Syllabus

**Laurel School District**
 * Vocal Music Department**

The music program of the Laurel School District takes pride in the success of its choral ensembles. These successes are based on an attitude of pride, discipline, and hard work by the members of each choral organization. It is these same qualities that must be ongoing, for they provide not only musical success, but also success in the multi-faceted pursuits of life, whether the endeavors be musical or personal. Thus, it is in this spirit that the following guidelines are established to aid the successful guidance of students in the choral program in the Laurel School District.

**Participation Guidelines** A course in the choral program has the same objectives as any other elective course with the added dimension of the performance of music. These courses are designed for talented students and may be elected with the written permission of the instructor and parents. Permission from the instructor and placement within a section will be based upon an audition with the instructor.


 * 1) The director will notify students of all special rehearsals and all performances scheduled at least 2 weeks in advance. Students will be expected to notify their parents. Please regularly check your choral schedule and plan in advance for concerts and rehearsals.
 * 2) Attendance at special rehearsals and performances is required, and will reflect in the 9 week grading. Choir **MUST** be made a priority.
 * 3) In the event of an emergency, the director must be contacted and legal absence must be established. Conflicts with regard to the definition of the term “legal absence” will be resolved in consultations with the school principal.
 * 4) Should a student not be diligent in music preparation, the director is at liberty to remove the privilege of performance in any given concert.
 * 5) A student’s failure to meet these obligations will have an unfavorable effect on his/her grade.
 * 6) Any student who does not abide by the rules of the classroom can be expelled from the class.
 * Rehearsal Guidelines**
 * 1) When the bell rings, the students are to be in their seat with their assigned folder and a pencil. All other objects will be put underneath their chairs. **No work** other than choral class work is to be done when the student’s section is working.
 * 2) When the director begins class by playing the piano, all conversation will stop. An hour of detention and possibly exclusion from an ensemble event will occur for any student that may have difficulty with this policy.
 * 3) Singers will be given assigned seats with their vocal section. Students are expected to be in those seats when role is taken and stay in those seats at all times unless otherwise stated. A class cut will be assigned if you are not in your proper seat.
 * 4) Rest room passes will not be permitted during a rehearsal except in the case of an extreme emergency. There is no way you can make up what you miss during a rehearsal. A record will be kept of student requests for an emergency pass. Too many trips to the rest room will affect the 9 weeks grade.
 * 5) In the case of severe sore throat, the student will not be required to sing, but will be expected to rehearse silently along with the ensemble. This is not time to do unfinished homework for another class. A headache, tiredness, etc. are not excuses to sit during rehearsal. A doctor’s note will be accepted for other illnesses that would require not singing for a prolonged period. Trips to the nurse will only be permitted in emergencies.
 * 6) Absolutely no food or gum during rehearsals or concerts. An hour detention will be given to a student who has gum during a rehearsal. Water is permitted during rehearsal time. No other beverage is permitted.
 * 7) Disrespectful behavior including talking back to the director and/or other students will result in an hour detention and/or expulsion from the group. Disrespectful behavior will not be tolerated under any circumstances!
 * 8) When the class ends and the bell rings, you are to remain seated until dismissed by the director.

There may be occasional assignments, notes on theory, and quizzes given throughout the course. A midterm and final exam may also be given on material covered in class. Music is part of our curriculum and can be a wonderful time of creativity, learning, and fun. Having pride and self-discipline is necessary for our choral ensembles to grow.

** Attendance Policies **
 * 1) Attendance at **ALL** performances is a requirement. In the event of an emergency, you must contact the director. An absence that is not excused may result in the expulsion of the student from the program.
 * 2) When possible, the student is expected to notify the director at least two weeks in advance of a request for an excused absence. Only an extreme emergency will allow an excuse less than 24 hours before an event.
 * 3) Conflicts with extra-curricular sports and activities can almost always be worked out between the director and the coach or advisor. Notify the director at least two weeks in advance so that a solution can be reached. Remember, the choral program is **NOT** an extra-curricular activity.

** Audition Policy **
 * 1) During the course of the year, students may have the opportunity to audition for solos, speaking parts, and special ensembles that meet outside the classroom time. Decisions are based upon scoring of required material.
 * 2) Students who are chosen for a special part/ensemble are expected to make a commitment to fulfill the obligations of that part. Failure to make a commitment will result in expulsion from the special group or loss of special part.

** Image ** The reputation of any musical organization is created by its performance by those involved in it. The following statements of intent have been developed to insure the standards of Laurel Choral Programs.
 * 1) Disrespectful behavior is prohibited at all times while a student is participating in a choral function.
 * 2) When performing, complete concert attire will be worn during the event.
 * 3) After a performance, the choir robes will be hung up or taken home. **NO** robe is to be left on the floor. A wrinkled/dirty robe is **NOT** considered proper concert attire.
 * 4) Failure to hang up a robe properly after a performance **WILL** result in an hour of detention.


 * WARNING : ** Smoking, use of drugs or alcohol is strictly prohibited at **ALL** music department functions. Violation of this will result in the immediate expulsion of the student from the choral program and loss of any awards for that year. The school principal will be notified immediately and apply any further disciplinary action required.

** Music Guidelines ** **Grading System** 95 – 100% - Excellent/Superior 90 – 94% - Good 78 – 89% - Average 70 – 77% - Below Average 0 – 69% - Failure Grades for choral students are established by the following criteria: **Attitude** (diligence to task, commitment to excellence, effort, etc.) **Attendance** (performance)
 * 1) Each student will be responsible for taking care of the music in the folder assigned to him/her. If a student wants to take a folder home to rehearse, the folder **MUST** be signed out by the director at the end of the period.
 * 2) Lost music or folders will be the responsibility of the student and reimbursement to the department will be required.
 * 3) The student is required to have music and a folder at all rehearsals. One percentage point will be deducted from a student’s 9 week grade each time he/she does not have the proper items for class.
 * 4) Music **WILL** be memorized for concerts, unless otherwise stated by the director.
 * 5) A pencil is required for each rehearsal. Music that is carefully marked during rehearsals expedited the learning of notes, rhythms, pronunciations, etc. A pencil will be assigned to each folder at the beginning of the school year. Use it!
 * 6) Music may be marked for performance purposes only. Any inappropriate markings left by a student will cause a detention to be assigned and a new copy of music to be purchased.
 * Preparation of music/Participation during class **
 * Written work **
 * Singing test **

Note: Failure to meet the Participation Guidelines will affect the student’s grade unfavorably. The degree to which a given situation will affect a grade will be determined by the teacher with regard to the individual situation.

**Concert Guidelines**
 * 1) Students will stand tall with arms at their side during a performance.
 * 2) Students will face the director and watch her at all times during a performance.
 * 3) (Unless a student is an officer of a choral group) No student is to speak on stage at ANY time during a performance.
 * 4) Students must follow the director’s instructions at all times.
 * 5) No student is to wave, fidget, or perform any other attention getting behavior while on stage.
 * 6) Students will be respectful to the director, all other adults involved with a choral performance, and classmates at all times.
 * 7) Students will wear proper attire for the concert including clean dress clothes (shirt, pants/skirt) and shoes for all performances.
 * 8) Students must remember to not apply perfume/cologne/etc. heavily before a concert. The bright lights on stage only make the scent stronger.