Robert P. Brabham

Middle School

Choir Handbook2016-2017

Rachel Rodriguez Choir Director

Contact Information:rrodriguez@willisisd.org

(936) 890-1328 (Office Phone)Note from the Director

Greetings Parents and Students!

My name is Rachel Rodriguez and I am thrilled to be given the opportunity to teach your students for the ’16-’17 school year. Choir is one of the most rewarding experiences your student could go through in the course of their life. Not only will they be able to learn how to express themselves through music, they will hopefully gain many new lifelong friends.

Why did I decide to teach choir? I have been heavily involved in the arts since I began taking piano lessons in the 2nd grade. I joined choir when I was in the 6th grade, completely unaware of the impact it would make on my life and how it would guide my future career choice. I instantly fell in love with choir and singing. I loved the fact that I could express myself in a unique and individualized way. I loved that I was able to meet new and interesting people. I loved that we were a team. The rest is history from there. My Middle School and High School choir directors are still my favorite teachers to this day. I will never forget the influence those strong women and men had on my life. Not only did they teach me how to become a better singer and musician, they taught me how to become a better person in my personal life, and an outstanding citizen in my community. Ultimately, I am the person I am today because of my choir directors.

That is my goal. I want to enrich your student lives musically, and help guide them on the path of life. I want to teach them that hard-work, perseverance, and dedication can help them achieve their dreams and that nothing will be out of their reach with these three qualities in mind. I want them to feel like they are part of a team that will always support them in all of their endeavors.

I personally believe that all children have the ability to learn and to learn how to be excellent. No matter the circumstances, every student has the capacity to learn and make art. No student should ever be written off. All students deserve a quality education from their teacher; the teacher should teach excellence. I will carry this into my classroom by tailoring this course to my student’s needs, having open lines of communication at all times, and by creating a safe environment for the students to learn in.

Once again, I am so very excited to be your student’s choir director! We will have a stellar year in the BMS Choir.

Sincerely,

Rachel RodriguezChoir Director, Brabham Middle Schoolrrodriguez@willisisd.org(936) 890-1328

WHY SING?WHY BE IN CHOIR?

Lessons in music have shown to improve a child’s performance in school. Students with course work or experience in music performance scored 51 points higher on the verbal portion of the SAT than students with no course work or experience in the arts. Plato once said, “Music is a more potent instrument than any other for education.” Scientists have found that music has the ability to train the brain for higher levels of thinking, the kind of thinking that involves problem solving, inference, arriving at conclusions, comparing and contrasting the similarities and differences between two or more objects, analyzing, synthesizing, and evaluating information. These are some of the very same skills tested in the STAAR TEST!

Are you going to stay in choir your whole life? Probably not, but music is an avenue to prepare you for whatever profession you might choose. If music enhances brain functioning for higher level math and science skills, which as a result, can keep us competitive in a global economy, then music is something we all need: no matter what career we choose!

In 1991, the U.S. Department of Labor issued a report urging schools to teach for the future workplace. The skills they recommend (working in teams, self-esteem, communication, creative thinking, imagination, and invention) are exactly those learned in choir!

Students who are involved in a quality choral program use and develop the following skills:

Problem solving Communication Goal setting Coordination Self-confidence Self-discipline Critical thinking Teamwork Self-expression Memorization Concentration Conceptualization Appreciation of cultural diversity Perseverance Determination Responsibility Appreciation, Sensitivity, and love of the arts.

Choir GoalsChoral music is a highly disciplined and technical art form. It requires a student to function as a strong individual within a large group. My goal is that each student learns the necessary skills to effectively express him or herself through music. There are many activities planned both in and out of the classroom which will allow your child the opportunity to grow musically. Each student’s personal growth, as well as the growth and development of the group as a whole, will depend largely on the mastering of the objectives listed below.

The information listed here is intended to help each student understand the expectations and responsibilities for success in the Brabham Middle School Choir program.

Learn and develop good vocal production skills required for successful choral and solo singing.

