Mrs. Ruth M. Koltookian
Last Updated Thursday, April 1, 2010
SEVENTH GRADE CHORUS
REQUIRED PERFORMANCE!!!
Tuesday, April 27, 2010 7:30 P.M.
Seventh/Eighth Grade Choir Concert
Holmes Cafeteria
Required Performances 2009-10
(These are not optional!)
Tuesday, December 1 7:30 P.M.
Seventh/BOCH Choirs Concert
Holmes Cafeteria
Tuesday, April 27 7:30 P.M.
Seventh/Eighth Grade Vocal Concert
Holmes Cafeteria.
For concert dress, please see Concert Dress below,
the Concert Dress link, or see Concert Dress in the
Choral Music Handbook
Current Literature:
"Follow The Sun" Joyce Eilers
"Lady Of The Harbor" Joyce Eilers
"Lean On Me" Alan Billingsley
"Sing With Jubilation" Jerry Estes
"Clouds" Cynthia Gray
Assignments:
Daily Rehearsal Expectations
Guidelines For Success
Attitude-”I will Do my Best”.
Discipline-”I will follow the rules”.
Responsibility-”You can count on me”.
Students are expected to:
1. Demonstrate an awareness of the importance
of rehearsal time.
*Be in your seat,with your folder, by the
time the bell rings.
*Receive permission to leave your seat for any reason.
2. Focus all your mental energy on the director and
the literature.
*When the instructor is speaking, listen!
*Come ready to work as hard as you can!
*Have a POSITIVE ATTITUDE!
3. Focus all your physical energy on the correct
application of proper singing technique.
*Stand and sit appropriately, breath
correctly,sing with space, and engage your face.
4. Demonstrate respect for each other. How?
*Support each other’s goals; help to attain them.
*Speak kindly to one another.
*Be responsible for classroom expectations.
*Hold others responsible to classroom
expectations.
*Be committed to the groups you are part
of and to this program.
5. Demonstrate respect for the rehearsal facilities and
equipment.
*Don’t play the piano or write on the blackboard.
*Take all personal items from the room when you
leave.
*Return all chairs and folders to appropriate places
after using them. Pick up after yourselves!!!
*Keep all music and folders in the condition that
you receive them. Students will be charged for
damage.
6. Absolutely no food, gum, pop, or candy in the rehearsal.
7. Set goals for yourself.
*Act! Don’t wait for someone else to do it.
*Never be content with being as knowledgeable,
as skilled, or as musical as you already are.
*Everyone has the potential to grow!
Discipline Expectations
Expectations
At the beginning of the 2009-10 school year, each student
is given a copy of the Holmes Junior High School Student
Handbook. This document clearly defines breaches of discipline
and outlines administrative rules and procedures for handling
student discipline. All students and parents should be aware of
the contents of that handbook.
It is expected that every student who participates in the
choral music program will represent themselves, their families, our
school and our community in an appropriate, professional, and
responsible manner.
Consequences For Inappropriate Behavior
Warning: Warnings are initially given whenever it is necessary to
speak to students during rehearsal concerning their lack of
attention or inappropriate behavior.
Detention Time: When a warning proves ineffective, detentions
may be assigned. Most detentions will be 10 minutes in length for
minor infractions of the discipline code. Students will have until
the next class period to make up detention time. Detentions may
be made up before school, after school, or during lunch. Students
will need to sign in and out of detention time. If I am busy
working with a group of students, it is your responsibility to
come up to the piano and let me know that you are here to serve
your time. Students who fail to make up their detention time by the
following class period will have their detention time doubled and will
need to make up time prior to the next class period. If a student
chooses to skip his/her detention a second time, parents will be
contacted and detention time will again be doubled. A third
avoidance of detention time after the previous parental contact
(resulting from the avoidance of the second detention) will result in
referral to the administration.
Student/Behavorial Contract: Any student who continually disrupts
class, continually breaks the discipline code, or continually comes to
class without appropriate classroom materials will be placed on a
Student Contract. Please see page 20 of the Holmes Student
Handbook for further details and policies regarding the
Student/Behavior Contract.
ANY student who severely disrupts the choir classroom,
shows blatant displays of disrespect to myself or other students,
prohibits me from teaching, or slows the
learning process of other students, will immediately be
sent to the principal’s office.
These expectations and consequences for
inappropriate behavior are in place to ensure a safe and
productive classroom.
Rehearsal Attendance Policy
The rehearsal process is vital to the development of the
student musician as well as to the final outcome of any musical
ensemble. Rehearsal attendance and timeliness, therefore, is key to
the final performance.
During the Academic Day
This class requires the active participation of each and
every member. It is difficult or impossible to “make up” the
experiences that we have here each day.
You will receive participation points for each day that you
are in attendance. If you are absent, you may come in after school
or during study hall time (if it coincides with my schedule) to make
up points. Please see me for other ideas for making up
participation points. You will be allowed to miss two days of
rehearsal per quarter before needing to makeup participation
points. Obviously, if you have frequent and multiple absences, this
is going to negatively impact your grade and your progress in choir.
