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=Welcome to the Chorus Wikispace!=


 * On this Wiki I will post helpful information and pertinant documents for each choral group.**
 * Parents and students, use the bar to your right to navigate this Wikispace.**
 * For further records of student progress, parent's may visit Newport News Schools.**



 ** Syllabus ** Supplies

o Pencil, paper: Students will provide their own (sharpened) pencil and (lined) paper, kept in their folder at all times. Students will frequently write notes, journals, concert evaluations, and complete assignments, quizzes and tests. o Folder, music: Students will be assigned a choir folder containing music for rehearsals. Students are responsible for their borrowed sheet music until they are checked back in. All folder and sheet music must be returned in good condition. Replacement fee for the lost or damaged folder will be $5.00, while each piece of sheet music will cost around $3.00, plus a Shipping and Handling fee. Students are encouraged to take their music folder home to practice, but must bring it back to school each morning.

Grading Fifty percent of a grade shall be based on activities such as classwork, daily class participation and citizenship. Fifty percent of a grade shall be based on activities such as major projects and tests. Formative activities (50%): Daily Grades (participation, skills demonstration) (15%) Sight-reading and Ear-Training  o Assessments (15%) Folder/Pencil Checks (5%) Written Assignments (5%) Citizenship (10%) o Summative activities (50%) Concerts (25%) <span style="font-family: 'Franklin Gothic Book'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">Written Tests (10%) <span style="font-family: 'Franklin Gothic Book'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">Projects (15%) <span style="font-family: 'Franklin Gothic Book'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">Select at least 2 per semester, one of which must involve writing skills.)  o // *Discography Presentation & Form: // Pick a musical selection, complete a report form, and present it in class.    o // *Concert Evaluation Form: // Attend a vocal concert. Performers must be singers of junior high school age and up. A completed evaluation form must be turned in with a concert program and a ticket stub, if available, as proof of attendance.    o // *Newspaper Article Form: // Read an article about music in a major newspaper and fill out an article report form.    o // *District Solo/Ensemble Festival: // Participate in a district wide junior high, middle school solo/ensemble festival in March.    o // *Solo/Duet/Ensemble Performance: // Perform a well-prepared, memorized vocal or instrumental solo/duet/ensemble piece in front of class, or in concert. Students must schedule a performance time with Ms. Colling one week in advance. o // Concert Production: // Help with concert set-up and take-downs. Sign-ups will be posted near concert dates.

o Music Preparation o Posture

<span style="font-family: 'Franklin Gothic Book'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">*Note: The grade is not determined by inherent music ability, but rather by the effort put forth in class to become a better musician. Each choir member is expected to follow the expectations listed below to increase his/her success in demonstrating his/her skills. o Be in assigned seat when bell rings o Have folder, pencil, highlighter & planner o Exhibit excellent posture o Maintain consistent focus o Demonstrate mutual respect o Display a positive attitude o Be a team player o No gum or candy o Cell Phone

<span style="font-family: 'Bernard MT Condensed'; font-size: 14pt; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">Citizenship, Behavior, Discipline, Expectations <span style="font-family: 'Franklin Gothic Book'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">Because the goals for the students involve assisting them in developing productive habits in <span style="font-family: 'Franklin Gothic Book'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">the classroom and choir rehearsal that will have positive results for them throughout their <span style="font-family: 'Franklin Gothic Book'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">lives, we have an emphasis is on: o Choose to do what is right (which may not be what is popular) o Develop a strong work ethic through self-discipline and self-management o Build strong working relationships with others through emphasizing teamwork and <span style="font-family: 'Franklin Gothic Book'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">leadership skills. o Use goal setting and problem solving strategies in order to meet challenges and <span style="font-family: 'Franklin Gothic Book'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">handle disruptions to the learning process. o Self-organization: time management, organization of materials, etc. <span style="font-family: 'Franklin Gothic Book'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">As with all learning, some students may need more assistance than others. For some, a <span style="font-family: 'Franklin Gothic Book'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">simple reminder may be all that is required to get back on track. For others, more extreme <span style="font-family: 'Franklin Gothic Book'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">intervention may be required. Ultimately, we are looking for the student to learn to make good choices and to make them for the right reasons. I will assist them as much or as little as necessary. Some of the common methods I employ to assist students with behaviors include: o Clear and high expectations with lots of positive reinforcement o Verbal warning or “the look” o Quick conference after class o Extended problem solving conference before or after school (5-10 minutes) o Honor Level Citation o Contact parent for ideas or help: phone, email, note home. o Contract with student which may involve parents and/or other teachers, counselors or others that may be useful in helping. o Detention* o Conference* o Office referral* <span style="font-family: 'Franklin Gothic Book'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">*Note: Bullets marked with stars are used as a “last resort”, and will only be employed when previous intervention has not been successful in the classroom.

<span style="font-family: 'Bernard MT Condensed'; font-size: 14pt; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">Concert Attendance <span style="font-family: 'Franklin Gothic Book'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">All students are required to attend concerts unless they are excused by Ms. Colling or they are ineligible (suspension or inadequate grades). Students are given a test grade based on performance, concert etiquette, and conduct. Notice for all concerts and rehearsals will be sent home in ample time to plan accordingly – in most cases they will be listed on the choir calendar which will be handed out early in the school year. I will give make-up assignments when necessary for excused absences; however, it is impossible to re-create the atmosphere of a performance when it has been missed. The importance of each student’s individual participation in the concert cannot be stressed enough as every student has worked both individually and within the group to master the material for presentation at the concert. Therefore attendance is both critical, and mandatory! Please see the important information below on what constitutes an excused or unexcused absence.

