2013 - 20142013 - 2014WBMS WBMS Choir on Fire Choir on Fire HandbookHandbook

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WBMS Choir on Fire

Music has the ability to touch our hearts, to calm or excite us, to involve us, to heal us, and inspire. It allows us to relax or participate, to reach out and look with in. Music teaches us

teamwork. It reinforces basic skills. It is both a social and an individual activity. Music has been a part of life for all recorded time. It is a part of our history and culture.

Dear Chorus Parents and Students, Welcome to WBMS Choir on Fire Chorus Program! A successful chorus

program is dependent on positive active participation by both the students and their parents. It is with great enthusiasm that I look forward to working with you this year. This handbook is designed to help you understand the expectations for all chorus students at WBMS. If you have any questions of any kind, feel free to call, write, or e-mail me. I will return most calls at the end of the school day, but please allow me a “return call window” of 24 hours. Rarely does a situation arise for which there is no workable solution. Please don’t hesitate to contact me.

Yours in Harmony,

Gina LaVere

Chorus Director Woodlawn Beach Middle School

lavereg@mail.santarosa.k12.fl.us

934-4010 ext. 202850-420-3745 (cell number)

CLASSROOM PROCEDURES

1) BE READY FOR CLASS WHEN THE BELL RINGS A) Be in your assigned seat with music folder, pencil, and water bottle before your bell rings. B) Fill water bottle before class. If the bottle requires filling, it must be filled at the water fountain

directly outside the chorus room.

2) BE PREPARED FOR CLASS A) Bring chorus folder with pencils, paper, and water bottle every day. B) Utilize the restrooms before or after class for personal grooming.

3) RESPECT OTHERS A) Keep inappropriate comments to yourself. B) DO NOT touch classroom equipment without teacher permission (this includes the PIANOS). C) Students must remain quiet and attentive even when they are not singing. Much rehearsal time

is saved when students observe other sections.

4) STRIVE FOR EXCELLENCE TRY YOUR BEST AND YOU WILL ALWAYS END UP A WINNER!!

Remember………. Shoot for the Stars and Land on the Moon!!!!!!

DISCIPLINE POLICY

The behavioral journal is used for disciplinary behavior. There are four steps in the journal.

1) Warning

2) Consequence with parent signature

3) Parent contact

4) Disciplinary referral

Note: A conference will be scheduled at this point and a contract will be made regarding acceptable behavior in the chorus program.

GRADING POLICY

Grades will be based on knowledge of concepts, demonstration of skills and participation in chorus activities,

including required performances and rehearsals. Because the chorus is a performing organization and a class, it is

essential that every student and parent understand that attendance and participation in required performances

and rehearsals is a part of the grade. Excused absences are determined using the same criteria as a school

absence. Unexcused absences for rehearsals are recorded as a zero. Any absence of a required performance

must be replaced by one of the curriculum based assignments at the back of the handbook.

CONFLICT RESOLUTIONBeing aware that conflicts will occur in the scheduling of practices, rehearsals, games, performances and

field trips the following guidelines will be used:

1) The Spring and Winter Concert and District Music Performance Assessment are the only required performances for the year.

2) A performance or a game takes precedent over a practice or rehearsal (except final rehearsals)

3) The student is responsible for notifying Mrs. LaVere of the conflict no less than 24 hours in advance if possible.

GRADING POLICY CONTINUED

There are five categories in which the concepts are graded in :

CLASSWORK 20%

HOMEWORK 5%

QUIZZES 35%

TESTS 40%(performance based)

♫ PARTICIPATION - singing folder checks, pencil check, participation in daily rehearsals and activities.

♫SINIGING QUIZZES AND CHECKS - In-class singing quizzes will be administered at least every two weeks. These quizzes are done in a small group setting (3-6 students) grading is based on their level of improvement.

♫ REGULAR QUIZZES - These are written quizzes based on music theory in which the students are given notes and instruction in class.

♫ PERFORMANCES - There are three required performances; the Spring and Winter concerts and District Performance Assessment. These are counted as tests.

♫ MUSIC THEORY - This includes work in theory binders, tests, worksheets and composition projects.

