Cardinal Ritter Choir Handbook

2017 – 2018

“Music is a more potent instrument than any other for education, Because rhythm and harmony

find their way into the inward places of the soul.”

[Plato]

Mr. Jeff Mayo MayoMusicRoom.Weebly.com

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Cardinal Ritter High School Choirs | 2017 - 2018 Mr. Jeff Mayo | MayoMusicRoom.Weebly.com

Co-Curricular Opportunities:

ISSMA: is an opportunity for choirs with beginning through well-seasoned levels of experience. We will explore choral literature performance in a professional contest setting. This is a great opportunity to get feedback and suggestions for improving our program. Group entrance fees are covered by Cardinal Ritter High School. This could change. Important Solo and Ensemble Dates – All students must participate either as a soloist, in an ensemble, or both. November 13-15, solo music selections December 2, Solo & Ensemble Entries Due February 3, Vocal/Piano District S&E!! February 10, weather date for District S&E February 17, STATE S&E!!! Important Organization Dates: February 28, High School Organization Entry Deadline April 14 and 21, High School Organization Festival (specific date determined by mid-March) Catholic High School Choral Festival – Marian University – Indianapolis: is an opportunity to work with seasoned university professors who will give us invaluable insight into choral literature study and vocal technique. Catholic high school choir from across the state will be joined together for a performance with one of the largest choirs you may ever get to perform with. No cost to students. TBA - Typically the second Thursday of November

Classroom Expectations

• Be on time and in your seat with all materials before the tardy bell sounds. • Be prepared for class with homework completed as assigned. • Maintain a ready-to-learn attitude. • Read the daily plan and start the “Daily Board Assignment” at the tardy bell. • Use of electronic devices is limited to times specifically allowed by the teacher. • Observe all rules included in the student handbook.

Required Materials: 1-inch black binder for performance Technology device, fully charged Folder or a separate binder for other class materials Pencil (anything written in pen will receive an automatic zero) School agenda to keep track of assignments Paper (college-ruled) for notes and assignments Goals for Program:

Professionalism o Actions must represent the school, choir, and self with dignity and class o Concert attire – all decision made by the teacher are final. When in doubt, ask!

• We will wear black tops, black pants, black dress shoes • Tops will have ¾ length sleeves • Wear a red accent – it can be a tie, scarf, belt, etc.

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Be Ambassadors

o of music – we share various cultures through music | we convey intense thoughts and emotions through music

o of yourself – take pride in your work o of our school – our work should bring honor and respect to our school

Musical Goals

o Learn to sing with healthy and proper vocal technique o Perform comfortably before peer audiences and before concert audiences o Develop an understanding of music theory being able to identify/understand:

§ key signatures § time signatures § different clefs and the musical alphabet § note values / rhythms

Strategies for Musical Success:

Sight-Singing o Analyze the key signature o Locate solfege “Do” and name the song’s opening solfege pitch name o Circle accidentals, rests and dynamic changes o If you mess up, keep going!!

Music Practice

o Memorize the words to the song two weeks before a concert/festival or by assigned date o Practice with approved videos posted by Mr. Mayo – these will give the best idea of the

musical expression we are working toward. Attendance Policy Students are responsible for making up any missed work and learning the skills not acquired due to an absence. Absent students should first check the missing assignments folder, second ask classmates for missed information, and finally talk with the teacher for a lesson plan from the missed day. Students may come during the teacher’s tutoring times for additional instruction or assistance that cannot be provided within a normal class period. Students who arrive late will not be admitted into the classroom without a pass from another teacher, staff member, or administrator. Parents should watch student participation grades for excessive tardiness. If tardiness or excessive need to get a drink or use the restroom persists, parents will be contacted. Assessment Many types of assessment will be used to gauge the success of instruction and the progress of students. Data from the assessments will guide, support, enhance, and reinforce future instruction. All assessments are product driven. They are designed to showcase how learners can apply their musical knowledge and skills. Daily professionalism grades, performance, and homework are embedded in the grading requirements for Cardinal Ritter High School Choral students. Assessment is embedded in the daily instruction of performance-based courses and allows teachers to evaluate students’ progress with as little disruption on instructional time as possible. Assessments

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hold students accountable for learning performance-based skills as outline by Indiana State Music Standards.

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Grading (CRHS Grading Scale will determine letter grades): Performance Grading Liturgy (15 total points): 1 point Proper Clothing for Liturgy 2 points each Pre-Liturgy Questions | Binder Preparation | Timeliness 3 points Post-Liturgy Reflection 5 points Performance Techniques: Posture | Poise | Pitch | Projection | Rhythm “Other” Performance (30 total points): 3 points Pre-Performance Questions 1 point Pre-Performance Mr. Mayo Evaluation 4 points Binder Preparation (Mayo diet) 2 points Attire 2 points Timeliness 2 points General Preparedness 6 points Post-Performance Reflection 2 points each Posture | Poise | Pitch | Projection | Rhythm Concerts and Contests (100 total points): 3 points Pre-Performance Questions 2 points Pre-Performance Mr. Mayo Evaluation 3 points Binder Preparation (Mayo diet) 8 points Attire 10 points Timeliness 5 points General Preparedness 7 points each Posture | Poise 15 points each Pitch/Rhythm | Projection 25 points Post-Concert Evaluation (2-3 pages) In-Class Assignments Professionalism Points: students begin each day with 3 points that can be taken away for:

Excessive use of restroom | Lack of materials being at the student’s seat Disruptive behavior | Unexcused tardiness to class | Lack of exit ticket by 3:35pm | etc.

Homework: typical assignments are worth 10 points Papers, Essays, and Projects: points assigned with assignment Assessments: 10 – 50 points Pop Quizzes: 5 - 10 points

All papers will follow ISTEP grading rubrics found on the classroom website. All assignments not turned in by the specified deadline will automatically lose 10% off the earned grade. For each school day after, an additional 20% will be deducted Schedule: Please refer to the website for all dates. Any changes in schedule will be communicated with at least two-weeks notice, when possible.

*****All classroom practices, procedures, grades, disciplinary actions, and schedules are subject to review and or revision at the discretion of the director and or school administration. *****

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Dear Parent/Guardian: Thank you for the privilege of teaching your student this school year! I look forward to working closely with you, so together we can make this year one of rewarding educational and musical experiences. Please take a moment to read the Cardinal Ritter High School Handbook. This contains important information regarding course objectives, expectations, and grading procedures. After reading, please sign and have your student return the bottom portion of this page. This will indicate that you and your student have read the handbook, and that you both understand the requirements and are aware of the information it contains. Students must keep the handbook in their folder. Parents can access a copy on the classroom website. If at any time you have questions, comments, or concerns, please communicate through email or schedule a conference with me. Musically, Mr. M Jeffery A. Mayo Liturgical Music and Choir Director jmayo@cardinalritter.org 317-924-4333 ext. 547 MayoMusicRoom.Weebly.com Name of Student: _______________________________________________ Name of Parent/Guardian: _________________________________________ Together, we have read the CRHS Choral Handbook, and we understand the expectations, grading procedures, and other music policies as outlined in this handbook. _________________________________________________________________________________ Signature of Student Date _________________________________________________________________________________ Signature of Parent/Guardian Date