September 10, 2013 Dear Paul Revere Middle School Parent or Guardian, Welcome to the 2013-2014 year of the

Choir Program at Paul Revere Middle School! My name is Ms. Ana Black and I am thrilled to be the new choir director at Revere Middle School this year! I was born and raised in Caracas, Venezuela but have been a proud Houstonian for the past 12 years. I have been singing since I was 3 years old and have been blessed to travel to places like Germany and Finland while touring with various choirs I have been a part of. I received my undergraduate degree from the University of Houston-Downtown and have been teaching music through various avenues over the past 5 years. Being part of a choir has taught me the importance of working as part of a team, asking questions, and creative thinking; bust most of all, it has taught me to expand my horizons. Through choir I have been able to explore different historical periods and cultures without having to leave my choir room. I hope to bring this and more to your child as we begin this wonderful singing adventure! This year will be filled with exploration, creativity, skill development, and fun! My primary goal as the Choir Director is to open up the world of singing for your child through teaching him or her about the language, history, and cultural significance of music. We will learn how to read, write, and sing music notation, we will learn proper singing techniques, we will learn how to sing as individuals (solo singing) and as a group (choir singing), and we will learn how to put on great shows! In order to have a proper understanding of music we must start at the very beginning, a very good place to start, which means we will have homework assignments that will help us learn this new language of music. It is important that all students complete written work so that we are able to advance more quickly and can move our focus from the theory of music to its practice. This class, however, is primarily a performance based class, which means that most of our major grades will be given for our concerts and for the dress rehearsals leading up to our concerts. It is so important that both parents and students participate actively and enthusiastically in our shows: we need every voice to make this choir family whole! In order to encourage participation, I have included a list of major dates in this document. My hope is that by knowing the dates in advance you and your family will be able to come out and support your son or daughter and our Patriot Choir program! I am lucky enough to be surrounded by an extremely talented fine arts staff and supportive school administration. However, I am always in need of volunteers to help out with various things throughout the year. If you are interested in volunteering for the Revere Choir Program, please call me or send me an email! It would be wonderful if we could have all of our parents involved as Volunteers In Public Schools (or VIPs) in order to help our program thrive. If you need more information on VIPs, please get in touch with me. Heres to a wonderful year! Ms. Ana Black, Choir Director ablackce@houstonisd.org

PAUL REVERE MIDDLE SCHOOL CHOIR SYLLABUS

Director, Ms. Ana Black ablackce@houstonisd.org 832.582.0948 (direct line) 10502 Briar Forest Drive, Houston, TX 77042 713.917.3500 (school) 713.917.3505 (fax)
OBJECTIVE: to expand student knowledge of music theory along with choral literature, vocal technique, and general performance in order to become an emotive, creative and educated musician. EVALUATION: You will be evaluated on four basic standards of musicianship. These are: Perception, Creative Expression/Performance, Historical & Cultural Heritage and Critical Evaluation. Perception: ability to identify and analyze musical sound using appropriate musical terminology and concepts. Creative Expression/Performance: ability to sing pitches and rhythms accurately in a solo and ensemble setting; display appropriate performance etiquette, including memorizing music when required by the instructor; ability to sight read; ability to interpret musical symbols. Historical & Cultural Heritage: ability to identify general time periods for selected repertoire and have a basic, working knowledge of performance style at each time period; ability to appreciate non-western music. Critical Evaluation: ability to make informed choices about musical performances; ability to answer critical thinking questions in rehearsal (for example, if the instructor stops and asks why he/she has stopped the choir, it is expected that a student will be able to answer that based on the critical listening happening during rehearsal). CLASSROOM EXPECTATIONS: in the Revere MS Fine Arts department we follow the 5 Ps of classroom behavior: Be PROMPT. We have a 5min passing time between classes, enough time to arrive promptly at each class. Be PREPARED. Make sure that you have all your materials ready by the time we begin class. Class begins the second you step foot in the choir room. Be PRODUCTIVE. Ensure that you are always working on class material. Set high goals for yourself and for the entire choir. Make an effort to transition seamlessly from activity to activity. Be POSITIVE. Being part of a choir means being part of a musical family. As members of this family, we will lift each other up with positive feedback, encouraging words, and a good attitude. Leave the critiquing to the director - that is her job. Be POLITE. Treating others with basic courtesy and respect is a mark of great character! Make an extra effort to use the words please, thank you, and youre welcome in class. Also, make sure you limit your speaking to the appropriate time, either during group work or when called on by the director. Failure to adhere to classroom expectations will result in disciplinary actions as outlined in the classroom procedures section.