2013-2014 CHORUS SUPPLY LIST

♫ PAPER

♫ PENCILS

♫ FOLDER (for notes/worksheets)

♫ STAFF PAPER (optional)

♫ WATER BOTTLE 2 BLANK CDS

UNIFORMS

Girls- Long black dress purchased through Chorus Department $54

Boys- Black dress pants and white tux shirt rented through the Chorus Department $25

No student will be denied participation in chorus should the cost of a uniform present a financial hardship for you. If this is the case, please contact Mrs. LaVere. All information will be kept confidential.

PERFORMANCE GROOMINGHair - All hair must be away from face

Jewelry- No jewelry should be worn on girls or boys during a chorus performance. Small stud earrings will be allowed for those students with pierced ears.

Shoes- No sneakers, slides, sandals, or strappy shoes. Only closed toed black dress shoes are acceptable.

CHORUS T-SHIRTS $20 This is a required part of our uniform for Intermediate and

Advanced chorus. It is optional for all other classes.

EXTRA MUSICAL OPPORTUNITIES

These performances and events are extra opportunities for select chorus members (extra expenses are required for some of these activities).

♫ All-County (6-8 grade audition)

♫ Disney chorus trip (Advanced and Intermediate chorus members only. These students must have no ISS, OSS, bus suspension, or two referrals in one semester. Grades in chorus must be an A/B and no D, F, or course recovery in core classes )

♫ Running for Chorus President (select students who have been in chorus for 3 years)

♫ Running for Chorus Vice President (select students who have been in chorus for 2 years)

♫ Out-reach Concerts: These performances are for the community and any student in Intermediate or Advanced may participate.

♫ Musical: Advanced Chorus only * This does not occur every year.

♫ Madrigal: Advanced members only. Renaissance Dinner as a fundraiser for the fine arts department. Occurs every-other year.

FUNDRAISING

The WBMS Choir on Fire has grown quickly over the past thirteen years and our cost to run the

program has grown as well. Fundraising is essential to help keep our costs low. These fundraisers pay

for rental uniforms, bus transportation, competition fees, extra music, chorus materials and much more.

Your participation and the successsuccess of our fundraisers keep the cost of chorus very low.

We offer two fall fundraisers:

1. Soliciting friends, family and businesses for sponsorships and ads in our WBMS Choir on Fire Program Book (overview letter and form located at back of the handbook)

2. Selling of Classic Cookie dough (yum!)

Our three spring fundraisers are:

1. Valentine Grams (sold in the school)

2. Annual WBMS Talent Show. We only ask parents to help chaperone and bring items to use for door prizes during the talent show.

3. Yankee Candle Fundraiser

Your participation is greatly appreciated!

HELPFUL HINTS FOR VOCALISTS

1) Always warm up before singing (a vocal warm up is like stretching before exercise)

2) Drink lots of water. About 64 oz a day to be exact.

3) Eat 30 minutes before you sing at a performance. Eating and singing right after can cause many singing problems (i.e. water in a gas tank).

4) Stay healthy!!! Your body is your instrument and it can’t be taken into the shop to replace. Eat right, exercise, and get plenty of rest : )

5) No screaming, yelling, or unnatural sounds. These sounds cause damage to your vocal chords.

HELPFUL HINTS FOR PARENTS

1) Have a set time and space for your musician to practice.

2) Encourage your child with positive words and actions. This makes a big difference in their progress.

3) Here are a few web sites to check out with your budding musician!!

www.musictheory.net (this website has lessons and theory trainers which we will be using in class)

www.menc.org (great site for music advocacy) www.jwpepper.com (this is where you can purchase music online for your

budding vocalist)

www.musictechteacher.net (this has tons of music theory games )

www.fva.net (this is the Florida vocal association)

CHORUS HANDBOOK CONTRACT

Students are required to submit this sheet to Mrs. LaVere by Friday, August 30 th.

