GUIDELINES FOR COLUMBIA HIGH SCHOOL SR HIGH CHORUS
WELCOME
Welcome to the Columbia High School Choral program. You are here to make
one of the finest choral departments ever here at CHS. This will happen not
because of me, the director, but because of you, the singers. Each singer is a
vital part of the program; no one “star” can make a chorus.
Remember: “We can do together what none of us can do alone.”
As important as athletics are, not everyone can play first team.
In chorus no one sits on the bench; you’re all first team. You can help to make
us a winning team.
PURPOSE
The purpose of the CHS Choral program is to help each individual develop -
musically, socially, and personally. We are a performance oriented group, and as
such, we strive to be the best we can be in all respects. A good singer is a
proud singer and a motivated singer; we strive to sound like the best school
choruses around. You will get out of chorus what you put into chorus. These
little two-letter words apply: “If it is to be, it is up to
me.”
CONTENT
Vocal health is very important. Treat your vocal instrument with
care at all times. We will work on choral music of good quality; fine choirs
don’t waste their valuable time on junk.
Singers in senior high chorus are placed on voice parts (soprano/ alto/tenor/bass) on the basis of a non-threatening, noncompetitive voice check in which
I will listen to your range, tone quality, and pitch
memory.
POLICIES
All singers who join chorus are expected to attend all concerts. Parents, please plan
family activities accordingly; we have three required concerts plus graduation. They are each given a test
grade. If you cannot be at a concert for a good reason (and there are some good reasons),
you need to give me a written excuse BEFORE the concert. Obviously, illnesses or family
emergencies sometimes happen at the last minute. In that case a note immediately
after the concert is acceptable.
Performances dates will be posted well in advance, and are in your school
calendar. Excuses like “We had to get groceries” or “I had to work” are not
valid. You have to be responsible for keeping the people at home
and work informed; you are important to the success of our concerts. You
are expected to be on time, properly dressed, and ready to sing at concert
time.
CLASSROOM GUIDELINES
1. Get your folder and be in your assigned seat and ready to
sing when the late bell rings.
2. Make sure you have a pencil.
3. No gum or candy.
4. Talk only when it is appropriate.
5. No cell phones. If I see it, I will warn you once. Next time
I take it and give it to the office.
6. At the end of class, the director, not the bell, will dismiss
you. Put your folder back in your assigned slot and leave in
the appropriate fashion.
7. Negative talk is not tolerated. Always use a positive
approach. If you have a comment you think could be constructive,
see me after rehearsal.
CONSEQUENCES
Behavior during rehearsals is the same as expected in the Tide Guide. If
you misbehave or are uncooperative in any manner, you can expect one or more of
the following:
1. a verbal or written warning
2. change of seat
3. a call to parents
4. teacher - assigned detention
5. office referral
GRADING
Grades will be given for all members. You are not graded on what
a wonderful voice you have; you are graded on what you do with what you’ve got.
Chorus is a participation-based class; each period is based on 5 points. Full
and proper participation counts for 5 points. Infractions such as, but not
restricted to, talking, gum chewing, and inattentiveness subtract one point. Not
singing, unless there is a medical reason about which you’ve spoken to me,
equals a zero. We will spend time reading and writing music notation, and you
will be quizzed on the material. If you work hard, you’ll get a good grade. If
you are a hindrance to the group with your behavior or inattention, your grade
will be affected. Again, performances are worth 100 points for the quarter in
which they occur.
IMPORTANT DATES
Music Department Holiday Concert
Thursday
November 5, 2015
6:30 p.m.
Winter Concert
Wednesday
January 20, 2016
7:00 p.m.
Spring Chorus Concert
Tuesday
May 10, 2016
6:30 p.m.
Graduation
Friday
June 3, 2016
7:00 p.m.
