GABLE MIDDLE SCHOOL CHORAL PROGRAM Student Handbook 2013-2014

Choral Director
Elizabeth F. Hoffee, Choral Director

Course Offerings
8th Grade Ladies Chorus- 2nd Period 7th Grade Mens Chorus-3rd Period 6th Grade Ladies Chorus-4th Period 8th Grade Mens Chorus- 6th Period 7th Grade Ladies Chorus-7th Period 6th Grade Mens Chorus-8th Period

Contact Information
Office Phone: 864-576-3500 x5670 Email: HoffeeEF@spart6.org Office Hours: 8:00 AM-9:00 AM 11:30 AM-12:30 PM

Website and Social Media

Our Chorus Website: http://gablemschorus.weebly.com/ Facebook: Gable Middle School Chorus Twitter: @GableMSChorus Instagram: GableMSChorus

The only thing better than singing is more singing. -Ella Fitzgerald

Non- Instructional Procedures

I. Submitting Monies (make checks payable to: Gable Middle School) 1. All monies will be submitted to Mrs. Hoffee in a sealed, labeled envelope (Student provides envelope). For Example: Who? John Johnson What? Disney Trip Payment #1 Payment Amount? $131.25 Date? September 4, 2013 2. Payments should be received during homeroom on or before the payment is due. No money will be accepted after 8:30 AM on any school day. The student must bring it back the following school day during homeroom. 3. Receipts may be picked up the following day. They will be pinned on the cork board located in the designated area of the chorus room. 4. Subsequent trip payments will not be accepted until chorus fees for the current year have been paid.

II. Forms 1. Student retrieves forms from chorus information board, website or Mrs. Hoffee during class time. 2. Student obtains permission and information from parent/guardian. 3. Student submits forms to chorus room in appropriate box and by the given deadline. 4. Parents attending a field trip to chaperone need to complete the appropriate forms before they may attend. This is good for the current school year only and must be completed within the first month of school if they think they may chaperone any chorus field trip. 5. For overnight trips, chaperones will have to complete an additional form and that must be completed the first 2 weeks of school. It takes up to a month for processing and chaperones need to be confirmed quickly so an appropriate number of chaperones are secured.

III. Concert Attire Information Concert Attire: 6th-8th Grade Chorus Members 1.You will complete a form to designate polo shirt and t-shirt size they will need for the current school year. This form is due no later than August 29 along with chorus fee. 2.You are also required to wear black dress pants (no jeans) with your polo shirt for performances. These must be purchased on your own. Chorus Polo and Black dress pants will be the uniform that will be worn at all performances unless otherwise indicated by the teacher. 3. Black, closed-toe dress shoes are required (No sandals or boots). 4. Hair should be pulled back out of your face. 5. No jewelry. Honors Chorus Members 1.Concert Attire Fitting will be done during school hours September 3-6. 2. The uniform is property of School District Six. Concert Attire Contract (Honors Chorus and District Choral Festival Members Only): Concert Attire Contract is signed prior to checking-out attire and after returning attire. Stop cards will be issued if singers do not return attire 2 weeks prior to the last day of school for students. A copy of the contract will be available in the chorus student handbook and on the chorus website.

Required Chorus Financial Commitment

I. Chorus Member (6th-8th Grade Classes) Due: August 29
II.

Includes polo shirt, music rental, music folder $35

Honors Chorus Member (selected by audition only) Additional fee: September 3

Includes t-shirt, concert attire rental, music rental, folder $25

Students will be issued music and concert attire. Any items not returned or damaged will incur a charge for replacement. Stop cards will be issued for unsettled debt.

SPARTANBURG DISTRICT 6 CHORAL CODE OF CONDUCT RESPECT AND RESPONSIBILITY ARE THE KEYS TO SUCCESS!

RESPECT Respect our time together in the classroom 1. No food, drinks or gum in our classroom (water bottles are the only exception). 2. Straighten chairs before leaving classroom. 3. Return appropriate materials. 4. Ask permission by raising your hand before talking or leaving your seat. 5. Be prepared with materials for the day. 6. 100% participation 100% of the time. 7. Be on time to class and in your seat at the appropriate time.

RESPONSIBILITY Be responsible for your growth as a singer 1. Demonstrate good singing posture sitting or standing 2. Be a positive member of the group. 3. Show eye contact with the director/music. 4. Listen. 5. Demonstrate correct mouth position. 6. Be on time to class and to performances. 7. Always have a positive attitude!

