I am sure that for some of you, a Choir Handbook is something new.  One of the main challenges of running an organization like a choir is to keep everyone informed as to their responsibilities and the benefits of their participation.  This handbook has been written to better inform members, parents, administrators and friends about the choirs and their related activities and functions.

Much of the information contained in this handbook will apply to all of the choirs, while some will only apply to one group or another.  Please make it your responsibility to read all of the information that addresses your involvement in the choirs at Shorewood High School.

HANDLING QUESTIONS OR CONCERNS

Every rule or requirement will cause confusion or concern at some time.  Veteran choir members can often answer questions about policies and procedures, but the best way to deal with serious concerns is to make an appointment to discuss them one-on-one with the director.  If your ÒissuesÓ are dealt with in this way, you are assured of getting the time you deserve to express your concern, and the atmosphere of rehearsals will remain positive and productive.

SHOREWOOD HIGH SCHOOL CHORAL ORGANIZATIONS

CONCERT CHOIR

Membership is open to any ninth through twelfth grader through audition (please refer to audition section).  This class meets five days per week during sixth hour.  Concert Choir is combined with the independent study section of Concert Choir and Chamber Singers for four concerts a year.  This chorus is geared toward improving singing and musical knowledge through rehearsals and performances.  Enrollment is open every semester, and one course credit is given per semester.

INDEPENDENT STUDY CONCERT CHOIR

Membership is open to any tenth through twelfth grader through audition (freshman must get instructor approval before registering) (please refer to audition section).  This class is intended for students who wish to participate in the choral program but, due to class conflicts, cannot meet during sixth hour.  Students who wish to participate in this class must have elevated music skills and be highly organized!  Independent Study Concert Choir students must be able to work independently and keep up with all of the course requirements of Concert Choir.  Students in I.S. Concert Choir will meet with Mr. Clark one day a week at lunch from 12:05-12:35 and for an hour after school on Wednesdays.  Attendance at these rehearsals is mandatory.  If a rehearsal is missed, it must be made up in a lesson with the instructor or your section leader.  The remaining details of involvement in Independent Study Concert Choir are outlined under the Concert Choir heading.  This class is worth one credit per semester.

CHAMBER SINGERS

Chamber Singers is the most elite choral group at Shorewood High School and meets daily during fifth hour, and an optional rehearsal or makeup Tuesdays after school from 3:30-4:30.  Membership in the Chamber Singers is open to a limited number of students in grades nine through twelve by audition (please refer to audition section).  This ensemble is responsible for many performances each year, including four principal concerts and extra community and outreach programs.  In addition, the Chamber Singers perform a madrigal for WSMA Solo and Ensemble Festivals.  This course is treated in many ways like an advanced-placement class.  This means that the workload and standard of excellence is even higher for this ensemble than for either of the Concert Choir sections.  Chamber Singers will be responsible to learn and perform all Concert Choir literature, serving as a leadership core for the larger group.  This course requires advanced skills in musicianship, sight singing, discipline, maturity, teamwork and commitment.  Enrollment is open once each year depending on spot availability) and is worth one credit each semester.

OTHER PERFORMANCE OPPORTUNITIES

WISCONSIN SCHOOL MUSIC ASSOCIATION HONORS MUSIC PROJECT

The Wisconsin Honors Music Project offers talented young musicians the opportunity to rehearse and perform with nationally recognized conductors in a professional setting.  All Honors groups perform at the WMEA State Music Conference in Madison in late October.  High School Honors Students sight read their music at the three-and-a-half day Summer Camp in June and rehearse before the fall concerts.  Auditions for the Honors Project are held at the Milwaukee High School of the Arts in mid-February and include:

Performance of a Class A solo for a judge- The solo must be from the WSMA Required List.

Tonal Memory Exercises- Students will hear recorded patterns and sing them back to the judge.

Sight Reading - Material will be presented by the judge.

Range- The student will sing short scale patterns moving up and down by half steps accompanied by the judge.

