“Music expresses that which cannot be said and on which it is impossible to be silent.”

–Victor Hugo

Choral Handbook2019-2020

Ms. Josephine Beckmann6th, 7th and 8th Grade Choral Director

14723 S. Eastern Ave. Plainfield, IL 60544

815-436-6128 ext. 612669jbeckman@psd202.org

Indian TrailMIDDLE SCHOOL CHOIR

August 15, 2019

Dear Choral Students and Parents:

Welcome! I am delighted you and your student are a part of the choir team. My name is Josephine Beckmann and I teach choir and general music here at Indian Trail Middle School. This is my nineteenth year in Plainfield School District. I’ve been teaching general music for the past six years, but prior to that I was the choral director at Timber Ridge Middle School and the assistant choral director at Plainfield High School – Central Campus. I have a bachelor’s degree in music education from North Central College in Naperville, with an emphasis in choral music. My principal instrument is voice and secondary instrument is piano.

Parents please read through this handbook with your child and keep it as a reference throughout the school year. This document will be conveniently located on our school’s website and easy to access throughout the school year. Please pay special attention to the Choir Calendar. For each student’s first assignment they are responsible for reviewing this handbook with their family and returning the Student/Parent Commitment Form with their signature, as well as the signature of a parent by the designated due date. Also, each student needs to bring a folder, spiral notebook, highlighter, agenda book and a pencil every day.

Parents, I look forward to meeting and working with you this school year. Please stop by and introduce yourself, and feel free to contact me with questions as they arise. Please include your email on the commitment form as I do send letters and reminder emails periodically throughout the year. You are an important part of your child’s success, and I hope to build a strong partnership. Students, as we begin this year, I am excited about the many opportunities we have in store. I look forward to a musical year!

Sincerely,

Ms. Josephine Beckmannjbeckman@psd202.org https://itmschoirblog.wordpress.com/@ChoirItms ~ Twitter

Choir Mission Statement

The choral program focuses on the development of musical skills through performance. The mission of the organization is to provide quality music instruction while attaining the highest level of artistic excellence in choral music. The choirs strive to create lifelong musicians. Through music activities, the choir helps to foster the personal and social growth of its members and promotes their sense of self-esteem, accomplishment, and pride.

Music Education Goals

Based on the National Standards for Music Education, which are written in italics, basic musical standards and objectives have been determined. Students will:

1. Sing alone and with others, a varied repertoire of music. Using correct vocal technique and forms of expression, students will perform a variety of vocal literature.

2. Read and notate music, and Compose and arrange music within specified guidelines. Music literacy will develop as musical theory and sight-reading techniques grow. Students will write compositions, improvise, and expand music theory knowledge.

3. Listen to, analyze, describe music. Students will develop as critical listeners. Listening to musical performances allows students to evaluate themselves and other performers while growing musically.

4. Understand relationships between music, the other arts, and disciplines outside the arts, and Understand music in relation to history and culture. Students will study composers, different musical periods, music of other cultures and how music applies to other art forms.

5. Participate in a wide variety of musical experiences, creating aesthetic experiences.

Choir is a strong group of individuals who work together to accomplish musical goals: choir is a team. During choir students discover the joy of singing and the wonder of music. They find appreciation in the music in their everyday lives, and they experience the beauty and expression of making music with their voice. Music encourages creativity, independent thinking, and expression.

“Music education opens doors that help children pass from school into the world around them – a world of work, culture, intellectual activity, and

human involvement. The future of our nation depends on providing our children with a complete education that includes music.”

Gerald Ford, Former President of the United States

Attendance

Rehearsal and performance attendance is essential to our success. Included in this handbook is a calendar for the 2018-2019 school year. Please refer to this schedule when planning work schedules, vacations, and other commitments.

Performance Attendance: All performances are required. Exceptions will only be made in

case of extreme emergency or illness. Parent’s work, extracurricular activities, or other conflicts are NOT considered excused. Communication is the key; think ahead and make arrangements early.

In case of an emergency – a written note, phone call, or e-mail is required before an alternate assignment will be issued.

In non-emergency cases, a written note from the parent is required ONE WEEK (seven days) before the date of the concert. Not all absences will be considered excused! (Parent’s work, extracurricular activities, or other conflicts are NOT considered excused.) When an absence is granted as excused, an alternate assignment will be given. This assignment must be completed to receive credit for the missed performance.

It is the student’s sole responsibility to complete any make up work. Excused absence assignments will be assigned by your teacher. If an absence meets the excused criteria, students must complete the alternate assignment within three weeks of the missed performance date. Once again, it is the student’s responsibility to deem an absence as excused, receive an excused assignment, and turn in the assignment within the given time frame.

