7th Grade Chorus HANDBOOK

This handbook should give you a detailed understanding of chorus class, including information about and rationale behind: 1) Our activities 2) Class guidelines, procedures, and expectations 3) Concert schedule and expectations 4) Full-group rehearsal schedule and expectations 5) Grading 6) Resource usage (click on a category above to go directly to the section you need, or scroll through this entire presentation to see all of it)

Mr. Sanchez’ Goals for Chorus Through my teaching, each student will: Give excellent concert performances. Become a better musician and singer. Learn how to effectively work in a large group. Enjoy both the process AND the product of hard work. Everything in this handbook is written and implemented with these goals in mind. Back to Table of Contents

The Basics… Back to Table of Contents

What Will We Do? SING! Concert Music Improve Music Reading Skills Daily Warm-Ups Music Reading Exercises Rhythm Pitch Short melodies Concert Music Improve Music Reading Skills Pitch, rhythm, melodies, expression markings, following the music, etc. Improve Singing Skills Physical aspects of singing: Posture, Breathing, Face Shape, Expression, etc. Back to Table of Contents

Room 201 Guidelines Please be sure to show Respect and Responsibility: Get to class on time! Keep the room neat. Straighten chairs, don’t change how they are set up Pick up trash Recycle appropriate items. No trash in recycling bins! Hands off: The blue curtain My piano Any other instruments in the room My computer Back to Table of Contents

What should you bring to class each day? Something to write with. Something to put papers in. We will not use these things frequently, but you should have them when we need them!!! Back to Table of Contents

Entry Procedures Follow this procedure every day, unless otherwise directed! 1) Enter class, look for the day’s goals / directions on the screen. 2) Set your books under your chair. 3) Get your folder. 4) Check your folder to see if you have all the music you need. If not, look on the wooden shelf next to the folders. 5) Tape any music that is falling apart. Please tape lengthwise – down the spine of the music. 6) Sit in your chair & put your folder under the chair. 7) Be ready for Mr. Sanchez to start rehearsal. Back to Table of Contents

Rest Room/Drink Procedures Wait for a transition time between activities. Raise your hand and ASK MR. SANCHEZ to leave. When he says yes, sign out and take the appropriate rake pass (currently orange for boys, purple for girls). Exit and return from the rear door. Sign in upon your return. Abuse of this procedure will result in a more rigid rest room plan.

Exit Procedures 1) Carefully put your music back in your folder. 2) Put your folder back in the correct slot. 3) Grab your books and go.

YOU US It’s not about YOU, it’s about US! Chorus Expectation Back to Table of Contents

US Chorus Expectation Chorus is unique because: #1 - It is the only class where you take the final test as a group (twice a year at our concerts!). US Back to Table of Contents

US Chorus Expectation Chorus is unique because: #2 - NO ONE can ‘ride the bench!’ Everyone is in the starting line up when we sing as a group in front of our audience! US Back to Table of Contents

Concerts and After-School Rehearsals… Back to Table of Contents

7th Grade Performances Veterans Day Assembly Monday, November 11th, 7:40 a.m. WINTER Concert Wednesday, December 11th, 7:00 p.m. SPRING Concert Wednesday, April 30th, 7:00 p.m. (In-school performances before our winter and spring concerts are yet unscheduled) Back to Table of Contents

Absences from a Concert Our concerts are the ‘final tests’ of chorus class, and should be treated with the same respect. You should put our concerts on your family calendar IMMEDIATELY, and avoid scheduling other things at the same time. If there are any possible conflicts with these dates, please have your parents contact me by the end of September!!! The next page lists possible ‘excused’ reasons for missing the concert. Back to Table of Contents

Absences from a Concert Excused Absence Examples Unexcused Absence Examples Family travel or event (if communicated to Mr. Sanchez in September) Too much homework Going to a concert (such as the Q102 Jingle Ball) Sickness or Last minute emergency (bring a parent excuse note or email by the next day you are in school!) No ride Sports or other practice Dr. Appointment (unless it is an emergency!) Very few other situations Had to go shopping Forgot to bring me an excuse note. Forgot we had a concert. Etc. Back to Table of Contents

Absences from a Concert Excused Absences from the Winter or Spring Concert may be made up for full credit. Be sure to get the make-up assignment from Mr. Sanchez. Excused Absences from during-school performances do not need to be made up. Unexcused Absences earn a failing grade. The grade will be entered as ‘missing’ (0%) in the gradebook. You may complete a make-up assignment to earn partial credit (50%). Be sure to get the make-up assignment from Mr. Sanchez. Back to Table of Contents

