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Choir Handbook

Head Director: Linsley Liburd
Associate Director: Melissa Snellgrove

A Letter from the Directors

Welcome to the DeWitt Perry Choral Department! We are very excited about this year and know that with the help and support of parents, choir members, and friends this will be a very successful year of music making
together.

We believe that lives can be enriched through choral music and that every child with a positive attitude and a good work ethic will benefit greatly as a member of the Perry Choir. We have high expectations for student effort
and behavior. We are all working towards a tradition of excellence which requires that EACH member must claim personal responsibility and “ownership” of the program. Together we can achieve great things!

This handbook was written to inform you of the choir goals, expectations, and procedures. Please read this handbook thoroughly and sign and return the appropriate forms in the back of the booklet. If we can be of assistance
or answer any questions, please feel free to contact us.

We look forward to working with each choir this year. It is going to be a wonderful year for choral music at Perry. With your help and dedication we will achieve great things!

Our Purpose

  1. The purpose of the DeWitt Perry Choirs is to provide experiences in basic vocal production techniques, part-singing and expression through music. The content includes, but is not limited to, the following:
  • basic and fundamental skills in vocal tone production
  • choral performance techniques
  • musical literacy
  • sight reading and ear training
  • music appreciation
  • elements and characteristics of music
  • role and influence of choral music and musicians.

Expectations

  1. Be kind.
  2. Be in your designated spot with your materials (choir binder and pencil) when the tardy bell rings.
  3. No gum, candy, food or drinks allowed in class. Water is allowed in a clear plastic container with a lid.
  4. All students are expected to actively participate at all times.
  5. Follow directions given by the directors.

Music/Binder Responsibilities

  1. Take care of the music.
  2. Students will be issued a ½ inch 3-ring binder to use for the safekeeping and organization of their choir music and materials.
  3. Replacement binders may be purchased for $2.00.
  4. Use only pencil (not pen or erasable pen) when marking music.

Eligibility

Certain activities are classified as eligibility activities. The Texas Education Agency has a specific list of activities that are eligibility activities which include competitions, activities that charge an admission fee, and pep rallies. For more information about eligibility see UIL-TEA Side by Side which can be viewed either through the TEA website or the Texas Music Educators Association (TMEA) Website.

Maintaining eligibility is the student’s responsibility! Students must have a grade of 70 or above in all classes. This includes core classes and elective classes. Both progress reports and report card grades count toward eligibility.

A student’s eligibility for choir trips, performances, and social are also determined by their work ethic and in-class performance. This is at the discretion of their directors.

Uniforms

Uniforms are worn for all performances and all students are expected to perform in complete uniform . Scholarships are available for those students who meet the financial criteria and cannot afford a uniform. Choir T-shirts will be ordered in September. Please contact the directors for more information.

6th Grade Eagle Choir

  • Perry Choir T-shirt (purchased by student)
  • Black pants (full length) (supplied by the student)
  • Black shoes and black socks – (supplied by the students

7th & 8th Grade Women’s Choirs

  • Perry Choir T-shirt (purchased by student)
  • Choir Dresses* (supplied by the Perry Choir Dept.)
  • Black closed-toe dress shoes (supplied by the student)

7th & 8th Grade Gentlemen’s Choirs

  • Perry Choir T-shirt (purchased by student)
  • Tuxedo Shirt and Vest* (supplied by Perry Choir Dept.)
  • Black Dress Pants NO JEANS or JOGGERS (supplied by the student)
  • Black dress shoes (supplied by the student)
  • Black socks (supplied by the student)

Concerts

Choir concerts are how students demonstrate choral learning. They are the culminating event of a unit of study. Parent attendance at concerts is highly important, just as staying involved in your child’s life all through middle school is highly important.

Choir is a team sport. If a member is absent from a performance, all students are affected. The choirs perform best with all members present. Therefore, students are required to participate in all rehearsals, concerts, and contests unless excused by the director according to the absence policy. Please refer to the attendance policy and grading policy for further details.

Absence Policy

REHEARSAL, CONCERT, AND CONTEST

Good communication between teacher, student, and parents can prevent misunderstandings. Please read the following rules and contact the director if you have any questions.

