Choir Manual

Introduction

Welcome to the Choral program at Burleigh Manor Middle School. The information contained in this guide is intended for students and parents. The goals for the Choral program include:

• Students will perform with appropriate tone quality.
• Students will perform using proper breath control.
• Students will perform music from a variety of styles and cultures.
• Students will perform expressively.
• Students will perform with good intonation.
• Students will perform using correct posture.
• Students will perform music in unison and in parts.
• Students will develop an appreciation and understanding of quality in all types of music and its performance.
• Students will develop a sense of self efficacy and personal self esteem through individual and group successes.
• Students will develop enriched cultural literacy and a heightened sense of satisfaction through participation in the performing arts.

Requirements

1. Each student will need a folder for music. Folders will be left in a cabinet in the music room.
2. Each student should have a pencil in their folder.
3. Each student will be assigned music for each concert. It is the student's responsibility to return the music after the concert in good condition to Mrs. Doring. Students will be charged for lost or damaged music.
4. Attendance is essential at all concerts. Excused absences should be cleared by Mrs. Doring two weeks prior to the concert. Illness on the day or evening of the concert is automatically excused. Ail absences should be communicated to Mrs. Doring through a note signed by a parent or guardian.
5. Attendance is required at all sectional rehearsals. These rehearsals will occur during Related Arts times. A schedule for this will be forthcoming. Students are expected to arrive on time to their sectional rehearsal after checking-in with their Related Arts teacher. Most of the individual performance grading and sight singing will done at this time. Additionally, there will be several night rehearsals this year. Attendance is required at these rehearsals. The dates are listed in the calendar in the back of this packet.
6. Concert dress
   

   Women	Men
   White blouse with a collar	White shirt
   Black skirt (knee length) or slacks	Black slacks
   Black hose	Dark socks
   Dark shoes	Dark shoes

   Note: Choir and Chamber Choir members will be assigned a cummerbund and or a bow tie that is part of the concert dress. The cummerbund and or bow tie will be worn during each performance. The cummerbund and or bow tie will be returned to Mrs. Doling, at the end of the year, in good condition. Should the cummerbund and or bow tie become soiled, it is the student's responsibility to have it dry-cleaned. If the cummerbund and or bow tie is lost, the student will replace it.
7. Some Chamber Choir activities may have prerequisites. Participation in events such as the music celebration trip and performing chamber music at Tersiguel's may be dependent upon the student first successfully completing other activities in Chamber Choir. These prerequisites will be given to the students in advance. Unless specifically indicated, students cannot meet a Choir prerequisite through Band, Orchestra, G/T, or other outside activities.
8. Chamber Choir is a co-curricular class. All members are expected to participate and sing their best at all times. The Burleigh Manor Choirs have developed an expectation of excellence and a reputation for performing quality literature.

Grading

1. The members of the Chamber Choir will receive a grade on their report card for each marking quarter. They will also receive a final grade at the end of the year.
2. The student's grade will be based on the following items:
       Individual performance of concert music
       Individual performance of sight reading examples
       Class preparation.

Ensembles

Sixth Grade Chorus
This group is open to all Sixth grade students. Rehearsals are scheduled during period four. Chorus members will have Chorus all year. These members will receive a quarterly grade and participate in at least two concerts during the year.

Seventh and Eighth Grade Choir
This group is open to all seventh and eighth grade students that successfully completed Chorus or Choir the previous year. Rehearsals are scheduled during period one. Choir members will have Choir all year. These members will receive a quarterly grade and participate in at least two concerts and an adjudication during the year.

Chamber Choir
Any seventh or eighth grade student who is a member of the Seventh and Eighth Grade Choir is eligible to audition for this group. Rehearsals are scheduled during period six. A special audition procedure is done in May and June of the previous school year. Students must audition in groups of three, with each person singing a different part. Students will be accepted as a member of the Chamber Choir if they are able to hold their part using an appropriate tone quality and if they demonstrate good intonation.

Rehearsal Procedures

1. Arrive to the music room on time. If you are late, you must have a note.
2. Chewing gum and eating food are not permitted during rehearsals.
3. Leave all books in the hall in the designated area. Purses and valuables should be left on Mrs. Doring's desk in the classroom.
4. Enter the room quietly and get your folder from the cabinet. Each student will have a designated spot in the cabinet.
5. Sit in your section quietly and organize your music according to the agenda on the board while your section leader or Mrs. Doring is taking roll.
6. Talking is not permitted while directions are being given.
7. Talking is not permitted while students are singing or rehearsing.
8. At the end of the rehearsal, all music and folders should be returned to the cabinet neatly. If you take your music home, you must first ask Mrs. Doring. The music must be brought back for the next rehearsal.

Howard County Middle School Choral Curriculum Guidelines

I. Appropriate vocal tone
    a. Freely produced
    b. Use of head voice
    c. Resonance
    d. Proper or appropiate vowel sounds
    e. Breath and support

II. Music Selection
    a. Appropriate for group
    b. Educationally worthwhile
    c. Choral masterworks
    d. Composer
    e. Adjudication music must be selected from an approved list

III. Creating a musical program
    a. One selection in a foreign language
    b. One selection that is a masterwork
    c. One selection that has long beautiful phrases
    d. One selection that is either a folk song or a spiritual

    IV. Music reading
    a. Rhythmic
    b. Melodic

V. Other concepts
    a. Music history
    b. Genres of music
    c. How to evaluate performances