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Children’s Choir Program

Handbook: Policies and Procedures

2017-2018 Season

50 S. Main Street, LL #130, Akron, OH 44308

330.434.SING (7464)

www.summitchoralsociety.org

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Page Content

3 Important Information

4 SECTION I: Overview of Summit Choral About the Children’s Choir Program of the Summit Choral Society Mission Statement Board of Directors The CCP Program 4-7 SECTION II: Class Offerings The Preparatory Division The Training Division The Ensemble Division Extension Choirs Musicianship Classes School Choir Commitment Community Service Credit Hours 7-8 SECTION III: Uniform and Concert Info Uniform Requirements Hair Requirements Jewelry & Make-up Ticket Sales 8-9 SECTION IV: Expectations Attendance Expectations Tardiness Early Arrivals Behavioral Expectation and Policy 10-11 SECTION V: Rehearsal Procedures SCS Downtown Center Drop Off and Pick Up Parent Waiting Information Inclement Weather Procedure SCS Office Parking, Map and Security Information 12 SECTION VI: Financial Info Tuition Policies Financial Aid Singer Referral Program Handbook Agreement Form – Sign and Return 13 Handbook Agreement Form

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IMPORTANT INFORMATION Rehearsal Location: SCS Downtown Centre – 50 S. Main Street, LL #130, Akron, OH 44308

Office Phone: 330.434.SING (7464)

Website: www.summitchoralsociety.org General Email: summitchoralsociety@gmail.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/summitchoralsociety Twitter: @SummitChoral

STAFF

Executive Director: Karen Prasser, kprasser@summitchoralsoicety.org

Artistic Director: Dr. Marie Bucoy-Calavan, mbucoycalavan@summitchoralsociety.org

Director of Education & Community Programs: Shara Cocchiola,

scocchiola@summitchoralsociety.org

Performance Choir Director:

- Heather Cooper, hcooper@summitchoralsociety.org

Advanced Choir Director:

- Emily Garlock, egarlock@summitchoralsociety.org

Intermediate Choir Directors:

- Alexander Looney, alooney@summitchoralsociety.org

- Melanie Mesmer, mmesmer@summitchoralsociety.org

Beginning Singing Director:

- Jessica Bell, jbell@summitchoralsociety.org

Musicianship Instructors:

- Steven Cocchiola, cocchiolas@summitchoralsociety.org

- Shara Cocchiola, scocchiola@summitchoralsociety.org

Extension Choirs:

Singers and Standards Choir – Shara Cocchiola Musicals Choir- Heather Cooper

Movie Music Choir – Emily Garlock Boyz Choir – Alexander Looney

Choir Coordinators: Nathalina Schloneger, Mindy Uhrig

Reception Coordinator: Julie Kupper

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SECTION I: Overview of Summit Choral Society

About the Children’s Choir Program of the Summit Choral Society

The Children’s Choir Program (CCP) provides the highest quality music education and the highest

performance standards for your chorister. Summit Choral Society (SCS) creates and maintains a

positive environment for learning, working and singing with professional faculty. SCS expects that

each child’s relationship with the SCS staff and fellow singer family will be an overwhelmingly

positive musical experience.

Mission Statement

The mission of Summit Choral Society is to provide a continuum of musical training for young

children through senior adults, produce exceptional choral performances, and preserve the art of

choral music for the enrichment and enjoyment of the Greater Akron community.

Board of Directors

The Summit Choral Society is a non-profit 501(c) 3 educational and performing arts organization.

We are governed by a Board of Directors which guides all facets of this unique arts establishment.

The CCP Program

The CCP endeavors to enrich the lives of children and youth from all religious, racial, cultural and

socio-economic backgrounds. The educational and performance activities are representative of the

core of SCS’s program. Each facet of the program is designed to help choristers grow musically,

personally and socially by promoting musical literacy, aural training, and good vocal techniques as

well as instilling each singer with enhanced self-esteem, a sense of accomplishment, and pride.

SECTION II: Class Offerings

Divisions of the CCP Program

The CCP is made up of different educational and performance divisions. All divisions, choirs and

classes emphasize an individual understanding and development of musical skills. ● Preparatory Division emphasizes the joy of making music through song & movement.

● Training Division emphasizes music education and performance.

● Ensemble Division emphasizes advanced music performance and music education.

● Extension Choirs expand the vocal music skills and techniques of the singer.

● Musicianship Classes emphasize music theory, musical skills and development.