Concert Attire for Winter and Spring Concerts* Chorus students wear a particular outfit in order to: - Give the chorus a uniform, ‘professional’ look, - Minimize distractions due to clothing, - Help to make the concert performance special. *Please note – concert dress for other concerts is a little less ‘uniform’ and is specified on the next slide. The concert attire described is expected and required. If you have any concerns about meeting these guidelines, please have your parent contact me. We will be able to work something out! Back to Table of Contents

7th Grade Concert Attire Dress Code A: Any color button-down shirt and dress pants (gentlemen – long tie) (dark socks/dress shoes) Wear this attire for: Veterans Day Assembly in November Evening Winter Concert in December Evening Spring Concert in April Dress Code B: You may wear the clothes you wore for Dress Code A OR: Any style solid-colored shirt or sweater and dress pants/school-appropriate skirt OR any school-appropriate dress. Ties optional. NO SHORTS. Any shoes that go with the outfit. In-School Preview Concert in December In-School Preview Concert in April Back to Table of Contents

After-School Rehearsals In order to prepare effectively for our concerts, there will be several after-school rehearsals for the entire chorus throughout the year. Rehearsal activities include: Finding out where to sit and stand during the concert. Practicing a professional-looking entrance and exit from the auditorium/stage. Rehearsing Choral Performance Skills. Rehearsing the concert music. Rehearsals are USUALLY held from 2:45-4:00. Dates will be announced well in advance. Back to Table of Contents

After School Rehearsals – 7th Grade 1 Before Veterans Day Performance 2 or 3 before Winter Concert 2 or 3 Before Spring Concert

After School Rehearsals – 7th Grade Monday, November 4th 2:45-4:00pm Friday, November 22nd 2:45-4:00pm Monday, December 9th 2:45-3:40pm

After-School Rehearsal - Absences There are always students who have legitimate schedule conflicts with an after-school rehearsal. How to be ‘excused’ for these conflicts will be detailed in the next section of this Handbook. Any student who does not have an excused reason to miss rehearsal will be considered ‘unexcused.’ Back to Table of Contents

After-School Rehearsal - Absences Excused Rehearsal Absences Marked ‘missing’ (0%) in the gradebook. Can earn full credit (100%) when made up. To make up: attend a resource rehearsal for your chorus. Make-up rehearsal dates announced in class, on the white board calendar in the chorus room, on the Tamanend Choral Calendar on my website, and on the AM and scrolling announcements. If there is a resource make up before the after-school rehearsal that you know you’ll miss, you should attend it! If you are unable to attend a resource make-up, make alternative make-up arrangements with Mr. Sanchez. Back to Table of Contents

After-School Rehearsal - Absences Unexcused Rehearsal Absences Marked ‘missing’ (0%) in the gradebook . Can earn full credit (100%) when made up. To make up: attend a resource rehearsal* for your chorus (25%) AND Arrange with Mr. Sanchez to observe and complete a report about another after-school rehearsal (2:45-4:00pm) (75%). If you are unable to attend a resource make-up, make alternative make-up arrangements with Mr. Sanchez. * Make-up rehearsal dates announced in class, on the white board calendar in the chorus room, on the Tamanend Choral Calendar on my website, and on the AM and scrolling announcements Back to Table of Contents

Excused Absences from After-School Rehearsals Q: What if I.... Am absent from school (or sent home early by nurse)? A: If you are absent from school you are excused from rehearsal. You DO NOT need an excuse note. Be sure to make up the rehearsal at resource. Back to Table of Contents

Excused Absences from After-School Rehearsals Q: What if I.... Have a Tamanend Sports Practice? A: You will share your time between chorus rehearsal and your sports practice. 1) Inform your coach ahead of time. 2) Get dressed for practice right after school. 3) Come to chorus rehearsal by 2:45. 4) You will be dismissed at 3:30 to go to your practice. 5) You DO NOT need to make up any of the rehearsal. Back to Table of Contents

Excused Absences from After-School Rehearsals Q: What if I.... Have a Tamanend Sports Game/Meet/Match? A: You are excused from rehearsal. Be sure Mr. Sanchez knows you are on the team ahead of time, then go kick butt! Be sure to make up the rehearsal at resource (before OR after your game/meet/match). Note – if your game is cancelled/postponed due to inclement weather, you are expected to come to rehearsal instead! Back to Table of Contents

Excused Absences from After-School Rehearsals Q: What if I.... Have a doctors appointment / dance lesson / paid tutor session / etc. (any outside of school event)? A: Add rehearsals to your family calendar as soon as I announce the dates. Try to avoid outside conflicts whenever possible! If conflicts are unavoidable, you will be excused with a parent note or email. Be sure to make up the rehearsal at resource. Back to Table of Contents

