The Deer Valley Unified School District does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, disability, age, or religion in its programs and activities. For any inquiries re-garding nondiscrimination policies contact the Superintendent's De-partment, 20402 N. 15th Avenue, Phoenix, AZ 85027. (623) 445-5000.

MR. KIRK DOUGLAS, CHORAL DIRECTOR

MS. DANIELLE BELLIVEAU, CHORAL DIRECTOR

ROOM 132

PHONE: 623-445-8706

KIRK.DOUGLAS@DVUSD.ORG

DANIELLE.BELLIVEAU@DVUSD.ORG

2013-2014

CHOIR HANDBOOK 13/14

PAGE 2

Handbook/Contract

Rehearsals Attend class daily. An absence from class rehearsal can be made up for grading purposes but, in actuality, the rehearsal missed and mastery gained can-not truly be recaptured. The most successful students are those that commit to daily attendance and maximum effort. Be punctual. Tardiness causes you to miss a por tion of warm-ups, sight-reading, and/or rehearsal and therefore limits your ability to get the most out of each class (as well as limiting your daily grade for that day.) Follow directions the fir st time they are given. Groom outside class. The passing per iod and school restrooms are appro-priate times and places for combing hair, fixing makeup, applying lotions, etc. We do not do these things in the choir room.

Class time is extremely valuable and our rehearsals greatly benefit by you tak-ing care of personal business between classes or at other non-class times except for serious medical emergency.

The nurse does not administer aspirin, antacids, or other remedies for headaches and manageable ailments so it is usually best to stay in class rather than ask for a pass to the nurse unless there is a serious problem with which the nurse can assist. Do not hesitate to tell me before the tardy bell if you are experiencing a particular health problem so that I can take your needs into consideration during rehearsal if adaptation is necessary.

Each student in the BCHS Choral Department will be challenged to develop his/her abilities to their fullest potential while learning and enjoying quality musical literature and developing personal qualities that grow through our quest for ex-cellence together.

All students are expected to fully participate and work to the best of their ability toward quality, artistry, and mastery. Toward the end, expectations of students are explained in this handbook as well as helpful information about extra-

curricular opportunities, grading policies and make-up work procedures, and a host of other topics.

You will find a MUSIC CONTRACT inserted into this Choir Handbook. The main purpose of this contract is to make certain that both you and your parents have read this handbook and are aware of the responsibilities involved in choir membership at Boulder Creek High School. It also indicates that you have re-viewed the accompanying PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE with your parents and have made certain that you will be available or understand responsibility of all the dates indicated and on the online calendar.

CHOIR HANDBOOK 13/14

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Rehearsal Routine Establishing a NORMAL ROUTINE is impor tant because it allows daily rehearsal time to be used efficiently. The routine begins as you enter the room.

Immediately upon entering the room, you should have your folder and a pencil. Then, go directly to your assigned seat. Every class period will begin with vo-cal warm-ups that are related to the music we will be singing that period. Next, we will conduct a sight reading exercise and/or a music reading lesson. We will rehearse the remainder of the period. During a rehearsal, there will be times when the director is working with a section other than your own. You are ex-pected to “score study” during these times.

The class will be dismissed by the Director (not the bell) when: • The room has been returned to its original state of order. • All the students are sitting quietly in their assigned seats. • The Director has made any necessary reminders and announcements.

Behavior Our primary responsibility in choir is to learn about music. Any behavior that distracts from, or interferes with this learning process will not be permitted.

The REHEARSAL GUIDLINES are provided as tools for your BEHAVIOR in the music room. Quiet attention to the teacher, remaining in your seat dur-ing the class period, and following directions are naturally expected of you in choir just as they are in your other classes.

Infractions of the rules or disruptions of class will result in an attempt to help you adjust your BEHAVIOR. This will first take the form of a conference be-tween you and the director. You will be removed from the class for the period and asked to write a letter to your parents describing your inappropriate be-havior and how you plan to adjust your behavior in the future so that it will not interfere with the learning of others. You will be asked to return the letter to the director the following day with a parent signature as homework.

