Hammarskjold Middle School

CHORAL MUSIC
HANDBOOK

2019-2020
Mr. Zachary Gates

Choral Director

zgates@ebnet.org

hammarskjoldsings.weebly.com

Choral Music Handbook Gates 2019-2020

 MISSION
The goal of the choral music program at Hammarskjold Middle School is to provide students with
the opportunity to sing in a choral ensemble that values teamwork, respect, and making beautiful
music together. Students will have the opportunity to explore a range of musical styles, genres, and
languages as well as experience singing music from a variety of cultures. Please read through this
guide together before signing and turning in the last page.

CHORAL ENSEMBLE PROTOCOL AND REQUIRED MATERIAL

Participation is extremely important in a performing ensemble. Students are expected to participate
fully in every rehearsal with a positive attitude. Please refrain from eating, drinking, or chewing
gum during the rehearsal. A capped bottle of water is permitted and recommended. Please bring the
following with you to every rehearsal:
~ Positive Attitude ~ Willingness to participate ~ Pencil ~ Music

MUSIC
Each student in chorus will be assigned a folder containing all of their music. The choral repertoire
is the textbook for this course. Music may only be taken home if approved by the teacher.

***Repertoire will be selected based on its musical value. Historic sacred repertoire may be
presented for its musical value and not for liturgical purposes.***

2018 - 2019 IMPORTANT CHORAL DATES

Winter Dress Rehearsal……………….…………....…………... Dec. 13th (during school)

Winter Concert………………………….…………...…………..Dec 17th 7:00pm

District Chorus Festival ………………….……...…...……..…. Feb 3rd (during school)

District Chorus Concert……………………….......……………. Feb 3rd 7:00pm

Spring Dress Rehearsal……………………....…...….…..…….. May 8th (during school)

Spring Concert……………………………….…...……………..May 12th 7:00pm

Choral Music Handbook Gates 2019-2020

 GRADING POLICY
Grades will be based on the following criteria:
CLASS PARTICIPATION​ (35%) This grade is determined by your enthusiastic daily
participation, attendance, and rehearsal etiquette. Come to the class regularly with a positive
attitude, pencil, and ready to work in order to receive full credit for participation. You are expected
to sing every day in choir. If there is an extenuating circumstance for which you are unable to sing,
you must speak with the teacher prior to the beginning of class. The following factors will help
your participation grade: never chewing gum, eating, drinking anything other than water in class.
Contributing to a positive educational environment and community by being on time, supportive to
your peers,
TESTS AND QUIZZES​ (15%) This grade is determined through sight-singing evaluations, music
memorization, music marking tests, and individual or group in-class performance assessments.
Music should be maintained and marked appropriately (with pencil) throughout the rehearsal
process. Examples of types of markings include, but are not limited to: translations, breath marks,
phrasing, IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet), and any other musical marking covered in
rehearsal.

PERFORMANCE​ (35%) This grade is based on attendance, participation in concerts and

performances, and concert preparation, which constitute the culminating experiences of this class.
Please reference the choral music calendar for all required concerts. You may be excused from a
concert by receiving approval from the director at least two weeks (fourteen calendar days) in
advance or by a verifiable emergency. Approval for EXCUSED ABSENCES IS RARE and are
granted at the discretion of the director. In the unlikely event you are granted an excused absence,
you must complete a supplemental assignment in order to not receive a zero.

If a performance is missed for an excused absence, you will be given an alternate assignment,
selected by the teacher, in lieu of the concert. This is so you may receive a Performance Grade. The
project will be substantial because you will have been absent from a substantial culminating
experience (35%). If the project is not completed, the Performance Grade will be zero.
DRESS REHEARSALS​ (15%) Attendance at all Dress Rehearsals is mandatory. The Dress
Rehearsals are in place to address specific musical and logistical aspects of an upcoming
performance. If a Dress Rehearsal is missed for an excused absence, there will be a project
assigned reflecting the course requirement (15%). The excused absence policy is the same as
Performances. If the project is not completed, the Dress Rehearsal grade will be zero.

**Unexcused absences will be recorded as a grade of zero.**

Choral Music Handbook Gates 2019-2020

 ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS
Members of the chorus are required to attend all scheduled dress rehearsals, and concerts. The
Music Calendar is, of course, subject to change due to anticipated performances that have not yet
been scheduled. At all times, schedule changes will be announced as far in advance as possible,
with at least two weeks notice. You will be required to attend all performances and rehearsals under
this policy provided you have been given schedule updates/changes.

The online calendar will be as up-to-date as possible and is the definitive choir calendar. This
choral ensemble is a PERFORMING ensemble, which is one of the few activities where “everyone
plays all the time.” All members play an important role in their ensembles and consistent
participation is crucial to the success of the entire group.
Please provide your rehearsal and performance schedule to anyone with whom you schedule your
activities so they are well informed of your commitments.

