-3 (standard “full”size) Poster Boards (can be different colors)
-Assorted colored markers
2008 / 2009
COUGAR CHORUS
Membership
Packet
Contents: -Supply lists
-T-Shirts
-Fundraising
-Concerts
-Concert Attendance Policy
-Chorus Boosters
-Uniform info
-Forms
6th Grade - Chorus 1 / Beginning Chorus
- A ½ inch (3 ring) binder with pockets
- 5 dividers for your binder
7th / 8th Grade - Chorus 2 / Concert Chorus
- A ½ inch (3 ring) binder with pockets
- 5 dividers for your binder
7th / 8th Grade – Chorus 3 / Chorale
- A ½ inch (3 ring) binder with pockets
- 5 dividers for your binder
Optional supplies: boxes of tissues, packs of pencils, bags of hard candy
Tee-Shirts
It has been a great tradition of the LHMS Cougar Chorus to have Chorus tee-shirts. These shirts immediately identify the student as being a part of the Chorus and they are approved as part of the school uniform policy. The LHMS Chorus Fall Tee Shirt is navy blue and features a bold color blocked musical motif and the text “LHMS Cougar Chorus 2008-2009”. Shirts are available in adult sizes only – Small / Medium / Large / Extra Large. Fall Shirts orders forms will be available starting today through August 29th. Your student’ s tee-shirt order will be placed only if a completed order form is turned in with a $10.00 cash/check made out to LHMS Chorus.
In the spring, a new tee-shirt will be designed for our spring field trip. This tee-shirt is for all choruses and is MANDATORY IF THE STUDENT IS GOING ON THE FIELD TRIP. If our fund- raising goes well this shirt may be free for students. This shirt can also be worn as part of the school uniform.
Fund Raising:
It is necessary for the Cougar Chorus to raise the majority of the funds needed to have a superior choral program. Funding from the County and School is limited and does not come close to covering all the expenses for Cougar Chorus. Just as each student benefits from being a part of the Chorus, each student should take responsibility for raising a portion of the funds necessary to operate the choral program. Soon, we will select fund raising opportunities to meet certain financial needs of the Cougar Chorus. Any money raised beyond the “student goal” will become a part of the general budget. An option to the fund raising events is to donate an amount comparable to the student fund raising goal out of pocket. Either way, I am confident that you and your student will enjoy participating in the 2008 / 2009 Cougar Chorus.
CONCERTS:
Concert Dates (first semester only – second semester dates to follow):
October 16th – Fall Spectacular Concert
This concert will feature Patriotic and American folk melodies.
December 9th – Holiday Spectacular Concert
This concert will feature Holiday music
All choruses will be performing in the LHMS auditorium on the same evening with staggered start times as indicated below: 6:30pm –Chorus I (6th Grade)
7:30pm – Chorus II (7th /8th Grade)
8:30pm-Chorus III and Ensemble (7th and 8th Grade)
PERFORMANCE ATTENDANCE POLICY:
PURPOSE: Music is a performance art, therefore; it is an educational objective for the students to perform. In addition, performances are a part of the Polk County School Board course requirements and, state and national standards. As students achieve greater musical proficiency, they become more capable of public performance. Extra rehearsals are sometimes necessary to achieve the highest possible performance standards.
ATTENDANCE: Attendance at after school rehearsals and performances is a required part of being in chorus. These rehearsals and performances are extensions of the regular chorus class and are only successful if every student participates. Parents must notify the director, in writing, of an expected or unexpected absence. All absences will require a written make-up assignment to be turned in within 1 week of the missed performance/rehearsal. These assignments are not punishment but an opportunity for the student to recover the credit given for a required performance/rehearsal. The assignment will vary with each performance / rehearsal. Failure to turn in make-up assignments in a timely manner (1 week) will affect the student’s participation in field trips and their grade in chorus.
