Chorus
Dear Parents/Guardians and 5th and 6th grade students,
A new year has begun, and it is time to get those vocal chords warmed up and ready for another year of elementary chorus! I am looking forward to a new year of great music and learning. Chorus is open to all fifth and sixth graders. You don’t need anything fancy for this group, just the desire to make music with your voice.
If your child would like to participate in chorus this year, all you need to do is review the guidelines that are attached and return the permission slip with both signatures required. Please have the permission slips returned by Friday, September 7, 2012. After that date, students will be asked to wait until January to join.
There has been a change in schedule for this school year. Rehearsals in all buildings will be from 7:50-8:20. Kistler will have rehearsal every Monday and Friday. Mapleton will rehearse every Tuesday. Shirley Township will have rehearsal every Wednesday and Thursday. This new arrangement is to assist your child in not missing core subject instructional time.
Due to the early rehearsal times, I am asking for students to eat breakfast at home on the designated rehearsal days. Should this not be possible, your child will be able to eat a breakfast bar/juice/milk in the music room that will be deducted from their account as if they were eating in the cafeteria. Missed rehearsal time accumulates and can result in consequences (see attendance policy). If you cannot adhere to the above scenario due to extenuating circumstance, please call me at your child’s school to discuss your individual situation.
I appreciate your support of the elementary music program. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me. Also be sure to bookmark the elementary band and chorus website. Information throughout the year will posted there for you convenience.
Sincerely,
Gretchen Crouse
Mrs. Crouse’s Schedule
Monday & Friday- Kistler
Tuesday- Mapleton
Wednesday & Thursday- Shirley Township
Chorus Guidelines 2012-2013
Please, read and make sure you understand the following guidelines. It is essential that all students in chorus agree to comply with these guidelines. If you choose to participate, I will need the permission slip returned to me by September 7, 2012.
Breakdown of the Year:
The year will be divided into two “seasons”- fall/winter and spring. We will be preparing from September until December for participation in the Winter concert and January through May for the Spring concert.
Eligibility:
All fifth and sixth graders are eligible for chorus. There are no auditions for this ensemble or chair placements. This process will not eliminate anyone based on ability.
Participation:
Students are expected to return a signed permission slip by September 7, 2012. After handing in a permission slip, dropping chorus during the season will not be accepted. In order to drop chorus, the student must give the director a note signed by the parent/guardian, stating the intent of the student and a reason why the drop is necessary. Students are committed to the group for the entire year, otherwise. Consistency is extremely important to the success of the group and can only be achieved by the year long commitments of the students involved.
Attendance:
Regular attendance is required at all rehearsals and mandatory for performances, except in the case of an extreme emergency. Even if not able to fully participate due to a sore throat, cold, etc., attendance at school still means attendance at rehearsals. One can learn by listening, so you are expected to be there. The director must be asked/notified in advance of any absences. Students failing to attend the spring concert will not be allowed to participate for the rest of the school year and will not receive an award for participating in chorus for that year. Only family or medical emergencies are excusable. Parents must contact the director the day following the concert to discuss the absence or will otherwise agree to forfeit any recognition certificate.
Conduct:
Being in the chorus is a privilege. Therefore, it is expected that all students will act appropriately during all rehearsals and performances. To keep all students accountable, there is a “three strikes and you are out” policy. Students will receive a strike for any of the following: unexcused absence from a rehearsal or performance (includes skipping chorus), negative treatment of the other students, refusal to follow directions, display of disruptive behavior, use of foul language and any other infringement of the rules stated in the student handbook. Parents/guardians and the student will be notified if a student receives a strike. The director reserves the right to immediately remove any student from chorus whose behavior has been considered “severe”. Singing in a chorus is a team effort in which we work to create beautiful music to be performed for others. How we present ourselves is of most importance. Only students willing to uphold high standards of behavior should join this group.
Consequences
Parents/students must be aware that chorus is held in the early morning to alleviate missed instructional time of other core subjects. Students need to eat breakfast at home or within the 10 minute time allotment during the morning of rehearsals. Students who skip a rehearsal or accumulate minutes for being tardy will undergo: one recess detention for a skipped rehearsal or 30 minutes of accumulated tardy minutes; two recess detentions for an additional skipped rehearsals or 30 additional minutes of accumulated tardy minutes; removal from the chorus for three skipped rehearsals or 30 additional minutes of tardiness. Each infraction is considered a “strike” after three “strikes” punishment is removal from the singing group.
Music/Supplies:
Any and all music or supplies handed out during the year should be taken care of and returned by the end of the year. It is not easy to replace music, so please be considerate! Music not returned is music for which you must pay. Any music that is missing from a parts folder will be billed directly to the student/parent. The student/parent will then be responsible to reimburse the school district for the costs associated with replacing the music. This can include the cost of the music plus shipping and handling charges. If lost music is not paid for before the end of the school year, the final report card may be held.
(Detach and return to Mrs. Crouse)
Parent:
I give ______my permission to participate in chorus during the 2012-2013 school year. I have read the guidelines and understand that my child must abide by them in order to participate. I also understand the attendance policy. I further understand that my child may not quit chorus during the 2012-2013 school year without a signed note from myself.
Parent/Guardian Signature:______
Mailing Address:______
Phone Number: ______
Student:
I understand the guidelines for chorus and I need to abide by them in order to participate. I also understand that I must attend all rehearsals in order to participate in choral activities.
Student Signature:______
Student’s Homeroom Teacher: ______
Date: ______