Monarch High School Performing Arts Department

CHOIR
HANDBOOK

Mr. Luke Skerpon

Director of Choirs & Musical Theatre
Performing Arts Department Chair
720.561.4257 (office)
luke.skerpon@bvsd.org

Welcome to the Monarch High School Choir!

I am looking forward to a wonderful year of continuing excellence in the musical performance
groups of Monarch High School. Welcome to all the new students and parents!
Individual Excellence in a Climate of Excellence
This can only be accomplished when all students, parents and teachers are committed to
achieving the same goals. You are expected to behave in a mature and professional manner
toward me, your fellow singers and all guests. This is the expectation for all rehearsals,
performances and outside events. When we perform outside the school we are judged not only
on our musical performance but also by how we behave and how we treat each other.
Expectations for Rehearsals
Put your music in order BEFORE rehearsals begin. Be sure you have every
piece of music in your folder!
Come with an attitude that demands excellence from yourself. Good morale in
the group depends on your good attitude.
ALWAYS HAVE A PENCIL AND A FEW SHEETS OF PAPER IN YOUR FOLDER!
(never use a pen when writing on music)
Follow directions carefully and give proper respect to teachers, administrators,
substitutes, and anyone who is on the podium in front of you.
You will learn:
How to sing alone and with others using good technique and proper style
How to read a musical score
How to work with others to make beautiful music
How to grow as a human being through music making and social interaction
I am greatly looking forward to the upcoming year!
Musically,

Mr. Luke Skerpon

Director Choirs & Musical Theatre
Performing Arts Department Chair
Monarch High School
MONARCH HIGH SCHOOL MUSIC FACULTY
Mr. Luke Skerpon, Director of Choirs/Musical Theatre, Dept. Chair, Theatre Technical Director
Mr. Chuck Stephen, Director of Bands
Mr. Fred Jewell, Director of Orchestra
Ms. Clare Church, Assistant Director of Bands
Mrs. Gwendolyn Lukas-Doctor, Theatre Director

Monarch High School Choir Handbook Table of Contents

1. MHS Choir Ensembles
2. Course Objectives & Standards
3. Behavior Expectations
4. Care of Equipment and Music
5. Daily Rehearsal Procedures & Guidelines
6. Fundraisers
7. Choir Fees
8. Choir Retreat
9. Concert Attire/Uniforms
10. Concert and Dress Rehearsal Attendance
11. Sectional Rehearsals & Section Leaders
12. Choir Council
13. Lettering
14. All State Choir
15. Charms Office Assistant
16. Monarch Music Boosters
17. Practicing
18. Evaluation/Assessment/Grading
19. Grading Point System
20.Performing Arts Department Calendar
21. National Standards and Colorado Standards for Music Education
22.Musical Production
23. Local Music Stores
24. Important Dates

1. Monarch HS Choir Ensembles (2016-17)

Concert Choir

SATB Ensemble, no audition (5th period)

Chamber Choir

SSAA Ensemble, audition required (6th period)

Madrigals

SATB Ensemble, audition required (7th period)

Chaos

TTBB Ensemble, extracurricular for credit (after school)

This is a mixed ensemble choir for all singers who want a good variety of music (pop, show,
folk, classical, etc.). All incoming freshmen to MHS join this choir for their first year, unless
approved otherwise by the director.

This auditioned all womens choir performs upper-level music from all periods, styles and
genres.

This auditioned mixed choir performs advanced music from all periods, styles and genres.
This is Monarchs top choral group and frequently performs throughout the school year.

