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Chorus Club Handbook
Alexa Zimmerman, 6th Grade Director
Greg Hammell, 5th Grade Director
Dear Parents and Students,
It gives us great joy to lead the Chorus Club at Samuel Mickle School. Each year will present fantastic opportunities for all of us in the community and we look forward to watch the continued success of the Choral Program in the upcoming year. As the year progresses, we will become stronger singers, musicians, and citizens.
The following pages contain information designed to make the Choral Program run smoothly and in an organized manner. Telephone or Email are dependable ways to reach either of us, if necessary. Please don’t hesitate to ask questions and we will try to respond back in a timely manner. Your energy and support is greatly appreciated. Celebrate our collective accomplishments by attending our performances!
Sincerely,
Mrs. Alexa Zimmerman
6th Grade Chorus Club
[email protected]
Ext. 3171
Mr. Greg Hammell
5th Grade Chorus Club
[email protected]
Ext. 3431
Philosophy:
The choirs will perform in regular concerts in school and in the community. Members are trained in vocal technique and musicianship. Students will experience a variety of choral literature through its practice and performance. Students will acquire the skills needed to perform this literature for many different audiences. The intent of this program is to increase the student’s understanding and appreciation of choral literature, develop musicianship, gain control of their vocal instrument, and develop self discipline along with a sense of achievement and pride.
Goals and Objectives:
Students will:
Requirements:
*****REMIND*****:
Remind is an iPhone app that we will be using to communicate to parents regarding performances, canceled rehearsals, chorus club updates, etc. Parents MUST sign up for the Remind app in order for their child to participate in chorus. Details for how to sign up will be attached to this handbook.
Rehearsal and Performance Procedures:
Arrive on time for all rehearsals and performances. This means standing with the group at the beginning of the call time. Call times will be noted plenty of time in advance. Folders are not permitted for the performance unless noted by either director. Rehearsals are for learning and rehearsing, so we will ask that the students refrain from extra talking.
Rehearsal Attendance:
It is very important for every student in Chorus Club to come to rehearsals because we go over the musical parts of each song. If a student is not there, they will miss out on learning their specific part of each piece, especially because rehearsals are only thirty to thirty-five minutes long.
Students are allowed to miss two unexcused rehearsals per season (two from September to December, and two from January to May). An unexcused absence means being present for school and being absent for Chorus Club on the same day. On that second missed rehearsal, the student will receive a note home stating that they have used up both absences. If a student misses three rehearsals, they will not be allowed to return to Chorus Club for that season, but can re-join again in the upcoming seasons. As with sports, a commitment is needed to participate in any organized group for success.
****FOR SAFETY AND DISMISSAL REASONS, IF A STUDENT IS PRESENT FOR THE ENTIRE DAY OF SCHOOL, THEY MUST COME TO CHORUS UNLESS NOTED BY A PARENT.
Rehearsals will be cancelled on:
6th Grade: Monday, October 15th
5th and 6th Grade: Tuesday, November 15th
6th Grade: Monday, January 23rd
5th and 6th Grade: Tuesday, February 21st
6th Grade: Monday, May 8th
REHEARSALS WILL ALWAYS BE CANCELLED ON HALF DAYS
Rehearsal Pick Up:
Students must be picked up by 4:15 pm by the main office doors. The students do not need to be signed out and can leave when they see their parent/guardian. The members will be accompanied by one of the Chorus Club Co-Directors until they are picked up. Please make sure to pick up your Chorus Club member by 4:15pm. Any student picked up after 4:15 will be charged half of an absence against the attendance policy. FOR SAFETY REASONS, THE CHORUS CLUB DIRECTOR MUST SEE HOW THE STUDENT WILL BE GETTING PICKED UP.
Concert Attendance:
The Chorus Club has earned a wonderful reputation due to the character, commitment, and dedication of its members. Our concerts this year are on Monday, December 5th and Tuesday, May 16th. If students sign up for the winter session (Sept-Dec), they are required to attend the concert on December 5th. If students sign up for the spring session (Jan-May), they are required to attend the concert on May 16th.
In the event that we are asked to do a last minute performance, we will send a notice home, or use the Remind App with all of the pertinent information. Attendance for these types of performances are not required, but highly suggested so we can represent our school well. Mrs. Zimmerman always keeps an up-to-date blog as we progress through each season with updates and information for parents to see.
