TABLE OF CONTENTS

Welcome
Classroom Procedures
Grading System

WELCOME to the Herndon Middle School Chorus Program!!(top)

Congratulations for choosing to join in our song!!

As we begin this school year together, I would like to say "Welcome back!" to all of my former students and their parents, and extend a warm "Welcome!" to all newcomers to the Herndon Middle School Chorus Program. Prepare yourselves for an exciting and rewarding school year as we explore music and grow as singers and musicians.

Chorus, as well as the other performing arts, is an integral part of the curriculum in the Fairfax County Public Schools. The chorus program at Herndon Middle provides each student with an opportunity to discover his/her musical talent and to develop this talent to whatever level of achievement he/she desires.

In chorus, we interact with each other through a variety of learning experiences while we work on developing many mental and physical skills. While singing is a lot of fun, there are many things to learn. Self-discipline is important in learning and performing music, and it is a skill which is important in most anything you pursue in life. It is my hope that every student takes advantage of this opportunity to learn a very important life skill.

This handbook serves as an introduction to the Herndon Middle School Choral Program. Within the pages that follow, the guidelines for a successful program are established. This handbook will inform the students as to what is expected of them as members of the chorus program and will highlight the many available opportunities for learning and growth.

A number of evening concerts and special activities have already been scheduled for the school year. For your convenience, they have been listed on the following page. Please mark these dates on your home calendar. If any changes or updates arise, I will notify you immediately. I look forward to working with you during the school year!

Sincerely,

Before Rehearsal:

1. Get a drink of water (if needed) & enter room quietly.
2. Set books/belongings on the side of the room & sit in assigned seat.
3. Bring a pencil to your seat.
4. Follow instructions (if any) on board.

During Rehearsal:

1. Rehearsal begins when the class bell rings.
2. Your vocal instrument will remain silent except when Mr. Kavinski asks you to sing.
3. No talking unless given direct permission to do so.
4. Raise your hand if you have a question and wait until called upon.
5. Treat each other and the director with respect.
6. ALWAYS DISPLAY EXCELLENT POSTURE WHILE SINGING.
7. There will be no water breaks, so be sure to get a drink before coming to chorus.

After Rehearsal:

1. Remain in your seat until Mr. Kavinski dismisses you.
2. Put your chair back in its original position and clean up around your area.
3. Return all music to the proper location.
4. You may talk quietly with each other.
5. Chorus room doors will remain closed and all students will stay in the chorus room until the dismissal bell rings.

The Grading System (top)

The main focus of the Choral Program is to provide the student with the opportunity to succeed. With this in mind, the following grading system will be used to evaluate students in the choral program.

The student's grade is based on 100% , divided differently depending on whether or not there is a performance during the grading period.

Grading periods with a Performance:

35% - Rehearsal Skills
25% - Assignments
15% - Tests

25% - Performance Participation or Concert Review (only when not participating in a performance AND an absence is excused)

Grading periods without a Performance:

40% - Rehearsal Skills
30% - Assignments
30% - Tests

The grading scale used is the standard in Fairfax County :

A = 94-100
B + = 90-93
B = 84-89
C+ = 80-83
C = 74-79
D+ = 70-73
D = 64-69
F = 63 or below

Rehearsal Skills (top)

Rehearsal Skills are critical to each student's musical success. When students exhibit good Rehearsal Skills, they succeed at the highest musical level, allowing the Choral Department to display musical excellence. In order to continue our successes, the following method of assessment will be used:

Each student will automatically receive 100 points at the beginning of each grading period. When a student chooses to achieve and maintain proper Rehearsal Skills, he/she will keep all 100 points. BUT if a student chooses not to

apply him/herself towards musical excellence, points will be deducted:

-2 for not making marks in pencil
-2 for no pencil in class (pens are not acceptable)
-3 for not being seated and ready to sing when the bell rings
-3 for not demonstrating proper singing posture
-3 for not producing a tone that is characteristic to your skill level
-5 for not following verbal and/or physical conducting cues
-5 for repeated misbehavior / for talking after a warning has been given
-5 for eating or drinking in chorus room
-5 for singing a part other than your own
-5 for unexcused absence from an after-school rehearsal
-5 to replace lost music

In order to allow students to be actively involved in their musical assessment, points can also be ADDED:

+3 for every non-HMS concert attended (have parents sign the program from the event and give it to Mr. Kavinski)
+5 for performing in a non-school related recital or concert (bring program or church bulletin in with a short parent note)
+10 for auditioning for music groups outside of school (for example: District XII Chorus, All-Virginia Chorus, etc.)

