Waterloo High School Choirs
Mrs. Carrie A. Munsell
cmunsell@wcusd5.net
www.wcusd5chorus.weebly.com
Course Overview:
The Waterloo High School Choral Program is designed to fulfill the needs of students who enjoy choral singing. The choirs (Mixed Choir, Women’s Choir and Concert Choir) will perform all styles of choral literature from Renaissance to Contemporary periods. Emphasis will be placed on solo and ensemble singing. The choirs will perform at festivals, (graded) contests, (graded) concerts, and other school events. Choir is considered a “Co-Curricular” class, which means there are graded rehearsals and performances outside of the regular school day. Be sure to check our calendar against your work/personal schedules!
Learning Outcomes:
Most of the progress and success that you will achieve comes through your willingness to express yourself, your desire to be an involved member, and your attention to details in the music and remarks given by the director. To achieve a high degree of success, you must be willing to work individually as well as within our performance groups, continually strive to improve yourself as a member of the WHS choirs, and be proud of your accomplishments. The WHS Choirs will maintain a reputation of performance excellence through the outstanding work of our students. Talent is good, but hard work is better appreciated and rewarded.
Skills Emphasized:
*Understanding of the proper care and use of the voice.
*Knowledge and demonstration of breath support, vowel production and modification
*Understanding and demonstration of the proper use of dynamics, time signatures and key signatures.
*Understanding and demonstration of music terminology, musical phrasing, expression and the emotion of music.
*Pride in yourself and in the WHS Choral Program by striving to improve yourself
*Working together for a common goal: the enjoyment of singing
*Accepting responsibility for attendance, behavior and effort at daily rehearsals, required evening rehearsals, concerts, and festivals
*Positive self-discipline and classroom behavior
*Your development of leadership within the choral program
*Your willingness to continually develop your singing voice
*To set standards of excellence for the future
*Respecting your fellow students and director
*To become a better active listener
*Showing a desire to attract new students to the choir program
*Positive criticism
Grading Policy
Grades are determined through:
Rehearsals: (20 pts. each)
Be on time and prepared with all class materials
Be an enthusiastic and contributing member of our ensemble
Demonstrate proper technique as learned in class
Talk only when appropriate and helpful
Display a willingness to try/cooperate in every way your talent permits
Music Theory/Journal Assignments: (20 pts)
Theory or Journaling assignments will be done in class and posted on my website for those absent: www.wcusd5chorus.weebly.com
Performances are our exams and are graded accordingly:
Mandatory “dress” rehearsals – 50 points each
Performances – 100 points each
Contest – 100 points each
Extra Credit is available through:
Concert set up and teardown
Working with lighting and sound for concerts
Filing and organizing props, etc.
Singing the National Anthem for sports events
**It is up to you to ask for extra credit!**
Attendance
Daily Rehearsals:
Because of the nature of all performing ensembles, it is extremely important that students understand and follow the attendance policy. Unlike other academic classes, when a student misses a choral rehearsal it affects everyone in the group and not just the individual who is missing class. It is very important that each individual understand how important he or she is to the success of the entire group. Please try not to use 1st hour to schedule doctor’s appointments on a regular basis. We are all dependent on each other, and finding ways to work together is part of the learning experience.
Rehearsal Absence Policy: If you miss more than 2 - first hour rehearsals per quarter, you will be required to do the following: (This will apply for every 2 missed rehearsals each quarter)
Take your music home and rehearse with the song links provided on my web site. After a 20 minute individual rehearsal, you must record yourself singing 4 of the songs rehearsed in class and e mail it to me at cmunsell@wcusd5.net
**Failure to complete your make up work by 3 pm on the last day of the quarter, will result in “zeros” for the missed rehearsals.**
Absences that do NOT require make up work:
School-sponsored events (testing, field trips)
“Hall Pass” events (Guidance, etc.)
Absences that DO require make up work:
Illness, absence from class/school - (more than 2 per quarter)
Absences deemed “unexcused” by the attendance office are ineligible for make up work points. Likewise, unexcused tardies that cut into rehearsal time, will result in a loss of points.
Concert/Contest/Dress Rehearsal Attendance
If you are ill and absent from school on the day of a performance, you may NOT attend the concert and will be given a make up assignment to be completed within one week of the concert.
Excused - Ill on the day of the concert, absence pre-approved by the administration or Mrs. Munsell
Unexcused - Alternative Room assignment, work, transportation, clothing issues, etc. A ride can always be arranged with either another student’s parents or me!
Concert Attire
Fall Concert: (School Dress Code applies)
Men - White long sleeved dress shirt, black slacks/ socks/shoes
Ladies - Black dress, skirt/slacks and top, black stockings, black dress shoes
Jewelry must be kept to a minimum so as not to detract.
Hair must be pulled off of the face.
Madrigal:
Men - Suit and tie; dress slacks, dress shirt and tie, dress shoes
Ladies - Floor length dresses with comfortable shoes
(Ladies! Check out the Dress closet before you go buy one!)
Organizational Contest:
All black concert dress
Spring Concert: (School Dress Code applies)
Same as fall concert (Seniors may dress nicely in other colors)
Student Involvement
There are many opportunities for you to get involved:
Concert Choir (by audition) rehearses on Monday evenings, 6-7 pm
Concert Solos - for all concerts
Pianists are needed for contest/concert accompaniments
Singing National Anthem at WHS sporting events (by audition)
IMEA Chorus/IMEA Jazz Chorus - Auditions are held in October
Madrigal and Concert set up and tear down
Madrigal Skit Players - Costumed actors at our Christmas Madrigal
IHSA Solo/Ensemble Contest - Rehearsals begin in January
Mississippi Valley Conference Festival - in February
Spring Musical
Tech Crew for concerts, plays, etc.
Parent Involvement
Parent help is needed with:
Madrigal set up, tear down, costume fittings and during the dinner presentations.
PR - photographs, articles in newspapers, etc.
Fundraising help - to help fund events through the year
Chaperones for our field trips
If you have musical skills that you would be willing to share, we would love it!
Extra -Curricular Music Opportunities
If you or your student is interested in private voice/instrumental lessons or various fine arts activities in Waterloo and the St. Louis area, please contact me. We will be having 4 optional field trips this year.
TBA September - ILMEA Audition Clinic at SWIC (in school)
21 January - “American Musical” lecture/concert @ Sheldon Concert Hall (in school)
22 January - Spaghetti Factory and “Newsies” at the Fox Theatre (evening)
Beginning of June - “Blue Man Group” and sightseeing in Chicago
Remind 101
We will be using “Remind 101” in the event of cancellations, etc. Directions are as follows:
Mixed Choir - text “@munsell” to 81010/ to receive emails - munsell@mail.remind.com
Women’s Choir -text “@cmunsell” to 81010/to receive emails - cmunsell@mail.remind.com
C Choir-text “@mrsmunsell” to 81010/to receive emails - mrsmunsell@mail.remind.com
Calendar
Return this page (not the packet) for a grade
Return the completed Choir Member Information Sheet for a grade
Bring a black 3 ring binder, 10 sheets of loose leaf and a pencil for a grade
I understand the rehearsal/performance/grade policies as outlined in the handbook and will do my best to make this choir successful.
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Student’s Name Class: WC Band/MC SH/MC
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Student’s Cell #/Email Student’s Signature
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Parent/Guardian’s Cell/Email Parent/Guardian’s Signature
PLEASE SIGN CLEARLY FOR MY RECORDS!!!!
