Chorale Handbook
Students all have a paper copy of this handbook in their Chorale folder and a digital copy on Schoology.
Their handbooks will have all of the information on this website plus more specific details, order forms, and deadlines timely with the current year.
- Course Description & Attire
- Chorale Expectations
- Sectional Information
- Additional Opportunities Available
- NYS Learning Standards for Music
- Concert Make-up Assignments
Course Description & Attire
Chorale
Grade(s): 9-12
Duration/Credit: Year – 1 unit
Level: Advanced
Prerequisite: Acceptance by audition only
This advanced ensemble sings at the highest possible level for high school students. Dedicated, hard working musicians who want to sing a challenging variety of repertoire will feel a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction performing in this group.
The choir meets daily during the school day. In addition, each student participates in a sectional once per week which takes place on a rotating basis (a different period each cycle). During these rehearsals and sectionals members learn and develop proper vocal technique while they prepare music for performances. The evening concerts scheduled for the groups are required as part of the course. Evaluation is based on attendance, participation and performance in rehearsals, sectionals and concerts.
Auditions for Chorale take place in the spring. The voicing of the Chorale is mixed voicing (girls and boys – soprano, alto, tenor, bass). Auditions are open to anyone in grades 8-11, however, previous choir experience is strongly recommended.
Concert Attire for Chorale Members
We have specific outfits for all of our Chorale members.
Formal Gowns: We order all of our dresses from a single company (Stage Accents). You will need to choose a size by using the company website/size chart or by trying on some samples I have in the room. Students will use their handbook for order forms and specific information for the current year.
Tuxedos: Since families have varied goals and needs for their tuxedos (use at prom, might already own shoes, etc.) students can get their tuxedoes any way they wish. Families have purchased or rented in the past; do what works for your family. Please get a standard black tux with shirt, black bow tie, black cummerbund, black dress shoes. Students will receive timely, updated information each year in their handbooks to help them find a tux.
Chorale Expectations
Chorale Expectations
1. Be on time, prepared for class and sectionals with all materials. Folder, music and pencil every day
2. Always do your best. Focus on rehearsal 100% of the time. Always work to improve your voice. Practice your music outside of class
3. Attend all rehearsals and required performances
Classroom Policies
1. Only positive comments in this room
2. Throw gum away before rehearsal starts
3. Do not use your phone during class
4. Bathroom passes are available. Always ask permission to use a pass before taking it.
5. Follow all rules and policies in the student handbook.
Grading
Your grades are determined by the above expectations and policies within two categories.
20% of your grade: Academic Behavior
Preparation for class, timeliness, lesson and rehearsal attendance, effort, etc.
Homework/practice completion
80% of your grade: Learning Tasks and Assessments
Musicianship and assignments: rehearsal and vocal technique, posture, group and individual part checks, sight reading skills, written assignments and sectional work, quizzes and tests, etc.
Concert performances
* Extra credit at any time: Attend a concert as an audience member, write a review of the concert and turn in review with program.
Sectional Information
What is a Sectional?
A sectional is a small group lesson of students of the same voice type. Everyone in Choristers and Chorale is required to attend sectionals. Sectionals occur during classes. You must see your teacher before missing their class for a sectional. You are responsible for any work missed.
Attendance
Attendance at sectionals is mandatory and part of your grade. You are allowed to miss one sectional per marking period, but you are still responsible for any work given in that sectional. If you miss more than one sectional you must make them up. If you play in band or orchestra, you are required to come to half of the sectionals for each ensemble.
Make ups
Sectionals must be made up within a week of the missed sectional. You can come to another group’s sectional (of the same choir), to a during or after school make up time (I usually have at least one per week – see me to set it up), or you can make a separate appointment with me.
Additional Opportunities Available
1. Solo Festivals
Twice each year students have the opportunity to participate in solo festivals. Singers prepare a piece and sing their solo in front of a judge. Festivals are hosted at area high schools, and the judges are voice teachers and choir directors from around the state. This is an opportunity to sing for a person other than your choir director to get another perspective and fresh ideas on improving your voice. Students can choose to participate as a festival participant or a graded participant. Festival participants receive comments from their judge. Graded participants perform a solo and a sight reading passage and receive both comments and a grade.
- Small ensembles, such as duets and trios, can also participate at solo festivals.
