Students will be expected to do the following on a daily basis.

(Class Preparation)

1.      Students should enter the room quietly and gather their assigned folder and pencil.

2.      Proceed to their assigned seat and quietly await the signal for warm-ups.

3.      Remain seated and refrain from talking and other disturbances until the conclusion of class.

4.      Students ARE permitted to use the bathroom BEFORE the bell rings at the beginning of class. If a student has a medical condition that warrants use of the bathroom and/or the nurse's office, he/she may utilize the pass at any time (please provide a note indicating this).

(Instructional time)

1.      Students should have their assigned folder and a pencil in class at all times.

2.      Raise their hand and await acknowledgement from the teacher before speaking.

3.      Students are not to sing out of turn or touch the piano or other percussion instruments without permission.

4.      Exercise respect for the teacher, fellow students and equipment in the choir room.

5.      Remain seated at all times in their assigned seat until dismissal.

6.      Work to their highest potential.

7.      Students are expected to respect school property by refraining from drawing on the choir folders or tearing out the threads or corner protectors. Students who are caught deliberately destroying folders are liable for the cost to replace the folder.

(Students will be given short breaks between selections in which talking quietly will be

permitted, when instructed by the teacher)

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(Dismissal)

1.      Students should return their folder to the assigned area in sections in the order given by the teacher and return directly to their assigned seat.

(Students are permitted to talk quietly while the above procedure takes place)

2.      Students should remain seated and wait dismissal by section in the order given by the teacher.

(Students are permitted to talk quietly while the above procedure takes place)

(Practice/Review)

1.      Students will be given packets of text (if necessary) to review music at home prior to a concert.  All music must be memorized.

Grades are based on the following criteria:

Attendance at concert. (30%) (Marking periods 2 and 4) All students are required to attend the two concerts. The only exceptions for missing a concert are: the student is sick (documentation required); a religious observance; death in the family or other extreme circumstance. Sporting events, parties, dance, gymnastics, karate, etc. are not considered excused.

Students who display unacceptable behavior at dress rehearsals will be asked to go back to class and may not attend the evening concert; therefore affecting their grade. Unacceptable behavior includes: deliberately NOT following directions; Not keeping hands and feet to oneself; singing purposely incorrect as to sabotage the performance; and/or causing a disturbance that interferes with the learning of other students.

Small Group Singing Tests (20 %) Students will be asked to come in small groups to the piano to sing sections of pieces we have worked on. Students will be evaluated on projection, diction, harmonization, pitch and breath support.

Written Critique (10 %) Students will write a critique on the concert or rehearsal in class. A rubric will be used to determine the final grade. Students will be provided with the rubric before the project to obtain the best possible grade.

Posture (20%) Students display proper posture; holding music at chest level; sitting of standing up straight; not crossing arms or legs. Good posture is essential for good vocal production.

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Sight-singing (10%) Students can sing and read through a musical phrase, interval or section on sight, with correct rhythm and pitches.

Participation during class (40%)  Students actively sing, know their music, and refrain from talking or other distracting behaviors. Students come with a pencil, ready to mark the music accordingly. Students refrain from gum chewing and other candy in their mouths.

Competition/ Festival Students in grade 8 who audition and meet the performance criteria and behavioral expectations will be invited to sing in the Hershey Park Choir Festival in June. More details will follow.

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PEARL R. MILLER MIDDLE SCHOOL CHOIR

GRADING and PROCEDURES

(Please tear of this portion and return to Mrs. Reda )

I have read and understand the expectations and requirements of the choir class.

Student signature_______________________________________________

Parent/Guardian signature________________________________________

CHOIR GRADING RUBIC

40 pts.  = Participation: This includes actively singing, bringing a pencil to class, refraining from talking during rehearsal, following music, displaying correct singing posture, and  refraining from gum or candy during rehearsal. Students' singing abilities are not factored into this portion of the grade.

0 pts.     = Student does not sing or participate at all (See guidelines for participation).

10 pts.   = Student participates very little; does not sing much, does not have a pencil to mark music, talks excessively or does not follow music.

20 pts.   = Student is inconsistent; ½ the time participating; ½ the time not.

30 pts.   = Student mostly participates, but occasionally needs to be reminded to follow along, bring a pencil to class, or listen.

40 pts.   = Student is always ready; participating, looking at the conductor, has a pencil, never talks during rehearsal and follows all choir procedures.