Develop and continually improve sight-reading skills. Develop aural/listening skills necessary for singing with good intonation. Perform at all major concerts: Veterans Day Concert, Winter Concert, Pre-UIL Concert

(7th/8th grade girls only), and Pop Show. Participate in the major contests of the year: Solo & Ensemble Contest (All; Optional),

and UIL Concert & Sight-Reading Contest (7th/8th grade girls; Mandatory) Participate in the Region 9 All-Region choir auditions (7th & 8th graders; Optional) Maintain good school and after-school rehearsal attendance. Maintain eligibility. (“No pass—No play” rule) Develop excellent daily work ethic during rehearsal and at-home practice. Participate in choir social activities. Display appropriate concert and performance etiquette at all performances and contests,

and appropriate rehearsal etiquette at each rehearsal. Increase knowledge of music history and accepted performance practice for all genres of

music in order to enhance not only the student’s ability to interpret/express music in performance, but also, his or her ability to evaluate musical performances.

Choir ExpectationsRehearsal Expectations

Respect the Director and other peers at ALL times. (Treat others the way you wish to be treated)

Upon entering the choir room, please place ALL belongings along the side wall. The ONLY items you are to have at your seat are yourself, your folder and a pencil.

Do NOT disrupt rehearsal. This includes talking, whispering, horseplay, tardiness, leaving early, etc.

You must BE ON TIME to rehearsal. Any tardy to a rehearsal is a MAJOR distraction. If you are tardy or coming from another class, please join the rehearsal quickly and quietly.

Please use the restroom, get water, and take care of personal matters before or after class. There is a water fountain located in the 600 hallway; this is to be used before or after class, NOT during.

NO cell phones. Refer to the school cell phone policy during school hours. During rehearsal before/after school, leave phones OFF with your belongings.

NO GUM…EVER. Please spit out any unnecessary items that may be in your mouth AS SOON as you enter the choir room. This is for your safety.

No food or drinks in the choir room! The only drinks allowed in the choir room during rehearsal are capped water bottles.

Raise your hand and wait to be acknowledged by the director before speaking. Follow instructions the first time they are given. We accomplish our goals more quickly

when we engage in learning right away.

Facility Expectations

Please do not spray perfume or hairspray, apply make-up, nail polish, brush hair, or apply scented lotion in the choir room.

Please treat supplies you are given with respect. If music, folders, or uniforms are damaged or lost, you are responsible for replacing them.

Feel free to visit me in my office, but please KNOCK and WAIT to be acknowledged before entering. No student should be alone in the office without director permission.

Practice rooms are ONLY to be used with director permission. If you need a CD player, please return it to the director’s office.

Other Expectations

If you choose to participate in fundraisers, YOU must be responsible for all items being sold and all funds being collected.

In order to participate in some events, you MUST be eligible. PASS YOUR CLASSES! Remember, you are reflecting the image of our choir everywhere you go, and should do so with respect, pride and integrity.

Consequences

Verbal Warningo Students will be warned when their behavior is unacceptable

Teacher Student Conferenceo If the undesired behavior continues, the director will meet with the student to

discuss their behavior and come up with solutions to help the student succeed in class. The student will be given a Behavior Response form to fill out, signed by a parent, and returned the next day. Follow conferences will be completed as necessary.

Phone Call Home and ASDo If the undesired behavior continues after conferencing with the student, the parent

will be notified of the behavior by means of a phone call, and the student will be assigned an ASD.

Teacher Parent Conference o The director will meet with the parent if there are no improvements made in the

student’s behavior to discuss how to help the student be more successful in class. Office Referral

o This is the absolute last resort concerning a student’s behavioral success in the class.

All severe offenses such as extreme bullying, assault, fighting, destroying school property, lewdness, aggressive cursing, and felonious activities will result in an automatic office referral. Students will also receive an automatic office referral after their 4th tardy; this is school policy.

Tardy Policy: The following tardy policy is the school policy. Any student tardy to the first period class for the day must report to the office for a tardy slip. The attendance clerk will mark students arriving after 7:15 a.m. tardy. A student is only tardy when they are not in the classroom when the tardy bell rings. A tardy is recorded in the gradebook attendance. At the 6th tardy, a tardy referral is written. A tardy is only assigned when a student is late to class.

