MUSIC HANDBOOK 2015-2016 - Granville Schools

Granville Middle SchoolMUSIC HANDBOOK2015-2016Cheridy Saunders, ChoirJerod Smith, BandAndrew Krumm, BandSamantha Schnabel, Orchestra

Welcome, or welcome back, to music at GMS! Please read all policies and procedures so thatour year may run smoothly. Also be sure to make note of special dates that will occurthroughout the 2015-2016 school year. Keep this handbook throughout the year so that youcan refer to the policies and procedures should any questions arise about grading, attendance,concert dress, or special dates. The student contract must be signed and returned by August28, 2015. After this date your music grade will be lowered. Shirt orders are also due on thisdate.Attendance Policy:You are expected to attend ALL mandatory performances and rehearsals. Since this is such alarge part of your grade, you will be required to do an individual make up assignment for anexcused missed performance (ex. a critique of all of the music performed at that concert by allof the groups, or a research project related to the music we’re learning.) This applies forEXCUSED absences only. Consideration will be used with emergencies. Excuses must be writtenby a parent/guardian on paper or in e-mail. Excused absences, other than illness oremergency, will include the following and must be approved 10 DAYS IN ADVANCE.Excused:1. Some school athletic events or activities. (Please consult the sports/activitieshandbook for clarification concerning excused conflicts.)2. Personal illness-requires a note (preferably from a doctor.)3. Death in the family.4. Approved religious holiday.5. Family emergency (fire, car accident, etc.)6. Any extenuating circumstance that has been discussed with your director 10 days inadvance.Unexcused:UNEXCUSED ABSENCES WILL RESULT IN A CONCERT GRADE OF 0 with no alternative assignmentoption. The following are some examples of unexcused absences.1. Any absence not called in, e-mailed, or received by note 10 days before the requiredevent (unless it is an emergency.)2. “I forgot”3. Lack of transportation.4. Babysitting/job5. Athletic or other extra curricular practices or meetings

Grading:Daily participation/attitude points:You will be given 100 pts at the beginning of each quarter for proper participation in class.In order to receive all points you should follow the guidelines below.1.2.3.4.5.6.7.Be on time, ready to begin when the bell ringsNo gum or food during rehearsalDemonstrate good posture and proper rehearsal focusAlways have proper equipment with youDon’t leave materials out at the end of classDo not disrupt rehearsal (excessive talking or noise)No unapproved electronic devices.*Repeated offenses will result in parent phone calls and meetings with the principal.Concert Grades:You will receive 0 points for an unexcused absence or for failure to complete a make upassignment within the time agreed on by you and your director. Proper concert etiquetteand attire is required in order to receive full credit for the concert portion of your grade.Playing/Singing Tests:You will be given a singing test at least once each quarter to check your progress on theskills we work on in class.Theory/Music Reading Tests:You will be given tests over music theory or reading that your director covers in class atleast once each quarter to check progress and understanding.Other assignments:At the discretion of your director you may be required to do in class listening and writingassignments or small projects.

Concert Attire:We will be ordering shirts again this year for middle school music. All students are requiredto wear this shirt for performances. Shirt orders are due by August 28, 2015. Checks canbe made out to GMS Music.The full uniform:Music shirt (tucked in)Black pants or skirt (skirt must be knee length)Nice casual shoes (no flip flops or tennis shoes)Music and Equipment:Students will be assigned a folder and music, (sometimes with a partner.) These items arethe student’s responsibility. If your folder is damaged during the year, you will have to payfor its replacement. Music should only be shared between students assigned as partnersby the director. This will prevent other students from damaging your folder, or taking anyof your materials.GMS Choir Objectives:1. Students will learn a wide variety of healthy singing skills appropriate to several musicalcultures and genres.2. Students will learn proper singing technique. A typical vocal test looks at these variousfactors of performance:Correct notes and rhythmsIntonation (singing in tune)Breath support and controlConsonant/vowel pronunciationVocal Quality/Tone color3. Students will experience singing in small ensembles as well as large group settings withsolo opportunities.4. Students will advance their knowledge of music theory and music reading skills.This will be evaluated through written tests once per quarter.5. Students will demonstrate proper performance and audience etiquette.

GMS Choir Grade Breakdown (approximate)Quarter 1:Daily participation/Attitude Points- 100 possibleFall Concert- 100 possibleVocal test- 25 pts possibleWritten test- 50 pts possibleOther in class assignments-50 pts possibleQuarter 2:Daily participation/Attitude Points- 100 possibleHoliday Concert- 100 pts possibleVocal test- 25 pts possibleWritten test- 50 pts possibleOther in class assignments-50 pts possibleQuarter 3:Daily participation/Attitude Points- 100 possibleVocal test- 25 pts possibleWritten test- 50 pts possibleOther in class assignments-50 pts possibleQuarter 4:Daily participation/Attitude Points- 100 possibleSolo and ensemble -75 pts possibleOMEA Contest- 75 possibleSpring Concert- 75 possibleWritten test- 50 pts possibleOther in class assignments-50 pts possible**Extra Credit will be offered for any participation in performances outside of the aboverequirements such as a solo at the OMEA solo and ensemble event, performing at the musicboosters craft fair, volunteering to work at GHS musical events, and any other pre-approvedopportunities that may come up throughout the year. EC will also be available to those whoattend any music performance outside of the school day.Concert Grading – 100 Points Punctuality/10 pointso Sitting in assigned place at required time for attendance and warm-upsUniform/15 pointso music shirt tucked in, black pants or skirt, nice shoes (no tennis shoes)Concert etiquette/75 pointso no talking, appropriate posture, behavior, and effort