Being selected to perform as the member of one of the Wisconsin Honors Music Project Choirs is a prestigious honor.  In the fall of each year, I will ask for names of students interested in training for this unique challenge, and we will begin your preparations immediately.

WSMA SOLO AND ENSEMBLE FESTIVALS

Membership in the Shorewood High School Choral Program opens the door to a variety of performing opportunities.  For those students interested in expanding their performing experience beyond that of large ensembles, there are WSMA District and State Solo and Ensemble Festivals.  This year, District Solo and Ensemble Festival is Saturday, March 15 at Whitefish Bay High School and State Solo and Ensemble Festival is Saturday, April 26 at UWM.  These events afford students the opportunity to perform in small groups from solos to madrigals.  Solo and Ensemble Festivals are great experiences and I encourage those interested to participate.  If you would like more information, come and see me to discuss these events.

SOLO AND ENSEMBLE FEES

Each student is responsible for paying their own entry fee for their solo and a percentage of the fee for each ensemble (based on the number of performers in the group) for both District and State Solo and Ensemble Festival.  For this fee, students receive a written critique from a WSMA-approved judge, a performance rating from *I-V, and the medal they earn for their performance.  All entry fees are non-refundable, regardless of the reason for not performing.

ACCOMPANIST FEES FOR WSMA EVENTS

Accompanist fees are $30.00 for Honors Auditions and District Solo and Ensemble Festival and $20.00 for State Solo and Ensemble Festival and will include:

Two thirty-minute rehearsals with your accompanist for District and Honors.

One thirty-minute rehearsal with your accompanist for State.

All rehearsals are to be arranged by the student and accompanist.  Payment is due for any of these services at the first rehearsal for each event.

NON-PERFORMING OPPORTUNITIES

CHOIR COUNCIL AND EXECUTIVE BOARD

The purpose of the Choir Council is to give the student members of the choirs a voice in some of the decision making and planning regarding the choirs and their related activities.  This council consists of two bodies: the General Council comprised mostly of section leaders from each choir class; and the Executive Board, which is made up of the officers: Two Co-Presidents, Vice President, Secretary and Librarian.  Elections are held every spring as needed for most of the Executive Board positions.  Elections for the At-Large positions are held in the fall.  Section leaders are chosen by the director and serve in one-year terms, based on the quality of their leadership.  Both the Executive Board and General Council meet monthly out of school.  Executive Board members are expected to attend both their meetings and those of the General Council.  Participating in either of these two bodies is a great opportunity to take some ownership in the choirs and improve your leadership skills.

AUDITIONS

Auditions for the choirs take about fifteen minutes and consist of the following:

1. The student fills out an audition card detailing their musical experience, extra curricular involvement, and standard personal information.

2. The student sings ascending and descending scale patterns moving up or down by half steps to determine ranges and voice part.

3. The student listens to a melodic fragment and sings back the fragment to determine pitch retention ability.

4. The student will clap a short rhythmic exercise to determine rhythm reading ability.

5. The student sight-reads a short step-wise melodic exercise to determine their ability to read music.

BEHAVIOR

While a member of any Shorewood Choir, students are expected to demonstrate exemplary behavior.  This is to be the case whether in rehearsal, at a contest or festival, at choir related social activities, on tour, at a concert, or any other time when you are representing the choirs.  Choir members represent themselves, their school, and their community while participating in choral activities here.  Failure to behave as expected will result in penalties outlined in this handbook and school policies.

