FORWARD
By receiving
this booklet, you are about to be a member of an organization based upon pride,
achievement, and unity. Although the
Kamiak Choirs are only ten years old, Choir members have been recognized for
excellence. As the Kamiak Choirs are becoming established as a leading musical
organization in the
Ms.
Director
BUILDING A
TRADITION
As the Kamiak Choir Program enters its eleventh year,
the job ahead should be viewed as both a challenge and an opportunity. The Kamiak Choirs are built not upon the
Choir Director, the Booster Club, or the school principal, but upon you, the
members of the Choir. We have an
opportunity to build a tradition that is based upon excellence in achievement,
teamwork and unity from Choir members, and pride in our performance. The challenge is to develop in every Choir
member a sense of sportsmanship, professionalism, and dependability that will
set the Kamiak Choir above equal level performing organizations. We are viewed as an identity to the music
department, the school, and the Mukilteo community. We have a responsibility. 100% is what we expect from each Choir
member. We must all try our best to keep
our Choir strong and proud to build this tradition.
CHOIR HANDBOOK
TOPICS
PROGRAM
DESCRIPTIONS AND COURSE OFFERINGS
GRADING
POLICIES
ORGANIZATIONAL
STRUCTURES
RULES
AND REGULATIONS
CHOIR
LETTERING AND AWARDS
UNIFORMS
CHOIR
BOOSTERS AND FINANCIAL OBLIGATIONS
SCHEDULING
CHOIR
COMMITMENT
SHEET
03-04
PERFORMANCE DATES
THE CHOIR
PROGRAM
District Curriculum, 9-12
Choral Music Goals. Revised 1990
Each
goal correlates to the four Washington Essential
Academic Learning Requirements in the Arts (EALR). These four requirements are:
1. The student acquires the knowledge and skills
necessary to create, to perform and to respond
effectively to
the arts.
2.
The student applies the creative process with arts knowledge/skills to reason
and solve problems
3. The student uses at least one art form to
communicate ideas and feelings.
4. The student understands how the arts connect
to other subject areas, life and work.
The
study of music through the performance of choral literature seeks to:
GOAL EALR
A. Develop understanding of the basic elements
of music 1.1, 1.2
B. Develop listening skills appropriate to music 1.1, 2.1, 3.2
C. Develop skills in reading and writing
notation 1.1, 2.1,
3.1
D. Differentiate through performance a variety
of styles and
genres 1.5,
2.3, 3.1
E. Develop performance skills and provide
performance
opportunities 1.2,
1.3, 1.4, 1.5, 3.1
F. Develop understanding of the relationship of
music
within
societies: historically, culturally, and stylistically 2.3, 3.1, 4.4
G. Develop awareness of the relationships
between music
and other disciplines 4.1,
4.2, 4.3, 4.4
H. Encourage creativity and the aesthetic
sensitivity 2.2, 2.3,
3.2
I. Develop focus, concentration and
self-discipline
through physical
and mental readiness 4.3,
4.5
COURSE
OFFERINGS
CHANSON CHOIR (grades 9-12)
non-audition
This Choir is open to any student. This ensemble
will focus on vocal technique, music theory, sightsinging
and performance. Students are expected
to attend evening concerts.
BEL CANTO CHOIR (grades 10-12)
by audition
This treble intermediate/advanced choir is open to
students who have successfully completed one year of high school choral music
experience and have met minimum levels of competency in sightsinging
and music theory. Students in this choir
will be expected to attend events, evening choir rehearsals, sectionals outside
of class, competitions, and tours. Most
of the year will be spent on concert literature, with an emphasis on technique,
music literacy, and performance.
KANTOREI CHOIR
(grades 10-12) by audition
This advanced Choir is for students who have
successfully completed one year of choral music at
JAZZ CHOIR (grades 11, 12) by
audition
Music performed by this advanced ensemble will
emphasize swing, Latin, and jazz styles.
Students will be introduced to improvisation techniques, jazz history,
and theory. This ensemble will attend
some jazz festivals throughout the state, both in and outside the school day.
Current membership in Bel Canto Choir, Kantorei Choir, or a Kamiak large
music ensemble is required.
MUSICAL PRODUCTION (grades 9,10,11,12) by audition
Working in conjunction with the Drama Department, members
of the Kamiak Choirs may audition for a part in the Spring Musical. Rehearsals are held after school, and
students must attend all performances, held in May.
