Download Name:____________________________ Welcome! Central Choirs (Select, Madrigals, Women’s, & Sounds)

Handout page 1
September 21, 2015
Vocal Music 2015-16
Name:____________________________
Welcome! Central Choirs (Select, Madrigals, Women’s, & Sounds)
I am glad that you have chosen to be a part of the Vocal Music Program at Central High School.
Each of you has the opportunity to use the talents you have to make music. A national study has shown
that students, who are a part of music classes, have a higher grade point average, attend school more
often, and score higher on standardized tests.
The Central High School music department is one of the best in the state. The Vocal music department
continues to thrive and achieve a high level of excellence. This has taken a long time and is
accomplished through hard work and drive from the students and teachers that are involved in the
program.
To succeed we must continue to do the following things:
1. Learn how to sight-read melodic and rhythmic music well.
2. Learn to sing all types and styles of music, and gain an appreciation for them.
3. Learn something about the piece of music that you are singing so you can sing it well. This
may mean; learning something about the composer, the text, the country it’s from, or how
the song was written.
4. Performing by way of night time school sponsored concerts (and possibly community
performances, if the opportunity arises.).
Becoming a great choir is accomplished through student commitment and dedication. Each individual
must make a choice to do the best and become the best that they can be. As important as individual
expression is, we must always remember that we are a GROUP, one unit of people; we represent
ourselves, Central High School, our community, the vocal music program and Mr. Scott. Each
member is responsible for contributing to our collective success. You must make that commitment to
maintain and continue to develop a high level of excellence.
Classroom Expectations:
1. Respect the rights of others... (“RED” RESPECT)
-Respect the feelings of others at all times. Be a positive force in the classroom. Be courteous in
behavior and language towards other students and the teacher. Offensive behavior, language, or bad
attitudes will NOT be tolerated.
-If someone is giving instruction or asking a question, you are expected to listen and not talk. (Not even
whisper, write, or pass notes!) When you're talking to someone you are distracting someone else from
getting needed information, as well as missing it yourself.
2. Respect other students’ right to learn...
-Each student has the right to uninterrupted learning through: listening, speaking, or writing with out
being distracted by other students. When the teacher has to discipline a student during class time it
takes away from other students’ “right to learn.”
3. Respect the property or item being used...
-You use music and sighreading materials every day. Use it in a respectful and caring way, so that it
looks the same or in better shape than you received it.
-If it is not yours, Leave it alone and do not touch it. (But please recognize that if you leave valuables out
in the open that they may get moved or touched by other people who come into our room.)
-The school equipment may be used by you, ONLY when the teacher has asked you to do so.
Then, use it in a manner that is appropriate and respectful.
4. Have NOTHING IN YOUR MOUTH when you enter the vocal music room!!
-Food, candy, gum is not allowed in the vocal room.
(Water is accepted if you show the instructor that you have it BEFORE class starts.)
-Throw away any gum that you are chewing, or put away candy.
Other Classroom expectations:
Handout
Page 2
-Also, you should be aware of the expectations that you should be following, as a student at Central High
School. Being a student at CHS should cause you to be proud of our school and who you are. To do that
you should know and be able to follow the ideals of the “R.E.D.” Each letter of R.E.D. stands for a word
that will not only help you be successful at school but also in life.
“R.E.D.”
part of being a Warrior and a part of this community
R = RESPECT - To others and their property. “ People are “respectable” only as they respect.” Ralph Waldo Emerson
E = EXCELLENCE- To pursue it, acquire it, and exhibit it! “ I do not think much of the man who is not wiser today than he was yesterday.”
Abe Lincoln
– Recognize and fulfill obligations. “We are made wise not by the recollection of our past, but by the responsibility for our future.”
George Bernard Shaw
D = DETERMINATION -Be persistent in your efforts and responsibilities. “What you resist, persists. If you take Ownership and deal with things
that are bothering you, Then , in the very process of dealing with them, they very often will go away.”
