Student Handbook

Exhibit Positive and Effective Behavior in Class and On Stage

Respect:

• Take pride in respecting classmates, director, and property
• Refrain from gum-chewing, disruptive talking, and other negative behaviors
• Develop a “listening attitude” in following class expectations

Contributions:

• Work on the development of proper vocal skills
• Present an eagerness and willingness to learn
• Participate with a positive attitude

Leadership:

• Set examples of positive self-discipline
• Take initiative in all class activities
• Learn music quickly to help others with their parts

Consequences for students who choose negative behaviors:

• Step 1:        Verbal warning in class
• Step 4:        ISS
• Step 3:        R3
• Step 2:       Call Parents

Harassment:

• Music is internationally understood as an art form that brings people of diverse backgrounds and opinions together.
• Serious issues that remain unresolved by the section leaders should then be addressed to Mrs. Hauk.
• If it is impossible to resolve disagreements without assistance, the section leaders will help to find a resolution.
• Harassment in the choral program is unacceptable.  We expect you to do your best to resolve simple disagreements on your own.

Choir Folders and Music:

• You will be issued a folder and music throughout the year.  This music should be kept in your folder and be with you in class each and every day.  You will be charged replacement cost for any lost or damaged music.
• You will be assigned an unsecured slot in the choir room for folder storage.  If you choose to keep it in your slot, you are still responsible for the contents therein.

All members of the West Bloomfield Choral Music Department are expected to reflect only their best qualities in their everyday contact with people in and out of school. We want to be known as an organization that is sincere in its interests in music and in serving the community. The following suggestions are designed in aiding the student to achieve success in fulfilling this goal.

* In Concert - be appropriately attired, on time for warm-up, and demonstrate a high degree of professionalism.

* With Substitutes, Chaperones, Student Teachers and Guests it should be remembered that these people are acting on behalf of the Director. They should receive the same respect and cooperation as you would give the Director.

* In Travel on buses all school rules apply.  Maintain a low noise level and do not get off the bus.

Awards & Recognitions

Fabulous Freshman

• Freshman that show high standards of vocal technique, citizenship, and leadership.

Most Improved

• In honor of the students who show the most improvement vocally .

Citizenship Award

• These students receive 10s in participation all year.

Service Recognition – 3.5 Years

• These students are recognized for enrolling in one of our curricular ensembles in 7 of  a possible 8 semesters.

Directors Award – 4 Years of Service

• Seniors were enrolled in the curricular ensembles of the Choral Department during all eight semesters of attendance at WBHS.

Andy Chase Memorial Award – Spirit of the Choral Department

• Not a traditional “Spirit Award”, but an award to that student who has the most remarkable spirit.

National School Choral Award

• Award certificate reads: “In recognition of singular merit, ability, and achievement, of outstanding contributions to the success of the school vocal program, and of an unusual degree of loyalty, cooperation and high qualities of conduct.”

You are an important member.  We couldn’t be a team without you.  You must do your best to be at each activity our team has planned.  

Absences – In order for an absence to be excused, the student must have prior approval from the director.  Excused absences will be granted only in extreme circumstances.  If an excused absence is granted, and alternate project will be assigned.  Work schedules or family trips will be unexcused, as all concert dates are known well in advance.  In the event of illness or family emergency immediately before a concert or extra rehearsal, a “good faith” attempt (Parent-link, call to directors home, e-mail, etc.) must be made to notify the director. 

Jobs/Work WBHS Choirs - It is your responsibility to notify your place of employment about rehearsal and performance dates.  You should submit a copy of the performance schedule along with rehearsal dates to your employer at the beginning of the school year. Employers are happy to work around your schedule if they know it well in advance.  They are usually less willing to work around your schedule when they find out the day before.  Work is an unexcused absence under any circumstance.

Daily Attendance- You are expected to participate daily.  If you are not singing, you are not participating.

Rehearsals - All rehearsals are for a grade.  If you must miss a rehearsal, a written note must be turned in 2 weeks before the set rehearsal date.  Failure to turn in a note will result in an unexcused absence and a zero will be given for the missed rehearsal.

Performances - All concerts are for a grade. Students may be given the opportunity to participate in local\state honors chorus, choral festivals, school programs, community service and solo/ensemble contests during the year. Participation in these activities will be based on student performance and attitude in the classroom.  If you must miss a concert, a written note must be turned in before the set concert date.  A singing assignment will be given to make-up the missed performance.  Failure to turn in a note will result in a failed grade.

