2024-2025 Choir Disclosure

Layton High School

Course Disclosure:  Choir

Name of Teacher: Angie Petty

Room Number: Portable???

Email Address: apetty@dsdmail.net

Prep Period: 4^th and 6th

Course Description (Standards)

·         Rehearsal Skills and Etiquette – Students will demonstrate productive rehearsal habits, both as an individual and as an ensemble member including, but not limited to following director and musical score, personal engagement, focus and behaviors, preparation, and making up missing work.

·         Vocal Skills and Development – Students will create and develop music in rehearsal and performance by applying the following vocal skills and development: posture, correct breathing, pure vowels, intonation, tone quality, diction, blend and balance, and interpretation.

·         Music Theory – Students will classify and analyze foundations of music literacy including but not limited to rhythm, note/pitch identification, key signatures, music symbols, and terms.

·         Performance: Music Repertoire – Students will demonstrate vocal skills and music theory by performing a variety of repertoire at appropriate level of difficulty using, but not limited to, concerts and performances.

·         Performance: Audience Etiquette – Students will demonstrate proper audience etiquette by showing complete respect for other performers during a performance including, but not limited to, silently watching, staying off phones or devices, only applauding at the correct times, and giving positive feedback if necessary.

·         Connections and Real-Life Applications – Students will listen to, analyze, respond to, and evaluate music and musical performance in both formal and informal settings.

 Materials Needed/Fees

·         Concert Apparel

Soprano/Alto Choir: Dresses, skirts, or slacks in any combination of black and white

Tenor/Bass Choir: Dark slacks, white long sleeve collared shirt and tie

Concert Choir: Same as above

Laytones and Lace: Purchase of concert uniform – cost will not exceed $165

·         Concert Choir, Laytones, and Lace: Purchase of choir shirt - $15

·         Concert Choir, Laytones, and Lace: $5 clinician/adjudicator fee

·         All choir students will be assessed a $5 transportation fee

·         Each student will have music and a folder checked out to them and is responsible for it until asked to check it in. Mark music using ONLY #2 pencils so that the music can be erased clean. Students will be required to pay for any lost music, music returned late, and music with pen marks within their responsibility. Bring your folder and pencil every day!

Grading Policy

Your grade will be determined based on achievement of meeting the learning objectives (standards) of the course. The standards are listed in CANVAS on the DESK Standards page and listed above. Each assessment will be linked to the standards of the course found in the course description. Assessments will be based on a 4 point scale. In performing terms, this will describe the grading system J:

PLEASE BE AWARE that the score in Canvas may look different than the score in myDSD. Because of the way the two programs “talk” to each other, they will not always match but the overall grade should be the same. For example, a 3 in Canvas may show up as a 3.64 in myDSD. As long as an attempt is made, a score of at least 1 will be given. Any 0 given on an assignment is because an assignment is missing.

Any student caught cheating will receive an automatic 0 on the assignment as well as an automatic “U” for citizenship.

Homework/Extra Credit

·       Students can turn in late work until the Wednesday before the end of the grading period (midterm, term). Late work will affect citizenship grades.  

·         Extra credit opportunities do not exist in Standards Based Grading; however, students can redo any homework assignment, quiz, or test for a higher score until the Wednesday before the end of the grading period (midterm or term). The exception for redo work is Rehearsal Etiquette. The grade in this standard can only go up if Mrs. Petty observes a consistent pattern of improved behavior.

Class Rules

1.      Absolutely no talking while the teacher is working.

2.      On a rehearsal cutoff, all singing stops immediately.

3.      No gum, food, candy, or drinks (except a water bottle) are allowed.

4.      Students will be courteous and respectful to people and property.

5.      This is a music classroom. No bad sounds allowed.

Citizenship

·         School policy will be followed regarding absence and tardiness.

·         H: Consistently demonstrates habits of success and good citizenship qualities (listed above). All work completed and turned in on time. Comes to class on time (no tardies). Actively participates in class. No excessive absences.

·         G: Consistently demonstrates habits of success and good citizenship qualities; No more than 2 missing assignments. Participates frequently in class. 1-2 tardies to class. No excessive absences.

·          S: Usually demonstrates habits of success and acceptable citizenship qualities; No more than 3-4 missing assignments. 3-4 tardies. Participates occasionally in class.

·         N: Sometimes demonstrates habits of success but needs improvement in citizenship qualities. 5 tardies. 5-7 missing assignments. Rarely participates in class.

·         U: Demonstrates the opposite of the habits of success/ 3 or more unexcused absences and/or 6 or more tardies, a truancy or cheating; needs improvement in citizenship qualities. More than 7 missing assignments. Doesn’t participate in class.

Attendance/Tardy Policy and Make-Up Work:

·         This is a performance class. Students that are absent will be missing assessments, whether formative or summative. Chronic absence will affect the student’s letter grade as well as citizenship grade.

·         Please speak to Mrs. Petty regarding absences of more than three days.

·         If you have 5 absences in class, you will not be allowed to perform in the concert with your class. Students will makeup the concert in the same way as those who are absent from the concert.

·         Students who choose not to participate in the scheduled performances will be required to sing through all concert music for Mrs. Petty at a time set up between the student and Mrs. Petty, dressed as if performing in the concert. They will also need to attend another choir concert and write a report about their experience. Please let Mrs. Petty know at least one week ahead of time of any concert absences.

·         Tests and quizzes will be made up after school on Mondays and during late start Wednesdays. Please make an appointment with Mrs. Petty for these makeups.

Term Projects

·         Each term, students will be expected to choose one of the following 4 options for a term project. Students who are enrolled in multiple choirs will only need to complete one project per term.

1.      Option 1: The student may sing a solo or with an ensemble for the class. Grading will be based on preparation, interpretation, and stage presentation. A grading rubric will be provided.

a.      Any term (when applicable): In-Class Solo auditions, more than 8 measures in length, that demonstrate thorough preparation will be accepted.

b.      3rd term: Participation in the In-School Solo & Ensemble (Tuesday, February 9)

c.       4th term: Auditioning for Laytones or Lace will count if the audition demonstrates adequate and thorough preparation.

d.      Any term: A solo or ensemble (approved by the teacher) will need to be learned outside of class time. A current song that we are learning in class should not be performed.

2.      Option 2: The student may take private voice lessons for an eight-week period during the term. A form requiring the voice teacher’s signature along with student practice times will be available on Canvas.

3.      Option 3: The student may accompany a concert song for a term. Once concert music is distributed, a student can express interest in playing a specific piece. An audition date will be set at that time. If the playing is approved (following all conducting gestures), the student will serve as the official accompanist for that song. A form is available on Canvas.

4.      Option 4: Students can attend a choir concert (not ours) and write a report on their experience. The required elements for the report will be found on Canvas.

Other information

·         Please refer to the performance calendar on Canvas for all performance dates.

·         Concerts will be held in the Layton High School Auditorium at 7:00 PM unless otherwise told. Students should meet in the choir room of LHS 30 minutes before the performance dressed in appropriate concert attire.

·         Students may watch choir and musical theatre videos online or in class. All videos will be screened ahead of time for appropriate content. Links to resources have not been vetted beyond the original page cited.

·         All class assignments will be posted through Canvas.