SUPPLIES: In order to have a successful year, you will need the following items: 1. 2 in, 3 ring black binder.

2. If you have an AVID binder you will need to create a section for choir. 3. If you do not have an AVID binder, you will need to create a section in your black choir binder for homework and other written work. 4. College ruled spiral notebook. 5. Pencils or mechanical pencils with additional lead (absolutely NO pens), and erasers. 6. Performance Attire: a. Ladies: all black outfit (either blouse and skirt or black dress, both below the knee, tops may not be spaghetti strapped or strapless), and flat, closed-toed black shoes (avoid sparkles on shoes). You may also wear an optional red or blue ribbon in your hair. b. Gentlemen: black slacks, black button down long-sleeved shirts, red or blue ties, black socks and black dress shoes. 7. Activity Fee: Every student participating in a Fine Arts Department activity will be required to bring a $15 fee which will cover program costs. GRADING SYSTEM: Your grade in this class will be comprised of attendance, performances, written and listening assignments, and other special projects. They will be weighted as follows: Classroom Participation...........................................................................................................................30% The rubric below clearly identifies the behavior that will allow the student to earn all points in this category: Points Earned 50 Behavior Demonstrating Grade Earned Student brings all materials necessary to be prepared for class. Student completes warm-up activity successfully. Student is focused on work and leads others to focus. Student is present and participates with passion and persistence. Student brings all materials necessary to be prepared for class. Student attempts warm-up activity. Student is consistently focused on work. Student is present and chooses to fully participate. Student brings some, but not all, materials necessary to be prepared for class. Student attempts warm-up activity. Student is not always focused on work. Student is present, but does not always choose to participate. Student does not bring all materials necessary to be prepared for class. Student does not attempt warm-up activity. Student is not focused and distracts others. Student is present, but does not choose to participate. Student does not bring all materials necessary to be prepared for class. Student does not attempt warm-up activity. Student has an unexcused absence. Student is dangerous, violent, or disrespectful. Student is asked to leave class because of discipline referral. Student does not participate.

40

30

20

10

Written Assignments.................................................................................................................................10% 2 concert reviews (1 per semester). The concerts will need to be approved by the director before being used as the subject of a concert review.

Homework..................................................................................................................................................15% This includes: worksheets, music memorization assignments, and others as assigned. Tests and Quizzes......................................................................................................................................20% This includes: written tests, quizzes, dress rehearsals, and performances. Dress Rehearsals and Performances.......................................................................................................25% This includes: written tests, dress rehearsals, and performances.

All assignments will have rubrics which specifically outline the directors expectations. All assignments and rubrics will be reviewed in class before anything is assigned. Note on attendance policy: students with an excused absence must complete an assignment within a week of returning to school in order to receive, at most, 40 out of 50 possible points for Classroom Participation. CLASSROOM PROCEDURES: an effective learning environment can be fostered by maintaining a classroom routine. Every day in music class, students will: 1. Enter quietly through the doors by the auditorium. 2. Go directly to tables and begin work on the warm-up activity found on the board. 3. Move onto the risers after completing written work, as instructed by the director. 4. At the directors prompting, collect materials and stand behind your chair for a table check. 5. Exit in a single file line through the choir rooms back door. Bathroom policy: students will be expected to use their passing time to take care of any bathroom needs. However, if a student finds that he or she needs to use the restroom, the student will hold up a sign language R, and will wait for a yes or no from the director. The student then must bring his or her agenda to the director for signature. Students will only be allowed three bathroom trips per semester. Discipline policy: our in the event that disciplinary action needs to be taken, the procedures below will be followed. 1. Visual / verbal warning: the student will be informed by visual or verbal cues about his or her unacceptable behavior. 2. Student Conference and/or Behavior Report: the student will be pulled aside for a meeting with the director during which classroom rules will be reviewed and expectations for the particular student will be set. This will be documented in a report which may be sent home for parental review. 3. Call parent/guardian: if the behavior persists, the students parent or guardian will be called and will be asked to meet with the student and the director to address the behavior and to come up with a plan for maintaining appropriate behavior in class. 4. Student Referral to House Dean: in the extreme circumstance that the behavior continues after the parent conference, the student will be referred to the House Dean for further disciplinary action. CLASSROOM WEBSITE: you may visit http://MsBlackRMS.weebly.com to find all of the information stated in this document, along with other important forms. Ms. Black will also place media related to class activities on the website on a regular basis so you can share what happens in music class.

