Printable version of the choral handbook 

Carrie VanDenburgh, Director

Welcome to the Choral Department of the Fine Arts Department.  In order to continually improve the quality of our music program, it is essential that every member acquaint him/herself with this handbook by carefully reading the rules, regulations and expectations of the organization.  This will help prepare you for the responsibilities you have accepted as a member of this organization.  When a question arises, consult your handbook and if you need further assistance, consult the director.

Philosophy and Objectives

Music and the ability to produce music are precious gifts.  Our primary mission is to use these gifts by enabling each student to become an active witness through music.  An important secondary mission is to allow our students to begin and continue their involvement in the performing arts.  The Music Department also seeks to:

 

1.  To promote a wider appreciation for music through learning the rules, techniques, and styles that differentiates music of the past and present.

 

2.  To provide each student with the means for a social and emotional outlet through worthwhile use of leisure time for your future.

 

3.  To promote the training of the emotions through a musical experience that can be used in everyday living, or as a possible vocation.  Some areas to be stressed are as follows: self discipline, good posture, fundamental physical skills, self-expression, and group dynamics.

4.  To perform for school activities, educational events, and festivals.

 

Course Description

Bridgman High School Concert Choir

The Bridgman Concert Choir is open to all interested singers.  The Bridgman Concert Choir performs in on-campus concerts and festivals and off-campus concerts and festivals.  Students must audition for this group to find out what section they will be singing.

 

Policies

Membership

Every student in choir is expected to participate for the entire school year (if possible).

 

Students interested in participating in the choir must make an audition appointment with the director prior to or during orientation/registration week.  Audition is used to measure the student’s musical ability and to determine chair placement.

Attendance

Every member of the choir is obligated to attend every rehearsal (regular or extra scheduled) and every public appearance of their organization.  Personal illness, death in the immediate family, and discretion of the director will be accepted as legitimate excuses if the director is notified in ADVANCE by the parent/guardian.  Only ADVANCE excuses will be acceptable.  Night rehearsals will be held to a minimum.  Please understand work and vacations are not valid excuses.  Plan ahead and make prior arrangements.  If a student misses a performance that is excused by the director they will need to give a director a note from a parent/guardian and write a three-page paper.  The topic will be chosen by the director.  If a student misses a performance and it is an unexcused absence they will receive a zero for that performance and may result in dismissal from the ensemble.

 

As a cooperative team, every member’s attendance is crucial for any ensemble’s success.  The following attendance policy reflects this thought:

             

Officers will take roll at the bell.  Students must be inside the rehearsal room at this time. 

Those coming in after the roll has been taken are considered tardy.            

A tardy is excused only with a note from a teacher/supervisor at the time of occurrence.

Unexcused absences reduce the grade by one letter grade.  Three unexcused absences will result in a failing grade. 

Three unexcused tardies equal one unexcused absence.

Unexcused absences from a performance may result in dismissal from the ensemble. 

Foreseeable conflict with a performance date must be communicated to the director as soon as possible. 

 

Rehearsal Procedures

Upon entering the room, the student’s should:

1.  Pick up a folder from designated closet.  Each student is assigned a folder. 

2.  Sharpen a pencil in the folder as needed before the rehearsal begins.

3.  Put music in order as listed on the board.

No talking other than designated discussion time/transition time is allowed since it disrupts other students and their learning process.  Repeated offense will lower the daily participation grade.  Questions should be directed to the director by raising a hand rather than to your neighbor to avoid confusion and disruption.             

No food, no gum chewing, no sun glasses, no hats, no backpacks are allowed during rehearsals and performances.  Please use the restroom before class and tend to filling up water bottles before class begins. 

A respectful and positive attitude towards the director and your fellow students is expected.  

The student will pay for lost music and folders not turned in at the end of the school year. 

Uniforms

Men:            Black tux, bow tie, cummerbund, and white winged-tip shirt.  Measurements will be taken during the first     month and the uniform will be given to you. 

Women:       Black choir dresses will be given to you during the first month. 

All students are required to provide their own black shoes as well as black socks or nylons.

Uniforms are required for each peformance.  The daily participation is reduced for students with incomplete uniforms.

Uniforms not returned at the end of the school year will result in a payment to the school of $55.  All men are required to pay  a $5 cleaning fee for the tuxedos by the first month of school.

 

Grading

Students will receive two points for attendance each class period.  If student is tardy they will only receive one point for that class period.  Unexcused absences will result in no points for that class period.  If a student has 7 excused absences, on the eighth absence they will not receive points for excused absences or participation points. 

