Choir Handbook
Rockwall-Heath High School Choir
Handbook and Syllabus
lauren.smith@rockwallisd.org josh.coats@rockwallisd.org 469-698-2623
Remind Code: Varsity: Text @heathsings to 81010
Non Varsity (Tenor Bass Choir, Treble Choir, Intermediate Choir): @singheath to 81010
Parents: @rhchoirpar to 81010
Choir Rehearsal and Performance Attendance Guidelines
Grading and Eligibility
Facilities
Calendar
Uniforms
Classroom Rules And Expectations
Conduct
Handbook and Syllabus
lauren.smith@rockwallisd.org josh.coats@rockwallisd.org 469-698-2623
Remind Code: Varsity: Text @heathsings to 81010
Non Varsity (Tenor Bass Choir, Treble Choir, Intermediate Choir): @singheath to 81010
Parents: @rhchoirpar to 81010
Choir Rehearsal and Performance Attendance Guidelines
- It is required by all students to attend scheduled rehearsals and performances. All rehearsals count as a daily grade and performances count as a major test grade.
- Students can be excused from rehearsal ONLY if they notify the director beforehand for one of the following reasons:
- Doctor’s appointment with a doctor’s note for the director. (please attempt to schedule around rehearsals)
- Excused absence from school on the day of the rehearsal.
- Illness, death in the family, emergency, etc.
- School sponsored conflict with prior notification to the director.
- Students who do not attend a concert (test grade) will be given a zero until further explanation has been provided.
- Work, homework, babysitting, driver’s education classes, SAT classes, or transportation problems are never accepted as excuses for missing a rehearsal or a performance.
- Members of the Varsity Chorale will have weekly sectionals in the spring semester. Students should be available from 4:00-6:00 PM. These rehearsals will count as a weekly grade.If you miss 3 or more rehearsals, UIL and your placement in varsity for the next year will be reconsidered. Let your employer know NOW that you cannot miss these rehearsals.
Grading and Eligibility
- A student who is ineligible at the end of a term will be unable to perform in events that are off campus or that charge admission as well as competitive events.
- Concerts and UIL are not events that require students to be passing
Facilities
- All students will be issued folders and music for which they are responsible-Do Not leave it laying around. A numbered space for your folder will be issued to you and this is where your music should be kept. These spaces are to be kept neat and clean at all times.
- Gum, candy, food or drink are not permitted on the risers (with the exception of water)
- Do not write on the dry-erase boards, music stands, walls or any other surface.
- Do not touch, move, or use any equipment that does not belong to you.
Calendar
- New or amended dates/times will be sent via email and will be posted on the website at least 24 hours in advance if at all possible.
- Please make it a habit to post choir functions on family calendars and schedule around important performance dates.
- Attendance at these events are required and will affect the student’s grade if he/she is absent.
Uniforms
- All choir students will be given a choir t-shirt and HAWK JAM T-shirt that is included in the choir fee. Students will be required to wear this t-shirt for casual events and on concert days at school. Shirts must be kept clean and in good condition.
- Concert uniforms will be issued to students. Any damage or obvious abuse of the garment or loss of the garment, will result in a fine of $80. Concert uniforms will be turned in after the final performance for the school year.
- Failure to return all uniform pieces on the designated return date at the end of the year will result in replacement charges.
- For the concert tuxedo, the gentlemen will be required to furnish black socks, black shoes, and a white button up shirt.
- Ladies will be issued a concert dress; they will need to provide black closed toe dress shoes.
- Hem length – Students are responsible for having their dress or pants hemmed. The dress should just touch the top of the students’ feet. Please do not cut the fabric so that the uniform can be resized for future use.
Classroom Rules And Expectations
- Students will have only class materials at their seats. NO CELL PHONES, FOOD, OR OTHER WORK.
- Cell phones will be placed in the holders at the front of the classroom.
- Students will not chew gum in class or at performances
- Students will stand or sit correctly as the teacher asks and will participate in all classroom activities
- Students will attend rehearsals and concerts in order to achieve a passing grade
- Students will remain academically eligible so that they can participate in UIL and school-sanctioned activities
- Students will respect the teacher, other students, and themselves at all times
- The RISD attendance policy will be enforced. Students must be present during the school day in order to attend after school activities. This includes all choir functions such as special events and parties.
- Warning (verbal or written)
- Parent Phone Call
- Discipline Referral to Office
- Removal from classroom (for disruptive behavior)
- Removal from Choir Program (in rare instances)
Conduct
- The RHHS Choir enforces all student codes of conduct represented in the RHHS student body handbook. General discipline problems will result in reassignment to a different choir and in cases of persistent disruptive behavior, the student will be denied future enrollment. All members should demonstrate respect and support for each other.
- Be on time with the necessary materials. Students not in their designated area at the appointed time will be considered tardy and lose 20 grade points.
- Be in concert attire. Uniforms should be wrinkle free and clean for each performance. A wrinkled or dirty uniform may keep you from performing.
- If not properly attired, a student will not be allowed to perform and will receive a zero for a major performance grade.
- Ladies – have hair and make-up fixed BEFORE you arrive.
- Have a professional attitude towards each performance.
- Each choir member is required to stay for the duration of the concert.
- You may not leave after your choir is finished performing. If you leave a concert early, points will be deducted from your major grade.
- You will sit with your choir during each concert. You may not sit with friends or family, unless otherwise directed.
- There will be no whistling, yelling, etc. before, during, or after any choir performance other than HAWK JAM.
- Absolutely no usage of electronics will be tolerated.
- Your grade will be based in part on your observance of appropriate concert etiquette.