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Norton Elementary and Middle School Choir Handbook 2012-2013

Cassandra Butler Director
Table of Contents
Fall Update from Mrs. Butler 2012-2013 NEMS Choir Dates Music Room Expectations Points Policy Performance Policy Concert Expectations Concert Dress Statement of Acknowledgement

Dear Students and Parents of the NEMS Choir, Thank you so much for your participation in the choir program! I am looking forward to a new year and I have many new and exciting events planned. There is an enormous amount of planning that goes into having a wonderful year in choir. Now that we have finalized our concert and event dates, I have prepared this handbook to answer most of your questions regarding our program. Please help me and your student(s) make this year rewarding and productive by reading through this handbook and helping your student(s) be accountable for their success in this program. Please read carefully and return the back page to me by Thursday, August 30th. This will be a point valued assignment. This page is a statement of acknowledgement; it simply says that you have read and understand the policies and procedures outlined in the handbook. Please take special note of performance dates. I would encourage you to copy these dates on to your household planner or calendar. I have attempted to set all these dates around all other school activities. If a major conflict requires a change, I will inform you as soon as possible. Participating in the NEMS Choir program can help in ways you might not realize. Through the study and practice of choral music, students acquire greater problem-solving capacity, expand ways to communicate, develop a greater understanding of other cultures, and help develop self-confidence. Choir can also help develop self-discipline, reflection, persistence, craftsmanship, and collaboration. We are looking forward to an exciting new year and endless possibilities for this group. If you ever have any questions or concerns, feel free to contact me. E-mail: cbutler@nortoncityschools.org Sincerely, Cassandra Butler

2012-2013 NEMS Choir Dates Ensemble

NEMS choir NEMS choir NEMS choir and Band NEMS choir Selected members NEMS choir and band NEMS choir Eligible members

Event
Fall Concert Christmas Caroling Holiday Concert Winter Concert All- County Choir Finale Concert Award Ceremony Reward Trip

Date
Nov 15, 2012 Dec 18, 2012 Dec 18, 2012 Feb 26, 2013 Mar 22-23, 2013 May___, 2013

Time
6:00 3:00 TBA 6:00 8:00 am TBA

Location
NEMS auditorium Area Nursing Home NEMS auditorium NEMS auditorium J.W. Adams NEMS auditorium NEMS auditorium TBA

May ___, 2013 TBA May 18, 2013 TBA

Rehearsal Schedule
In addition to these dates, the choir rehearses each Thursday from 3:00 to 4:30.

Member Eligibility
Participation in choir is open to all 5th, 6th and 7th grade students. No previous musical background is necessary.

Choir Shirts
As a member of the choir, each student and their parents have the opportunity to order a customized NEMS Choir t-shirt. We will wear these shirts when we have informal performances (i.e. caroling, school assemblies) and on the end of the year trip. Students will have a choice of 2 different t-shirt designs. Each shirt will cost 10.50. Order forms are available from Mrs. Butler. The orders are due September 20th.

Choir Member Expectations and Goals

1. We are in choir because we love music and we are committed to personal improvement as a musician through perseverance and dedication. 2. We will always show respect for the people, the music, the tools, and the mission in choir. 3. We will be prepared to work hard together when class starts. 4. We will strive to make every rehearsal a quality investment of your time and energy. 5. We will take responsibility for, and accept the consequences of our actions and choices. 6. We will not interfere with the learning and safety of our fellow musicians.

Classroom Expectations
The choir room at NEMS is a classroom and rehearsal hall. Money has been invested to purchase and maintain pianos, furniture, and other equipment. Please observe the following policies to ensure our choir room continues to be safe and clean, and remains an environment for high quality learning. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. NO food or beverages (Bottled water is the only exception) NO GUM Please dont climb on or lean back in chairs! NO graffiti, vandalism or littering Respect off limit areas: Storage area, Music Library Obtain permission before leaving classroom

Discipline Policy If all of the expectations are met and exceeded, then we will have a positive and safe learning environment. Repeated and/or excessive discourteous behavior may result in a parent conference, detention after school, loss of participation privilege, and/or a discipline referral to the office. ***If a student is constantly displaying inappropriate behavior and disrupting the ability of others to learn, behavior contracts will be set up and followed with the potential for suspension and/or removal from the class.***

Points Policy
Since choir is an extra-curricular activity, students will not be given a letter grade for their participation. Instead, each student will earn points toward an end of the year award ceremony and reward trip. Students can earn points by their positive participation in rehearsals, attendance at performances, participation on area choir events such as solo and ensemble and All-County, as well as their citizenship and academic performance. Points will be awarded by the director throughout the year.