Contact Information
Richard S. Jensen, Jr., Choral Director
Columbia Jr/Sr High School
901 Ironville Pike
Columbia, PA17512
(717) 684-7500 ext. 3503
[email protected]
WELCOME
Welcome to the Columbia High School Choral program. You are here to make
one of the finest choral departments ever here at CHS. This will happen not
because of me, the director, but because of you, the singers. Each singer is a
vital part of the program; no one “star” can make a chorus.
Remember: “We can do together what none of us can do alone.”
As important as athletics are, not everyone can play first team.
In chorus no one sits on the bench; you’re all first team. You can help to make
us a winning team.
PURPOSE
The purpose of the CHS Choral program is to help each individual develop -
musically, socially, and personally. We are a performance oriented group, and as
such, we strive to be the best we can be in all respects. A good singer is a
proud singer and a motivated singer; we strive to sound like the best school
choruses around. You will get out of chorus what you put into chorus. These
little two-letter words apply: “If it is to be, it is up to
me.”
CONTENT
Vocal health is very important. Treat your vocal instrument with
care at all times. We will work on choral music of good quality; fine choirs
don’t waste their valuable time on junk.
Singers in senior high chorus are placed on voice parts (soprano/ alto/tenor/bass) on the basis of a non-threatening, noncompetitive voice check in which
I will listen to your range, tone quality, and pitch
memory.
POLICIES
All singers who join chorus are expected to attend all concerts. Parents, please plan
family activities accordingly; we have three required concerts plus graduation. They are each given a test
grade. If you cannot be at a concert for a good reason (and there are some good reasons),
you need to give me a written excuse BEFORE the concert. Obviously, illnesses or family
emergencies sometimes happen at the last minute. In that case a note immediately
after the concert is acceptable.
Performances dates will be posted well in advance, and are in your school
calendar. Excuses like “We had to get groceries” or “I had to work” are not
valid. You have to be responsible for keeping the people at home
and work informed; you are important to the success of our concerts. You
are expected to be on time, properly dressed, and ready to sing at concert
time.
CLASSROOM GUIDELINES
1. Get your folder and be in your assigned seat and ready to
sing when the late bell rings.
2. Make sure you have a pencil.
3. No gum or candy.
4. Talk only when it is appropriate.
5. No cell phones. If I see it, I will warn you once. Next time
I take it and give it to the office.
6. At the end of class, the director, not the bell, will dismiss
you. Put your folder back in your assigned slot and leave in
the appropriate fashion.
7. Negative talk is not tolerated. Always use a positive
approach. If you have a comment you think could be constructive,
see me after rehearsal.
CONSEQUENCES
Behavior during rehearsals is the same as expected in the Tide Guide. If
you misbehave or are uncooperative in any manner, you can expect one or more of
the following:
1. a verbal or written warning
2. change of seat
3. a call to parents
4. teacher - assigned detention
5. office referral
GRADING
Grades will be given for all members. You are not graded on what
a wonderful voice you have; you are graded on what you do with what you’ve got.
Chorus is a participation-based class; each period is based on 5 points. Full
and proper participation counts for 5 points. Infractions such as, but not
restricted to, talking, gum chewing, and inattentiveness subtract one point. Not
singing, unless there is a medical reason about which you’ve spoken to me,
equals a zero. We will spend time reading and writing music notation, and you
will be quizzed on the material. If you work hard, you’ll get a good grade. If
you are a hindrance to the group with your behavior or inattention, your grade
will be affected. Again, performances are worth 100 points for the quarter in
which they occur.
IMPORTANT DATES
Music Department Holiday Concert
Thursday
November 5, 2015
6:30 p.m.
Winter Concert
Wednesday
January 20, 2016
7:00 p.m.
Spring Chorus Concert
Tuesday
May 10, 2016
6:30 p.m.
Graduation
Friday
June 3, 2016
7:00 p.m.
Contact Information
Richard S. Jensen, Jr., Choral Director
Columbia Jr/Sr High School
901 Ironville Pike
Columbia, PA17512
(717) 684-7500 ext. 3503
[email protected]