September 21, 2011

Dear Parent(s):

As I listened to singing of “The Star Spangled Banner” during our school’s 9/11 tribute last week, I was reminded of the power of song in our lives.  No one asked for an instrumental version of the piece, though it was the next track on my CD.  They asked for a vocal rendition because the power of the music PLUS the text is unlike any other, in its ability to inspire, to comfort, to uplift, to entertain, to provoke thought, and to soothe.  It is that unique opportunity to lift their voices in song that your children have, this year.

On Saturday, October 15, all second- and third-year choir students at Johnston Middle School have the chance to audition for the Region XXIII Honor Choir.  We will travel by bus to Morton Ranch Junior High in Katy, leaving at 7:00AM.  You are responsible for retrieving your student, once his/her audition is finished.  THIS letter is to let you know what the commitment to Region Honor Choir entails:

• Learn three audition pieces, in their entirety.  (Each child already has a copy of the three pieces, received in class.)
• Come to JMS on Saturday, October 15, by 6:45AM, to board the bus for Morton Ranch JH, bringing music, a pencil, some paper clips and money for snacks.
• Sing (solo) portions of two of the pieces, as announced the morning of auditions.
• Wait for news from Mrs. Conner about whether or not you made it into the choir!!! (new.schoolnotes.com) ==;O

WHEN your child makes the Honor Choir, he/she will:

• Learn two additional mixed choir pieces, in their entirety.
• Ride the bus with Mrs. C to Cardiff JH in Katy, on the afternoon of November 4, for the first combined rehearsal.  (They will need their music, a pencil, and a sack lunch or money for snack.)  We will rehearse; then they will eat pizza and dance to a DJ.  YOU WILL NEED TO PICK THEM UP/GET THEM HOME FROM KATY THAT FRIDAY NIGHT, NO LATER THAN 7:45PM!!!
• On Saturday morning, November 5, YOU WILL NEED TO GET YOUR CHILD BACK TO MORTON RANCH HIGH SCHOOL IN KATY, BY 8:30AM.  Each child needs his/her music, a pencil, and his/her DRESS UNIFORM.  The kids will rehearse during the day, then present the Region XXIII Honor Choir concert that afternoon at 5:00PM.  PLEASE PLAN TO BE THERE IN THE AUDIENCE – THIS IS AN AMAZING CONCERT THAT YOU DON’T WANT TO MISS!!

Please check your family calendar, today, to make sure that you and your student have these dates available.  Unfortunately, there will be a child – from some other school, of course -- who auditions, gets in to the Honor Choir, then doesn’t come to the clinic and concert.  This means another child – possibly yours! – might have had the chance to participate in this wonderful event, if the no-show kid hadn’t taken one of the precious and coveted spots in the Honor Choir! 

So, to recap, here’s what you can do to help your student succeed at getting into Region Choir.  Listen to them sing as they rehearse at home; get them to Johnston MS to ride the bus to their audition on October 15; pick them up in Katy on the evening of November 4; deliver them back to Katy on the morning of November 5; weep with pride with me in the audience at the concert on the afternoon of November 5!!

Happy singing!

Laurie M. Conner

Director of Vocal Music

Johnston Performing and Visual Arts Middle School

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Student’s name:  ________________________________________________________

Parent’s name:  ______________________   Parent’s home #:  ____________________

My child, _________________________, has my permission to audition for the Region XXIII Honor Choir on Saturday, October 15, at Morton Ranch Junior High, Katy.  I will provide transportation for my child on October 15, November 4*, and November 5*. 

_____________________________________________

(Parent’s signature)

*WHEN chosen for the Honor Choir!

**************************************************************************************************************

Dear Parent(s):

Welcome to Johnston Middle School for the Performing and Visual Arts!  You have chosen to become part of an exceptional program of arts education.  The 2011-2012 school year promises to be an exciting and challenging one with many musical performances, dance concerts, art exhibitions, and drama productions.  In this era of technology and science, many schools are phasing out the arts; we at Johnston know that the arts play a vital role in every individual’s life.  We are dedicated to enabling our students to work in a team towards our common goal of excellence in performance.

