WELCOME TO CHOIR!

JCMS Choir Handbook

Benefits of Choir Participation

Team building skills, listening and following skills, creativity , and discipline

The ability to focus and concentrate

Skills of expression, persistence, and problem solving

Responsiveness to others, and the ability to understand the needs of the whole group, vs. just the self

Positive social skills, skills in conflict resolution, and the ability to express emotion

Courtesy to and tolerance of others and their musical opinions

All these skills and attrib-utes are not only beneficial to the individual, but to others, and to society as a whole.

Provided by the Chorus Impact Study and the Music Educators National Conference

Hello singers and parents,

My name is Mrs. Crystal Holzer and I am looking forward to a great year at Junction City Middle School. Parents, I want to thank you for your support, and particularly for encouraging your child in his/her study of music. The strength of support for music from the Junction City community is renowned! And I’m proud to be able to continue my career here. Students, I want to thank you for your desire to pursue vocal music. I hope you find it as ful-filling as I have.

The purpose of this handbook is to inform choir parents and

students of the procedures and policies of the JCMS choir

program. I appreciate you taking time to read this

information and returning the page at the back of the

handbook by ___________________________________. Students who do not return this form will still be required to

the policies and procedures stated in the handbook.

Thank you in advance for your cooperation and support. I am looking forward to an exciting, fun, busy

and successful school year!

Sincerely,

Crystal Holzer

Music gives a soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination, and life to everything.

-Plato

PAGE 2

Supplies

Contact Information

JC MS C HO IR HAN D B OO K

The JCMS choir program is not only a place for students to be involved, but also for you as

parents. Most choir programs do not function well without the assistance of parental

involvement. Please see the volunteer form to check off the capacities in which you might be

able to serve. Every little bit helps.

There are several ways to keep our communication lines open during the school year:

Through this handbook

My choir web site and the school’s web site

Letters and other information sent home

E-mail

Phone calls

Notes written in your child’s student planner

Please feel free to e-mail or call at any time with questions.

We are looking forward to a fun and productive year!

My email is: crystalholzer@usd475.org

JCMS Website: http://www.jcms.usd475.org

My office number: 717-4431

Pencil, paper:

Students will provide their own (sharpened) pencil and (lined) paper, kept

in their folder at all times. Pens (including erasable pens) are NOT

allowed. Students will frequently write notes, journals, concert

evaluations, and complete assignments, quizzes and tests.

Sheet music:

Students are allowed to check out copies of sheet music to practice with

at home. They are responsible for any borrowed sheet music until it is

checked back in. All sheet music must be returned in good

condition with all pencil markings erased. Replacement fee for each

JC MS C HO IR HAN D B OO K

PAGE 3

Rehearsal and Concert Attendance:

Choir Uniforms

Choir Girls: (Possible alternative outfit determined in class.) Black dress pants or skirts

(must be ATLEAST past finger tips at arms length!), black dress shoes with little or no

heel, and white dressy top (short or long sleeve, no tank tops).

Choir Boys: White dressy button-up shirt with long sleeves, black dress pants, black

dress socks, black dress shoes, and a black neck tie.

Absolutely Not Allowed: Perfumes, colognes, or aftershaves (may cause allergic reaction,

coughing, difficulty breathing, especially in close proximity on stage); large flashy jewel-

ry, big hair décor, white gym socks, tennis shoes, strappy shoes.

We understand that during these tough economic times, it may not be possible for you

to provide these items for your child. If this is the case, please contact Mrs. Holzer as

soon as possible. No student will be denied the opportunity to

perform with our choir!!!

Concerts are a demonstration of the work accomplished in class.

Participation in concerts is considered a major part of the student’s grade.

Grades may be lowered as a result of tardiness to a concert,

lack of participation during the event, performing out of uniform, or missing

a concert.

If a conflict of dates arises, it is extremely important

that a parent/guardian notify the director. The student will be excused from a

performance in the event of a family emergency, illness,

or a sudden death in the family.

In the event that a student must miss a concert, the student will then be assessed and graded by

singing through concert material for Mrs. Holzer outside of choir period.

The student will also be required to watch the choir’s performance

and write a one page evaluation.

If a student neglects to complete the assignment, he/she will not receive credit for the

Be in your seat with only required

materials before the tardy bell

rings.

Actively participate with a posi-

tive attitude to have productive

rehearsals.

No food, gum, candy or soft

drinks are allowed. (Bottled water

is acceptable and encouraged.)

Show respect to all people and

property in the classroom.

The piano and other electronic

equipment are not to be touched

unless the director or another adult

gives permission.

As with all learning, some students may need

more assistance with self-control than others.

For some, a simple reminder may be all that is

required to get back on track. For others, more

extreme intervention may be required.

Ultimately, we are looking for the student to

learn to make good choices that will have

positive results for them throughout their lives. I

will assist them as much or as little as

necessary to ensure their personal success in

our choir.

Some of the common methods I employ to as-

sist students

with behaviors include:

Clear and high expectations with lots of

positive reinforcement

Verbal warning or “the look”

Quick conference after class

Extended problem solving conference be-

fore or after school (5-10 minutes)

The Island Sheet

Contact parent for ideas or help: phone,

email, note home.

Contract with student which may involve

parents and/or other teachers, counselors

or others that may be useful in helping.

Conference

Time Out Room

Citizenship, Behavior, Discipline, and Expectations

Sixty percent of a grade shall be based on formative activities such as class

work, daily class participation and skill demonstration. Forty percent of a grade

shall be based on summative activities such as major projects and concerts.

Formative activities (60%):

-reading and Ear-Training Assessments (10%)

-Evaluation (10%)

Summative activities (40%)

Please review our school’s grading policy regarding missing and late

assignments.

** Note: This grade is not determined by inherent musical ability, but rather by the

effort put forth in class to develop their skills and become a better

musician.

Modifications: Projects and coursework will be modified as appropriate to meet the

needs of students at various levels of cognitive and physical ability.

Grading

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.

Accompaniment: Participating in performances by accompanying on piano, guitar, drum,

flute, etc. (Which instrument/s are you comfortable in accompanying?

(_______________________________________________________________)

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.

Interpretation: Help with our musical interpretation by sharing your expertise in

languages such as French, Italian, German, Hebrew, etc.

(Which language/s?________________________________________)

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

Other: ____________________________________________________________________

Agreement Form

My child ______________________________ and I

have read through and understand the contents of the handbook.

___________________________________________________ ___________________