It’s Homecoming time at White Oak, and our High School choirs are getting into the spirit by decorating our Choir Room doors. Go Roughnecks!
From our Middle School Principal, Mr. Hinkle:
“Please monitor your child’s progress through Family Access by Skyward, Inc. Family Access is a secure Internet based website that will allow you to easily keep track of nearly everything your student(s) does while at school. Among other things,this service allows you to view your student’s attendance, grades,schedule,progress, assignments, and emergency information. Family Access is a free service and is available to all parents/guardians with children enrolled in the district. Beginning with the 1st Marking Period, we will no longer send home a hard copy of your child’s progress report or report card unless you request a hard copy.(This is consistent with the policy at the high school.) You will be able to accessthis form by going to WOISD.net and then under “Campuses” click Middle. The linkto the form will be under the calendar. For additional information related toSkyward, if you are having difficulties signing in to Skyward, or if you do not haveInternet access and are requesting a hard copy of your child’s progress report/report card for each marking period, please call Ms. Cowart at 9032912085 or email her at [email protected]”.
Good day, members and welcome back!!!
Just a few reminders of what you will need in the first week back to school, in choir. We will begin singing, without wasting much time on “taking care of business” details, so I would like for you to be prepared as soon as school begins. Please remember to pick up these things as you are out & about, getting your school supplies.
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 their folders in the choir room. Below is the list of supplies required:
a 1” BLACK, “hard-surface” folder (with inside pockets) which has 3 rings
a 3-hole pencil pouch with 4 pencils, and 4 YELLOW highlighters
7th grade bring a box of Kleenex
8th grade bring 1 dispenser of hand sanitizer
9th-12th grade bring 2 add’tl pencils + 1 add’tl yellow highlighter
Well, that’s it for now. Looking forward to seeing you in just a few weeks!
Ruthie Hughes, Director
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.
Daily classroom rehearsal, which takes place every day in the classroom.
Performance, which is a culmination of our rehearsals and daily work.
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
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Student Signature is required at the back of this handbook, for your agreement to these rules.
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 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.
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.
Grades are based on the following criteria:
Attitude & Participation: daily class and outside classroom scheduled events.
Attendance at Extra Rehearsals, as well as Attendance for our Entire Concerts.
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.
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:
a 1” BLACK, “hard-surface” folder (with inside pockets) which has 3 rings
a 3-hole pencil pouch with 4 pencils, and 4 YELLOW highlighters
7th grade bring a box of Kleenex
8th grade bring 1 dispenser of hand sanitizer.
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!
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.
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)
Middle School Dallas Festival offered in the spring is optional, but is encouraged for overall Choral Balance.
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 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
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)
Girls: White Choir Polo Shirt (You purchase from Director for approx. $15)
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.
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)
Clean Sweep! 7 HS Choir students competed in the 2nd round of All-State Choir Auditions on Nov. 11th and those 7 students are ALL going to the State Auditions in January. 6 are going to compete in the 1A-6A All-State Large School Contest, as follows:
All-State Large School Contest:
Hailey Vestal, 1st Chair, Soprano 1
Brenna Jennings, 1st Chair, Soprano 2
Paige Bagley, 1st Chair, Alto 2
Kelsey McFall, 2nd Chair, Alto 2
Cameron Marlow, 1st Chair, Bass 2
Brent Hunter, 5th Chair, Bass 2
Then we have 1 who will be competing in the 1A-4A All-State Small School Contest as follows:
All-State Small School Contest:
Zack Lockridge, 2nd Chair, Bass 1
Congratulations to all of these 7 students going on to compete at Area contest for possible selection to UIL All-State Choir at both the Large School and Small School designations (this is a record for us)!!
The final contest will be January 9th-10th, 2015 at TAMU-Commerce”, We wish them “Best of Luck”
Sing-cerely, Ms. Hughes
Come join us for a night of talent and refreshment in a Coffee House setting! Performances will include gymnastics, flag, singing and more! Admission $4.00, refreshments $2.00 each, children’s room (with free babysitting!) provided for kids 6 and under. All proceeds benefit WOISD High School and Middle School Choir Students.
TIME: 6-8:30 PM
PLACE: High School Cafeteria
HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE!
High School Varsity Mixed Choir & High School Jr. Varsity:
Vocalises taken from various TMEA workshops, seminars & colleagues
TMEA Sight-reading preparation from “90 Days to Sight-Reading Success” Bks. 1 & 2
TMEA Region Audition preparation, then audition on 9-27-14(HS All-Region) & 10-11-14 (HS SAB Chorale)–Only 6 wks. of rehearsal /preparation. There are several Saturday workshops offered, at which we will attend, to better prepare my students. We have already had 2 All-State Choir camps at which several of my students have already attended. Others offered will be 9-6-14@ TAMU-Commerce.
Objectives: After completing this lesson, students will be able to:
*Read music that incorporates rhythmic patterns in simple meters ( 2/4, 3/4, 4/4, 5/4)
*Read music that incorporates rhythmic patterns in complex meters & mixed meters (3/4+ 5/8, 7/8, 8/8, 12/8)
*Interpret music terms (contemporary period, Concert Spiritual ABA form, sempre accel., accent)
TEKS: 117.60, .61, .62, .63…
117.63 1a: perform appropriate literature expressively
** Some optional attendances for After-School rehearsals prior to Audition date.
6-8th Grade Choirs:
Collect Handbook Medical/Permission Forms
Vocalises taken from various TMEA workshops, seminars, & colleagues
TMEA Sight-reading preparation from “90 Days to Sight-Reading Success” Bks. 1 & 2
TMEA Region Audition preparation, then audition on 10-4-14 (MS Mixed) and 10-11-14 (Cambiata)
Objectives: After completing this lesson, students will be able to:
*Read music that incorporates rhythmic patterns in simple meters (2/4, 3/4, 4/4)
*Read music that incorporates rhythmic patterns in complex meters & mixed meters
(6/8)
*Interpret music terms (antiphonal singing, Traditional Spiritual ABA form, legato, accent)
TEKS: 117.33, 117.36, 117.39….
** Some optional attendances for After-School rehearsals prior to Audition date.
Congratulations Brenna Jennings and Hailey Vestal on this most outstanding accomplishment of your school year…. selected by audition, to the TMEA Texas All-State Women’s Choir 2014!
I am so very proud of you. I cannot wait to hear you perform tonight in our own HS Auditorium, on your State Solo piece. They both will be “amazing”.
I am most proud to have you in my Choir, and look forward to continued success in our choral program! So glad that you chose Choir as your elective.