Madison High School

Choral Handbook
2020-2021 Academic Year

“Music has always had the ability to comfort

and inspire” – Pete Seeger

Madison High School

800 South Main Street
Harrisonburg, VA 22801.

Choral Website: katymorganmusic.weebly.com

Kathryn Morgan, Director of Choirs:

morga2ke@dukes.jmu.edu
 2

Table of Contents
3… Letter from the Director
4… Our Music Classes
5… Classroom Rules and Regulations
6… Performance Etiquette
7… Our Classroom Goals and Grading System
8… Grading Policies
9… Music Policy and Electronic Devices Police, Student Leadership and
Extracurricular Activities
10… Calendar of Events
11… Statement of Understanding
12… Student and Parent/Guardian Contact Form
 3

Dear Music Department Parent,

Welcome to Madison High School, and the Madison High School music department!
We are so excited to welcome you to our family and cannot wait to get to know you and
your child over the coming years! We hope through the music department you student will
engage in a positive and enriching music making experience.
Joining the music department is more than just a classroom experience. Students will
learn many skills that will be applied to the rest of their life. The first being dedication, to
their learning as well as to the experience and final performance. Throughout this booklet
you will find the outlines that we expect our students to follow, learn from, and live by while
we are together. At Madison High School we emphasize music ensembles and their
importance within your child’s education. We do this by finding performances, activities
and trips that will enhance what is learned within the classroom while maintaining
engagement and excitement with your child. But in order for there to be success student
involvement most occur.
Student involvement is something that you as parents can help! Parents are a key to
success in music programs. Your commitment to attending concerts and events will
provide your student with the feelings of endless support and pride for what they are
doing. Thank you for supporting your child and the other students of the Madison High
School Choral Department. By having a child in the program you are now automatically
members of our Choral Booster’s. The Choral Boosters are comprised of parents who meet
multiple times throughout the year to assist planning activities we will participate in and
raise money that will be spent within the music organization. Check the choir websites for
meeting dates!
This year expect our primary form of communication to be through email and online
on our website. The entire calendar is available on the music website so that you can have
easy access to it. Additionally, you may also call or schedule an appointment to meet with
your child’s music teacher in order to discuss your child’s needs and concerns. Our doors
are always open to you and your student!
Thank you so much for allowing us the opportunity to work with your child. We look
forward to meeting you at our performances, at parent-teacher conferences, or somewhere
in the community. We welcome you and your child with open arms to our family here at
Madison High School!

Sincerely,

Kathryn Morgan, Director of Choirs

 4

The Treble Choir

The treble choir consists of 20-30 singers varying in grade level who share a love of
singing. This choir is a preparatory ensemble that is required for all treble singers to
participate in before joining one of our more advanced ensembles. This ensemble will
learn to sing in 2-3 part harmonies and will perform songs in a variety of genres including
classical, contemporary, musical theatre and popular tunes. This ensemble will teach
musical skills including melodic and rhythmic sight-reading, blend, and tone.

The Tenor/Basso Choir

The tenor/bass choir consists of 15-20 singers varying in grade level who share a passion
of music. This choir is a preparatory ensemble that is required for all lower voices to
participate in before joining one of our more advanced ensembles. This ensemble will
learn to sing in 2-3 part harmonies and will perform songs in a variety of genres including
classical, contemporary, popular tunes and spirituals. This ensemble will teach musical
skills including melodic and rhythmic sight-reading, blend and tone.

The Madison Chorale

The Madison Chorale is Madison High School’s largest choral ensemble. Consisting of
treble, tenor and bass voices the ensemble will perform a variety of genres focusing on
some larger works. This ensemble will work once a year with our school’s symphonic
orchestra, gaining the experience of working with other musicians and conductors. This
ensemble will focus heavily on vocal technique, ear training and music theory

The Duke Singers

The Duke Singers is Madison High School’s most advanced ensemble filled with musicians
who have a strong passion and desire to sing. This ensemble will focus on blend,
technique, and vocal color. This ensemble will perform primarily contemporary
compositions that are primarily a cappella. Members of this ensemble are required to have
participated for two semesters in one of the other ensemble listed.

Songs for a New Age

Songwriting is a creative outlet that allows students to express their feelings. It is a form of
poetry and music making that leads to connections and relationships. This class is an
introduction to songwriting. Students will be taught techniques and strategies in writing
lyrics and melodies. Throughout the semester they will write songs of different genres and
use different recording software’s.
 5

Classroom Rules and Regulations

1. Students at all times will respect the room, their peers and the equipment at Madison
High School.
2. Students will adhere, at all times, to the Harrisonburg City Code of Contact/Behavior
during in-school and out-of-school activities. Failure to follow the rules will result in
disciplinary actions.
3. Students will come to class prepared by…
a. Being on time! Please be in your seat before the bell rings.
b. Bringing a pencil!
c. Brining your music!
d. Bringing your tuning fork!
e. Having your assignments completed on time!
4. Students will participate in class by..
a. Modeling good singing alignment at all times
b. Being attentive to instruction given
c. Marking music when changes have been made.
d. Singing to the best of your ability.
e. Following instructions.
5. Food, Gum, Drinks or any other consumable items, beside water is not permitted
during class periods or rehearsals. Water is welcome but must be in a closed
container.
6. Your music is your textbook. Each piece of music that will be given to you costs
between $1 and $4 per copy. Students are responsible for their music. You may take
your folder home to practice, but it must be with you in class for every rehearsal. If
music is lost or damaged, the student is responsible for replacing that music.
7. Please be prepared to have a good attitude throughout the rehearsal and be ready
to participate and respect one another! My hope for our classroom is to build and
maintain a supportive environment that cultivates friendship and life long music
making.
 6

Performance Etiquette for Choral Department Students and Parents!

