Class Policies and Procedures

Policies and Procedures 2020-21

OBJECTIVES: The primary objective of this course is for students to learn choral techniques that will focus on proper breathing, posture, intonation, diction, blend, balance, dynamics and expression. In addition to vocal technique, each student will learn to identify notes, rhythms, and key signatures, construct a scale in any key, and recognize major intervals. You will also learn stage presence techniques which will aid in presenting songs in an engaging manner that is appealing in a video or performance setting.

EVALUATION: Each student will be evaluated in the following areas:

1) Daily Rehearsal (10 points) - You will be evaluated on a Total Points System.  You will receive a daily grade worth a possible 10 points for each rehearsal. Every minute of class time requires 100% of your energy and attention. Any distraction such as talking, students arriving late or students searching for music impedes the quality of instruction and will not be tolerated. The daily grade will be an important part of your quarter grade. Failure to comply with daily rehearsal expectations will result in a deduction from your daily score. Daily expectations include:

            1) being ready to begin when the bell rings (that means standing at your seat with your folder in hand)
            2) maintaining proper posture
            3) 100% On-task behavior
            4) all eyes on the conductor
            5) having all required materials
            6) handling musical scores in a respectful manner
            7) participating in warm-ups, vocal exercises and sight reading exercises
            8) taking notes in your score regarding diction, entrances, cut-offs, dynamics, style, etc.
            9) not talking during rehearsal
10) maintaining a good attitude towards each other and the director :)

3) Performance Tests -
We will use Garageband as an effective rehearsal and evaluation tool. We will cover basic recording techniques in class and provide video tutorials. Each student will receive a rehearsal track in Garageband where you will perfect your part, and on the due date of the performance test, you will be responsible for emailing me a recording of your individual vocal part (no effects, such as tuning or reverb). It doesn't matter how many times you record your part to perfect it; the only thing you will be graded on will be the finished recording you submit. You may begin laying down your part well in advance of the due date. Some of you already have Garageband on your laptop. If not, you will have access to either an ipad or a laptop from one of the mobile carts. There will be a 10% deduction for each class period past the due date. Students earning an 85% or higher may be eligible to be selected to record that particular song (we will discuss this new criteria in class).

All tests be evaluated according to the following criteria:
correct notes
correct rhythm
correct phrasing (knowing when to breathe and how long the breath should last)
correct lyrics
proper style & beauty of tone
proper diction
good intonation

4) Theory/Sight-reading Tests - The first semester, we will begin each class period with theory or sight-reading exercises. Throughout the year, theory concepts will be introduced as they apply to the literature. You will be tested in these areas.

5) CD Sales and Marketing - We have a wonderful opportunity to record a professional quality CD. This is not only a great educational opportunity but also a performance keepsake for years to come. However, opportunity comes with responsibility; I will ask each of you to be responsible for selling 29 CDs/Download cards each during the spring. A major portion of your 4th quarter grade will be based on the sales and marketing of the CD/stickers and for tickets to the spring concert. Make a list of potential buyers now so you will have your prospects wrapped up in advance. If you have any hesitation about this requirement, please see me now. This is not an option.

6) Semester Exams - All fine arts classes are required to have a final assessment at the end of each semester, which will represent 20% of your semester grade.
Your first semester exam grade will be a FINAL PROJECT where you will turn in an individual recording of each part you are responsible for singing on the album project. This could be four to six songs in total and will likely focus on the more challenging material (a cappella numbers). If you are happy with the recordings you may have turned in earlier for your quarterly performance grades, you may use the same mp3s in your final project. If you believe you can improve your performance after the benefit of a full semester of practicing, you may submit new recordings. This will be an effective way to ensure there are no weak links as we prepare for the recording and the concert second semester.

Your second semester exam grade will be a theory test. The date for this assessment will be prior to regularly scheduled exams.

PROCESS: The success of any good choral ensemble depends on efficient and effective rehearsal. It is our goal to make the best use of every precious second of rehearsal. There will be times when we will meet together as a large group and times when we will break into smaller group sectionals. As a general rule, sectional rehearsals will consist of two primary groups: 1) tenors and basses, 2) sopranos and altos, but sometimes we may splinter into smaller sectionals.