Cell Phones: Cell phones must be powered off and put away during class time. Students should leave their cell phones in their lockers or with their belongings, otherwise the phone will be confiscated as per the district policy. For their first offense, the student must pay $5 to the front office to receive their phone back and $15 after that for all other offenses.

Grading ProceduresDaily Grades (40%):

Class Participation

Students will start each class period with a total of 20 points for participation, for a total of 100 points for a 5-day week. Points will be taken off for:

1) Not being on the risers when the bell rings (different from being tardy)2) Not having materials (pencil, folder, music)3) Chewing gum4) Getting off the risers without permission5) Not singing/participating actively in all class activities. (Please refer to the

Participation Contract for clarification on participation.)

Sight-reading activities (7th & 8th grade only)

Workbook

Additional Homework Assignments

Written and Oral Quizzes

Major Grades (60%):

Performances

Performance is a main objective for all choir students. All concerts are curricular (part of the class) and attendance is mandatory. Students receive TWO major grades for all concerts. Students appropriately participating in concerts and performances will receive a grade for their performance as well as an audience etiquette grade. Please refer to the Concert Attendance page for more information on grading procedures. Major performances include:

Veteran’s Day Concert, Winter Concert, Pre-UIL Concert (7th/8th grade girls only), UIL Concert & Sight-Reading Contest (7th/8th grade girls only), Pop Show, and any Choral Festivals that the choir may enter in.

Required Rehearsals/Dress Rehearsals

There are not many after school rehearsals that are required, but please understand that they are also mandatory and for a major grade. Again, please refer to the Concert Attendance page for more information.

Written and Oral Tests

Concert AttendanceChoir is a performance-based class. Students are REQUIRED to attend all mandatory performances marked on the Calendar of Events. Students earn their grade based on attendance and audience etiquette. The expectation is that all students stay for the entire concert in order to receive credit.

Absence PolicyStudents are required to attend all performances and extra rehearsals. We recognize that some situations warrant an excused absence from events.

Excused absences will be considered for the following reasons:

Medical EmergencyDeath in the familyExcused school absence from that dayReligious holidayFamily Event (wedding, reunion, etc.)- Must be approved by the director

Excused absences are granted at the discretion of the director. Please follow the timeline below when requesting excused absences.

Rehearsal before/after school- 3 school days in advanceConcerts and Performances- 10 school days in advanceUIL Contest or Festival- 1 month in advance

ANY AND ALL ABSENCES REQUIRE COMMUNICATION BETWEEN THE DIRECTOR AND THE PARENT VERBAL OR WRITTEN EXCUSES FROM STUDENTS ARE UNACCEPTABLE.

Make up Assignments for Performances.Make-up assignments will be assigned to students who have had their parent notify the director prior to missing the concert. If you miss a concert without prior written notification, you must bring a note from your parent explaining your absence the next day you are at school. If the director receives your note the next day, you will be allowed to do a make-up assignment. The assignment that is given to the student is at the director’s discretion, and will be due one week after the assignment was assigned. If you do not bring a note from your parent explaining your absence (to the choir room, not the attendance office), then your grade for that event will be a zero.

After School RehearsalsAfter school rehearsals are necessary to the success of all our singing ensembles. Each choir will have after school rehearsal time. These rehearsals will be listed on the Calendar of Events and on the director’s website. If a rehearsal date is added or changed, a note will be sent home with the student at least two weeks in advance before the rehearsal date and added to the director’s website.

Many students are involved in other activities that also demand their time. We understand that choir may not be your only activity and that you may have to deal with scheduling conflicts throughout the year. Extreme circumstances will be handled at the director’s discretion. Please refer to the Concert Attendance page to reference a list of conflicts that will be considered excused. Please adhere to the timeline listed for any absence.

Other school activity time conflicts:

Another school practice vs. choir rehearsal = split time between the two (This option requires communication with both the director and the other activity sponsor/coach IN ADVANCE)

Another school practice vs. choir PERFORMANCE= CHOIR (Director and other activity sponsor/coach will speak in advance about these conflicts)

Another activity performance vs. choir rehearsal = Other activity performance (Sports game, art show, a theatre production, etc.)