GRADING
POLICIES
Grades are based on a total
number of points out of points possible per quarter. PLEASE NOTE CHANGES THIS YEAR!
VOICE, SIGHTSINGING AND
THEORY TESTS
Student mastery of various music topics, including
vocal technique, articulation, tone, phrasing, literature excerpts,
memorization, music theory and sightsinging will be
evaluated throughout each quarter.
LISTENING AND
JOURNALS
Guided listening and journal assignments will be
held during class time. Students are
expected to make-up journals and listening assignments for excused
absences. There will be an evaluative
journal assignment following each concert and contest.
REHEARSAL
PARTICIPATION
Important outcomes for Choir include attitude, cooperation, leadership and rehearsal attentiveness. This measure will be evaluated by the choir director and will include observations of equipment care, punctuality to rehearsals, intensive rehearsal concentration, and effort made during rehearsals. Each student will receive 5 points per day for rehearsal. Points missed for excused absences can be made up by coming in before or after school or during lunch and making me a practice tape of intensive part practice for 15 minutes for each day missed. Students have one day for every day absent to complete this or else points are forever lost.
SECTIONAL
REHEARSALS
Each section will be required to meet outside of
class time for 30 minutes once a month to work on parts. Attendance is mandatory and is worth 25
points. The time will be arranged by the
section-leaders with no less than two weeks notice. A student who misses two sectional rehearsals
will not be eligible for travel and may lose membership in the advanced
ensemble.
PERFORMANCES
Students must attend all scheduled Choir
performances and rehearsals. Evaluations
will include attendance, proper uniform, audience behavior, and set-up/tear-down
participation. Students must complete
the “Excused Absence” form two weeks
prior to a performance and twenty-four
hours before a rehearsal to receive a make-up assignment. Unexcused absences cannot be made up, and will lower a students
grade. Each Concert is worth 50 points.
STUDENT
LEADERSHIP
CHOIR COUNCIL
The
Student Choir Council will meet on a weekly basis, to discuss issues to include
(but not limited to):
Fund-Raising
Opportunities
Performance Obligations and responsibilities
Rehearsal Atmosphere
Ensemble Goals
Student and Council responsibilities
Each
Choir Council Member is responsible for duties, which he or she may appoint a
committee to assist. Choir Council
Members are selected by majority vote in the fall.
*Council Members who miss more than two meetings or
responsibilities will be removed from the position.
President
Student Representative at Choir
Booster Meetings
Calling Choir Council Meetings
Assisting Substitute Teachers
Making sure Ms. Duck-Jefferson is
not stressing.
Vice-President
Concert Set-Up
Class records
Assist President
Uniforms
Librarian
Music Library maintenance
Take minutes at Choir Council
Meetings
Historian
Choir Scrap-Book
Create Posters for choir room
Put together slide show for end-of-year
concert
Chanson Representatives
Class tardies
Concert uniforms
Other duties as assigned
Attend Choir Council Meetings
Section Leaders
Principal singers for each section are responsible
for:
Part assignments,
sectional rehearsals, behavior and attendance.
REHEARSAL
EXPECTATIONS
During
rehearsals and performances, students are expected to be on time, not to talk
or distract, and use good judgment when working with other people, equipment,
and the room.
Timeliness
By starting rehearsals on time with the proper
equipment, we:
a. Improve ensemble
and individual performance as we maximize our actual rehearsal time and avoid
unnecessary delays;
b. Set a standard for
the entire ensemble, as this behavior indicates the ensemble is important to us
as individuals, and we are willing to sacrifice social and non-musical
behaviors for the performance of the ensemble
Rehearsal
Focus
By restricting conversation to musical and rehearsal
matters, we:
a. Improve ensemble
and individual performance as we allow sections to rehearse, and optimize
communication between sections and the conductor;
b. Set a standard for
the entire ensemble, as this behavior indicates the ensemble is important to us
as individuals, and we are willing to sacrifice social and non-musical behavior
for the performance of the ensemble.
Respect for Each Other
By refraining from personal put-downs, offensive
language, and unecessary comments, we:
a. Improve ensemble
and individual performance as we can approach the music with a positive
attitude, thus optimizing time on singing and minimizing conflict mediation;
b. Set a standard for
the entire ensemble, as this behavior indicates the ensemble is important to us
as individuals, and we are willing to resolve problems outside rehearsal
time.