Classroom Rules

1. Demonstrate respect for each other and for the chorus room equipment and property. 2. Ask permission before talking or leaving your seat. 3. Be prepared with folder, pencil, planner, notebook and focus on class goals. 4. Participate to the best of your ability in all classroom activities. 5. Be on time to class and be in your seats with materials at the appropriate time.

Classroom Procedures

Entering the Classroom

1. Students should enter quietly 2.Book bags, purses, lunch, etc should be lined up on the perimeter of the classroom. 3. Collect materials needed for the day (sharpen pencil if needed) and sit in assigned seat promptly. 4. Put music in order as directed on board/screen.

Sight reading Procedures

1. Sight reading is done daily. 2.Sight reading will be teacher or student lead. Section leaders or other students will be designate by the teacher. 3. The teacher will put students in small groups or voice sections and students are expected to work on the designated vocal exercise for the time given. 4. There should be only one leader designated by the teacher in each group. 5. Group members should be respectful to the student/teacher leading sight reading that day. 6. Listen. Students should not talk over one another. Raise your hand so the one section leader or teacher can help you.

7. Make sure your group members are the only one that can hear your speaking voice. 8. Give 100% to your group and ask the teacher for help by raising your hand.

Restroom Policy
1. Time is given between classes and at lunch to go the restroom. 2. We do not have restrooms available to students on the music side of the gym. In case of an emergency, students will need to have their planner as a restroom pass and return to their grade-level hallway restroom. In addition to your planner, you must sign out on our classroom sign-out sheet. 3.Any student requiring special restroom privileges should bring a note from your doctor to the school nurse and the nurse will notify your teachers in writing for this special request.

Passes
A student must have a pass if enter chorus class late or exiting early. This pass should be written in your planner for appropriate documentation.

Tardy Policy
Do not be late to class. You lose valuable instructional time. Your peers and teacher are depending on you!

Leaving the Classroom

1.Put all materials back in appropriate place. 2.Straighten your chair. 3.Pick up any trash found on the floor. 4. Collect all your personal belongings 5. Walk out of the classroom quietly.

Choral Program Discipline Policy

1. Consequences for not obeying these rules will follow the schools action plan outlined in the handbook. 2. Parent Notification Form- This form will be filled out by the teacher, signed by the student and teacher and sent home. This form must be signed by the parents/guardians and returned the next day of school. 3. The chorus teacher reserves the right to remove any student whose behavior becomes a detriment to the choral program. Parents will be notified of behavior that is leading to removal to try and prevent this from happening. 4.The chorus teacher reserves the right to keep a student from attending a chorus field trip if his/her behavior has been disruptive or is not completing their work in class. *Performing and traveling with the chorus is a privilege that must be earned. You are an ambassador of Gable Middle School, your family and Mrs. Hoffee.

Gable Middle School Discipline Consequences

1.Warning/Parent Contact 2.Parent Contact 3.Level Drop/Referral

Because of the growing programs at Gable Middle School and Dorman, students must maintain a B+ (90) average to stay in chorus from year to year.

Grade Distribution
Ability is what youre capable of doing. Motivation determines what you do. Attitude determines how well you do it. Raymond Chandler

REHEARSAL 40% -follow classroom procedures -demonstrate correct posture (sitting and standing) -focus 100% of the rehearsal time PERFORMANCE 40% -be punctual -attend all dress rehearsals and performances -demonstrate professionalism on and off stage -formal concert attire required at all performances unless informed otherwise -Winter and Spring Concerts and some in-school performances are required

*Students who miss a concert due to illness or family emergency and who bring a written excuse from a parents/doctor within 5 days will be allowed to make-up the missing grade with an assignment. *Athletes are asked to give schedules of practices and games to Mrs. Hoffee to clear all possible conflicts. ASSIGNMENTS/ QUIZZES -written and performance 10 %

NOTEBOOK/MATERIALS CHECK 10% -stay organized -keep all papers issued in notebook -be prepared by having all materials every day

*Always ask for help. *Always ask questions. *Always go the extra mile

Assessment Samples
Gable Middle School Choral Rehearsal Skills Rubric 100 points = 40% of your grade 1.___ Executes individual score study (during class time) [33 points total]
The student listens without talking, concentrates, and is focused in rehearsals.

Superior (30-33)- Always studies while directors work with other sections Excellent (26-30)- Usually studies while directors work with other sections Good (22-26)- Sometimes studies while directors work with other sections Fair (18-21)- Studies when reminded 2.___ Prepares for rehearsal [33 points total]
The student brings music, performance folder and a pencil to rehearsals. The student disposes of gum, food and beverages (with the exception of a water bottle), the student is seated in assigned seat with materials and ready to sing at the start of rehearsal.