Any extra rehearsals will be scheduled in advanced, so conflicts should be minimal. Below are addressed a few other potential conflicts.

Sports outside of school- Non-school related sports are NOT excused absences. Doctor appointments- Please try to avoid scheduling doctor, dentist, or orthodontist

appointments during our rehearsal time.

Make up Assignments for After School Rehearsals

Make-up assignments will be given to the students who have notified the director prior to missing the after school rehearsal. Students who do not notify the director of their absence must bring a note from their parent stating why they were unable to attend the rehearsal before being allowed to make up the rehearsal. If no note is given, your grade for that rehearsal will be a zero.

NOTE: Not having a ride home is not a good excuse to miss rehearsal. If your child needs help getting home from a rehearsal, please contact me and I will help make arrangements to get your student home.

Eligibility

Choir is made up of both co-curricular and extracurricular events. Co-curricular events are those that students may attend regardless of academic standing. Extracurricular events are those that require students to be passing all classes.

If a student receives a grade below 70 on a report card, they are ineligible for the following 6 weeks. A student may be reinstated by a progress report if ALL classes are above a 70. Students cannot lose eligibility on a progress report, only regain it. Please refer to www.willisisd.org for the BMS grading calendar or www.uiltexas.org/policy/tea-uil-side-by-side

Co-Curricular Activities Extra-curricular Activities Fall Concert Solo & Ensemble ContestWinter Concert Region AuditionsPre-UIL Concert Region ChoirPop Show UIL Concert & Sight-Reading Contest

Any trips we may take

Additional Calendar InformationYou will be given the time and place of any event marked TBA as soon as it is known.

I have other fun events planned but am not ready with specific details at this time. Dates may be added as the choir is requested to perform at additional events throughout the year. I will update the director’s website, and send home information as soon as it is available

UniformsInformal- Choir T-Shirt, blue jeans (no holes or distracting elements such as rhinestones, appliqués, patches, etc.) and closed toed shoes.

Formal-

6th Grade Boys: Black dress pants, formal white long-sleeve button up shirt, black socks, and black dress shoes. NO ATHLETIC SHOES. 6th Grade Girls: Black dress pants or black skirt, formal white long-sleeve button up shirt, and close-toed black flats or heels. The skirt MUST be below the knee, as per the district student handbook. If you have a question about skirt length, bring it to Ms. Rodriguez for approval. Heels may not exceed 1 ½ in.

7th/8th Grade Girls: Black Choir Dress*, close-toed black flats or heels. Heels may not exceed 1 ½ in.

7th/8th Grade Boys: Black dress pants, formal white long-sleeve button up shirt, black vest*, black socks, and black dress shoes. NO ATHLETIC SHOES.

*-item will be provided by BMS Choir Department

Concert Grooming

Hair MUST be out of your face. (Boys and Girls) No hair accessories. No jewelry except for small studs in ears. (Girls only) No stage make-up. Do NOT wear perfume or cologne to a performance. Deodorant should ALWAYS be worn to performances.

Choir FeesThere is a small fee to be in the BMS Choir. Listed below are the mandatory and optional fees for choir this year.

Mandatory Fee: Choir Membership Fee: $20.00

This fee covers the cost of a choir t-shirt for the student, and for all supplies used by the student in the classroom on a daily basis.

Optional Fee:Solo & Ensemble Fee: $10.00

Students who wish to participate in the UIL Solo & Ensemble contest must pay this fee. This fee covers the cost of the judges and transportation.

Region Choir Fee: $10.00Advanced students (7th/8th graders only) may choose to audition for the Region

Choir. To make the Region Choir is one of the highest honors a singer can achieve as a solo singer. The fee is set by the Region to cover costs.

Trip Fees: TBAAny trips we may take will be announced later, as well as their costs.

Social Events: TBAAll socials are optional and will be announced as soon as the dates are set.

Attached to the handbook is an expenditures form to be filled out and returned Sept. 19th. If you wish to buy additional choir t-shirts, you may do so on the expenditure form.

