Stuarts Draft

High School

Chorus
Department

Policy Handbook
2018-2019
Mrs. Jacqueline Knappenberger
Director of Choral Activities
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Hello, and welcome to the Stuarts Draft High School Chorus Program!!!

I am looking forward to working with each of you through a very exciting musical year.
Our chorus program is continuing to grow and create traditions of excellence.

This handbook is intended to help the SDHS Chorus Program work as efficiently as
possible. Keep this handbook and refer to it when you have a question about the
policies of our organization.

I realize you are overwhelmed with reading material from school at the beginning of
the year, but please take the time to read the entire handbook! Students will be held
responsible for the information contained in the handbook. Please keep it for your
reference throughout the year.

Thank you for supporting our Chorus Program at Stuarts Draft High School! If you have
any questions about the information contained in this handbook, please do not hesitate
to contact me 540-946-7600 or by email at knappenberger.jm@augusta.k12.va.us.

Mrs. Jacqueline Knappenberger

Director of Choral Activities

COURSE OFFERINGS AND ACTIVITIES

All Choruses:
o Fall Concert – October 11, 2018
o VMEA Senior Honor Choir Auditions – October 13, 2018
• VMEA Conference & Honor Choir Performance – November 15-17, 2018
o District Choir Auditions – November 6, 2018
• District Choir Rehearsals and Performance – January 18 & 19, 2019
o Winter Concert – December 6, 2018
o All-Virginia State Honor Choir Auditions – January 18, 2018
• All-Virginia State Honor Choir Rehearsals and Performance – April 4 & 6, 2019
o Performing Arts Showcase – February 21, 2019
o Spring Concert – May 2, 2019
o Music Department Awards Ceremony – May 3, 2019
o Baccalaureate (seniors only) – May 19, 2019
o Graduation – May 20, 2019

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Intermediate Choir Additional Opportunities:
o Community Caroling – December, 2018
Advanced Choir Additional Opportunities:
o National Anthem at Homecoming Game – September 14, 2019
o All-County Choir – October 8, 2018
o Community Caroling – December, 2018
Vocal Jazz (Spring Semester Advanced Students) Additional Opportunities:
o Jazz Festival Performance – April 20, 2019
PROCEDURES
DAILY REHEARSAL PROCEDURES:
1. Enter the room respectfully.
2. Quickly and quietly get all materials.
3. Place backpack on the bookshelves.
4. Be seated and ready to begin at the bell.
5. Have at your seat
• Music folder (with music in it)
• Pencil
• Any extra items written on the board
6. When Mrs. Knappenberger (or any other adult) steps in front of the class, stop talking
immediately and wait for further instructions.
EXPECTATIONS FOR CONDUCT:
Students are expected to:
 Enter the music room in an orderly manner.
 Be in their seats and quiet by the time the director begins class (at the bell).
 Respond with a positive attitude in rehearsal.
 Compliment and encourage others.
 Ask permission before leaving their seat.
 Be in place, ready to respond on time for trips, rehearsals, and performances. – Early is on time, on
time is late!!!
 Get rid of all gum, food, or beverages of any kind before entering the music room.
 Remain quiet during rehearsal and raise hands with questions.
 Maintain correct posture for singing.
 Be prepared for class with all necessary items.
 Keep music neat.
 Mark music when necessary (with PENCIL!!).
 Sing only when it is appropriate.
 Strive to achieve the best possible sound at all times.
PASSES
Students wishing to leave the room for any reason should follow the procedures below:
1) Fill out the pass log in the front of the room and take the appropriate pass.
2) Return to class as quickly as possible.
3) Join the rehearsal quickly, without disruption.

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PERFORMANCES

CALENDAR
A copy of the SDHS Chorus calendar will be kept on our music department website and can be accessed
at any time throughout the year. This calendar will include important dates and information about events
throughout the school year. If a new event is added to the calendar or information changes, sufficient
notice will be given. Check the website regularly for news regarding important dates.

PERFORMANCE ATTENDANCE POLICY

All members are expected to be present at all activities. Because of the nature of a performing group,
each musician is a VITAL part of the whole and MUST be at ALL rehearsals and performances. If you
miss a rehearsal or performance, your grade will be affected.

Rehearsals and performances are an important part of any musical organization. We will have several
events this year. Sufficient notice will be given for all events. One reason students become involved in
music is the opportunity to perform!

ALL students are required to attend performances for 3 reasons:

1) It is part of the learning experience.
2) We need every member of our team for the best performances possible.
3) It is fun!! The performance is the reward you have earned for all the time spent preparing.

Absences from concerts are approved only in these cases (Must be in writing with a parent signature):
1. Administratively excused absence from school on day of performance.
2. Unexpected illness before concert (doctor excused).
3. Family emergency.

NOTE: Any student who misses a performance (excused or unexcused) is expected to complete an
additional assignment to make up this event for their grade. Students who miss the performance and fail
to complete the additional assignment will receive an “F” for their performance grade.

OTHER
GRADING CONTRACT:

Chorus students will be graded in four areas: Grading will be as follows:

Major Assessments (Ensemble Skills) – 40%
Minor Assessments (Rehearsals and Performances) – 30%
Participation (Written practice; sight reading) – 20%
Practice (Written assessments) – 10%

HOME PRACTICE:

Home practice plays an important part in the musical growth of any musician. Furthermore, educational
research has proven that a student's ability to perform will improve at a rate directly proportional to the
quantity of time and effort expended in practice. We therefore encourage students to practice at least one
hour each week.

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PARENT SUPPORT:
Chorus parents are the most important support group for students in the music department. There will be
numerous opportunities throughout the year for parents to help students succeed. We will need your help
fitting uniforms, chaperoning trips, etc.
REQUIRED MATERIALS
1) Music folder and music (provided by the teacher)
2) Composition notebook OR Spiral notebook OR ½” Binder with loose leaf paper
3) Dry erase marker
4) Pencils – Students should have at least 2 working pencils at all times. Pens will not be accepted.
FUND RAISING:
Fundraising projects are vital to the quality and existence of our Choral Department. All chorus students
are expected to participate in our fundraising events. We are thoughtful, intentional, and creative in our
selection of fundraising times, activities, and merchandise.

FEES:
Honor Choirs: Honor choirs (i.e. VMEA and All-State) are optional and have event and/or audition fees.
These fees will be included in the paperwork for each individual event.
UNIFORMS:
All chorus students are expected to wear the uniforms provided by the school along with
appropriate footwear/accessories.
Boys: Tux outfit (black tuxedo pants, white tuxedo shirt, black cummerbund/bowtie, black jacket)
Black dress shoes, black dress socks
Blue show choir vest and tie*

Girls: Black Concert Dress

Black, closed-toe dress shoes
Blue show choir dress, skin-colored tights, black bloomers, nude character shoes*

*Advanced Chorus show choir uniforms

All students must arrive for concerts with neat hair (pulled away from face if long), and no jewelry other
than small studs in the ears (watches included).

NO TENNIS SHOES WILL BE ALLOWED AT A PERFORMANCE!

Students must dress appropriately at ALL performances…Groups that dress well, sing well!!
Students dressed improperly will not be allowed to perform with the ensemble.
This absence will count as an unexcused absence from the performance.
PRIVATE LESSONS:
Private lessons are an excellent way for students to increase their own abilities and build confidence in
singing. While a voice teacher is by no means a requirement for SDHS chorus, students who take voice
lessons grow rapidly in their vocal abilities and help to create a stronger overall ensemble. I will gladly
assist in the selection of a private voice teacher.