Course Policies, Procedures and Protocols
Attendance Policy
Performance Rules of Conduct
Grading Policy
Eligibility
Choir Fees
General Course Content Singers in the Alamo Heights Choral Program will enjoy the benefits of exposure to a variety of musical literature and styles. Students will study and sing choral music from all major periods of music history as well as music representative of the most current choral music offerings published today. In addition, singers will be offered opportunities to advance their musical talents through such activities as honor choir auditions, private voice lessons, solo competition, choir competitions, Broadway musical productions, choir trips and tours and solo performance opportunities.
Instructional Methods A variety of teaching methods and styles will be utilized in our choral classroom. At times, the direct teach model will be prevalent. Once students have mastered even a beginning level of music literacy, the teaching style becomes more interactive. Ultimately, my goal is to lead students to a deeper understanding of the music and allow the music itself to speak to them. As we prepare for solo competitions, we will establish more of a vocal coaching style of teaching. My primary instructional focus is on building students up, both as a group or ensemble and as individuals. In short, my philosophy is to help students find the best in themselves and put it to work for themselves.
General Course Goals The Alamo Heights Choral Program offers every student many opportunities to deepen his/her musical appreciation through the study of music reading, basic music theory, music history and participation in a variety of performance opportunities. In addition, opportunities are provided for students to be exposed as audience members to a variety of musical offerings, such as Broadway Musicals and opera, thus expanding their musical and life experiences.
Objectives for Students:
• Our program emphasizes the development of singing and music reading skills necessary to make an enjoyable contribution to a quality choral organization.
• Music is fun, but there is no fun in mediocrity. To ensure the success of the group, each student, parent and director must realize his/her responsibilities. Each must be willing to sacrifice individual desires for the betterment of the choir.
• The amount of satisfaction and fun you receive from choir will be no greater than the amount of hard work and enthusiasm you are willing to consistently contribute. Your attitude will have a direct impact on your achievements.
• We will strive to ensure proper conduct, consideration and courtesy as a vital part of participation in the choir
Description of Major Assignments - The Alamo Heights Choral Program requires attendance and participation at all major concerts throughout the school year. Please consult the attached calendar for specific information concerning upcoming concerts and events.
Choral Department Activity Calendar (calendar (pdf))
Course Policies, Procedures and Protocols:
Promptness Being on time to events and rehearsals is an important life skill for all young people to learn. Students arriving late can be disruptive and cause much distraction from the focus of the rehearsal. Being at concerts and performances on time is of course a normal expectation.
Class Participation - Students choosing to be members of the Alamo Heights Choral Program must recognize that by electing to join choir, they have declared a willingness to work on their singing and music skills. Otherwise, there isn't a reason to be in choir! Participating in class is an assumed prerequisite of membership. A large portion of the student grade for the course will be based upon the student's active and positive participation in class. The success of the choir depends upon the concentrated and focused efforts of all its members. Together, as a team, we can achieve much more than we can by ourselves.
Uniforms The Alamo Heights Choral Program will continue to make use of uniforms for the various choirs at both campuses. All singers on both campuses will be issued an official choir T-shirt which will arrive in the next few weeks. The cost of this shirt is included in the Choir Activity Fee. This shirt will be used throughout the year for less formal concert settings and on choir trips and tours as well.
The Alamo Heights High School Choir will be issued the following:
• Girls Long Dress
• Boys Tux Pant, tux coat, bow tie, cummerbund
Girls must provide black flat shoes and hose
Boys must provide black dress shoes, black socks and a white wing tip shirt
Replacement costs for uniforms: Dress - $100 Tux - $150
A cleaning fee is also figured into the Choir Activity Fee to cover the cost of dry cleaning each uniform at the end of the year.
The Alamo Heights Junior School Choir uniform will consist of the following:
• Girls Khaki mid-calf length skirt, _____ shoes and a white short sleeve oxford button down shirt
• Boys Khaki slacks, _______ shoes and a white long sleeve oxford button down shirt
1. Attendance at all choir events is mandatory unless otherwise stated.
2. In the event a student must be absent from a rehearsal or performance, the director must be notified in writing at least two weeks prior to the event. This notice does not necessarily mean that the student will be excused.
3. Absences will be considered unexcused if no written communication is received.
4. Work cannot interfere with scheduled rehearsals or performances. Work is not an excused absence from any event and is not an excuse to leave an event early or arrive late.
5. Illness, death in the family, or approved school activities are the only reasons accepted for an absence.
6. An absence, either excused or unexcused, may result in suspension from a performance if the director determines it is in the choir's best interest.
7. Unexcused absences will result in a grade of zero on all grades pertinent to the event.
1. Arrive 30 minutes prior to the performance
2. Arrive promptly and go to designated area for warm-up/announcements
3. Give full attention to director during warm-up
4. After warm-up, go directly to designated seating area
5. Unless performing, remain in seats for the entire concert
6. Talking is allowed only prior to the performance and during intermission. You may not talk during any performance.
7. Observe all rules of concert etiquette during the concert.
8. You must remain in attendance for the entire concert. You cannot receive concert credit otherwise.
9. Observe the Golden Rule. Use common sense and enjoy the performance(s)!!
Participation 30%
Student participation is critical to the success of the choral program. Students are required to attend classes as well as additional rehearsals, which may or may not be necessary during the school year. They must bring their music and a pencil . In order to receive participation credits, each student must participate fully during each class period.
Attitude 30%
Student attitude is equally important to the success of the choral program. Students are expected to bring a positive attitude to each rehearsal. Regardless of musical or vocal ability, each student can make a decision each day about having a positive or a negative attitude toward not only choir class but also life in general. Negative, self destructive attitudes are not desirable traits in our choir classes. Our goal is to affect a positive attitude about everything we attempt!
Written or Sung Tests 15%
Tests on rhythmic and melodic dictation will be given periodically along with regular sight reading evaluations. In addition, singing assessments on knowledge of voice parts in a particular piece or pieces of choral literature will take place daily in group rehearsal as well as through individual testing during a six weeks grading period.
Performances 25%
Students will be given several performance opportunities during the school year. As mentioned earlier, attendance at performances is mandatory. Any known conflict must be cleared with the director at least two weeks in advance. In the event that a student misses a performance due to a family emergency or illness, a note must be given to the director as soon as the student returns to school.
Choir activities are governed by the policies of the AHISD Board of Trustees, Texas Education Agency, University Interscholastic League (UIL), and Texas Music educators Association (TMEA).
Under Texas State Law , students that are failing one or more classes are ineligible to participate in extra-curricular events. This does NOT include co-curricular or curricular events(sectionals and regular concerts). This does include UIL events and out of town trips to competitions and concerts where admission is charged.
A student must maintain an average of 70 in all classes in order to be academically eligible.
There is a required choir fee of $60.00 for each student in 9 th 12 th grade choir.
There is a required choir fee of $50.00 for each student in 7 th 8 th grade choir.
There is a required choir fee of $25.00 for each student in 6 th grade choir.
This fee will include the following: Official Choir T-Shirt, Charge for end of year uniform cleaning (high school only)
Unforeseen costs of the choir program, chaperone expenses for MO Ranch and occasional purchases of snack food for after school rehearsals
** It is important to note that the choir fees do not include any contest or region fees, nor does it include the costs for annual choir trips.
Please make checks payable to AHISD. Thanks!