Excused Absences from After-School Rehearsals Q: What if I.... Don’t have a ride home? A: Please check with friends as soon as possible to see if you can carpool! If you are unable to secure a ride, you will be excused with a parent note or email. Be sure to make up the rehearsal at resource. Back to Table of Contents

Excused Absences from After-School Rehearsals Q: What if I.... Have a last-minute situation that requires me to go directly home instead of rehearsal. (ex. you get sick at the end of the day) A: You will be excused with a parent note or email THE NEXT DAY YOU ARE IN SCHOOL. Be sure to make up the rehearsal at resource. Back to Table of Contents

After-School Rehearsals: Excuse Note Details When excuse notes are necessary, a parent note or parent email is accepted. Communication directly from a student is NOT ACCEPTED. Excuse notes are due BEFORE rehearsal, except last minute situations, when the note is due the NEXT DAY YOU ARE IN SCHOOL. Late excuse notes are accepted, but earn you a 25% penalty when you make up the rehearsal. Excused Absences that are not made up at resource remain ‘missing’ (0%). Back to Table of Contents

Grading… Back to Table of Contents

Choral Grading Philosophy My grading system is based on 2 principles: Performing in a music ensemble is a real-world (authentic) experience. Therefore, chorus grades should be based in part on the same criteria that an audience would use (subconsciously perhaps) to evaluate a choral performance. As a class in school, I am also able to assess students’ level of understanding of various musical, singing, rehearsal, or choral concepts that ultimately lead to the concert performance that an audience experiences. Back to Table of Contents

Grading Categories and Weights 40% Choral Singing and Rehearsal Skills (CSRS) 30% Concert and Rehearsal Contribution and Etiquette (CRCE) Assessments and Assignments (AA) Back to Table of Contents

Grading Categories and Weights 40% Choral Singing and Rehearsal Skills (CSRS) 30% Concert and Rehearsal Contribution and Etiquette (CRCE) Assessments and Assignments (AA) Back to Table of Contents

Choral Singing and Rehearsal Skills (CSRS) Overview Singing Skills: Healthy, efficient, and effective singing habits Rehearsal Skills: Cooperative, selfless, efficient, rehearsal habits Sing and stop singing as directed. Focus on singing, not peers, other work, etc. Sing with good posture. Modify your 'face shape' (lips, jaw, tongue, teeth) to match the sound you are singing. Sing with nothing in your mouth (gum, candy, food, etc.). Use appropriate body language while singing. Prepare for rehearsal upon entering class. Transition appropriately between rehearsal activities. Maintain focus when your section is NOT singing. Follow rehearsal directions. Respect your fellow chorus members. Take care of the choral music. Back to Grading Categories and Weights Back to Table of Contents

CSRS Grading Overview Students earn a regular (usually weekly) grade, out of 10 points, based on their exhibition of appropriate Singing and Rehearsal Skills. Each student starts the week with 9 out of 10 points. Consider this to be the grade for ‘acceptable’ singing skills. These grades will be pre-entered for the entire marking period and adjusted up or down as described below. I observe students during our rehearsals. Students exhibiting exemplary singing and rehearsal skills earn an extra point for their weekly grade. Bonus points are also possible. Students exhibiting poor singing or rehearsal skills earn a deduction of one or more points from their weekly grade. Back to Grading Categories and Weights Back to Table of Contents

Points earned for CSRS each week CSRS Weekly Grades Points earned for CSRS each week Skills shown in class 10 or more Excellent - always focused and cooperative, exhibits excellent singing habits. 9 Acceptable - often focused and cooperative, usually exhibits excellent singing habits. Some redirection needed on occasion, but accepted quickly and humbly. 8 Needs Improvement - sometimes focused and /orcooperative, sometimes exhibits good singing habits. Redirection needed throughout class, but is accepted quickly and humbly. 7 Borderline – some effort put into focus, cooperation, and/or good singing habits. Redirection needed often, though sometimes not accepted. 6 Failing - seemingly tries to earn a bad grade, very little or no effort put into focus, cooperation, and/or good singing habits. 5 or less You should not be in chorus class. You are bringing the entire chorus down. Back to Grading Categories and Weights Back to Table of Contents

Grading Categories and Weights 40% Choral Singing and Rehearsal Skills (CSRS) 30% Concert and Rehearsal Contribution and Etiquette (CRCE) Assessments and Assignments (AA) Back to Table of Contents