Other opportunities to earn bonus points will be announced in class.

Students will have a clean slate each marking period.

Assignments (top)

Various assignments will be given over the course of each marking period. The assignments may be in class or for homework, and will relate to the course objectives set forth in the Fairfax County Program of Studies.

Tests (top)

Students will be taking several singing quizzes throughout each marking period. Some will be announced and others will not. Written quizzes may also be given.

Performance Participation (top)

Performance is the ultimate goal of any chorus. Therefore, attendance IS REQUIRED at every performance. A performance is the equivalent of a major unit exam in other subject areas, but because it is a group activity, it cannot be made up. A student's absence from a performance without a prior note from his/ her parent will be considered unexcused, and subject to a failing grade of zero for that activity.

Several examples of excuses which are considered unexcused are:

1) "I forgot!" ("We had a concert?!")
2) "I had to baby sit."
3) "I had a soccer (football, basketball, etc.) game."
4) "I didn't have a ride."
5) "Something came up!"

According to Fairfax County Regulations, excused absences include:

1) Student illness on day of concert
2) Death in the family
3) Doctor appointments
4) Suspension
5) Religious holidays
6) Prearranged absences from school

A written excuse from the parent or guardian must be received by Mr. Kavinski two (2) weeks before the concert date for doctor appointments, religious holidays, and prearranged absences.

If student illness is the reason for the absence, a note, voice mail, or e-mail from the parent or guardian must be received by Mr. Kavinski the day of the concert, the day after the concert, or the day the student returns to school. To reach me by phone, call 703-904-4866 anytime 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. To reach me by e-mail, my address is: Gerald.Kavinski@fcps.edu

In the case of an excused absence, the below Concert Review would be assigned to make up for the performance absence, and the grade received for the review would take the place of the performance grade for that activity.

A performance is an opportunity for students to show their family and friends how hard they have worked. It is important that families mark their calendars as soon as possible. Your attention is called to Fairfax County 's Music Program of Studies which states, "The student will participate in graded co-curricular rehearsals and performances before, during, and after school on and off school grounds."

Because it is very important that students also learn to be excellent audience members, points will be lost if students do not exhibit excellent behavior while other groups are performing. Students are expected to stay for the entire concert unless prior written notification has been given.

Note: It is rude and disrespectful to enter or exit the auditorium while another group is performing. Please always wait until the audience is applauding before entering or exiting any performance.

Concert Reviews (top)

If a student is excused from a scheduled performance, another public performance must be attended and a two page review must be written. The review would be due by the end of the present grading period. "Pop" and "Rock" concerts do not fulfill this requirement, and reviews of recordings will not be accepted. The Concert Review grade will replace the Performance Participation grade for all excused absences.

When working on the Concert Review, follow these guidelines:

• Include the following information: who, when, where, what (music they played) and if you did or did not enjoy the concert and why you did or did not enjoy the concert
• TYPE the review
• Attach the concert program to the review

Tardy Policy (top)

Class begins when the class bell rings. Three (3) points will be deducted from the "Rehearsal Skills" portion of the grade for not being seated and ready to sing when the bell rings.

Unexcused tardiness to class will be dealt with according to HMS policy. Please refer to your HMS Hawk Manual for more information.

If a student has a late pass, it should be given to the teacher and is considered an excused tardy.

A few times per quarter, a class period will be designated as a "Performance Day." This is your opportunity to perform a vocal selection of your choosing in the classroom setting. These performances will be informal (i.e. casual attire) and will give you a chance to share your voice. Music needs be approved by and turned in to Mr. Kavinski no less than 1 week before the scheduled performance day.

Competitions and Festivals (top)

Each year the Virginia Choral Director's Association (VCDA) sponsors several statewide activities for chorus members. The VCDA has divided the state into 16 districts. Herndon Middle School is in District 12.

