Wednesday Okarche cinnamon rolls arrive at 12:30 - must go home by 4:00 Nov 28 Tuesday Fudge fundraiser begins (prepaid only) Dec 11 Monday Winter Choir Concert - WHS Auditorium - 5:45 PM call, 7:00 PM concert Dec. 14 Thursday Fudge arrives!

Westmoore Vocal Music Dates -- Spring TBA Saturday Chamber Choir sings at OU men’s basketball game Jan 11-13 Thurs-Sat OCDA Jr. High and Jazz All-State Choirs - OKC Cox Convention Center Jan 17-20 Wed-Sat OkMEA Mixed and Women's All-State Choir - Tulsa Performing Arts Center TBA Saturday Women’s Choir sings at OU basketball game Feb 17 Saturday OSSAA District Solo and Ensemble Contest (Mustang High School) Feb/March TBA Annual musical March 28 Wednesday State 6AE Choir Contest (Women’s choir) – Norman North Apr 4 Wednesday State 6A Choir Contest (Chamber Choir) - OCCC (schedule TBA) Apr 14 Saturday Vocal Majority concert in Dallas (Chamber Choir only) – This is also an ACT test day, so please schedule your ACT at some other date. Apr 19 Thursday OSSAA State Solo and Ensemble Contest - OBU (schedule TBA) May 7 Monday Spring Choir Concert - WHS Auditorium - 5:45 PM call, 7:00 PM concert May 26 Saturday Westmoore High School Graduation - Cox Convention Center –

See note on next page

Graduation— Please note that Graduation is once again on Memorial Day weekend. All students in grades 9-11 will be bussed to and from graduation (for security purposes, students will be required to ride the bus both ways). Students are to meet at the northeast entrance at Westmoore High School to board the buses (new gym doors). Our graduation takes place at 2:00 p.m. this year, but the call time for students will be announced later. Participation in the graduation ceremonies is a major activity grade, and failure to sing at Graduation will result in a failing grade for this event, which may result in a lower semester grade. If you have any questions, please call Miss Dawson at 735-4808 ~ 8 ~ Women’s Choir

Anne Dawson, Director [email protected] 405.735.4808 Syllabus 2017-2018

Course Description A choral ensemble designed to encourage beginning students in grades 9-12 to enjoy singing, voice exploration and performing choral music of a variety of styles and

~ 9 ~ periods. Vocal production, music literacy, sight-reading, listening skills, performance skills, music performance assessment skills and competitive performance skills will be stressed. Students are expected to participate all year. There is a fee of $35 (see p.5) Learning Outcomes The purpose of this course is to present an opportunity for (Course Goals) students to participate, learn, and perform in a non- auditioned choir. Selected choral compositions, both secular and sacred, from a wide variety of historical styles and periods as well as diverse cultures will be explored and performed. Freshman/Women’s Choir helps the student achieve the following learner outcomes: 1. Learn correct breathing techniques. 2. Learn correct singing posture. 3. Learn and apply the method of appropriate vocal technique to improve tone production. 4. Learn to apply the process of the changing voice. 5. Learn beginning music literacy skills and apply them to sight reading exercises and choral music. 6. Enjoy singing music of different styles and cultures. 7. Learn to communicate the intellectual (thinking), emotional, and aesthetic (valuing) qualities of music to a diverse society. As a result of successfully completing this course, the student will be able to do the following: 1. Better understand his/her vocal mechanism and how to apply this knowledge while rehearsing and performing. 2. Better understand the difference in solo singing and singing in an ensemble (blend, balance, vowel production). 3. Understand and apply his/her knowledge and skill in the area of vocalization. 4. Better understand and apply his/her newly acquired music literacy skills in the areas of sight reading and ear training in rehearsals and performance. 5. Develop a greater appreciation of a wide diversity of choral repertoire. 6. Demonstrate his/her awareness of good intonation and rhythm through rehearsals, public performance and competition. 7. Develop and demonstrate techniques for singing in world languages. 8. Strive for musical independence within each singer so that the individual rises to his/her own level of

~ 10 ~ musical maturity. 9. Demonstrate good stage deportment and posture. 10. Demonstrate group interaction by working together towards common goals. 11. Work independently and in sectionals to learn individual parts. 12. Follow the musical interpretation of the conductor during rehearsals and performances. 13. Develop musical standards resulting in the encouragement of sensitive musicianship through participation in a large ensemble. 14. Appreciate and respect a composer’s rights to the music that he/she has created. Required Course 1. Pencil 2. Notebook paper Materials 3. Assorted sheet music (furnished by the school) Choir T-Shirt T-shirt will be provided once the student has paid her $35 class fee. Evaluation & Graded Classroom Work 1. Daily rehearsals & bell work grades (200 pts./week) Activities a. Choir folder with pencil in assigned position on risers when bell rings b. Rehearsal participation – stay on task; mark music as instructed; fully participate in physical warm-ups, vocalizations, sectionals & full rehearsals c. Periodic choir folder check for correct marks in music

Performance Grades 1. Attendance and full participation in concerts, contests, and extra scheduled required rehearsals 2. On time to all performances and extra rehearsals 3. In complete proper uniform for each performance 4. Performances serve as examinations. Rehearsal Expectations A. Students should be on the risers with their music folder and pencil when the tardy bell rings. Students not on the risers will be counted tardy. NO CELL PHONES or I-PODS. B. Students should demonstrate proper singing posture while both sitting and standing. C. Singers are expected to remain actively engaged in the rehearsal at all times. There is always room for improvement in individual performance. Hard work is expected. It is not optional. There should be NO talking while the conductor is in front of the class. D. Follow directions…the first time they are given.