Unexcused absences can be made up, but at a fraction of an excused absence. Students will receive 75% of the total score.

If absent from the school day, the student must complete an alternate assignment to receive credit for the missed performance.

In order to receive full credit for concerts, each student must: 1. Attend scheduled performances2. Arrive to warm-up on time.3. Wear the appropriate uniform.4. Follow the code of conduct.5. Use proper concert etiquette while watching others perform.

Students are encouraged to attend other musical events. Extra credit will be given for extracurricular concerts students attend; they must bring a program or note signed by a parent or guardian.

Classroom PoliciesParticipating in ensembles requires dedication and effort. Success is determined by a student’s participation and attitude. Because choir is a team effort, it is essential each student participates actively. All Plainfield middle schools abide by the guidelines and expectations stated in the Code of Conduct. Students represent their school and district during trips and contests. Public performances are special opportunities and must be handled with the utmost professionalism. Classroom Expectations:

1. Be Respectful: to yourself and others (including the teacher)2. Be Responsible: for your actions and with materials3. Be Involved: be on time and bring a pencil, highlighter and spiral

notebook to class every day

Behavior Expectations:Some positive behaviors that will help the choir include:

1. A positive attitude2. A willingness to work with others3. A listening ear4. Proper body position for singing5. Proper concert etiquette6. A mouth free from gum or food

Consequences for inappropriate behavior are:1. Warning 2. Seat change3. Parent Contact4. Lunch Detention/Conference with Student5. Office Referral

Grading Policies

Every nine weeks students receive a grade in choir, which is based on their musical growth and development. This grade reflects the individual student’s work in class and is not based on competition. Grade Components:

Daily Performance 30%Daily Work and Assignments 20%Quizzes and Tests 20%Rehearsal and Performance Attendance 30%

Grading Scale:100-90% -- A

89-80% -- B 79-70% -- C 69-60% -- D 59- -- F

Daily PerformanceDaily performance accounts for 30% of a student’s overall grade. Each day a student has the opportunity to earn five daily performance points. These points align with the expectations for each choral rehearsal and will be assigned using the following rubric:

5 Points - Participates fully and attentively Displays correct posture at all times while singing

4 Points - Participates in rehearsal with minor attention lapsesDisplays correct posture most of the time while singing

3 Points - Involved in rehearsal but is frequently distractedDisplays correct posture inconsistently

2 Points - Infrequently involved in rehearsal and off task a majority of time

Infrequently displays correct posture1 Points - Involvement in rehearsal is negligible

Posture incorrectly displayed0 Points - No involvement in rehearsal

No correct posture displayed even after warning from director

It is expected that students will come to class prepared, with a pencil and spiral notebook. Failure to come prepared to class will result in lost participation points for the day. If a student misses a day of school they will be excused from that day’s participation points. If a student is ill and is unable to participate, daily performance points will be earned as they follow along in his/her music AND complete an observation form during the rehearsal. A conversation between Ms. Beckmann and the student must occur prior to the start of the class period. It is the student’s responsibility to initiate the discussion with Ms. Beckmann, obtain any extra materials needed. If a student is sick and/or unable to sing for multiple rehearsals a parent letter may be required.

Daily Work and Assessments

Students will have the opportunity to hear a variety of performances and begin developing their critical listening skills. Each choral student will bring a spiral notebook. In this the student will keep notes, do assignments and a keep a listening journal. These notebooks will collected and graded before mid-terms and prior to the end of each quarter. Assessments will also be given throughout the school year. Each quarter students will be given written quizzes/tests over curricular content and material covered in the choral literature. Performance test may also be given to assess the individual student growth and achievement. Please note that the choral program is curricular in nature, and students are expected to become proficient musicians as well as singers.

Choir Supplies, Folders and Music:Supplies for Choir:

Folder Paper/Notebook Pencil Highlighter Agenda Book (For your passes)

Students will be issued music throughout the year. They will be assigned a music folder. All students will be responsible for their own folder, storing it in their locker or taking it home. They will be required to bring it back daily. They will lose a daily participation point if they come unprepared without their folder or pencil. ONLY pencils may be used to write in music. All students should be prepared daily with a pencil.

Music will be collected and graded periodically. Students will be assessed on correct musical markings throughout their musical scores.

