Student Handbook2016-2017

Mr. Corey FowlerDirector

is handbook belongs to

_____________________________________

330-676-8890 rhschoraldept@gmail.com or ke_cfowler@kentschools.net www.kentschools.net/rhschoir

R o o s e v e l t H i g h S c h o o l

CHORAL DEPARTMENT

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ForewordIt is the goal of this handbook to thoroughly and efficiently educate students, parents, school administrators, and the community about the expectations and purpose of Roosevelt High School’s choral department. is handbook should serve as a learning tool in the beginning of the school year and become a reference material as the year progresses. It must be read in its entirety to guarantee a common knowledge for everyone associated with the choral program.

Philosophye Roosevelt High School Choral Program offers a unique educational experience in which students not only learn about musical concepts, techniques, and history, but also about discipline, time management skills, self-con$dence, a sense of camaraderie, and working towards a common goal of excellence. As members of the RHS Choral Department, choir students are expected to be credits to the choir department, the school, and the community.

Course Contente educational content of the RHS Choral Program consists of several components: Musical

• Music literacyo Reading and notating musical language

§ Note names§ Musical symbols

• Music eoryo Learning and using the “math” of music – how music is structured and composed.o Composition

• Sight-readingo Comprehending musical language and correctly using the voice to express it in sound.

§ Use of solfeggio§ Using different notation systems§ Ear training

• Vocal productiono Learning and using techniques that effectively and efficiently create a healthy and proper vocal

production.§ Breathing§ Phonation (creating sound)§ Diction (pronunciation)

• Vowels and consonants• International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA)

§ Resonation• Ensemble skills

o Using the voice effectively with otherso Learning to efficiently and cooperatively work together

• Musicianshipo Use of musical techniques to create more aesthetically pleasing musical experienceso Emotion in musico Individual musicianship

• Music Historyo Evolution of musico Composerso Performerso Multicultural musico Modern music history (twentieth-century popular music.

Non-musical• Discipline

o Proper behavior and preparationo Healthy relationship with teachers and fellow students

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• Teamwork skillso Working towards a common goalo Working together to solve problemso Social skills

• Time management skillso Meeting deadlineso Eliminating procrastinationo Punctuality

General ExpectationsYou must…

1. Be on time for everything.2. Be responsible members of the RHS Choral Department by bringing your music, a pencil, and a proper attitude to every

rehearsal. 3. Maintain respect for the choir room and all materials, instruments, and equipment therein. Do not destroy or deface

music, folders, or other materials given to you. Do not touch the piano or other instruments unless given permission by the director.

4. Show respect for the director, accompanist, and any other teachers or visitors in the room.5. Show respect for your classmates.6. Complete all assignments on time and to the best of your ability.7. Take pride in your personal appearance.8. Abstain from chewing gum, eating, or drinking during rehearsal or a performance.9. Remember, your actions re%ect on the RHS Choral Department, Roosevelt High School, Kent City Schools, and your

community.

Rehearsalse success of a choir (or any other music or sport group) depends on how it rehearses or practices. A standard routine is established to give order and structure for the students and the director. Each student’s cooperative participation in the rehearsal is needed to ensure progress.

Emphasis will be placed on proper vocal production (through warm-ups and exercises throughout the rehearsal), sight-reading (through use of sight-reading materials such as short songs, unison lines, and other devices), progressive learning of music (music will be learned with the intention of building on the previous rehearsal’s product), and short studies on music theory and music history.

Concert ExpectationsSince choir is a performance-based class, periodic performances are scheduled so students can showcase their hard work and display proper concert etiquette. Such performances include public concerts and contest events.

ATTENDANCE AT ALL PERFORMANCES IS MANDATORY

1. Students should arrive to the proper meeting place at the assigned time. Robes, if applicable to the performance, will be distributed at this time.

2. Students who fail to attend a performance, without a proper excuse (see below), will have their nine-weeks grade lowered one (1) letter grade. (“A” goes to a “B”, “C” goes to a “D”). Every subsequent unexcused concert absence will further increase the grade change by one (1) letter grade (i.e. aer the second missed concert, the student’s letter grade will drop two (2) letters – “A” to “C”, aer the third missed concert, the student’s letter grade will drop three (3) letter grades – “A” to “D”, etc.). is letter grade change is independent of the nine-week’s percentage.

a. Unexcused concert absences throughout the year may result in revocation of performance eligibility in the annual POPs Concert.