When asked the question, “Why do we give our children instruction in the arts?” we answer:

          Not because we expect them to major in the arts;

          Not because we expect them to perform all their lives;

          Not so they can relax;

          Not so they can have fun;

But so they will be human,

          So they will recognize beauty;

          So they will be closer to an infinite beyond this world;

So they will have more love, more prosperous living

Of what value will it be to make a prosperous living unless you know how to live?

This handbook is designed to answer your questions about the choir program at Johnston.  Please read it carefully, sign the form (both sides), and return it to school.

Thank you!

Laurie Conner

Choir Director

Johnston Middle School

Performing and Visual Arts Faculty

Art                                                    Tobi Arsham

Art                                                    Christina Gutierrez

Band                                                   Craig Green

Band                                                   Nick Rodriguez

Broadcast Journalism                          Vinnie Arlt

Choir                                                  Laurie Conner

Dance                                                 Jessie Woodcock

Guitar                                                          Roberto Guinea

Handbells                                           Laurie Conner

Mariachi                                             Jose Torres

Orchestra                                           Jose Rocha

Piano                                                  Diane Grosscope

Piano                                                  Rolethial McKelvey

Theater Arts                                      Jennifer Wood

Magnet Coordinator                            John Marshall

The faculty may be reached at the following telephone numbers:

Main School Number                           (713)726-3616

Magnet Office                                    (713)726-3628

Fax                                                    (713)726-3622

GENERAL POLICY STATEMENT

Students enter our magnet program through the audition process in their primary areas of interest.  Students will remain in those two disciplines for their three years at Johnston and will not be permitted to leave their primary area of interest.  Should a student wish to change their area of acceptance, he/she must reapply and audition in February for the following year.  Students are also expected to remain in their second magnet class throughout the time in our program unless there is sufficient reason presented to necessitate a change (schedule conflict or teacher deems a change is appropriate). 

CHOIR CODE OF CONDUCT

ADDITIONAL REHEARSALS/ACTIVITIES

Students will be given adequate notice of all additional rehearsals and activities outside of the regular class period.  These rehearsals and activities are course requirements and are vital to the success of the choral program.  Every effort will be made to minimize the amount of out-of-class time required.  Therefore, unexcused absences from these activities will be treated in the same manner as an unexcused absence from class, and will affect the student’s grade.  In the event of a conflict with another scheduled school activity, it is the responsibility of the student to notify the sponsors of the activities.  The sponsors will then determine the student’s obligation.

CHOIR FEES

In order to produce the extraordinary results we achieve in our choir program, it is necessary to collect a choir fee from each participating student.  This fee goes toward your music, buses, choir t-shirt, choir dress uniform, fees for contests, and equipment (risers, etc.).  While the $75 fee is a yearly one, you may contact the director to make arrangements to pay the fee over time (lconner@houstonisd.org).  Fees are due by Friday, September 30, 2011.

CHOIR UNIFORM

Uniforms are required of all choir students.

          Girls in Beginning Treble Choir must wear:

·        Black dress shoes, closed toe and closed heel, heel no taller than 2”

·        Black hose

·        Solid black skirt, provided by choir department.

·        White, long-sleeved, button-down-collared Oxford cloth shirt (men’s dress shirt – see a uniform shop or boys’/men’s department store).  No visible logo embroidery allowed.

·        Jewelry and hair must be subtle and not draw particular attention to the student.

Girls in Non-Varsity Treble Choir must wear:

·        Black formal dress provided by the choir department.

·        Black hosiery.

·        Black dress shoes, closed toe and closed heel, heel no taller than 2”

·        Jewelry and hair must be subtle and not draw particular attention to the student.

Girls in Varsity Treble Choir must wear:

·        Black formal dress provided by the choir department.

·        Black hosiery.

·        Black dress shoes, closed toe and closed heel, heel no taller than 2”

·        Jewelry and hair must be subtle and not draw particular attention to the student.

