Student Handbook

Performance Wardrobe

• Uniformity in appearance is important to choral performance.  Therefore, all students will wear the designated attire for each performance. No student will perform without the proper attire
• Students will remove excess jewelry and accessories for performances. There will be no earrings larger than studs, and no necklaces, bracelets, or wristwatches other than those deemed part of the performance attire.
• Measurement and distribution of the performance wardrobe will be made early in the school year in order for all students to be outfitted in time for the Holiday Concert
• It is the goal of the Holt Vocal Music Boosters to provide performance wardrobe for as many of the performing ensembles as possible.  They can only do this to the extent that support is provided. Each student/family will be asked to pay the equivalent of approximately$1 per-week-per-chorister to the Holt Vocal Music Boosters.  These $40 wardrobe rental fees may be made via check made out to: Holt Vocal Music Boosters and delivered by your chorister to Mr. Bishop, or mailed to Holt Vocal Music Boosters c/o Holt High School 5885 W. Holt Rd., Holt, MI 48842.  Donations and payments may also be made via PayPal or Credit Card on the Home Page of this website.  Those who would make a tax-deductible contribution of $50 or more to Holt Vocal Music Boosters will have the wardrobe fee waived for one student. We kindly ask that all contributions for 1st Term be made by November 1st.  Many doing a little will far exceed the basic needs of our organization.  With few doing everything we will never be able to meet the basic needs that each of our choristers have come to expect and deserve.  Thanks so much for your support!
• Descriptions of each choir’s specific wardrobe is provided at that choir’s individual blog page.

Classroom Rules and Procedures

1. All students will be in their designated seats and have music and class materials ready when the tardy bell rings.  Any student out of his/her seat at that time will be considered “tardy”.  Tardy consequences: 1st tardy=warning; 2nd tardy=parental contact;3rd tardy=referral to attendance office to acquire pass. Please be aware that accumulation of nine tardies mandates an attendance failure for the class.
2. Students will take care of personal necessities (restroom, water, personal phone calls, etc.) before or after class.  Please be aware that it is a waste of valuable time for the student, class, and teacher for each person that “needs” to be excused from class for some reason.
3. There will be no unnecessary talking or noise during rehearsals.  Students will raise their hand if they have a question or want to contribute to classroom discussion, and they will wait to be called upon.
4. Realizing that posture has much influence on vocal tone, breathing and intonation, students will observe proper standing and sitting posture while singing.  If a student is physically unable to comply with this rule, a doctor’s note must be provided in order to be excused from sitting up straight or standing.
5. Participation during all warm-up and rehearsal activities is required.  In the event of a physical problem, a student will sit in his/her usual seat and participate through active listening and score study.
6. Food, gum, and drinks are not permitted in the classroom.  Students may have bottled water with a cover or nozzle only.
7. The rehearsal room isto be kept clean and orderly.  Backpacks are not allowed in the classroom (except for Concert Chorus freshmen who are coming from NGC at the end of the day).  Textbooks and personal articles must be stowed underneath assigned seats.  Unless instructed otherwise you willl need only your music folder and a pencil. The teacher will not be responsible for personal articles left in the choir room.
8. Students may enter director’s officer only when he is present, or by permission.  Students may not use the phone during the regular school day.
9. The pianos, sound system, dry-erase board, practice rooms and all other equipment are not to be used unless specific permission has been granted by the director

NOTE* Strict adherence to these procedures should allow every gathering of choral students to result in an efficient, motivating musical experience.  Violation or failure to adhere to these policies will result in disciplinary action, including dismissal from the classroom, parental contact, referral to the administration, and removal from the vocal music program. *The above rules are not only in effect during classroom/rehearsal times, but also when participating in festivals and other off-campus activities.  We are representing our school during these times, so our attitude and behavior must positively reflect that.