This mens group is open to all men who want to sing a variety of popular and fun favorites!
(For 2016-17, Chaos will run from September to December AND Late-March to May)

A Cappella Group SATB Group, extracurricular tentative w/2016-17, audition required

This is an auditioned mixed group that performs popular/show music in a pop/contemporary a

cappella style format.
2. Course Objectives & Standards
Students will be able to:
Perform excellent high school level choral repertoire to include a variety of styles and
time periods
Demonstrate knowledge of composers, historical backgrounds, text, and other relevant
information of the performance repertoire
Sight sing basic to intermediate melodies and rhythms
Demonstrate knowledge of vocal anatomy and healthy singing habits and techniques
Sing using healthy singing habits and techniques
Evaluate their own performances as well as performances of other musical ensembles
Reflect on and respond to prompts relating to a variety of topics
Standards:
1. Students will sing alone and/or with others a varied repertoire of music.
2. Students will perform on pitched and non-pitched classroom instruments, alone and/or
with others, a varied repertoire of music.
3. Students will create, improvise, and/or compose music.
4. Students will read and notate music.
5. Students will listen to, analyze and describe music.
6. Students will evaluate music and music performances.
7. Students will understand relations among music, the other arts, and disciplines outside
the arts.

8. Students will understand music in relation to history and culture.

3. Behavior Expectations
Appropriate, cooperative, and respectful behavior (to your peers, to your director, to special
guests, and to yourself) is expected at all times. You will present yourself in a mature and
professional manner when dealing with directors, guests and colleagues. Working in a
team-like atmosphere toward excellence in music making is our common goal.
The Board of Education for the Boulder Valley Schools Nondiscrimination policy reads:
There shall be no discrimination against anyone in the school system
on the basis of race, age, marital status, creed, color, gender,
sexual orientation, disability, national origin, or religion.
That being said, behavior that is inconsistent with this policy in or outside of the classroom will
not be tolerated. All students will respect and support their fellow classmates at all times by
assisting in providing a nurturing and safe environment, and by giving them proper
consideration and support.
4. Care of Equipment and Music
Music will be provided to all students in folders with an assigned folder number. Music will be
numbered and distributed at the beginning of each concert set and will be returned after the
concert. Some music will remain in the folders for longer periods of time, depending on when it
will be performed. Each student will maintain and utilize their own folder. For your own
protection, never leave anything not related to choir in your folder. Fines may be assessed for:

torn music (cost of replacement);

any marking not made with pencil (cost of replacement);
folded, rolled or stained music (cost of replacement);
missing, lost or stolen music (a non-negotiable fine of $25 will automatically be
charged if a folder is lost and music not turned in; or the cost of replacement of
music if folder is returned empty).

5. Daily Rehearsal Procedures & Guidelines

The following rehearsal procedures and guidelines are expected of all students in the program:
Be on time. Rehearsal will generally start two minutes after the class start time. During this
time, you should be getting your music folder and finding your assigned seat. Bags, etc.
should be left along the SIDE of the room and not at your seat in the choir formation. Physical
warm-ups -- led by choir council members -- will begin almost every rehearsal, followed by
vocal warm-ups. Students arriving without an excuse during/after warm-ups will be counted
tardy.

Cell phones should NOT be out during rehearsal unless specifically requested and permission
given by the director. Repeated offenses will result in the phone being confiscated and given
to the office.
No food or gum is allowed in rehearsals. Water or other healthy beverage is
allowed only if it is in a closed container and remains on the floor. .
Music must be carefully returned to the folders and your folder placed in your
slot at the end of each day. Music and folders left out after class will result in
point deductions for that day. Folders without pencils in them will result in
point deductions.
Adequate time will be given at the end of the rehearsal to pack up. The exact end time of each
rehearsal is at the discretion of the director.
Come to class ready to make music and have fun!
6. Fundraisers
Fundraising is a very important part of the Performing Arts Department. Because of the
minimal amount of district funds given to the run the program, fundraising is important for the
operation of our groups. Sometimes fundraisers will be dedicated towards the general
ensemble account, and other times (especially for trips), funds will go directly towards a
specific student account to be used to offset trip costs. When fundraising events (i.e. Pancake
Breakfast, Garage Sales, etc.) occur - choir members are expected to participate to help the
program.
Another way that you can make money for the Performing Arts Department is to have your
family participate in the Scrip Program. This is an opportunity to make payments for groceries
and other services, dollar for dollar, and get a card worth that money to use at the stores. They
will turn around to give us a donation of 5% to 20% of the value of the amount your family paid.
Specific information about this program will be sent out soon!
7. Choir Fees
Every sport, practically every art class, every other music class, and many other activities have
to charge a fee in order to pay their bills. The same is true for choir. In addition to having to buy
more uniforms (which runs thousands of dollars every year), we have to pay for music scores
and rentals, uniform cleaning and maintenance, instruments for certain music styles, paying for
busses and entry and admission fees for festivals we attend, paying for supplies for the
department to do their work. The amount of money that comes from the district is minimal, and
we have to pay our bills.
The BVSD Approved Fee total for choir for 2016-17 is $40.

