Riverdale Middle School Choirs
2022-2023 Choir Handbook
Philosophy
The Riverdale Choir Program actively works: to create quality musical experiences, to strive for excellence in both individual and group efforts, to develop a sense of community among its members, to foster the love of vocal music, and to share that appreciation with its audiences.
Through our rehearsals, we instill a strong sense of self-discipline, self-motivation, and an inner drive for excellence.
From our performance opportunities, students will gain the self-confidence to know that there is nothing that cannot be achieved, and no obstacle that cannot be overcome, if they are willing to utilize all their talents and work together.
Through our social relationships within choir, students will develop lifelong memories and friendships that are forged by the variety of activities they will share.
Most of all, students will learn to view music as a vital experience that will have a positive effect on their lives for years to come.
The Riverdale Choir Program is intended to serve as a positive musical experience for our youth. Besides the obvious intrinsic values of music, our primary objectives are: character building, cooperation, loyalty, respect, dependability, responsibility, punctuality, and self-control. These are but a few examples of the many rewards by being associated with the Riverdale Choir Program.
Through our rehearsals, we instill a strong sense of self-discipline, self-motivation, and an inner drive for excellence.
From our performance opportunities, students will gain the self-confidence to know that there is nothing that cannot be achieved, and no obstacle that cannot be overcome, if they are willing to utilize all their talents and work together.
Through our social relationships within choir, students will develop lifelong memories and friendships that are forged by the variety of activities they will share.
Most of all, students will learn to view music as a vital experience that will have a positive effect on their lives for years to come.
The Riverdale Choir Program is intended to serve as a positive musical experience for our youth. Besides the obvious intrinsic values of music, our primary objectives are: character building, cooperation, loyalty, respect, dependability, responsibility, punctuality, and self-control. These are but a few examples of the many rewards by being associated with the Riverdale Choir Program.
Choir Goals and Objectives
Students will:
- Understand basic music theory concepts.
- Develop sight-reading skills.
- Use correct vocal techniques for solo and ensemble singing.
- Sing in unison and harmony.
- Study music of other cultures and other times.
Choir Rules
- Demonstrate a positive attitude and show respect for others and their property
- Disruptive talking is unacceptable. When the director is working with another section, students will not talk or visit. Students should follow the score quietly while the other section(s) rehearse.
- No food, drink, and especially NO GUM
- Demonstrate a desire to learn and a willingness to succeed
- Accept criticism positivity
- Have a pencil and your choir binder with all assigned music everyday
- NO CELLPHONES unless directed by Mrs. Caudle
Students should also remember:
- Equipment in the choir room is not to be touched without permission.
- Sick students will be expected to follow along and participate in class activities, or they may go to the nurse.
- Students are to never sit at Mrs. Caudle’s desk or grey cart or be alone in the choir office.
Consequences for not following behavior guidelines and classroom rules:
- Grade deductions
- Verbal warning
- Re-seat/parent contact
- Parent conference/loss of performance privileges
- Referral/conference with administrators
Grading
Mandatory Rehearsals and Performances (50%)
Because of the rigor of the RMS choral program, more is required of performing arts students than usual. Thus, all performances, some of which are outside of regular school hours, are mandatory and will be graded.
Students who are unable to attend a mandatory rehearsal or performance due to a family emergency must have a parent contact Mrs. Caudle by e-mail (for records) 48 hours before the event date. Last minute emergencies, such as car wrecks and/or medical emergencies, need to be communicated as soon as possible. Emergencies do not include family vacations/visits, doctor appointments, being scheduled to work, and non-school related activities.
Weekly In-Class Rehearsals (40%)
-5 points: chewing gum or eating food
-10 points: cellphone use without permission
-5 points: each reprimand for behavior (talking/other disruptions) in the classroom and sectionals
-20 points: failure/refusal to participate in lesson
Black binder and pencils (10%)
-For each piece of music missing, points will be deducted. For example, if there are 10 required pieces of music and a student is missing 2 of them, 20 points will be deducted and the grade will be 80 points out of 100.
Final Grade will be determined as follows:
1. 90-100 A
2. 80-89 B
3. 70-79 C
4. 65-69 D
5. Below 65 F
Because of the rigor of the RMS choral program, more is required of performing arts students than usual. Thus, all performances, some of which are outside of regular school hours, are mandatory and will be graded.
