Welcome to Choir 2016-17

2016-2017 Choir Member Handbook

Dear Parents and Students:

 I am most excited that you have chosen choral music as a part of your continuing education at White Oak High School and White Oak Middle School. The standard of excellence has been continuously on the rise for the past several years in choir and this coming year will certainly be no different. It is my goal, not only to develop areas of musicality within each individual, but also that each individual develop in the areas of personal character, loyalty, teamwork, and responsibility. It is also my expectation that members of the choir serve as leaders and role models in our school and community. Self-discipline in the choral rehearsal is relative in comparison to behavior in our hallways, other classrooms, and in the general public.

The White Oak Choral program includes three basic areas of involvement.

  1. Daily classroom rehearsal, which takes place every day in the classroom.

  2. Performance, which is a culmination of our rehearsals and daily work.

  3. Competition, in which students have the opportunity to participate in various auditions/contests throughout the school year. (See Choir Travel)

The guidelines outlined on the following pages are designed to help bring about success of our choral program at White Oak ISD. In complying with them you will fulfill a commitment to the Choir, our community, and first, yet foremost, a commitment to yourself to follow your dreams and discipline yourself to be the best you can be in life.

Respectfully,

 Ruthie Hughes, Director

 

CHOIR PROGRAM PHILOSOPHY:

To teach an appreciation and understanding of the performing arts and how music influences and reflects history and culture

 To teach the importance of self-discipline, cooperation, loyalty and respect for others, as well as individual responsibility

 To create in students a desire and appreciation for excellence in the performance of any endeavor

 To teach students how to set individual goals in life, and how to accomplish those goals through dedication, self-discipline and persistence

 To teach students the skills needed to perform to the best of their ability

CHOIR MEMBER RESPONSIBILITY

  •  Always conduct yourself with honor and integrity, being honest and fair to all others. Do not be a part to gossiping or demeaning any other member. Be supportive and encouraging to all others.
  • Be regular in attendance and account for all absences.
  • Be prepared for all rehearsals and performances and be on time.
  • Become responsible for and expect to assume the benefits or consequences of his/her actions; Horseplay and pranks are activities that will not be allowed or tolerated! Do not disrupt nor disturb rehearsals with inappropriate activities. Unbecoming conduct that reflects poorly upon the reputation of our school or organization, is subject to disciplinary action, upon the discretion of the teacher. If a student has been caught in the act of stealing, or choosing NOT to follow the Director’s rules (including curfew rules) while on a trip, he (she) will not be allowed to attend any other school-sponsored trip with this organization, for the duration of at least one following year. You will lose the privilege of travel for 1 more following year.
  •  Be personally clean, neat, and dressed appropriately, in school as well as participation in our choral extra-curricular and co-curricular activities.
  •  Be personally responsible for all information regarding the choir, rehearsals, events, and schedules and in relaying such information to parents and/or guardians.
  •  Cooperate with fellow choir members and share with them the responsibilities and privileges that are part of this choral program.
  •  Be responsible for the upkeep and cleaning of your uniform. as well as the return of all assigned uniform articles at the close of this school year.
  •  Follow all classroom rules, school handbook rules, regulations, and travel instructions for trips.
  • The use of profanity by students at school or at school related functions shall not be tolerated.
  • Under state and federal law, a student is not allowed to possess, sell, give away, or use alcohol, tobacco products, or illegal drugs on school property or at a school-related or school-sanctioned activity, on or off school property. Set your standards high, and be the exemplary role model that is expected of you.
  • Be respectful and honest toward those in authority, at all times.
  • Always strive, persevere, and maintain a positive attitude toward achieving your goals as a choir member. No one is expected to be perfect….but everyone is expected to give their all!

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Student Signature is required at the back of this handbook, for your agreement to these rules.

ELIGIBILITY

 Choir is considered an extra-curricular course. **UIL rules require our students to follow the NO PASS, NO PLAY guidelines. Participation in competition is allowed only if the student has a passing grade (70 or above) in all courses. If ineligibility occurs, the student must regain his (her) eligibility through passing all courses by the next 3-week progress report to participate in another activity. To remain in HS Varsity Mixed Choir, this is a MUST! Every member’s participation is necessary for the success of our Varsity program.

FINES

Fines are assessed for lost or damaged materials (classroom furniture, music, uniform items, etc.). All fundraiser collections are due AT THE CONCLUSION of that particular fundraiser. Fines are also assessed for entry fees from unattended competitions, even if this has resulted due to ineligibility: if the student signs up to participate, then he (she) must be responsible for maintaining his (her) eligibility in all courses, and committed in auditioning and/or performing; otherwise they must reimburse the district for the cost of their entry fee.

