COMMANDO CHORUSHANDBOOK

Director:CHRISTOPHER I. CARRICK

School 615.824.3456chris.carrick@sumnerschools.org

http://hms.sumnerschools.org

2014-2015

CONTENTS

WELCOME LETTER 3

GOALS 4

OUR NATIONAL STANDARDS 5OF MUSIC EDUCATION

CHORAL PROGRAMS 5

FEES 6

SUPPLIES LIST 6

FUND RAISING 7

EXPECTATIONS AND PROCEDURES 7

GRADING POLICY 7

ATTENDANCE 8

DRESS CODE 9

CONCERT ETIQUETTE 10

STUDENT LEADERS 11

BEHAVIOR 12

VOLUNTEER FORM 13

CONTRACT 14

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WELCOME

Hello singers and parents! My name is Mr. (Chris) Carrick and I’m looking forward to another great year as the choir director at Hawkins Middle School. Parents, I want to thank you for your support, and particularly for encouraging your child in his/her study of music. Students, I want to thank you for your desire to pursue music in your life. I hope you find it as fulfilling as I have.

I have been the music teacher at Hawkins Middle for ten years. I have also led an after-school chorus at HMS for three years in the past. This will be the fifth year that HMS has offered a choral program during the school day, and I am excited to be a part of this new tradition. I hope that you are as well!

Fine musical performance goes far beyond just singing all of the notes correctly. Expressive, meaningful, musical performance requires more. It requires you to give a part of yourself. True vocal performance is a visual as well as aural experience. You must involve your soul’s interpretation of the music on your face. We are all actors at heart, and for a truly effective performance, we must convey meaning in every way possible. It is no wonder so much evidence is coming forward showing the powerful effects of music education on young people’s intellectual, social, and emotional development!

Good Is The Enemy Of Great. It is not my desire to have a good choral program, but to start and maintain a Great choral program. I hope that you will join me in this desire and do everything that you can to make the Hawkins Middle School Commando Chorus the best that it can be.

Our chorus competed against other choruses for the first time during the 2012-2013 school year. I am very pleased to say that the Hawkins Commando Chorus came away from that competition with a “Superior” rating, and a first place standing for “Overall Highest Score Middle School Concert Choir.” Those standings were repeated with the 2013-2014 school year! I look forward to the challenge of helping our students maintain their “Superior” rating once again.

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GOALS

To help us have the most successful year possible, I would like to share several goals for the choir program this year:

To generate a love for both singing and musicTo create a lifelong emotional outlet through the development of the student's musical and vocal abilityTo provide a fundamental background in music appreciation, theory, choral thinking and vocal technique, skills and knowledge necessary forindependent musicianshipTo promote responsibility and good citizenship through participation in a choral organizationTo encourage self-discipline as well as team cooperation through the goal of excellence in performanceTo give those students who may choose music as a career a positive, encouraging, and successful early experience

Remember – it is important to understand that the skills that are necessary to succeed in chorus are the same skills necessary to succeed in any music program.  The voice is an instrument that must be practiced like any other instrument.  Gaining confidence, control and developing versatility with the voice requires thoughtful practice and dedication.

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Good IsGood Is TheThe

Enemy OfEnemy Of GreatGreat

OUR NATIONAL STANDARDS OF MUSIC EDUCATION

1. Singing, alone and with others, a varied repertoire of music2. Performing on instruments, alone and with others, a varied repertoire of music 3. Improvising melodies, variations, and accompaniments4. Composing and arranging music within specified guidelines5. Reading and notating music6. Listening to, analyzing, and describing music7. Evaluating music and music performances8. Understanding relationships between music, the other arts, and disciplines

outside the arts9. Understanding music in relation to history and culture

CHORAL PROGRAMS

Hawkins Middle School offers three choral ensembles that group students by grade level. It is important to note that great vocal skill is not a requirement, but the basic building blocks of musicianship are needed to ensure success in the program. The ability to sing in tune, the desire to succeed in music, and the willingness to work together with other students to perform to the best of our abilities is necessary for our program to succeed.

            Each grade level is separate, but may perform its own repertoire of music at our concerts or join with other grades to perform. The music gradually becomes more advanced as the year progresses, and also as each student moves through the 6th, 7th and 8th grade choral groups. The skill of reading music is gradually introduced and is ultimately necessary to perform increasingly difficult (and more interesting!) music. We do want to challenge ourselves to be musicians who sing, and not merely singers! Therefore, students are expected to practice their instrument at home, and make every effort to keep pace with other chorus students.

Currently, our choral ensembles are open to all students and do not require an audition.