- A student will earn full credit (100) by simply appearing and performing.If a student is late for the warm-up time, they will receive 90 points. If a student appears after a performance has already begun, they will receive 80 points. If a student appears on time to a concert without proper attire or materials, 5 points will be deducted for each missing article. A student will receive zero points for not appearing.If a rehearsal or concert is missed due to an excused absence, the make-up assignment should be completed. A student’s grade may be withheld until the assignment is submitted
Students who are unable to attend a mandatory rehearsal or performance due to a family emergency must have a parent contact Mrs. Caudle by e-mail (for records) 48 hours before the event date. Last minute emergencies, such as car wrecks and/or medical emergencies, need to be communicated as soon as possible. Emergencies do not include family vacations/visits, doctor appointments, being scheduled to work, and non-school related activities.
Weekly In-Class Rehearsals (40%)
- In a given week, a choir will rehearse 5 times, for a total of 100 points per week (20 points per day). Points may be subtracted for an infraction of a choir rule.
-5 points: chewing gum or eating food
-10 points: cellphone use without permission
-5 points: each reprimand for behavior (talking/other disruptions) in the classroom and sectionals
-20 points: failure/refusal to participate in lesson
Black binder and pencils (10%)
- The required classroom materials are a 1 inch, hard shelled, and three ringed binder (used for choir only) and pencils. I am hopeful these can be provided to students by mid-September, but please have one for now just incase.
- There are 2 unannounced checks each 9-weeks, both are worth 100 points each
-For each piece of music missing, points will be deducted. For example, if there are 10 required pieces of music and a student is missing 2 of them, 20 points will be deducted and the grade will be 80 points out of 100.
Final Grade will be determined as follows:
1. 90-100 A
2. 80-89 B
3. 70-79 C
4. 65-69 D
5. Below 65 F
Missed Performance Make Up Assignment
General Guidelines
Assignment
• Research one of the pieces performed in choir this school year and write an essay.
Things to include:
Needs to be at least 2 pages in length, MLA Format, double spaced, and 12-point Times New Roman font.
- All make-up essays are due within one week of the missed performance.
- If no assignment is submitted, a “zero” will be entered for that grade.
- Students should be sure that all text is in their own words and is edited for sentence structure, punctuation, and spelling.
- Be sure to present a clearly defined and well-researched topic.
- Assignment may be submitted as a hard-copy, or e-mailed to Mrs. Caudle, [email protected].
- All papers must be typed.
Assignment
• Research one of the pieces performed in choir this school year and write an essay.
Things to include:
- Information about the composer(s)and/or arranger(s).
- Elements of musical style, form, melody, rhythm or technique.
- History of the piece. What era of music history? Where was the first performance? Was it influenced by another piece of music, or another style of music? Etc.
- Overall impression of the piece. Why did you choose this one to write your essay about?
Needs to be at least 2 pages in length, MLA Format, double spaced, and 12-point Times New Roman font.
Concert Attire
(Students cannot participate in a concert without the correct attire and payment of fees. If a student is not allowed to participate in the concert, the student’s grade will be affected.)
Uniform dress at all performances is very effective and is consistent with our goal of presenting ourselves in a first-rate manner. Each student will receive a concert shirt. A concert shirt is a t-shirt with a Riverdale Choir logo on it. In addition to the concert shirt, students are required to wear black slacks, a black belt, black shoes, and socks (athletic shoes are not appropriate). If you have any questions about the concert dress, please contact Mrs. Caudle.
Uniform dress at all performances is very effective and is consistent with our goal of presenting ourselves in a first-rate manner. Each student will receive a concert shirt. A concert shirt is a t-shirt with a Riverdale Choir logo on it. In addition to the concert shirt, students are required to wear black slacks, a black belt, black shoes, and socks (athletic shoes are not appropriate). If you have any questions about the concert dress, please contact Mrs. Caudle.
Music & Folders
- All concert music is furnished to the student.
- Music is expensive and students are expected to take care of it. Music is to be kept in the choir folder at all times.
- If music is lost or damaged, the student will pay for the replacement of the music.
- Music left out of the folder and not in its place in the choir room is considered “lost.”