CLASSROOM EXPECTATIONS

The following character traits are required to participate in the Shorewood Choral Program:

1.Positive attitude

2.Trust in all participants and the director

3.A commitment to excellence

4.Flexibility

5.A courteous and respectful demeanor toward all involved

a. No talking while conductor is speaking or while another section is rehearsing

b. Use of polite conduct and language

c. No homework for other classes done during rehearsals

In addition, the following is expected regarding participation in the Choirs:

1.Students must be in attendance for all classes, performances, field trips and testing unless illness or a family emergency should prevent it.  The student must notify the director BEFORE the event to be excused.  Excessive absences, for whatever reason, will result in a lowered grade. Since this is a group experience and the ChoirÕs success depends upon EVERYONEÕS contribution, attendance is VITAL!  If a class is missed for any reason, it must be made up in a half-class-period lesson or sectional.  Each student will have two weeks from the date of an absence to make up the missed class period.  Failure to make up a missed class will result in a zero for the day missed.

2. Students must be on time to class and in their assigned spots on the risers with their folders, music, and pencils, without gum or food in their mouths, and be ready to sing when the bell rings.

3. Students must demonstrate adequate knowledge and preparation of their music in periodic octet or quartet checks and at the concert.

4. Students must demonstrate, by a positive attitude and disciplined behavior that the ChoirÕs excellence is of prime importance.

5. Students must show a willingness to cooperate in every way their talents permit.

6. Students must exhibit proper care for their equipment (music, tuxedos, etc.), as well as the facilities and equipment of the school.

GRADING

Your grade in choir is earned.  It will be based upon the contribution you make toward the success of the group.  Please remember, you are tested differently here than you are in your other classes.  Your grade will be based on the quality of your work and effort, your attitude, improvement, behavior, and participation in all classes, rehearsals, activities and concerts.  It will also be based on how hard you are willing to work for the excellence of the Shorewood Choirs.  You must demonstrate, through your actions, that you are dedicated to the excellence of this organization.

In general, each rehearsal, activity, assignment and event has an assigned point value.  At the end of each grading period, the points are added together and divided by the total to reach a percentage, which is applied to the following grading scale.

ABSENCES FROM CLASS

Just like in any class, you are expected to make up missed work.  If you have an excused absence from class, you will be given the opportunity to make it up in one of three ways: in a half-class-period sectional rehearsal with your section leader, a sectional with the instructor, or by attending an Independent Study rehearsal (not applicable for Independent Study Concert Choir students).  In any case, your make-up must be completed no more than two weeks after the absence.  On the date the make-up takes place, the student will receive the points for the rehearsal that was missed.  If no make-up is completed, the student will receive a zero for the rehearsal.

Tutti Rehearsals or Performance Tests

In order to receive an excused absence from a tutti rehearsal for anything but illness or family emergency, you must do two things.  First, submit a written note 48 hours in advance of the rehearsal and secondly speak with the director about your absence 48 hours in advance to discuss your make-up strategy.  If you have an excused absence from a tutti rehearsal or performance test you will have one week from the date of the absence to make up the two hours of that rehearsal or make up the test.  In order to make up a performance test you must arrange a group of students that meet the requirement for that test, and make an appointment to perform your make up with the instructor.  If no make-up is completed, the students will receive a zero for that rehearsal or performance test.

Note: No points will be awarded for unexcused absences.

HOW YOU EARN YOUR GRADE

1. 5 points are earned for each rehearsal: one point for SUCCESSFULLY completing each of the five categories below. (Approx. 160 pts. a quarter.)

1 point for having all proper supplies (binder, music, pencil, etc.)

1 point for actively participating in the warm up activities.

1 point based on the quality of your effort

1 point for full participation during all class activities

1 point based on the quality of your preparation

2. 200 points are earned for each concert or performance.  (2 concerts per semester = 400 pts.)  An unexcused absence from a concert will result in failure of the class.

3. 300 or 400 points are earned for completion of your major projects;

A. 300 points for Completion of a sight-singing packet.  (See Sight Singing Section for details.)

B. Six or eight hours of independent study rehearsal (50pts. per hour.)

4. A final exam worth at least 200 pts.  The final will be a written test based on the music we have studied throughout the semester and basic music theory principles.

5. Tutti rehearsals are worth 100 points each.  Students from all of the choir sections participate in three to four of these rehearsals for each concert.  The rehearsals take place during the school day when possible and during a few evenings.

