Francis Howell High School

Choral Department

Mrs. Karey Fitzpatrick, Director

636-851-4735

karey.fitzpatrick@fhsdschools.org

Conference Hour:  7:25 – 8:15

CLASSROOM EXPECTATIONS:

Ø      Be on time to class.  Tardies will be documented.

Ø      No food, drinks, or gum in class(except for water in a container with a lid)

Ø      Be prepared!  Have appropriate materials in class(HAVE PENCIL AND MUSIC!!)

Ø      Students are expected to participate fully each day of rehearsal.

Ø      Demonstrate proper care of music, furniture, and equipment in classroom,

auditorium, and any other performance venue.  STUDENTS ARE FINANCIALLY RESPONSIBLE FOR REPLACING LOST MUSIC, ROBES/UNIFORMS, AND FOLDERS!!

Ø      All teachers, parents, and guests will be treated with respect.

Ø      Students will behave appropriately in concert settings, and will show respect

   for peers who are performing.

Ø      Students will adhere to the FHHS Dress Code while on all trips.

Failure to comply with expectations will result in:   

1.      Lower participation grade by 50% for that day/performance

2.      Complete loss of participation points for day/performance

3.      Parent notification and detentions assigned

4.      Student will be dropped from ensemble at semester

GRADING PROCEDURES:

            Grades will be calculated each semester as follows:

                        40% = first/third quarter participation, extra rehearsal attendance, assignments, written and vocal tests, required performances

                        40% = second/fourth quarter participation, extra rehearsal attendance, assignments, written and vocal tests, required performances

                        20% = Semester final:  half of semester final is written; half is a performance assessment.  (PLEASE NOTE:  the semester grade can be lowered by a letter grade if a score of 60 % or below is earned on the semester final.)

PARTICIPATION:

            Daily class participation = 10 points

Written tests = 50-100 points

            Written assignments = 20 – 100 points

            Vocal Tests =25- 50 points

            Students are encouraged to maintain good attendance to participate successfully; missed rehearsal time cannot be replaced with the ensemble, and unexcused absences cannot be made up at all.  An excused absence will be worth 8/10 points for the first three of the semester; 7/10 points for further absences. If a student would like to make up the points missed from an excused absence, there are materials posted in the classroom. These materials must be turned in within 3 days of the absence for the points to count toward the absent grade.

            Part-singing grades will be taken with one or two voices per part on music which has been rehearsed in class.  Sight reading will be graded individually and in groups after extensive practice. These will make up a portion of the overall grade to assess the comprehension of the students in the class.

HOMEWORK POLICY:

            There will be several written assignments and worksheets to reinforce concepts we are learning, and these are to be completed on time! The student must notify the director if an assignment will not be turned in on time. An extension is granted only when the student needs more time than allotted in class or in the case of an absence. The assignment will be due during the next day’s class period for the student to receive full credit. The assignment may be turned in after that for partial credit.

PERFORMANCES:

            Concerts = 200 points

            Dress Rehearsals = 150 points  Extra Performances = 150 points

            This is a performance-based class.  All performances and dress rehearsals are required!  Students will be notified in writing of performances, and are expected to make arrangements with parents, coaches, employers, etc., well in advance of these dates.

            Should a student be absent from a performance due to serious illness or emergency, the absence must fall under the FHSD policy for excused absences.  In addition, the parent must notify the director via voicemail or email no later than 2:15 the day of the performance.  If excused, the student has 10 school days to provide a make-up assignment designed by the director.  This will be a five-page typed research paper on a composer or style of music the choir is performing, or a “jury” performance of their portion of the concert.

            Show time for performances is non-negotiable unless previously discussed with the director.  If a student is not in attendance when attendance is taken before the concert, 50 points will be deducted from their performance score.  Concert disruptions caused by students and inappropriate concert attire will also result in a reduction of concert performance points.

CONCERT ATTIRE: CONCERT CHOIR, TREBLE CHOIR AND CHORUS

(MANDATORY – infractions will result in partial loss of performance points):

            MEN:  black dress pants (no jeans!), black socks, black dress shoes (no tennis shoes),            white dress shirt and tie; a natural hair color, no visible body piercings except ears

            WOMEN:  dress or skirt outfit that does not extend above or below the choir robe, flesh-

           colored stockings, black dress shoes (no boots, no tennis shoes), a natural hair

           color, no obvious jewelry, no colored headbands, no visible body piercings except ears

CONCERT ATTIRE: CHAMBER CHOIR

            MEN: required to pay $20 for rental of tuxedo for the year and $20 for dress shirt(men            will keep their dress shirt) it is required that the student renting the tuxedo return it at the        end of the year with a dry cleaning receipt

WOMEN: required to pay $40 to rent dress for the first year and $20 for the second year in the class or may buy their dress for $80, it is required that the student renting the dress return it by the end of the school year with a dry cleaning receipt. Fines will be issued for students who have not returned their concert attire by the second to last week of the school year

CHOIR AWARDS REQUIREMENTS (Outstanding Senior Musician):

            *Meet MSHSAA standards

            *Participation in ensemble the entire year

            *Grade of B or higher each quarter

            *No unexcused absences from performances or dress rehearsals

            *No more than one excused absence from performances

            *No suspension resulting from choir performance or activity

            *Exhibit high standards of performance and excellence

            *Show evidence of leadership fostered by involvement, creativity and dedication

CLASS NOMINATED AWARDS (Leadership, Behind the Scenes and Most Improved):

Each class will vote via secret ballot on the student who best represents the ideal characteristics in the areas listed above

LETTERING REQUIREMENTS:

*Participation in ensemble the entire year

*Grade of B or higher each quarter

*No unexcused absences from performances or dress rehearsals

*No more than one excused absence from performances

*No suspension resulting from choir      performance or activity

*Attend one pre-approved outside concert per semester

CHOIR FEE:

All choir students are required to aid the choral program with paying for certain fees that are not included in our school budget. These include: festival registration, robe and uniform cleaning, t-shirt, transportation for field trips, robe and uniform purchases, piano accompanist, etc. The fee is $50 for Chamber, Concert and Treble and $20 for Chorus. This fee is due by Oct. 1, 2011. If a student is involved in more than one choir, they do not have to pay two choir fees. This can be paid either out-of-pocket or by money earned through fundraising.