PLEASE SIGN THE “PERFORMANCE ATTENDANCE POLICY” ACKNOLGEMENT FORM IN THIS PACKET AND HAVE YOUR STUDENT RETUN IT BY SEPTEMBER 15TH
Chorus Booster Club
The Cougar Chorus Boosters is a volunteer parent organization dedicated to helping the chorus be successful, educational and fun. There are opportunities for parents to work in many different capacities throughout the year, and without your help and cooperation the chorus will not be its best. The county requires that all volunteers be screened to provide the safest environment for students. Both the Volunteer Application and Volunteer Update Card (to change schools) are available from the LHMS Office. Families who join the booster club will also have the added benefit of receiving reminder emails about upcoming events and information regarding choral activities. Please fill out the enclosed envelope and return it with your student to school by September 15th. Our booster club volunteers will be entering this information into the data base and you will begin receiving emails shortly.
Please seriously consider being a part of the Cougar Chorus Boosters and attend an informative organizational meeting on Monday night September 8th, 2008 at 7:00pm in the LHMS Chorus room. If you are unable to attend the organizational meeting, please fill out the attached form/envelope and send it back to school with your student. Thank you in advance for your help! Is there any special skill, hobby or area of expertise that you have that might be helpful to Cougar Chorus? If so please indicate that on the form/envelope.
LHMS Chorus Booster club has openings in the positions of:
Chaperone Chairman
Uniform Coordinator
Assistant Treasurer
Tee Shirt Coordinator
Website/email Coordinator
COUGAR CHORUS UNIFORMS
Since we are using the same uniforms as last year, those students who have a usable uniform from last year do not need to order an additional uniform. For all new chorus students, concert attire will be made available for students to purchase, at cost, from a reputable concert attire provider. To be “uniform” all concert attire must be purchased from the same company. The performance uniform is yours to keep and is your responsibility to hem and maintain in a clean and professional manner. Students should arrive at all concerts dressed and ready to perform unless they are notified to arrive in non-performance clothes.
It is the responsibility of the parent to size and order the appropriate uniform. (Sizing instructions and an order form are attached). Please fill out the form completely and legibly to ensure proper fit. You may want to size your student a little larger in order to have “growing room” and allow them to wear the uniform for their entire middle school career.
The boys will have black pants, a white tuxedo shirt, a maroon bow tie, and cummerbund. The girls will have a two piece formal ensemble consisting of an “A” line, long, black, elastic waist skirt, and a maroon short bell cap sleeve, knit top. They are simple, yet elegant. The advantage to two pieces is of course sizing and if your middle school student grows, perhaps only one piece will need to be replaced for up- coming years. The ensembles are stain resistant and washable (except for the cummerbund and bowtie). When your child is no longer in need of their choral uniform, please consider donating it to help others be able to participate in chorus.
All students must provide their own black closed toe dress shoes. They must be closed toed for safety. Girls should wear black hose and have their hair out of their faces. Boys need to wear an undershirt under the tuxedo shirt. Please do not wear any jewelry except for post earrings.
We will be holding various fundraisers throughout the year to help off -set some of the expense with uniforms and field trips. Encouraging your child to participate in these events can make a significant difference. The uniform fee is $55.00 per student. Half of that amount ($28.00) is due by September29th. A deposit must be received along with the completed order form to place the uniform order. We will not be placing several separate orders. Please keep in mind that if your child does not have the proper chorus uniform they will not be able to participate in any concert, this includes the Disney trip. A scholarship application may be filled out to request financial help in the event of financial hardship. Please see Mr. King for the application.
All order forms and first half of money (unless a scholarship application is received and approved) must be returned no later than Monday, September 29th. Please make checks payable to LHMS Chorus.
Thank you for continuing to support your student’s musical enrichment through LHMS Cougar Chorus.
L.H.M.S.