-To know your responsibilities and always follow through. “ The only lifelong, reliable motivations are those that come from within, and
one of the strongest of those is the joy and pride that grow from knowing that you’ve done something as well as you can do it.”
-Students are expected to come to class with an open mind and a positive attitude. We will do things with our voices that
are not like anything else that you do in other classes. Don’t judge anything until you have learned it thoroughly and
given it a fair chance. Be willing to try new things, and music with gusto and enthusiasm! In this class, we can achieve
and learn to appreciate positive human qualities and experiences by keeping an open mind. (Excellence and Respect)
-Be self-disciplined!! Be ready to do whatever is needed of you to get the best sound, or fulfill the needs of the group. Sing
out!!! Be an aggressive singer! The vocal room is not a place to hold back. It is a safe place to take risks with your voice
and in the music! Sitting, when you are supposed to be standing, and not singing (or warming up) does NOT show selfdiscipline. If you can walk down the hallway, you can stand for 10-15 minutes at a time. Do NOT rely on the person next
to you or other people in your section to carry your part or learn your part. We will have many different seating charts
so don’t get use to sitting in one place all the time. (Respect and Determination)
-Stay on the task at hand. Always make the effort to sing it better today than you did yesterday. Keep on striving for
your own personal best, which may mean that you need to take music home to learn it or put in some extra time. If you
keep on striving for your own personal best it will pay off for the group and for you in the end. If you are striving for
your own personal best, it will make you look and feel good, which in turn will make the group look and feel good.
(Excellence and Determination)
- Show up to class ON TIME & Prepared.... (You should be in your assigned seat with all your materials one minute
before the bell rings.) That means having your own personal pencil, (not sharing a pencil with the person next to you) music,
sight-reading book, a good attitude and any other materials required for that day (which may be written on the dry erase
board as you enter the room.). (“Responsibility and Excellence)
-If you use something or take it out and use it, put it back exactly where you found it. Never touch or use something unless you have
been asked to do so. Don’t assume that it is ok to use something just because YOU think that it will be all right with that person. Even
if they are your friend…. (“Respect and Excellence)
- A 95% ATTENDANCE AVERAGE is recommended. It is important to the choir that the sound that we produce is
consistent. It is impossible to produce a consistent sound if three or four people are missing each day. You are an integral
part of this organization and we need you in class everyday. Each day that you miss class it hurts the group as a whole.
(“Respect, Excellence and Determination)
-Interrupting teaching, to ask a question (for personal reasons…) in the middle of a song or instruction, is not appropriate
behavior, and does not respect the teachers’ right to teach or the students’ right to learn. Ask personal needs questions
during transitions. No one may go to the Bathroom 15 minutes at the beginning of class or 15 minutes at the end of class.
You should take care of drinks of water and bathroom needs between class periods. Bring a Doctor excuse if you have
special needs. (“Respect”)
-If you miss choir class the day of a performance, you will not be permitted to perform at the concert that same night.
(school related absences are different) This is a school policy . You must come for at least a half day and the half of the
day that you do come, has to be choir. Concerts can be 25%-35% of your grade. A concert schedule is given out to each
student so that they can be sure to plan ahead and make a commitment to attend the concert that their choir is performing
in. It is the students’ responsibility to arrange to get a ride, arrange for a baby sitter for siblings, talk to your boss at your
job (or show them your concert schedule), and remind your guardians at least three weeks in advance. (“Respect,
Excellence and Determination”)
-The vocal room is not a place to store your stuff. Items that are left in the vocal room for more than one to two days will
be taken to the lost and found. (This includes backpacks, books, notebooks, and clothes.) (“Excellence”)
Handout Page 3
NAME:_________________________________
EXPECTATIONS OF WHAT YOU ARE TO HAVE IN CLASS EVERYDAY!
(NEW STUDENTS READ THE BELOW SMALL PRINT IN ITALICS!)