***Other extra-curricular activities are ​UNEXCUSED ABSENCES​ from DRESS

REHEARSALS and/or PERFORMANCES***
If you miss a dress rehearsal, you may be removed from participating in the upcoming concert at
the discretion of the director. Depending on the reason for missing the dress rehearsal, you may or
may not be eligible for the makeup assignment.

**​Attendance is a necessary component to a successful music ensemble.

You must think,​ “WHAT IF EVERYONE DID THIS?​,​”
when considering your own attendance​**
CONFLICT POLICY
When you are involved in an activity that is conflicting with a choir rehearsal or performance the
following criteria should be used:

Choral Obligations Other Obligations What you should do

Dress Rehearsal Quiz/Test Speak to Mr. Gates
Concert Family Emergency Speak to Mr. Gates
Concert Meeting/Practice/Game/Trip Go to Concert

Choral Music Handbook Gates 2019-2020

 CONCERT ATTIRE

There are only three main rules:

Black dress clothing on top

Black dress clothing on the bottom
Black dress shoes only

Please don’t hesitate to seek further information or clarification on the attire policy.

​*** At the Director’s discretion, if you are not dressed for a musical performance,
you may not be able to perform.***

PRIVATE LESSONS
Students are encouraged to study music privately. Additional musical study will help students in
the choral program with many aspects of music literacy and overall musicianship. The teacher can
provide you with a list of private teachers upon request.

CHORAL ENSEMBLE INFORMATION

Chorus: Curricular
Chorus is a full year course open to all students at HMS without audition. This course is designed
to teach vocal technique and music literacy through choral repertoire. There is no prerequisite to
take Chorus. Students will have the opportunity to study a variety of musical styles, genres, and
languages. The course emphasizes the fundamentals of vocal technique, ensemble singing, and
music literacy through study and performance of quality vocal music. All Chorus classes combine
in for dress rehearsals and concerts. Chorus students are required to attend all rehearsals and
performances. Qualified advanced students are encouraged to audition for New Jersey Regional
Chorus.
Honors Choir: Extra-Curricular
This extra-curricular ensemble is designed for students who are interested in singing great music
but are already in band, orchestra, or chorus. There is no audition, but your attendance after school
on Tuesdays is required. This group will perform in school concerts and might have some
additional performances throughout the year.

Choral Music Handbook Gates 2019-2020

 CHORAL MUSIC PROGRAM AGREEMENT
**Keep this copy for your records**

Student Name:_____________________________ Phone #:____________________________

Parents/Guardians Name(s): ________________________ Phone #:_________________________

Parents/Guardians, are there are any in which you are interested in assisting? Please circle.

Fundraising Concert and Event Help Chaperone Trips Publicity for special events

Choral Music Calendar Quick Dates:

Winter Concert: December 17, 2019

District Chorus Festival: February 3, 2020

Spring Concert: May 12, 2020

I have received, read, and understand the Choral Music Handbook and will abide by the policies set
out in this handbook. In signing this agreement, I acknowledge how important my individual voice
and commitment is to the choral program. I recognize the importance of learning and performing
many different types of music from many different cultures, without discrimination. I recognize my
responsibility to the group and will attend all REQUIRED choir activities as noted on the Choral
Music Calendar. ​I will work out conflicts with REQUIRED choir activities now or as soon as they
arise.

Student Name: ________________________________________ Date: _____________________

Parent/Guardian: ______________________________________ Date: _____________________

Choral Music Handbook Gates 2019-2020

 CHORAL MUSIC PROGRAM AGREEMENT
***Please tear off, sign, and return this page by ​September 20.***

Student Name:_____________________________ Phone #:____________________________

Parents/Guardians Name(s): ________________________ Phone #:_________________________

Parents/Guardians, are there are any in which you are interested in assisting? If so, please circle.

Fundraising Concert and Event Help Chaperone Trips Publicity for special
events

Choral Music Calendar Quick Dates:

Winter Concert: December 17, 2019

District Chorus Festival: February 3, 2020

Spring Concert: May 12, 2020

I have received, read, and understand the Choral Music Handbook and will abide by the policies set
out in this handbook. In signing this agreement, I acknowledge how important my individual voice
and commitment is to the choral program. I recognize the importance of learning and performing
many different types of music from many different cultures, without discrimination. I recognize my
responsibility to the group and will attend all REQUIRED choir activities as noted on the Choral
Music Calendar. ​I will work out conflicts with REQUIRED choir activities now or as soon as they
arise.

Student Name: ________________________________________ Date: _____________________

Parent/Guardian: ______________________________________ Date: _____________________

Choral Music Handbook Gates 2019-2020