Students who feel that they are too ill to sing on a
particular day will need a note from a parent stating the reason for
illness. If students do not have a note, I will ask students to
participate to the best of their ability. If the student is well
enough to be in school, he or she will be expected to stand and sit
with the class, and must follow along in his/her music. Sickness
will not be an excuse to work on other classroom assignments.
Outside of the Academic Day
I understand that every student is busy with many
activities outside of the choral department and I encourage them
to be well-rounded and active students. I will expect that when
proper and timely notification of the rehearsal schedule is given, it
is the responsibility of the student to take the necessary
action to ensure that they will be present at each rehearsal, or
give proper notification to the director.
Prior written notification is required if a student is going
to be absent, for any reason, from any rehearsal occurring outside
of the academic day. If a student is sick during the academic day,
he/she will not need to give written notification. If he/she has an
emergency or becomes ill anytime during the afternoon of the
school day or immediately after school, please have a parent call
me at school and leave a message.
Conflict Resolution
In the event that a conflict should arise between different
activities within the school, an arrangement agreeable to all parties
will be worked out in consultation with the student and the activity
sponsors involved. All other conflicts should be directed to the
attention of the director in a timely manner. See page 20 of this
handbook entitled “Co-Curricular Activity Policy” for a restatement
of page 37 from the Holmes Student Handbook for the official school
policy on this topic.
Concert/Performance Policies
Concert/Performance Attendance Policy
Choir is a graded class which earns credit and counts on the
Honor Roll. It is NOT an extracurricular activity, but a curricular
class. By enrolling in choir, each student has automatically
assumed responsibility for participation in all
performances/concerts. Chorus is a performing art; therefore,
students are expected to attend ALL performances. Live musical
performances are unique and special events in which students have
the opportunity to demonstrate to the public what musical knowledge
has been gained. Each curricular choir (meeting during the regular
school day) will perform in two (Seventh Grade)/three (Eighth and
Ninth Grades) evening concerts during the school year.
Performances are equivalent to semester tests given in other
classes and are the culmination of all work done during the semester.
There is no way to adequately make up concerts. Missing a concert
hurts the entire group. We are not the same ensemble without all
members!!! Please take note of all scheduled performances. They
are included on page 4 of this handbook.
Students will be expected to stay for the entire
concert and will be expected to exhibit appropriate audience
etiquette. Students need to learn and appreciate the proper
presence and behavior expected of both performers and audience
members.
Any foreseen conflicts with concert performance should be
submitted in writing to the director at least two weeks prior to
the scheduled performance. Excuses deemed valid by the director
and principals will be dealt with in a fair and just manner. Excused
absences will include the following:
• Personal illness
• Major family emergency
• Death in the family
Prior notification of concert absence is expected when
possible. A brief, written explanation for an excused absence is
required in order for the student to be eligible for makeup concert
points. In all cases, the student will be required to perform
concert music for the teacher to receive makeup credit as well as
to prepare a report on a composer chosen by the teacher. No
credit will be given for unexcused absences.
Important: School Attendance Performance Policy
Students must be present for three consecutive periods
of a school day on days when a concert is scheduled in order
to perform, unless otherwise determined by the director of the
activity and a building administrator. (See page 39 of the Holmes
Student Handbook).
Conflict of Activities Policy
Please see “Conflict Resolution” on page 9 of this handbook
for policies concerning conflict of activities and school policies
regarding which activities are to take precedence.
Grading Policies
All Choirs
Concert Requirements: See page 9 and 10 of this handbook
for Concert/Performance Attendance Policies. Performances
serve as a minimum requirement for all choirs. Points will
be deducted if a student is tardy, is dressed inappropriately,
or is causing any disruption to the flow of the evening (warm
ups, performing, concert etiquette, etc...) No credit will be
given for unexcused absences. Unexcused absences may result
in a report card grade of an F. Excused absences will require
makeup work as outlined on page 10 of this handbook. Please
remember that concerts serve as a semester test in choir.
Participation Grades: Participation grades will be based on
attendance and the quality of daily participation including
consistent application of proper singing technique (good posture,
diction, opening of the mouth, breath management), responsible
membership (cooperation and teamwork), and rehearsal etiquette.
Participation grades will reflect a student’s behavior, effort, and
attitude. Being disruptive in any way during a rehearsal lowers a
student’s participation grade for the day. Choral students have to
work physically to produce a healthy tone, and it is easy to visually
assess students on their effort. Students are not graded on “talent”,
but on efforts to improve on present skill levels .
If a student is experiencing vocal problems that would
prevent him/her from full participation in a rehearsal, the director
should be notified prior to the start of rehearsal to avoid a
misunderstanding concerning the student’s lack of participation.
Students will be asked to do the best they can. Only a parental note
or doctor’s note can excuse students from the actual act of singing.