Music and Folder You are encouraged to write performance notes in your music as long as they are in pencil. All pencil markings must be erased completely before the music is returned.

You will have music checked out to you. If it is lost or defaced, you will be charged the full replacement cost of the score (normally $1.50 - $3.50 per score). The music we use is very expensive - so please take care of it.

CHOIR HANDBOOK 13/14

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BOULDER CREEK HIGH SCHOOL

CHORAL MUSIC

2013/2014

TENTATIVE PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE AND DATES

DATE EVENT LOCATION TIME CHOIR

August 16th, 2013 Choir Retreat BCHS Auditorium 4:00-9:00 pm WS, BV, BB, HC

September 28th, 2013 All State Show/Jazz Auditions

Apollo High School TBA Optional

October 9th & 10th, 2013

Fall Concert BCHS Auditorium 7:00 6:30 call time

ALL

December 10th & 11th, 2013

Winter Concert

BCHS Auditorium 7:00 6:30 call time

ALL

January 25th, 2014 Regional Auditions Desert Vista TBA Optional

February 7th & 8th, 2014

NAU JAZZ/MAD Fes-tival

NAU TBA Bel Canto

March 11th & 12th, 2014

Spring Concert BCHS Auditorium 7:00 6:30 call time

ALL

March 27-30, 2014

(TENTATIVE)

Choir Tour Anaheim Scheduled WS, BV, BB, HC

April 3rd, 2014 Deer Valley Choral Festival

BCHS Auditorium TBA ALL

May 10th, 2014 Pops Rehearsal BCHS Auditorium 12:00-4:00 pm ALL

May 13,14,15, 2014 Pops Concert BCHS Auditorium 7:00 6:30 call time

ALL

May 16th, 2014 Choir Banquet TBA 6:00 - 7:00 WS, BV, BB, HC

All State Jazz/Show Choir Deadline for form and money - Sept 5th

Regional Choir Deadline for form and money - Nov 6th

Please look for additional information on auditions and gigs as we receive further bookings and notices.

Calendar will be updated on charms office website and in the choir room. It is your responsibility to know of dates that pertain to you.

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CHOIR HANDBOOK 13/14

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Materials Each student must have the following items in class everyday. • Pencil • Music

• Music folder

Put away all materials in their proper place at the end of class. Students are expected to do their part by keeping all music in their folder. Music can be taken home for rehearsal purposes. Put nothing else into the choir folder or its slot (handouts, maps, announcements, etc..) Having materials ready for re-hearsal and putting them away at the conclusion of each rehearsal is imperative. Monetary fines may be assessed for students who chronically leave music or folder out. The lack of materials can well affect your daily grade for the day. The

goal is not to take your money but for you to care for and put away your own

materials after every rehearsal.

The Choir Room Food and drink shall not be brought into the choir room nor consumed therein at any time. This includes unopened soft drinks and “the last morsels of breakfast” in the mornings. Specific exceptions may be made for Regional coaching or sectionals that take place during lunch.

Place nothing on any surfaces in the room including folder cabinet, tables,

or chairs. To help you sing better, there is no chewing gum in the choir room during school hours. Please dispose of gum PRIOR to entering the choir room.

Practice courtesy and respect in dealings with other students and the direc-tor. Leave all problems and disagreements at the door when you come to rehearsal. Rehearsal time will be a welcome relief from those worries and stresses and they will usually be waiting for you at the door as you leave. Put anything you use back in its proper place.

Profanity is an unacceptable substitute for more effective communication skills.

CHOIR HANDBOOK 13/14

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Performance Attire The choral department will be purchasing new uniforms for the choir this year. Every student will have a uniform that they are required to wear for the concerts. In addition every choir student will be required to submit a $100 for their uniform costs (please refer to uniform policies). What happens from there is at the stu-dents/parents discretion. If you cannot meet these expectations due to financial hardship, you must notify the director immediately so that assistance can be ar-ranged. Separate from the handbook contract, all students/parents must additional-ly sign that they understand uniform policies on the Uniform Contract.