1) Vocal Warm-up
Each rehearsal will begin with vocal warm-ups, which will help strengthen your voice, expand your range and reinforce scale and arpeggio structure.

2) Devotion:
Class will begin each day with scripture reading.

3) Sight-Reading:
At the beginning of each rehearsal during the first quarter, we will focus on sight-reading and building a strong music vocabulary.

4) Independent Study:
A few of you are experienced sight-readers or have exceptional tonal memory, so rehearsal within class time will likely be sufficient for you. Most of you will require additional work outside of class time to perfect your part. You will have access to rehearsal tracks both in Dropbox and on the website at AcademySingers.com, whichever is more convenient for you. Please schedule an appointment with me if, after dedicating a reasonable amount of time rehearsing, you have difficulty perfecting your part. Mastery of your vocal part is essential to the success of the entire team for this class.

5) Recording: We have intentionally begun the recording process much earlier this year than in previous years in order to be prepared to go into the studio earlier than our published recording dates in January and February. Please mark NOVEMBER 7 as a possible early recording date. This should already be on your calendar as a workshop date, but please reserve that date from 10 AM - until we finish that evening. We may take only 3-4 songs to record in November, so in the event that we are in lock-down, we at least have some of our songs recorded in the event we can't gather in January or February.
Solo Auditions will be held first thing this year. That way, we will know which parts will need to be covered we your are assigned a part in the group mix. Also, as a means of practicing safe distancing in the studio, everyone will be assigned, or in some cases, you may audition, for each group number. The goal is to reduce the number of singers gathered around the microphone in the studio. Six-Eight singers may be the optimal number for most songs.

2) Rehearsal Attendance - In any performance oriented goal, singers must be present in order to learn the skills necessary for success. Singers can not “make-up” a group choral experience, therefore, please make every effort to schedule appointments after school and not during this class time. If you are required to miss due to a school related activity (such as a football game or a speech tournament), you must inform me PRIOR to your absence. Don't assume I know the activities which you are involved. Unless you are in the hospital, have a note from your doctor (not a parent), you will receive a “0” for a daily grade. Translation….don’t be absent! If a student is late to class, he/she will receive a pro-rated point deduction of class time missed based on 10-minute increments. Total possible points for being twenty minutes late to class is 8 points. If you are absent from class, you will receive a 0 for the daily grade for that day. There will be times when you will be legitimately sick, but this group grade cannot be made up. There are enough other grades to off-set a 0 daily grade if you stay on task, but the main take-away here is to make every effort to be present for class. If we should move to distance learning, mandatory attendance on any conference calls will be calculated in the same manner.

SECTIONALS:
Sectional rehearsals will take place in the Chorus Room, on stage, or in the black box. When not in sectionals, your priority should be on the independent study of related objectives such as lyric memorization, interval practice and rhythm practice, or recording your Garageband auditions or tests. Independent small group rehearsals are encouraged.

MANDATORY EVENTS:
Go to DATES tab above where you will find a complete list of required dates for 2020-1921. Make a note of all required events, and share the dates with your parents (these dates were sent earlier this summer).

TRAVEL: We may have the opportunity to travel as a group to perform for other schools or churches around town. I will let you know these dates as soon as I have confirmed them. There may be opportunities to perform at chapel services for St. Paul or Oak Hill during the school day. Occasionally, we are invited to travel to perform out of town. If that opportunity presents itself, we will talk about it then. Obviously, we need everyone in order to perform. I need a spirit of commitment to the group should we get the opportunity to travel. It may mean giving up a forensics trip or a wrestling tournament in order to make it happen, but as of right now, we have no plans to travel out of town.

APPS: With permission from Mr. Bradshaw, we will be allowed to use smart phone apps in class as a way to aid students in formative assessment regarding any class content.

COMMUNICATION: All announcements or reminders will be sent via text through the REMIND app. REMIND is a useful tool for quick one-way communication. Please see instructions on the homepage for how to become a member of the class.

EMERGENCY EVACUATION:
In the event of an emergency evacuation during our class, follow the instructor to the senior parking lot in front of the fine arts building.

I am looking forward to an outstanding year! Please do not hesitate to email me if you have any questions or concerns.

Jenny_oldham@brentwoodacademy.com