Choral Music
Wasatch Jr. High
Marion Smith – Instructor
Marion.Smith@granite.k12.ut.us
Course Overview
This course provides opportunities for students to develop their musical
potential and skills through singing in a choral ensemble. This includes the
care and cultivation of a beautiful tone, the ability to read music, the
building of technical skills, choir unity, and responsible rehearsal and
performing habits. Also, there will be opportunities to study music theory
and general musicianship skills in order to build a solid musical foundation.
Materials
Students will need pencil, paper, music, student planners, and folders. The
folders and music will stay in the classroom unless the teacher gives you
special permission to take them home. Music and folders are the student’s
responsibility to take care of. Any serious damage or loss of either music
or folders will result in fines to the student to whom the folder and music
was assigned.
Grading
Grading will be based on the following areas:
Class Participation
Choir is by nature a participation class and as such, students need to
participate daily. Participation does not only mean singing in the
classroom, it also includes:
--following the rules
--being on time (in seat, not just in room, by the time the bell rings)
--doing the work that is done in class
--being prepared with required materials
Students lose participation points when they are absent, tardy, or
misbehaving. Excused absences may be made up with extra credit assignments.
Concerts
Students are required to attend concerts and festivals. These are considered
the final exam for the class. It is nearly impossible to duplicate the
circumstances for an event such as this for make-up purposes. (It is like
missing a championship game for an athelete – you can’t go back and play that
game.) They are given more weight on the grade. Students and parents must
notify the teacher 3 weeks prior to the concert if there is a critical need
not to attend. If an emergency arises to prevent the student from attending
the concert a note must be turned in to the teacher stating the nature of the
emergency. The teacher will work with parents and students on a case-to-case
basis regarding make-up work for the concert. Students can make-up up to 90%
of the concert.
Make-up work can include:
• Attend a classical music concert/recital or musical (with typed
review and attached ticket/program): up to 100 points
• Music Timeline: up to 200 points
• Composer Report: up to 200 points
• Volunteer before school to work in the music library: up to 200
points per day
• Participate in an outside music organization (with note from
conductor): 100 points
• Compose/arrange a musical piece: up to 200 points
• Private vocal/instrumental lessons (with note from teacher): 100
points
• Other projects as approved by the teacher
Assignments and Tests
There will be various assignments and test given. These will be graded and
points will be given towards students’ grade.
Rules and expectations
Students are expected to adhere to all school rules and these classroom rules:
1. Please leave all food, gum, candy, and drink outside the room.
2. Always be courteous to the teacher, students, and yourselves. Put-
downs, name calling, sarcasm, and other inappropriate language is not
allowed. Please raise your hand before speaking and do not interrupt whoever
has permission sot speak.
3. Respect the equipment and materials in the room. Other classes will
be using the room so do not touch anything in the room unless you have
permission
4. Come on time and be ready to “Participate
Failure to adhere to the rules will result in loss of participation points,
low citizenship grade, or (in more serious situations) a call to parents
and/or detention.
Please read and discuss the disclosure with your student/parent and then sign
in the appropriate places.
Student Portion
“I have read the disclosure and know what is expected of me in this course.
I understand that I will be held accountable for any rules that I break or
standards that I do not adhere to.”
Student Signature_________________________________________ Date___________
Parent name(s)___________________________________________________________
Parent e-mail_____________________________________________________________
Home phone number__________________________
Parent Cell/Work number__________________________
Parent Portion
“I have read the disclosure and discussed it with my student. I understand
what is expected of my student in this class and will encourage him/her to
follow instructions and do all of the assignments. I give my permission for
the teacher to grade and discipline according to what is outlined in this
disclosure.”
Parent Signature_________________________________________ Date____________
Best number to reach you at in the daytime________________________
Please print this page, sign it, and return it to the teacher the first week
of school.