(If you are a new student and you weren't here for the first day, you are expected to have all of these materials four days after you
have been given this sheet.) YOU MUST BRING THESE THINGS TO THE TEACHER AT THE END OF THOSE FOUR DAYS
AND SHOW HIM THAT YOU HAVE THEM. DATE TO TURN IN LISTED ITEMS ON THIS LIST:__________________
Students are expected to be ready for class everyday. This means that each individual should have their
OWN materials. Although there may be times when you have to share music you should still have your
own personal music out (Even if you think you already know the music, have it accessible just in case we
need to go over something again and refer to the music.
Students are required to have the following material even if we don’t use it every day.
If the student does not have the appropriate material for the day, it will affect their grade.
You should have the following items daily:
1. Pencil
2. Music folder with music in it. (Handouts, assignments, Tests, and notes go in your Notebook. NOT your music folder)
3. Sight-reading material
4. Notebook (for taking notes, collect any handouts, or put any other assignments or materials in)
(Your NOTEBOOK FOLDER CAN NOT BE YOUR MUSIC FOLDER!)You may buy
a used notebook from Mr. Scott for .25 . See him before or after school or class to take
care of this. NOT THE DAY THESE ITEMS ARE DUE.
-The notebook should have the following things in it:
BE SURE YOUR NAME IS ON YOUR NOTEBOOK (written in Marker) SOMEWHERE
A. Paper to write on & a pencil.
B. Tabs to categorize and organize your notebook (If you can’t afford tabs or can’t get
to the store to get some. BE CREATIVE AND MAKE YOUR OWN!)
*Tab labels should include:
+Class notes
+ Handouts
+Tests, Worksheets & Assignments
(Anything other categories you may want to include)
*any thing that is handed out, or back to you, as a graded paper should be
put in your notebook (NOT IN YOUR MUSIC FOLDER).
KEEP EVERYTHING!!!! This includes any test or quizzes, etc...
You will be graded on Wed/Thurs the September 23/24, ( Depending on when you have the class)
to see if you have ALL of the above listed material. After that various checks will
be done through out the rest of the term and/or semester.
Pencil only
= D
Pencil & Notebook
= C+
Pencil, Notebook with tabs
= B
Pencil, Notebook with tabs labeled & name on notebook
= A
Pencil, Notebook, tabs labeled, name on notebook, & this sheet under the correct tab
9/21/2015
=A+
GRADING POLICY
For Vocal Music 2015-16
Every activity is averaged into a grade (or point value) to come up with a final assessment of the
student’s grade which are: classroom and concert attendance; classroom & concert behavior and
participation; performance (concert & tested); and Academic (written assignments, written work and/or
tests). These aspects are all given a point or grade value that is averaged into the final grade. This point system
is converted into a percentage score to determine your individual letter grade. The following are the
percentages that are accepted by Central High School and School District #51.
100% - 90% = “A”
89%
- 80% = “B”
79%
- 70% = “C”
69%
- 60% = “D”
59%
- 01% = “F”
Grades are based on these aspects of class:
25% Attendance: Daily Classroom, Concerts & Rehearsals
Students receive 20 points a day every day they are in class, and 200 to 300 points for concert
attendance (Missing a concert is like missing a major test!) or rehearsal attendance. (Any extra
rehearsals can be 100-150 points if assigned. ) You can make up points for days that are excused
absences from class. See Mr. Scott after these absences. 30 minutes make up time, makes up
three days of missed school. Appointments to make up points must be made within the week
that you return to school.
25% Attitude, Effort & Participation: In Class & at Performances
See rubric for how this is graded.
25% Performance: Growth, Ability & Skills, and at Concerts
(At concert performances, and in class testing of music & sight-reading examples)
25% Academic: Written Work and Exams
(Completion of: assignments, tests, keeping all handouts organized in notebook , etc…)
Tardies are a disruption and are one way that students lost points on daily attendance. The first tardy is
a loss of no points. The 2nd tardy = - 1 point, 3rd tardy = - 2 points, 4th tardy = - 4 points,
5th tardy = - 8 points, 6th tardy =-16 points, 7th tardy = - 32 points, 8th tardy = -64 points etc…
(It keeps doubling)
TARDIES CANNOT BE MADE UP! Teacher excused tardies are a loss of NO points, but you must
Bring a note signed by that teacher.