All-District Chorus (top)

The District XII Chorus is an honors chorus that is comprised of the best middle school chorus members in our school district. A guest conductor of national renown is brought in to rehearse and conduct the chorus. Membership in the All-District Chorus is determined by auditioning students in October. Mr. Kavinski will hear the auditions of all students who would like to participate in the honors chorus. Being selected as a member is extremely prestigious, and the audition experience is invaluable. There is no audition fee, but if a student is selected for the All-District Chorus, there is a participation fee (approximately $20.00). All fees are nonrefundable. Auditions for this event are strictly voluntary and open to all chorus members.

All-State Chorus (top)

This event is similar to the District Chorus, but as the name suggests, the participants come from all across Virginia . Mr. Kavinski will hear students who are interested in auditioning for the choir. Since each school is only permitted to send a certain number of audition CD's, a limited number of finalists will be chosen to record a CD to be submitted for review by the judges. There is a fee (approximately $15) that must accompany each CD. Any student who is accepted into the choir will need to pay a $50 participation fee.

District XII Chorus Festival (top)

The Herndon Middle School Choruses participate in the District XII Chorus Festival, which usually occurs in early March. All schools in our district participate in this big event. Each chorus performs a warm-up selection and two adjudicated (judged) selections for a panel of judges. The judges grade the chorus on their performance, giving each chorus a rating (superior, excellent, good, fair or poor) and comments. Specific information on dates and times will be given as soon as it is determined by VCDA. Attendance at this festival is mandatory.

Spring Trip (top)

The Women's Chorus, Intermediate Mixed Chorus, and Advanced Mixed Chorus go on an annual spring trip with the band and orchestra. This festival gives us the opportunity to perform for a panel of distinguished judges. The judges give each group:

1. Verbal and written comments

2. A rating (superior, excellent, good, fair or poor) and

3. Placement (first, second, third, etc.) for their performance.

After the groups perform for the judges, the students spend the remainder of the day in an amusement park ( Busch Gardens this year!). This tradition has become quite popular with our students and has proven to be both educational and fun for all!

Who may go on this trip? (top)

In order for chorus students to earn the right to participate in this trip with the Herndon Middle Music Department, they must have demonstrated exemplary behavior throughout the school year. If students are unable to accept the responsibility of behaving properly during school hours, we cannot accept the responsibility of taking them on this trip.

The cost for this trip is approximately $90.00 per student - please plan accordingly. For purposes of financial and logistical planning, once a student has committed to participating in this trip (festival), there can be NO REFUNDS FOR ANY REASON (i.e. illness, discipline, suspension, or change of plans). The director retains the right to reconsider a student's participation in this activity due to poor behavior at any time.

After-School Rehearsals (top)

Periodically during the year, after-school sectional or full chorus rehearsals will be scheduled to assist in preparation for a concert. These rehearsals are necessary to the growth and development of the individual student and to the success of the group as a whole. Every effort will be made to provide the students with at least two weeks notice of a rehearsal. Each student needs to organize his/her schedule so that he/she is able to attend these rehearsals. Please do not schedule medical appointments on Mondays or Wednesdays before 3:30 p.m. , because most after-school rehearsals will take place on these days. Students are expected to attend all rehearsals. An excused absence from a sectional rehearsal requires that the student provide a written explanation from the parent/guardian prior to the rehearsal. An unexcused absence will cause the student to be moved down one chair in his/her section, and he/she will lose 5 Rehearsal Skills points.

Awards (top)

At the end of the year, student awards are presented after the Spring Concert in recognition of outstanding musicianship and distinguished musical contributions. A chorus student may earn an award by fulfilling certain requirements.

Singer Award (seventh grade)

Requirements:

1. Student must be in seventh grade
2. Earn an "A" average in chorus for all grading periods*
3. Earn an "S" Work Habits mark for all grading periods*
4. Audition for an honors chorus
5. Participate in at least one "Performance Day" per quarter
6. Participate in all concerts and performances
7. Display appropriate conduct at all times when participating in any chorus activity

Vocalist Award (eighth grade)

The following criteria must be met in order to receive this award:

1. Student must be in eighth grade
2. Earn an "A" average in chorus for all grading periods*
3. Earn an "S" Work Habits mark for all grading periods*
4. Be a member of All-District Chorus or a finalist for All-State Chorus
5. Participate in at least one "Performance Day" per quarter
6. Participate in all concerts and performances
7. Display appropriate conduct at all times when participating in any chorus activity

*Fourth quarter interim grade will be the cut-off date for this