By checking each item and signing this form, you agree that you:

____ have read the Chorus Handbook and understand the information it contains.

____ have examined the calendar of events for conflicts.

____ understand that an unexcused absence from an after-school performance or rehearsal will earn zero points.

Student’s Name (print please): ____________________________

Parent’s Name (sign please):______________________________

I give permission for my child’s picture to appear in the newspaper: yes___ no____

I give permission for my child’s picture to appear on the school website: yes___ no___

CONTACT AND FIELD TRIP EMERGENCY INFORMATION

Students are required to submit this sheet to Mrs. LaVere by Friday, August 30th.

Group: Woodlawn Beach Middle School ChorusTeacher: Gina LaVere

Student:_______________________________Home Phone:_______________Cell Phones:________________Student Address: _______________________________________________________

Parent e-mail Address:______________________ (we have an e-mail newsletter with chorus news & reminders)

Parent/Guardian:______________________________Daytime Phone:_______________Evening Phone: _______________

Other Parent/Guardian:_______________________________Daytime Phone: ______________Evening Phone: ______________

Emergency Phone number for parent/guardian if other than above:_______________________

Comments regarding special health problems or severe allergies of student:__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

CHORUS UNIFORM / T-SHIRT ORDER FORM

ALL CHORUS STUDENTS MUST HAVE A PERFORMANCE UNIFORM

Rental Days for Boys: September 4th/ 1:30-3:30pmRental Day for Girls: September 6th/ 1:30-3:30pm(please bring this form with you to the rental day)

BOYS: All boys have a $25 rental fee. Boys are only allowed to rent because they often change uniform sizes during the same school year. If you have been chosen to sing with the advanced girls then, a chorus t-shirt must be purchased for performances in the community.

GIRLS: Girls have the option to rent or buy. Returning girls and new girls in the 8th grade are given the opportunity first to try on rentals for two reasons: because they either rented last year and/or also it is their first and last chance to be in chorus.

The 7th grade girls will try on rentals second, followed by the 6th grade girls. There are only a limited number of rentals available. The fee will be $25 for rentals. This price charge offsets the chorus department costs for the dresses and dry cleaning at the end of the year.

T-SHIRTS ARE OPTIONAL FOR EVERYONE EXCEPT FOR THE ADVANCED AND INTERMEDIATE GROUPS: $20 (these two groups do outreach concerts in the community and the chorus t-shirt is the uniform used for those performances)

PLEASE FILL OUT THE ORDER FORM BELOW AND ATTACH CASH OR CHECK (CHECKS MADE PAYABLE TO WBMS CHORUS).

T-shirt and new uniform orders must be turned no later than MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 16th. If more time is needed or there is a financial issue please send a note to Mrs. LaVere on the September 16th deadline.

NAME:_________________________________________________

GIRLS RENTALS: $25. PLEASE CHECK IF RENTING _______

GIRLS BUY: $54. PLEASE CHECK IF BUYING _______

BOYS RENTAL: $25. PLEASE CHECK IF RENTING_________

T-SHIRTS: $20. PLEASE CHECK IF BUYING A T-SHIRT__________T-SHIRT SIZE_________ (adult sizes only S,M,L,XL)