2013 - 2014 IMPORTANT CHOIR DATES

DATE EVENT TIME PLACE GROUPS PERFORMING

Sep. 19 Oct. 8 Nov. 4 Nov. 5 Nov. 15-16 Dec. 5 Dec. 6 Dec. 9 Dec. 10 TBD Jan. 23 Feb. 19 Feb. TBD Mar. 4 - 6 Apr. TBD Apr. 26 May 16 May 19 May 20 TBA

Open House Region 23 TMEA MS Choir Auditions Fall Concert Rehearsal Fall Concert Region 23 TMEA Choir Clinic & Concert Grace Tribute Rehearsal Grace Tribute Concert Winter Choir Rehearsal Winter Dinner / Concert Recruitment Performances Fine Arts Feeds Performance & Service RMS International Festival Pre-UIL Concert and Sight Reading UIL Concert and SR Auditions for Int. Choir Houston Symphony Performance Fine Arts Dept.Performance Spring Concert Rehearsal Spring Concert Solo and Ensemble

5pm-6pm TBD 4pm-5:45pm 6pm-7pm TBD 4pm-5pm 6pm-7pm 4:30pm-6:30pm 5pm/7pm Daytime TBD TBD TBD TBD 4:00-6:00 10am 1pm Daytime 4:00-5:30 6:00-7:00 TBD

Revere Middle School TBD Revere Auditorium Revere Auditorium TBD Revere Auditorium Lakeside Ctry. Club Westside High Westside High Revere Auditorium TBD TBD TBD TBD Choir Room Jones Hall, Downtown Houston Revere Auditorium Revere Auditorium Revere Auditorium Westbriar MS

6th Grade Choir If interested in auditioning, please contact Ms. Black All Choirs All Choirs If interested in auditioning, please contact Ms. Black All Choirs All Choirs All Choirs All Choirs All Choirs TBD TBD TBD TBD Only 6th and 7th grade TBD All Choirs All Choirs All Choirs If interested in auditioning, please contact Ms. Black.

COPY TO KEEP PARENT CONTACT INFORMATION

Student name: _________________________________________________________________________________ Parent(s)/Guardian name: ________________________________________________________________________

Home Phone: __________________________________ Cell Phone: ____________________________________ My preferred method of communication is: __________________________________________________________ Email: _______________________________________________________________________________________ Home address: ________________________________________________________________________________ Are you interested in volunteering for the Revere Choir Program? ________________________________________ If yes, what are your areas of interest / expertise? _____________________________________________________ Sign here to approve of media release for your student: ________________________________________________

AGREEMENT and SIGNATURE

I __________________________________, parent of _______________________________have read and understood the Choir Syllabus. I am aware of mandatory rehearsal and performance dates and locations, and I understand how my child will be graded as well as which supplies are required. If I have any questions, interest in volunteering, or desire to join the Westside Music Booster Club, I can contact Ms. Black. I __________________________________, member of the choir at Paul Revere Middle School, have read the choir syllabus and understand what Ms. Blacks expectations are of me as student in the fine arts program. If I have any questions, comments, or am ever in need of help in this or other subjects, I will not hesitate to contact Ms. Black who will do her best to help me with what I need. Student Signature: ___________________________________________________ Date: _______________ Parent Signature: ____________________________________________________ Date: _______________

PARENT CONTACT INFORMATION

Student name: _________________________________________________________________________________ Parent(s)/Guardian name: ________________________________________________________________________ Home Phone: __________________________________ Cell Phone: ____________________________________

My preferred method of communication is: __________________________________________________________ Email: _______________________________________________________________________________________ Home address: ________________________________________________________________________________ Are you interested in volunteering for the Revere Choir Program? ________________________________________ If yes, what are your areas of interest / expertise? _____________________________________________________ Sign here to approve of media release for your student: ________________________________________________

AGREEMENT and SIGNATURE

I __________________________________, parent of _______________________________have read and understood the Choir Syllabus. I am aware of mandatory rehearsal and performance dates and locations, and I understand how my child will be graded as well as which supplies are required. If I have any questions, interest in volunteering, or desire to join the Westside Music Booster Club, I can contact Ms. Black. I __________________________________, member of the choir at Paul Revere Middle School, have read the choir syllabus and understand what Ms. Blacks expectations are of me as student in the fine arts program. If I have any questions, comments, or am ever in need of help in this or other subjects, I will not hesitate to contact Ms. Black who will do her best to help me with what I need. Student Signature: ___________________________________________________ Date: _______________ Parent Signature: ____________________________________________________ Date: _______________

*Students must return this page by September 16th or 17th for their first test grade.*