Boys in all choirs must wear:

·        Black dress shoes, no athletic shoes

·        Black socks

·        Solid black dress pants

·        Black belt

·        White, long-sleeved, button-down-collared Oxford cloth shirt (men’s dress shirt – see a uniform shop or boys’/men’s department store).  No visible logo embroidery allowed.

·        Tie, to be provided by the choir department.  This tie must be dry-cleaned and returned at the end of the year in excellent condition, otherwise a $10 replacement fee will be assessed.

CLASS ATTENDANCE

Unlike individual activities such as an academic class, it is impossible to make up activities that occur in a choir rehearsal.  Unexcused absences will have a negative impact on the student’s grade.

CLASSROOM RULES

1.                   Be in your assigned seat with paper, books and pencil when the bell rings.

2.                 Do not talk without permission.

3.                 Keep your hands, feet, books, and objects to yourself.

4.                 No gum, food, candy, or drinks are allowed, except for bottled water WITH A LID!  [This includes before and after school.]

5.                 No grooming in the choir room.  Do not brush hair, spray perfume or hairspray, apply scented lotions, or put on make-up in the choir room.

CONCERT AND CONTEST ATTENDANCE

Concerts and contests are the ultimate evaluation of many weeks of preparation and class work.  Choir members are expected to be present for the entire time of each required concert.  Concerts are 30% of a student’s grade during the nine weeks in which they occur.  ATTENDANCE IS NOT OPTIONAL!!  Absences and tardies will be excused only for cases of medical emergency or death in the family.  Prior notification of any conflict with a required concert or rehearsal is required.  Students are held responsible for keeping up with the dates and times of scheduled activities.

AN UNEXCUSED ABSENCE FROM A PERFORMANCE WILL RESULT IN A 30% REDUCTION IN THE NINE-WEEK GRADE.

CONSEQUENCES

If a student fails to follow one or more classroom rules, the director is assuming they have temporarily forgotten what the rules are.  The director is more than willing to remind students of what they have forgotten.  After several reminders, however, it becomes apparent to the director that a student’s “I forgot. . .” is really an “I don’t care. . .”  Be aware that repeated reminders will be viewed by the director as an “I don’t care” and could result in lowered conduct grades, lowered class participation grades, parent conferences, detention, and disciplinary referrals.

GRADING RUBRIC

The student’s nine weeks’ grade will be averaged as follows:

I.                            DAILY QUIZ (20%)

As soon as the bell rings in the choir room, a 5-point daily quiz will begin.  This requires each student to be in his/her seat with music, textbooks, pencil, and paper.  If a student is not in his/her seat when the bell rings, number 1 on the quiz is automatically marked wrong.

II.                        PERFORMANCE ASSESSMENTS (CONCERT/CONTEST ATTENDANCE)/TESTS (30%)

Attendance is required for the entirety of all performances, including concerts and contests.  Performances are listed on the Calendar of Events.  An excused absence from a choir rehearsal or concert will require the same criteria as an excused absence from school – personal illness where the student has been absent from the entire school day, death in the family, or family emergency.  The absence will not be excused if the parent has not communicated with the director PRIOR to the event.  It is imperative that the parent contact the director regarding the absence, as these concerts are a part of the student’s grade.

III.                   CLASS WORK/SING FOR A GRADE (25%)

Each student will sing and/or clap rhythms for a grade several times each nine weeks.

IV.                       PRODUCT/CLASS PARTICIPATION/PROJECTS (25%)

Appropriate class participation will earn the student 25% of his/her grade, except in a nine weeks period where there is no scheduled concert/contest.

REHEARSAL EXPECTATIONS

The success of a choir depends on how it rehearses.  How it rehearses depends on the conduct and cooperation of the students.  Rehearsals are the place to correct mistakes.  The fewer the mistakes and the less individual distractions, the greater your contribution is to the choir.  Be patient, attentive, careful, and cooperative in observing these rehearsal expectations.  When the directors have to discipline and control rather than direct, the rehearsal and eventually the choirs are headed for failure.  Good behavior, attitude and self-discipline are essential to producing a GREAT CHOIR.  If you are successful, the Choir is successful!

