LOUDOUN COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL
RAIDER RHAPSODY
CHORAL HANDBOOK
2014-2015
Robin H. Duncan
Loudoun County HS
415 Dry Mill Rd. SW
Leesburg, VA 20175
(571) 252-2004
LOUDOUN COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL
CHORAL DEPARTMENT
2014 – 2015 CALENDAR OF EVENTS
September
8th & 9th – Auditions for the “Chamber Choir” – Before & after school
15th – Cookie Fundraiser will start
19th – All forms and fees are due.
19th – Tri-M Applications due (NO EXCEPTIONS)
22nd – Back to school night.
29th – 1st Choral Coffee House of the year.
30th – Cookie Fundraiser Ends
October
1st – Paper work and money for Cookie Fundraiser is due.
1st – Tri – M Auditions; 8:00 a.m.and 4:00 p.m.
11th – Honors Choir Auditions at Longwood University (Seniors Only)
11th – A cappella choir performs at Concert at School.
6th 7th & 8th – All-County Auditions – Before School (if Needed)
8th – Tri- M 1st Meeting at 8:15 a.m.
24th – Homecoming Game – Chamber Choir & Concert Choir Sings National Anthem
*23rd – “Family Fun Night” – 7:00 p.m. Performances in cafeteria with just desserts this year
November
4th -District Chorus auditions at PFHS J
14th- 15th – All County Chorus @ HHS
16th – Register for Acapella Choir Event by this date.
19th – Tri-M Induction Ceremony
20 - 22 – VMEA Music Conference at Norfolk, VA (VMEA Honors Choir)
December
4 – 6 – Fall Musical
7th – Lights of Love Concert (Chamber Choir)
9th – Simpson Chorus Concert at LCHS
*17th – Rehearsal after school for all ensembles 4:00p.m.until 6:00p.m.
*18th – Choral Winter Concert @ 7:00 p.m.
12th – Chamber Choir/Show Choirs Field trip to Mall, Elementary Schools, etc.
19th – Chamber Choir/Show Choirs Field trip to Simpson, Evergreen and LCHS to perform
January
12th – 2nd Choral Coffee House
10th – Middle School and High School A cappella Workshop at RRHS
February
20th & 21st – All District Chorus at WGHS
23rd – All-State Chorus Auditions (Jr. & Sr. Only) at LCHS
*25 - 28 – ACDA Nationals in Salt Lake City, Utah
March
3 – All-State Auditions (Snow Day)
18 & 19 – Middle School Assessment @ Simpson
20 & 21 – High School Assessment @ PVHS (Mixed Choir will not go)
28 - 5 – SPRING BREAK
April
10 - 13 – Choir Spring Trip to Disney!! (You will miss 1 A day and 1 B day)
27th – Last Choral Coffee House of the year
23rd – 25th - All-Virginia Chorus at Tysons Corner (juniors & seniors only)
May
14th -16th - LCHS Spring Play
19th – Simpson Chorus Concert at LCHS
20th – After school rehearsal for all groups – 4 -6 p.m.
21st – LCHS Spring Chorus Concert
29th – Senior Showcase
June
16th – Last Day of School
17th – Graduation – 8:00 A.M. (Chamber Choir + Seniors sing)
PURPOSE STATEMENT
The Show Choir is an elective course that is available by vocal and dance auditions to students in grades nine through twelve. Members of the Show Choir will develop movement skills and continue to develop advanced choral singing technique through the study and performance of choral music in jazz, pop, and Broadway styles. The members of the show Choir will perform choral music in at least four parts with a difficulty level of three or higher. Students are required to perform in a minimum of 4 concerts during the school year.
GOALS
Students will:
· Sing while performing choreographed movements with varying levels of difficulty.
· Sing with pitch accuracy and appropriate diction, correct posture, good tone quality and intonation throughout their ranges, while incorporating choreography into the musical selections.
· Sing with good breath control throughout their ranges, while performing a variety of choreographed movements.
· Sing selections with a difficulty level of three or higher from memory with expression and technical accuracy.
· Demonstrate and apply the knowledge of correct vocal production and the understanding of the physique of the voice as an instrument.
· Sing music representing various styles and historical periods in four or more parts.
· Perform with a variety of accompaniments.