Please have choir fees paid by check (payable to Monarch High School) or via Revtrak (online
system) by no later than Friday, September 2, 2016.

8. Choir Retreat
Choir Retreat this year will be scheduled in the SECOND SEMESTER of the year and will be a
Friday-Saturday lock in at the school with vocal competitions, group work on concert music,
and FUN icebreakers and games! More details to come during theyear
9. Concert Attire/Uniforms
All singers are provided uniforms by the school to be worn through the school year. For any
performance, students are expected to wear all components of the official uniform. Only when
indicated by the Director, for a special performance, you may be told to wear alternate attire.
This will be communicated far in advance of the performance and those
guidelines will be expected of all students. If you are not properly attired
for a performance, you will NOT perform and you will receive an
unexcused absence for the concert, which will have a negative effect on
your grade.
Each student is responsible for their own uniform. Lost uniforms will be
charged the full replacement cost (up to $120 for some choirs). Damaged uniforms will be
charged at the discretion of the Director and Choir Booster Representative. Students must
return ALL components of the uniform after the final performance before final grades will be
released.
**NEW THIS YEAR** Uniforms will NOT leave the building, unless permission is granted by the
Director for a specific performance or other reason. Students will get dressed in their uniform
at the school prior to a concert and will be required to change out of their uniform prior to
leaving following the concert. All uniforms will be stored in the Uniform Room following the
guidelines and directions given by the Director and Choir Booster Representative. Instead of
getting the uniform dry cleaned at the end of the year, each students fees will be used
towards uniform cleaning.
For women, dress length should be one inch off the floor. Hemming should look professional
and will be handled by the Music Booster Representative. Shoes MUST be classy black
closed-toe, or wear black hose. Heels are acceptable, so long as your dress length is one inch
and the heal is NO larger than 1. Its best to use the same shoes for every concert. Sandals or
sneakers of any type are forbidden.
For men, all uniform pieces must be worn for every concert. You must wear black socks and
black dress shoes. Sneakers of any type are forbidden.
10. Concert and Dress Rehearsal Attendance

Concert and dress rehearsal (outside the school day) attendance/participation are
MANDATORY for ALL students. It is essential that all students attend concerts in order for us to
provide a successful and balanced educational program. The only excusable reasons for
missing a concert are (1) death in the family, (2) extreme illness, or (3) pre-planned family travel.
There may be other exceptions for missing a dress rehearsal.
Please note: lack of transportation to a concert, work schedule, or homework are never
acceptable reasons to miss concerts or rehearsals. Think of each concert as a final exam in the
performance ensemble. In the unlikely event that a student must miss a concert (for reasons
other than those stated above), your parent(s) must notify the director in writing no less than
two weeks prior to the event. Any absence in this category will result in significant make-up
work by the student at the directors discretion.
Any unexcused absence from a concert will result in the loss of concert
participation points.
Report times, call times, and expectations will be given to students prior to each concert.
11. Sectional Rehearsals & Section Leaders
Sectional Rehearsals will be a part of our weekly rehearsal strategies. This dedicated time will
allow for student leadership to help with the overall program, and will allow the director to work
specifically with a certain section on a rotating basis. The utmost behavior and attention must
be given during these times by ALL members. Discipline will be issued for students who do
not take the sectional rehearsals seriously and the students will lose all participation points for
that rehearsal period.
Section Leaders will be chosen for each major section within each choir ensemble. All section
leaders will be appointed by the director following the beginning of the year choir hearings and
voice part placements. Larger sections (or subsections - i.e. Soprano 1, Soprano 2) might have
Assistant Section Leaders appointed for larger groups, or for when music rehearing requires
parts to be split further.
The duties of the section leader are:

