BLANK High School

Choral Department

Handbook
20182019
IsabelFlorimonte,ChoralDirector
EllenAtwood,Accompanist
123SchoolhouseLane
Schoolsville,Virginia23185
Phone:7573494999
Email:isabel@school.com
Website:www.choralhighschool.org
 BLANK High School
IsabelFlorimonte,ChoirDirector
123 Schoolhouse Lane, Schoolsville, Virginia 23185
Phone: 757-349-4999
E-mail: Isabel@school.com
Web site: www.choralhighschool.org

DearParents,Students,andFriends:

Iwanttotakethisopportunitytowelcomeyoutothechoralprogram.Iamlookingforwardtothis
comingschoolyearandthesuccessthatitwillbring!

Thishandbookwasdesignedwiththebeliefthatcommunicationandsupportarekeystoachievingour
musicalandorganizationalgoals.Itwillprovideyouwithimportantinformationaboutthechoral
program.Insideyouwillfindguidelinesforperforminggroups,gradingandletteringpolicies,
calendars,andmuchmore.Pleasereadthishandbookcarefully.Theguidelinesandruleswhichfollow
aredesignedtoprovideaqualityexperienceforeveryoneandarenecessaryinordertohavea
successfulyear.Yoursupportofthesepolicieswillresultinamorepositiveexperienceforall
involved.

Theenclosedcalendarisprovidedtohelpyouwithyourplanning.Asmoreperformingopportunities
arise,theywillbeaddedtothecalendar.Periodiccalendarupdateswillgiventothestudentsinthe
handoutsthroughouttheyear.Thebestwaytoreachmewillbethroughmyschoolemail.Pleasedo
nothesitatetoemailandquestionsorconcerns.

Rememberthatinorderforthechoraldepartmenttoachievesuccess,wemustallgiveourbesteffort.
Everymemberofthechoraldepartmentisimportant.Keepingtheseideasinmindwillhelpmakethis
anexcellentyear.

Pleasecontactusifyouhaveanyquestions.Bestwishesforanoutstandingschoolyear.

Sincerely,

IsabelFlorimonte
ChoirDirector
Performing Groups and Opportunities
Unless otherwise noted, these classes and ensembles meet during the school day. Other small select
ensembles will be organized before and after school as time, need, and interest allow. The following are
course descriptions:

Chorale:
The Chorale Choir is a non-auditioned choir consisting of all ages, both men and women. This ensemble
continues to develop music reading skills, vocal technique, and musicianship, and sings a variety of
choral literature throughout the school year.

Mens Chorus:
Mens Chorus is a mens group of all ages. This ensemble learns music reading skills, masters good
vocal technique, develops musicianship, and learns a variety of literature throughout the school year.

Womans Chorus:
Womans Chorus is a womens chorus of sophomores, juniors, and seniors. This ensemble learns music
reading skills, masters good vocal technique, develops musicianship, and learns a variety of literature
throughout the school year.

Jazz Choir:
The Jazz Chorale is a small auditioned select ensemble of 10 to 20 voices (mostly juniors and seniors)
with a fairly heavy performing schedule. Although this ensemble performs a variety of choral styles, it
specializes in vocal jazz selections. This ensemble will meet after school.
Policies and Procedures
Expectations and Goals

Socially:

Attitude- have a willing attitude to learn and be a participant

Safe environment- support peers in their growth and efforts
Respect- value others thoughts and opinions without judgement

Academically:

Be Prepared- have music, pencil, and water at your seat before class begins
Confidence- sing and read music with independence
Vocal Habits- apply vocal techniques learned in demonstrated in class during rehearsals,
concerts, and outside practice
Participate- be an active participant in the ensemble

Attendance: Co-Curricular Offering

(Chorale, Mens Chorus, Womans Chorus)

Attendance is required at every rehearsal and performance of any performing ensemble or class offering.
This includes special rehearsals before and after the school day providing that a two-week notice has
been given. All rehearsals will begin on time and end on time and performances will have time frames
given.