Preparatory Division Beginning Singing, Choral Directors - Jessica Bell

These classes emphasize the joy of making music through song and movement, and are ideal for

beginners who love to sing who turn at least 6 years old by September 1st, and mainly consist of

singers in grades 1-4. This level provides a co-directed learning experience by trained vocal

educators and is the foundation of good choral technique. This allows the choir to be large enough

that these young singers are comfortable experimenting with their voices without feeling like they are

singing alone and reaping the benefits of a low pupil/teacher ratio. No audition is necessary for this

level. A singer should expect to be in this class for at least 2 years.

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Training Division Intermediate Choir, Choral Directors – Alex Looney and Melanie Mesmer

This choir represents the first training level of instruction. Singers are placed in this choral ensemble

through a non-competitive audition based on a combination of their current demonstrated vocal

range and ability, age, grade level, and maturity level. In addition to individual singing and choral

ensemble techniques, these choirs provide singers the opportunity to grow as well rounded

musicians. This level provides individual singer attention, instant individual feedback and

assessment as well as providing multi- faceted learning. Singers should expect to become fluent in 2-

part harmony. A singer should expect to sing in this choir for 2-3 years.

Advanced Choir, Choral Director - Emily Garlock

This choir represents the advanced training level of instruction. Singers are placed in this choral

ensemble via a non-competitive audition based on a combination of their current demonstrated vocal

range and ability, age, grade level and maturity level. In addition to individual singing and choral

ensemble techniques, this choir provides singers the opportunity to grow as well- rounded

musicians. Singers should expect to become fluent in 3-part harmony and will be exposed to

harmonies in 4 parts. A singer should expect to sing with this choir for 2-3 years.

Ensemble Division Performance Choir, Choral Director - Heather Cooper

This group of talented and proficient choral ensemble members focuses on the art, nuances, and

complexity of choral music performance in many forms. Performance Choir singers are held to an

extremely high standard of musicianship in the classical choral arts. These auditioned singers learn

and grow as musical individuals, ensemble members, performers and as mentors to the younger

children in the program as Musical Family Leaders. This group is the flagship choral ensemble of

the Children’s Choir Program and can expect to perform multiple additional performances

throughout the season as they arise. It is important that singers in this ensemble understand the

level of dedication required to this choral experience, as each voice counts in rehearsals and

performances. Through their gift of song, they provide inspiration throughout the CCP and the

community. In addition to the Performance Choir expectations, these singers expand their musical

knowledge, understanding, and talent each Monday night as they participate in Extension Choir

rehearsals.

●Optional Annual Tour: Tours are carefully crafted musical experiences consisting of education

and performance opportunities that singers would not otherwise experience. It is highly

recommended that singers in Performance Choir participate in the tour, however, due to the

additional cost of touring, tours are optional, as the family of each singer sees appropriate. This

season PC will sing at the National Choral Festival in New York City at Carnegie Hall under the

direction of Dr. Lynn Gackle, April 5-8. 2018.

Performance Bridges

This program is designed for high school seniors in the Children’s Choir Program. During the spring

semester of their senior year, these singers may audition for and sing with Masterworks Chorale in

addition to their Monday night CCP commitment, for the spring concert program. It is SCS’s hope

that this serves to expose these singers to the potential that being a lifelong choral singer is.

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Extension Choirs

SCS's unique curriculum and performance model provides singers the opportunity to study,

rehearse, explore, and perform in various styles of music. Extension choir offerings change from year

to year in order to expose singers to a wide variety of musical genres and choral/vocal styles. Classes

are offered by semester and singers are placed by their indicated preferences and in order of

registration date. Choral Extension Choirs enhance a singer’s overall understanding of their vocal

abilities by exposing them to a variety of techniques and styles that vary in complexity. These classes

further enhance their individual understanding of the world of music in many forms. Singers are

encouraged to explore different styles and change their extension selection at the beginning of each

semester. Boyz Choir and Tiny Pops are annual offerings while other Extension Choirs are offered

on a *3 year rotation: 17-18 (listed below), *18-19 (Disney Choir, A Cappella Choir, Jazz Choir) and

*19-20 (Broadway Choir, Global Song Choir, Madrigal Choir). *subject to change

Performance Choir & Advanced Choir Singers

● Movie Music, Mrs. Garlock: This choir will have an emphasis on pop culture while covering all

genres of movie music. From older classics to new compositions singers will delve into the world of

Movie Music vocal works.

● Musicals, Mrs. Cooper: This choir will foster a love of classic musicals such as the Sound of Music,

Rodgers and Hammerstein favorites and more.