Superior (30-33)- Always

Excellent (26-30)- Usually Good (22-26)- Sometimes Fair (18-21)- Rarely 3.___ Demonstrates proper singing alignment [34 points total]
The student sits or stands appropriately, exhibiting proper vocal technique.

Superior (30-33)- Always Excellent (26-30)- Usually Good (22-26)- Sometimes Fair (18-21)- Rarely

Gable Middle School Chorus Concert Attire Assessment

Date: XXXXX Singers First and Last Name: __________________ ___________________ 20 points Concert Attire is Attire is hemmed to the hemmed to correct length appropriate to rest on the length. top of the shoe. 15 points Attire is hemmed alterations are obvious and not presentable. 10 points Attire is hemmed but it now is too short. 5 points Attire has not been hemmed to the appropriate length. 0 Points Attire has not been hemmed to the appropriate length and is now damaged.

Black Hosiery Correct for Women, hosiery and Black Socks for black socks Men, Closed toe and closed black shoes toe shoes are worn.

One component is missing. (ex. Socks, shoes, or hosiery)

Two components are missing. (socks and shoes, hosiery and shoes)

Three components are missing.

Shoes, hosiery and socks have been forgotten. Concert Attire is incomplete.

Accessories: No No accessories should accessories be worn(earrings, are being necklaces, bracelets, worn rings)

Accessories are present at assessment. Items should be removed before performance Concert attire has some wrinkles, but still presentable. Hair is behind ears, out of face, but does not appear to be brushed or presentable. Concert attire appears dirty and has wrinkles. Concert attire has visible stains, wrinkles. Concert attire is not currently presentable.

Concert Attire looks neat, clean and ironed.

Concert attire is presentabl e, clean and well kept. Hair is behind ears, out of face, combed and looks presentabl e.

Hair is out of your face.

Hair is in face and is keeping the audience from seeing the performers face.

Hair does not appear to be brushed and is in the performers face.

Hair is a distraction from the performance.

Subtotal of Points earned:

______

______

______

______

______

Total Points Earned: ______ **Sections leaders will assist with Concert Attire Assessments at the concert.

Gable Middle School Chorus Concert Assessment Date: XXXX

Singers First and Last Name: __________________ ___________________

*Check appropriate box: _______ I did attend the concert listed above. (If you attended the concert, please check grading categories, tally total points and submit to a choral director.) ________ I did not attend the concert listed above. (If you did not attend the concert, the required make-up assignment should be requested from Mrs. Hoffee.)

Grading Categorie s
Concert Attire

20

15

10

All required components of concert attire were present.

One component was missing. (ex. Black socks) Few improvements needed.

Two componen ts were missing.

Three componen ts were missing.

Four component s were missing.

On Stage Conduct (Talking, Laughing and Playing around) Off Stage Conduct

Almost no improvement needed.

Several improvem ents needed.

Many improvem ents needed.

Numerous improveme nts needed.

Almost no improvement needed.

Few improveme nts needed.

Several improvem ents needed. 6:10 PM

Many improvem ents needed. 6:15 PM

Numerous improveme nts needed.

Call Time (unless late arrival was excused previously by choral director.)

6:00 PM

605 PM

Any time after 6:20 PM

Total Points: _______ _________________________ Singers Signature ___________________ Date

Advanced Studies/Honors Opportunities

I. Honor Choir Opportunities a. SC ACDA Honor Choir- high school students will submit intent to audition in February 3rd. Students will record auditions in March, selected students will participate in SC ACDA in October of the following school year. b. Southern Division/National ACDA Honor Choir- high school students will submit intent to audition September 13th. Students will record auditions in September; selected students will participate in Southern Division/National ACDA in March. c. Gable Middle School Honors Chorus- Rising 7th and 8th grade middle school students are invited to audition in April for the Honors Chorus for the following school year. The list will be posted the last day of school. II. Solo and Ensemble a. Middle school students will submit intent to participate forms in November 6. Students will perform for Solo and Ensemble in February at Dorman High School. b. Students receiving a superior rating will participate in a recital in March. III. Class Voice Lessons with Lawson Academy a. A private voice instructor will provide a 30 minute vocal lessons on a weekly basis during the semester during your chorus class. Twelve sessions are provided per semester. b. Registration and payment is due to Converse College per semester. IV. Choral Achievement Awards a. Chorus students may submit opportunities they were involved in throughout the school year in Chorus by filling out their Choral Achievement Award sheet at the end of the school year. b. Awards will be presented at the chorus banquet in May.