  1. Written notice from parents is required for all absences. Email is acceptable . Verbal or student written notices are not acceptable.
  2. Advance notice is required for all prior commitments.
    A prior commitment is defined as a date already committed to before the choir schedule/handbook is released at the beginning of the year. A notice of such a commitment should be sent to the director as soon as the schedule/handbook is received.
  3. In the case of illness and/or family emergency, the parents should send a written notice to the director as soon as they are aware that a situation exists. Illness that does not result in an absence from school will be excused only at the director’s discretion. If there is a family emergency situation, e.g. something that happens 30 minutes before a concert is to begin, it may be impossible to get in touch with anyone. Thus, please follow with a written note as soon as possible after the fact. This is the ONLY category where absences will be excused the same day, or after the event.
  4. Students who have an excused absence from a performance will have five school days for reassessment and may receive the full value of 100% for the reassessment.
  5. Students who have an unexcused absence from a performance will have five school days for reassessment but may only receive up to 85% for the assessment.

Grading Policy

A student’s choir grade is made up of two types of grades:
Summative (Tests, Concerts)— 75%
Formative (Daily Participation, Homework)— 25%

Weekly Performance Grade (Formative) :
(100 points per week, 20 pts./day) Students are given continual feedback on their performance each day in class. Areas being assessed in the weekly formative grade include:

  • The use of appropriate performance posture while sitting and standing
  • The use of tall, open, unified vowel shape while singing
  • The use of supportive breathing while singing
  • The production of a clear and characteristic vocal tone
  • Rehearsal Technique; maintaining focus, staying on task, and actively participating in class.

Consistent performance from every choir member is a must! We learn as a group, perform as a group, and have fun as a group! Our choir is only as strong as its weakest member. We
will work to do our very best each day.

Binder Grade (Formative) : (100 points)
Binders will be checked at various times during the grading period to ensure proper note taking and marking of music. Each choir member is expected to be responsible for the music and materials entrusted to them. Damaged or lost music will result in a grade deduction as well as a $2.00 replacement fee for each missing piece.

To earn the full 100 points students must have the following in their binder:

  • All current sight reading materials in use by the choir
  • All current repertoire music in use by the choir
  • All assigned markings in the music as assigned by the director (This may include solfege, numbered measures, circled dynamics, etc.)
  • All notes or study cards taken during class

Unless your director has instructed you to throw something away or asked you to turn in your music ALL CHOIR MATERIALS MUST REMAIN IN YOUR CHOIR BINDER!!!!

Sight Reading & Rhythm Grades (Formative or Summative) :
Sight reading/Rhythm quizzes or tests will be based upon performance, effort, ability and progress. This may be a full group grade, small group grade, or an individual grade. Students will be informed as to whether a test is formative or summative prior to the assessment.

Performance and Concert Etiquette Grades (Summative) :
(2 100 point test grades for each public performance/concert) The frequency of this assessment will vary based on the concert schedule for each grading period. However, this is the most important grade you have as it is a culmination of everything we do in class. It is mandatory to attend every concert. If a student must miss a concert due to illness or family emergency, the director MUST receive a written note from the PARENT OR GUARDIAN before reassessment will occur.

Other assignments may be added at the discretion of the director.

Field Trips & Outings

Throughout the year there will be opportunities for choir field trips and social activities. In order to participate in these fun events, students must be passing all classes and attend all concerts or have an excused absence as described above.

Choir Fee

A choir fee is essential to providing the opportunities and materials our students need to have a successful year. Below, you will find exactly what our choir fee covers & multiple options for payment. We realize that a choir fee might not be in everyone’s budget, choir is a class that is safe, easy to make friends, where we learn life skills, and provide an environment that a student might not typically find in a basic classroom . Please know that we are willing to work with any and all families to make sure your student is taken care of in the Perry Choir Room.

CHOIR FEE FULL Payment: $30 or Installment Plan: two payments of $15

  • Choir Materials – music, folders, pencils, etc
  • Choir Uniform Cleaning
  • Choir T-Shirt
  • Pizza Dinners/Snacks on performance days
  • Socials
  • Choral Contest entry fee
  • Transportation for field trips

*PLEASE MAKE ALL CHECKS PAYABLE TO PERRY CHOIR BOOSTER CLUB*

Fundraising

There will be formal fundraising opportunities this year. All students are encouraged to participate. More information will come home later in the year.

Parent Volunteers

Parental involvement in the choir program is welcomed and highly encouraged. Throughout the year parent volunteers will be needed for: assistance at concerts, hosting all-region auditions, hosting Pre-UIL competition, and chaperoning field trips. Please contact the choir office if you would like to be involved in one or more of these ways.

Booster Club

Booster Club is an excellent way to stay involved with the DWP Choir. The booster club is the heart of the program and is a major contributor to our success. DWP Choir Booster Club helps provide students with experiences that may not be available with only district funds. Please consider joining this wonderful organization.