Choral Ensembles Handbook

Please review the performance dates for the upcoming school year by clicking on the "Performance Calendar" link to the left.

Additional performances:

*Voices Caroling-to-schedule will take place from December 5th to December 22nd

*The No Bass Showcase will take place on their Final Exam day in June

CHORAL ENSEMBLES ATTENDANCE POLICY

Students are expected to attend all performances for their ensemble(s). In addition, students are also expected to remain at a concert if other performing groups are playing on the same concert. To request to be excused from a performance, students must bring in a note explaining the conflict written and signed by a parent or guardian at least one week prior to the performance (sooner is preferred). Excuses will be considered on a case-by-case basis.  Students missing a performance will be asked to complete an alternate assignment. Failure to abide by this attendance policy will result in a lowered grade.

REHEARSAL PARTICIPATION

Participation in all rehearsals is integral to a student’s overall musical progress.  Therefore, if a student requests to “sit out” from the rehearsal process, they must provide a written note from a parent/guardian in order to be excused from that particular rehearsal.  In addition, if a student is given permission to sit out of rehearsal, they will be responsible for writing rehearsal notes during the period.  Mr. Buno will provide a detailed assignment sheet and rubric for the observation.  Please be reminded that rehearsal participation is part of a student’s overall grade in any choral ensemble.

CONCERT ATTIRE

CONCERT CHOIR

**If a student or family needs assistance in obtaining concert attire, please contact Mr. Buno as soon as possible. **

 Ladies

Dress or skirt and blouse of any color

*If skirts are chosen for attire, they must be knee length or lower

Gown/formal dress for Woolsey Hall

Gentlemen

Dress pants, collared, long-sleeve shirt, and tie of any color w/dress shoes

Add jacket or suit for Woolsey Hall      

NO BASS

ALL black attire:  Black skirt/black top or black dress with black shoes.

*If skirts are chosen for attire, they must be knee length or lower

VOICES

Gown of your choice

Dress shoes   

 Gentlemen

Black tux (no tails), black socks, black shoes

White wing-tipped shirt

Bow tie and vest (color of your choice)

LEVELING

To receive Level One credit in one music ensemble with Level Zero or Level Two designation, the student must complete three of the following requirements per semester. Students wishing to receive Level One credit in more than one ensemble with Level Zero or Level Two designation must complete four. A student can have only a maximum of two Level One music courses per semester.

* Serving as an officer in the music ensemble.

 * Research paper. The paper must be approved by the music teacher and follow the format required by the English Department.

 * Audition for C.M.E.A. Region Music Festival on applied instrument.

 * Weekly private lessons on applied instrument.

* Participation in school musical (cast, pit or major crew assignment.)

 * Other director-approved project of student’s design (i.e., arranging a work to be performed, soloist in concerto, transcribing parts, etc.)

 * Sound engineer for a minimum of two concerts per semester.   

*Approved music department community service (minimum of 8 hours)

GRADING

Every student in a choral ensemble will receive a calculated grade based upon the following:

50% Rehearsal Participation/Preparation

Students are expected to participate in every aspect of rehearsal.   This includes coming prepared to class with a pencil, making notes in scores, rehearsing music independently when the director is rehearsing another section and having practiced the music rehearsed in the previous class.  Students will also be asked to participate in music literacy and theory activities.  While there are no formal assessments for these activities, participation in these assignments will guarantee full credit for this category.

20% Concert/Project

Attendance at all concerts is mandatory for students participating in their respective ensemble.  If a student is unable to attend a concert and has a written excuse from a parent, they will be required to complete a project or paper assigned by Mr. Buno.  Any unexcused absence from a concert will be graded accordingly.

20% Small Group Singing

Each quarter, students will be assigned in octets (Concert Choir), sextets (No Bass) and quartets (Voices) and asked to perform selected repertoire from their concert program.  Students will be assessed on preparation for these assignments.  A copy of the small group singing rubric can be found on the choral website.  There is one small group singing assignment per quarter for Concert Choir and No Bass and two for Voices.

10% Written Reflection

Students will be asked to submit a brief (one page, double-spaced) written reflection on either a rehearsal or concert.  The reflection should illustrate the progress the student has observed on two pieces within the concert program and cite specific techniques that were used to develop those respective pieces.

CONCERT CHOIR OFFICERS

Students were elected to serve as an officer in the choral ensembles last school year.  These students are responsible for taking attendance, facilitating sectional rehearsals, organizing music, setting up and breaking down equipment for ALL concerts and helping with choir formations.

Please get to know your officers as soon as you can.  They will be available to offer any assistance you may need.

MUSIC BINDERS

-Every student will be assigned a binder and number for their respective music. 

-Students in Voices will receive their own binder.

-Students in Concert Choir and No Bass will share music and binders (in groups of 2). 

-Students in Concert Choir and No Bass must purchase their music binders.  They will be due the class the week of 9/12.  Because there are two students assigned to one binder, I ask that both split the cost of the binder prior to making the purchase.  Binders MUST BE BLACK AND THREE RING. 

-It is the student’s responsibility to take care of the music assigned to them.  Failure to do so will result in a fee designated by the director to replace the damaged music. 

-All music MUST be returned at the end of the concert.  Failure to do so will result in a fee.

***After reading the handbook, please download the contract (located on the link to the left of this page), print, sign and date.  Contracts should be returned to Mr. Buno NO LATER THAN FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 9TH.***

“ I love to hear a choir.  I love the humanity to see the faces of real people devoting themselves to a piece of music.  I like the teamwork.  It makes me feel optimistic about the human race when I see them cooperating like that.”

                                                                                                                    Paul McCartney