Musically Yours,
Mr. J. Todd Walters.
Vocal Music Director and Web master
jtwalters@cgrove417.org
Middle School Choir Handbook
Welcome to the CGMS Choir Program. This handbook
contains information on class rules, discipline procedures, and grading
policy.
Attendance,
Grading, and Guidelines:
As a member of the choir, each student is responsible to the rest of
the choir to do his or her best to make the choir the best it can be.
Therefore, not only is attendance to class and all events very important
but also the student's attitude both in class and at events. If you
cannot come to an event for any reason, please contact me as far in
advance as possible. This will help me greatly in planning. I can be
contacted at school during school hours, by email, or at home at 767-7701,
or send a note with your student. Let us serve our school and community
well by being well represented at all of our events. The student's choir
grade will be based on:
-
Participation (assumes two
non-sing days) = 225 points
-
Classroom Activities = 30 points
-
Required Events (concerts, contests,
etc.) = 45 points
-
Total Points: = 300 points/quarter
The grading system for choir is a "Performance
Based" grading system. Each student will earn 5 points towards their
participation grade each day of the 9 weeks they participate in choir.
If a student has an unexcused absence or does not participate in the choir
on a day for any reason, they will not get their points for that day.
If a student wants to make up lost points, they may choose a make-up activity
from this list:
Written reports on musical topics (topics approved by director) (1-5 points)
- Outside Concert attendance (need paragraph)
(1-5 points)
- Attendance at summer music camp (1-10 points)
- Performance outside of school (1-10 points)
- Extra help at students’ request (1pt. per half-hour; 1-5 points)
- Unexcused absences may not be made-up.
Music is a participation class. The only
daily work we have is participation. If a student chooses not to participate,
they will lose all five points and may be sent to 'time-out' in the
office if they are disrupting others. If a student does not sing in
class at the proper time, or if they distract others, they may lose
participation points, they may receive a detention, they may be sent
to 'time-out', or a combination of all three. Daily Activities are anything
we do in class, which is not group singing. This will include singing
tests, dancing tests, drama activities, written assignments, and other
things that come up throughout the year Concert attendance and any other
required activity or event is included in this section of
your grade. Concerts are like our final tests. If a student misses a
concert, they will be allowed to make it up only if it is an excused
absence. Make-ups will be determined on an individual basis. This is
an easy section to get an 'A' in. Just pay attention, and be where you
are supposed to be when you are supposed to be there with a good attitude.
There is one prerequisite for Choir:
YOU GOTTA LOVE TO SING!!!!!!!
(Being able to carry a tune helps, too)
MUSIC AND SCHOOL EQUIPMENT
Please be very careful with all of our equipment and music. Make all
marks in your music in pencil. Do not touch any instrument or equipment
that is not yours. Let's keep our music department looking sharp, and
we will be able to add to, rather than replace and repair our supplies
and equipment.
Music Department Rules:
1) Sing when you are suppose to, be quiet
when not singing.
2) No Gum will be permitted at any rehearsal or performance.
3) No food or beverages other than water are allowed
4) Be in your seats, with your music, ready to sing, on time when the
bell rings. Get drinks and use the bathroom before you get to class.
5) Tardies may result in detentions, as will as excessive trips out
of class. If you waste our choir time, I will reclaim some of your time.
6) Respect is the key word in choir class. You will be expected to respect
others in our class. Inappropriate language will not be tolerated. Neither
will put-downs, teasing, or other forms of harassment.
7) Class disruptions will not be tolerated.
Violations of class rules will result in disciplinary action.
1st Offense: Warning
2nd Offense: Detention
3rd Offense: Detention and Parent contact.
4th Offense: Referral to school principal
Violations of rules that are severe may be immediately referred to the
principal.