FUNDRAISERS

The raising of funds allows for scholarships toward various activities, as well as help students to defer the cost of travel to participate in Music Festivals & State Events. Most of these are one-day events.

All students participating in the fundraising activities are eligible for the trips of the various choirs. Any student may choose not to participate in a fundraising event. But, if the student desires trip participation, money will likely need to be collected. Fundraiser accounts are on an individual basis, and everyone must be responsible for their own merchandise and money. Reasons for deficit accounts are usually unacceptable (such as “I lost it”, “Someone stole it”, or “My brother ate it”). Account balances that are not “zero balance” at the deadline given by the director could result in denial of participation or performance privileges, and/or withheld privileges for attending such a trip.

GRADING

Grades are based on the following criteria:

  1. Attitude & Participation: daily class and outside classroom scheduled events.

  2. Attendance at Extra Rehearsals, as well as Attendance for our Entire Concerts.

  3. No student will be allowed to “exempt” any Concert. Your Grade on a concert will be determined by your participation, behavior, and the act of observing other Choirs on the concert program, and not allowed to exempt.  It will be calculated as a Major 6 or 9 wks. grade, counting 50% of your 6 or 9  wks. grade, and not your Semester Final.

 Each student earns a weekly participation grade of up to 100 possible points calculated from their daily participation that week, and based upon teacher observation. Self-discipline and a proper attitude are absolute requirements. Disturbances, by any choir member in rehearsal, show a lack of interest and respect, and will be dealt with immediately upon occurrence.

Homework assignments may also be given. This would primarily involve marking their music according to my instruction, but could include rehearsal, memorization, etc. of music. If an assignment is given, each student is expected to complete this work by the assigned date! These assignments will count as a weekly test grade.

All choir members are expected to attend extra rehearsals and performances as requested by the director. Advance notice will be given prior to these rehearsals.

Performances are the finished products of our rehearsals; therefore this area is a requirement, and not acceptable to missing.

Their participation and attendance during the entire concert evening will be a major test grade. All choir members are expected to attend the entire length of our concerts. This allows the student to observe other choirs, as well as show respect to these other students who have worked diligently preparing for their concert. This also relates directly to the student in fulfilling TEKS (Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills) requirements through participation, demonstration, illustration, and/or observation.

 SUPPLIES: FOLDERS AND MUSIC

 Choir folders and music are comparable to textbooks of other classes. The student is responsible for having his (her) folder with all contents for the beginning of each rehearsal. A storage bin is provided for the safekeeping of folders in the choir room. Below is the list of supplies required:

  1. a 1” BLACK, “hard-surface” folder (with inside pockets) which has 3 rings

  2. a 3-hole pencil pouch with 4 pencils, and 4 YELLOW highlighters

  3. 7th grade bring a box of Kleenex

  4. 8th grade bring 1 dispenser of hand sanitizer.

  5. 9th-12th grade bring 2 add’tl pencils + 1 add’tl yellow highlighter.

 Our Music is very expensive. Special care of music is a necessity; therefore any lost, damaged or unnecessarily marked music is your responsibility; fines may be assessed accordingly.

If you lose your pencils, please replace them with other pencils, immediately.

NEVER USE AN INK PEN IN YOUR MUSIC, unless instructed by me to do so!

TRAVEL:

  1. Individual competitions such as All-Region, Pre-Area, and Area auditions are used as the Texas All-State Choir selection process. These are optional for the student to participate in the 1st round, but are required once you are selected to participate in the next round of auditions.  Also, these must meet all  eligibility requirements to participate. For 7th & 8th Gr. students, the only level of auditions are at the Region level, although you will also be required to perform in the All-Region Concert in November, if selected to a choir.

  2.  UIL Solo/Ensemble, and UIL Texas State Solo & Ensemble are also optional, but are  highly encouraged as these types of events challenge the student to develop his (her) talents more fully and earn honors for themselves that could lead to College Scholarship opportunities. Student must meet all eligibility requirements to participate. (MS in January, HS in February & May)
  1. Group competition will be UIL Concert/Sight-Reading Contest, which is REQUIRED from all members who meet all eligibility requirements to participate. (MS – April 6, 2016; HS – April 12, 2016)

  2. Middle School Dallas Festival offered in the spring is optional, but is encouraged for overall Choral Balance.

  3. Zero Tolerance: Examples include Tobacco, Alcohol, or Drugs – Any student found possessing or using these products on school property or at any school sponsored activity, will be dealt with according to WOISD student handbook policy, and could result in immediate expulsion from the program. Although this handbook does not address every possible situation that could occur in a program, any questions not addressed in this handbook, as well as the interpretation, will be answered by the Director & Principal.