In addition to the required gown/tuxedo, your child will need to supply the fol-lowing. Students involved in Heart & Soul and Broadway Bound will be given more detailed criteria for uniform requirements. Please refer to handout for those choirs.

Women: Black closed toed, dress shoes (I recommend character shoes.) Off black nylons Hair must be designed to look nice, off the shoulders, and out of the face.

Men: Black dress shoes/black socks White wing tipped tuxedo shirt.

Grades Coursework Three types of grades are earned in choir weighted to equal 100%: 1) Performance (30 %) 2) Participation (30%) 3) Test/Quizzes (40%)

Semester Grade The final will consist of 10% performance participation, 10% written exam. Your final semester grade will be based off of a combined percentage of 80% course work and 20% final exam.

Powerschool Access The Powerschools site allows parents/guardians and students to access the stu-dent’s grades, attendance, and other information. Powerschool access information was mailed to registered families in July. If you did not receive your access infor-mation, please stop by the front desk during business hours. You will need a photo I.D. The web address is: ps.dvusd.org/public

CHOIR HANDBOOK 13/14

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Charms Website You and your student are strongly encouraged to use the Charms Website. You can access the website by logging on to your account at www.charmsoffice.com. Our school id is bouldercreekchoir, and the password is your student id. You will find make-up assignments, account information/status, and an updated calendar.

PERFORMANCE

A PERFORMACE SCHEDULE can be found in this handbook or on the charms website. You should review this schedule with your parents and put the dates on your family calendar so that no conflicts arise. If an unavoidable conflict does come up, you must notify the director with a REQUEST FOR EXCUSED AB-SENCE OR TARDY form from your parents at least two weeks prior to the performance date. The note must descr ibe the specific reason for your ab-sence so the director can determine if you may be excused. Two week’s notice will give the choir ample time to rehearse without you for the performance. A note ask-ing to excuse you from a performance less than two weeks prior to the perfor-mance, or after the fact, cannot be accepted. When the student is excused it is there responsibility to complete the make-up assignment to account for the points from missing the concert.

In the event that a student is too sick to perform and extremely contagious to the other students, a doctors note will be accepted for excusal. The student will still have to complete the make-up assignment for missing the performance.

50 - You arrive on time for the warm-up, are dressed appropriately (please see PERFORMANCE ATTIRE), demonstrate appropriate concert etiquette both on stage and in the audience, and stay with the choir for the entire performance. 40 - You will fulfill all but one of the requirements for 5 points. 30 - You will fulfill all but two of the requirements for 5 points. 20 - You will fulfill all but three of the requirements for 5 points.

An unexcused absence from any performance, including performances not yet scheduled, will result in a grade of “F” for that performance.

PARTICIPATION

Each week you will receive a participation grade in choir. The following are the requirements for these grades: 5 - Each day you arrive on time to class, are prepared with your materials, demon-strate good rehearsal technique and contribute to the ensemble in a positive man-ner. 4 - You fulfill all but one of the requirements for 5 points. 3 - You fulfill all but two of the requirements for 5 points. 2 - You fulfill all but three of the requirements for 5 points. 1 - You fulfill all but four of the requirements for 5 points.

**If a student is absent from a rehearsal, they will need to perform a make-up as-signment in order to make up points. Each student will be given 3 grace period ab-sences.

CHOIR HANDBOOK 13/14

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Learning Environment

Prepared

• Bring materials

• Come prepared to learn

Respectful

• Respect others, their property, equipment, and the facility

Integrity

• Complete your own work

• All electronic devices are off and out of sight

Discipline

• Arrive on time & be in your seat

• Behave appropriately and use courteous language

Keep food and drink outside

Everyone United

• Encourage confidence

Cooperate and collaborate

Classroom Behavior Expectations & Consequences– PBIS

POWERSCHOOL ACCESS

The Powerschools site allows parents/guardians and students to access the student’s grades, attendance, and other information. If you need your access information, please stop by the front desk during business hours. You will need a photo I.D. The web address is: ps.dvusd.org/public

Adherence to the Boulder Creek Academic Integrity Code All students enrolled in Chorus, Concert Choir, & Advance Performance Choir will adhere to the framework and guidelines set forth in the Boulder Creek High School Academic Integrity Code. Cheating and Plagiarism will not be tolerated. The purpose of this code is to promote a positive learning environment for all involved. As humans, we will make mistakes as we grow. It is understood that we can learn from those mistakes and become better individuals in the future. Any student who violates this code will be referred to the Students Rights and Responsibilities handbook and assign-ment of appropriate consequences. Please refer to the Academic Integrity

Code in your student handbook for more details.