 

Each class period students will receive 5 points for full participation.  If for some reason the student does not oblige with the statements made in this handbook they can lose a point or points.  This is part of their participation grade.

 

Performance exams will happen periodically during the year and happen during the rehearsal. The director will form quartets within the group and each group will perform a piece of music the choir has been working on.  The grade is based in four areas: how well one knows the song, music marking, tone quality, and overall improvement since the previous performance exam.

 

Being tardy or absence to a performance will lower the student’s grade.

 

Grades will be based on the following areas in all ensembles:

              Attendance and Daily Participation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  30%

              Performance Exams, Quizzes, and Written Assignments . . . . . . . .  . . 20%

              Performances . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .50%

 

              93 – 100            A                         73 – 76               C

              90 – 92              A-                        70 – 72               C-         

              87 – 89              B+                       67 – 69               D+                      

              83 – 86              B                          63 – 66              D                        

              80 – 82              B-                        60 – 62               D-

              77 – 79              C+                       59 and below F

 

Awards

 

Director’s Award

Awarded to the most outstanding member in the ensemble based on musicianship, leadership qualities, attendance, service to the school, and attitude.

                           

Most Outstanding 9, 10, 11, & 12 Member

Awarded to the most outstanding member in each grade based on musicianship, leadership qualities, attendance, service to the school, and attitude.

 

Most Improved Member 

Awarded to the most improved member in the ensemble who has shown improvement throughout the year.

 

Officers

 

The officers listed below form a council for the ensemble, which meets on a monthly basis with the director to discuss various aspects of the organization such as tour planning, fund raising, artistic improvement, social activities, concert PR, and recruitment.

 

Brief job descriptions for each office are as follows:

             

President:

                  1.  In charge of conducting monthly meetings and consultations with the director.

                  2.  Communicating and consulting with other officers and other members.

              3.  Leads the other officers in publicity and planning.

Social Vice-President:

             1.  Assists the president  and will preside over the meetings when the president is absent.

             2.  Plans social activities for the school year.

Secretary/Treasurer:

                1.  Responsible for all council correspondence and minutes.

             2.  Gathers articles for newsletter and yearbook.

             3.  Responsible for all the council money.

 

Section Leaders:

              1.  Represents their section and serves as a bridge between the members-at-large and the council.

              2.  Responsible for musical improvement of their section as assigned by the director. 

 

Performance Schedule

• The students are to maintain courtesy and professionalism during the performance.
• All students must use school transportation to off-campus performances except when the parents make necessary arrangements with the school (the director, the principal, the vice-principal) and sign the Agreement Form

September

September 15, Monday – fees due for those auditioning for Honors Choir

October

October 11, Saturday – Honors Choir auditions at Western Michigan University

October 23, Thursday – Fall Fest at Bridgman High School Performing Arts Center at 7 p.m.   Students need to be there at 6 p.m. in concert attire. 

October 27, Monday – Honors choir forms and fees due

November

November 10, Monday –  6, 7, 8, 9, 10 Vocal Workshop at Lake Michigan College at 5:30 p.m.

December

December 6, Saturday – Regional Honors Choir Rehearsal and Performance at Western Michigan University

December 10, Wednesday – Winter Works at Bridgman High School Performing Arts Center at 7 p.m.  Students need to be there at 6 p.m. in concert attire.

December 12, Friday – State Honors Choir forms and fees due

December 19, Friday – Performance at BHS Performing Arts Center at 2 p.m.

January

January 20, Monday – District Solo and Ensemble fees and forms due.

January 22-24, Thursday thru Saturday – State Honors Choir Rehearsals and Performance in Grand Rapids

February

February 21, Saturday – District Solo and Ensemble at Southwestern Michigan College

February 25, Wednesday – Choir and Band Festival Show at BHS Performing Arts Center at 7 p.m.  Students need to be there at 6 p.m. in concert attire.

March

March 3, Tuesday – District Solo and Ensemble at the Chapel Church in St. Joseph

March 17, Tuesday – Bridgman Elementary Performance at 2:30 p.m.

April

April 16, Thursday – Lakeland Fine Arts Festival

April 17, 18, Friday & Saturday – State Solo and Ensemble at Lakeshore High School

May

April 30, May 1 Thursday & Friday – State Choral Festival in Hudsonville.

May 13, Wednesday – Spring into the Arts at BHS Performing Arts Center at 7 p.m.  Students need to be there at 6 p.m. in concert attire. 

May 31, Sunday – Graduation at BHS.  Students need to be there at 12:30 p.m.