Concert Attire:
It has become a tradition at Mickle to present our musical ensembles in a unified, professional manner. For all performances, we need to dress the part! For our concerts, we ask that all students wear black dress pants or skirts and white shirts (collars for the boys, please) with black shoes. All of the chorus wear should be on the semi-formal side (i.e. no jeans, no shorts, no flip flops, etc.). However, heels are discouraged because we do not want students to feel uncomfortable on stage. All hair should be pushed out of the students’ face. We want to dress like we are proud of the work that we have done and look like one collective unit.
There will be times where we have various pop-up performances that we are asked to do. In the event of a last minute performance, the directors will discuss and send a letter home on dress.
IN CLOSING:
Lastly, we are creating our very own choral tradition here at Mickle and YOU are now a part of that tradition. We are very happy to have many returning members and welcome new ones! Make sure to keep checking Mrs. Zimmerman’s teacher page for updates regarding important Chorus Club information under the “Chorus Club” tab. Mrs. Z will always be updating information about the songs we are learning, performance details, club policies, etc. If you have any questions at all throughout the year, please don’t hesitate to call or email. We will return a response ASAP.
Please have both parent and student sign below after having read the Chorus Club handbook. Hand in the bottom slip to either Mrs. Zimmerman or Mr. Hammell.
Thank you. We look forward to a great year.
I have read the above and understand what is expected of me during chorus rehearsals and performances. I understand that chorus club members are expected to perform at concerts in the appropriate attire. It is also understood that Chorus Club has rehearsals on Mondays and Tuesdays for sixth grade, and Tuesdays and Fridays for fifth grade. Rehearsals will be let out at 4:00pm by the main office. At dismissal, students will be let out the main office doors, but the directors HAVE to see who is picking up each student (no signing out). I understand that it is the parent’s responsibility to arrange for transportation home from Chorus Club (there are no rehearsals on early dismissal days).
Last but not least, I have downloaded the app, REMIND, which will allow my child to participate in chorus.
Parent: __________________________________________________________
Student:__________________________________________________________
Parent Email: _____________________________________________________
Contact Phone Number: _____________________________________________
Greg Hammell, 5th Grade Director
Dear Parents and Students,
It gives us great joy to lead the Chorus Club at Samuel Mickle School. Each year will present fantastic opportunities for all of us in the community and we look forward to watch the continued success of the Choral Program in the upcoming year. As the year progresses, we will become stronger singers, musicians, and citizens.
The following pages contain information designed to make the Choral Program run smoothly and in an organized manner. Telephone or Email are dependable ways to reach either of us, if necessary. Please don’t hesitate to ask questions and we will try to respond back in a timely manner. Your energy and support is greatly appreciated. Celebrate our collective accomplishments by attending our performances!
Sincerely,
Mrs. Alexa Zimmerman
6th Grade Chorus Club
[email protected]
Ext. 3171
Mr. Greg Hammell
5th Grade Chorus Club
[email protected]
Ext. 3431
Philosophy:
The choirs will perform in regular concerts in school and in the community. Members are trained in vocal technique and musicianship. Students will experience a variety of choral literature through its practice and performance. Students will acquire the skills needed to perform this literature for many different audiences. The intent of this program is to increase the student’s understanding and appreciation of choral literature, develop musicianship, gain control of their vocal instrument, and develop self discipline along with a sense of achievement and pride.
Goals and Objectives:
Students will:
- Be divided between fifth and sixth grade
- Work on repertoire for performance, while working on proper singing techniques
- Sing melodic and harmonizing parts, in a group, adjusting to the range and timbre of the developing voice
- Identify elements of music in response to aural prompts and printed music notational systems
- Decode how the elements of music are used to achieve unity and variety, tension and release, and balance in musical compositions
Requirements:
- Choice: Because we choose to be a member of this ensemble, we ask that each member give their best effort with a positive attitude at all times. This is central to the success of the chorus.
- Music Ability: Students do not need to know how to sing to be a part of chorus. Members will improve over time.
- Materials: Members will provide a folder for music. This will not be used in performance. Students are responsible to keep and care for their music. Students will also need a pencil (not a pen) at each rehearsal for musical notes and suggestions.
*****REMIND*****:
Remind is an iPhone app that we will be using to communicate to parents regarding performances, canceled rehearsals, chorus club updates, etc. Parents MUST sign up for the Remind app in order for their child to participate in chorus. Details for how to sign up will be attached to this handbook.
Rehearsal and Performance Procedures:
Arrive on time for all rehearsals and performances. This means standing with the group at the beginning of the call time. Call times will be noted plenty of time in advance. Folders are not permitted for the performance unless noted by either director. Rehearsals are for learning and rehearsing, so we will ask that the students refrain from extra talking.
