Haynes Bridge Chorus

10665 Haynes Bridge Road, Alpharetta, GA 30022 - (470) 254-7030

2016-2017 Chorus Syllabus

Teacher: Caroline Goldstein goldsteinc@fultonschools.org

Chorus Website: haynesbridgechorus.weebly.com
Class Periods:
Period 2: 9:49-10:39

Chorus 8

Period 3: 10:43-11:33

Chorus 7

Period 4: 11:37-12:27

Chorus 6

Student Materials:
Pencils (2)
Agenda
Lined notebook paper

Supplies to Bring at the Beginning of the Year:

1-inch black binder
1 pack of pencils
1 box of tissues
1 bottle of hand sanitizer
1 pack of white-board markers

Class Resources:
Choral Octavos* (sheet music) (Issued by HBMS Choral Program may not be
taken home)

Choral Connections - Glencoe McGraw-Hill

Experiencing Choral Literature Hal Leonard

*Please note that we will perform sacred and secular music representing many
cultures. Music is selected for its educational and artistic merit, not to promote
any particular religion or belief.

Course Information and Objectives:

HBMS Chorus is a year-long, performance-based class. Chorus is open to any
student and does not require any prior experience. Students will learn to sing
using proper breath support, diction, posture, articulation, and tone. In addition,
they will sight-read written music, notate music, and explore the historical and
cultural contexts of a wide variety of repertoire. Through participation in the
choral program, students will explore practice techniques and performance
skills.

Fulton County Schools Grading Scale:

A=100-90%
B=89-80%
C=79-70%
F=69% and below

Grading System:
As a way to measure growth, we will use the HBMS grading break-down.
Major Assessments (concerts, dress rehearsals):

45%

Minor Assessments (skill demonstrations, quizzes):

35%

Class Work (daily grades):

15%

Work Ethic (participation and effort):

5%

Standards:
To see the list of the music standards taught in chorus, please visit the following
website (pages 36-43):
https://www.georgiastandards.org/standards/gps%20support%20docs/fine-arts-music-gps.pdf

Concert Participation Policy:

Chorus is a performance-based course and attendance at all concerts and
performances is expected. Students grades are impacted by their
participation in dress rehearsals and performances. If a student has an
emergency or illness that necessitates that he/she miss a required rehearsal or
performance, he/she will be given the opportunity to complete an assignment
of equal magnitude to take the place of his/her concert participation grade.
Please communicate any absences (other than severe illness or the loss of a
family member) to Ms. Goldstein with at least one weeks notice.

Class Participation Policy:

All students are expected to participate fully. If a student is not feeling well
enough to sing, he/she will be sent to the clinic. Students who are well enough
to remain at school but are unable to sing will be expected to do an alternative
assignment to earn his/her participation points for the day.

Class Work:
A student who misses class work for any reason must make up the work when
he/she returns to school. Failure to do so will result in a grade of 0%. It is the
students responsibility to inquire about missed assignments.

NHI Statement:
Assignments are given to students as practice and to gain a deeper
understanding of a concept. Completing assignments correctly and in a timely
manner is an important part of the learning process and allows the teacher to
assess what each student has learned. We are implementing a school-wide late
work policy, to ensure that there are consistent expectations in regards to work

that is not turned in on time and to support students in building habits to plan for
success.
Late work is any assignment that receives a grade for accuracy and is not
turned in, for up to 5 days. Each day that an assignment is late, there will be a
deduction of 4 points for a total possible deduction of 20 points. On the 6th day
of a missing assignment, the assignment is considered missing work and an
intervention will be put in place. The student will be referred to our graduation
coach for working lunch. The student will be assigned to working lunch until the
assignment is completed. The assignment will receive a grade out of 80 possible
points.

Recovery Process:
If your child needs to improve his/her grade in chorus, he/she may work with Ms.
Goldstein before or after school to raise his/her grade. Any additional
assignments used to improve a grade will be determined by Ms. Goldstein on a
case-by-case basis.

Extra Help:
Ms. Goldstein is available on select days before and after school to work with
students individually/in small groups. If class time does not allow, students may
use this time to make up tests and quizzes.

Class Expectations:
Engaged Students will focus on class activities and participate fully.
Accountable Students will respect their classmates, teacher, space, and
materials.
Goal-Oriented Students will strive to perform at the highest level possible. They
recognize that there is always more to learn.
Leader Students will be courteous and serve as role models for others.
Enthusiastic Students will be team players and will maintain positive attitudes.

Students should bring their agendas, paper, and two pencils with them to class.
No gum, food, or drinks are allowed during class or performances.

Consequences:
1st Offense Verbal Warning
2nd Offense Student will be asked to complete an alternative assignment to
earn his/her participation points
3rd Offense Students parents will be contacted and student will receive
private detention.
4th Offense Student will be placed on Performance Probation and will be
unable to perform with the group until his/her conduct improves. Students
placed on Performance Probation will be required to complete an alternative
project to take the place of his/her concert grade. Office Referral.
5th Offense A conference with Ms. Goldstein, the students parents, and an
HBMS administrator will be held to discuss dismissal from the choral program.