2013-2014 CHORUS CALENDAR

• AUGUST• THURSDAY, AUGUST 22ND (Chorus parent meeting) 6:30pm in cafeteria• Advanced Parent Meeting to follow afterward.• SEPTEMBER• WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 4TH: Uniform Rentals for BOYS 1:20-3:30pm in chorus room• FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 6th: Uniform Rentals for GIRLS 1:20-3:30pm in the chorus room• TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 17TH: Chorus Rehearsal 1:20-3:30pm in the cafeteria• THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 19TH: All County Chorus Auditions 1:20- 6pm at WBMS• (This audition is for girls only. There is a written test and a prepared choral piece)• OCTOBER• FRIDAY, OCTOBER 4TH: Chorus Group Pictures for the Yearbook 1:20-5pm• (Students must bring their uniform and proper shoes to school in the morning)• MONDAY, OCTOBER 7TH-18TH: CHORUS FALL FUNDRAISER “CLASSIC COOKIE DOUGH”• THURSDAY, OCTOBER 24TH: All County Honor Choir Rehearsal 1:20- 5pm Avalon Middle School• (Only for students selected to sing in all county. Bus transportation is provided to and from. Pick up is at WBMS at 5:30pm)• NOVEMBER• MONDAY, NOVEMBER 4TH: All County Honor Choir Rehearsal 1:20- 5pm Avalon Middle School• (Only for students selected to sing in all county. Bus transportation is provided to and from. Pick up is at WBMS at 5:30pm)• TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 5TH: All County Honor Choir Rehearsal and Performance• (Students will be rehearsing all day at Immanuel Baptist Church and at 7pm a performance. Transportation to the event is provided as well as dinner)•  •  • DECEMBER• WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 4TH: Winter Final Rehearsal 2-4:30pm St. Sylvester Parish Center• (Transportation provided to the church. Pick up is at the church)• THURSDAY, DECEMBER 5TH: Winter Concert arrive at 5:30pm/performance at 6:30pm • (St. Sylvester Church.)• TUESDAY, DECEMBER 10TH: MADRIGAL REHEARSAL 1:20-4PM in cafeteria• (This is for advanced chorus and select chorus members participating)• THURSDAY, DECEMBER 12TH: MADRIGAL REHEARSAL 1:20-4PM in cafeteria• (This is for advanced chorus and select chorus members participating)• FRIDAY, DECEMBER 13TH AND 14TH: MADRIGAL DINNER 6:30PM in cafeteria• (This is an event that tickets will be sold in advanced)

• JANUARY• TUESDAY, JANUARY 21ST: WOMEN’S REHEARSAL 1:20-3PM in chorus room• (TB 1 & 5 only)• WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 22ND: MEN’S REHEARSAL 1:20-3PM in chorus room• (TB3 & men only from TB6)• THURSDAY, JANUARY 23RD: TREBLE REHEARSAL 1:20-3PM in chorus room• (TB 2 & TB 4 only)• FEBRUARY• MONDAY, FEBRUARY 10TH-14TH: CHORUS VALENTINE GRAM FUNDRAISER• (we sell valentine grams at lunch to the students and pass out on valentine’s day)• MONDAY, FEBRUARY 10TH-20TH: CHORUS SPRING FUNDRAISER “YANKEE CANDLES”• MONDAY, FEBRUARY 24TH: TREBLE REHEARSAL 1:20-3PM in chorus room• (TB 2 & TB 4 only)• TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 25TH: WOMEN’S REHEARSAL 1:20-3PM in chorus room• (TB 1 & 5 only)• WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 26TH: MEN’S REHEARSAL 1:20-3PM in chorus room• (TB3 & men only from TB6)• THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 27TH OR 28TH: CHORAL DISTRICT MPA time TBA• MARCH• THURSDAY, MARCH 27TH: BENEFIT CONCERT (interfaith ministries) • Arrive at 5:30pm/perform at 6:30pm at St. Sylvester Parish Center• APRIL• MONDAY, APRIL 7TH: CHORUS REHEARSAL 1:20-3PM in cafeteria• FRIDAY, APRIL 25TH: TALENT SHOW AUDTION 1:20-4:30PM in cafeteria• MONDAY, APRIL 28TH-30TH: TALENT SHOW REHEARSALS 1:20-4:30PM in cafeteria• MAY

THURSDAY, MAY 1ST: TALENT SHOW PARENT PERFORMANCE• (Arrive at 5:30pm/perform at 6:30pm in cafeteria)• FRIDAY, MAY 2ND: TALENT SHOW STUDENT PERFORMANCE 1:20-4:30PM in cafeteria• WEDNESDAY, MAY 7TH: SPRING FINAL REHEARSAL 2-4:30pm St. Sylvester Parish Center• (Transportation provided to the church. Pick up is at the church)• THURSDAY, MAY 8TH: CHORUS SPRING CONCERT arrive at 5:30pm/performance at 6:30pm • (St. Sylvester Church.)• FRIDAY, MAY 16TH-18TH: ADVANCED CHORUS TRIP TO DISNEY• CHORUS END OF THE YEAR PARTY: TO BE ANNOUNCED• ADVANCED CHORUS AUDITIONS FOR 2014-2015 SCHOOL YEAR: TO BE ANNOUNCED• TRY OUTS FOR CHORUS DANCE TEAM: TO BE ANNOUNCED