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Choir Handbook 2019-2020

Lori Bottomley│Choir Director

Michael Rapier│Principal

Marcie Howard │Team Leader

Poston Junior High School

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WELCOME! Dear Parents and Students,

Welcome to the Poston Jr High Choir

Program! I am so glad you chose to sing

in choir this year! We have exciting things

planned for choir. Here is a little bit about

me: I am a graduate of Mesa Community College and Ottawa

University with a BA degree in Choral Music Education, Magna

Cum Laude. I have taught choral music for many years outside

of the public schools mostly at the elementary age levels. I

perform professionally with Resonance Vocal Ensemble, and

play the violin as well. With my amazing husband I raised 5

very talented kids and have a handful of grandchildren who

are the joy of my life.

Lori Bottomley

480-472-2133

labottomley@mpsaz.org

COURSE OBJECTIVES In this class the students will learn to:

• Sing music at first sight using solfege (do, re, mi)

• Improve his/her ability to perform vocal music

• Develop an understanding of choral ensemble singing and

blend

• Perform and appreciate different styles of music

• Learn and improve in the areas of healthy vocal technique,

music history, and music theory

• Have meaningful musical experiences

Choir is a performance-based class, where every student will be

required to participate in all required concerts.

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Feb. 19, 24, 26 4:30-6:00 pm MPS Honor Choir Rehearsals Historic Irving (Junior High Honor Festival—by audition)

Sat. Feb. 29—8;00am-4:00pm MPS Festival Honor Choir

Mountain View HS

Mon. Feb. 24—7:00pm Poston Choir Concert

Poston Auditorium All Choirs

Wed/Thur/Fri. Mar. 4-6 School Musical Performances 6:30pm Poston Auditorium

Sat. Mar 28 TBD ACE Choral Festival (Select Choirs) Phoenix this date is tentative

Mon. Apr. 20—class time Mt View Choral Auditions Poston Choir Room

Fri. May 1—TBD ACDA Choral Festival (Bella Voce/Gents) First United Methodist

Thurs. May 14—7:00pm Poston Choir Concert

Poston Auditorium All Choirs

Mon. May 18—IN CLASS Uniform Check-in

***Bold events are MANDATORY***

Date &Time Event

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Poston Jr. High

Choir Calendar

2019-2020

Date &Time Event Thurs. Aug 22 6:00/8:00pm Poston Open House/Music Parent Mtg. Poston Auditorium

Weds. Aug 28 Class time Performing Arts Uniform fitting

Choir Room

Tues. Oct. 1 - 7:00pm Poston Choir Concert

Poston Auditorium All Choirs

Mon. Oct. 21 - 1:00/9:00pm MPS Choral Festival (Bella Voce only) Mesa Arts Center

Fri. Oct. 25 — all day For Men Only Festival (The Gents only) Mtn View HS

Sat. Nov. 9 — by audition Cantaremos Honor Choir Festival Tri-City Baptist Church

Nov TBD - Class time Choir Class Pictures Poston Auditorium (Bring Uniform!)

Thurs. Dec. 5—7:00pm Poston Choir Concert

Poston Auditorium All Choirs

Mon - Wed Dec. 9-11 School Musical Auditions & A. Camp 4:00-6:00pm Poston Auditorium

Sat. Jan. 11 — by audition MPS Honor Choir Auditions Historic Irving Building

Tues. Jan. 14—7:00 pm MV Choir Feeder Festival

MVHS Auditorium All 8th Grade Choir Students

Thurs. Jan. 30—All Day Poston Step-up Day (Select Choirs) Poston

Thurs. Feb. 6—6:00/8:00 Peek at Poston Spring Open House Poston Auditorium (Bella Voce)

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CHOIR ROOM RULES

The contract is to ensure that the student and

parent(s)/guardian(s) have read this handbook and are

aware of the policies and responsibilities associated with

membership in choir. In addition, it indicates that you

have reviewed the performance schedule (included in

the handbook) and have made arrangements to be avail-

able on all the dates indicated for your ensemble.

Please sign and return to contract to

Mrs. Bottomley by Thursday, August 15.

MUSIC CONTRACT

Choir classroom expectations align with the Poston PBIS Expecta-tion Rubric. A few ways they apply include (but are not limited to):

Practice Friendship: Kindness is expected at all times. Our choir

room is a “ridicule-free zone”. Here we are free to make mistakes

and look a little silly to accomplish our goal of making great music.