Concert and Rehearsal Contribution and Etiquette After-School Rehearsals Each graded on 4-point scale. See “After-School Rehearsals” section of this presentation for information about rehearsal absences. After-School Rehearsal 4-point grading scale 4 – Excellent Choral Singing and Rehearsal Skills exhibited. 3 – Poor Choral Singing OR Rehearsal Skills exhibited. 2 – Poor Choral Singing AND Rehearsal Skills exhibited. 1 – Earned if an Unexcused Absence is only partially made up. 0 (Missing) – Earned for Excused and Unexcused Absences that are not made up. Late excuse notes incur a -1 (25%) penalty from the grades above. Back to Grading Categories and Weights Back to Table of Contents

Concert and Rehearsal Contribution and Etiquette Concerts Graded on 4-point scale, weighted twice as much as rehearsals. See “Concerts” section of this presentation for information about rehearsal absences. Chorus Concert 4-point grading scale 4 – Excellent Choral Performance* and Singing Skills exhibited. 3 – Poor Choral Performance* OR Singing Skills exhibited. 2 – Poor Choral Performance* AND Singing Skills exhibited. Made-up Unexcused Absence 1 – Earned if an Unexcused Absence is only partially made up. 0 (Missing) – Earned for Excused and Unexcused Absences that are not made up. *Explanation of Choral Performance Skills on next page! Back to Grading Categories and Weights Back to Table of Contents

Choral Performance Skills (CPS) (part 1) Choral Performance Skills are a natural outgrowth of Choral Rehearsal Skills. You will see some similar descriptions below: Preparing yourself for the concert: Arriving on time, in the correct attire, to the correct location. Recognizing appropriate and inappropriate times to talk. There will be ample time for socialization before and after your performance. There are also times when SILENCE is expected. These times include, but are not limited to: When Mr. Sanchez is speaking to you. When ANY ADULT is giving you directions. When you are walking in the hallways toward the auditorium. When you enter the auditorium and walk onto the risers. When you get off the risers and exit the auditorium. Back to Grading Categories and Weights Back to Table of Contents

Choral Performance Skills (CPS) (part 2) Maintaining focus when you are on the risers. Even if you see your friends and family in the audience. Even though the risers may be crowded. Even if something unexpected happens. Listening carefully to and following directions. A Tamanend concert performance affects more than 1000 people. You are only 1 of those people. It’s not about you, it’s about ALL OF THEM. Do your job to make the concert run smoothly. Respecting other singers. Everybody makes mistakes, even in performance. Good performers don’t give them away. Back to Grading Categories and Weights Back to Table of Contents

Grading Categories and Weights 40% Choral Singing and Rehearsal Skills (CSRS) 30% Concert and Rehearsal Contribution and Etiquette (CRCE) Assessments and Assignments (AA) Back to Table of Contents

Assessments and Assignments Vocal Tests Written and/or computer assignments, quizzes Topics: Music Reading Pitch – letter names Rhythm Solfege Key, Time signatures Expression markings Following the music Singing Skills Posture, Breathing, Face Shape Aural Skills Back to Grading Categories and Weights Back to Table of Contents

Vocal Tests As your chorus teacher, I can learn a lot about the sound of the chorus by listening to the individuals that make up the chorus. While large-group singing is our main goal, hearing you sing individually or in a small group can help me learn where to focus my efforts with the larger group. They are also an indication of your success learning concepts we work on in class. Back to Grading Categories and Weights Back to Table of Contents

Vocal Tests Are not given in every single marking period. Will usually be sung individually. Are graded on teachable concepts, not the quality of your voice. Each have their own rubric or grading scale. Back to Grading Categories and Weights Back to Table of Contents

Other important stuff… Back to Table of Contents

Resource Make-Up Rehearsals Near the time of our after-school rehearsals, I will make a resource or two available for chorus make-ups. Check chorus room whiteboard calendar, watch/listen to announcements, and pay attention in class to find out when these rehearsals are scheduled. Get a pass from me BEFORE resource. Sign in upon arrival. CSRS expected (and graded if you are making up a missed after-school rehearsal). Back to Table of Contents

Resource Make-Up Rehearsals Who should come to these resources? Students with excused absences from after-school rehearsals. This will earn up to 100% of your grade. Plan ahead! You may make up a rehearsal before you miss it. Students with unexcused absences from after-school rehearsals. This will earn 25% of your grade. Students who have missed class and/or feel behind on learning music. Students who would like to earn a bonus CSRS point for the week. An extra-credit opportunity for excellent students. A second-chance opportunity for those who need it. Back to Table of Contents

Website My “Teacher Site” includes This handbook. Electronic copies of class handouts and assignments. Tamanend Choral Calendar Back to Table of Contents

Looking forward to a great year of Singing! Back to Table of Contents