Instruction
focuses on vocal/choral technique and musical literacy with an added emphasis
on the visual aspects of performance. The curriculum may consist of standard
choral literature, pop, jazz, and music from musical theatre, with the goal of
overall musical excellence. As time and funds allow, students will have the
opportunity to work with guest instructors, conductors, adjudicators, and
singers.
Grading and Make-up Credit Policies
Earning an “A”:
60%Daily Class Participation
30%Concert Performances
10%Tests & Written work
Earning a
grade in a choir class is different than most other classes, in that the grade
is earned mainly by participation rather than homework and tests. It’s also
different in that it is a group effort, and one classmate’s contribution, or
lack of, affects the success of the whole class. I’ve noticed that students expect
to receive an “A” in choir---and with good reason. It should be an easy “A”; however, it is not an automatic “A”. This is
a participation and performance based class. Although some points will come
from theory, sight-reading, occasional writing assignments and singing quizzes,
students will earn most of their points by daily participation and concert
performances. Therefore, a student can’t expect to miss class or performances
and still get the same grade as those who don’t. Grades will be posted once a
month, so that students can know where they stand and do the work to improve
their grade, if necessary.
Full credit
for daily class means that the student was professionally punctual, and
giving 100% focus and energy to choral work during class-time. Unearned points that stem from an excused
absence can only be made up through a supervised rehearsal or music theory
session with me, and are available by appointment.
Full credit for each MHS concert performance
means that the student was professionally punctual, dressed for performance,
and fully prepared musically. Ifnecessary, excused absences may be made up through a pre-approved
typewritten assignment within a reasonable, agreed upon time after the absence
for credit. Hopefully, it will become obvious that the easiest way to get an
“Easy A” is to earn your points in our
regular scheduled class-times and
performances. Makeup work is more complicated and time consuming for everybody.
The calendar of events is given out
the first month of school, and your work and family schedules should be
arranged to avoid conflicts. As I give calendar updates, you will have 1 week
after each is given out to turn in a signed copy from your parent, with any
conflicts noted. Then, you have up to 1 week after the performance to get your
makeup assignment planned, pre-approved, and the due date scheduled with me.
Excused performances are, by definition, pre-excused. (Also, “excused” does
not mean that you don’t have to do the makeup work.In rare instances of extreme illness, with a
doctor’s note, I will make an exception.)
If you have an emergency, your
parent should leave a message on my voicemail by the day of the performance. The excuse must articulate
what kind of effort you made to get there. Simply saying there was a conflict
is not substantial enough reason for it to be excused. (Ex. “I couldn’t get a
ride.”) Then you have the right and
responsibility to make up the points with a typewritten, pre-approved
assignment.
If you wait until after a
performance to bring a written excuse from your parents, you are risking the
right to make up the points lost, and you will have already let the choir down.
Please let me know as soon as you are aware of a conflict
so we can do our best to solve it, because…
Pre-excused is always better than
not showing up and hoping that it will be excused!
Make-up Assignments:
There are two standard written make-up assignments from
which to choose:
A 2-3
page typewritten report on a famous composer, preferably of a song we are
currently learning. Listen to a recording of his/her music and include
your observations of what our choir could incorporate from that choir’s
approach. Cite your sources, and attach a receipt from turnitin.com.
Attend
a choral concert (high school, college, or professional), and write a full
2-3 page, typewritten, concert review. Attach a program.
If you
have another idea for a make-up project, get my pre-approval—I’m open to
great ideas.
Music and Folder:
Each
choir member will be assigned a music number. This number will be on each piece
of music and on the folder checked out to the student. At the end of the year,
each piece of music and the choir folder must be returned in good condition.
Students will be charged the replacement cost for any music that is missing or
damaged in any way that makes it unusable (this includes doodling and marks
that can’t be erased). Likewise, students will be charged $3-12 for the
replacement of their folder in the event that it is necessary.
