Course Syllabus
Disclosure: Audition Choirs
Sound, Serenade & Sensations
Instructor: Melanie Wilcox Phone: 402-6257, 920-1554 E-mail: mwilcox@dsdmail.net
Web Page: www.davis.k12.ut.us/district/curric/desk.html for curriculum DESK standards.
www.schools.utah.gov/curr/main/default/htm for state core standards.
Contact Information: Each week, you will receive announcements on Canvas, and by e-mail. These announcements will alert you to my availability before and after school for tutoring, as well as choral activities. Parents are always welcome in class at any time, without contacting me.
Course Description: Our theme this year is, Sunset Strong…Burn Bright! In our classroom we commit to See the Good, Be the Good! All music courses are based on the Davis District DESK standards designed to encourage life-long learning. These standards are listed below:
DESK Standards: Choir class will challenge and encourage your student to:
Create = Complete Excellent Work, Improvise, Compose, Refine
Perform = Analyze, Interpret, Perform, Share Meaning, Select Music
Respond = Perceive Artistic Work, Process, Interpret, Apply, Evaluate
Connect = Synthesize, Relate to Societal, Cultural, & Historical Context for Deeper Understanding.
Grades: An A grade is possible for every student in this class. Never give up on this goal! You can receive help before and after school with Mrs. Wilcox on designated days. Test retakes will be done at home with your parents, and are Mastery. Mastery tests/assignments must be completed with at least a C, or one letter grade will be deducted from the final grade, until completed. Required assignments have absolute due dates. They can be made up with extra credit. Extra credit is available for many things, so be sure to check the list in your student’s Resilience Binder.
You have chosen to take this class, which is a year-long commitment! Classes are critically balanced based on enrollment. Honor Choirs are a privilege and designed to help students gain the most success possible. If you do not complete work, misbehave, or don’t attend consistently, this could result in removal from the class or a class activity. If you are removed from this class for any reason, it could result in home-release for the rest of the class time.
Please make arrangements to attend evening events as they are a large portion of your grade. Only extreme family emergencies are conditions for being excused. If you choose not to attend a performance, you may not receive an A for the term, and you may have earned a U citizenship grade. Because every student and situation is unique, administrators and I will determine the impact your choice will have on your grade. Rehearsals and performances for the year are available on the Canvas calendar. There may, however, be unavoidable changes. You will be notified by e-mail of any changes. Please mark these on your calendars! When you sign the on-line disclosure form, your agreement to the schedule is part of your commitment.
I will occasionally have students in class correct the work of other students. This practice has an important educational purpose in that it allows the students to review music information, and consider problem solving that may be different than their own. Evaluations of this kind will be done in a sensitive manner.
Formal concert attire projects an image of excellence. Dress standards help the student feel comfortable and part of the group. All singers’ hair must be pulled back and secured when we perform. Hair color visible from the audience should be natural. We ask that before you color your hair you speak with Mrs. Wilcox for clarification. Men will rent tie and vests/suspenders from the school and are responsible to wear a black long sleeved shirt, black dress pants, black dress shoes and socks. Ladies will rent the dress and necklace/scarf, as well as black opaque tights and black flat dress shoes. If you have a difficult time funding the costuming, please see me. Everyone who wants to should take choir, regardless of finances!
We want everyone to be able to participate and feel part of the group! As per Davis District guidelines, students pay $70 for clothing rental, bus, adjudicators, music purchase and supplies, as well as t-shirts. All students will pay in the office or on line. Students will be wearing their class t-shirt to perform in. The t-shirt is personalized and will become your property. If you are on fee waiver, this fee is covered.
Students will also have a project 2nd and 3rd term where they will learn a classical solo called an art song. These pieces come in books that cost between $15 and $30. They may share books, purchase from other students, use one of the 10 free pieces that I have, or buy from a music store. It is illegal to photocopy. This will not be allowed. Sunset Jr. will purchase the book back from your student when they are done with it for $5 less than they paid if it is in good condition and you have the receipt, further limiting the cost of the assignment and allowing us to recycle it. Please be careful not to pay too much for a book on line! Again, everyone who wants to participate should take choir regardless of finances!
Electronics ARE allowed in class to use for class projects, unless they distract students or are used inappropriately. There is a no tolerance policy for misuse of electronics. Music shared in class must be school standard with no swearing, and no discussion of negative social issues. I want your student to share their music with us, and for everyone in class to feel comfortable!
We will be watching occasional clips from musicals, as well as anatomical diagrams of the vocal mechanism. We will watch music videos of the songs we perform. This is in preparation for using them on one of our concerts. Possible video clips this year may come from:
The Rhythm of Life song clip from the movie, Sweet Charity
The Fiddler on the Roof
The Sound of Music
The Lion King
We regularly evaluate choral performances on line to improve your student’s listening skills. If you have questions about this, please see me. I am happy to discuss any concerns you may have.
Academic Grading Scale: A=90-100% B=80-89% C=70-79% F=69-0%
*Cheaters receive a 0 on the assignment, no chance for extra credit, a U, and parent conference.
Citizenship Expectations: Music classes require the best behavior of responsible students in order to be successful as a group. It is best when students discipline themselves by following the four classroom rules. If that does not happen, we will follow school procedures.
- Follow Instructions!
- Sing:
- Posture = Body Map!
- Focus = Eye Contact!
- Lift = Inner/Outer Smile!
- Behave:
- Sit in your assigned seat!
- Nothing in the mouth!
- Do not talk when teacher is teaching, and others are responding or singing!
- When the director stops, be quiet! This is a critical time for instruction!
- Comply with school Dress Code!
- Ask to use equipment/piano. Do not go in the teacher’s office!
- Clean your space before you leave. Be sure your chair is in its place!
- Take care of music, & materials. You are responsible for these items.
- Always participate in class, and attend all rehearsals and performances!
- Be on Time and Prepared!
- Be in assigned seat with all materials when class begins.
- Resilience Binder: Required!
- 1 ½ inch, 3 ring binder.
- Notebook Pouch at least 7X10 to clip into portfolio. Ziploc bags work!
- Paper folder
- Pencil or pen
- Paper
- Planner: electronic or paper!
- Keep Hands, Feet and Objects to Yourself!
- Only write on what you are instructed to!
- Honor personal space, please!
- No Bullying, Swearing or Put-Downs!
- Handshakes, bow’s and applause show respect.
- We will address each other respectfully.
- Share your “Ah-hah’s”, positives and grateful comments!
Citizenship Grade: Demerits 0=H, 1=G, 2=S, 3=N 4=U
Have Fun!
Course Summary:
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