vja choral handbook 2013-14

7/30/2019 VJA Choral Handbook 2013-14

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Victor J. Andrew

Choral Handbook2013-2014

Christopher Moan, Choral DirectorEmail: [email protected]

Facebook: www.facebook.com/vjachoirsTwitter: moanmusic@musicmoan
mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]


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Table of Contents

Purpose and Mission Statement.........................Page 3

Staff....... ..................................Page 3

Expectations...... .Page 3

Choral Ensembles..Page 4-5

Attendance.... .Page 5

Grading. ...Page 5-7

When I Cant Sing form....Page 7

Supplies. ......Page 7

Concert Dress..................................Page 8-9

Choral Events.......Page 11

Student/Parent Choir Contract.Page 12


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Purpose of the Handbook

Welcome to the Victor J. Andrew High School Choral Program.The choral music faculty is looking forward to another rewardingyear full of musical success. Please use this handbook as a guide to

any initial questions about our program, as well as calendar events.

VJA Choral Mission Statement

The mission for the Victor J. Andrew choral music program is topromote and facilitate musical excellence in our classrooms,rehearsals and performances. We will establish a safe andencouraging learning environment, instill good musicianship, and

improve music literacy. We hope to develop a relationship betweenart and the everyday; our students will leave the program with asense of purpose, knowledge, and an infectious passion for music thatwe hope will be long-lasting.

Staff

Christopher Moan, Choral Director

Sandra Tuazon, AccompanistRobert Potsic, Voice, Piano, Guitar and Theory InstructorMichael Potsic, Voice Instructor

Expectations

Students are expected to participate fully in rehearsals, sectionalsand performances. Students will give peers, teachers and guest

clinicians their utmost respect. Students demonstrating a collegialwork ethic, as well as model conduct in rehearsal and performance,will be eligible for advancement in the program. Studentsparticipating in groups that meet outside the school day are expectedto adhere to all choir and school policies.


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VJA Choral Ensembles

Treble Choir: Entry-level womens chorus. Students will build healthychoral and vocal techniques such as forming propervowel shapes, developing internal rhythm, blend, musicliteracy, sight-reading, solfedge, and the foundations for

healthy vocal technique.

Concert Choir: Intermediate mixed group consisting of both female andmale students ranging from first to fourth year. Due tothe wide range of student experience level, an equallywide variety of choral considerations will be taughtincluding note-reading, vowel shape and blend,solfedge, rhythm reading and performance. Theconcepts of corporate sound and how to utilize the voicein a large group will also be a focus.

Bel Canto: Advanced auditioned womens chorus consisting ofsecond through fourth year students. The focus of thisgroup is to build off of previous choral experiences andutilize those expanded capabilities to dive into morechallenging treble literature and advanced choraltechniques. The rehearsal process moves exponentially

faster and a higher level of vocal aptitude andperformance ability is required.

VJA Cappella: Advanced mixed, auditioned pop/jazzensemble open to all second through fourth year choralstudents. Auditions are held late second semester of theprevious school year. The focus of this group will be tolearn proper stylistic treatment of pop/jazz literaturewhile maintaining optimal vocal production. Come out

and audition-- youll have a blast!

Chorale: Advanced mixed, auditioned chorus.All previous concepts and fundamentals of choralsinging apply to thefullest. Being the premiereensemble, the musical, rehearsal, and performanceexpectations are all set at a much higher level. This


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group also functions as the touring choir, when suchopportunities are presented, and a greater timecommitment is assumed upon selection. IMEAauditions will be a requirement for all members.

MAN CHOIR: All-level, non-auditioned male choir established

to foster good vocal habits and machismo bonding in ahighly musical atmosphere. Huzzah! Added emphasiswill be placed on the development of the male voice andexperimentation in and out of vocal comfort zones. Thisgroup is featured on their own manstravaganza(concert) in the spring.