Service Points (or extra credit)

Service points are earned and accumulated each quarter.  There are endless ways to earn these points; the possibilities are limited only by your imagination.  The point value of proposed activities should be discussed with the director.  Service Points are extra credit, not supplemental credit.  Service Points will be awarded and added to your grade at the end of the quarter and only if all course requirements for the quarter are met.  Failure to complete all course requirements will result in forfeiture of your service points.  Some options are listed below:

Service Point Possibilities

50 pts                                   ¥ Serve as Section Leader.

25 pts per half hour              ¥ Take a private voice lesson with the instructor or other approved teacher.(Approval and verification required)

25 pts per event                    ¥Participate in Solo and Ensemble Festival (district)

50 pts per event                    ¥Participate in Solo and Ensemble Festival (state)

100 pts per person               ¥ Recruit a serious music lover into the choir.

25 pts per half hour              ¥ Help the instructor with any number of projects.

50 pts per project                 ¥ Complete a written project: (See Mr. Clark for Guidelines)

composer paper          

concert review                              

choral CD review                  

25 pts                                  ¥ Receive a perfect score on an octet check

25 pts                                   ¥ Audition for a solo in choir.

50 pts                                   ¥ Perform an auditioned solo at an SHS concert.

25 pts                                   ¥ Serve as an usher or attend another                                                           SHS Music Department Concert.

                  (Approval and concert program required)

25 pts                                  ¥ Serve on Choir Council.

25 pts each 1Ú2 hour              ¥ Attend extra sectional or                                                                  Independent Study rehearsal beyond                                                   your required six hours.

50 pts per qtr.                       ¥ Membership in a Performance Group (outside of school)

25 pts each                           ¥ Perform the National Anthem at a sporting event

(Verification Required)

At the beginning of each semester you will be given a schedule of dates for which you are responsible.  This list may not be all-inclusive, but you will be given adequate notice and consulted if any dates are added or removed.  If you have any questions about your responsibilities, please make an appointment and I will be happy to clarify them.

StudentsÕ progress with regard to independent study rehearsals, sight singing, service points, and rehearsals that must be made up are posted weekly on the Choir Board.  Students are responsible to check these lists from time to time and make sure they are up to speed in all areas of the class.  The studentÕs scores and grades for all areas of the class are entered in the computer as we go along.  Therefore, students can make an appointment to see me to check the status of their grade at any time and get an accurate representation of where they are.

HOW YOU LOSE POINTS FROM YOUR GRADE

1.      Daily grade points are NOT awarded when a student is absent from a rehearsal or concert.

(Unexcused absence from a concert will result in an ÒFÓ for the grading period.)

2.      Failure to complete your major project (sight singing packet or six hours of Independent Study).  How this will affect your grade will depend on how much of your packet or how many of your hours of rehearsal you have completed. 

3.      The five points you earn for each rehearsal are pass fail points.  If you forget your binder or pencil you will loose that point for the day.  The same rules apply to the other one point requirements, active warm-up, quality participation, quality preparation, and quality effort.

PERFORMANCE TESTS AND PREPARATION QUIZZES

Performance tests and preparation quizzes are significant ways in which I can measure your progress in this class.  After all, your primary job in choir is to perform your music well.  That, of course, means with the right notes and rhythms but also means with proper attention to the details that make the music interesting and enjoyable for your audience.  Those elements include beauty of tone, vowel uniformity, ensemble blend and balance, tuning, musicianship and artistry.  With that in mind, performance tests and preparation quizzes are some of the most significant parts of your overall grade.  There will be one preparation quiz per week and between three to five performance tests per quarter.

PROTESTING YOUR SCORE

Since performance tests are done in groups ranging from quartets to octets there is some margin for error in the grading process.  If a student feels the grade they received on their performance test is not accurate they may choose to protest their score.  In order to do so, they must notify me within one day of the test and make arrangements to retest within one week from the original test date.  The retest will be performed a cappella and in a quartet regardless of the original testing guidelines.  The student will receive the higher of the earned scores. 