To lead sectional rehearsals (some piano skills are required);

To report to the director any special needs of the section on an ongoing basis;
To provide moral support and encouragement to the section;
Other tasks, as assigned by the director

12. Choir Council

The Choir Council is the student leadership of the Monarch Choir Program.

The Council's function is to act in a collaborative capacity with the director to ensure the
successful satisfaction of both student needs and our educational goals. The Council will have
input on such things as travel plans, class rules, concert planning and publicity, uniform
changes, social events, and other topics at the discretion of the director. This group will meet
as needed.
The Council Membership will be determined by a vote of the members of each ensemble
during the first week of school.
Representatives on the Choir Council will consist of the following:
Madrigals - 4 representatives
Chamber Choir - 4 representatives
Concert Choir - 3 representatives
Chaos - 3 representatives
At Large - 3 representatives (these positions will be appointed and voted on by other
elected Choir Council, with approval of the director and can come from any choir)
Should other ensembles be added during the year, they will be entitled to two (2)
representatives in the first year of the ensemble and will be added to the Council at the
creation of the ensemble.
Once the Council is elected, they will vote for officers at the first council meeting.
13. Lettering
At the end of the year, you will have the opportunity to qualify for a varsity letter for choir. This
is not something that should be expected, but rather earned. Students are required to go
above and beyond the normal day-to-day choir requirements in order to letter.
You will receive a detailed lettering form to keep for your information as the year progresses.
The lettering point system is approved by Choir Council and will be made available to
everyone for reference.
14. All State Choir
This is an opportunity for juniors and seniors to audition for a three day festival and concert (a
great experience) with the best singers in Colorado.
The festival dates are February 2-4, 2017. Three thousand students audition each year, and
only about 500 make it into one of the three choirs, so the level is very high. The deadline for
forms and a $20 fee (check only written out to CMEA or pay online - details provided) is
September 5, 2016. We will be selecting audition songs and practicing skills together to
prepare for the auditions, which are scheduled for October 21 and 22, 2016 at Fort Collins High
School. Please work with me AND your private voice teacher to prepare your song.

15. Charms Office Assistant

The Monarch Performing Arts Department will be utilizing Charms Office Assistant -- an online
music department management system -- to manage student and inventory data. This system
allows for department management of student contact information, uniform assignments,
library and inventory management, downloadable files access and much more and will be
utilized throughout the school year.
Charms Office Assistant also is a messaging service that will allow emails and messages to be
sent to those with contact information in the system and directors will utilize this service for
announcements, class updates, booster meeting accounts, communication with full
department, concert reminders, etc.
All students are expected to keep current contact information updated at all times within
the Charms Program. Parent/Guardian contact information should be added into the
system as well using the ADD ADULT feature under the contact information page. C
harms
will be the main source of communication with parents. Directors will NOT enter in contact
information; therefore, whatever contact information you enter into the system is where
information will be sent to.
The School Code to access the Charms System is: MonarchHSMusic
The first time you login, you will use your 6 digit BVSD ID # to access your account and will be
required to create a password with the system that will be your login moving forward. Students
AND Parents/Guardians will use the SAME PASSWORD to access the student account. If a
family has multiple students, there will be a password associated with each student account.
If at any time you cannot access the system, or forget your password - please contact your
director.
16. Monarch Music Boosters
The Monarch Music Boosters are the foundational support for the entire MHS Performing Arts
Department program. The boosters is a group of parent volunteers who donate their time to
make music a top activity at department at MHS. They fundraise for programs and
activities/resources in an effort to supplement limited district funding and provide volunteer
services for our students and programs.
The MHS Music Boosters meet the s econd Wednesday of each month at 7pm in the choir
room. Any parent is welcome, so talk to your parents and have them come. Its worth their
effort, and our program will be a lot stronger for it.
The Choir Booster Representative this year is: Mrs. Kari Riley (Logans mom).
17. Practicing