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FEES

Music is very expensive. Because this is only the fifth year that Hawkins Middle School has offered chorus during the school day, the school owns a limited amount of music. Copyright law requires that a purchased copy of music be on hand for every student performing. Also, accompaniment CD’s must be purchased for most selections. Because of these expenses, each member is asked to give $7 to cover the cost of new music. This “fee” was presented on the school registration fee list and is not an additional fee on top of the $7 already requested at Bootcamp.

A chorus shirt will also need to be purchased. This shirt will be worn for various functions that the chorus participates in. The current cost of this shirt will be no more than $15.

Total Current Cost = $22

SUPPLIES LIST

The following supplies must be supplied by the student within two weeks of the beginning of school:

1 Inch, Three Ring Binder (Hard-Backed with Pockets Suggested) Tabbed Index Dividers (placed inside of binder) Sharpened Pencils – No Ink Pens Highlighters (No more than 1 or 2 different colors suggested to save

space in the binder) A dry erase marker A 1 subject spiral notebook Suggested: Pencil pouch for highlighters and pencils

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FUND RAISERS

It is unfortunate, but fund raising is a necessary part of many school programs. Music and accompaniment CD’s are very expensive, but without them, our program could not exist. Fund raising will also be necessary if the chorus is to participate in activities outside of the normal school day. All members are requested and expected to participate in any fund raising event.

EXPECTATIONS AND PROCEDURES

Come to everything with a positive, “I Can Do This” attitude Follow the directions the first time they are given TRY, TRY, TRY. If you fail then TRY, TRY, TRY again Be to everything early. (“On-time” is late) Check the objectives to see what you will need for the day Have all of your supplies ready before the bell rings Take and show pride in Hawkins Middle School and the Commando

Chorus (disrespect of the School, the Chorus, or any other Organizations within the school will result in IMMEDIATE dismissal from the group)

GRADING POLICY

It is important to remember that chorus classes are treated as academic classes.  Students will have to earn grades. Academic success in chorus requires mandatory attendance at performances, individual assessments, classroom performance, and a positive attitude.  Since the chorus learns as a group, sings as a group, and performs as a group, we must all have a supportive attitude towards our fellow students, thus ensuring group success.

The Grading Scale for chorus is broken down into the following three categories:

Class Work (25%) class work, home work, folder checks, etc

Assessment (35%)

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sight-reading, ear-training, etcPerformances (40%)

concerts, other performances

NOTE: Grades are not determined strictly by inherent music ability, but also by the effort put forth in class to become a better musician. Each choir member is expected to follow the expectations listed below to increase his/her success in demonstrating his/her skills.

Be in assigned seat when bell ringsHave folder, pencil, highlighter & plannerExhibit excellent postureMaintain consistent focusDemonstrate mutual respectDisplay a positive attitudeBe a team playerNo gum or candy

ATTENDANCE

All students are required to attend all rehearsals and concerts unless they are ineligible (such as suspended). Students are given a grade based on performance, concert etiquette, and conduct. Notice for all concerts and rehearsals will be sent home in ample time to plan accordingly – in most cases they will be listed on the choir calendar which will be handed out early in the school year.

The importance of each student’s individual participation in the concert cannot be stressed enough as every student has worked both individually and within the group to master the material for presentation at the concert. Therefore attendance is both critical, and mandatory!!

Helpful Suggestion: Please post the “Commando Chorus Calendar” on family calendars, parents’ planners, student planners, refrigerator, etc.

Friendly Reminder: Students are expected to stay for the entire duration of all concerts. All of our students have worked hard to put forth an excellent

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performance. Please respect our students by remaining and giving them the same attention that was shown to your child by others.

DRESS CODE

Strangely enough, music sounds better when performed by a group that looks good on stage.  All students will be required to purchase a Commando Chorus Shirt.  The cost of the shirt should be no more than $15.  In addition to the shirt, all students will need to provide khakis, belts and appropriate shoes & socks.  Uniforms will be worn at all concerts in which the chorus is involved, unless otherwise indicated.

The shirt is to be tucked in, and the slacks/pants are to be at the waist with a belt (no sagging).

The exception will be at sporting events in which the chorus is singing our national anthem. Members will need to wear their Commando Chorus Shirt and blue jeans that do not have holes. The shirt is still to be tucked in, and jeans are still to be worn at the waist (no sagging).

Showing up to a performance not wearing the appropriate “uniform” will result in a loss of points from the Performance grade.

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CONCERT ETIQUETTE

Formal concert etiquette will be taught during class and expected during all formal concerts and performances. Parents can help reinforce the following basic behaviors with your child.