Cougar Chorus
Handbook
2008 / 2009
Director: Mr. David King
CONTENTS
PAGE 3
I. PHILOSOPHY
II. GOALS
III. RESPONSIBILITY
PAGE 4
IV. CLASSROOM PROCEEDURE
PAGE 5
V. REHEARSALS AND PERFORMANCES
VI. REQUIREMENTS FOR OFF CAMPUS PERFORMANCES / ACTIVITIES
PAGE 6
VII. REQUIREMENTS FOR OFF CAMPUS PERFORMANCES /
ACTIVITIES (CONTINUED)
VIII. DISCIPLINE POLICY
PAGE 7
IX. GRADING POLICY
X. UNIFORMS
PAGE 8
-HANDBOOK ACKNOWLEDGEMENT FORM
PAGE 9
-COUGARCHORUS.COM / PROGRAM PERMISSION FORM
I. PHILOS0PHY
Music is a necessary component of a complete education. It is a subject that challenges the academic mind, requires the development of finely tuned physical skills, and provides an opportunity for responsible social development. Music is a demanding subject, and if mastered, will produce a lifetime of benefits that improve the quality of one’s life. More than any other subject, music has the power to touch the mind and spirit of those who perform and those who listen.
Neurological studies have reported important links between music instruction and enhanced brain functions such as analyzing, synthesizing, and evaluating both personal experience and objective data. These skills are required for math, science and engineering. Additionally, research findings indicate that a sequential arts education encourages respect for the cultures, belief systems, and values of others.
II. GOALS
The goals and objectives of the Cougar Chorus shall be defined as follows:
-To promote interest and participation in choral music
-To develop the individual voice
-To blend individual voices into a choral ensemble
-To foster confidence through creative expression
-To increase musical skills and knowledge
-To develop an appreciation for all musical periods, styles and forms
-To instill the value of effort, sacrifice, cooperation, and self discipline
-To create a sincere lasting enjoyment of music performance and listening
III. RESPONSIBILITIES OF COUGAR CHORUS
-Take Responsibility for your own development as a musician
-Every time you sing, make it a quality experience
-Work to master the basic musical skills
-Develop an attitude of wanting to improve everyday
-Display an attitude of effort at all times
-Come to class prepared to work and learn
-Be on time for all rehearsals and performances
-Listen carefully during rehearsals
-Always have with you the required materials and a positive attitude
-Show a willingness to work with others. Chorus is a “group” effort.
-Make a positive contribution, don’t be a distraction
-Maintain a strong academic standing in all your classes
-Realize you are responsible for your actions and their consequences
-Always show proper respect for those in authority and your peers
-Be honest, fair and cooperative with others
-Enjoy experiencing and making music
-In all you do; do your best
CLASSROOM PROCEEDURE
Be on time for class and enter the room in an orderly and quiet manner.
Dispose of gum, candy and food before you enter the chorus room.
Place all personal items (including purses, books, pencil bags) under your seats. You will be informed if you need your notebook, pencil, music or other items with you at your seat. Otherwise don’t bring anything to your seat.
Grooming should be done at home or in the restroom not the classroom. Grooming items and other non-chorus related items used at an inappropriate time will be confiscated by the director and returned only with a letter from a parent.
Homework from other classes will not be done in chorus.
Go directly to your assigned seat and stay there.
Positive class participation and mature behavior is expected at all times. “Put-downs” of other students will not be tolerated.
Music should not be abused in anyway; any music marking (as requested by the director) must be done lightly and in pencil.
Always follow directions for passing out / handing in music and for worksheets and tests.
Passes to restrooms or other areas require permission and a signed Agenda. Passes should not be excessive. Only 1 student will be allowed to go to the restroom at a time.
Do not interrupt the director when a rehearsal is in progress; wait for an appropriate time. Remain quiet between instructional segments. A raised hand gets the directors attention.
The rehearsal sound console and filing cabinets are “off –limits” to students. Entrance into the choral storage closet, practice rooms and the director’s office is by permission only.
REHEARSALS AND PERFORMANCES
PURPOSE: Music is a performance art, therefore; it is an educational objective for the students to perform. In addition, performances are a part of the Polk County School Board course requirements and, state and national standards. As students achieve greater musical proficiency, they become more capable of public performance. Extra rehearsals are sometimes necessary to achieve the highest possible performance standards.
ATTENDANCE: Attendance at after school rehearsals and performances is a required part of being in chorus. These rehearsals and performances are extensions of the regular chorus class and are only successful if every student participates. Parents must notify the director, in writing, of an expected or unexpected absence. All absences will require a written make-up assignment to be turned in within 1 week of the missed performance/rehearsal.