CHOIR HANDBOOK 13/14

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MAKE-UP WORK/LATE WORK POLICY

Upon return to class after an absence, a student has one school day for each day missed to make up work/test assigned during his/her absence regardless of the number of days absent. For example, if a student is absent on Thursday and Fri-day, he/she will have Monday and Tuesday of the following week to make up work and must turn in the work that was assigned during the days absent on Wednesday.

Coursework and assessments assigned prior to the absence(s) may still be due on the date assigned. It is the student’s responsibility to check with teachers immedi-ately upon return for work missed and possible adjustment of due dates. Teachers may choose to schedule an appointment with the student to arrange due dates as needed.

Choir is a participatory class and reharsasals are mandatory. Unexcuseed absenc-es cannot be made up. Excused Absences can be made up. A reading assingment will be given to the studena and a 1 page written summary/reflection will need to be submitted for make-up after every 2 absences. Each student will be give 3 grace absences per semester. It is the student’s responsibility to make arrange-ments for each make-up reading assignment. Articles are located in the BCHS choir room. Hard copies can be obtained from the director upon request.

LONG TERM PROJECT POLICY

Long term projects are assignments given at least two weeks in advance. Teach-ers should note that the assignment is a long term project in the written instruc-tions provided for the students. Long term projects are due on or before the date assigned, even if the student or teacher is absent on the due date. See the Student Handbook for additional details. TESTS AND QUIZZES

Periodic tests and quizzes will be given over material covered in class. Music memorization quizzes may also be given.

At the end of the grading period, all grades earned will be averaged to arrive at your basic grade. If you have no unexcused absences from a performance, you will receive your grade on your report card. If you have an unexcused absence from a performance, your basic grade will be lowered in accordance with the pol-icy described under PERFORMANCE in the handbook.

COMMUNICATION

Please contact the teacher for any student concerns. It is crucial that teachers, par-ents, and students maintain open lines of communication. Contact information is provided on the title pages of this handbook.

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CHOIR PARENT BOOSTER CLUB

The Boulder Creek High School Choir Booster Club is dedicated to using the time and talents of our parents to provide production assistance and generate financial support for the Choral program at Boulder Creek.

Our major assistance during the year is helping at the concerts, organizing the end of year banquet, producing quality fundraisers, and providing general support to the choral program. In order to maintain these programs at the excellence they are presently at and to bring them to new levels, we need both financial support and dedicated volunteers.

Our Booster club normally meets the first Thursday of every month at 7 p.m. in the choir room (132). We are looking forward to utilizing your talents. Please friend us on Facebook. Or if you don’t have a facebook account, send us an email to bcchoirbooster@yahoo.com and let us know how you can help out and receive our quarterly newsletter.

Attention Business Owners!

A Great Advertising Opportunity to Help Your Business AND Our Boulder Creek Choir Students

• Advertise your business with a business card size ad in the upcoming Boulder Creek High School Choral Music Concert Programs

• Reach nearly 1000 people in our community per semester (two concerts per se-mester)

• Purchase your business card size ad for only $50 per semester (2 concerts) or $95 per year (4 concerts)

• Simply complete the form below and return to Boulder Creek Choral Music Of-fice with your business card before September 15, 2013

Include a business card and check made out to Boulder Creek Choir Booster

CHOIR HANDBOOK 13/14

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Regional Auditions 200 pts

All State Honor Choir Auditions 100 pts

All State Jazz Choir/Show Choir auditions 100 pts

Weekend of Backstage 50 pts

Attending a performing arts production 25 pts

Attending another high school choir concert 50 pts

30 minutes of work 30 pts (1pt/minute) In-Class solo audition 30 pts Pops Auditions 75 pts

Wearing choir T-shirt on designated days 20 pts

Turning in tour payment on time 10 pts

Letter Points Students participating in Varsity Choirs (Heart & Soul, Bella Voce, Broadway Bound, Honor Choir) have the opportunity to earn a letter in choir. Participate in the following activities during the course of the year to receive points. If you re-ceive 500 points you will receive a letter. Letter Points are accounted for by they choirs Vice Presidents.