Concert AttireAt every school performance, concert, or contest the following attire is required:

6th Grade: Black pants or skirt and white collared shirt; black dress shoes (no t-shirts)

7th Grade: Black pants or skirt and black nice, dressy shirt; black dress shoes (no t-shirts)

8th Grade: Choir Robes, black dress pants or skirt, black shirt; black dress shoes (no t-shirts)

SCOLA Black pants or skirt and black nice, dressy shirt; black dress shoes (no t-shirts)

*Ladies, I am asking that your hair be pulled back and out of your beautiful faces.*

Women – Please choose a low heel black shoe that makes it easy to walk and climb risers.

Students will be given their choir robes to take home and wear to each concert. Please take excellent care of your robe, as you will be held responsible. You will need to dry

clean the robe at the end of the year, after our March concert.

Extra Credit

All students are encouraged to attend other musical events. The Choir students will be informed of many events in the area and surrounding schools. Extra credit will be given for extra-curricular concerts/musicals/plays students attend. This extends outside of the district of course to other elementary/middle/high/college/professional music concerts, or any theatrical productions. To receive the extra credit, they must submit a concert program, or note signed by a parent or guardian. In addition to receive additional points, they must write 5 things they enjoyed.

Various Performance Groups

All students are placed in the choir class based strictly on their grade level (i.e. 8th graders are together). This is the primary performance group for all students.

7th and 8th grade students may audition for our Chamber Choir called SCOLA. We will meet on A-Days during study hall. If you would like to audition for this group and you missed the auditions last spring, see Ms. Beckmann to schedule a time to audition during your lunch period.

This year, there is an additional group that students can audition for called the ILMEA District 9 Ensemble. This would include students from the area to be a part of a large performing ensemble that rehearses on one day and has a concert the same day. This is open eighth grade students. Information was sent out prior to the end of last year with audition material.

Students can also audition for IT Productions, the theater performance group at Indian Trail. Information about the musical will be passed out at a later date, but you can ask Mrs. Boe for information, as she’s the director of the show.

Solos in the ConcertsWe have many students in the choral program and a large amount are interested in solos. Students can audition for solos and will be selected based on the criteria that Ms. Beckmann will give before the auditions. Since solos are limited, the Indian Trail Choral Program strives to give many students the

opportunity. Students will have the opportunity of ONE solo for each semester. Students can always discuss their individual audition with Ms. Beckmann.

Field Trips

Each year, Indian Trail Choir students have the opportunity to attend our annual field trip. In trying to provide experiences that most students normally do not experience, the choirs travel into the Chicago area to see a performance. In recent years, we have seen shows like Elf, Phantom of the Opera, and Wicked. This year we will be attending Mary Poppins in late-December. Information will be coming in a few weeks regarding this trip! This is an additional cost, and is NOT mandatory. Further details to come.

Choir Leaders

Student leadership is an important part of our success. We will be electing Choir Officers this year. These officers are my “Go-To” people, helping me with a great number of things. All motivated students will have the opportunity to assist in the areas where they are gifted.

For those not interested in being an officer, please consider assisting the choir at another level. All students will have the option of completing a job form, where they can volunteer to serve the choir in various areas they might excel and be able to help by sharing your individual talents. Students will be assigned a job, and will be called on to help in that specific area. Some of the jobs include:

Choir Robes (8th only) – numbering, handing out, recording information, and collecting Choral Librarian – handing out and collecting music, organizing the librarySecretary – collecting forms, organizing and finding folders, taking attendanceNew Student Ambassador – helping new choir students feel welcome

Thank you, ahead of time, for your willingness and eagerness to assist!

Communication

My primary and most accessible form of communication is email. At the end of this packet, is the parent sign off sheet, parents please include your preferred email address(es) that I can most easily reach you at. In case of an emergency, we do have all choir members listed on our Connect-Ed phone messaging system, so you may receive a message through that. For the most up-to-date information, please visit and bookmark https://itmschoirblog.wordpress.com/. I have also set up Remind101 accounts, where you can receive text updates if you want when we get closer to concerts. I only send a few around each concert. Standard text message rates apply.

Here is how you sign up-send a text to the number 81010. In the “message” part, to sign up for updates.

6th grade updates type @itms6thch 7th grade updates type @itms7thch

8th grade updates type @itms8thch Scola updates type @scolaitms

Feel free to ask if you have any questions about the Remind101.

I also have a choir Twitter account. This will be an extension of the Remind application. You can follow the ITMS Choir Twitter account ~ @ChoirItms.