20 pts. = Correct posture: Posture is an integral component of proper singing. Therefore, students are given two assessments on their posture. Correct sitting posture means sitting up straight, legs and arms uncrossed, music is held up in front (chest level). Standing position includes holding the music at chest level or putting the arms at the sides (if no music); feet are shoulder length apart; hands are not in the pockets and shoulders are relaxed. These are the correct singing postures that promote proper air flow for vocal production. Incorrect posture often results in inadequate breath support or incorrect pitch. The two tests are broken down into the following points:

0 pts.    = Student does not exhibit proper posture.

5 pts.    = Student displays proper posture at times, but sometimes needs to be reminded.

10 pts.  = Student displays proper posture without any prompting from the teacher.

20 pts. = Singing tests (groups of two, four, or six depending on how many parts): There are two singing tests worth 10 points each. Students are tested on sections of the repertoire they are learning. The tests are broken down as follows:

4 pts.     = Pitch (student can match pitch)

4 pts.     = Projection / Vocal Support (student has proper breath support

2 pts.     = Diction (student pronounces song text correctly; unified vowels and consonants).

10 pts.  = Critique (verbal or written): A written critique is required during MP 2 and MP 4 after our concert performance. A separate rubric stating the requirements for the assignment is given to each student. Students are given at least 2 class periods to work on the project. A draft may be given in and revisions can be made up until the final due date for full credit. (Rubric for this assignment is separate). During MP 1 and MP 3, a verbal critique is done in class as we list various aspects of our rehearsals on the board.

10 pts.  = Sight singing, intervals, rhythm, theory, history: Students will learn about reading music, intervals, some theory, and music history as it relates to the concert repertoire that we are working on for the year. Assignments are done in class.

During MP 2 and 4, the concert is mandatory. Students who do not have an excused absence (as outlined in the music packet given to students and parents) lose 30 points.

Pearl R. Miller School

Eighth Grade Competitive Choir Trip

January 22, 2008

Dear Parents/Guardians:

            Each year, eighth grade choir students are given the opportunity to enter into the competitive forum of middle school chorus. The competition involves middle school choirs from various states on the East Coast, who are serious about performing, and who would like to expand their knowledge of vocal performance. The competition takes place near Hershey Park, Pa. and is followed by a day at Hershey Park, ending with an awards ceremony at the Hershey Park Arena. This year's trip is scheduled for Friday, June 6, 2008. The trip is a day trip; with an early departure of 7:15 A.M. and an anticipated return time of 8:30-9:00 P.M. Choir students at Pearl Miller are not required to attend the trip, but are invited to participate if all the performance criteria is met. It is listed below.

To be a participant in the choir competition, students must display particular skills and proper performance etiquette. The adjudicators at the choir competition judge vocal technique, as well as, performance etiquette, posture, difficulty of repertoire, and memorization of vocal selections. Therefore, the following shall apply:

1. Students will audition in class in small groups. We will prepare for the audition at least two weeks in advance. Knowledge of the repertoire, including tone, blend, diction, dynamics, melodic rhythm and harmony, will be assessed.
2. Participants must display memorization of the music as we learn each piece. Students will be given at least two weeks notice of memorization assessments.
3. Participants must display proper posture during singing. Two announced posture assessments will be given.
4. Participants must follow all choir rules during rehearsal and performance, including no gum chewing, no candy, cough drops, or mints in the mouth.
5. Participants must display proper rehearsal and performance etiquette, such as no talking during rehearsal or performance.
6. Any student who is sent out of rehearsal for disruptive behavior is not eligible to attend.
7. Participants must display the right attitude about performance and understand the main purpose of the trip is vocal-oriented.
8. Students will not be excluded for pitch inaccuracy as this is not always within their control (ie. changing voice).

Please indicate that you and your child have read the above. Please sign below and return to Mrs. Reda. If you know your child cannot attend the trip, due to other commitments, please let me know.  In a few weeks, more information will follow. If you have any questions or concerns, please call ext. 179 (The Choir Room) and leave a message and I will return your phone call promptly. Thank you!

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Eighth Grade Competitive Choir Trip

I have read the above criteria for participation at the Hershey Park Choir Competition.

________________________________        ____________________________________

(please print) Student's Name                         Parent/Guardian Signature