COMMANDO CHORUS

HANDBOOK

Director:

CHRISTOPHER I. CARRICK

School 615.824.3456

chris.carrick@sumnerschools.org

http://hms.sumnerschools.org

2015-2016

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CONTENTS

WELCOME LETTER 3

GOALS 4

OUR NATIONAL STANDARDS 5

OF MUSIC EDUCATION

CHORAL PROGRAMS 5

FEES 6

SUPPLIES LIST 6

FUND RAISING 7

EXPECTATIONS AND PROCEDURES 7

GRADING POLICY 7

ATTENDANCE 8

DRESS CODE 9

CONCERT ETIQUETTE 10

STUDENT LEADERS 11

BEHAVIOR 12

CALENDAR 13

VOLUNTEER FORM 14

CONTRACT 15

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WELCOME

Hello singers and parents! My name is Mr. (Chris) Carrick and I’m

looking forward to another great year as the choir director at Hawkins

Middle School. Parents, I want to thank you for your support, and

particularly for encouraging your child in his/her study of music. Students, I

want to thank you for your desire to pursue music in your life. I hope you

find it as fulfilling as I have.

I have been the music teacher at Hawkins Middle for ten years. I have

also led an after-school chorus at HMS for three years in the past. This will

be the sixth year that HMS has offered a choral program during the school

day, and I am excited to be a part of this new tradition. I hope that you are as

well!

Fine musical performance goes far beyond just singing all of the notes

correctly. Expressive, meaningful, musical performance requires more. It

requires you to give a part of yourself. True vocal performance is a visual as

well as aural experience. You must involve your soul’s interpretation of the

music on your face. We are all actors at heart, and for a truly effective

performance, we must convey meaning in every way possible. It is no

wonder so much evidence is coming forward showing the powerful effects

of music education on young people’s intellectual, social, and emotional

development!

Good Is The Enemy Of Great. It is not my desire to have a good

choral program, but to start and maintain a Great choral program. I hope that

you will join me in this desire and do everything that you can to make the

Hawkins Middle School Commando Chorus the best that it can be.

Our chorus competed against other choruses for the first time during

the 2012-2013 school year. I am very pleased to say that the Hawkins

Commando Chorus came away from that competition with a “Superior”

rating, and a first place standing for “Overall Highest Score Middle School

Concert Choir.” Those standings were repeated with the 2013-2014 school

year! The Chorus had a “Superior” rating in the 2014-2015 competition as

well, and I look forward to the challenge of helping our students maintain

their “Superior” rating once again this year.

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GOALS

To help us have the most successful year possible, I would like to

share several goals for the choir program this year:

To generate a love for both singing and music

To create a lifelong emotional outlet through the development of the

student's musical and vocal ability

To provide a fundamental background in music appreciation, theory,

choral thinking and vocal technique, skills and knowledge necessary for

independent musicianship

To promote responsibility and good citizenship through participation in a

choral organization

To encourage self-discipline as well as team cooperation through the

goal of excellence in performance

To give those students who may choose music as a career a positive,

encouraging, and successful early experience

Remember – it is important to understand that the skills that are

necessary to succeed in chorus are the same skills necessary to succeed in

any music program. The voice is an instrument that must be practiced like

any other instrument. Gaining confidence, control and developing versatility

with the voice requires thoughtful practice and dedication.

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OUR NATIONAL STANDARDS OF MUSIC EDUCATION

1. Singing, alone and with others, a varied repertoire of music

2. Performing on instruments, alone and with others, a varied repertoire of

music

3. Improvising melodies, variations, and accompaniments

4. Composing and arranging music within specified guidelines

5. Reading and notating music

6. Listening to, analyzing, and describing music

7. Evaluating music and music performances

8. Understanding relationships between music, the other arts, and disciplines

outside the arts

9. Understanding music in relation to history and culture

CHORAL PROGRAMS

Hawkins Middle School offers three choral ensembles that group

students by grade level. It is important to note that great vocal skill is not a

requirement, but the basic building blocks of musicianship are needed to

ensure success in the program. The ability to sing in tune, the desire to

succeed in music, and the willingness to work together with other students to

perform to the best of our abilities is necessary for our program to succeed.

Each grade level is separate, but may perform its own repertoire of

music at our concerts or join with other grades to perform. The music

gradually becomes more advanced as the year progresses, and also as each

student moves through the 6th, 7th and 8th grade choral groups. The skill of

reading music is gradually introduced and is ultimately necessary to perform

increasingly difficult (and more interesting!) music. We do want to

challenge ourselves to be musicians who sing, and not merely

singers! Therefore, students are expected to practice their instrument at

home, and make every effort to keep pace with other chorus students.

Currently, our choral ensembles are open to all students and do not

require an audition.

