New ProvidenceMiddle School
Choral Music Handbook
2016-2017
Catherine Flynn, director
Welcome to New ProvidenceMiddle School and thank you for your interest in the Middle School Music Program! I look forward to a very productive and musically enriching year as we work together in Choir.
There are many rewards to reap when we give the best of ourselves to music; we grow in our abilities and our understanding of the importance of music and the making of music. In the music program, we are ALL important to the overall success of the group.
This handbook contains information pertinent to each individual’s success and contributions to the New Providence Middle School Choir. There is SO much to learn about vocal music, and I am pleased you have chosen to join us!
Ms.Flynn
OBJECTIVES
- To understand and use proper vocal technique while singing for proper health and development of the vocal instrument
- To learn to sing expressively and to share our common experiences and emotions through music
- To improve our skill in music reading.
- To become better listeners
- To understand the history of the pieces we sing and the cultures they represent
- To develop and nurture a life-long appreciation for choral music, so that students will seek musical participation/enjoyment beyond the classroom
- To provide an environment in which a student will have the opportunity to develop and extend creative ability, self-expression and the desire and appreciation for performance excellence.
- PARENTS! These objectives can only be met through consistent practice. Please encourage your chorister to practice on a regular basis.
Grading Policy
Large Ensemble Participation
Materials include a choir folder and a pencil.
A Choral Citizenship Rubric explaining class participation expectation and evaluation is enclosed for your information.
Tests, Projects and Part Testing
Practice cards are collected monthly. Please make sure though, that they are updated weekly.
Performance
Concert dates are listed below.
As per the Music Department Policy for the New Providence School District
If a student is to be absent from a required performance, a letter requesting excusal from a parent/guardian must be submitted no less than one month prior to the performance. There are no exceptions except for cases of family emergency or extreme illness. These situations still require written requests of excusal.
All absences from performances require a student to perform concert repertoire for Ms. Flynn individually or in a small group. This is a graded assessment as concert performances are graded in a similar way. These graded performance assessments are up to the student to schedule at the convenience of the teacher.
When a performance is missed and is unexcused, 20 points will be deducted from the Marking Period Grade.
New Providence Middle School Choral Calendar
November 30- Middle School Autumn Concert*
December
1 – Middle School Winter Concert Snow Date*
2- Girls and Boys Ensemble@ NP Night of a Thousand Stars
7- Girls Ensemble at NP Senior Center 6:30 PM
March
22 – Ice Cream Social*
June
5 – Middle School Spring Concert*
20 – Middle School Promotion* (Girls’ Ensemble Only)
* - denotes required attendance
One month notice minimum in writing from parent/guardian if a student is to miss a required performance
All absences from performances require a student to perform concert repertoire for Ms. Flynn individually or in a small group.
Ensemble Skills Rubric
Criteria / Novice / Apprentice / Practitioner / ExpertListens to and
follow directions / 1‐2 / 3‐5 / 6‐8 / 9‐10
Rarely follows multi‐step instructions/ often requires assistance or
needs to have them repeated before attempting to carry them out. / Sometimes follows clear multi‐step instructions, but generally needs instructions repeated.
Occasionally anticipates or makes
Inferences fromthese instructions. / Usually follows clear multi‐step instructions; seeks clarification when needed and anticipates or makes inferences from these instructions. / Consistently absorbs multi‐step
instructions, anticipates and makes
inferences from these instructions
and draws logical conclusions
Focus / Rarely ready to begin as conductor steps on the podium; Needs to listen and engage in rehearsal activities more often; Becoming aware of conductor's verbal and visual cues; Often distracted/often daydreams / Sometimes ready to begin as conductor steps on the podium; Sometimes engaged in rehearsal activities; Sometimes responds to conductor's verbal and visual cues. / Ready to begin as conductor steps on the podium; Usually fully engaged in singing, moving, reading, and writing activities; Often responds to conductor's verbal and visual cues. / Ready to begin before conductor steps on
the podium; Always fully engaged in
singing, moving, reading, and writing
activities; Consistently responds to
conductor’s verbal and visual cues.
Posture / Only a few qualities of proper singing posture evident; Usually sings with slouched back, crossed legs and arms, and/or bowed head; Needs to develop a more efficient posture to allow for freer breath and tone production / Some qualities evident: straight back, equal distribution of weight, both feet on the floor, arms relaxed by side (when standing), head and neck comfortably tall, chin parallel to floor, ribcage lifted, sternum raised, shoulders relaxed; Occasional slouching and crossing of legs / Most qualities evident: straight back, equal distribution of weight, both feet on the floor, arms relaxed by side (when standing), head and neck comfortably tall, chin parallel to floor, ribcage lifted, sternum raised, shoulders relaxed; "tall but free" / Optimal Singing Posture- qualities
consistently evident: straight back, equal distribution of weight, both feet on the
floor, arms relaxed by side (when standing),
head and neck comfortably tall, chin parallel
to floor, ribcage lifted, sternum raised,
shoulders relaxed; "tall but free"
New Providence Middle School Commitment Verification
Please sign and return this page after reading this Course Guide for the New Providence Middle School Choir for the 2017-2017 academic year.
Date Due: November 1, 2016
“I have read and understand all of the information in the NPMS Choir Handbook and understand all of the responsibilities that are required of me, including the concert attendance policy. In addition, I will abide by the rules, regulations of the New ProvidenceMiddle School regarding my behavior in this class.”
Print Name______
Signature______
“As the parent/guardian of the student named above, I have read and understand all that is presented in this handbook, including the concert attendance policy and grading policy.”
Parent Signature______
As the teacher/director of the New Providence Middle School Choir, I will do my best to uphold the highest standards of excellence in regards to your education. I will try to help you love and understand all that music and participation in music can offer.