Ellinwood

Middle/High School
Choir
Student Handbook

2020-2021
 Ellinwood Choir Calendar
Additional performances may be added for Mystic Blues. Adequate notice will be
given if there are changes to the choir calendar.

October 22nd 7:00p.m. Middle School & High School Concert

November 2nd All Day HS Honor Choir Auditions
December 7th All Day SW District Honor Choir/Band
December 10th 7:00 p.m. MS Winter Concert
December 16th 7:00 p.m. HS Winter Concert @ St. Joseph
December 18th All day Mystic Blues Caroling Day
January 10th 6:00 p.m. Mystic Blues Alumni National Anthem
January 18th All day MS Honor Choir
February 13th All day Mystic Blues Singing Valentines
February 27th -29th State Choir/KMEA
March 4th All day MS Contest @ St. John
March 6th All day MS CPL League Contest @ Lacrosse
March 10th All day HS CPL League Contest @ BCC
April 4th` All day Regional Music @ Larned
April 15th or 16th (TBD) All day State Large Group @ Pratt
April 20th, 21st, and 24th 6 p.m. Required ADT practice
April 25th 7:00p.m. 26th - 3:00 p.m. After Dinner Theater
April 25th All Day State Solo/Ensembles
May 5th 7:00 p.m. MS/HS Choir Concert
May 10th 3:00 p.m. Graduation
Wardrobe Requirements
As a member of the Ellinwood Middle/High School Choirs, you will be representing the school
and the choirs of Ellinwood during performances and on trips. Therefore, wardrobe should be
presented in a way that will not distract from but add to the choirs’ performance as a group.
Please do not wear t-shirts with writing or tennis shoes.

Middle School Choir:

Men
o Black slacks
o Black dress shoes
o Black socks
o Black button down or polo shirt
Women
o Black skirt, dress, or slacks
o Black dress top, if wearing skirt or slacks
o Black flats or low heels

Junior Blues:
Men
o Same as Middle School listed above with the addition of a blue necktie or
bowtie

Women
o Same as Middle School listed above with the addition of a blue necklace,
headband, shoes, or belt.
Concert Choir:
Men
o Black slacks and Black Dress Shirt
o Black dress shoes
o Black dress socks

Women
o Black flats or black low heels
o Black Dress or Black Pants w/ Black Shirt

You will also be assigned a choir robe that will be stored in the classroom. We
won’t wear them for every performance but you be responsible for taking good
care of it. If it gets damaged or lost you will be responsible financially for
replacing it.
 Mystic Blues:
T-shirts (to be worn with jeans) may be ordered at the beginning of the school year for informal
performances and must be paid for before pickup. Outfits are the responsibility of the student
unless otherwise noted to be provided by the school. There are some tuxedo parts from previous
years available for rental if sizing allows. As soon as outfits have been ordered, invoices will be
sent out. Payment plans are an option, but no check out sheet will be signed until all outfits and
fees have been paid for.
Men
To be provided by school:
o Vest
o Bow tie and cinch tie
To be provided by student:
o Tuxedo jacket
o Tuxedo pants
o Tuxedo shoes
o Tuxedo shirt
o Black socks

Women
To be provided by student:
o Dress
o Spandex briefs
o Nude character shoes
o Pantyhose

If you need help finding anything that is your responsibility, please let me know.
Policies for Grading and Participation
Both middle and high school students will be graded on the following
categories:
1. Concerts/Performances
2. Daily work (completed in class)
3. Participation
4. Other assignments and points-on-completion events (such as promptly
returning required forms, etc.)

System for Grading:

1. All students have varying degrees of natural talent, and it is unfair to
weight grades too heavily in the area of vocal performance.
2. Choirs require the full participation of each individual to be
successful. Most learning is completed during class through direct
instruction and practice.
3. Therefore, daily grades are weighted heavily in the areas of
participation, work ethic, personal responsibility, and constructive
behavior. *Note: Concert participation is considered a required class
element.

Daily grades: Each student starts the week with 25 points (225 total for
each quarter). Any behavior (talking, disrespect, not participating,
incorrect iPad use, cell phone use, etc.) that is not conducive to the
learning environment will lead to a subtraction of daily class points.

Concert points: Each concert is worth 200 points total. If a student does not show
up to the concert a zero will be given. Participation at a concert is essential,
therefore the following aspects of concert etiquette are graded heavily in the
concert setting. When a student is:

Talking during concert on stage 40 points possible (20 points

deducted per occurrence)
Talking during concert in 40 points possible (20 points
audience deducted per occurrence)
Cell phone use 40 points possible (20 points
deducted per occurrence)
Attention 40 points (20 points deducted per
occurrence)
Each item of incorrect clothing 20 points possible (10 points
deducted per occurrence)
Timeliness 20 points possible

When a student is not able to make it to a performance (and gives notice to the
teacher ahead of time) a make-up performance opportunity will be given. The
student will work up on their own time a solo to be performed for the class to make
up partial credit of the missed grade.
Lettering in Choir
To qualify for a letter in vocal music, a student must:
1. Earn an “A” for the semester in Mystic Blues or Concert Choir 2.
Attend at least one event listed below
a. District/State Auditions
b. Regional/State Contest as a soloist or ensemble member outside
of Mystic Blues
c. All State Prep Day
3. Be present at all concerts for the semester