About the Directors

Mr. Douglas has had the pr ivilege to work with the amazing Boulder Creek High School Students for four amazing years. He earned his degree at Ottawa University and California State University, Northridge, where he was among the Northridge Singers—(also known as the Choir of the World, a title received in Wales.) Along with singing in numerous choirs, he also worked as a professional singer/actor throughout Arizona, California, Arkansas and Italy. Favorite performances include singing back-up for Barbra Streisand and Barry Manilow, and working as a section leader for First Congregational Church of Los Angeles. Some of his fa-vorite high school performances include singing in Corona del Sol’s Jaztecs, All-State Show and Jazz Choir and All-State Honor Choir. Recently Mr. Douglas was selected to receive the OM Harsell “Excellence in Teaching Music Award”. This summer Mr. Douglas had the op-portunity to work in Italy singing opera with the Lorenzo Malfatti Accademia Vocale di Lucca. Mr. Douglas serves as the Arizona Choral Educators Secretary, All-State Jazz Chair, North Central Region Chair, and the American Choral Directors Association Arizona Chap-ter’s Show Choir Repertoire & Standards Chair.

This is Ms. Belliveau’s 20th year teaching music in the public schools. Originally from New England, Ms. Belliveau relocated to the West to study music at the University of Denver’s Lamont School of Music. Ms. Belliveau began her college career as a composition/performance major, earned her Bachelor’s Degree from DU in Music Education, and her Master’s Degree from NAU in Educational Leadership. Ms. Belliveau has previously taught Choir, Marching Band, Jazz Band, and Symphonic Band at the High School level, as well as Choir, Jazz Band, Concert Band, Strings, and General Music in K-8 and Middle schools. Her ensembles have consistently earned Superior ratings at adjudicated music Festivals in both Arizona and California. She has performed with the DVUSD Faculty Jazz Band, as well as played professionally as a solo artist, and with numerous small combos. Ms. Belliveau has served as Chair & Site Host for the AMEA Elementary/Jr. High Solo & Ensemble Festival, is a research member of NAfME, and a lifetime member of the Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society. Her son is an ASU Senior studying percussion performance and music education. She lives in Prescott and enjoys playing and listening to music, water skiing, yoga, hiking and working out in her spare time. Music was her favorite subject in school, and continues to be her one true passion. She looks forward to an amazing year at Boulder Creek High School.

About the Choirs

Women’s Ensemble-This ensemble is for students that are new to the high school singing experience. Students are not required to audition for this ensemble.

Men’s Chorus– This ensemble is an opportunity for guys to develop their voices. Students are not required to audition for this ensemble. Heart & Soul (New Name)—A rather new addition to the Boulder Creek Varsity choirs, this choir is made for the diva who is able to sing and dance. Music selections will focus on (but not be limited to) the pop and musical theatre repertoire of today.

Broadway Bound (New Choir) - New to Boulder Creek High School, this choir has been developed to feature students that are triple threats. This auditioned group requires top notch dancing and singing. Music per-formed by this ensemble is selected from the pop and musical theatre repertoire.

Bella Voce—This varsity choir is an auditioned, women-only choir. It is designed to give the intermediate singer an opportunity to further her music skills through music theory, sight singing, and vocal techniques. Bella Voce members begin to explore more challenging harmonies and learn more about the unique choral experience.

Honor Choir—This varsity choir is an auditioned mixed choir. It is designed to give the advanced singer an opportunity to further his/her music skills through music theory, sight singing, and vocal techniques.