2011-2012
BMS Choral Handbook
Jill Bonds, Director 256-552-3045 ex. 243
E-mail: jill.bonds@dcs.edu
BMS Chorus website: http://bmschorus.blogspot.com/
Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Brookhaven-Middle-School-Choir/159046560792913
GRADES: Choir is not an easy A. Grades are earned based on:
The contribution you make to the success of the group (which includes attitude and behavior)
Class and concert attendance
Vocal progress (posture, proper breathing, singing with energy, articulation, etc…)
Progress in learning about music and in the ability to read music
Concerts 25%: Attend all performances and apply all that is learned in class.
IMPORTANT: Please see the concert attendance policy below for details.
A student who misses more than two weeks of school during a single marking period may not perform in the concert without approval from Mrs. Bonds.
Rehearsal 50%: Apply what is taught during rehearsal.
Choir is a “performance” based class. There is NO WAY to learn to sing “choral music” by yourself. It would be
the same as learning to play football alone in the yard. Thus:
Students are given 5 points each day for attending and participating in class.
Students who are absent receive a zero for the day because they did not attend or participate in rehearsal. Students may make up points for absences. Directions for makeup work are available in the choir room and on the choir website. Please see Mrs. Bonds with questions.
Points will be taken away if a student fails to show the following:
Being on time and prepared for class (1 point)
Being an enthusiastic and contributing member of the ensemble (1 point)
Demonstrating proper vocal technique as learned in class (1 point)
Talking only when it is appropriate and helpful (1 point)
A willingness to cooperate in every way your talent permits (1 point)
Written Work 25%: All assignments are done in class.
Students are expected to mark their music as instructed by Mrs. Bonds (pencil only)
CONCERT ATTIRE: Please address this now as it is often difficult to find things at the last minute.
6th, 7th & 8th grade chorus students:
ALL: Informal uniform will be chorus t-shirt with blue jeans. Formal uniform will be chorus polo shirt with black dress pants (black jeans or tights are not acceptable), black DRESS shoes and black socks or tights. Shirts must always be tucked in for performances. Only the chorus t-shirt and polo shirt can be purchased from the school.
CONCERT ATTENDANCE POLICY: A concert is a TEST in which a student must demonstrate what has been learned in class. Whether excused or unexcused a missed concert results in a ZERO for that test grade because the student failed to take the test. If an absence qualifies as 'excused' (see below for details) a student has the ability to make up the points for a missed concert. Students may NOT make up points for an 'unexcused' absence.
EXCUSED ABSENCES:
Pre-Approved Absence, READ CAREFULLY: Notice of a concert absence should be submitted in writing for approval to Mrs. Bonds no later than one week prior to the concert. Failure to follow this will automatically cause an absence to be marked as unexcused.
Illness or Emergency Absence, READ CAREFULLY: If an emergency arises the day of the concert, a parent must call 256-552-3045 ex. 243 and leave a message explaining the absence no later than 1 hour prior to the performance.
Emergency Absences: If due to the nature of the emergency your parent is unable to call Mrs. Bonds' voice mail prior to the concert, a written note explaining the reason for the absence with a parent signature should be turned into Mrs. Bonds within 2 days of the concert.
ILLNESS/EMERGENCY
If a student is well enough to attend school it is expected that they are well enough to attend the concert.
If a student has a fever or is throwing up they should not attend the concert and a call should be made to Mrs. Bonds' voice mail as described above. A cold or sore throat is not reason to miss a concert.
Emergency situations are exceptions and are considered at the discretion of the director. A note is required within 2 days of the missed concert as described above.
UNEXCUSED ABSENCES:
Unexcused absences include, but are not limited to:
Not having appropriate concert attire. Please contact Mrs. Bonds if you are having problems.
Not having a ride to school. Students should make plans to get a ride from a friend or relative. Emergencies will be considered on an individual basis by Mrs. Bonds
A cold or sore throat
If a student is well enough to attend school the day of the concert, it is expected that they well enough to participate in the concert.
MAKEUP WORK
Only EXCUSED absences can be made up.
It is the student’s responsibility to obtain a “concert makeup” worksheet. Concert makeup worksheets are available on the choir website and in the choir room.
Make up work must be turned in no later than one week following the missed concert.
Extra credit does not apply to a missed concert.
Failure to do makeup work results in a student becoming ineligible for the Six Flags or Alabama Adventure rewards trip.
FAILURE TO FOLLOW THE ABOVE CONCERT ATTENDANCE POLICY will result in a student being disqualified from attending the end of the year Six Flags or Alabama Adventure rewards trip.
REWARDS TRIP: Six Flags or Alabama Adventure
All 9 weeks grades in choir must be a B or better.
May not have missed any concerts.
If Mrs. Bonds qualified a missed concert as ‘excused,’ make-up work must have been turned in no later than one week following the missed concert.
Must have shown trustworthy behavior and attitude.
May not have received any office referrals (“write-ups”) in choir.
Must not have school attendance issues.