Attendance

Students must attend all functions and activities that theirorganization is included in unless excused in advance by the director.Daily rehearsal attendance will be taken and recorded. Choirs thatrehearse outside of school hours will also adhere to these regulations.Failure to exhibit good attendance day-to-day will affect the overallgrade received and in the case of extra-curricular choirs, possibledismissal. Performances are mandatory. Performance opportunitiesinclude: concerts, festivals, competitions, administrative functions, aswell as school and community events. Remember: one voice alwaysmakes a difference.

Grading

Grading will be based upon the following:

1. Daily participation (attitude, cooperation, attentiveness,

punctuality, and preparedness).2. Attendance at sectionals, special rehearsals, and performances.3. Behavior during rehearsals, concerts, special trips and activities.4. Tests and music assignments including written examinations andindividual/group vocal recording samples.


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Each day, students will receive five participation points thatcount towards their final grade. Those who do not contribute theirtime and energy to rehearsal and performance will be docked anumber of points per infraction. Students who are appropriately

excused from school or class will not be penalized; however,unexcused absences will result in a zero for the day. Choosing not toparticipate in performances could adversely affect your grade. Anunexcused absence from a performance will result in an automaticzero and may not be made up. Only family emergencies, extremeillness, or otherwise extreme circumstances will be considered anexcused absence.

If a student is ill during a rehearsal, and subsequently is unableto sing, they may be asked to participate in the choral rehearsal byfilling out the When I Cant Sing form. If issued this form, thestudent must fill it out as completely as possible. They will be askedto turn it in at the end of class. This will represent their dailyparticipation credit. The form has been included below the gradinginformation for your perusal.

Students who earn a grade lower than a C will be asked to

utilize the new Advisory time to meet with Mr. Moan in an attemptto complete any assignments that may be delinquent, or to workindividually on choir-related activities.

Grade Distribution/Percentage:99 100 = A+92 98 = A90 91 = A-88 89 = B+

82 87 = B80 81 = B-78 79 = C+72 77 = C70 71 = C-68 69 = D+62 67 = D60 61 = D-0 - 59 = F

Grades are calculated by taking thetotal number of points accumulated

and dividing it against the totalnumber of points possible.


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45% Class Participation

(Are you participating when instructed to do so? Are you focused each day on the task at

hand? Are you using the required physical gestures during warm-ups and/or rehearsal?

Are you taking required notes to improve you musicianship and advance your knowledge?)

35% Concert Performances

(Timeliness is part of your grade. Being late to a call-time without prior notification results in

a 15% deduction from your concert grade and the wearing of unapproved concert attire will

result in a 10% deduction. Are you well prepared and memorized on your selections?

Are you dressed appropriately for the event?)

20% Concert Reviews/Tests/Assignments

(Are you efficiently learning your voice part? Have you completed all assignments?)

WHEN I CANT SING [exerpt]

Name _____________________________ Date _______________

The reason that I am not singing today is: ______________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

Comment on EACH of the warm up activities today. (Write on the back if necessary.)

Describe Activity Reason for Activity What I learned from listening

Supplies

Each choir student will be supplied with music, a folder, and apencil. It is expected that these materials are present for everyrehearsal, sectional, or workshop. If any of the materials are lost ordamaged, it is the students job to replace them. Points will bedocked for non-compliance and unpreparedness.


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Concert Dress

Each choir student is required to purchase their concert attire.

At this time, all choir have the same concert dress requirements. Ifyou are a new choir student, please make a check payable to theAndrew Music Parents for the amount listed below. Parent helperswill be assisting with the measurements in school but feel free to takethe necessary measurements from the form below:

Choir Women - $35You will take responsibility for your concert attire. It will beissued to you in clean condition. Sizing charts and orderforms will be provided. You must provide your own blackankle-length skirt, low-heeled, closed-toe black shoes andnude hose. A blouse will be supplied to you after paymentis received.