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3. Students should wear the following attire to every performances unless noted otherwise:a. ChoralWorks/Chorale

i. Women – Black concert dress and black character shoes. Pearl necklace. No earrings. Hair is to be worn up and out of your face.

ii. Men – Black concert tux, black socks, and black oxford dress shoes.b. Men’s Chorus/Treble Choir

i. Women – Dress top/blouse with skirt or dress. No collar should rise above choir robe. No earrings or necklaces.

ii. Men – White dress shirt, black straight tie, black dress pants, black dress socks, black dress shoes.c. All attire must strictly adhere to the RHS dress code. d. Failure to wear the required dress code will result in lowering of performance grade or possible removal

from the performance.4. All choir students must remain at a performance until it is $nished. Students who leave without prior director approval

will be counted absent and will receive a failing grade (F) for the performance.5. Students who have received permission to miss a performance (see below for acceptable excuses) or could not attend

because of emergency situations will be required to attend a local music concert aer the missed performance and write a short summary of the concert. It is the responsibility of the student to complete the assignment as soon as possible aer the absence.

a. Only four excuses that will be accepted for missing a pre-scheduled performance or rehearsal:i. Severe illness (student must be home-bound)ii. Death in the immediate family.iii. Emergency situationiv. RHS-sanctioned athletic event (ONLY aer director-coach communication

prior to the athletic contest)

b. Students who are considered fully absent from the school the day of a performance are NOT allowed to perform. e student will be required to complete a makeup assignment.

c. WORK, VACATIONS, NON-EMERGENCY DOCTORS APPOINTMENTS, NON-RHS ATHLETIC/COMMUNITY EVENTS, OR LACK OF TRANSPORTATION WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED AS EXCUSES.

i. e students are given all of the performance and rehearsal dates the #rst week of school. It is the responsibility of the student to relay this information to his/her parents, coaches, and employers. It is then the responsibility of the parents to remember these dates when scheduling other future events.

6. Some performances will require that the students be bused to the performance site. If students’ parents attend the performance and wish to take their child home with them, the parents, as well as the child, will need to sign a sign-out sheet before leaving. Only parents, legal guardians, or grandparents will be allowed to sign their own children out.

7. Students who create a serious disruption or pose a threat to others during a RHS Choral Department performance, will be removed from the performance and receive a failing grade for the performance, may be referred to RHS Administration for disciplinary action, and/or be removed from the choir program.

BehaviorStudents who are having issues with behavior will be given a warning and a consequence if they choose to misbehave again. Consequences can range from an aer-class conference between the teacher and student, lunch detention, parent phone call, office referral, or other appropriate consequences. It is the director’s discretion to decide the best consequence for the situation. Usually, students will be given the opportunity to improve the behavior before parents or administrators are consulted. If at any time a parent or guardian has a concern, they should immediately contact the director.

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Grading Policye RHS Choral Department grading policy holds student’s accountable for what is learned in class as well as out-of-class. Although choir is a performance-based class, a rich academic education can be gained from learning about all aspects of music and choral singing. e following grade guidelines follow these aspects.

1. Daily Participation ................................................................................................ 50%a. Attendanceb. Preparationc. Behaviord. Musicianship

2. Written Assignments............................................................................................. 20%a. In-class worksheets, quizzes and tests

3. Musicianship Assessments................................................................................... 20%a. Sight-reading assessmentsb. Current music assessments

4. Performance Attendance and Etiquette ............................................................ 10%a. Performance attendanceb. Performance behavior and etiquette

WebsiteOur website provides 24/7 access to forms, documents, calendars, photos, audio, links, and many more helpful items to students, parents, and community members. Please check oen as the website is frequently updated.

www.kentschools.net/rhschoir

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Text the following message:

@rhschoirsto

81010

OR

Download the “Remind” app for iPhone or Android

What is “remind”?“Remind” (www.remind.com) is a text-messaging system that was designed speci$cally to help communication between teachers, students, and parents.

How does it work?Student’s and parents text the above message to the phone number above (make sure to type the @ sign!). Your name will then be added to a text messaging list that only I, Mr. Fowler, can see. I then send out reminders and other important information (about once per week) about the choral program throughout the year.

Is it safe? I don’t want any spam!As I mentioned earlier, only I can see the list and only I can send out messages. Your phone number is never sold or used by anyone else. I actually can’t see your phone number, only your name.

Are there multiple lists to which I can subscribe?Yes. Text the following codes to the same phone number above to be added to other lists:

RHS Choir Parents – @rhscparent ChoralWorks – @cworksWomen’s Chorale – @wochorale Treble Choir – @treblchoirMen’s Chorus – @menschour5

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2016 – 2017Calendar of Events

Subject to change

August 2016!ursday, 18th ................ New Era Fundraiser BeginsMon & Tues, 22nd & 23rd .......... Ensemble AuditionsMonday, 29th..................... New Era Fundraiser Ends

September 2016Sunday, 11th........... Art in the Park (ChoralWorks ONLY)

October 2016Sunday, 9th....................... Fall Choir Concert @ 3PMSunday, 16th.............. Women’s Chorale at Kent UCC

November 2016Monday, 14th .................... MD* Rehearsal @ 6–8PMWednesday, 30th ........... MD Rehearsal @ 5–7:30PM

December 2016Sunday, 4th ...................... ChoralWorks at Kent UCCSunday, 4th................ Holiday Choir Concert @ 3PMWednesday 7th ................... MD Rehearsal @ 5–9PMFri/Sat, 9th/10th ............ Madrigal Dinner @ 7PM ($)