Plainfield Middle School Music BoostersSupporting 6th through 8th grade band and choral students in

Plainfield, IL

Welcome to the Plainfield Middle School Band and Choral Family!!! As a parent of a student in

the music program, you are automatically a part of a new Band family. The Plainfield Middle School Band Boosters (PMSMB) is an organization comprised of the Middle School Band and Choral Directors, Students, and Parents who desire to make a difference in the lives of the active students in our Band and Choral program.  Our mission is to enrich and support comprehensive Music Education experiences that inspire and prepare our Students with

P.O. Box 602, Plainfield, IL 60586 pmsmbpresident@gmail.com

excellent skills, knowledge and confidence: a) to develop Musical Competencies; b) to contribute to Community through Music; and c) to engage in lifelong Musical interests.  Like with any family, we succeed when everyone participates. Join us by turning in your $15.00 annual membership fee (cash or checks payable to PMSMB) and this form to your Band Director or by mail to PMSMB. Help us get to know you by completing the information below. Let’s make this school year incredible for our band and choir students!  

CHOIR CALENDAR

ALL DATES/EVENTS IN BOLD ARE REQUIRED!!

Dates and times may change, but students will be given sufficient notice.

Additional performance opportunities may occur throughout the year and they will be announced as the opportunity arises.

Students are encouraged to attend other musical events. Extra credit will be given for concerts students attend; they must bring program or a note signed by a parent/guardian

o With this, if they write up five things they enjoyed about the performance they can earn additional points.

o 2 points will be given for attending the performance toward Classroom Participation

o 5 points will be given for writing five things they enjoyed toward Classroom Participation

ITMS Choral Calendar2019-2020

DATE WHAT? TIME WHERE? WHO?

Friday, August 30th Signed Handbook Letter Due Class Time ITMS Choir Room ALL GRADES

Saturday, September 28th IMEA Auditions* TBD Traughber Middle School, Oswego, IL

7th/8th Grade Volunteers

Tuesday, October 22nd Plainfield Central Green House Choral Festival

6:30 – 8:30 PHS-CC 8th Grade

Wednesday, October 23rd Plainfield Central Recruitment Day

During the School Day

PHS-CC 8th Grade

Thursday, October 24th Plainfield East Recruitment Day

During the School Day

PEHS 8th Grade

Thursday, October 24th Plainfield East Recruitment Concert

6:00 – 8:30 PEHS 8th Grade

Saturday, November 9th ILMEA District Honor Festival All Day Huntley HS, Huntley, IL

ILMEA District Musicians

Thursday, November 21st

ITMS Holiday Concert 5:00 – 8:00 PHS-CC ALL GRADES

December 17th, 2019 Barnes and Noble Night 4:45 – 7:00 Barnes and Noble Joliet (more info to come)

Scola

Thursday, December 19th, 2019

ITMS Field Trip to see Mary Poppins

8:00 – 5:30 Chicago/Drury Lane, Oak Brook

ALL GRADES

Saturday, February 22nd, 2020

Plainfield Middle School Band and Choral Festival

TBD PEHS 8th Grade

Wednesday, March 10th, 2020

ITMS Winter Concert 5:00 – 8:00 PHS-CC ALL GRADES

Thursday, April 30th, 2020

ITMS Pops Concert 5:00 – 8:00 PHS-CC ALL GRADES

Indian Trai l Middle School Choral Department

PARENT/STUDENT HANDBOOK CONFIRMATION FORM

2019-2020

To be signed by parent and student!PLEASE READ, SIGN, AND RETURN THIS PAGE ONLY

This signed and dated form will be kept on file. The intent of this form is to verify that choir parents and students understand and agree with what is involved with membership in the Indian Trail Middle School Choral Program.

"I have read the Indian Trail Middle School Choral Handbook including the grading policy with my child and we understand our responsibilities in developing a successful chorus program and in earning a positive grade in this class."

“I have taken the time to write choir concert dates on our calendar. I understand the different between excused and unexcused absences. If there are any excusable absences I must provide Ms. Beckmann with notification at least 1 (ONE) week in advance.”

“I understand that my child will be expected to perform in uniform and choir robes must be dry cleaned at the end of the school year.”

“I am aware Ms. Beckmann is compiling a video portfolio of videos and pictures throughout the year. My child may be included in this video portfolio. This is for educational purposes only.”

Please print clearly in the form below

__________________________________________ _____________ _____________Student Name (Please Print) Grade and Team

Parent Information:

Name: _________________________________________________________________________________________

Email: _________________________________________________________________________________________

Home Ph: ______________________________________________________________________________________

Cell Ph: ________________________________________________________________________________________

DueAugust 30th!!

This is worth a

100% quiz grade!

X____________________________________ ____________________Parent Signature Date

X____________________________________ ____________________Student Signature Date