DIRECTOR LETTER

 

Dear Students and Parents,

 

Welcome to the Sand Creek Choir Program! You have all made an excellent choice deciding to be in Choir. Music is one of the most rewarding and exciting educational opportunities offered by our schools. In addition to obtaining skills that prepare you for future study or a career in the field of music, music students learn skills, discipline, and rigor that can be used in every facet of life. Research shows that music students are among the strongest academically in their schools and consistently score higher on the SAT and ACT. You will enjoy the rewards of your participation in music long after you graduate from high school. It is my sincere hope that the music we make together will not only challenge you but fill your soul and enrich the lives of those who listen. 

 

This is my 8th year teaching choir and my first year at Sand Creek. I have spent 7 years at the middle school level both in North Carolina and Colorado, but I’ve always known that I wanted to teach high school choir. I am honored and excited to start that journey as a Scorpion. I grew up in Virginia participating in any choir or musical theater opportunity I possibly could. I then attended Virginia Commonwealth University and received a Bachelor of Music Education with a concentration in vocal/choral. I have taught private voice and piano lessons, musical theater camps, church choirs, and have been a part of various bands, choirs, worship teams, musicals, and operas. I also love playing guitar and sometimes dabble in song-writing. When I am not making music, you’ll find me outdoors mountain biking, ice climbing, or hiking up mountains. I am looking forward to getting to know each of my students, building a “choir family” with them, and giving them opportunities to make great music together.

 

This handbook contains general and over-arching aspects of the vocal music program. Taking time now to read through this handbook will help you be successful in choir and enjoy the year. The performance dates on page 10 are particularly important, so be sure to mark all these dates on your calendar now and avoid surprises once the performances approach.

 

Let’s sing!

 

                    Sincerely,

   

                                               Lauren Swisher

 

                                                   Lauren Swisher

                                                                      Phone: 719.495.1160 x2133

                                                                  Email: aswisher@d49.org

 

MISSION

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The mission of the Sand Creek High School Vocal Music Program is to promote, engage, and foster the musical talent and creativity of our students. The program strives to instill self-discipline, professionalism, and teamwork in students while inspiring them to discover their connection with singing. We affirm “excellence…the Scorpion way!” with emphasis on respect, responsibility, and integrity while achieving the highest possible level of musical excellence. Through various genres and styles of vocal music that support state and district level standards, we prepare all of our students to be creative and expressive participants as successful world-class learners and responsible human beings.

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COURSES: 

All choral ensembles at SCHS are year-long performance-focused classes.The majority of class time will be spent rehearsing for public performances.  Skills including vocal technique, music literacy, and basic music theory will also be taught.

 

Mixed Choir

Grade Level: 9-12 1 year

Prerequisite: None 1 credit

Fee: $30

Open to all men and women with no audition or previous experience in choir necessary, Mixed Choir is the introductory course in the vocal music performance pathway. Mixed Choir is designed to introduce the skills of vocal technique, reading music, and music theory in the context of a performing musical ensemble. Mixed Choir performs a variety of music at four mandatory performances throughout the year. 

 

Men’s Ensemble

Grade Level: 9-12 1 year

Prerequisite: Invitation 1 credit

Fee: $30

Open to men in grades 9-12 with previous experience in choir by invitation from the Director, Men’s Ensemble is the intermediate course for men in the vocal music performance pathway. Men’s Ensemble is designed to further develop and improve the skills of vocal technique, music literacy, and music theory in the context of a performing musical ensemble. Men’s Ensemble performs a variety of music at four mandatory performances throughout the year.

 

Women's Ensemble

Grade Level: 9-12 1 year

Prerequisite: Invitation 1 credit

Fee: $30

Open to women in grades 9-12 with previous experience in choir by invitation from the Director, Women’s Ensemble is the intermediate course for women in the vocal music performance pathway. Women’s Ensemble is designed to further develop and improve the skills of vocal technique, music literacy, and music theory in the context of a performing musical ensemble. Women’s Ensemble performs a variety of music at four mandatory performances throughout the year.

 

Chamber Choir

Grade Level: 10-12 1 year

Prerequisite: Audition 1 credit

Fee: $30

Open by audition only for men and women in grades 10-12 with previous experience in choir and who demonstrate an advanced background in vocal music, Chamber Choir is a capstone course for the vocal music performance pathway. Chamber Choir is designed to further develop and improve the skills of vocal technique, music literacy, and music theory in the context of a performing musical ensemble. Chamber Choir performs a variety of music at four mandatory performances throughout the year and periodically throughout the school and community. 