Act Accountably: Come prepared to class. Drink plenty of water.

No gum. No cell phones. Take care of your music folder, note-

book, and have a pencil ready. Treat our room and the things in it

appropriately. Follow all proper procedures. Do your best.

Work Ethically: Honesty is expected in all

situations. Stay in seat unless given permis-

sion…(drinking fountain, pencil sharpener

etc).

Show Respect: Demonstrate respect for

peers, teachers, and property. Be actively

engaged in every activity. Work together to

create a unified ensemble.

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POSTON MUSIC USAGE DONATION All Poston Music Students are expected to pay an optional $10 Music

Usage Donation to the bookstore at the beginning of each semester.

This donation is essential to keep the music program operating with

the high level of excellence that it has for so many years. This money is

used to purchase method books for student use and much of the concert

music. Thank you in advance for your support of this music program.

Any behavior which distracts from or interferes with the learning of others is unacceptable and will not be tolerated. Behavior in the choir room centers on RESPECT for yourself, your fellow students, the teach-er, and all equipment. Focus in rehearsal is critical to our success. You are expected to pay quiet attention, remain in your seat during the class period, and follow directions just as you are in your other classes. All Poston rules and policies as outlined in the student PAWS book will be enforced.

Consequences for Inappropriate Behavior Choices include:

Silent, then Verbal Warning

Change seat, alternative assignment, teacher detention

Removal and Classroom Management Form, Loss of privileges

Conference, and phone call home

Implementation of school discipline proce-dures including Think Tank, behavior contract, and conference with parents and administrator.

Possible removal from the choir program

BEHAVIOR

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This year we will have at least one booster sponsored fundrais-er. The boosters have a goal to raise money this year for new uni-forms, and to fully fund our accompanists and choreographers. Items to be purchased with the funds raised include: uniforms, music, accompanists, festival registrations and travel costs. and special guest teachers/instrumentalists. Some of the funds raised may also be used to provide schol-arships for private lessons for deserving music stu-dents. All music students are expected to partici-pate in the fundraiser since all benefit in some way to the funds. A trip is also being considered and a fundraiser op-portunity will be available to students for this pur-pose. Most likely we will do our chocolate fundrais-er as it has been very successful in the past. Any student wishing to be considered for a scholarship must have taken part in the fundraiser.

FUNDRAISERS

Parent Volunteers

This choir could never be so successful without supportive parents

and community members like you! The Choir program could use

your support in many ways. I am in need of parent volunteers to

assist me over the school year with various tasks such as fund-

raising, uniform checks and measurements/distribution, concert

night chaperones, and more. We have an active Choir Parent

Booster organization and would love to have more parents in-

volved. Please email me at labottomley@mpsaz.org if you are

willing to help. I would be so grateful for any assistance!!!

Please attend the music parent meeting on Thursday Aug 22nd after the Poston open house to get on the choir e-mail list to stay updated about opportu-nities to get involved in your child’s music experi-ence.

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CHOIR COUNSEL The Choir Council is a group of students that work together to help our choir program function and meet the needs of every student. They help out with many things like setting up the classroom and stage, handing out assignments, keeping track of the music library, sharing and creating ideas for how the choir room can be the best experience for all, activities and much more! The choir counsel will meet the second and fourth Friday of every month from 3:55-4:25. Applica-tions will be made available in class after the start of school. Student roles may include: President: Conducts meetings, appoints committee chairs and mem-bers to committees. Vice President: Assumes presidents’ duties when absent, or no longer able to fulfill office. Chairs all fundraising activities sponsored by the choir club. Secretary: Keeps minutes of all meetings, takes roll, completes all necessary forms and corre-spondence. Treasurer: Maintains financial records, collects and deposits all dues and funds with signed ap-proval of sponsor. Calendar Specialist: Keeps track of student birthdays and updates class calendar Publicity Specialist: takes photos and updates the class Instagram, publicizes dates and times of meetings and activities. Class Representative: Attend council meetings and reports to the class about council business. They also have special classroom duties.