High School choral students will be offered excellent opportunities for choir workshops, in which area colleges conduct to help prepare the students for individual contests such as HS Mixed Region to Area competitions. Advancements at these contests lead to selection to the Texas All-State Choir. These will be at the expense of the student (usually $10-$15 for a Saturday workshop), and may involve the student providing his (her) own transportation to and from the workshop. (see Region IV Events) Trip Eligibility requirements apply!

All members will travel to competitions, performances, destinations, etc. on school-approved transportation, unless otherwise noted by separate permission forms. Students may ride back from any of the above with a parent or guardian, if they have signed out on location with the director or supervisor in authority. NO STUDENT WILL BE ALLOWED TO LEAVE THE LOCATION OF THE EVENT WITH ANYONE BUT THEIR PARENT OR GUARDIAN, unless PRIOR arrangements have been made with the choral director, and are subject to the approval of the school’s principal.

Additional Parental Supervision will be needed at most all of the above mentioned activities. At all of our competitive events, I will be required to Judge in a contest room. Therefore I am not available to supervising the students while the contest is in session.  I NEED Parent Helpers to supervise the safety of our children during those hours.  If your child is involved in any of the above, please be in agreement with assisting us if I call on you to supervise. Your student’s safety will be of the UTMOST IMPORTANCE! If there are no parent volunteers, then our students will not be allowed to participate in the event.  So, PLEASE help us.

Contact Numbers:

Contact Position/Contact Name/Desk Phone/Cell Phone

HS & MS Choir Director/ Ruthie Hughes /903-291-2051 /903-918-6627

Asst. MS Choir Director /Tiffany Strickland/ 903-291-2051/ Private

High School Principal /Dan Noll/ 903-291-2002 /903-720-5892

High School Asst. Principal/ Amy Billingslea /903-291-2003 /903-399-1736

High School Secretary /Courtny Byrd /903-291-2001 /Private

Middle School Principal /Ronnie Hinkle/ 903-291-2056 /903-736-8028

Middle School Asst. Principal /Kevin McKay /903-291-2057 /903-258-0658/ or hm.903-734-1329

Middle School Secretary /Melissa Norris/ 903-291-2055/ Private

Superintendent/ Mike Gilbert /903-291-2202 /Private

Superintendent Secretary/ Melanie Reed /903-291-2201/ Private

UNIFORMS

High School: All high school members will receive a formal concert uniform. All parts of the uniform are the responsibility of the student. Uniforms are issued ready for performance. Uniforms should be professionally cleaned between concerts (Dry Clean Super Center) at the student’s expense {approx. $5 girls dresses/ and $15 complete Men’s Tuxedo}. The uniforms will need to be returned, in your garment bag, at the end of this school year, along with money for our cost of dry cleaning:                                    Men-$15.00 / Women-$5.00

  • Men: Issued Tuxedo includes Black Jacket & Pants, Maroon Tux Shirt, Cummerbund & Garment Bag.

All guys need to provide their own Black Dress Shoes and Black Crew Socks.

  • Women: Issued Formal Black Dress, formal Jewelry & Garment Bag; Provide your own Black Flat Dress Shoes.

  • Both Men & Women:Maroon Choir Polo Shirt (Student’s cost of approx. $15)

Middle School: No uniform is issued, but the following is required for performance:

  • Boys: White Choir Polo Shirt (You purchase from Director for approx. $15)

  • Boys: You provide Black Belt, Black Slacks, Black Dress Shoes & Black Crew Socks.
  • Girls: White Choir Polo Shirt (You purchase from Director for approx. $15)

  • Girls: You provide FLOOR-LENGTH Black Skirt, and Black Flat Shoes.

All High School and Middle School Choir Members will be required to purchase a choir polo shirt, mentioned above, at the beginning of the school year. Some activities will require blue jeans to be worn with this shirt, but only a few.

REMINDERS:

  • Supplies: Music Folders, with necessities previously listed, brought in 1st wk. of school

  • Form: Student Info./Medical Record Info. including Parental Permission Signatures on the back, due 1st wk. of school

  • Uniform: Required for all performances; Choir Polo Shirt (Order Form coming soon)