I am delighted that you are a member of the
Wood Intermediate choral program. Your membership in the program
indicates your interest in music and your willingness to develop and use
your talents. The choral program offers members the opportunity to learn a
variety of music, to perform under many different circumstances, and to make
friends with students who have similar interests and talents.
Our program cannot accomplish its goals
without guidelines and regulations. It is imperative that each member knows what is
expected of him/her, the benefits derived from membership in choral ensembles, and the
activities planned for the school year.
Please read the information that follows
carefully and share it with your parents/guardians for their viewing.
If you have any questions at any time during the school year, contact me at
Wood Intermediate. I will be happy to assist you with your concerns
and will value your feedback to strengthen our program. I look forward to
working with you in a collective effort to produce outstanding musical
performances and to experience the special joys that making music brings.
Mr. Andrew Tadlock
(563) 391-6350
8:00am – 3:50 pm. M-F
SELECTION OF CHORAL LITERATURE
Students participating in courses offered by
the Vocal Music Department at Wood Intermediate School will study and
perform a wide variety of choral
literature. Based on the following criteria,
the director determines the selection of literature:
A. The literature should be of appropriate
musical material to aid
the physical development and function of the
vocal mechanism.
B. The literature will include representation
from the historical
periods of Renaissance, Baroque, Classical,
Romantic,
and Twentieth Century.
C. The literature will be written by
composers of historical significance
or those presenting valid alternative
programming opportunities.
D. The literature will represent a wide
variety of text sources
and types.
PERFORMANCE POLICY
Participation
in public performance is mandatory. Any anticipated absence must
be excused by the Director at least two days prior to
the performance date. All absences will be reflected in grading
assessments.
In the event a conflict should arise between
activities within the school, an arrangement
agreeable to all parties will be worked out
in consultation with the student, activity sponsors involved, the Principal
and the parent/guardian. The Principal, following consultation with the
Director, will make decisions concerning absenteeism beyond this point.
Students with an excused absence from a performance will be required to do
makeup work as assigned by the Director.
Students will not be allowed to do makeup
work for unapproved absence from performances
and presentations.
Discipline Expectations and Consequences
Each student/parent/guardian is furnished a
planner describing the Discipline Policy of Wood Intermediate. This
planner clearly defines breaches of discipline and out lines
administrative rules and procedures for
handling student discipline. All students and parents should be aware
of the contents of this policy.
The Discipline Policy applies to students
while on school premises, while on school-owned and operated school buses or
on chartered buses, while engaged in school-sponsored activities, and while
away from school grounds.
It is expected that Wood Intermediate School
students who participate in vocal music activities
will represent themselves and the Davenport Community Schools in an
appropriate and responsible manner.
Upon any breach of discipline by a vocal
music student, a conference will be held with the student, vocal music
director, parents, and principal. Sanctions will be determined at that
time and may include out of school or in-school suspension.
ACADEMIC EVALUATION
Choral activities seek to provide Wood
Intermediate School students with an appreciation of various types of music,
attitudes about music as it relates to their lives, an understanding
of basic musical concepts, discriminations regarding compositions and
performances, and performance and listening skills. Student
grades will be determined using the following formula:
Daily rehearsal preparation and
participation 70%
(20%= written work/exams, 50% = daily
participation in rehearsal)
Evaluation of individual performance in
concerts 10%
Performances 10%
Semester final 10%
Student assessment is based on the quality of
their daily participation, consistent application
of proper singing technique, responsible membership etiquette in rehearsal
and performance, and satisfactory completion of written work.
IN ADDITION TO WRITTEN EXAMINATIONS, STUDENTS
IN ALL ENSEMBLES WILL BE REQUIRED TO DEMONSTRATE PROFICIENCY ON THEIR
LITERATURE BY PERFORMING INDIVIDUALLY OR IN SMALL ENSEMBLES FOR ACADEMIC
EVALUATION. SUCH EVALUATION WILL BE CONSIDERED A TEST GRADE AND WILL
BE AVERAGED INTO THE DAILY PARTICIPATION GRADE.