We accept cash (must be exact), checks, and money orders. Please make checks out to Brabham Middle School Choir.

TravelThe BMS Choir travels for various events such as Solo & Ensemble, Region Choir, UIL Concert and Sight-reading Contest, and any trips we make take. All travel will be handled by Willis I.S.D. transportation. The following MUST be on file before any student may travel with the choir:

COMPLETE Medical Release Form Choir Handbook Acknowledgement form (attached to the back of the handbook)

The Medical Release Form will be used for all trips for your child through the school year. A detailed letter and/or schedule will be sent home prior to each event. Each letter will also contain a parent permission slip that will need to be filled out and returned to school prior to each event.

ALL SCHOOL RULES AND REGULATIONS APPLY TO ALL TRIPS. WE WILL STRICTLY ADHERE TO ALL DISCIPLINE PROCEDURES WHILE ON SCHOOL TRIPS.

*Failure to comply with school rules while on a Brabham Middle School trip / event may result in an automatic referral to their Assistant Principal. Additionally, a student may lose the privilege of attending Brabham Middle School Choir trip / event in the future.

WISD Publications and Media RelationsAttached to the handbook is a form regarding WISD Publications and Media Relations. This form is included for you to give WISD permission to use your child’s photo in the newspaper, district publications, district websites, and district social media sites. If you want your child to be recognized for any achievements they may have in the choir program, you must sign this form and turn it in. It would be greatly appreciated if you signed this form. We want all of our student’s musical achievements to be celebrated!

Parental InvolvementWe, as a choral program, cannot function without the support of our parents. There are MANY ways to be and stay involved in your student’s activities. First and foremost, we need an audience to sing to! Please make plans to attend ALL your student’s performances. They will have worked so hard and will look forward to sharing each of those experiences with you.

We have many events you are welcome to volunteer for! Throughout the year, we will be looking to our amazing parents to help plan social events for our students, donate items, chaperone, decorate, host, create, email, etc. Whatever skill or time you have to offer our program is appreciated!

Concert EtiquetteSome of the skills students are expected to demonstrate throughout the year are proper concert etiquette. Very few students are exposed to symphony performances, operas, professional choir concerts, etc. Some of the standard rules of behavior for these types of performances may seem outdated and are not enforced everywhere. However, in order to ensure that students perform to the best of their ability, and all audience members have an enjoyable experience, these rules should be adhered to:

Please turn off all cell phones, electronic devices, and watch alarms during the performance.

During a performance, please refrain from conversation and remove crying children promptly from the performance area.

Unless you are removing a crying child, please enter and exit the performance only during applause.

No flash photography in the middle of a song, as it is distracting to the singers. Please hold applause until you see the conductor lower his or her arms. Please applaud appropriately; yelling or screaming as you would at an athletic event is

not appropriate. You should not eat or drink anything in the concert space.

ATTACHED TO THE HANDBOOK IS THE CHOIR PARENT

VOLUNTEER FORM, THE MEDICAL RELEASE FORM, THE

CHOIR EXPENDITURE FORM, THE WISD PUBLICATIONS AND MEDIA RELATIONS FORM, THE

PARTICPATION CONTRACT, AND THE HANDBOOK

ACKNOLWDGEMENT FORM. PLEASE READ, SIGN, AND

RETURN THESE FORMS BY FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 19TH.

DO NOT FORGET TO ATTACH YOUR CHOIR MEMBERSHIP FEE

TO THE EXPENDITURE FORM.

BRABHAM MIDDLE SCHOOLCHOIR PARENT VOLUNTEER FORM

2016-2017

PARENT NAME: ______________________________________________________

STUDENT NAME: _____________________________________________________

STUDENT’S CHOIR (circle one):6th grade 7th/8th Grade Boys 7th/8th Grade Girls

TELEPHONE:________________________(Home) ___________________________(Cell)

EMAIL ADDRESS:_________________________________________

VOLUNTEER ACTIVITIES

Place a check by any and all categories that interest you. During the year, there will be opportunities for you to participate in one or more of these activities. Please do not feel overlooked if we do not call upon you right away. I will try to get everyone involved. *Volunteer categories are open to all parents unless a specific grade is noted.