ECA FUNDS

Please help our choral program by contributing to state ECA

funds. This is a tax credit that lets you choose where your state

tax dollars are spent. You can contribute up to $400/tax paying

couple. Choir spends money on music, accompanists, festival

fees, field trips, bus transportation, dresses, shirts and ties. This

money can also other enrichment opportunities. Your continued

support will allow us to participate in choir festivals, support excel-

lent musical opportunities and keep up with the growth in our vi-

brant program.

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REHEARSAL ROUTINE

Every day you are required to bring to class: A pencil A fine line wipe-off marker A black 1” 3-ring binder with dividers to hold music, work-

sheets, notes, and reflections. Music will be provided.

If obtaining any of these items would create a financial hardship, please see your director so assistance can be arranged. You may keep all of these things in your assigned music slot in the choir room. If you take them home, it is your responsibility to bring them with you to class the next day. Failure to have your music binder will result in ThinkTank for the day.

MATERIALS

Enter the classroom quietly, get your music/pencil/handouts, place backpack under chair, get a drink, get your PAWS book stamped, and take your seat BEFORE the bell rings or join in the stretching warm-up. No running around, no piano playing!

Have your music out and follow along at all times. Be ready to take notes with a pencil. You must have these supplies EVERY DAY.

Sit or stand with the correct body position for singing that we have learned in class.

Everyone participates in the warm-up. Students must stand for warm-up unless otherwise directed.

Listen actively

No disruptive, disrespectful, or inappro-priate behaviors.

End of class routine: when directed, return folders to their slot, and place assignments in the appropriate spot. Clean your area.

At the end of class, wait until the director has completed the class. The director (not the bell) will dismiss you.

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Grades will be based on

• Quizzes

• Concerts - essentially serve as final exams

• In-class assignments (homework if not completed)

• In-class demonstration of content learning

Demonstration of content learning: 40% of grade

Students will receive up to 50 points each week that they are in class with music and pencil, paying attention and putting effort into their classroom work. This demonstrates an active effort to learn class content. If you are absent, you are expected to make up any missed work. Weekly assessments worksheets will provide confirmation of content learning for grading purposes.

Concert Attendance: 35% of grade

Students are expected to attend and participate in all performances in which their class is in-volved. Points will be assigned to each required performance based on attendance, effort, punctuality, proper concert attire, appropriate concert etiquette. This experience is what we work toward, sometimes for months, and to deny a student of the mo-ment when all of his/her efforts are to be rewarded is both unfair and unacceptable. Non-attendance at a performance will result in a lower quarter grade. See concert attendance policy on next page.

Classroom Evaluations and Assignments/

Homework: 25% of grade

Students will participate in various written assignments, work-sheets, quizzes, tests, auditions, written evaluations of perfor-mances and small group or individual singing evaluations. Music binders will be graded for assignment completion regularly. Students will have occasional outside homework assignments to be completed by the next school day. Students in advance groups will be expected to audition for at least one of two poten-tial honor choir experiences. See teacher for more information.

GRADING POLICY

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The Gents:

• Black dress shirt with black buttons (provided by Poston)

• Teal necktie (provided by Poston)

• Black dress pants and black belt (provided by the student)

• Black socks and black dress shoes (provided by the student ALL Women:

• Long black dresses with short sleeves (provided by Poston)

• Black stockings and black CLOSED-TOE dress shoes (provided by stu-

dent)

Bella Voce and Gents are required to purchase a choir Tshirt for their casual

uniform for $10 through the bookstore.

If there are any questions or concerns about uniforms or if you cannot afford these items, you must see the director immediately so assistance may be arranged. Failure to comply with the dress code will lower your concert grade.

The following are examples of excused absences for concerts: -death in the family -illness, with a physician’s note

-unresolvable conflicts known at least two weeks in advance of the performance

Examples of unexcused absences include (but not limited to): -not having a ride -babysitting -other outside of school functions -birthdays/anniversaries -doctor or dentist appointments

-conflicts not approved by instructor at least two weeks prior to con-cert date

Excused absences will only be granted if the instructor was informed in writing of the conflict two weeks prior to the performance date. Parents are asked to check the performance dates and discuss potential conflicts with Mrs. Bottomley, as soon as possible. Students will be allowed to make-up an excused absence for full credit. Unexcused absences will be allowed to make up for 80% credit.

Parents: Your presence at concerts is extremely important to your child and our class! Please make it a priority to attend.

PERFORMANCE ATTIRE

CONCERT ATTENDANCE POLICY