These assignments are not punishment but an opportunity for the student to recover the credit given for a required performance/rehearsal. The assignment will vary with each performance / rehearsal. Failure to turn in make-up assignments in a timely manner (1 week) will affect the student’s participation in field trips and their grade in chorus.
VI. REQUIREMENTS FOR OFF CAMPUS PERFORMANCES / ACTIVITIES
1.Show exemplary behavior
2.Attend all previously required performances
3. Maintain a minimum GPA of 2.0
4. Commit to extra rehearsals, if called
5. Have a clear fund raising account
BEHAVIOR
Students will be excluded from participation in off campus performances / activities for the following discipline infractions:
-An office referral from any class that results in OSS
-An office referral in Chorus regardless of punishment
-Multiple Behavior Detentions in Chorus
The student may be excluded from participation in off campus performances / activities for the following discipline infractions after consultation with the Deans.
-An office referral form another class that results in anything less than OSS
-Multiple Behavior Detentions
-Behavior Detention(s) in Chorus
The Choral Director and LHMS Administrative staff will periodically evaluate students who have been excluded from participation in off campus performances/activities. Following the evaluation some students may be notified of their eligibility to participate in future off campus performances/activities.
Previous Performance Attendance
Students must have attended all required performances or met the requirements for absences prior to the date of any off campus performances / activities.
2.0 GPA
Polk County School Board requires all students participating in extra-curricular activities to maintain a minimum 2.0 grade point average. Records will be checked before a student is deemed eligible.
FUND RAISING ACCOUNT
The Cougar Chorus treasurer, will maintain an individual fund raising account. All students need to fulfill their student goal amount and have a clear account by Spring Break.
DISCIPLINE POLICY
Because of the nature of Chorus, (class size, rehearsal requirements) discipline must be strict. Students will be disciplined in accordance with the policies of Lakeland Highlands Middle School. In addition students who do not follow the policies as outlined in this handbook run the risk of being suspended from performance and field trip opportunities. Below are the guidelines for discipline in Cougar Chorus:
1st infraction – a clear verbal and / or written warning
2nd infraction – a detention must be served and a phone call will be made to a parent
3rd & subsequent infractions - office referral
This same Policy applies to Tardies
GRADING POLICY
Grading is divided into three areas which averaged together achieve a final grade:
(A. Daily progress, participation, notebook and assessments (quizzes and tests)
(B. Rehearsal / performance grades.
(C. Extra Credit
Since the number of performances, rehearsals and assessments vary from grading period to grading period, the total points for each 9-week period will be calculated at the end of that grading period. Extra credit will also be added at the end of the 9-week grading period.
A. Daily Progress, Participation and Assessments
Points will be awarded daily for attendance and cooperative participation. Deductions will be made for unexcused absences*, lack of participation and for discipline infractions. Worksheets, tests, notebook checks and other assignments will be averaged into the daily grade. Each assessment will have it’s own point value assigned. (From 5pts. to 100pts.)
*It is the student’s responsibility to inform the director of an excused absence.
B. Rehearsals and Performances
Most after school rehearsal attendance count as 50 points
Most performances count as 100 points
C. Extra Credit
Extra Credit is given for attendance to any “Fine Art” concert or event in the community. A printed program and a 1 paragraph written synopsis of the concert or event are required to receive extra credit points. The point value will be at the discretion of the director.
IX. UNIFORMS
Concert attire will be made available for students to purchase , at cost, from a reputable concert attire provider. To be “uniform” all concert attire must be purchased from the same company. It is the responsibility of the parent to size and order the appropriate uniform. (Sizing instructions and an order form will be provided..) The performance uniform is yours to keep and is your responsibility to hem and maintain. Students should arrive at all concerts dressed and ready to perform unless they are notified to arrive in non-performance clothes. In addition to the uniform, students should also have:
-for boys / black dress shoes and black socks
-for girls / black closed-toed flat shoes and black hose.
Other Uniform Reminders:
No necklaces, dangling earrings, pierced face or tongue. No excessive makeup or extreme hairstyles. No large watches or multiple bracelets.
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