· Continue to practice appropriate concert etiquette as an involved performer.
· Continue to practice appropriate concert behavior as an involved listener.
CLASSROOM EXPECTATIONS
10 “Be-Attitudes”
- Be Prepared: Know what you are doing and where you are going. Be familiar with all entrances and exits.
- Be a Performer: The second you enter a stage, perform! You never get a 2nd chance to make a first impression. Use great posture at all times and think stage presence. Be confident. Keep hands to sides unless choreographed otherwise. No picking and scratching. J Don’t adjust hair, costumes, or touch hands to face. Someone is watching all the time!
- Be a Communicator. Make sure you are understood. Use good diction – including vowels and consonants. This also includes Facial expressions. Faces should match the text.
- Be Honest. Audiences see through fake emoting and/or passive stage performances. Be energetic but not over the top with forced excitement. Entrances, transitions, and exits need sincerity & integrity.
- Be Versatile. If something happens, don’t panic onstage. Life happens. It will continue to happen on the stage. Be flexible and adaptable. The best performers and resourceful when something goes wrong.
- Be Artistic. Don’t be afraid to show your true colors. Sing, Dance, and live life to the fullest. Leave all of your inhibitions at the door! The more you put into it, the more you get out of it!
- Be A Growing Entertainer. Demand growth from everyone. Fellow singers, director and yourself.
- Be Professional. Demonstrate professionalism on stage and off by having the correct costume, hair, and makeup. Press and clean costumes regularly. Shines shoes, check for runs in hosiery, wear correct head wear or jewelry, be on time, and be prepared. Buy a clothes bag and put your name on it and keep all of your stuff in it.
- Be a Team Member. Work hard individually so that when you come together as a team, you are not the weak link. Don’t let 1 bad attitude affect your spirit or the spirit of those around you. Attitudes are contagious. Practice in a mirror!! (LEAVE CELL PHONES ALONE!!!)
GRADING POLICIES
Grades will be determined by the following:
Rehearsal:
Each day, students will have the opportunity to earn participation points. This involves vocal participation, posture, bringing required materials, and being an active member of the choral atmosphere. Also not having gum, food, cell phones and disturbing class. Remember: Chorus is a performance-based class. Everyone plays a significant role in the sound of the chorus and that is why participation is a significant portion of the total points for each quarter.
Music Theory:
Music theory quizzes and tests will be assigned to reinforce concepts learned in class. Topics include musical terminology, notation, and symbols. (This will happen more this year so be ready)
Sight-Reading:
Students will explore common techniques to improve their skill at sight-reading. They will be assessed in class on their progress. You will be evaluated both as a group as well as individually.
Performance Evaluations - Sing-Offs: (Vocal & Choreography)
Students will come up to the piano in groups and sing their part in a section of a song that we are working on. This will be done as practice and as a grade.
Performance:
Students will be given singing assessments in class and will be expected to attend all after school rehearsals and concerts. This is a performing class and each student is a vital part of the ensemble. In periods without concerts larger-scale assessments will be given.
OTHER IMPORTANT EXPECTATIONS OF CONDUCT
· Clean mouth – no bad language in classroom or on field trip
· Do not play piano without permission
· Do not leave auditorium without asking permission.
· No eating in auditorium unless it is a special occasion
· If we are not dancing, bring folders and a pencil
REHEARSALS:
(Good rules to go by)
• Rehearsals should start and end on time. (get set up and ready to go)
• Get in the habit of listening. Director and Choreographer/s should only have to say things one time.
• NO CELL PHONES present in class. If we are done rehearsing, that is fine.
• Unless you are bleeding, do not utter a sound!
• There will be Section Leaders and Dance Captains this year. Please be respectful of them and do what they say. If you have a problem with them, either go to them nicely or come to me. We will work it out!
• Let’s make rehearsals fun! (Leave personal problems outside of the room)
• Bring folders and pencils to every rehearsal
• Practice outside of the classroom and use a mirror
• Respect Classmates. I want a safe environment.
• NO GUM!!
• Sit in sections unless I tell you otherwise
• Keep up with your music and folders
• Start memorizing music ASAP. Memorize nuances as well as notes and words.