For the Audience:

• Please be on time for the performance
• If you arrive late or need to leave early please do so only during applause. It is
distracting to performers and other audience members when someone enter/exits
during a selection.
• Please respect the performers on stage by not talking and being attentive to the
performance.
• Please turn off all electronic devices and put them away.

For the Performer:

• Always arrive promptly at call time in your performance attire.
• Remember that all focus will be upon you! Please be aware of what you look like!
• While on stage please refrain from waving or calling out to family and friends.
• Enter and exit the stage with purpose and precision.
• Sing with expressively with excitement and passion.
 7

Our Social Goals

• Creating a safe and supportive environment.
• Exploring and growing our own musical identities.
• Supporting and sharing success among all students.
• Transferring all learning throughout music and life.

Our Academic Goals

• Students will read music proficiently with rhythm and note accuracy.
• Students will demonstrate musical knowledge through quizzes and performances.
• Students will perform music in a variety of styles and languages.
• Students will learn about music history, music theory and demonstrate knowledge
through quizzes, discussion and projects.
• Students will participate in all class activities with healthy vocal techniques.

MHS Grading System

90-100 A
80-89 B
70-79 C
60-69 D
0-59 F
 8

Grading Policies

1. Class Participation 35%

a. Students are expected to follow all class rules and regulations.
b. Students will lose participation points if they are not prepared for class.
(Music, water, pencil, tuning fork)
c. Students will lose participation points for unexcused tardiness.
2. Classroom Assessment 20%
a. Weekly Quizzes on Musical Skills such as…
i. Musical Notation
ii. Rhythmic Exercises
iii. Sigh Reading
iv. Musical Vocabulary
b. In Class Discussion about…
i. Reflection on performances
ii. Music History and Musical Interpretation
c. Projects
i. Based upon music history and our repertoire
3. Performance Attendance 45%
a. Students must attend all performances and outside rehearsals in order to gain
full credit.
b. All Students must be addressed in the appropriate outfits
i. Women
1. Black Choir Dress ($30)
2. Black Tights
3. Black Closed Toe Shoes
4. Tuning Fork
ii. Men
1. Plain White Button Down Shirt
2. Black Dress Pants
3. Black Socks
4. Black Shoes
5. Black Belt
6. Tuning Fork
 9

Music Policy
Music is expensive and needs to be treated with respect. Students will receive a
number at the beginning of the semester and will receive music with that same number. If
the student loses or damages their assigned music they will be charged a fee to replace the
lost or damaged music.

Electronic Devices Policy

Students are not allowed to have any electronic devices out during class periods.
Exceptions will be made for those students where their IEP specifies the use of an
electronic device. Students who use their electronic devices during class will be given the
opportunity to put the device away. If the device is seen out again the teacher will take it
and the student will receive it back at the end of the class period. Class participation points
will be deducted when the electronic device has to be taken away.

Leadership Opportunities
Students will be given the opportunity to be a student leader by serving as a section
leader. There will be one section leader per section per choir and students will have the
opportunity to apply. Students serving, as section leaders will be in charge of leading
sectional rehearsals, and keeping the section on task and engaged throughout rehearsals.
5 Bonus Points will be awarded to each section leader at the end of each semester.

Extracurricular Activities
Show Choir
One of the many opportunities given to students is the ability to join our co-ed show
choir ensemble. This group has required rehearsals ever Mondays and Wednesdays from
2:30 – 4 every week starting mid September until the middle of April. The ensemble works
to put together a show filled with singing and dancing in order to compete statewide.
Auditions will be held September 15 after school in room 142. More information on audition
requirements will be brought up in class, or in a flyer you can find outside of room 142. If
you have any questions please don’t hesitate to ask Ms.Morgan.

Tri-M Music Honor Society

The Tri-M Music honor society will be taking applications starting September 10
until September 15. Tri-M is a Music honor society that helps serve the school and
community through music outreach. You must be a sophomore and have taken a music
class in order to apply. If you have any questions please don’t hesitate to ask Ms.Morgan.
 10

Calendar of Events
• September
o 10th-15th Tri-M Music Honor Society Application
o 15th – Show Choir Auditions
o 23rd- All Forms Due
• October
o 12th – Honors Choir Audition (Seniors Only)
• November
o 4th – Musical Auditions for Into the Woods
o 10th – All District Choir Auditions
o 15th – Bake Sale Fundraiser Due
• December
o 11th – Winter Concert at 7pm (call time tbd)
• February
o 14th – All-VA Chorus Auditions (Only eligible to those who make all
district)
o 14th-16th All District Choir at Fairfax High School
o 16th All District Choir Concert
• March
o 5th-8th Into the Woods
o 27th-29th Choir Spring Trip
• April
o 4th-6th All Chorus
• May
o 13th Spring Concert
 11

Statement of Understanding
My child and I have read the Chorus Handbook, and understand the
expectations involved in the Madison High School Choral
Department.
We understand that there are 2 required performances: December
11th and May 13th both at 7pm.

Name of Student (Please Print)

Signature of Student

Name of Parent/Guardian (Please Print)

Signature of Parent/Guardian
 12

Madison High School Music Department

Student Information

Name______________________________________ Grade_________

Address_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________

Telephone_____________________________________________________

Email_________________________________________________________

Parent/Guardian Information

Parent/Guardian’s Name________________________________________

Telephone_____________________________________________________
Home Cell Work

Email_________________________________________________________