PERFORMANCE TEST BONUS

As an added incentive to do your very best, you will be rewarded for earning an ÒAÓ on any performance test by a reduction of your major project requirement.  You may choose which of your major projects to apply your bonus to up to two bonuses per project.  The rewards are listed below:

Sight Singing - your required sung exercises will be reduced by one for every ÒAÓ on a performance test, but only up to two reductions per quarter.

Independent Study Rehearsals – for every ÒAÓ you receive on a performance test, I will reduce your total number of required hours by one hour up to a total of two fewer hours per quarter.  

SIGHT SINGING

Sight singing is a crucial part of the choral curriculum.  Students are encouraged to complete one packet of approximately six sight-singing exercises per quarter.  Each exercise consists of one page of four-part music.  Students learn to find the key of the piece and to write in sol-feg (do-re-mi) notation.  The instructor will correct this written work, and select four exercises to be performed.  Exercises in beginning levels labeled SIS will be sung either solo or in unison duets or trios, all other levels will be performed in small groups of at least two people per part.  A sign up sheet for sight-singing times is posted in the choir room.

INDEPENDENT STUDY REHEARSALS

CONCERT CHOIR

Students in Concert Choir are required to complete six hours of extra rehearsal over the course of the quarter.  The opportunities to get these rehearsals done are frequent.  Each week there are a number of thirty-minute rehearsals at lunch.  In addition, every Wednesday from 3:30-4:30 there will be an independent study rehearsal offered.  The final opportunity to get these rehearsals in is to attend a Shorewood Choral Arts Society Rehearsal.  These SCAS rehearsals are only available during the first and fourth quarters and take place on Tuesday evenings from 7-9pm.

CHAMBER SINGERS

Chamber Singers are required to complete eight hours of independent study with half of their hours being earned during the Tuesday ÒChelseaÓ rehearsals from 3:30-4:30 or during the Wednesday Chamber Singer lunch rehearsal.  The additional hour on Tuesdays after school from 3:30-4:30 will be offered three weeks per month except for the first Tuesday of each month.  The remaining four hours of extra rehearsal may be earned by following the Concert Choir guidelines listed above. 

EXTENSIONS

I am very well aware of how busy you all are, not only with school, but all of your athletic and extra curricular activities.  I understand that occasionally you may get overloaded and over extended.  With that in mind, I will grant one extension on a major assignment (sight singing, independent study rehearsals, or tutti rehearsal make ups, per quarter.  You will get until the next scheduled due date to complete your extended assignment.  Since you only get one extension per quarter choose wisely when requesting your extension!  

FEES, CONCERT ATTIRE, FOLDERS, MUSIC, AND FINES

FEES

At this time, the fees for participation in the choirs are those paid at registration, Solo and Ensemble related fees as described on page six, purchase of some music and study CDs and the Fundraising requirement.

FUNDRAISING REQUIREMENT

Over the last number of years, school districts across the country have had to trim their budgets while trying to offer the same quality programs and services.  As you are aware, this is also true in Shorewood.  For the last few years the choirs have been in a situation where we have covered 75% of our operating expenses through fundraising.  Although we all wish this were not necessary, sadly, it is. 

This year our school allocated dollars dropped a significant amount.  Therefore, each student will need to raise $150.00.  Students have one of three choices regarding how to meet this requirement:

1.      Not participate in the fundraising and instead pay a fundraising replacement fee of $150.00.

2.      Participate in some of the fundraising and subtract the amount of profit earned from the replacement fee and pay the remaining amount at the end of each quarter deadline.

3.      Earn all fundraised dollars from the fundraising activities offered and pay no out of pocket costs.

In order to help students manage their fundraising responsibilities, the total requirement will be divided into three equal deadlines.  In short, each student must raise $50.00 per quarter.  If at the end of a quarter if a student has not raised their $50.00, they must pay a replacement fee for what they have not earned.  By approaching our fundraising in this way we can ensure we can pay our bills on time.