It is expected that you practice your music outside of class. Without this, we will only
succeed in limited terms.
Thousands of repetitions without really thinking about what youre doing isnt going to help you
or anyone else. Memorization is all about understanding the large picture, then starting small
and growing to larger sections. Go back to the beginning and add another phrase onto what
youve already learned.
English: It is better to read the entire text to understand its larger meaning, then read each line
within the context of the larger meaning. What does each line of text do for the poem or piece?
Be sure to understand the meaning of each word. Work in phrases then sentences, then put
the sentences together with the rhythm.
Other languages: Once you have the general meaning of the text, sound out each syllable.
Then take a few words and put them together. Memorize the sound of the
words, then put the meaning into those words and find the correct
emphasis. Then put the sound of the words together with the rhythm.
When you practice the pitches, use solfege to figure out intervals, then put
the text back to the melody. Never let your voice use bad habits: fix those
vowels, fill out that tone, enunciate the consonants, keep the emotional involvement, move
your body!
18. Evaluation/Assessment/Grading
Choir is a co-curricular class, so students are evaluated by participation during the school day
and outside of class time. Choir is a performance-based classes and grades are directly related
to participation in rehearsals, performances, and competitions. Students can make up missed
activities only if they have an excused absence. Excused absences must be cleared with Mr.
Skerpon IN ADVANCE. If you wait until the last minute to get it cleared, it may be counted as an
unexcused absence. It is the students responsibility to contact Mr. Skerpon if they have to
make up work. The work needs to be made up no later than 4 days after the absence. If work is
not completed, the grade will be entered as a zero. Students who miss a concert will make up
the concert by performing their music for the director or a group of people. The Prep and
Production grade for that concert will be zero. The Formative and/or Summative grade for that
missed concert will be dropped by one full letter grade.
The Grading Point System is devised to emphasize the following criteria:

daily participation
attendance
behavior/attitude/involvement/intent
skill development
rehearsal and concert attendance (mandatory)
outside activities

Your final grade will be made up of the following percentages/categories:

Prep/Production: 25%
Weekly Participation (10 points per week)
Attendance at Required Events
Miscellaneous Assignments
Formative: 25%
Singing Tests
Quizzes
Group Singing Tests
Summative: 50%
Concert Performance
Major Assignments
Final Exam
PARTICIPATION POINT DEDUCTIONS will occur for the following items:
Tardiness
Unexcused absence
From class
From a dress rehearsal
From a concert
Lack of participation or intent (daily)
19. Grading Point System
SCALE

A
B
C
D
F

90% or above
80-89%
70-79%
60-69%
59% or less

20. Performing Arts Department Calendar

Please enter all necessary dates in your calendar. Ignorance of these obligations will not be
accepted as an excuse nor as a way out of these committed dates. If there is a conflict, please
bring it to my attention soon!!! Work is never an excuse for missing a school event. There
additions and changes to this list. Items u
nderlined indicate mandatory attendance and
participation.
Calendar is available at: www.monarchmusicboosters.org
Click Calendar
Click Calendar for 2016-17 Events
Each ensemble has four (4) concerts during the year in the following months: October,
December, February and April. The full Music Department POPS Performances will take place

in May. Additional performances (small ensemble concert, outside of school performances,

tours, etc.) are all listed on the calendar. All performances are required, unless indicated
otherwise by the Director.
The Monarch Musical Production will take place in March 2017. More information is later in this
handbook.