THE FOLLOWING GRADING SCALE WILL BE USED TO
DETERMINE
STUDENT GRADES:
A (92%-100%)
C (72%-77%)
A- (90%-91%)
C- (70%-71%)
B+ (88%-89%)
I (69% and below)
B (82%-87%)
B- (80%-81%)
C+ (78%-79%)
DAILY REHEARSAL EXPECTATIONS
The Vocal Music Department is proud of the
outstanding accomplishments of the choirs
and individual members of the program. The continued success of the
ensembles is dependent upon the daily contribution of each member.
Rehearsal time is precious and must not be
wasted. Each individual must approach every
rehearsal with high expectations and a willingness to work toward the fulfillment
and realization of those expectations.
Students will be expected to:
1) Demonstrate an awareness of the importance
of rehearsal time.
(Be in their seats with their folder and all
necessary materials at the
bell. Rehearsals end when the Director
gives a dismissal.)
2) BRING A PENCIL AND FOLDER TO ALL
REHEARSALS.
3) Focus all mental energy on the
conductor and the literature.
(Stand when your section and full group is
rehearsing and no talking
during rehearsals.)
4) Focus all their physical energy on the
correct application of proper
singing technique. (Sit Tall; Breathe
Deep, Sing with Space.)
5) Demonstrate respect for the rehearsal
facilities and equipment.
(No playing the piano prior to rehearsals.
Keep the room and equipment clean
and orderly.)
6) Leave
food, pop, gum, and candy out of the rehearsal room.
Choirs are working and learning organizations
with high expectations and goals.
Students are expected to aid in this learning
process. Appropriate daily
participation is worth 50% of student
grades.
ATTENDANCE POLICY
Because of the laboratory nature of class,
daily attendance is extremely important.
Students will be required to makeup absences
from scheduled rehearsals. Makeup procedures
will be in accordance with those established in the Wood Intermediate School
student Handbook. Students will be allowed two school days for make-up
work for each school day missed. Loss of credit may result if
make up work is not completed promptly. It
is the student's responsibility to arrange make-up sessions.
TARDINESS
You will be considered tardy if not in your
place with materials when class
begins at the appointed start time.
Rehearsals begin with important
departmental announcements and vocal warm-ups designed to prepare the singing
mechanism. It is imperative that all students participate in these
opening rehearsal
procedures. Students with more than 2 unexcused tardies will be
assigned detention within the department; more than 3 unexcused tardies will
result in a phone call to the parent/guardian.
HOMEWORK
Students are expected to know the material
covered in class. On occasion it will be
necessary to take music home for additional practice and memorization. Music
will
be memorized for performances.
Assignments may be made to watch choral performances,
attend concerts, or listen to recordings outside of class. In
addition, students
will be given written assignments and it is imperative that assignments be completed
in a timely and thorough manner.
UNIFORM REQUIREMENTS
Wood Select 7-8 Choir
Men = Black bow-tie and cummerbund, white
tuxedo shirt, black belt, black socks, black shoes. NO JEWELRY!
Concert attire will be purchased through
Skeffington’s.
Women= Black dress, black shoes. Dresses will
be purchased through the department. Girls will need to supply
black closed toe flat shoes. NO JEWELRY! Hairstyles should not cover any
part of the face.
Failure to follow the dress code for concerts
and any performances will be treated as an unexcused absence from
performance. Please make arrangements for appropriate concert
uniform early in the semester. If any
assistance is needed, please contact Mr. Tadlock immediately.
HONOR CHOIR FESTIVALS
Students will be given the opportunity to
participate in choral festivals throughout the school year.
Students will be selected on the basis of their classroom performance.
Festival participation gives students the opportunity to work with
guest conductors in large ensemble situations, an opportunity to sing in
master class settings, and to visit various campuses. The student must
pay for the cost of attending these festivals. Festival information
will be posted in the choral room.
Thank you for reviewing the information
presented. The communication and performance expectations are
important to your child's development in the music program.
