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CHINA SPRING CHOIR HANDBOOK
2011-2012
Section I Membership qualifications and policies
There are two excellent high school choirs. Both choirs are auditioned groups. The Select Choir is made up of both male and female voices; Bel Canto is open only to women. These courses provide opportunities for the study of choral techniques and sightreading skills which culminate in performance opportunities. The choirs perform in concerts and other settings as well as participating in the TMEA All-State choir audition process and UIL Concert/Sight Reading choir contest.
Attendance at ALL performances is a requirement of the course. Only if the director is contacted prior to any performance by a parent will an absence be excused. (Leave a message at 845-4110.) Excused absences will only be granted in serious extenuating circumstances (e.g. serious illness, death in the family, etc). An unexcused absence may result in a grade of “0”. If a student is not dressed in complete uniform for a performance, they will not be able to perform, resulting in a failing grade. Unexcused absences will impact a student’s grade, their privilege to perform with the group, and possibly their chance to remain in the choral program.
Section II Scholastic Requirements
When participating in any type of competition or fundraising performance, the China Spring choirs operate under the scholastic eligibility requirements of the Texas University Interscholastic League and the China Spring School District. Other performances do not necessarily fall under the auspices of UIL rules. If there are any questions concerning eligibility to sing in a performance, please contact the director. Since individual ineligibility can have an extreme effect on the whole choir, students are encouraged to seek help from other choir members, choir officers, or the director as soon as their grades begin to suffer.
All class work missed because of a choir trip must be made up. It is the student’s responsibility to inform the teacher before the missed class in order to secure the work to be made up.
Section III Self-discipline
Students and parents will be made aware of school policies and rules at the beginning of the school year in the regular school Handbook. CSHS choir members will be expected to display the highest standards of conduct at all times and especially when representing the school in public performances, competitions, and trips. All school rules apply when away from campus for a performance and “zero tolerance” consequences will be enforced for inappropriate behavior.
During rehearsal all students are expected to be attentive to the director and respectful of their fellow choir members. Below are guidelines which all choir members are expected to follow.
1. Be in your assigned seat with your folder and pencil when the bell rings. (Tardies will be handled according to school policy)
2. Do not talk during class without permission from the director.
3. Follow directions and instructions the first time they are given.
4. Be respectful, kind, and courteous to your fellow choir members and the director.
5. Maintain a positive spirit about the choir and be supportive of all its activities.
6. Do not chew gum (or anything else) in class, nor use any kind of electronic devices in class.
Section IV Grading Procedures
Since choir is a performance oriented class, it requires a special commitment by every member to participate in all rehearsals and performances. One hundred percent participation is necessary for a superior performing group. Therefore, grades for choir will be based upon class participation, the understanding of fundamental music theory, development of sightreading skills, and participation in rehearsals and performances.
A grade for class participation is given at the end of each week. It is based on the choir member’s involvement in all daily choral activities, including, but not limited to: singing, self control, progress, teamwork, and attitude. If a choir member cannot sing due to throat problems, she or he must still participate in all class activities. A member is excused from only one day of singing unless a parental note is received by the director. Because all of this is a vital part of a choir member’s responsibility, the weekly participation grade counts for 50% of the six weeks grade. Additionally, tests will count 30% and daily work will count 20%.
Section V Yearly Calendar
Each year choir members are given a calendar at the beginning of the school year with all of the dates known at that time on the schedule. The calendar is also on the choir website at www.chinaspringchoirs.com.
There will be opportunities that arise during the school year that are not on the calendar at the beginning of the year. All singers are required to participate in these performances also unless a previous school event is already on the calendar and cannot be reconciled. Conflicts must be communicated to the director at least one week prior to the performance event with a written note or through email.
Section VI Fundraisers
There will only be one fundraiser that each choir member is encouraged to participate in. Every year in October the choirs take orders for live poinsettias, wreaths and garlands that are delivered the first week in December. The money raised is put in the student’s individual account to go toward monies needed for out-of-town competitions, as well as other needed purchases for the choral program throughout the year.
Section VII Uniforms
Girls: Girls will be provided with a formal dress. The school owns all of these uniforms. A user fee of $10.00 will be collected before uniforms are issued. This fee will cover the cost of alterations and cleaning for dresses. All uniforms must be returned (NOT cleaned) at the end of the school year. They must be returned on the hangers and in the bag in which they were issued.
Girls will need to wear skin-colored hose with their uniforms.
No jewelry may be worn for a performance.
Guys: Middle School guys will be provided with khaki pants and a blue polo shirt, which the school owns. High School guys will be provided with a tuxedo/shirt that the school owns. A $10.00 user fee will be collected before a tux is issued. This fee will cover the cost of alterations and cleaning.
High School guys must wear black socks and black, closed-toe dress shoes.
Middle School guys must wear dark dress shoes and dark socks.
Uniforms may not be worn for any other purpose except choir performances. Students may not eat, drink, or smoke (or be around smoke) in their uniforms. At the end of the year, uniforms will be checked back into the school. If the uniform is not returned before finals begin, the student will not be exempt from any school finals and will be unable to register for school the following year until the uniform is returned.
Section VIII Scholarships
The Choir Booster Organization will offer college scholarships to 2-3 outstanding choir seniors each year. Any senior may apply for this scholarship. Selection is based on each applicant’s history of participation and commitment as a choir member over the years.
Requirements for Lettering in Choir
A choir member will be eligible to receive a letter in Choir by achieving a given number of points as outlined below. Lettering requirements are assigned points and in order to receive a letter, you must earn 25 points in a given academic year (August - May). Bars may be added to the letter in years following lettering using the same lettering criteria. A letter will also be awarded the fall semester of the senior year for any student who has participated in the choir program for the past three consecutive years and has proven to the director to be a faithfully committed choir member during those three years. The choral department will pay $60.00 towards the purchase of a letter jacket. Number of points will be awarded for the following:
2 for each year enrolled in high school choir
6 for auditioning for High School All-Region Choir
6 for being selected for the High School All-Region Choir and singing in the concert
4 for auditioning for Pre-area
4 for auditioning for Area
5 for being selected for All-State Choir and singing in the concert
4 for auditioning for 9th/10th Grade All-Region Choir
4 for being selected for the 9th/10th Grade All-Region Choir and singing in the concert
1 for serving as a choir officer (2 pts. if Talent Show stage manager or assistant)
4 for being the top salesperson in a fundraising project
1 for attendance at other choral concerts which are approved by director in advance
3 for participating in the Talent Show (other than required choir participation)
2 for winning a trophy in the Talent Show (points awarded even if act is required)
3 for choir winning UIL Sweepstakes
4 for attending a summer All-State Choir music camp
China Spring Choirs Daniel Farris, Director  |
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