21. Standards (Expectations) for Music Education

National Standards
1. Singing, alone and with others, a varied repertoire of music
2. Performing on instruments, alone and with others, a varied repertoire of music
3. Improvising melodies, variations and accompaniments
4. Composing and arranging music within specified guidelines
5. Reading and notating music
6. Listening to, analyzing and describing music
7. Evaluating music and music performances
8. Understanding relationships between music, other arts, and disciplines outside the arts
9. Understanding music in relation to history and culture
Colorado Model Content Standards
1. Students sing or play on instruments a varied repertoire of music, alone or with others
2. Students will read and notate music
3. Students will create music
4. Students will listen to, analyze, evaluate, and describe music
5. Students will explore various cultures through the study of music and music history
All instruction will be based on the adopted BVSD Content Standards of Vocal Music.
22. Musical Production
The Monarch Performing Arts Department annually produces a large scale musical production.
Choir students are encouraged, but not required, to participate in the musical production!
There are roles for EVERY student (large roles or ensemble roles, and tech positions)
depending on your commitment level/interest and availability.
The 2016-17 musical production will be: ANNIE. Auditions take place in November! Materials
will be posted on October 28. See Mr. Skerpon with any questions!
23. Local Music Stores

You may purchase sheet music for songs (classical, pop, Broadway) at any of the following
locations. Good singers always have at least a few books of music to draw from for auditions or
other events.
Wildwood Music
804 Main St., Louisville
Lafayette Music
1280 Centaur Village Dr., Lafayette
Flesher Hinton Music Co.
3936 Tennyson Ave., Denver
Wildwood Music
1537 Pearl St., Boulder

(303) 665-7733
(303) 661-9335
(303) 433-8891
(303) 449-0516

24. Important Dates

Here are the important dates (as of 8/18/16). PUT THESE ON YOUR CALENDAR! Changes will
be announced as soon as possible. BOLD dates are MANDATORY FOR ALL! NO
EXCEPTIONS!
September 17

Choir Pancake Breakfast

Time/Details TBA

October 7
October 10
October 14
October 21/22
October 28

Choir Concert Dress Rehearsal

Choir Concert
BVSD Sing In (Concert Choir)
All State Choir Auditions
Musical Audition Info Posted

3:30PM - 4:30PM
7PM; MHS Auditorium
9am-1pm (at Monarch HS)
Fort Collins HS

November 1
November 2
November 14
November 15
November 16

Musical Audition Workshop

CU Madrigals Festival (Mads Only)
Musical Auditions
Musical Auditions
Musical Call Back Auditions

3:30PM - 5PM; MHS Auditorium

8AM - 4PM
3:30PM - 6:00PM
3:30PM - 6:00PM
3:30PM - ?

December 7
December 8

Choir Concert Dress Rehearsal

Choir Concert

3:30PM - 4:30PM
7PM; MHS Auditorium

January 10
January 19

Musical Theatre Dessert Cabaret

7PM; MHS Cafeteria
Middle Level Cluster Choir Festival All Day; MHS Auditorium

February 1
February 2-4
February 13
February 14

ANNIE Tickets Go On Sale (w

ww.monarchmusicboosters.org)
All State Choir
Denver
Choir Concert Dress Rehearsal
3:30PM - 4:30PM
Choir Concert
7PM; MHS Auditorium

March 16-18
March 23-28

Musical Production - ANNIE

Music Department Disney Trip

7PM each night & 2PM Saturday

April 1
April 10
April 12
April 13
April 24

POPS Concert Tickets Go On Sale (www.monarchmusicboosters.org)

Small Ensemble Concert Auditions 3:30PM - 5:30PM
Choir Concert Dress Rehearsal
3:30PM - 4:30PM
Choir Concert
7PM; MHS Auditorium
Small Ensemble Concert
7PM; MHS Auditorium

May 1-5
May 8
Auditorium
May 9
May 10-11

POPS Rehearsals (as needed)

POPS Tech Rehearsal

Scheduled as needed by group

3:30PM
?;
MHS

POPS Dress Rehearsal

POPS Performance

3:30PM - ?; MHS Auditorium

7PM Each Night; MHS Auditorium