Rehearsal Attendance:
It is very important for every student in Chorus Club to come to rehearsals because we go over the musical parts of each song. If a student is not there, they will miss out on learning their specific part of each piece, especially because rehearsals are only thirty to thirty-five minutes long.
Students are allowed to miss two unexcused rehearsals per season (two from September to December, and two from January to May). An unexcused absence means being present for school and being absent for Chorus Club on the same day. On that second missed rehearsal, the student will receive a note home stating that they have used up both absences. If a student misses three rehearsals, they will not be allowed to return to Chorus Club for that season, but can re-join again in the upcoming seasons. As with sports, a commitment is needed to participate in any organized group for success.
****FOR SAFETY AND DISMISSAL REASONS, IF A STUDENT IS PRESENT FOR THE ENTIRE DAY OF SCHOOL, THEY MUST COME TO CHORUS UNLESS NOTED BY A PARENT.
Rehearsals will be cancelled on:
6th Grade: Monday, October 15th
5th and 6th Grade: Tuesday, November 15th
6th Grade: Monday, January 23rd
5th and 6th Grade: Tuesday, February 21st
6th Grade: Monday, May 8th
REHEARSALS WILL ALWAYS BE CANCELLED ON HALF DAYS
Rehearsal Pick Up:
Students must be picked up by 4:15 pm by the main office doors. The students do not need to be signed out and can leave when they see their parent/guardian. The members will be accompanied by one of the Chorus Club Co-Directors until they are picked up. Please make sure to pick up your Chorus Club member by 4:15pm. Any student picked up after 4:15 will be charged half of an absence against the attendance policy. FOR SAFETY REASONS, THE CHORUS CLUB DIRECTOR MUST SEE HOW THE STUDENT WILL BE GETTING PICKED UP.
Concert Attendance:
The Chorus Club has earned a wonderful reputation due to the character, commitment, and dedication of its members. Our concerts this year are on Monday, December 5th and Tuesday, May 16th. If students sign up for the winter session (Sept-Dec), they are required to attend the concert on December 5th. If students sign up for the spring session (Jan-May), they are required to attend the concert on May 16th.
In the event that we are asked to do a last minute performance, we will send a notice home, or use the Remind App with all of the pertinent information. Attendance for these types of performances are not required, but highly suggested so we can represent our school well. Mrs. Zimmerman always keeps an up-to-date blog as we progress through each season with updates and information for parents to see.
Concert Attire:
It has become a tradition at Mickle to present our musical ensembles in a unified, professional manner. For all performances, we need to dress the part! For our concerts, we ask that all students wear black dress pants or skirts and white shirts (collars for the boys, please) with black shoes. All of the chorus wear should be on the semi-formal side (i.e. no jeans, no shorts, no flip flops, etc.). However, heels are discouraged because we do not want students to feel uncomfortable on stage. All hair should be pushed out of the students’ face. We want to dress like we are proud of the work that we have done and look like one collective unit.
There will be times where we have various pop-up performances that we are asked to do. In the event of a last minute performance, the directors will discuss and send a letter home on dress.
IN CLOSING:
Lastly, we are creating our very own choral tradition here at Mickle and YOU are now a part of that tradition. We are very happy to have many returning members and welcome new ones! Make sure to keep checking Mrs. Zimmerman’s teacher page for updates regarding important Chorus Club information under the “Chorus Club” tab. Mrs. Z will always be updating information about the songs we are learning, performance details, club policies, etc. If you have any questions at all throughout the year, please don’t hesitate to call or email. We will return a response ASAP.
Please have both parent and student sign below after having read the Chorus Club handbook. Hand in the bottom slip to either Mrs. Zimmerman or Mr. Hammell.
Thank you. We look forward to a great year.
I have read the above and understand what is expected of me during chorus rehearsals and performances. I understand that chorus club members are expected to perform at concerts in the appropriate attire. It is also understood that Chorus Club has rehearsals on Mondays and Tuesdays for sixth grade, and Tuesdays and Fridays for fifth grade. Rehearsals will be let out at 4:00pm by the main office. At dismissal, students will be let out the main office doors, but the directors HAVE to see who is picking up each student (no signing out). I understand that it is the parent’s responsibility to arrange for transportation home from Chorus Club (there are no rehearsals on early dismissal days).
Last but not least, I have downloaded the app, REMIND, which will allow my child to participate in chorus.
Parent: __________________________________________________________
Student:__________________________________________________________
Parent Email: _____________________________________________________
Contact Phone Number: _____________________________________________