9/21/15
Attitude, Effort, Participation Rubric for Choir
The following criteria for the above mentioned attitude and effort grading policy is
presented in a basic rubric form so that the student may have an understanding of how
these aspects are assessed.
The “A” student (Superior to excellent) Does not disrupt class. Listens when needs to. Does not talk when singing
or instructions are being given. Is more often early than on time to assigned functions. Always brings and has materials in class.
Contributes actively and positively at all times with the teacher and other students. Marks music when asked to do so and
makes their own marks in the music that will help them sing their part better. Stays on task. Shows leadership by positive
examples within their section and to the entire class. Is not afraid of hard work or to do extra to make the group or themselves
better. Wants to learn and always ask questions when they don’t understand something. Knows when to work and when to have
fun. Performs at ALL concerts at the highest artistic level possible. Assigns him or herself. Attends performances outside of the
school community and especially supports other music programs within the school. Sits up WITHOUT being asked to when it’s
time to sing. Respects and adheres to the rules and expectations of the vocal music department. Records themselves or
someone else in their section who sings well, so that they can practice singing their part correctly at home. Never has cell phone
out.
The “B” student (Good to competent) Hardly ever disrupts class. Listens, but may engage in conversation during
singing or instructional time. Contributes actively and positively most all the time. Compiles more than 4 tardies during one nine
week period. Sometimes forgets materials but usually has what is needed. Marks music thoroughly, but sometimes may miss
some markings due to inattentiveness. Sometimes gets off task. Is a fairly good worker. Is a fairly good leader. Sometimes asks
questions. Has more fun than spending time working when supposed to. Performs at all concerts at a high artistic level. May miss
one performance. Once assigned to a task, is a good worker. May attend some outside of class programs if someone asks them
to go. Wants to do the right thing, but often just sits back instead of leading or is not involved while decisions are being made and
then will follow the majority. Sits up when asked to by the instructor when it is time to sing. Respects all the rules and expectations
of the vocal music department. May have cell phone out just to look at but not respond to….
The “C” student (Below average to satisfactory) Some minor disruption of class. Often avoids listening by conversing
during instruction or singing. Complies more than 8 tardies in one nine week period.
Often forgets materials. Some times sits (when supposed to be standing) and makes little effort to make music. Often gets off task
by engaging in conversation during instruction. Sometimes does fine, but is not a reliable worker. Sometimes marks music,
sometimes doesn’t. Is a follower of a both positive and negative behaviors. Asks questions about things that were just answered
a few minutes ago. Confuses “fun” with “work”. Performs at a basic level. Misses one or two performances a semester. Needs
help in getting to work. Engages in back stabbing talk of other people and music groups. Has to be asked to sit up when it’s time
to sing and then regresses back to a slunch. Sometimes breaks the rules and expectations of the vocal music department. Has
cell phone out holding it and secretly is responding to text messages and other media when instruction isn’t being given.
The “D” student (below average to barely acceptable) Some disruption of class. Has poor listening skills. Complies
more than 11 tardies. Often truant. Does not bring materials to class very often. Does not mark music or literature. Consistently
engages in conversation during instruction and singing time. Is disruptive during instruction or singing. Gets off task and causes
others to be off task. Is a poor worker. Misses more than two performances per semester, because of some trivial reason or is
unexcused. Does not learn concert literature. Does not support other groups or people and openly speaks poorly of them. Has to
be asked to sit up when it’s time to sing and then complains about having to sit or stand up. Often breaks the rules and expectations
of the vocal music department. Has cell phone out (not on vibrate) is texting others and responding to texts during instruction or
class time
The “F” student (failing or deficient)
The opposite of an “A” student.
September 21, 2015th