January 2017Saturday, 21st ........ Solo and Ensemble @ Firestone HSTues/Wed, 24th/25th ...... 2017-2018 Choir Auditions

February 2017Saturday, 11th .................................. Fine Arts Ball ($)

March 2017!urs–Sun, 2nd–5th ...... Spring Musical (Drama) ($)Wednesday, 8th ........... Spring Choir Concert @ 7PM!ursday, 9th ........ Kent Schools Choral Festival @ 7PMSaturday, 11th....... District Contest (Time/Location TBD)

April 2017Wednesday, 5th ................... POPs Specials AuditionsFri or Sat, 21st or 22nd......... State Contest (tentative)

May 2017Mon–!ur, 1st–4th ........................... POPs RehearsalsFriday, 5th .......................... POPs Concert @ 7PM ($)Tuesday, 9th........... Baccalaureate Specials AuditionsWednesday, 17th.................................. Choir BanquetSaturday, 20th............................. Cedar Point Trip ($)Sunday, 21st....... C’Works/Chorale/Selected Students at Baccalaureate/Commencement @ 12PM (KSU)

* MD = Madrigal Dinner (C’Works & Chorale)($) Associated cost with event

8/14/16Questions?!! rhschoraldept@gmail.com

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Helpus

sing

songbest

our

Now is the time to support your RHS choral department

Become a Vitally Important Partner and help the students of the Roosevelt High School Choral Department experience the best music education possible. Your tax-deductible contribution directly assists our department with

all costs associated with developing and directing our thriving and rewarding choral program. In addition to knowing you have greatly helped the choral department and your name published in every concert program,

you earn the opportunity to reserve POPs tickets before the general public.

FRIEND $10-$24

BRONZE $25-$49

SILVER$50-$74

GOLD$75-$99

Our VIP Donation Levels

SAPPHIRE $100–$199

RUBY$200-$499

DIAMOND$500+

Complete the form on the back to DONATE

See back for more information regarding special bene!ts for becoming a PROGRAM BENEFACTOR and about advertising your business.

PROGRAM BENEFACTORS

R o o s e v e l t H i g h S c h o o l

CHORAL DEPARTMENT

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Student’s name (if applicable): ____________________________________________________________________Your name: __________________________________________________________________________________Business name (if applicable): ___________________________________________________________________________

Please write how you would like your name to appear in the program: _______________________________________________________Address: ____________________________________________________________________________________Email: ______________________________________________________________________________________Phone Number: _______________________________ Cell Phone: _____________________________________Donation level: (check one)

Friend — $10–$24 Sapphire — $100–$199 Bronze — $25–$49 Ruby — $200–$499Silver — $50–$74 Diamond — $500+Gold — $75–$99

The benefits of becoming a PROGRAM BENEFACTOR go beyond helping our students sing their best

Donating as a program benefactor establishes you as a strong proponent of our choral department and the students it reaches. !e following are bene"ts reserved for our most dedicated VIPs.

SAPPHIRE$100-$199

• Two complimentary POPs tickets

RUBY$200-$499

• Two complimentary Madrigal Dinner tickets

• Four complimentary POPs tickets

DIAMOND$500+

• Four complimentary Madrigal Dinner Tickets

• Eight complimentary POPs tickets

• POPs Concert DVD• Signed POPs cast photo

Please fill out the form below, attach your payment, and return to choir room or send to Roosevelt High School (1400 N. Mantua St. Kent, OH 44240).

We can only accept cash and checks at this timeChecks can be made out to “RHS Choir Fund”

Business owners may donate at the program benefactor levels above and receive advertising in each choir concert program,

including our POPs concert which is attended by over one thousand people. Please attach appropriate marketing artwork with your form and payment.

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Parent/Guardian and Student Commitmente preceding informational guidelines, rules, and expectations are needed to provide a safe and rewarding learning experience for your child during the school year. Your signature indicates that you have read and understand our basic procedure that will be followed, and that you received the calendar of events. Please remove this page aer signing and return to Mr. Fowler immediately.

Parent/Guardian Signature: ________________________________________________ Date: ________________________

Parent/Guardian Name (please print): _____________________________________________________________________

Student Signature: _______________________________________________________ Date: _______________________

Student Name (please print): ____________________________________________________________________________

All parents/guardians, you MUST #ll out the information below. ank you.

PHONEHome Phone: _________________________________ Parent Cell Phone: ________________________________________ Additional Phone Number (if applicable): ___________________________________

Do you have texting? If so, are you willing to be contacted through text? (circle one) YES NO

EMAILParent email(s) (write it in the blocks below for clarity)

Do you check your email oen? (circle one) YES NO

CHAPERONEAre you willing to chaperone for trips and events on a case-by-case basis? (circle one) YES NO

Do you offer any services or have any skills that you could possibly lend to our organization? (Photographer, guitar player, videographer, artist, carpenter, decorator, cras, etc.)

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