UNIFORMS TRIP CHAPERONE___Distribution ___Chaperone ___Collection/Preparation for cleaning

SOCIAL EVENTS___Hospitality (food)___Host/Hostess___Chaperone

OTHER:__________________________________________

NOTE: There may be more events that come up during the year that will need chaperones. Not all events are listed here.

Brabham Middle School ChoirMedical Release Form

2016-2017

Student’s Last Name First Name M.I. S.S. Number

Home Address City Zip Home Phone

Mother’s/Guardian Name Work Phone Number Cell Phone

Father’s/Guardian Name Work Phone Number Cell Phone

Name of Person to contact in case of emergency Phone Number Cell Phone

Name of Insurance Company Name of Insured

Policy/Certificate Number Group Number

List any pertinent medical information applicable to allergies, nervous disorders, heart trouble, diabetes, epilepsy, medications taken regularly, etc.

The parents or guardian of each student attending school related events grants the sponsor, or other persons in charge, permission to obtain medical help if needed and releases the school and sponsor from liability for any occurrence in relation to said activities. Such treatment will be administered only by a licensed nurse or doctor. We, the parents/guardians, agree to accept responsibility for all authorized doctor, hospital and medical expenses incurred.

Parent/Guardian Signature: _______________________________________________________

Choir Expenditure Form

Student Name: ______________________________

Student T-Shirt size (adult): S M L XL XXL XXXL

Parents and other family members are WELCOME and ENCOURAGED to purchase our T-shirts as well. Support our Choirs! Please indicate how many t-shirts you would like next to the corresponding size.

Parent Name(s): _______________________________________

BMS Official Choir T-shirt ($10) S___ M___ L___ XL___

XXL___ XXXL___

Total: $ _____________

ATTACH FEE AND TURN IN BY FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 19 TH

Participation Contract for all Bobkat Choirs

Student Name:___________________________ ID#_____________________

Singing in choir is a fun, musical, and artistic experience. As in any class, there are particular expectations for all students. While expectations are common to most classes, expectations for choir students are slightly different due to the size of the group, the performing element of the class, and the need for students to sing. This document will serve as an expansion on what participation looks like in the choir classroom for each student. Please remember that participation is one of the expectations listed in the handbook as a graded element in the student’s daily and major grades.

To achieve a passing grade in choir, students must be willing to do/attempt the following.

1. Produce sound with their voice as an individual and as a group.2. Attempt making new/different sounds with their voice as an individual and as a group.3. Attend rehearsals every day (absences excused only per WISD attendance policy)4. Use the body as an instrument (posture, standing, sitting up, etc.)5. Participate in concerts outside of the school day. The director will communicate these

performances at least three weeks prior to performance dates. (Dates are listed on the Calendar of Events, and are always viewable on the choir director’s website.)

Because musical performance is based on the creation of sound, students must refrain from the following to obtain a passing grade.

1. No talking or distracting (verbal or visual) while the group is singing, performing, or rehearsing. This stipulation seems obvious, but should be clarified as an absolute expectation.

2. As stated in the handbook, no gum, food, or beverages can be in the choir room. In addition to effecting sound production, such items can be dangerous if swallowed while singing. We also need to keep our space clean and free from unwanted visitors (mice, insects, etc).

3. Poor attitudes are no not welcome! Successful musicianship is a humanly honest creation, and even one poor attitude can be a poisonous addition to a performance environment. Each students should participate with exuberance.

Please sign this agreement to indicate that you (the student) understand the basic requirements needed to participate in choir class. Once you have done so, have your parent/guardian do the same. All policies are outlined specifically in the BMS Choir handbook. Have a great time singing!

Student SignatureDate

Parent/Guardian Signature Date

Choir Director Signature Date

Handbook Acknowledgement Form

I have received and read the Brabham Middle School Choir Handbook. I understand and agree to abide by the rules and procedures outlined.

____________________________ ___________________________Student Name (please print) Student Signature

____________________________ ____________________________Parent/Guardian Name (please print) Parent/Guardian Signature

__________________Date

SIGN AND RETURN BY FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 19 TH .