School Activities - All choir members are encouraged to be involved in other school activities.  When a conflict arises between 2 school activities, it is the student's responsibility to inform both teachers. A written note as soon as the event is scheduled is required for an excused absence.  The teachers will work together to help the student be involved in both activities if possible.

Non-School Activities - Most choir members are involved in non-school activities.  Be aware to not schedule work during a choir event. Schedule conflicts with non-school activities should be brought to the director's attention 2 weeks in advance.  Some conflicts can be resolved, but again, please remember that choir is a school activity and for a grade.  A written note must be turned in before missing a rehearsal/concert for a non-school activity.  Partial credit for the rehearsal/concert can be received by singing the appropriate music for the director for a grade.

Vocal music class demands participation through daily rehearsal and concerts.  Each experience enhances individual and group success.  Each individual member’s persistent contribution develops the objectives of this course.

Marking Period Percentages

•  Participation – 50%
  • Rehearsal Attendance – Students will receive up to:
    • 10 Points - Participates fully and attentively during warm-up
      • Involved actively in rehearsal vast majority of time
      • Displays correct posture at all times while singing
    • 9 Points  -  Participates fully during warm-up
      • Involved actively in rehearsal most of the time
      • Displays correct posture at all times while singing
    • 8 Points  - Participates in warm-up with minor attention lapses
      • Involved in rehearsal but has minor attention lapses
      • Displays correct posture most of the time while singing
    • 7 Points  - Participates in warm-up with some attention lapses
      • Involved in rehearsal but has some attention lapses
      • Displays correct posture intermittently
    • 6 Points  - Participation in warm-up is casual
      • Involved in rehearsal but is frequently distracted
      • Displays correct posture inconsistently
    • 5 Points  - Fails to take warm-up seriously
      • Involves himself / herself  in rehearsal casually and distractions are many
      • Displays correct posture only after warning from director
    • 4 Points  - Infrequently participates in warm-up
      • Infrequently involved in rehearsal and off task a majority of time
      • Infrequently displays correct posture
    • 3 Points  - Rarely participates in warm-up
      • Rarely involved in rehearsal and frequently off-task
      • Rarely displays correct posture
    • 2 Points  - Participation in warm-up is negligible
      • Involvement in rehearsal is negligible
    • 0 Points  - Absent from rehearsal, excused or unexcused, or removal from rehearsal for disciplinary reasons

In the event that behaviors in the three categories are vastly different, the student will be awarded the point value of the lowest valued behavior.

As detailed earlier in this handbook, each student will be assigned a folder and music.  The folder, all music and a pencil must be with each student each day.  Failure to have the folder and all contents will result in 2 points being deducted from that day’s participation point value.

Rehearsal time is very valuable and we must make use of each and every moment.  Tardies will result in 2 points being deducted from that day’s participation point value.

• Performances – 30%

Performance Attendance – Students will receive up to 100 points per performance providing they arrive at the appointed time and remain until the completion of the performance.

MSVMA District and State Festival – Students will receive up to 200 points for each MSVMA performance.

Absences

In order for an absence to be excused, the student must have prior approval from the director.  Excused absences will be granted only in extreme circumstances.  If an excused absence is granted, and alternate assessment will replace assigned grade.  When conflicts between school activities, the students may choose without penalty, however the grade must be made up through an assessment. Work schedules or family trips will be unexcused, as all concert dates are known well in advance.  In the event of illness or family emergency immediately before a concert or extra rehearsal, a “good faith” attempt (Parent-link, call to directors home, e-mail, etc.) must be made to notify the director.        

Jobs/Work WBHS Choirs

It is your responsibility to notify your place of employment about rehearsal and performance dates.  You should submit a copy of the performance schedule along with rehearsal dates to your employer at the beginning of the school year. Employers are happy to work around your schedule if they know it well in advance.  They    are usually less willing to work around your schedule when they find out the day before.  Work is an unexcused absence under any circumstance.

Semester Percentages

• Marking period 1 – 45%
• Marking period 2 – 45%
• Final – 10%

 Grading Scale

 A    90 –   100    B    80  – 89       C  70  – 79       D 69 -  60   F      0 - 59

Field Trips are an important part of our performance activities. Be sure to do your part by having permission slips signed and returned immediately. All academic work missed should be made up as soon as possible, but not during music class. Making up work missed because of performances is one of the many responsibilities a student assumes when she or he joins the Music Department.