Arrive early and stay until the end. It is discourteous to arrive late, to still be settling once the program has begun, or to leave before it is over.If you must enter or leave during the program, do so discretely and in between performances, during the applause. We don’t want to do anything to distract the performances.Silence cell phones and watches.Sit still, quiet and be attentive: Avoid any noise-making or distracting behaviors, and especially during a performance: talking/whispering, unwrapping candy, moving around in your seat, passing notes, etc.Do not tap, snap or clap along with the beat of a song unless invited to do so.Applaud enthusiastically! Applause is what affirms to the performers that the audience is enjoying and is appreciative of their efforts.

o The conductor and any guest soloists are applauded when they walk onto the stage.o Applause for the music is held until the end of each selection or until the end of the entire performance of an extended work.o Applaud when the conductor turns toward the audience and bows.o Standing ovations are acceptable for particularly moving performances.

Catcalls, whistling, or other loud audible noises are best reserved for athletic events or other activities that elicit exuberant responses from audience members and are not considered appropriate at formal concerts.When young children attend formal concerts, they learn to be good audience participants. Crying, chattering, and otherwise noisy children, however, should be removed from a performance immediately and should return only if such behavior does not recur.

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STUDENT LEADERS

Our groups will have several student leaders, chosen by Mr. Carrick, to help fulfill certain duties. In the military tradition of being Commandos, each section will have a Lieutenant, and each class will have a Commander.

The Lieutenant’s responsibilities will be: To positively help maintain the focus of all individuals within their

group To positively help ensure that all individuals have all supplies each

day To positively discuss any issues with members of their group and

attempt to guide the member to a solutionThe Commander’s responsibilities will be:

To take class attendance each day To answer the door To give music and necessary items to new members to the chorus To help the Lieutenants in positively guiding members towards

solutions of issues Concerts

o 8th Grade: Attendanceo 7th Grade: Uniformso 6th Grade: Programs

In addition, all student leaders will be asked to remain after concerts to help with “clean up.”

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BEHAVIOR

It is expected that each student will behave in a manner that will promote the greatest learning potential for themselves and for the entire group. Therefore, each student is asked to:

1. Have all supplies everyday2. Be on time to class3. Participate fully (meaning with a good attitude, too)4. Not have gum, drinks, or other foodstuffs5. Not engage in any behavior to receive a Detention or SRR Violation

Groups that are able to go an entire week without any infraction from above will earn 1 star on their chart. Six stars in a nine week period will earn the group a reward.

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COMMANDO CHORUS CALENDAR OF EVENTS(Additional Events May Be Added With Plenty Of Notice)

(Dates & Times Subject To Change Due To SchoolClosings And County Calendar Changes)

AUGUSTTuesday, 19th: 4:30 (For parents to make it to football game)

SEPTEMBERNo Events

OCTOBERMonday, 27 th : Rehearsal 2:30-4:00 Tuesday, 28 th : Choral Concert 1 5:30

NOVEMBERMonday, 10 th : BB 4:50

DECEMBERNo Events

JANUARYMonday, 12 th : BB 4:50 Monday, 26 th : Rehearsal 2:30-4:00 Tuesday, 27 th : Choral Concert 2 5:30

FEBRUARYNo Events

MARCH

No Events

APRILMonday, 13 th : Rehearsal 2:30-4:30 Tuesday, 14 th : Pop Concert 5:30 (May change- state testing dates have not been released upon the time of printing)

MAYSaturday, 9th: BBP Competition *Tuesday, 12th: Banquet

NOTES

Rehearsals and All Performances are graded events and attendance is mandatory

* The BBP Competition has been the second week of May in the past. This year’s date has not been posted as of the printing of this calendar

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Volunteer checklist (check those in which you may be interested)

A successful choral program depends on, among other things, strong parent support. Here are ways to contribute:

Attending concerts is fundamental, and cannot be understated. When parents make the concerts a priority to attend, the students learn that what they have to offer – their talents, gifts and hard work – is of a fundamental value to others, their school and their community. So why not bring the whole family. Grandma and Uncle Fred will be proud to attend and glad you invited them!Choir Hosts: Help supervise and sit with choirs before and during concerts and festivals.Chaperone: Be a chaperone on one or more of various field trips/festivals, including on bus rides.Concert Production: Help set up or take down equipment and/or decorations before and/or after concerts.Fund-Raising: Bookkeeping, counting money, recording, organizing, selling tickets, etc.Bring goodies for afterschool rehearsals: Cookies, water, paper platesTransportation: Car-pooling students with no rides to and/or from performances, rehearsals, trips.Design and/or teach choreographyPhotography: take pictures during rehearsal and concerts and email or print for display in the Chorus RoomVideo: operate the video recorder to record performancesBe a guest speaker about some aspect of music and/or singingNot sure right now, but I’ll try to find some way to help out.Other: ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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AGREEMENT FORM

My child, _______________________, and I, _______________________, PRINT STUDENT NAME PRINT PARENT NAME

have read through and understand the contents of the handbook, including content related to dress code, attendance, and grading.

_____________________ ______________________ ________ STUDENT SIGNATURE PARENT SIGNATURE DATE

Comments _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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