About our Program:
The purpose of this program is to prepare and perform a wide repertoire of music with our whole body, mind, and spirit in order to increase our knowledge of music content, our ability to read music, our expression of musical ideas, our talents as musicians and our appreciation for music from all times and all styles.
Course Offerings:
The following courses are offered in Gibbon Public School's Choral Program:
Sr. High Choir: Open to all interested high school students.
Advanced Vocal Techniques: Open to all high school students who wish to prepare for further study in music, all-state and other honor choir auditions, or district music solos.
Jr. High Choir/Drama: Open to 7-8 students interested in choir and drama, this class will study theatrical basics as well as choral concepts.
7-12 Show Choir: A select choir auditioned in the first full week of school
Sr. High Choir, Advanced Vocal Techniques, and Jr. High Choir/Drama will meet daily for one class period. The Show Choir is an extracurricular ensemble that will meet multiple times a week before school.
Sr. High Choir: Open to all interested high school students.
Advanced Vocal Techniques: Open to all high school students who wish to prepare for further study in music, all-state and other honor choir auditions, or district music solos.
Jr. High Choir/Drama: Open to 7-8 students interested in choir and drama, this class will study theatrical basics as well as choral concepts.
7-12 Show Choir: A select choir auditioned in the first full week of school
Sr. High Choir, Advanced Vocal Techniques, and Jr. High Choir/Drama will meet daily for one class period. The Show Choir is an extracurricular ensemble that will meet multiple times a week before school.
Vocal Goals:
At the end of the year, students will be able to:
- Sing with proper breath support, intonation, vowel production, and vocal technique
- Accurately demonstrate an understanding of time signatures, key signatures, general music terminology, musical phrasing and expression markings.
- Set their own standards of excellence for the future, take pride in themselves and their choir, and become more self-confident and sensitive musicians to the best of their abilities.
Rules & Procedures:
Students are required to be respectful, responsible, and safe at all times.
- Respectful individuals use courteous language, are sincere and polite, and are stewards for the choir room, the equipment, and the building.
- Respectful students think positively, cooperate fully, and listen intently to instruction.
- Responsible students come to class on time and prepared, with their iPad, folder, and pencil, and leave all other items (i.e. backpacks, cellphones, homework, food, gum, beverages, or etc.) in their lockers, or outside of the music room.
- Safe students will follow all the rules included in Gibbon Public School's Handbook (including the Dress code Policy) at home and "on the road." (This includes the policy regarding hats.)
Grading:
Every student has the ability to receive an "A" in this class. Only those who do not try will be unsuccessful. While I understand that everyone has their down-days, effort is crucial to every rehearsal. Grading will be based upon the following criteria:
A= 93-100%
B+= 90-92%
B= 86-89%
C+=82-85%
C= 77-81%
D+=74-76%
D= 70-73%
F= Below 70%
Lettering: All choir members have the opportunity to letter. Freshman who letter will receive a felt "G", Sophomores and higher will receive a pin. To letter in choir, students must earn 100 points by attending and participating in any of the following events:
- Participation 30% - Will be based upon rehearsal skills, punctuality, and active, positive involvement in each rehearsal. Behavior problems will result in lowering of the students grade.
- Daily Work 20% - Will be based on worksheet grades, recap quizzes, and exit slips.
- Tests (Oral and Written) 20% -at the end of each quarter, students will be asked to meet for a short performance assessment, as well as taking a summative test over the concepts covered over the course of the quarter.
- Concert/Performance Attendance 30% -As a member of a choir, every person is vital and important especially during performance. It is incredibly important to attend the concerts. Students who fail to do so will perform their part during a "make-up" time. Student's self evaluation of their concert performance will also be factored into their grades.
- Extra Credit - Students have the opportunity to earn extra credit points towards their participation grade by filling out a Concert Listening Report for any outside performances they attend. These forms can be found in the vocal room and must be turned in with a copy of the event's program. These reports will replace daily participation grades in the grade book.
A= 93-100%
B+= 90-92%
B= 86-89%
C+=82-85%
C= 77-81%
D+=74-76%
D= 70-73%
F= Below 70%
Lettering: All choir members have the opportunity to letter. Freshman who letter will receive a felt "G", Sophomores and higher will receive a pin. To letter in choir, students must earn 100 points by attending and participating in any of the following events:
- Performing in Concert: 15 points (each)
- District Music Festival: 20 points
- Conference Music Clinic: 15 points
- Auditioning and attending an Honor Choir: 15 points (each)
- Auditioning for an Honor Choir: 5 points (each)
- Perform National Anthem: 10 points (each)
- Miscellaneous jobs: 5 points (as awarded by director)
Performances:
Students involved in choir are required to attend the following performances:
GEA Pancake Feed - Nov. 9th 5:30-7 p.m.
Veterans Day Program - Dec. 10th 1:00 p.m.
Winter Concert - Dec. 18th 8:00 p.m.
District Music Contest - April 20th (All day)
Spring Concert - May 7th 8:00 p.m.
GEA Pancake Feed - Nov. 9th 5:30-7 p.m.
Veterans Day Program - Dec. 10th 1:00 p.m.
Winter Concert - Dec. 18th 8:00 p.m.
District Music Contest - April 20th (All day)
Spring Concert - May 7th 8:00 p.m.
Concert Attire:
Students will be required to purchase a blue Gibbon Public Schools Choir t-shirt. These t-shirts will be worn most performances including the GEA pancake feed, and the Veteran's Day concert. This t-shirt should be worn with plain jeans. Please no wild colors (traditional blue only) and no holes, rips or tears. For our performances at District Music, students will be required to wear black pants (please no leggings, yoga pants, or black jeans) with their t-shirt. (Students involved in show choir will have a slightly different shirt that they will wear to their performances.)
Students should also wear appropriate footwear, such as dress shoes- no flipflops. If you would like to wear high heels, consider a low-heel, and remember you will have to stand for the entire performance in your shoes. If they are uncomfortable they may not be an appropriate choice. Hair should be out of the student's face so audience members can see both eyes.
Student's who plan to participate in honor choirs and clinics will need a 'nice' outfit to wear to their performances. This would include dress pants and a button-up shirt for gentlemen, a dress, blouse and skirt combo, or blouse and dress pant combo for the ladies.
If there are any financial reasons that a student is unable to comply to these dress code policies, they are welcome to approach me to discuss alternate possibilities.
Students should also wear appropriate footwear, such as dress shoes- no flipflops. If you would like to wear high heels, consider a low-heel, and remember you will have to stand for the entire performance in your shoes. If they are uncomfortable they may not be an appropriate choice. Hair should be out of the student's face so audience members can see both eyes.
Student's who plan to participate in honor choirs and clinics will need a 'nice' outfit to wear to their performances. This would include dress pants and a button-up shirt for gentlemen, a dress, blouse and skirt combo, or blouse and dress pant combo for the ladies.
If there are any financial reasons that a student is unable to comply to these dress code policies, they are welcome to approach me to discuss alternate possibilities.
Travel:
Every two years, Gibbon Choir and Band students take a trip. This 2017-2018 school year is not a trip year. However, students can fund raise and add money to their vocal accounts. Account balances will be shared with students in the first few weeks of school.
Fundraising:
Every year Gibbon Choral students have multiple fundraising opportunities to build their activities accounts. This year we will continue to hold fundraisers through Deli International and Barn Candles. More information will be available later.