Meade County High School Chorus Handbook 2017-2018
Course Descriptions
Mixed Chorus- This is our intermediate choral group who are learning music skills and developing strong voices. The music chosen for this group consists of folk songs, world music and standard choral repertoire. Goals of this course are for students to develop musicality, be able to breathe and sing healthfully, read music, and sight sing with solfege and Curwen hand signs.
Concert Choir is an advanced group at MCHS. Students are admitted into this group by audition and/or teacher recommendation. The repertoire ranges from SATB (4-part) to SSAATTBB (8-part). The music is challenging and requires excellent musicians with mature, developed voices. Students should be able to sing their parts independently, read music well, sight sing well, and most importantly, have a positive and focused attitude. Because this group performs demanding music, it is important that members understand their commitment to this group.
Madrigal Singers is our elite ensemble at MCHS. This choir requires attendance at many events beyond what is expected of the other choirs. Any student is subject to removal from the group if he/she does not meet the requirements of the group, attend rehearsals and performances, abide by appropriate standards of behavior, or possess the appropriate attitude. Being a madrigal is a privilege; students are expected to respect the group.
SOUNDWAVES are an auditioned show choir that is open to students in grades 9-12. This choir performs pop, Jazz and Broadway choral arrangements, usually with choreography. The SOUNDWAVES perform by request throughout the community. Additional performances include the Homecoming Chili Supper and the Christmas Tour of elementary schools.Rehearsals are on Tuesday nights with additional rehearsals scheduled as needed. Singers selected to this group must have a commitment to excellence.
Musical
MCHS Chorus presents a Spring Musical every year. You must go through an audition process which includes an initial audition song in the style of the given show for a lead role. Auditions are held in December. After school rehearsals are a requirement for participation in our show. All Concert choir members will have some part in the musical. Mixed Chorus members will perform pre-show entertainment.
Concert Dress
Mixed Chorus:
Green chorus robes will be issued to members. Additionally, students will need to wear black dress pants, black dress shoes, and black dress socks.
Concert Choir:
Women: Members will be issued a concert dress and should wear closed-toe, low-heeled/flat black dress shoes. The concert dresses are machine-washable and hung to dry. The dresses cost $70 to replace if lost or damaged, and must be returned clean and in good condition at the end of the school year.
Men: Members will be issued a concert tuxedo with pants, jacket, tie, cummerbund, and white tuxedo shirt. Men are expected to press their shirts, and to wear their tuxedo with black socks and black dress shoes. The tuxedos are dry-clean only and must be cleaned yearly AT A MINIMUM. The tuxes are $140 each if lost or damaged, and must be returned in good condition at the end of the school year.
Some notes about Jewelry, Hair and Hygiene for Concerts:
· Earrings must be no larger than a dime. Absolutely NO dangly earrings.
· Hair must be clean and pulled out of your face. Your natural hair color is required for participation in concerts.
· No wrist jewelry (such as bracelets or watches) or necklaces.
· Students should be clean, with clean hair and teeth.
· Students should NOT wear perfume, cologne, body spray or scented lotion.
Choir Expectations
Be Prompt to Class.
Tardiness to class will not be tolerated. You must be in the door on your way to your seat with your folder in hand when the bell rings.
Be Prepared.
Come to class with your music and a pencil in order to participate fully in the rehearsal.
Be Positive.
Be a team player by bringing your best positive attitude and work ethic to choir. Be someone that others want to look to for leadership.
Participate.
Participation is what you are graded on daily in choir. Do you use good posture? Are you respectful of others & the director? Do you sing to the best of your ability? Do you participate in ALL required events?
Respect the workspace
DON’T chew gum during rehearsal.
There is no food or drink allowed inside the music room.
There will be no passes out of the room when we are practicing our music. Plan accordingly.
You will only need your IPAD when assigned by the directors. IPADS are expected to be out of sight inside your book bag. All books, backpacks, personal belongings, etc will be placed in the back of the room during our rehearsals.
Classroom Procedures
You must be INSIDE the choir room door when the tardy bell rings.
MCHS Chorus has a music folder cabinet with numbered shelves where the music folders will be stored. You will be assigned a number.
Each chorus member at MCHS will be required to store his/her cell phone in an assigned pocket holder during class. THIS IS A REQUIREMENT FOR PARTICIPATION IN THIS CLASS. Students will place their cell phone in their individual, secure, assigned pocket at the beginning of class when they get their music folder. When they return their folder at the end of class, they may grab their cell phone.
Students are always dismissed from their assigned seat at the end of class. Do not gather by the door before the bell rings.
Grading Scale
Daily Participation 100 points per week- grade based upon observation by the teachers of good rehearsal behaviors from the student including, but not limited to posture, attitude, focus, respect, effort and following all chorus expectations. Daily participation grade is put into infinite campus each Friday.
Concerts 200 points each--- Participation at concerts is a requirement of this class.
Other grades include daily quizzes, In-Class Performance Grades, Sightreading Grades and written assignments. Points will vary on each assignment.
Alternate Assessments
If the student has to miss a concert for serious illness or other excused absence by Mr. Crafton, there will be an alternate assessment assigned to display the student’s understanding of the work. If the absence is unexcused, the concert grade will be entered as a “0”.
Chorus Fee- $30.00
This fee covers the rental of the student’s gown or tux, robe, music and t-shirt.
Google Classroom Remind 101
Concert Choir- im2cpju text 81010 with the message @h79hdk
Mixed Chorus- ihya4hg text 81010 with the message @c869ac
MCHS CHORUS COMMITMENT FORM AND PARENT PERMISSION RELEASE
Students - I understand the rules, policies, procedures, grading, choir fee, and choir schedule discussed in the MCHS Choral Activities Handbook for the 2017-18 school year. I have read and agree to abide by the guidelines set forth in the Choral Activities Handbook.
Parents- I give my child permission to participate in all events which are listed on the chorus calendar. These events include all field trips, tours, and performances for which my child is eligible.
Student Signature______
Parent/Guardian Signature______
Parent e-mail address ______
Date______
T-Shirt Size (adult sizes only)______
Return this form to school by FRIDAY, August 18th for a 100 point grade.
2017-2018 MCHS Chorus Performance Calendar
(Schedule to change)
September
18-19 4th District Choral Festival (Madrigals and other select students)
26 All-State Auditions
28 Fall Concert 7:00 PM
October
November
9 Concert 7:00 PM
11 Veterans’ Program (Madrigals and SoundWaves)
13-14 Morehead State University Choral Festival (Madrigals only)
December
1-2-3 Winter Trip
3 Hanging of the Greens (MADRIGALS at FIRST BAPTIST @ 6:30)
4 Christmas Show—7:00 PM in auditorium
8 Christmas Tour (MADRIGALS & SOUNDWAVES)
January
22 GospelFest Rehearsal- (6:00-9:00 PM)
23 GospelFest Performance at 7:00 pm in the auditorium
(29-30) GospelFest Snow Dates
February
7-9 KMEA All-State Chorus – Louisville, Kentucky – (selected students)
March
27 Spring Concert at 7:00 pm in the auditorium
28 Spring Choral Assessment at MCHS
April
Spring Musical rehearsals throughout the month
May
7-9 Spring Musical Rehearsals
-Graded Dress Rehearsals for 1st period- 6:00-10:00 p.m.
10-12 Spring Musical Performances-- 7:00 p.m. in the auditorium
This performance will be reserved seating only.
All tickets are $10.00 and will go on sale after spring break.