 

Women’s Select Choir

Grade Level: 10-12 1 year

Prerequisite: Audition 1 credit

Fee: $30

Open by audition only for women in grades 10-12 with previous experience in choir and who demonstrate an advanced background in vocal music, Women’s Select Choir is a capstone course for the vocal music performance pathway. Women’s Select Choir is designed to further develop and improve the skills of vocal technique, music literacy, and music theory in the context of a performing musical ensemble. Women’s Select Choir performs a variety of music at four mandatory performances throughout the year and periodically throughout the school and community. 

 

MATERIALS

• Pencil and Choir Binder

You will need a pencil and music binder every day for rehearsal. 

 

• Uniform

Some of your performing uniform will be provided for you but you will need to obtain some pieces for it.

 

UNIFORM

 

Choir.                                        Provided                          Need to obtain (before 1st performance!)

_______________________________________________________________________________________

Mixed Choir.                             Black choir shirt               Black dress shoes (men & women)

                                                                                          Black socks (men)

                                                                                          Black dress pants (no jeans or leggings)

______________________________________________________________________________________

Men’s Ensemble                        Tuxedo                             Black socks

______________________________________________________________________________________

Women’s Ensemble                  Maroon dress                    Black dress shoes

______________________________________________________________________________________

Women’s Select Choir               Blue dress                        Black dress shoes

______________________________________________________________________________________

Chamber Choir                         Tuxedo (men)                    Black socks (men)

                                                 Black dress (women).        Black dress shoes (women)

______________________________________________________________________________________

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Understanding that the purpose of uniforms is to make the entire choir look uniform and present a professional, unified appearance, here are a few other notes about attire for performances:

• Hair must should be neatly styled and away from the face 

• Makeup may be applied in a natural-looking manner and should not distract from the group

• Large facial piercings should be removed for performances

• Small stud earrings and small rings may be worn, no jewelry otherwise (including necklaces, bracelets, chokers, hoops, or other non-stud earrings) 

• Black dress shoes for women should be no taller than 2 inches

• White socks, athletic shoes, jeans, and leggings are not acceptable performance uniform

 

GRADING

 

Classwork is approximately 10% of your grade. To earn full credit for daily work, every day you must complete and

turn in any class work given the day it is received. Missing work must be turned in by the end of the week.

 

Participation is approximately 40% of your grade. 15 points are possible to be earned every week as a daily participation grade. This averages to 5 points possible every class period.

• Active, engaged participation is essential to success as a singer and choir. Attitude, focus, listening skills, responsibility, leadership, good behavior, and good singing posture indicate you are participating actively. Phones and homework for other classes should not be out during rehearsal. Respect ensures that all energy is focused on building each other and the choir up, and can be shown by being quiet while the director works with other sections, listening and following directions, encouraging each other, and taking well-earned pride in the success of the choir.

 

• Participation also means you are prepared with your materials. Having everything you need for class, including your music folder and pencil, and being in your seat by the bell shows you are prepared.

 

Performances are approximately 30% of your grade. See Calendar section for dates. Concerts are a display of what we have been working towards in class and are mandatory. You earn full credit for a concert when you:

• Arrive on time for warm-ups

• Wear proper concert attire.

• Demonstrate concepts learned in class including vocal technique (alignment, breathing, support, blend, and balance), repertoire mastery (accuracy and memorization), and concert etiquette as both a performer and audience member

• Display enthusiasm, a positive attitude, and commitment to the success of the choir and program

• Return and neatly hang up your concert attire as directed after the concert

• Performance Absences: **Ms. Swisher needs to be emailed by a parent or guardian as soon as possible before the performance an emergency will prevent you from attending. Extreme personal illness, a family emergency, or a legitimate weather concern may be excused with appropriate notice from a parent or guardian to Ms. Swisher at her discretion. Sporting events and job scheduling are not considered an emergency and will not be excused. Sports coaches and bosses must be notified of your required performance if any games or work shifts occur on concert dates. 

 

Assessments are approximately 20% of your grade. Various quizzes and tests will take place throughout the year to measure your growth toward achieving proficiency in specific skills. You will also have two semester finals in choir. These assessments will measure your growth in vocal technique, music theory, and sight reading.