Performance Outfit:
Women
will wear black nylons, black dress shoes, and a performance outfit chosen by
the group (AC and CC wear robes).
Men will wear black tuxedos (PP), or black dress pants,
socks, and shoes with a dress shirt and tie to be decided by the group.
Need a private teacher?
Christine Meadows
Phone: 503-725-3011
E-mail:pdx00413@pdx.edu
Lisa Mooyman
Phone: 503-777-8471
Concert Etiquett
For Students...
1. Refrain from talking
The
first and greatest rule. It also includes whispering during the music.
2. No singing, tapping fingers or feet
The
musicians do not need your help, and your neighbors need silence. Learn to
tap
your toes quietly inside your shoes– it’s a good exercise to reduce toe fat.
3. Please have nothing in your mouth, besides your teeth and
tongue
Gum
and candy are not allowed.
4. Do not wear watches with alarms nor jangle jewelry
You
may enjoy the sound, but the added percussion is disturbing to everyone
around
you.
5. Do not open and close your purse nor rip open your velcro
wallet
The
best plan is to leave purses, etc., back at school or on the locked bus.
6. Do not sigh with boredom
If
you are in agony, keep it to yourself. Your neighbor just may be in ecstasy,
which
should also be kept under control.
7. Do not applaud between movements
You
may think the music is over, but it is not. You don’t want to be the only
one
clapping.
8. Do not embarrass your teacher nor your school
Remember
that you are representing your school, and you want to be on
your
best behavior. There are many eyes looking at you.
9. Do not read nor play with a toy in your pocket
To
listen means just that. Use the time to turn on a “video screen” in your mind
and
create a story to the music.
10. Do not go to the concert thinking you will hate the music
You
may be surprised– millions of people all over the world enjoy classical music,
and
if you give yourself a chance, you might, too!
For Parents...
1. Refrain from talking
This is the first and greatest rule. This rule includes
whispering to or disciplining your other children.
2. Refrain from unwrapping noisy candy wrappers
during the performance
If the composer wanted to include crinkle paper noises
to the music, he/she would have written
it into the parts.
3. Turn off pagers, cell phones, and watch alarms
While many phones and pagers now have very
symphonic-like rings,
they don't always fit into the musical score, nor do
they provide pleasant
sounds for your neighbors.
4. Do not wave to your child during the concert
After all, they do know who you are already and they know you
are there;
you most likely brought them to the concert.
5. Do not take flash photography
You don't want your child to walk off the edge of the stage from flash
blindness, do you?
6. Please do not walk down the center aisle with your
video camera
Video cameras work just as well from the back of the auditorium
(besides; the
light is usually not good enough for video taping anyway.)
7. Do not leave as soon as your child's portion of the
concert is over
All of the students deserve a full audience for their
performances.
Remember, the next
time your child's song could be last!
8. Applaud at appropriate times
Some music has several
sections. Remember, it's not over until all of
the sections have been performed.
9. Do not leave the auditorium during the music
Wait for a break in the concert to visit the
restroom, unless you are carrying
a screaming child, in which case you should leave
quietly and quickly, PLEASE!
10. Go to the concert expecting the best
You just might be surprised how good your student sounds when the other
students join in!
Choir Room
Rules
1. Be prepared (in your
seat, with music & pencil) by the bell.
Lose one point for tardy
2. No gum or food. Drinks
must be on the shelf, not on the floor.
3. Give focus and energy to
singing and learning.
Lose points for less than full participation
4. Don’t disrupt the
rehearsal with talking or goofing around.
5. No cell phones (or other
distracting things) out without permission.
It will be confiscated.
6.Use your music until we are to the memorized stage in the learning process.
7. Clean up after yourself.
If I have to pick up after
you,
it costs 25 cents to get
your folder back
8. Take care of your music.
Loss or damage will cost you a music fee for
each piece
at the end of the semester/year
9. Appropriate language
only.
Pushups/wall-sits will be assigned for
inappropriate language.
Pictures!
Thank you to the students who provided these pictures.