Students will still need to follow along in their music.
Singing Tests: All students will be held accountable for knowing
their part in the music rehearsed during class. Singing tests will take
place at the end of each quarter. Students will test in small groups
of three or four students.
Extra Credit:
Attending Other Concerts
Any student may earn extra credit by attending musical
events in the community or schools in which they are not performers.
To receive credit, bring in the program or ticket stub, and attach a
brief summary of the concert attended. Any event that contains a
live (not pre-recorded) musical performance of any style is eligible
for credit.
Private Lessons
Extra Credit can also be earned for taking private lessons in
voice, piano, or another instrument. You will need to fill out a form
and have your teacher sign off on lessons attended. Forms are due at
the end of each quarter. If you do not currently take private lessons
but are interested in starting, see Mrs. Koltookian for a list of area
teachers.
Performance in Outside of the Regular School Day Groups
There will be activities and events throughout the school
year that can earn the student extra points. These events include
performing in extracurricular small and large group ensembles,
variety show, and/or OPUS. The director will make announcements
related to these activities as the year proceeds. Please see page
16 in this handbook entitled “Extracurricular Ensembles” and
page 18 “Special Events/Opportunities Available”. Students will
receive extra credit for participation in before school, after
school, and/or lunch vocal groups. Students may also earn extra
points for performing in outside of school groups or ensembles
such as community groups, church choirs, etc. Write a brief
summary of the performance experience and include a verifiable
source, such as the name and phone number or email of the group
leader or director, and turn in before the end of each quarter.
***Seventh Grade Choir***
Grades are based on class participation; written
assignments (worksheets, quizzes, tests, and a notebook); a singing
test; and concert attendance.
Daily Participation = 60%
Written Work = 30%
Singing Test = 10%
Concert Performance = Minimum Requirement
Makeup Work: Aside from concert attendance (two during the
year), there will be no out of class assignments. In case of absence
from school, please check the Holmes Assignment Web Page
for makeup work obligations. There will be many times during the
year when makeup work will not be necessary because the class will
be working on singing skills in the classroom. Please refer to
“Rehearsal Attendance Policy” on page 7 of this handbook for
participation requirements and possible makeup of singing
activities.
Written work that is missed should be made up within one
week following the absence. If makeup work is not submitted in a
timely manner or there is no effort made by the student to schedule
a time and date to complete missing assignments, quizzes, or tests,
parents will be contacted and the student will be placed on a Morning
Assistance Contract.
Morning Assistance Contracts (Seventh Grade Only): Ample time
is given to students to complete written work in class. If a student
chooses not to use classroom time efficiently or fails to do makeup
work in a timely fashion, the student will be assigned to a Morning
Assistance Contract until incomplete assignments are completed.
Students who fail to report for morning assistance will be referred
to Mr. Welter or Mr. Argotsinger, and will be placed on a behavioral
contract, which could include further consequences. Parents will be
notified when a student is placed on a Morning Assistance Contract.
See page 20 of the Holmes Student Handbook for more information
regarding the Morning Assistance Contract.
Hint: Use classroom time wisely so you won’t need
to be placed on a Morning Assistance Contract!!!!
Concert Dress
Concerts are formal public events that present the very best
of students in the music program. Therefore, it is important that
students look “professional”. Inappropriate dress will cause you to
lose concert points and you may be asked to not perform.
Any student who has difficulty obtaining the specified dress
should speak to Mrs. Koltookian at least two weeks prior to the
concert so that appropriate clothing can be located.
Seventh Grade Chorus Students
Students are asked to wear clothing that is in good, clean
condition. Skirts/blouses or dresses are the best options for girls.
Dresses or blouses should not be low cut. Straps must be at least 1
inch wide. Halter dresses, halter blouses, and leggings are
unacceptable. Dresses or skirts should be no more than three inches
above the knee. Girls should wear closed toed shoes for concert
performance. Seventh grade students (excluding BOCH members)
may wear dress pants for the concert.
A dress shirt/tie and dress pants/khakis are the best options
for boys. All students should try to avoid wearing blue jeans and
T-shirts as concert attire. Students will be allowed to wear jeans
only with a statement from a parent indicating that these are the
only clothes that the student owns. Please remember that shorts are
not appropriate concert attire!!!
Required Materials
Seventh Grade Choir
Seventh Grade Choir members will need a spiral notebook
(for music class only) which will be kept in the vocal room. All
seventh graders should bring a pencil and a free reading book to
each class when the class is working on a written unit or sectionals.
All Choirs: The Music: Your Textbook
All students, all grades, will be assigned and responsible
for a music folder to be shared with another student and/or by
students from other classes. These folders should never leave the
classroom. Damaged or lost music will result in the assessment of a
replacement fee and will be paid for by the student(s) responsible
for that music and or folder. Students are expected to treat
school materials with respect!
Ruth Koltookian
Holmes Junior High
505 Holmes Drive
Cedar Falls, Iowa 50613
(319) 553-2650