<span style="font-family: 'Franklin Gothic Book'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">EEMS Policy: o Performances constitute 25% of a student’s overall grade in choir, unexcused absence from any performance will result in a term grade lowering of up to two letter grades (For example: “A” grade becomes “C” grade)

<span style="font-family: 'Franklin Gothic Book'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">EXCUSED ABSENCES //(You will be allowed to make it up):// o An excused absence is one that has been approved by the director //and// is accompanied by a written note or e-mail from a parent. I need to be made aware of these absences as far in advance as possible. I understand that there might be times of emergencies, illnesses, and sudden deaths in the family that can occur. These types of situations will be excused, but I will need a written note from the parent to //provide documentation// of a student absence.

o Examples of excused absences: <span style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 1in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: -0.25in;"> o Significant Illness <span style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 1in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: -0.25in;"> o Family Emergency <span style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 1in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: -0.25in;"> o Death in the family

o Other extenuating circumstances: Certain absences may be excused at the discretion <span style="font-family: 'Franklin Gothic Book'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">of Ms. Colling. It is imperative that Ms. Colling is given adequate notice prior to the event. No absence will be excused the day of the performance or rehearsal other than those listed above. Examples of absences that might be excused with proper WRITTEN notice in advance are: weddings, religious events and other “once in a lifetime” events. However, the WRITTEN notice must be given two weeks in advance in order for the absence to be excused. o Other school activities: In the instance where there is another school activity <span style="font-family: 'Franklin Gothic Book'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">scheduled at the same time as one of our concerts or rehearsals, it is the student’s responsibility to inform the director of this type of conflict ahead of time. Ms. Colling will then confer with the sponsor of the conflicting activity in order to decide which activity the student will attend or to decide on a valid compromise. o Make-up Work: If a student misses a concert or rehearsal due to an excused absence, he/she will be given a make-up assignment at the time Ms. Colling is provided written documentation and excuses the absence, in order to make up for the test grade. If a student neglects to complete the assignment, he/she will not receive credit for the assignment, thereby significantly affecting his/her test grade average in choir.

<span style="font-family: 'Franklin Gothic Book'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">UNEXCUSED ABSENCES //(You will NOT be allowed to make it up):// o An unexcused absence is one that has not been approved by the director and is not <span style="font-family: 'Franklin Gothic Book'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.25in;">accompanied by a written note or e-mail from the parent. o Examples of unexcused absences: o Lack of transportation o Forgot o Overslept o Birthday party o Baby-sitting o Other events (sports, dance, recitals). o Homework o Shopping o A list of performance dates is provided for your convenience at the beginning of the year. All conflicts should be worked out in advance. If some conflicts are difficult to resolve, please contact Ms. Colling as soon as possible! Students may lose up to 25% of their grade due to missing a performance. Please, please plan ahead! o Helpful Suggestion: Please post the //“Choir Calendar”// on family calendars, parents’ planners, student planners, refrigerator, etc. <span style="display: block; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-list: l15 level1 lfo15; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none; text-indent: -.25in;"> o Friendly Reminder: Students are expected to stay for the entire duration of all <span style="font-family: 'Franklin Gothic Book'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: 2.25pt;">concerts. (//Exception:// Family emergency, student illness. Student must bring a parent/guardian note to the director before the event and must check out in person with the director before leaving early from a concert.)

<span style="font-family: 'Bernard MT Condensed'; font-size: 14pt; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">Concert Etiquette <span style="font-family: 'Franklin Gothic Book'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">Formal concert etiquette will be taught during class and expected during all formal concerts <span style="font-family: 'Franklin Gothic Book'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">and performances. Parents can help reinforce the following basic behaviors with your child. o Arrive early and stay until the end. It is discourteous to arrive late, to still be settling once the program has begun, or to leave before it is over. o If you must enter or leave during the program, do so discretely and in between performances, during the applause. We don’t want to do anything to distract the performances. o Silence cell phones and watches. o Sit still, quiet and be attentive: Avoid any noise-making or distracting behaviors, and especially during a performance (including talking/whispering, unwrapping candy, moving around in your seat, passing notes, etc). o Do not tap, snap or clap along with the beat of a song unless invited to do so. o Applaud enthusiastically! Applause is what affirms to the performers that the audience is enjoying and appreciative of their efforts. o The conductor and any guest soloists are applauded when they walk onto the stage. o Applause for the music is held until the end of each selection or until the end of the entire performance of an extended work. o Applaud when the conductor turns toward the audience and bows. o Standing ovations are acceptable for particularly moving performances. o Catcalls, whistling, or other loud audible noises are best reserved for athletic events or other activities that elicit exuberant responses from audience members and are not considered appropriate at formal concerts. o When young children attend formal concerts, they learn to be good audience <span style="font-family: 'Franklin Gothic Book'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">participants. Crying, chattering, and otherwise noisy children, however, should be <span style="font-family: 'Franklin Gothic Book'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">removed from a performance immediately and should return only if such behavior <span style="font-family: 'Franklin Gothic Book'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">does not recur.

<span style="font-family: 'Bernard MT Condensed'; font-size: 14pt; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">Transportation to and from choir events <span style="font-family: 'Franklin Gothic Book'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">Please make sure that you have made arrangements for your child to be transported to and <span style="font-family: 'Franklin Gothic Book'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">from choir events. If your child rides with someone other than a parent or legal guardian, we <span style="font-family: 'Franklin Gothic Book'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">will need a written note by the day of the event. This is to protect your child and insure that <span style="font-family: 'Franklin Gothic Book'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">he/she is in a safe environment. Please pick your children up on time after choir events. If a <span style="font-family: 'Franklin Gothic Book'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">child is left waiting for a parent, we as the directors are obligated to wait with him/her, but <span style="font-family: 'Franklin Gothic Book'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">we are NOT allowed to take him/her home.