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FEES

There is not a fee to participate in the Chorus at HMS. However, a

chorus shirt will need to be purchased as part of our “uniform.” This shirt

will be worn for various functions that the chorus participates in. The current

cost of this shirt will be no more than $15. I encourage to order a shirt one

size larger than needed. I do not change the design, so students are typically

able to wear their shirt for two years before needing to purchase another.

Basic school supplies will need to be purchased. Please see the

SUPPLIES LIST below.

SUPPLIES LIST

The following supplies must be supplied by the student within two weeks of

the beginning of school:

1 Inch, Three Ring Binder (Hard-Backed with Pockets Suggested)

Tabbed Index Dividers (placed inside of binder)

Sharpened Pencils – No Ink Pens

Highlighters (No more than 1 or 2 different colors suggested to save

space in the binder)

A dry erase marker

A 1 subject spiral notebook OR paper placed inside of the binder

Suggested: Pencil pouch for highlighters and pencils

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FUND RAISERS

It is unfortunate, but fund raising is a necessary part of many school

programs. Music and accompaniment CD’s are very expensive, but without

them, our program could not exist. Fund raising will also be necessary if the

chorus is to participate in activities outside of the normal school day. All

members are requested and expected to participate in any fund raising event.

EXPECTATIONS AND PROCEDURES

Come to everything with a positive, “I Can Do This” attitude

Follow the directions the first time they are given

TRY, TRY, TRY. If you fail then TRY, TRY, TRY again

Be to everything early. (“On-time” is late)

Check the objectives to see what you will need for the day

Have all of your supplies ready before the bell rings

Take and show pride in Hawkins Middle School and the Commando

Chorus (disrespect of the School, the Chorus, or any other

Organizations within the school will result in IMMEDIATE dismissal

from the group)

GRADING POLICY

It is important to remember that chorus classes are treated as academic

classes. Students will have to earn grades. Academic success in chorus

requires mandatory attendance at performances, individual assessments,

classroom performance, and a positive attitude. Since the chorus learns as a

group, sings as a group, and performs as a group, we must all have a

supportive attitude towards our fellow students, thus ensuring group success.

The Grading Scale for chorus is broken down into the following three

categories:

Class Work (25%)

class work, home work, folder checks, etc

Assessment (35%)

sight-reading, ear-training, etc

Performances (40%)

concerts, other performances

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NOTE: Grades are not determined strictly by inherent music ability, but also

by the effort put forth in class to become a better musician. Each choir

member is expected to follow the expectations listed below to increase

his/her success in demonstrating his/her skills.

Be in assigned seat when bell rings

Have folder, pencil, highlighter & planner

Exhibit excellent posture

Maintain consistent focus

Demonstrate mutual respect

Display a positive attitude

Be a team player

No gum or candy

ATTENDANCE

All students are required to attend all rehearsals and concerts unless

they are ineligible (such as suspended). Students are given a grade based on

performance, concert etiquette, and conduct. Notice for all concerts and

rehearsals will be sent home in ample time to plan accordingly – in most

cases they will be listed on the choir calendar which will be handed out early

in the school year.

The importance of each student’s individual participation in the

concert cannot be stressed enough as every student has worked both

individually and within the group to master the material for presentation at

the concert. Therefore attendance is both critical, and mandatory!!

Helpful Suggestion: Please post the “Commando Chorus Calendar” on

family calendars, parents’ planners, student planners, refrigerator, etc.

Friendly Reminder: Students are expected to stay for the entire duration

of all concerts. All of our students have worked hard to put forth an excellent

performance. Please respect our students by remaining and giving them the

same attention that was shown to your child by others.

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DRESS CODE

Strangely enough, music sounds better when performed by a group

that looks good on stage. All students will be required to purchase a

Commando Chorus Shirt. The cost of the shirt should be no more than

$15. Jeans may be worn to concerts and other events, but must be in

accordance with school dress code as well as appropriate in appearance (no

holes or stains). The shirt is to be tucked in, and the jeans are to be at the

waist with a belt (no sagging).

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CONCERT ETIQUETTE

Formal concert etiquette will be taught during class and expected during all

formal concerts and performances. Parents can help reinforce the following

basic behaviors with your child.

Arrive early and stay until the end. It is discourteous to arrive late, to still

be settling once the program has begun, or to leave before it is over.

If you must enter or leave during the program, do so discretely and in

between performances, during the applause. We don’t want to do anything to

distract the performances.

Silence cell phones and watches.

Sit still, quiet and be attentive: Avoid any noise-making or distracting

behaviors, and especially during a performance: talking/whispering,

unwrapping candy, moving around in your seat, passing notes, etc.

Do not tap, snap or clap along with the beat of a song unless invited to

do so.