~ 11 ~ E. Please DO NOT write on the dry erase board without permission. F. The music library & practice rooms are off limits unless I have asked you to get something from that space. G. Singers are expected to treat the conductor, teacher, accompanist and each other with utmost respect. H. Students are responsible for picking up their choir folder before the rehearsal and returning it to the assigned slot after rehearsal. Please have a piece of paper and pencil in your folder at all times! Scholastic Eligibility Anyone on probation has one week to raise the grade(s) for performances during the following week. You must be present at school the day before a school activity in order to participate in that school activity. If eligibility is a problem during the first semester, the student will be asked to enroll in another class for second semester.

Chamber Choir Anne Dawson, Director [email protected] 405.735.4808 Syllabus 2017-2018

~ 12 ~ EMERGENCY PROCEDURE Choir______

Name:______Address______(street)

Date of Birth:______Cell phone:______(City) (Zip)

Passport Number #: NA Age:______

~ 13 ~ In case of emergency, illness or accident to the above-named child, the activity sponsor(s) are authorized to proceed as indicated.

( ) Father/Guardian’s Name______Phone:______

( ) Mother/Guardian’s Name______Phone:______

( ) Contact Family Physician______Phone:______

Please list below any physical disability and/or drugs to which your child may be sensitive: ______

List two (2) persons other than parents to call in case of emergency (if parent is unavailable): Name:______Phone:______

Name:______Phone:______

Authorization for Medical Care of a Minor

______, the undersigned parent or person having legal (Print name of parent/guardian) guardianship of ______, do hereby authorize the activity sponsor (Print name of student) to consent to an x-ray, examination, anesthetic, medical, surgical or dental diagnosis or treatment and hospital care to be rendered to the above named minor under general or special supervision and upon the advice of a physician, surgeon or dentist. In giving consent, I recognize and understand that in situations where the above named minor required immediate medical or hospital care it may not be possible to contact me. Such situations I will not be able to knowledgeably evaluate and choose among the available alternative treatments or procedures, if any, or to evaluate the risk attendant upon each and the risks attendant to foregoing to all treatment. In such situations, I authorize a physician, surgeon or dentist to exercise his/her professional judgment and assess the risks incident to and choose the right treatment from any available alternatives and to render such care and perform such treatment as he/she in his/her professional judgment determines to be necessary for the health or safety of the above named minor.

______(Signature of parent or person having legal custody or legal guardian) (Date)

______(Street address) (City/State) (Zip)

Minor’s Allergies:______

List all medication(s) minor will have on this trip (Please include over the counter medications):______

~ 14 ~ Date of Minor’s last tetanus shot:______

Minor’s Medical History:______

______

Please attach a copy of your insurance card OR send card on trip with student

Insurance Company:______

Policy Number:______

Westmoore Vocal Music Transportation Permission Slip

Choir ______

I, ______hereby grant my

~ 15 ~ son/daughter, ______permission to ride

school provided transportation to/from all choral activities including, but not

limited to:

 OkMEA All-State Choir auditions first round (Lawton, OK)  OCDA All-State Jr. High Choir auditions first round (Lawton, OK)  OkMEA All-State Choir auditions second round (UCO, Edmond)  OCDA All-State Jr. High Choir auditions second round  OCDA All-State Jazz Choir auditions  OSSAA District Solo and Ensemble Contest (Mustang)  OSSAA State Solo and Ensemble Contest (OBU)  OSSAA State “6A-E” Choir Contest (Norman North High School)  OSSAA State “6A” Choir Contest (OU)  OkMEA All-State Choir Festival (Tulsa)  OCDA All-State Choir Festival (OKC)  OkMEA All-State Choir clinic (Edmond Memorial)  OU Basketball game (Norman)  Recruiting trips to junior highs/elementary schools  Chamber/Women’s Choir out-of-state contest trip (if applicable)  Westmoore Graduation (Cox Convention Center)

Please refer to the attached health form and record allergies/health concerns on that form, as well as emergency contact information.

Parent Signature Date

~ 16 ~ PARENT & STUDENT SIGNATURE PAGE Return by 8/31/16 with choir fee (cash only- correct change)

I have read, understand, and will support the policies in the choral handbook.

Welcome letter Yes No Behavior and Attendance Yes No Vocal Music Fee Yes No

~ 17 ~ Choir Uniform Yes No Fundraising Opportunities Yes No Additional Opportunities Yes No Vocal Music Calendar Yes No Course Syllabus Yes No

______Parent/Guardian Name (print) Parent Signature Date

______Student Name (print) Student Signature Date

If you have any conflicts with the dates listed in the Choral Calendar, write them in now. Any date recorded at this point will be eligible for consideration as an excused absence. ______

______

Parent/Student Contact Information:

Parent #1 Parent #2 Name:______Name______Home Phone:______Home Phone:______Cell Phone:______Cell Phone:______E-mail:______E-mail:______

Student Name:______Cell Phone:______E-mail:______Home Address:______

~ 18 ~