2. Music Touches the Heart

3. Oakdale Middle School Patriot Choir Handbook ‘We create our tomorrows by what we dream today’

4. I Performance attendance is required. All choir students are required to attend grade level appropriate concerts. Contest Performance is required for advanced classes. Certain before/after school rehearsals will also be required. A student’s grade in choir will be determined concert performance and rehearsal. Missing a performance or rehearsal can result in lowering the student’s grade by 1 to 3 letter grades depending on the type of performance. Performances are considered to be similar to unit tests. The only excuse for missing a concert is a family emergency or the student being so ill that he/she misses school on the day of the concert. Parents should write a note to the director explaining the absence. Students will be given a written make- up assignment for excused absences.

5. II Proper classroom rehearsal techniques are required. The student’s grade will be determined by classroom rehearsal techniques. The student will be in his/her seat with the proper materials (music folder, theory folder and pencil) when the bell rings. All personal possessions will be placed at the back of the room. The student will not chew gum or eat food or candy, or have drinks in the choir room. The student will respect the teacher, the other class members, and the materials of the choir and the rules of the classroom. The student will participate. This includes singing and activities in each rehearsal, as well as singing assessments and written assignments or assessments. If the student is sick and cannot sing, a written note from the parents should be given to the director before class begins. Music and folders will remain in the choir room. The teacher’s office, piano, desk, files and storage rooms are off limits. Rehearsal rooms may be used with the permission of the teacher.

6. Oakdale Middle School Choir Rehearsal Techniques Expectations Rubric Advanced Students Stand and Sit with correct posture almost always Sing correct notes and rhythms almost always Participate in class activities almost always Turn in all written assignments Are quiet and attentive during rehearsals almost always

7. Proficient Students Stand and Sit with correct posture most of the time Sing correct notes and rhythms most of the time Participate in class activities most of the time Turn in written assignments most of the time Are quiet and attentive during rehearsals most of the time

8. Basic Students Stand and Sit with correct posture some of the time Sing correct notes and rhythms some of the time Participate in class activities some of the time Turn in written assignments some of the time Are quiet and attentive during rehearsals some of the time Below Basic Students Stand and Sit with correct posture only when reminded Do not attempt to sing correct notes and rhythms Do not participate in class activities Do not turn in written assignments Are vocally disruptive during rehearsals

9. III The choir director will: Notify the parents well in advance of concerts, contest and other choir events. Be available to parents’ questions for information. Operate a fair and orderly classroom.

10. 2015 - 2016 Oakdale Patriot Choir Calendar Fall Festival RehearsalMonday Sept. 28th Heritage High School 9:00 AM Fall Festival ConcertTues. Sept. 29 th Heritage High School 7:00 PM ** Region Night OutFriday, Oct.9 th Oakdale 3:30-5:45 PM (students auditioning for all-region) **Region Tryout ClinicFriday, Oct. 16th RHS 3:30 ** All-Region TryoutsSat. Oct. 24 th Siloam Springs TBA ** All-Region ClinicSat. Nov. 7th Springdale PAC All Day Veteran’s Day Assembly Wed. Nov. 11 th Oakdale 9:30 AM7 th /8 th grade Team BuildingThurs. Nov. 12 th TBA3:15 – 5:00 PM Nursing Homes ? Dec. TBA Rogers (select group) +Winter ConcertTues. Dec.8 th Oakdale6:30 PM CPA ClinicWed. Feb. 17 th Oakdale3:00 – 5:00 PM

11. Financial Responsibilities 1. Classroom supplies: *Music theory folder (pockets with 3 prongs) *notebook paper *pencil *box of tissues

12. 2. Uniform: 7 th and 8 th grade Choirs: * Choir t-shirt and blue jeans with no holes * Part of the formal uniform is provided a. dry-cleaning fee $10 b. girls – black shoes, black nylons ? c. boys – black shoes, black socks, black belt, black dress pants ?

13. Oakdale Choir T Shirt Order Form Student Name ___________________________________________ Paid ______ Class Period __________________________________________ Grade _____ Cost of the Shirt $10. Make the check payable to Oakdale Choir. Order is due on Friday, August 22nd. Adult sizes: YL S M L XL XXL (XXL will cost $11)

14. Uniform Agreement This uniform has been checked out to ____________________________. The size is ___________________________. The school purchased this uniform and the replacement cost is ____. The $10 dry-cleaning fee has been paid. _________________ (Date). A $10 dry-cleaning fee will be charged for each uniform. This will be used to clean the uniforms at the end of the year. The dry-cleaning fee will be due Friday, August 22nd, before the uniform can be taken home. All uniforms must be returned to the school on Friday, May 15th.

15. 3. T Shirt (all choir students) $10 4. Fall Fun Day (optional) $15 5. All Region (optional) $20 6. Region night out (optional) $ 5 7. Solo/Ensemble (optional – maximum) $12

16. Concert Etiquette Audience members are encouraged to follow some well-established standards for formal concert behavior. Refrain from talking or whispering during the performance. Remain seated for the entire concert if at all possible. If it is absolutely necessary to do so, move only between selections and exit at the nearest door or the back of the auditorium. Wait to re-enter the auditorium until the performing group is finished. Applause is the only appropriate form of expressing appreciation. A good rule of thumb is to wait until the conductor lowers her hands to indicate the completion of the selection or work. Please eliminate disruptions by turning off pagers, cell phones, and removing small children who are crying or speaking loudly. Students are not permitted to leave until the end of the concert and are expected to observe all performing groups. This is part of the educational process.

17. Let’s have an AWESOME year!!!