Tardy Policy:
HBMSs school-wide policy states that students must arrive to their classes before
the final bell. Any student who is not in the chorus room by the final bell will be
considered tardy. Students who are tardy must report to the ISS Supervisor in
Room 22 to get a pass to return to class. Students will be assigned a
consequence for tardiness as set forth by the schools progressive consequence
scale. Any student who arrives to Room 22 later than the five-minute window
following the final bell will be sent to the office for cutting class.

Student Agendas
Students are given an agenda at the beginning of the year to use as a planner
and hall pass.

Concert Attire:
The chorus uniform consists of a red polo shirt with the Haynes Bridge Chorus
logo, black dress pants/slacks (no leggings, denim, or skinny cuts), black socks,
and solid black closed-toed shoes (no sparkles, bows, etc). Shirts are to be

tucked in for performances and may not be altered in any way. All students
with long hair must wear it pulled back using small, unobtrusive hair-colored or
black accessories. Jewelry must be limited to small, inconspicuous earrings and
medical IDs.
In addition, students have an informal t-shirt that will be worn with blue jeans (no
rips or decorations) and sneakers for casual performances.
The chorus uniform shirts come in Youth and Adult sizes. Sample sizes are
available for each child to try on during class. We will wear these shirts each
year, so please make sure your child has room to grow.
Any student who is not properly dressed in our uniform will not be permitted to
perform. The student will receive a grade of 50% for his/her concert
participation grade.

Fundraising:
Haynes Bridge Middle Schools Choral Program will offer several fundraisers
throughout the year. In the fall, we will hold a traditional fundraiser (not pizzas
this year!). In the winter, we will hold the Rock-a-Thon (date TBA, collected
money will go toward trip costs). All money raised will support our choral
program and the purchase of items such as sheet music and supplies.
Please note that all chorus students will participate in our Spring Musical Revue.
With the exception of our dress rehearsals, all chorus rehearsals for this
production will take place during your childs chorus class. Students who wish to
have lead roles may audition during our school-wide auditions in late fall.
Rehearsals for these parts will take place after school.

Chorus Fee:
The following participation fee helps to cover the cost of music, state fees, and
accompanist fees:
$25 Chorus Fee - all students
$20 - Red Uniform Polo - students who do not own the uniform shirt
$10 - Chorus T-Shirt - students who do not own the mint green t-shirt

Calendar: Please note that dates may be added or changed.

Date
8/26/16
9/23/16

Activity
Signed
syllabus due
8th Grade
night

9/27/16

Fall Concert
Dress
Rehearsal

10/4/16

Chorus Fall
Concert

10/15/16
10/2810/29/2016
11/1/16

Community
Children's
Choral
Festival
District Honor
Chorus
Rehearsal for
Kodaly
Workshop

Location

Time

Students
All
Choruses

Obligation
required

Centennial
HS

TBA

8th

optional

HBMS

4:10-5:15
pm

All
Choruses

required

HBMS

6:00 pm
call, 7:00
pm perf

All
Choruses

required

TBA

9:00 am5:00 pm

6th Grade

required

TBA

TBA

select

select

HBMS

4:10-5:15
pm

7th and 8th

(6th
optional)

req. for 7th

and 8th,
opt. for 6th

10:30 am 7th and 8th

call, 1:00
(6th
pm pick-up optional)

req. for 7th

and 8th,
opt. for 6th

11/5/16

Kodaly
Educators of
GA
Workshop
with Dr.
Deanna
Joseph from
GA State

Mt. Paran
Church

11/12/16

All-State
Auditions

Dutchtown
HS

TBA

select

select

12/8/16

Winter
Concert
Dress
Rehearsal

HBMS

4:10-5:15

All
Choruses

required

12/13/16

Chorus
Winter
Concert

HBMS

6:00 pm
call, 7:00
pm perf

All
Choruses

required

1/19/17

All-State
Auditions

North
Springs HS

1/20/17

Rock-a-thon

HBMS

2/13/17

Pre-LGPE
Rehearsal
and Concert

HBMS

2/172/18/17

Statewide
6th Grade
Honor
Chorus

2/21/17
2/232/25/17

TBA

select

select

4:30 8:30 pm
4:105:15pm
rehearsal,
5:30 pm
perf

All
Choruses

optional

All
Choruses

required

Classics
Center
Athens, GA

All Day

select

select

LGPE Dress
Rehearsal

HBMS

4:10-5:15
pm

All
Choruses

required

All-State
Chorus

Classics
Center
Athens, GA

All Day

select

select

TBA

Day and
Time TBA
(will be
during
school)

All
Choruses

required

Meet at
HBMS

8:30 am

All
Choruses

optional

HBMS

4:10-5:30
pm

All
Choruses

required

HBMS

6:00 pm
call, 7:00
pm perf

All
Choruses

required

Large Group
2/28-3/3/17 Performance
Evaluation
4/29/17
5/8-5/10/17

5/11/17

Southern
Star
Musical
Revue Dress
Rehearsals
Musical
Revue

My child and I have read the Haynes Bridge Middle School Chorus
Syllabus and agree to meet the obligations set forth by the choral
program. We have noted all rehearsal and performance dates.