Mandatory Choral Activities

With the opportunity to be part of a championship team comes great responsibility to it.  During the year there will be several required performances that take place outside of the normal school day.  These after school and weekend performances are of paramount importance!  These performances are when we go into the public to proudly demonstrate our achievement.  What good does it do a team to simply feel responsible to show up at practice without ever intending to play at the scheduled games?  There will be strict adherence to the choral activities required attendance policy this year.  Each required performance missed will result in reduction of one letter grade for the term.  The following protocol will be observed:

1. Students will be notified of these performances/rehearsals  at least two weeks in advance.  Students will then have 48 hours to communicate in writing a conflict with the said rehearsal in order to be excused.  Otherwise 100% attendance at these performances/rehearsals is assumed and expected.
2. Excessive absences from out-of-class scheduled performances and rehearsals may result in forfeiture of performing privileges
3. All reasons for absences will be considered excused or unexcused at the discretion of the director.
4. Students earn Varsity Letter points for outside-of-class scheduled performances and rehearsals.

Performances

All performances are considered necessary laboratory experiences for choral classes and are mandatory.  Unexcused absences from any of these events will result in the loss of one letter grade for the term.  Students should plan to arrive on time for performances.  It takes time for organization and warm-up prior to concerts.  Performers arriving late compromise the efforts of all performance ensembles and cheapen the performance that everyone has worked hard to prepare. Please plan ahead to allow as much time as possible for delays.

Chorus Letters and Points

All members of the HHS Choral Department are eligible to earn Chorus Letters and Awards.  Chorus members earn points for participation in various choral activities.

• Point accumulation begins in the 9th grade and continues through the 12th grade.
• Points are tallied in May of each school year and awards are presented at the annual awards banquet.

Documentation is kept for each student by the choral director containing point-evaluations.  Any choral student is permitted to peruse his/her points record upon request.

The Awards

• Chorus Letter-650 points
• Bronze Pin- 1350 points
• Silver Pin- 2050 points
• Gold Pin-2750 points
• Honor Pin-3450 points
• Lyre-4150 points
• Trophy-4850 points

How to Earn Points

• 25 points             Annual points for each chorus membership
• 50 points             Total extra rehearsal attendance ( 5pts per rehearsal)
• 200 points          Participation in Choral Performances (20pts per performance)
• 50 points             Serve as Chorus Council Member/Section Leader
• 50-150                Participation in musical production (150 pts=major role;             100 pts=minor role;50 pts crew or chorus)
• Unlimited            Recruiting new chorus members                                                     (50 pts per recruit accepted director)
• Unlimited            Concert Attendance, other than HHS choral concerts. A critique of the concert is required. (up to 25 pts per critique)
• Unlimited           Involvement in community performances and activities.  A critique   of the experience is required  (up to 25 pts per critique)
• 90 points           Extra effort at discretion of teacher  (30 pts per term)

Grading Procedures

1. Class Participation 60%- Although all students are expected to develop an understanding of vocal production and demonstrate their comprehension in a group setting, students are not evaluated on the amount of vocal talent they possess.  All students will be evaluated heavily by the degree of effort put inot the class.   This portion of your grade includes: warm-up participation; rehearsal participation; adherence to classroom rules and procedures.
2. Performance Attendance 20%-Each student has the responsibility to all other members of the choral class.  The absence of a single student will affect the total group effort.  Therefore, unexcused absences from mandatory performances will result in the loss of one letter grade from the student’s term grade.
3. Performance Evaluations 10%- Students will be engaged regularly in performance evaluations of their own and other groups
4. Other class assignments 10%- Occasionally students will be assigned written classwork related to our study of music.  Completion of these assignments will affect student’s grade
5. Final Exam 20%- A final exam is required by our district in the value of 20% after a grade has been  determined by the above criteria.

Contract Agreement:                                                                                                                  By completing the form below you are “signing” and agree to the following statement:

“I have read the Student Handbook and understand the policies concerning performing ensembles, classroom procedures, rules, mandatory choral activities, performance wardrobe, chorus letters, student financial contribution expectations, and grading.”

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