Applaud enthusiastically! Applause is what affirms to the performers

that the audience is enjoying and is appreciative of their efforts.

o The conductor and any guest soloists are applauded when they

walk onto the stage.

o Applause for the music is held until the end of each selection or

until the end of the entire performance of an extended work.

o Applaud when the conductor turns toward the audience and bows.

o Standing ovations are acceptable for particularly moving

performances.

Catcalls, whistling, or other loud audible noises are best reserved for

athletic events or other activities that elicit exuberant responses from

audience members and are not considered appropriate at formal concerts.

When young children attend formal concerts, they learn to be good

audience participants. Crying, chattering, and otherwise noisy children,

however, should be removed from a performance immediately and should

return only if such behavior does not recur.

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STUDENT LEADERS

Our groups will have several student leaders, chosen by Mr. Carrick, to help

fulfill certain duties. In the military tradition of being Commandos, each

section will have a Lieutenant, and each class will have a Commander.

The Lieutenant’s responsibilities will be:

To positively help maintain the focus of all individuals within their

group

To positively help ensure that all individuals have all supplies each

day

To positively discuss any issues with members of their group and

attempt to guide the member to a solution

The Commander’s responsibilities will be:

To take class attendance each day

To answer the door

To give music and necessary items to new members to the chorus

To help the Lieutenants in positively guiding members towards

solutions of issues

Concerts

o 8th Grade: Attendance

o 7th Grade: Uniforms

o 6th Grade: Programs

In addition, all student leaders will be asked to remain after concerts to help

with “clean up.”

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BEHAVIOR

It is expected that each student will behave in a manner that will promote the

greatest learning potential for themselves and for the entire group.

Therefore, each student is asked to:

1. Have all supplies everyday

2. Be on time to class

3. Participate fully (meaning with a good attitude, too)

4. Not have gum, drinks, or other foodstuffs

5. Not engage in any behavior to receive a Detention or SRR Violation

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COMMANDO CHORUS CALENDAR OF EVENTS

(Additional Events May Be Added With Plenty Of Notice)

(Dates & Times Subject To Change Due To School

Closings And County Calendar Changes)

AUGUST

No Events

SEPTEMBER

Thursday, 17th: Parent Meeting 5:30

OCTOBER

Tuesday, 27th: Choral Concert 1 5:30

NOVEMBER

Thursday, 5th: BB 4:50

DECEMBER

No Events

JANUARY

Thursday, 7th: BB 4:50

Tuesday, 26th: Choral Concert 2 5:30

FEBRUARY

No Events

MARCH

No Events

APRIL

Tuesday, 19th: 6th Grade Pop Concert

Rehearsal 2:30-4:00

Thursday, 21st: 7th/8th Grade Musical

Rehearsal 2:30-4:00

Friday, 22nd: 7th/8th Grade Musical

Rehearsal 2:30-4:00

Monday 25th: 7th/8th Grade Musical

Rehearsal 2:30-4:00

Tuesday, 26th: Pop Concerts 5:30

MAY

Saturday, 14th: BBP Competition *

Tuesday, 16th: Banquet

NOTES

Rehearsals and All Performances are

graded events and attendance is

mandatory

* The BBP Competition has been the

second week of May in the past. This

year’s date has not been posted as of the

printing of this calendar

Volunteer checklist (check those in which you may be interested)

A successful choral program depends on, among other things, strong parent

support. Here are ways to contribute:

Attending concerts is fundamental, and cannot be understated. When

parents make the concerts a priority to attend, the students learn that what

they have to offer – their talents, gifts and hard work – is of a fundamental

value to others, their school and their community. So why not bring the

whole family. Grandma and Uncle Fred will be proud to attend and glad you

invited them!

Choir Hosts: Help supervise and sit with choirs before and during

concerts and festivals.

Chaperone: Be a chaperone on one or more of various field

trips/festivals, including on bus rides.

Concert Production: Help set up or take down equipment and/or

decorations before and/or after concerts.

Fund-Raising: Bookkeeping, counting money, recording, organizing,

selling tickets, etc.

Bring goodies for afterschool rehearsals: Cookies, water, paper plates

Transportation: Car-pooling students with no rides to and/or from

performances, rehearsals, trips.

Design and/or teach choreography

Photography: take pictures during rehearsal and concerts and email or

print for display in the Chorus Room

Video: operate the video recorder to record performances

Be a guest speaker about some aspect of music and/or singing

Not sure right now, but I’ll try to find some way to help out.

Other: ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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AGREEMENT FORM My child, _______________________, and I, _______________________, PRINT STUDENT NAME PRINT PARENT NAME

have read through and understand the contents of the handbook, including

content related to dress code, attendance, and grading.

_____________________ ______________________ ________ STUDENT SIGNATURE PARENT SIGNATURE DATE

Comments

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