350 N. Arizona Avenue   Chandler, AZ  85225

CHS Office Phone (480) 812-7700    Choir Office Phone (480) 812-7883

2012-2013 Chandler High School Choral Department

Expectations and Information

Dear CHS Choir Students and Parents,

Welcome to the Chandler High School Choral Department.  My name is Lori Lyford and I am looking forward to this 2012-2013 school year with great expectations.  If you need to contact me during the year you can leave a phone message on my office phone at 812-7883 or e-mail me at lyford.lori@cusd80.com.  This year the students and I have boiled down our class rules into three: Be Respectful, Be a Family, Be Courageous!  However, in this document, some specific examples of these rules will be noted for clarity.

Grading Policy

            Choir students will be graded in four areas during each quarter: daily participation, daily rehearsal techniques, written work/skills tests, and participation in performance opportunities including concerts, festivals, and adjudications, both inside and outside of the school day.

To receive full participation points each day:

·         Attend class!  0 points if you are absent.  Each day represents 20% of your weekly grade.

o        Only excused absences can be made up.  See attached form explaining make up procedures.

o        Students occasionally missing class because of school responsibilities (assemblies, field trips, etc) may not lose points if prior notice is given. 

·         Be on time – SWEEPS will be conducted this year.  Without a note from another teacher, you are swept.

·         Abide by all school rules concerning student conduct, electronics, and dress code.

·         Be nice to everyone!  Stay focused and attentive. Participate appropriately in discussions.

·         No gum, or unauthorized food or drinks in the choir room. Water bottles are expected.

·         Be proactive and responsible for your own learning. Ask questions when you need help or clarification.

To receive full rehearsal technique pointseach day:

·         Demonstrate a positive attitude, an eagerness to learn and try new skills.

·         Model good posture when singing, either when seated or standing.

·         Be prepared by always having your music folder and pencil in class.  Mark music ONLY in pencil.

·         Be ready and willing to follow directions without having to be asked twice. Monitor your own behavior.

Final Grade for the quarterwill be an average of the four grading areas: 25% participation points, 25% rehearsal technique points, 25% concert participation and 25% written work/skill tests.

New CHS policy regarding attendance- Any student that has a grade of C or better with 4 or fewer total absences in a semester is not required to take the written final exam at the end of the semester.  Absences include Excused, Unexcused, and Sweeps.  School sponsored absences, such as field trips and sporting events, do NOT count toward the “4 or less” count.  Students qualifying for this exemption must still be in attendance on test day or their grade will be a 0 for the final.

Concerts

            We are scheduled to give four concerts this year, one near the end of each quarter. Participation in these concerts needs to be of the utmost priority. They serve as the practical application portion of the final exams for each grading period and are worth 25% of the quarter grade.  Please make every effort to clear work schedules well in advance.  Only in extreme emergencies, with prior notification by parents/guardians, can any performance points be made up. Listed here are the scheduled concert dates for the upcoming school year. Please put these dates on your calendar.  As other performances, festivals, or adjudication dates become finalized, you will be notified immediately.  All concerts begin at 7:00 with students reporting up to an hour prior to that.  Concerts are held on the CCA Main Stage: Monday, September 24; Monday, December 17; Monday, February 11; and Monday, May 20.

Concert Attire

            It is our goal to fit choir members in current, school-owned uniforms.  Boys will have vests and pants.  A black shirt will be ordered from the same vendor and will need to be purchased from the Booster club for an estimated $13.  There are various dress/skirt and top styles for the girls. Once uniforms are checked out, they may be stored in the uniform room at school or may be taken home.  They must be taken care of and kept clean and presentable for any occasion.  We must take as much pride in how we look as in how we sing. It is the student’s responsibility to have costumes dry cleaned before turning them in at the end of the school year.  This will be closely monitored and fines will be assessed if not professionally dry-cleaned.  Some dresses only require washing and ironing.  That distinction will be made at uniform check-out which will be held September 5th and 6th in the choir room from 5:00-8:00.  A parent/guardian needs to sign for costumes and pay fees.

Class Objectives

            Not only will you get to develop your singing skills in choir, you’ll also get to learn how to be a better musician.  It takes hard work!  You will be asked to step out of your comfort zone as you get to know the people around you.  After all, a choir is only as good as the bond shared by the people in it.  All you have to remember when in this class is to be patient, courageous, determined, and enjoy the journey we’re on together toward the making of great music.  One of the major areas of concentration will be music literacy.

Some of the things you will learn in choir include: how to read and translate musical notation, how to produce a healthy vocal tone, how to model proper singing posture, how to breathe correctly, how to sing in tune, how to effectively sing your own part in an ensemble, how to understand and apply elements of music theory, how to read and pronounce elements of a variety of languages, how to assess your own performance and the performance of others, appropriate performance and audience behavior skills, etc. You will also learn how to critique other music ensembles and performances, how to form opinions about and discuss the influence of music in several other areas (i.e. yourself, society, economics, politics, history, etc.)  The list could go on.  These objectives reflect the current Arizona State Standards (Strands 1, 2 and 3) for Choral Education at the high school level.   To see the complete Fine Arts performance objectives go to http://www.ade.az.gov/standards/arts/revised/Music.pdfThe Choral objectives are found on pages 37-56.

Parent Involvement

            I am very pleased that we have an active Parent Booster organization called the Chandler High School Choral Arts Association (CHSCAA). The primary goals of this group are fundraising for the CHSCAA treasury and physical support during concerts and trips.  If you would like to participate or want to learn more about this, please note that on the attached information sheet. More information will be available for interested parents during  Open House, August 2nd.

Arizona Tax Credit

            Another major source of funding for the CHS Choral Department comes through Tax Credit monies.  Please consider making a designated Tax Credit donation to the CHS Choral Department in your child’s name. Remember, you receive the tax credit money back in your Arizona State Tax return.  Family and friends can also donate in your child’s name. Attached is a Tax Credit form which is also available at the CUSD website which is http://www.cusd80.com.  For your convenience, donations can also be made directly online. If you do make a donation online, make sure to provide a copy of the receipt showing your CHS Choral Department designation and we will track and credit that amount in your child’s name with the CCAA treasurer.  The school maintains the funds.  With the economic issues our state continues to have, this program may be discontinued in the future.  It would be great to get your friends and other family members to donate NOW in your child’s name so the funds will be there long after the Tax Credit program potentially is gone.  Act now if you can.  Remember, you get the money back in your State Tax refund or lessening of State taxes owed!

I thank you in advance for supporting your CHS choir student in his/her musical endeavors.  Obviously, I believe participation in choir is a great choice.  It is my hope that this year will prove to be a rewarding experience for all of us!  Parents, I look forward to meeting each and every one of you over the course of this year.