Ways to Earn Points

Participate in rehearsals Have perfect attendance at rehearsals and performances Be prepared for rehearsal- Music, Attitude, Pencil Earn good grades in your academic classes Be a good neighbor to your friends, peers and teachers Attend regional choir functions

Ways to Lose Points

Failure to participate in rehearsal, i.e. Bad attitude, unacceptable behavior Failure to be prepared for rehearsal or concert Failure to attend choral functions, i.e. Rehearsals or Concerts Unexcused Absence Any absence that is deemed unexcused under Norton Elementary and Middle School policy. An unexcused absence from a performance will render the student ineligible for the reward trip. Unexcused Tardy Any tardy that is deemed unexcused under Norton Elementary and Middle School policy. Unexcused tardies will affect your participation points and after three tardies, the student will lose their opportunity to attend the end of the year trip.

A record of earned points will be available in the rehearsal space. Students are encouraged to check their points regularly. Closer to the end of the year, students who have maintained a B average or higher and have earned enough points will be invited to attend the reward trip on May 18th. Those students will also be eligible for special awards presented at the Spring Concert.

Performance Policy
Attendance at performances is required! In order to facilitate every members schedule, the dates of each rehearsal and concert are provided in this handbook. Please consider these dates when scheduling doctor/dentist visits, family trips and all matters that are within your control. These events ARE NOT considered excused absences. If you are sick, your parents must notify Mrs. Butler PRIOR to the performance and bring a note signed by your parent/guardian upon returning to school. Having your parents call after the performance to excuse you is unacceptable and will be considered unexcused.

Concert Expectations
Based on respect for the hard work and many hours of practice involved in the preparation of the music, audience members and performers should follow these expectations: Performers are expected to behave in a professional manner, which means: 1. Arrive on time (performers call time is 30 minutes before curtain) 2. Dress appropriately. (See concert dress code) 3. Do not talk or whisper to those around you during a performance whether you are on stage or not. 4. Focus all of your attention on the music and the conductor. 5. Do not do things to draw attention to yourself. 6. DO YOUR BEST! If you make a mistake just keep singing, because nobody probably noticed unless you make a big deal of it. 7. Do not get up for any reason during another groups performance. You need to be in the performance venue, seated, and quiet. 8. Other choirs have worked hard and deserve your support. Please plan to stay and support your peers and other ensembles.

5 Audience members are expected to show respect for the performers and show appreciation for their work: 1. Please do not talk or make noise during a performance. 2. If you must use the restroom, please wait until between groups. 3. Please keep small children quiet and under control. 4. Do not use your cell phone for any purpose during a performance (even text messaging).

Concert Dress/Uniforms
Concert Dress: Black and/or white outfit for all participants. Black pants or skirt on the bottom with a nice black or white collared dress shirt or sweater on top. All clothing must be in taste and respectful in length! No sleeveless tank-tops or spaghetti straps Shirts and pants/skirts must overlap Skirts MUST be below the knee. Please wear sensible black dress shoes for the performance. For women, I prefer flats or heels below 2 inches. We selected black/white so that students might have something in their wardrobe already. I feel it is important to avoid casual wear, jeans, shorts, etc. to promote a professional feeling evening performance. Please contact me if the concert dress request poses a problem for anyone.

Statement of Acknowledgement RETURN THIS PAGE TO MRS. BUTLER

This portion of the handbook must be signed and dated by each student and their parent/guardian and returned to Mrs. Butler by Thursday, August 30th. This slip is worth 1 point toward the choir reward trip. I have read and understand the information contained in this handbook. I have taken note of the performance dates and times and I agree to the performance policy outlined in this handbook. Grade: ________ Students signature ____________________________________ Date _________________ I have read and understand the information contained in this handbook. I have taken note of the performance dates and times and I agree to the performance policy outlined in this handbook. Parent/Guardian signature ______________________________ Date ________________ Parent email address _______________________________________________________ Parent phone______________________________________________________________