Choir Men - $25You will take responsibility for your concert attire. It will be

issued to you in clean condition. You must acceptresponsibility for securing your own black dress pants,black socks, and black dress shoes. A tux shirt will besupplied to you after payment is received.

2013-14 Choir Shirt/Blouse Order InformationWomen: White blouse - $35

Choir Men: White tuxedo shirt with black banded collar - $25

Checks for choir shirts should be made payable to theAndrew Music Parents Organization.

Checks and money orders are the only acceptable forms of payment.

See size chart for measurement needs

parent helpers will be measuring students at school, as well.If you elect to measure your student, please follow the sizing chart and heed the measurement needs.

Please indicate the closest appropriate shirt/blouse size on that field of the Student/Parent Choir Contract.


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2013-14 Choral Events

10/15 IMEA District and All-State Auditions10/24-26 Fall Musical

10/29 Fall Choral Concert11/2-3 Music Parents Craft Show11/13 NHS Inductions 7pm- Chorale11/23 IMEA District Festival12/10 Holiday Choral Tech Rehearsal 6-8pm All choirs12/11 Holiday Choral Concert All Choirs12/13-17 Spring Musical Auditions1/23-25 All-State Festival

2/23-24 Spring Craft Show2/26 Senior Academic Recognition Night 7pm Chorale3/6 SWSC Choral Festival (daytime event) Chorale3/6 Jazz Band/VJA Cappella Concert3/18 Prism Concert Dress Rehearsal 6-8pm All Choirs3/20 Prism Concert All Andrew Music Ensembles4/10-12 Spring Musical

5/13 Finale Choral Concert All Choirs5/14 Senior Scholarship Night 7pm Chorale5/21 Graduation Chorale and all seniors

*All Concerts/Musicals begin at 7:00 PM

-Performer call-times may vary.

*Holiday Market TBA*Man Choir Spring Event TBA

*Solo/Ensemble Contest TBA


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Student/Parent Choir Contract

By signing this contract, I hereby agree to uphold my responsibility as a

member of the High School Choir Department by following the rules andguidelines of this organization.

1. I will arrive at rehearsal on time with my music, a pencil, and a good attitude. Gum chewing will NOT beallowed at any time in the choral music room while I am supposed to be rehearsing.2. The choral schedule is my responsibility and I will keep all dates, as given to me by the directors, open andclear of other responsibilities, unless I have already discussed an absence with my director in advance. Jobs andwork are not acceptable excuses as most schedules can be altered if considered early.3. I understand that my grade in choir will be determined by the following:a. Daily participation (attitude, cooperation, attentiveness, alertness, punctuality, and preparedness)b. Attendance at sectionals, special rehearsals, and performancesc. Behavior during rehearsals, concerts, special trips and activities

d. Tests, music assignments, and voice recordings.4. I will assume responsibility for maintaining academic eligibility in order to participate in any extra-curricularactivities that require decent academic standing.5. I assume responsibility for my concert attire.6. I will return my music and any music department materials by the designated deadlines at the end of theyear. I realize that there will be a report card hold if I do not comply.7. I accept that on the first violation of any of the above guidelines notification may be sent to my parents, andthat any subsequent violations may involve administrative intervention.8. I accept all audition and placement proceedings as set by the VJA Choral Program and the VJA Music Dept.

---------------------------------------Detach and return the bottom portion-----------------------------------

I understand and accept the responsibilities as stated above in the VJA Choir Handbook.Please print legibly:

STUDENT SIGNATURE_____________________________________________DATE________

STUDENT NAME (print)__________________________________________________________

PARENT SIGNATURE______________________________________________DATE_________

PARENT NAME (print)__________________________________________________________

The signed copy of this contract is DUE August 30th!

Concert attire sizing information (fill all fields that apply):Women: Bust_________, Waist_________

Men: Neck_________, Sleeve_________, Chest_________

Check/Money Order enclosed (circle one): Y N

[If you do not provide measurements, choir moms will be measuring students out of their choir hour.]

vja choral handbook 2013-14

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