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PROCEDURES

Rehearsals

• During the passing period before choir, please get in the habit of using the restroom and getting a drink. Water bottles are encouraged in class to be able to stay hydrated throughout rehearsal. GUM AND FOOD ARE NOT PERMITTED IN THE CHOIR ROOM.

• Upon entering the choir room, remove any headphones, put electronics away, put any gum or food in the trash, get your binder (with a pencil), take your seat, and work on the bell-ringer (typically a sight-reading exercise). 

• Attendance will be taken at the bell.

• Announcements and warm-ups. Warm-ups are where we work on singing fundamentals and technique. 

• Daily sight reading exercises

• Rehearsal of performance repertoire

• Restroom and water requests will be granted one student at a time.

• When Ms. Swisher ends rehearsal, students should put away their materials and throw any trash away.

 

Discipline

Students are expected to be on their best behavior at all times and maintain a positive attitude. This is a professional environment where we all show respect to each other and to the craft of music-making itself. 

 

Discipline will usually be handled in a 4-step process:

• Verbal reminder in class

• Individual conversation

• Parent contact

• Referral

 

Fundraising

In order to be able to continue to provide great opportunities inside and outside of the classroom as a vocal music program, we depend on fundraising to raise additional money beyond what school budgets and fees provide. Everything from being able to sing new music and keeping the pianos in tune to having the opportunity to participate in contests takes fundraising support. As a member of the vocal music program, you will be asked to contribute your share of time and energy to our fundraising efforts.

 

Extra rehearsals

While kept to a minimum, the need may arise for extra rehearsals outside of normal class time. Points are earned for any extra rehearsals as they are needed. 

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CALENDAR

In addition to regular class time, performances and additional events are:

*Asterisk*- Required for all choirs

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EVENT                                                                 DATE + TIME                                                  WHERE________________

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Auditions for Fall musical “Honk!”                       TBA                                                                  SCHS Auditorium

 

*Fall Concert*                                                      Wednesday, September 28

                                                                            Call - 5:30 pm | Concert – 7 pm                       SCHS Auditorium

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All-State Choir auditions                                       Fall 2022 (TBA)                                               Vista Ridge High School

 

Fall musical “Honk!” performances                      Thursday-Saturday, November 17-19             SCHS Auditorium

 

*Winter Concert*                                                   Tuesday, December 8

                                                                              Call - 5:30 pm | Concert – 7 pm                      SCHS Auditorium

 

All-State Choir                                                       Spring 2022                                                     TBA

 

Solo & Ensemble Competition                              Spring 2022                                                      SCHS

  

*Spring Concert*                                                  Wednesday, March 15

                                                                             Call - 5:30 pm | Concert – 7 pm                        SCHS Auditorium

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Large Group Contest                                            April 2022                                                         Pueblo West HS

 

(Possibly) 

Music in the Parks Competition                             May 2022                                                         Elitch’s Denver

 

*End-of-Year Awards Concert*                             Tuesday, May 9

                                                                              Call - 5:30 pm | Concert – 7 pm                        SCHS Auditorium

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Graduation                                                            Thursday, May 25                                               TBA

 

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LETTERING

Lettering for All Choirs

Fill out this form by Friday, April 8 to be considered for a letter in choir

 

Name _______________________________________________ Grade __________________

Choir ________________________________________________ Date ___________________

 

Lettering requires 9 of the following to be checked.

___ Earned an “A” in choir both semesters

___ Earned full credit for all scheduled concerts

___ Earned full credit for any and all extra rehearsals and performances

___ Earned a I or II rating at Solo & Ensemble 

___ Participated in more than one choir at SCHS

___ Participated in the musical

___ Auditioned for All-State Choir (Juniors/Seniors only)

___ Participated in All-State Choir (Juniors/Seniors only)

___ Choir activity fees and fines are paid

___ No unexcused absences for the entire year

___ Fewer than 8 tardies for the entire year

___ No referrals

___ Attended 4 live concerts of a high school level or higher throughout the year (excluding SCHS choir concerts). List dates and ensembles.

___________________________________    _____________________________________

___________________________________     _____________________________________

___ Made a unique, individual contribution to the success of the vocal music program. 

 

Explain in detail.

__________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________