● Singers and Standards, Mrs. Cocchiola: This choir will focus on influential American popular

songs and jazz standards from the early 20th century. An eclectic representation of this style includes:

Frank Sinatra, Michael Bublé, Ella Fitzgerald, Pat Suzuki, Harry Connick Jr. and Norah Jones.

Performance Choir, Advanced Choir & Intermediate Choir (Gentlemen Only)

● Boyz, Mr. Looney: This choir serves to foster the development of the changing male voice. This

Extension Choir opportunity is an option for male singers in Intermediate Choir and above and may be

taken in conjunction with Tiny Pops (Intermediate Choir gentlemen).

Beginning Singing & Intermediate Choir

● Tiny Pops, Mrs. Bell: This ensemble is a beginner level performance ensemble focusing on popular

music with some choreography. These performers will a combine of singing and movement with no

previous dance experience required. Students will be expected to put on their best show face as this will

not be a shy ensemble!

Musicianship Classes - Levels I, II, III, IV, V

SCS excels in maintaining and promoting music educational excellence through the leveled, core

music curriculum through Musicianship classes. Musicianship classes are included in all Training

Division choirs and are designed to provide comprehensive music instruction tailored to the specific

ability and knowledge level of each singers. This curriculum has been developed specifically for

Summit Choral Society and is strongly rooted in the Kodály method of music

education. Musicianship classes foster a love of music while covering all aspects of a complete music

education. Curriculum available upon request. Parents and siblings can expect to become familiar

with the curriculum and class expectations at the audition.

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●Performance Choir Music Theory Mastery is the Apprentice level Musicianship class for

Performance Choir singers.

Choir Advancement Expectations

Singers are initially placed in one of the four core curricular choirs (Beginning Singing, Intermediate

Choir, Advanced Choir, Performance Choir) through audition, or in the case of Beginning Singing,

placement may be based solely on age/grade. SCS promotes musical stability throughout the CCP

with singers who return and expand their choral abilities for multiple years in the same core choir.

Singers should expect to move, on average, to the next level choir every two to four years. A number

of factors influence a director’s decision to place a singer in another choir; vocal ability, age,

behavior, maturity level and vocal timbre and color as it relates to a child’s developing voice and

blending cohesively in a given ensemble are some influences. This creates a hierarchy of singers

within each choir, representing how many seasons that singer has been a member of the each core

choir. Singers may gain more responsibility each season as they work their way through the levels

below and take on vocal leadership positions in their choir. When a singer is recommended to a

new core choir, that singer begins as an Apprentice in the new choir.

● Apprentice – First year core choir member

● Scholar – Second year core choir member

● Master – Third year core choir member

● Luminary – Fourth year core choir member

● Luminary + (#) – Fifth year and beyond

School Choir Commitment

The success of CCP depends largely upon the support and partnership it has received from music

teachers in the greater Akron area. It is expected that CCP singers will be active participants in their

school choirs (if available), and that each SCS singers is a leader in their school’s musical ensembles

– both vocal and instrumental.

Community Service Credit Hours

SCS may offer high school students Community Service Credit Hours from time to time. These

hours may be available for assisting in a variety of service areas. Please let the office know if your

singers is interested in earning community service credit.

SECTION III: Uniform and Concert Information In order to keep the focus of the SCS concerts on the choral artistry of singing and to avoid any visual

distractions, all singers will adhere to the following performance attire guidelines on the concert

stage:

Uniform Requirements

All singers wear non-faded dress black slacks (fitted at the waist- NOT JEANS!), black long-sleeved

button down oxford-style collared shirt, black socks, closed toe black flat dress shoes, and SCS rental

accessories as indicated by choir.

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Hair Requirements

Young ladies wear their hair in an inverted ponytail centered in the middle of their head, in line with

their ears. If hair is too short to pull into a ponytail it should be pulled back from the face and

secured with bobby pins. Bobby pins and hair bands should match hair color. Young men’s

preferred hair cut short. When it is longer, men must have hair pulled back from the face and

secured with bobby pins or in a ponytail. Only naturally-occurring hair colors are allowed on stage so

as to not distract from the performance.

Jewelry and Make-up

Young ladies may only wear small diamond stud or pearl earrings. No facial jewelry. Watches

covered by sleeves are allowed. Young ladies may use make-up only to accent and highlight natural

features. Nails should be natural looking, either unpainted or with a natural color French manicure.

*Accessories are determined by choir and will be provided via the $ 25 SCS accessory rental fee.