Teacher Contact Information:GMS Main Number: 587-8104Cheridy Saunders, ChoirExt. 4037csaunders@granvilleschools.orgJerod Smith, BandExt. 5019jsmith@granvilleschools.orgAndrew Krumm, BandExt. 2258akrumm@granvilleschools.orgSamantha Schnabel, OrchestraExt. 5021sschnabel@granvilleschools.orgFundraising8th grade students will have the opportunity to participate in a fundraiser this year.Participation is not mandatory, but will help to fund student trips and other miscellaneousstudent needs.Trip sale:This music department sponsored event will be offered to 8th grade and high school ONLY. Theprofits for this fundraiser are earmarked for the individual seller’s own “trip account.” Theaverage profit from the company on this sale is 40%- so, approximately 40% of everything astudent sells will go into his or her “trip account*.” We will not take a trip every year and not in8th grade. This is a savings account that will eventually be used for trip purposes.Money in the “trip accounts” that is unused at the time of graduation will either be passeddown to a younger sibling or will be used to help pay for chaperones.Student InformationPlease go to this address to fill in all of the appropriate information if you have not alreadydone so! www.tinyurl.com/2015GMSMusic

Outstanding Musician Award:To earn the Outstanding Musician Award, a student must meet the criteria outlined below. It isan honor to receive this award which will be given to those middle school musicians who haveparticipated in the Granville Middle School Music program and done additional activities(outlined below) which show diligence and musicianship. These awards will be announced atthe Middle School Honor’s Night ceremony at the end of the year.Students earning the Outstanding Musician Award must:1. Earn an ‘A’ in your music class for all grading periods.2. Unless excused by sudden severe illness or other emergency, attend and participate in allperformances for the music class in which you would like this award. (Alternative assignmentsoutside of illness or true emergency will not substitute for concert participation)3. Perform a solo in the annual OMEA solo and ensemble contest and receive a rating of I or II.4. Participate in an ensemble (rehearsals and performance[s]) outside of your school group.Possible performance groups are: Honor’s band/orchestra/choir Suzuki ensemble (Denison or Capital) OMEA Contest ensemble of 9 or fewer members church choir or handbell choir Columbus Children’s Chorus Jazz band Musical theatre production Newark-Granville or Columbus Youth Symphony other ensemble approved by your director(craft show performances will not be accepted)Turn in a concert program, or note from the adult sponsoring the performance, to yourdirector.

5. Attend a concert, outside the regular school day, performed by a professional organizationor musician. This should be a formal concert beyond what is in your own popular musiccollection. Write a critique of the concert you attended and submit it with the concertprogram to your music teacher. A critique contains the following: details of the concert you attended a summary of the music performed an evaluation (your opinion) of the performance.It should be 2 - 3 paragraphs in length and no longer than one page.Local organizations performing professional concerts include: Heisey Wind Ensemble Newark-Granville Symphony Orchestra (student tickets 5) The Columbus Symphony Orchestra Opera Columbus or CATCO Broadway Series The Vail Concert Series at Denison University Some concerts presented by the Music Department at Denison University(check with your music teacher to see if the DU concert qualifies) Other groups approved by the music teacher in advance6. Choose one additional activity from the following: Take four (4) private lessons and submit documentation from your private teacher. Participate in an additional outside ensemble that follows #4 above. Attend an additional professional concert (following the guidelines in #5 above)7. All of these requirements must be fulfilled by Friday, April 29, 2016.

GMS Music Department Dates for 2015-16 August 25-Sept. 88th Grade Fundraiser Trip Sale Wednesday, September 30GHS/GMS Fall Choir Concert7PMAuditorium Saturday, November 7Music Boosters Craft ShowTime To Be AnnouncedGHS Commons Saturday, December 5Granville Walking TourTime To Be AnnouncedMixed Choir and Madrigal Cast Members Wednesday, December 16GMS All Music Holiday Concert7PMAuditorium Friday, December 18Nursing Home/GIS/Mall TourAll DayMixed Choir Only Saturday, April 9OMEA Solo and Ensemble8AM-5PMRiverview HS, Warsaw, OH Friday, April 29Outstanding Musician Award Materials Due Monday, May 9Talent Show Auditions3-4 pmGMS Choir Room Tuesday, May 10Talent Show Auditions3-4 pmGMS Choir Room Thursday, May 12GMS Choir Spring Concert7PMAuditorium Friday, May 13 ORSaturday, May 14OMEA Large GroupEvening May 13 ORDaytime May 14Big Walnut HS, Sunbury, OH Wednesday, May 25Talent Show8AMAuditoriumBOLDED events are required and mandatory grades for all choir students.