XXXXXX High School

Choral Handbook
Director of Choirs: Ms. Jo Manning
Manninja@dukes.jmu.edu
(XXX) 123 - 4567

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 Welcome!
Dear Choir Students and Parents,
Welcome to the 2018-2019 school year! I hope you are looking
forward to a wonderful year exploring music together. I have created
this handbook as a guide for students and parents to be aware of the
policies in my classroom as well as how much practice, time and
dedication to be in a XHS choir. Please read the following pages
carefully and feel free to contact me by email at any time.
Please look over the dates of our required choral performances for
this school year on page ___. If there are any conflicts with your
student’s schedule and one of our performances, please contact me
as soon as possible so that we may assist your child with a make-up
assignment to maintain their grade.
Once you and your student have both finished reading through the
student handbook please sign the Statement of Understanding, Student
Information, and Parent Volunteer pages and turn them in by September
22nd. By signing you are indicating that you both understand the policies
of my classroom.
I am dedicated to making sure every student reaches their full
potential in music and I thank you for allowing your student to
participate. This year will be very exiting and filled with many fun
activities and events. Thank you for supporting the XHS program!

“Sing”-cerely,

Ms. Jo Manning
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 Policies and Procedures
1. Students will respect all people, including themselves, and
all property, including their own, at all times.

2. Students will adhere to the XMS code of conduct and

student handbook at all times. Failure to do so will result in
disciplinary action.

3. All students are expected to participate every day in class.

All students are required to have their music, water, a
pencil, and their tuning fork every rehearsal for full
participation points.

4. Gum, food, or any other consumable items, besides water,

are not permitted during class time or rehearsals.

5. No students will touch or play an instrument that is not

theirs. Instruments require special care that only someone
trained to handle it will know. It is also disrespectful to take
something without asking. Just like you wouldn’t take and
use someone else’s’ toothbrush, don’t take and use
someone else’s’ instrument.
I expect every student to have a good attitude during class time
and be ready to participate and respect one another. We want to
build a culture of support and trust in our music classroom for
all students!

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 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….
o Read music proficiently with rhythm and note accuracy.
o Demonstrate musical knowledge through quizzes, journals
and performance.
o Perform music in a variety of languages and styles.
o Learn about music history and demonstrate knowledge
through quizzes.
o Participate in all class activities with healthy vocal habits.

“I don’t make music for eyes. I make

music for ears.”
-Adele

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 Grading Policies
1. Class Participation – 35%
i) Students are expected to follow all class rules and
regulations.
ii) Students will lose participation points if they are not prepared
for class. (Music, water, pencil, tuning fork)
iii) Students will lose participation points for unexcused
tardiness.
2. Classroom Assessment – 15%
i) Weekly Quizzes on Musical Skills such as…
(a) Musical Notation
(b) Rhythmic Exercises
(c) Sight Reading
(d) Musical Vocabulary
ii) Weekly Practice Journals (to be given in class)
(a) For at-home practice students will practice one hour
or
more during the week.
(b) Parents must sign off on the Practice Journal
3. Performance Assessment – 50%
i) Students must attend all performances and outside rehearsals
for full credit.
ii) Students are expected to dress in “Concert Black,” which
consists of
(a) Black pants, slacks, or skirt of some kind (skirt at least
knee length)
(b) Black blouse or dress shirt (appropriate sleeve length
please)
(c) Black dress shoes, with dark socks/hose/leggings, etc.
(d) Colorful ties, scarves, accessories are acceptable

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 iii) Things not in the acceptable category: wearing only leggings,
exposed midriffs/backs, plunging necklines, sheer clothing, etc.
Think school dress code, but dressy. If you are questioning a
part of your Concert Black attire, it is most likely not
appropriate. Look your best! You will feel your best!
This dress code has been designed to be as gender-inclusive as
possible.

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 badly damages their
piece of music they will be charged an additional fee to replace the lost
or damaged music.

Electronic Devices Policy

Students are not allowed to have any electronic devices out during
class periods unless specified by an IEP. Students who break this rule
will be given the opportunity to put their electronic device away. If they
take the device out again it will be taken by the teacher and the student
will get it back at the end of the class period. The student will also lose
half of their participation points for that class period.

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 Calendar of Events
 September
o 22nd- All forms due
 October
o 15th- Honors Choir Audition (Seniors)
 November
o 15th- Musical Auditions for Wicked
o 25th- Bake Sale Fund Raiser Due
 December
o 14th- Winter Holiday Concert
 January
o 15th- District Choir Auditions
 February
o 18th- District Choir (Lakeview HS)
o 27th- State Choir Auditions (Juniors and Seniors)
 March
o 22nd- State Choir (Lakeland HS in Lake County)
 April
o 16-20th- Spring Trip
 May
o 1st- Wicked Musical
o 18th- Spring Concert
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 Statement of Understanding
We have read the Chorus Handbook, and understand the expectations
involved in the XXXXX High School Chorus Department.
We understand that there are three required performances:
The Fall concert in October, the Winter Concert in the end of
December, and the Spring Concert in April.

_________________________________
Name of Student (please print)

_________________________________
Signature of Student

_________________________________
Name of Parent/ Guardian (please print)

_________________________________
Signature of Parent/ Guardian

_________________________________
Date

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 Please return this Statement of Understanding to Ms. Morgan on or
before Monday, September 22nd.

XXXXX High School Chorus Department

STUDENT INFORMATION
NAME_________________________________ GRADE___________

ADDRESS_________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________

TELEPHONE______________________________________________
HOME CELL
EMAIL_________________________________________
(all information is sent to you via email, please print your address clearly)

PARENT/ GUARDIAN INFORMATION

PARENT/GUARDIAN’S NAME_____________________________

TELEPHONE______________________________________________
___________ HOME CELL WORK ext.
EMAIL____________________________________________________
__________ (all information is sent to you via email, please print your address clearly)

PARENT/GUARDIAN’S NAME_____________________________

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TELEPHONE______________________________________________
___________ HOME CELL WORK ext.
EMAIL____________________________________________________
__________ (all information is sent to you via email, please print your address clearly)

XXXXX HIGH SCHOOL CHORUS DEPARTMENT

PARENT VOLUNTEER SURVEY
2018-2019
Parent(s) Name(s)___________________________________________
Student’s Name_____________________________________________
Grade_________ Chorus Period # _________
Address___________________________________________________
City ______________ State _____________________ ZIP _________
Home Phone #________________ Cell Phone #___________________
Email Address__________________________________

We all have special talents! Here are some of the areas we will need
help with this year:
Check off as many areas in which you would like to assist!
___ Help with bake sale
___ Assisting during class rehearsals with clerical work
___ Chaperoning
___ Photography
___ Set-up and/or clean-up for events
___ Musical Season Volunteer

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___ Ushering Concerts
___ Medical assistance on trips (LPN, RN or MD)
___ Other (please specify) _____________________________

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