Respect for Property, Rehearsal Room
By taking the time to put choir folders in their
proper storage place, taking care, even when hurried, and keeping the room
picked-up from unnecessary debris, we:
a. Improve ensemble
and individual performance as we reduce delays in rehearsal that are
unnecessary. Folders left lying on the
floor will result in lost participation points for the day.
b. Set a standard for
the entire ensemble, as this behavior indicates the ensemble is important to us
as individuals, and we are willing to take the time to be organized for the
performance of the ensemble
CHOIR ROOM EXPECTATIONS
1. Students are only allowed in the Choir room
when an instructor is present, or when specific
permission is
granted.
2. Students must ask permission to use the
Director’s telephone
3. Students must ask to use the Choir stereo or
the piano
4. Students should knock, and then receive
permission to enter the Director’s Office
5. Practice Rooms with pianos are locked after
school. See a music instructor for
admittance
6. There will be no gum allowed in the choir
room or detention will be assigned
FIELD TRIP EXPECTATIONS
1. Report to the Choir Room at least fifteen
minutes prior to trip departure time
2. Take the time to make a mental checklist of
all necessary equipment and uniform.
3. When a chaperone, student, bus driver, or the
Choir Director stands in the front of the bus asking for your attention, you
are to sit down, face the front, be quiet, and listen immediately!
4. Treat the bus driver and the bus with respect,
using good manners and being responsible for trash
5. The use of drugs or alcohol will not be
tolerated.
The District expects students will abide by all laws
relating to drugs and alcohol and will remain drug and alcohol free 365 days of
the year. The District will impose disciplinary consequences if a co-curricular
participant violates the drug and alcohol policy. This policy is in effect from
the first practice/rehearsal until the last day of the school year.
1. Illegal
consumption, possession, or sale of alcoholic beverages.
2. Illegal
consumption, possession, or sale of drugs or narcotics.
3. Illegal
use of tobacco products.
The
effects for confirmed violation of the above are detailed in the Secondary School Athletic Policy
Handbook. Because choir ensembles
are curricular courses, violation of above grounds will not result in dismissal
from courses or curricular concerts and performances, but could result in loss
of traveling and field trip privileges. Students will not be eligible to
represent their school at All-State events, State Solo Contest or other
optional activities.
ATTENDANCE
POLICY
REHEARSALS,
CONCERTS, COMPETITIONS, OR OTHER PERFORMANCES
Excused absences are either pre-arranged or are
caused by illness or family emergency. Students must complete a make-up assignment
to receive grade credit.
Unexcused absences cannot be made up, and will
result in a grade drop. The amount of
grade loss is determined by the number of performances for that quarter. Repeated unexcused absences may result in loss
of travel privileges, or even ensemble membership.
EARNING A
KAMIAK ACTIVITY LETTER IN CHOIR
Philosophy
A
Kamiak High School Choir Letter is a symbol which represents:
Dedication to the
Involvement in activities which
support the Associated Student Body of
Excellence in musical
performance.
To
earn a choir letter, a choir student must:
B.
Successfully complete four consecutive Semesters of choir with an “A-”
or higher average
C. Complete at least four of the following options:
(circle
completed activities)
1.
Serve as a Choir Council Member or Section Leader for the current school
year.
2.
Complete an audition tape for All-State Ensembles
3.
Perform in a solo or ensemble at Sno-King Festival
4.
Take at least four months of private lessons
5.
Participate in the Spring Musical
6.
Attend at least two professional choral concerts (with program and
written critique)
7.
Membership in extra-curricular ensemble (i.e. Barbershop).
Students
should fill out the required form indicating how they have fulfilled the
requirements, then turn it into the director. Letters will be presented at the first
Evening Concert after the letter requirements are fulfilled. A Choir student may purchase a KHS letter
jacket and Choir symbol upon receiving his or her initial letter. Hash bars are then presented each ensuing
school year in which the letter requirements are fulfilled.
CHOIR AWARDS
Outstanding
Choir Student
Most
Improved Choir Student
Most
Inspirational Choir Student
Musical
Achievement
Directors
Award
Outstanding
Section Leader
Department
Award
These
awards will be presented at the year’s final concert. Other choir awards include semester awards
for each choir presented at special school assemblies.
UNIFORM
REQUIREMENTS
Choir Uniform Care
Your
Choir uniform is very expensive and needs to be treated with pride and respect. When you are wearing your uniform you are a
representative of your school and need to act accordingly.
All uniform parts need to be returned to the
Choir Room for check in when announced.
If you are not timely, a fine will be charged.