Parent Signature: _________________________________ Date: _________

Student Signature: ________________________________ Date: __________

Additional Information

Students Name: __________________________________________________

Students Grade: ________

Students Height: _______

Parents Name: ___________________________________________________

Parents Email Address: ____________________________________________

Parents Phone Number: __________________________________________

Does your student play an instrument? If so, which one(s)? __________

Does your student take music lessons? If so, whom does he/she
study?
__________________________________________________________________

Chorus Fees
Students Name: __________________________________________________
Students Grade: ________
Chorus Uniform Shirt Size: ______
(sizes YL, YXL, AS, AM, AL, AXL, AXXL)

Chorus Fee (all chorus members):

$25

______

Polo (if your child does not already own one*):

$20

______

T-shirt (if your child does not already own one*):

$10

______

Total Amount Included: ______

*Please initial if not purchasing a shirt:

My child already owns a red chorus uniform polo _____
My child already owns a mint green chorus t-shirt _____

Please attach the applicable Chorus fees. Checks may be made

payable to Haynes Bridge Middle School and are due by Friday,
August 26, 2016.

Additional Opportunities
GMEA Statewide Sixth Grade Honor Chorus
Haynes Bridge is able to send five students to Statewide Sixth Grade Honor
Chorus. Statewide Sixth Grade Honor Chorus is in Athens, GA from February 1718, 2017 . Any student who is selected will need to attend the event with a
parent/chaperone. The cost of registration and music is approximately $50. In
addition, each student will be responsible for the cost of his/her travel, hotel,
and meals.

GMEA All-State Chorus

7th and 8th grade choral students are eligible to audition for GMEAs All-State
Chorus. Students who are selected for All-State Chorus must pass two rigorous
auditions. The first audition will take place at Dutchtown High School in
Hampton, GA on November 12, 2016. The second audition will take place on
January 19, 2017 at North Springs High School in Sandy Springs, GA. All-State
Chorus will take place from February 23th-25th in Athens, GA.
The audition process involves quite a bit of preparation, though the auditions
and event itself are incredibly rewarding. Any student who is interested in
auditioning should plan to practice with Ms. Goldstein before and/or after
school. Any student who is selected will need to attend the auditions and event
with a parent/chaperone. The cost of registration and music is approximately
$50. In addition, each student will be responsible for the cost of his/her travel,
hotel, and meals.

GMEA District V Honor Chorus

Haynes Bridge may select 6th-8th grade students to participate in GMEA District V
Honor Chorus (6th in the 4th-6th Grade Honor Chorus, 7th and 8th in the Middle
School Honor Chorus). District Honor Chorus is a great way to meet other singers
from Fulton County, Atlanta Public Schools, and the private schools in those
districts. The event will take place on October 28th and 29th in the metro-Atlanta
area. Please note that the performance on October 29th will take place in the
early afternoon. Please only commit this if your child is willing to postpone any
Halloween celebrations until that evening! The cost of participation and music is
approximately $45.

Georgia American Choral Directors Association Treble Honor Chorus

GA ACDA Treble Honor Chorus is open by audition to any of our choral students
with unchanged voices. The event will take place in June (exact date TBA) at
Spivey Hall on the campus of Clayton State University. The cost of registration is
approximately $65. Each student must have a parent chaperone.

American Choral Directors Association National Honor Choir

This year, the American Choral Directors Associations National Conference will
take place in Minneapolis, MN. To audition, students will need to submit a
recorded track that they will create with Ms. Goldsteins assistance before or
after school. Auditions must be recorded in between September 1, 2016 and
September 30, 2016. Students will be notified about the result of their audition
on November 15, 2016.
Selected students will attend the event from March 8th-11th in Minneapolis. All
participating students must attend with a parent chaperone. Please note that
while this is one of the most amazing choral experiences offered in the country, it
is quite expensive! The cost to participate is $150 plus travel expenses (note that
it is required that you stay at the honor choir hotel).

Honor Chorus Audition Sign-Up

My child would like to audition for the following choirs (audition is at
Haynes Bridge Middle School):

_____ GMEA 6th Grade Honor Chorus

_____ GMEA District V Honor Chorus (6th-8th)
_____ GA ACDA Treble Honor Choir
__________________________________________________________________
_____ ACDA National Honor Choir (auditions through ACDA)
_____ GMEA All-State Chorus (auditions through GMEA)

I understand that if my child is selected for one or

more of the honor choirs, it is mandatory that he/she
attends the event in its entirety. Students who are not
able to commit should not audition as to allow
another student to take advantage of the
opportunity.
Students Name: __________________________________________________

Parents Name: ___________________________________________________

Parents Signature: _______________________________ Date: __________