We recognize that our students and parents are very busy and do not need more to do.  However, if everyone will do their part, this does not need to be a monumental or overly distasteful task.  We trust that the value of this exemplary program will serve as adequate motivation to help us ensure the future of this high-quality experience. 

CONCERT ATTIRE

It is the studentsÕ responsibility to provide their own concert attire.  The following guidelines are to be followed when choosing your concert dress.  Variation from these guidelines is unacceptable.

Women

         Either . . .

I.       A black floor-length, long-sleeved dress with black hose, and black dress shoes.

OR

II.      A black floor-length skirt with a black long-sleeved blouse, black hose, and black dress shoes.                   

OR

III.     Black pants with a black long-sleeved blouse, black hose, and black dress shoes.

 Men

The school has gone to great lengths to provide tuxedos for use by the men participating in the performing ensembles.  At the beginning of each school year, you will be measured and fitted for a tuxedo for your use during the school year.  It is your responsibility to get necessary alterations, store, care for and clean this tuxedo during the year.  In addition, you must return it to me, undamaged and cleaned with a receipt from the dry cleaner at the end of the year.  The following items are necessary to complete your concert attire:

I.       Black socks and black dress shoes.

II.      A black bow tie.

III.     A white dress shirt (no button down collars please).

FOLDERS, PENCILS, HIGHLIGHTER AND TABS

Each student is responsible for providing his or her own choir folder and related supplies.  Your choir folder is part of your choir uniform and needs to conform to the following requirements.  Your folder should be a one-inch, black ÒDÓ-ring binder with pockets.  In addition, each student must have the following supplies to complete his or her folder requirements.  Red pencils, a highlighter, and post-it tabs.  This folder and additional supplies are not optional and all items need to be brought to every rehearsal and performance starting the first full week of class.

MUSIC

The school provides music to each student at substantial cost.  Each student is responsible for the music that is issued to him or her.  This year, you will be expected to purchase your own copy of certain scores.  Any scores you purchase are yours to keep.

FINES

Standard fines to cover replacement of lost or damaged equipment are as follows:

         Lost or damaged music-               $1.50-$25.00 per octavo

         Lost or damaged tuxedo-              $60.00-$120.00

TYPICAL PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE

5:30 PM      Choir room opens                         

5:45 PM      Warm-up begins on stage

7:00 PM      Concert Begins                              

8:30 PM      Concert Ends

8:45 PM      Reception

AWARDS AND HONORS

Civic Music Award is sponsored by the Civic Music Association of Milwaukee and is presented to an outstanding senior musician at Shorewood High School who has demonstrated leadership within the music department and throughout the school and community.  To receive this award, a student must be a four-year member of the band, choir, or orchestra and receive a unanimous vote from the three members of the Shorewood High School music faculty.  The award consists of a certificate and pin from the Civic Music Association, and the recipientÕs name is added to the schoolÕs wall plaque.

The National School Choral Award is presented to an outstanding senior member of the choirs who has demonstrated excellence in vocal music in the areas of performance, leadership, service, teamwork and commitment.

The DirectorÕs Award is presented to an outstanding choir student who has demonstrated excellence in vocal music through leadership, teamwork, commitment, performance, and service.

Cornerstone Award is given to any choral student who has demonstrated commitment to the choral program through positive and extraordinarily consistent performance throughout the course of the year.

Most Improved Student Awards are given to one female and one male choir student who, through hard work and discipline, have made enormous improvement throughout the course of the school year.

The Choir Spirit Award is presented to a student who demonstrates great passion for the choral art and for the teamwork required in being a member of the choirs, and who is dedicated to bettering themselves as well as the choir as a whole.

WSMA District and State Solo and Ensemble Awards are given to students who participate in WSMA District and State Solo and Ensemble Festivals and earn a division I or II rating.