CHANSON CHOIR
Men: Choir robes and stoles (provided by school).
Black dress shoes and black socks.
Women: Choir robes and stoles. Black dress shoes and
Black hose.
BEL CANTO CHOIR
Black
choir dresses (provided by school).
Black dress shoes and black hose.
KANTOREI CHOIR
Men:
Tux trousers and jackets, purple cummerbund and bow tie (provided by
school). White tux shirts, black dress
shoes and black socks. (student provided).
Women: Choir dresses (provided by school). Black dress shoes and black hose.
All Uniforms must be
returned at the end of the year in a dry-cleaning bag with the receipt and the
students name attached.
FINES
At the end of every year,
some Choir students are faced with school fines due to lost equipment and
materials. Be aware of these most common
fines: Choir sightsinging
books ($7), sheet music ($2 per page), and of course all checked out uniform
parts. Outstanding fines must be paid
before receiving final report card.
PERFORMING
ARTS BOOSTERS
Kamiak
Choirs enjoy the support of an active parent volunteer group, the Kamiak
Performing Arts Boosters. The goals of
the organization include:
a. To support the
goals and objectives of the Choir program
b. To assist the
director and students with administrative and logistical support when requested
c. To help promote a
positive image of the Choir program throughout the community
d. Top provide
financial support for the Choir program
e. To foster communication
between the Choir director, Choir parents, and Choir students
f. To foster a feeling of parental involvement and
support between parents and students
Volunteers are sought on the following specific
committees: Fund-raising, Chaperones,
Travel, Hospitality and Membership.
Choir Booster meetings are
held the fourth Thursday of each month in the Choir Room. Executive Board meets at 5:30 PM, while the
general membership meets at 7:00 PM.
FITTING CHOIR INTO THE FOUR-YEAR SCHEDULE
With planning, the college-bound Choir student
should have little trouble fitting Choir into his or her four year plan. Students wishing to take Jazz will need to
finesse some creative planning, perhaps involving “O” periods their final two
years, but again with planning, all academic coursework can be completed.
CHOIRLINGS
GRADE
9 GRADE
10
Period Course Period Course
1 Choir 1 Choir
2 Math 2 Math
3 English 3 English
4 Foreign Language I/II 4 Foreign Language II/III
5 Fast III 5 Bio or Chemistry
6 PE/Health 6 PE/World History
GRADE
11 GRADE
12
Period Course Period Course
1 Choir 1 Choir
2 Occupational or Elective 2 Occupational or Elective
3 English 3 English/Elective
4 PE 4 Occupational
5 Elective 5 Elective
6
JAZZERS
GRADE
9 GRADE
10
Period Course Period Course
1 Choir 1 Choir
2 Math 2 Math
3 English 3 English
4 Foreign Language I/II 4 Foreign Language II/III
5 Biology 5 Chemistry
6 NW History/Health 6 PE/SS
“0” Jazz “0” Jazz
GRADE
11 GRADE
12
Period Course Period Course
1 Choir 1 Choir
2 Elective 2 Elective
3 English 3 English/Elective
4 Elective 4 Jazz
5 Jazz 5 Occupational
6
*Students taking jazz ensemble and a concert Choir may substitute jazz for one year of occupational with the Principal’s approval (ie no TA periods, late arrivals, etc.)
CONTRACT FOR MEMBERSHIP IN KAMIAK HIGH SCHOOL CHOIR
I,
_____________________________________________, hereby affirm that I have read and
understand the Kamiak High School Choir Handbook. I further affirm that I will abide by the
rules, regulations, and intent of this Handbook, and understand the penalties
for not doing so. I understand that an
unexcused absence from a rehearsal or performance will seriously affect my
grade in Choir. I have had all questions
concerning the content of this Handbook answered and will do my best to live up
to the intent of this contract.
Student Signature
_________________________________________________ Date _______
I/We have read the Kamiak
High School Choir Handbook and have discussed it with my/our child. I/We will do our best to encourage him/her to
abide by the rules and regulations of the Choir.
Parent Signature
__________________________________________________ Date ________
Please return this page by
September something or other, 2008
I am interested in
supporting the Choir by becoming a Performing Arts Booster!
Please call me at
_______________________ to let me know how I can get involved!
My e-mail
address___________________________________________
*First General Music Boosters Meeting on Thursday, September 25th at
7:00PM
in the Band
Room. Both new and old members
encouraged to attend.
DIRECTOR
OF CHOIRS