- Some years we participate in both festivals. Other years we participate in just one of them. This depends on the dates they are held and other potential mitigating circumstances.
- Students in grades 9-11 who sing a spring solo have the opportunity to apply for Area All-State Chorus the following fall. Applications for Area All-State Chorus are done in June.
- County festival
- The solo festival sponsored by Monroe County is held every January. Some years, students have the opportunity to audition for All-County Chorus at this festival. The A-C Chorus audition is a separate audition from any judged solos.
- State festival
- The solo festival sponsored by NYS is held in the spring, usually April or May. At this festival students grades 10 & 11 have the opportunity to use their solo as an audition for the All-State Choir (held the following fall). Students who wish to audition for All-State need to sing a specific All-State solo and declare their intention to audition while registering for the solo festival.
2. Honor Choirs
- All-County Choirs
- All All-County ensembles perform in March (Music In Our Schools Month) and are chosen the previous January. These students represent the best musicians in Monroe County.
- Junior High All-County Chorus (grade 7-8): members are chosen by teacher recommendation. The rehearsals and performances take place at a host school
- Senior High All-County Chorus (grade 9-12): members are chosen by teacher recommendation. This ensemble performs at the Eastman Theatre.
- Area All-State Choir
- All Area All-State ensembles perform in November and are chosen that fall. These students represent the best musicians in an 8 county area (Monroe, Orleans, Genesee, Wyoming, Livingston, Ontario, Seneca, Wayne).
- Both Junior High (7-9) and Senior High (10-12) choirs are chosen by application. The requirements to apply are the previous spring's solo festival score and teacher recommendation. Any one interested in the Area All-State Choirs needs to have sung a solo at festival the spring before.
- All-State Choir
- Students in grades 10 & 11 are eligible to audition for all-State ensembles. These students represent the best musicians in New York State. The audition takes place at the spring solo festival. Any one interested in auditioning needs to sign up for the solo festival as an all-state applicant and fill out an all-state application. These students then sing their solo in an all-state room for their voice part. Students are chosen during the summer and are notified during the first weeks of school. All-State ensembles perform at the NYSSMA Convention in November.
3. Voice lessons
Voice lessons are not part of our program but are always available in the community. Individual teachers teach out of their homes and major schools (Eastman, Hochstein, Roberts Wesleyan) offer community lessons. Sometimes voice teachers share their contact information with our department; see Mrs. Graham if you would like help finding a teacher.
NYS Learning Standards for Music
Anchor Standards: Creating
- Generate and conceptualize artistic ideas and work.
- Organize and develop artistic ideas and work.
- Refine and complete artistic ideas and work.
Anchor Standards: Performing
- Analyze, interpret and select artistic work for presentation.
- Develop and refine artistic techniques and work for presentation. 6. Convey meaning through the presentation of artistic work.
Anchor Standards: Responding
- Perceive and analyze artistic work.
- Interpret intent and meaning in artistic work.
- Apply criteria to evaluate artistic work.
Anchor Standards: Connecting
- Synthesize and relate knowledge and personal experiences to make art.
- Relate artistic ideas and works with societal, cultural and historical context to deepen understanding.
Concert Make-up Assignments
Anyone who missed a concert for an excused reason has the opportunity to make it up and not lose those points on their average.
Write an essay comparing and contrasting two pieces from the missed concert.
Content
- Analyze, compare and contrast:
- Composers
- Genres
- Time period
- Nationalities
- Use of accompaniment (or lack thereof)
- Purpose of songs
- Arrangers (if any)
- Articulations used (legato, staccato, marcato)
- Languages
- Form
- Keys
- Meter
- Etc…..
- Suggestion: start with a chart, listing the characteristics of each piece comparatively.
- Ex: Piece #1 Piece #2
- Composer
- Genre
- Etc…
- Ex: Piece #1 Piece #2
Format
The paper should be approximately 2 full pages long, typed, double spaced, with side margins at 1.25” and top and bottom margins at 1.00”. Font size should be no bigger than 12 point. You should include introductory and concluding paragraphs.
Due Date
The paper is due before the end of the marking period of the missed concert. If the concert was near the end of the marking period, you can set an appropriate due date with Mrs. Graham.
See me if you need help or alternative resources. Good luck!