Ticket Sales

Concert tickets for performances throughout the year will be available for purchase through the

website. TICKETS ARE NOT AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE AT MONDAY EVENING REHEARSALS.

SECTION IV: Expectations

Attendance Expectations

The Children’s Choir Program has been successful in the past largely due to a high level of individual

responsibility and dedication to choral music. Singers are expected to learn a great amount of quality,

challenging music literature each season. Additionally, many aspects of the curriculum are addressed

each session and it is difficult to make up this lost curricular time. Regular rehearsal attendance is a

necessity for each member to fully participate and reap all of the benefits of the unique choral education

experience. Please work hard to ensure attendance at each scheduled event and rehearsal.

If scheduling prohibits your singers from attending rehearsal regularly and does not allow you to

attend the scheduled performances, please speak to a director before deciding to register for the

Children’s Choir Program. Absences deemed habitual and/or continually unexcused are considered

to be detrimental to the choir, the educational program and the singer. In cases where a singer has

many absences and does not know the music literature for a performance concert, the singer may be

unable to participate in the performance at the Choir Director’s discretion. In cases of extreme and

repeated absences a singer may be dismissed from the program.

Absences

Please notify Summit Choral Society if you know your child will be absent by using the Online

Absence Form on the website.

● Tardiness - All instructional and rehearsal time is precious! Chorister tardiness negatively affects

the entire ensemble. Choristers must be in their room in their designated singing place/seat 2

minutes prior to the class start time.

● Early Arrivals - Singers should arrive NO MORE than 5 minutes early for any CCP class. The

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SCS Choir Directors and staff use this valuable time for class and rehearsal preparations. Child care

is not provided in these instances.

Behavioral Expectations

All singers in the program can expect to be treated with the utmost respect and professionalism by all

members of the SCS staff. SCS’s choral arts program is built on teamwork where every member of

the choir works toward the highest level of musicianship possible. In order to accomplish this goal

SCS must maintain a classroom environment that is positive and productive at all times and free

from behavioral distractions, therefore:

● Singers are required to be respectful of each other and all SCS staff.

● Singers are expected to be on time for all scheduled rehearsals, concerts, and community

performances throughout the season.

● Singers are expected to be responsible young musicians. This includes wearing their name tag,

bringing their supplies (music, folders, bag, water) to rehearsal, arriving promptly, and putting forth

the effort to complete the assignments (written and aural).

● Singers are expected to represent SCS in a positive manner.

● Singers must act in accordance with school safety rules.

● Singers must wear their name tag at all times for safety and identification purposes within the SCS

Downtown Centre.

● Singers and their families are expected to read SCS emails. These are the main form of

communication between SCS and singer families.

● Singers should be positive, engaged learners at all times. They are expected to stay focused, listen,

and follow directions.

Behavioral Policy

The Choir Directors are responsible for the safe and productive learning environment for all singers.

Behavior that is not in the best interest of the other students in the class/ensemble will not be

tolerated. If you are aware your child has difficulty in a classroom setting and/or has a history of

behavioral problems at his/her school or elsewhere, please make this known before registering for

the Children’s Choir Program. The behavioral expectations at Summit Choral Society EXCEED those

in the traditional school setting. Behavior problems, classroom disruptions, disrespectful

comments/behavior, bullying, etc. are not tolerated under any circumstances. Children who exhibit

these behaviors may be expelled from the CCP. Following a referral from a Choir Director, the

Director of Education and Community Programs and the Executive Director will determine if an

expulsion is warranted. In these rare instances, tuition will be refunded at a pro-rated amount, where

applicable.

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SECTION V: Rehearsal Procedures

SCS DROP-OFF PROCEDURE

●Beginning Singing choristers must be escorted to their SCS classroom by a parent/guardian or other

authorized person.

●All other singers should enter the Plaza level of the Chase Bank Building, which is on parking deck level

3. Entrance is gained through the glass doors on this level. On weekends and after hours you will need to

be buzzed in and verified by security. Please identify yourself as a Summit Choral Society singer, provide

your name for entry and be prepared to sign in when required. As soon as an SCS singer comes into the

Plaza SCS Choir Coordinators and staff members will get them to their rehearsal space.

SCS PARENT WAITING PROCEDURE

●Due to space constraints within the classroom facility, parents are asked not to wait within the SCS

Downtown Center Lower Level.

●Parents without small children may wait in the plaza level in the area between Wafa’s and Tammy O’s.

This is a quiet waiting area provided by McKinley building management.

