Century Middle School
Choir Handbook
2008-2009



Century Middle School Music Mission Statement

Century Middle School Music Department provides opportunities, expectations and support for each student to achieve musical excellence.
We are dedicated to creating a world class music experience that celebrates and values music, a strong work ethic and lifelong appreciation of the arts.

Choral Music Mission

To provide a positive and creative atmosphere
where students can develop musical knowledge and skills
which will enable them to have a life long appreciation of
MUSIC!


Student Expectations:

All students are expected to fully participate in
all rehearsals and performances.

All students are expected to accept personal responsibility in the choir room and at concerts.

Student Responsibilities:

Show Respect for others & Responsibility for your own actions
Be on time to class (your body must be in the door
BEFORE the bell rings)
Stay in your seat unless you have permission to do otherwise
Take care of bathroom needs during passing periods, get water
BEFORE warm ups begin!
Take care of music and materials.
Listen and follow directions.
Do not talk during rehearsals.
NO food gum, candy, cough drops, etc. during rehearsals or concerts
Never use foul or abusive language






Behavior:

The rules were established to maintain a positive and safe environment. Students must be responsible for their behavior. If a student chooses to violate his own right to learn, another student’s right to learn, or chooses to violate the teacher’s right to teach, consequences will occur. (Removal from the choir room, conferences with Parents, and/or referral to the Office/Administrator)

Attendance:

Century’s Attendance policy can be found in the student handbook. Choir Classes are participation classes; therefore, full participation credit cannot be awarded when a student is absent (see grading). Assignments and tests can be made-up in accordance with Century policy. Concert attendance is mandatory (see concerts). It is the student’s responsibility to arrange for makeup.

Tardies:

The students must have their entire body in the door before the bell rings and be in their seat, ready to make music, when the director begins rehearsal. Detention will be assigned after three tardies. If a student is chronically tardy (more than three tardies) they will be referred to the principal. A tardy to class will be excused with a written pass from the office or a teacher. Jammed hall lockers will not be an accepted excuse!!!

Curriculum and Standards:

The Century Music Department bases its classroom instruction on the Adams Twelve Five Star Schools Music Curriculum FrameWork. The Music Curriculum Framework is aligned with the Colorado Model Content Standards for Music.

Music Responsibility:

Students will use and have in their possession approximately $40 worth of music each trimester, over the entire year (at no cost to them). It is imperative that all music be taken care of and returned at the end of each concert. If excessive damage occurs or the music is lost, students will be held financially responsible.


Concerts:

Choirs will perform at least one concert per trimester. The majority of class time is spent on the preparation for concerts. Therefore, all concerts must be treated as a trimester final and will be a substantial part of the student’s grade. Participation in these concerts is required.

October 22
December 18
May 12



Concert Dress:

Part of a good performance is feeling good about how you look to yourself and others. A poorly dressed ensemble usually sounds poorly. Therefore, the following is required concert dress:

CMS Choir Shirt
Black pants or long skirt. (NO Shorts!!)
Black dress shoes preferred.


Show Choir
Uniforms to be determined by the participants.


Concert Make-up:

Make-up work/activity will be provided ONLY to those students with an acceptable written excuse,
prior to the concert, from a parent or physician. The following are the only excuses that will be accepted:

1. Illness (with doctor’s note).
2. Death in family.
3. Extended family vacation.

Unexcused absences will not receive any credit for the concert and will be graded as a zero!

Grading:
Grading Scale for all choir classes:

A 100% - 90%
B 89% - 80%
C 79% - 70%
D 69% - 60%
F 59% - 0%

Daily in class Participation- 40% of the grade
Written assignments and exams- 10% of the grade
Singing exams- 10% of the grade
Performances- 40% of the grade


I appreciate your support for the Century Middle School Choirs. I look forward to an exciting and wonderful year! If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to call me at 720 972 5256 or email me at
pam.malsch@adams12.org. All of this information can be seen on our website: www.cmsmusic.info

Pamela Malsch
Choir Director
Century Middle School



Century Middle School
Choir Handbook
2008-2009



Dear Parents,


This packet has been printed to help you and your student understand the policies of the Century Middle School Choral Music Department. Please read through all of the information carefully with your student. Both you and your student should sign below and return this page to Ms. Malsch.



Student Name (please print) __________________________________
Student Signature___________________________________________
Parent Name (please print) ___________________________________
Parent Signature____________________________________________
Date _____________________________________________________
Parent Contact Phone Number_________________________________

Please return to Ms. Malsch ASAP.