Remember “Perfect Practice makes Perfect Performance”
A FEW LAST THINGS….
WELCOME TO SHOW CHOIR!!
(You are going to have a blast!)
WORK HARD!!
BE DEDICATED!!
Work like you don’t need the money,
Love like you’ve never been hurt,
Dance like nobody’s looking.
J
CONCERT ATTIRE
INFORMATION FOR ALL SHOW CHOIR MEMBERS: Each member is required to bring in $75.00 to cover the rental of your formal wear. This fee is used to maintain and replenish the supply of uniforms for your ensemble. The concert wear is expensive and difficult to replace. Students are required to take good care of their uniforms and they must be returned in good condition in the spring. When hemming, please do not cut if at all possible. If something is lost or damaged, the student will be responsible for the cost of replacing the concert wear. Students are also responsible for having the concert wear dry cleaned prior to turning it in following the Spring Concert. GET A GARMENT BAG WITH YOUR NAME ON IT!!!!!
MEN: You need to wear BLACK DRESS SHOES and BLACK DRESS SOCKS with your formal wear. You can also purchase black shoes if you need them. You will need to have black dress pants. I will give you the shirts, vests and other things that you will need.
LADIES: You need to wear BLACK CHARACTER SHOES with your concert dress. If you do not already own a pair, they will be available for purchase prior to the first performance. You are responsible for hemming your dresses to the required length. Necklaces are NOT to be worn with concert attire. Any other jewelry must be discreet and in keeping with the formal look we are trying to create. You will need to purchase a head band, tights and pants to go under your dress. All of this is an additional $25.00.
ALL STUDENTS: Hair is to be clean and neat when in concert dress. Hairstyles that hide the eyes or otherwise interfere with the face are not acceptable for concert performances. Do not wear colognes, perfumes, or strong lotions during performances.
There are three outfits you should have:
LADIES SHOULD HAVE: 1. Red Dress 2. Black & Silver Dress,
3. Gold sequin tops – (you will need to have black dance pants with this), Black Character Shoes, Dance tights and Capizeo undies.
MEN SHOULD HAVE:
1. Black dress shirt, Red tie, black dress pants, red vest
2. Silver suit, same black dress shirt, sequined tie
3. Black Dress pants, Black dress shirt and gold tie?
We will begin the process of issuing concert attire and measuring the week of September 22, 2014. Each student will be fitted for concert attire during his/her chorus class. It is very important that each student has completed all paperwork and has the appropriate deposit paid when called for his/her fitting. When students are not ready with the necessary forms and money, it really slows down the entire distribution process. Students must have the following in order to receive concert attire:
· $75.00 rental fee. Checks should be made payable to Loudoun County High School.
· Concert Attire Rental Procedures form with parent or guardian and student signatures.
· Completed Handbook Acknowledgement form for 2014-2015. This is due to me by September 19th.
If you are in more than one ensemble, you will need to pay an extra $10 per choir.
Students needing to order shoes should include $25.00 more for shoes and I will order them for you.
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I have read the information about the attire procedures and have reviewed the page from the 2014/2015 Choral Department Handbook. I understand and agree with the responsibilities set forth concerning care and maintenance of concert attire. I also understand that I need to bring the attire back after the Spring Concert dry cleaned and ready for use next year. (Turn this in by Sept. 19th)
______
Parent or Guardian Signature Date
______
Student Signature Date
Check Number ______Amount ______
($75 – Formal Wear Rental for Show Choir)
($10 extra if you are in 2 choirs)
Shoe size - _____ ($25.00 if purchasing shoes – guys as well)
($25.00 if you need undies & tights)
HANDBOOK ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
(This form must be signed and returned by September 19, 2014)
Student Name (please print)______
I understand and agree to all of the rules, guidelines, and standards of conduct as stated in the Loudoun County High School Choral Department Handbook. I also agree to follow any additional rules, guidelines and standards of conduct that may be presented by Mrs. Duncan or other persons of authority, including chaperones and substitute teachers while a member of the Choral Program. I understand and accept that infraction of these rules, guidelines and standards or otherwise inappropriate behavior may result in lowering of grades and/or disciplinary action including dismissal from choral activities, early travel home at my parent’s expense, and/or dismissal from the Choral Program.
______
Student Signature Date