Daily participation at daily rehearsal is credited with 20 possible points Attendance and punctuality are
part of the assessment of daily participation. Students arriving more than 10 minutes late and leaving
more than 10 minutes early will receive 0 points. Excused absences will be excluded from final grade.
Unexcused absences from rehearsal cannot be made up.

Attendance at ALL performances is required. Unexcused absence from a performance cannot be made
up and will result in the lowering of the concert grade. Regardless of the reason (excused or
unexcused), your parent or guardian must notify the director PRIOR to the performance.

Excused absences or an absence due to a long-term illness (more than 10 days - see above) or verifiable
family emergency, can be made up through a student-initiated appointment with the choir director to
discuss alternative assignments. Students will be given one week from the day of their return to school
complete the make-up work.

Attendance: Extra-Curricular Offering

(Jazz Choir)

Since an extra-curricular offering is not a graded activity, it is assumed that the member will choose to
put priority of each rehearsal and performance.
Students should understand that all rehearsals and performances are mandatory provided that a two-
week notice has been given. Numerous absences from a regular rehearsal may result in the student not
being allowed to perform in the next performance.

For illness, the student is to contact the director in advance. Verifiable family emergencies are to be
discussed with the director at the earliest possible time.

Throughlines for the semester (we will discuss these in class frequently):

Shine your light

Creating the Culture that in turn Creates Us

BE the change
 Performance Dress

Chorale
Girls: Black Concert Dress
Black pantyhose
Black shoes
Hair pulled back, no big jewelry
Boys: Black tuxedo coat and pants
Black socks
Black shoes (No gym shoes, tennis shoes, etc.)
Womans Chorus
Girls: Black Concert Dress
Black pantyhose
Black Shoes
Hair pulled back, no big jewelry
White pearl earrings and necklaces

Mens Chorus

Boys: Black tuxedo coat and pants

Black socks
Black shoes (No gym shoes, tennis shoes, etc.)
Jazz Choir

Girls: Black Concert Dress

Black pantyhose
Black shoes
Hair pulled back, no big jewelry
Scarf (depending on type of concert)
Boys: Black tuxedo coat and pants
Black socks
Black shoes (No gym shoes, tennis shoes, etc.)
Scarf (depending on type of concert)

* Performance attire for all concerts will be part of your final grade. All concert attire from school
must be returned 1 week after initial concert.
 Choir Grading Policy
Grading is done through your participation in rehearsals and performances. Every member of the choral
program will start at a different level and it will be the job of the choral director to assess your progress.

I. Daily Participation Grade - 20 points possible per day (30% of Quarter Grade)
Attendance (you must be present to earn the any points)
Being in your seat when bell rings (tardy deducts points) with music and a pencil
Participation in all singing, clapping, and listening
Correct singing posture while singing

II. Artistic Development/Musicianship Grade (Academic Grade) (30% of Quarter Grade)

Written work, evaluations, tests, quizzes
Rhythm tests
Sight reading tests
Periodic checks of the music being rehearsed (individual, duets, trios, quartets)

III. Concert Attendance Grade (Final Exam Grade) (40% of Quarter Grade)
Cumulative for each Performance
Points deducted for tardy to concert
Points deducted for improper attire or improper robe maintenance

BLANK High School ALL Choirs

 Performance Schedule 2018-2019

October
15 Masterworks Rehearsal (without orchestra) 4-5pm
18 Masterworks Rehearsal (with orchestra) 4-6pm
25 Masterworks Concert 7pm (call time: 6pm)

November
7 District Chorus Auditions (at BLANK High School)
(all day)

December
10 Holiday Concert Dress Rehearsal (4-7pm)
12 Holiday Choral Concert- 7pm (call time: 6pm)

February
10 District Choir (at BLANK High School) (all day)

April
9 Spring Concert Dress Rehearsal 4-6pm
11 Spring Concert 7pm (call time: 6pm)

May
4 Graduation 12pm (call time 11am)