• A positive attitude towards director and fellow choir members is vital.
• Good concentration on the present has to take precedence over past classes or experiences as well as future classes or experiences.
• A pencil in hand is required.  Please mark your music diligently.  This allows you to be a responsible choir member by keeping up with the progress of the music.  The “SINGER’S CHECKLIST” is posted in the choir room to remind students of the prioritized list of factors which will ensure successful rehearsals on a daily basis.

SINGER’S CHECKLIST

1.                   EYES – At the top of the list is a reminder of where the student is looking at any given time during the rehearsal.  The two acceptable places are the director or at the music being rehearsed.

2.                 POSTURE – Every choir member is responsible for maintaining good singing posture.  Just as an athlete would not try to play basketball while lying down, a good singer does not try to sing while slumping in their chair, crossing their arms and legs, or any thing else which inhibits them from their best performance.  Correct posture allows the singer to develop and exercise a healthy and beautiful tone.

3.                 HANDS – While sitting or standing, the position of a singer’s hands I important.  Acceptable places are holding music, placed on one’s own legs, or by one’s side.

4.                 FEET – While sitting, a singer will have their feet squarely placed on the floor.  Singers do not rehearse with their legs crossed.  While standing, weight should be evenly distributed on both feet.

5.                 BREATHING – This factor precedes singing because air intake is the basis of all healthy singing.  Preparing to sing by taking a deep, relaxed breath will greatly improve a singer’s tone and stamina.

6.                 SINGING – The ultimate goal of any rehearsal is to maximize the amount of time spent singing.  It is imperative that singers are demonstrating attention to Items 1-5 before the director will proceed to No. 6.

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

September 8          Open House

September 17        *Region Choir Workshop, The Rice School, 8:30AM – 1PM $10/student (Attendance is optional but strongly encouraged!)

October 20           *Advanced Ensemble Concert (Varsity Choirs, only), Johnston Middle School, 7PM

October 15            *Region Choir Auditions, Morton Ranch JH, KISD

November 4           *Region Choir Clinic and Concert, Cardiff JH, KISD,

and 5                     (Friday) and Morton Ranch HS (Saturday), KISD

December ??          **Choir Winter Concert, JMS, 7PM

January 21             *Solo & Ensemble Contest, Johnston Middle School

March 8, 9,           *UIL Concert and Sight-reading Contest, TBD

and 10                            

April ??                 Beginning Choir Festival, TBD, Katy

May ??                  **Choir and Handbells Spring Concert, JMS, 7PM

*Second- and third-year choir students are eligible, based on grades.

**Involves ALL choirs, including first-, second-, and third-year students

USE OF FINE ARTS FACILITIES AND EQUIPMENT

AUXILIARY ROOMS

There are two closets and a storeroom within our choir room.  Do not enter these rooms without permission.

CARE AND FEEDING OF CHOIR ROOM

We need to make the care and maintenance of our choir room, its auxiliary rooms, and our auditorium a daily priority.  Remember, there will be no food or drink in the room, with the exception of water.

STAGE/AUDITORIUM

You are not to be on the stage or in the auditorium unless you are accompanied by your director.

STEREO

The stereo can be used by students with these guidelines: you must use the stereo for rehearsal purposes or for specific listening work once you have obtained the director’s permission.  Groups of students are encouraged to rehearse Region Choir or Solo & Ensemble music in the choir room with the stereo.  Only serious practice will be allowed.

PIANO

Don’t play the piano unless the director specifically asks you to do so.

I acknowledge that I have received the 2011-2012 Choir Handbook.

______________________________________      _________

(Student’s signature)                                                   (Date)

I acknowledge that I have received AND READ the 2011-2012 Choir Handbook, and that I am aware that the Choir Supply Fee is due no later than September 30, 2011.

This page of the handbook should be returned, along with the permission slips, no later than Friday, September 9, for a grade in your child’s choir class.

______________________________________      _________

(Parent’s signature)                                                     (Date)