●Parents with small children should plan to wait at the main branch of the Akron Public Library, located

directly across Main Street, which is open until 8 PM on Mondays.

SCS OFFICE PICK-UP PROCEDURE

●Beginning Singers must be picked up from SCS staff in a designated area. This area may change from

year to year depending on classroom placement within the Downtown Centre Lower Level.

●All other singers should be picked up on the plaza level.

INCLEMENT WEATHER/CLASS CANCELLATION PROCEDURE

In the event that Summit Choral Society needs to cancel class this information will be communicated via

email, the website, Facebook and Twitter, and through WKYC’s ialert system.

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PARK AND ENTER SUMMIT CHORAL SOCIETY’S DOWNTOWN CENTRE

I. OUTSIDE LOT

Park outside, lot off Dart Avenue - Parking is FREE on weekends and weekdays after 5:00 pm.

Building entrance - Use the double doors up the ramp to get into the parking deck. Once inside the parking

garage deck walk to the nearest set of elevators/stairs and take this to LEVEL 3. Enter the Akron Centre Plaza

through the glass doors (you may need to be buzzed in by security after hours)

Once you have entered the Plaza take the corridor by Natalie’s Café and Bakery towards Chase Bank.

Everyone must check in at the security desk located directly across from Chase Bank.

Tell the guard you are with Summit Choral Society. You will be directed to the set of elevators (press LL) on

the right OR take the stairs down one flight to the lower level. Enter SCS’s Downtown Center by going

through the double doors with SCS’s logo on it.

SCS is proud to share this space with the YMCA and Big Brothers Big Sisters.

II. PARKING GARAGE

Park inside, parking garage entrance on Mill St. and Dart Ave - The following rates apply.

Akron Centre Parking Garage Rates:

0 – 30 min $1.00

31-60 min $2.00

61- 90 min $3.00

91-120 min $4.00

121- 150 min $5.00

151 -180 min $6.00

181- 210 min $7.00

211- 240 min $8.00

Daily max $9.00

$2.00 Flat Rate - 6:00 pm – 6:00 am

Monday through Thursday.

Free After 6:00 pm Friday and all day Saturday /

Sundays & Holidays.

The first five minutes are free (Drop-off).

Drop-off Inside - LEVEL 3 by glass entry doors into the building Plaza. Enter Plaza and follow directions

above.

III. MAIN STREET ENTRANCE

Park OR drop-off on Main St. - Meters are free weekdays after 6:00 pm, weekends and holidays.

Outside

Lot

Parking

Garage

Street

Entrance

Street

Entrance

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SECTION VI: Financial Info Tuition and fees policy

Tuition is an considered annual commitment and non-refundable, regardless of payment format. As

a courtesy to SCS families, installment payment plans are available and payments will be drafted as

indicated on the registration document. In certain extenuating circumstances, tuition may be

refunded at the discretion of the Executive Director on a pro-rated basis. ● Registration and tuition must be arranged during registration for each singer. If you have

questions regarding financial policies please contact the office at 330-434-SING (7464). ● Tuition Inclusions: Annual t-shirt, pencil, music folder, music bag, SCS singer pins and year bars,

Saturday rehearsal refreshments, window cling, all classes and instruction.

Financial Aid

Financial aid may be available for qualified singers. If assistance is needed, please

submit the Financial Aid application. Please contact the SCS office.

Replacement Costs of Lost/Damaged SCS Items

Bowtie $10 Necktie $25 Cummerbund $25

Suspenders $25 Pashmina Scarf $25 Sash $20

SCS Music Bag $5 SCS Folder $3 SCS Base Pin $5

SCS Year Bar $5 Fedora Hat $25 Cross-tie $15

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Parents: Please review the handbook with your child, complete this form and turn it in at the first

rehearsal or scan and send via email to scocchiola@summitchoralsociety.org. Should you have

questions please contact the office at 330-434-7464.

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Summit Choral Society – Children’s Choir Program

Handbook Agreement Form

I, _________________________, (Singer) and _________________________ (Parent/Guardian) have read through the

contents of the SCS Children’s Choir Handbook and agree to the policies and procedures therein. We

have also viewed the SCS Season events calendar and have placed all applicable events on our

home/family calendar to try and avoid conflicts.

Singer Signature_______________________________________ Date____________

Parent/Guardian Signature______________________________________ Date_____________

This document is intended to support quality musical experiences for all children in Summit Choral Society by having

each individual chorister be responsible and accountable to his or her ensemble(s).

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