Expectations

To achieve a successful choral program students must behave as a member of a team. Each choir member has a responsibility to all other choir members with regard to participation in all rehearsals and performances.  The majority of our performance preparation will take place during the regular school day. 

 Chorus is a class and you receive a grade for the course, attendance is required for rehearsals and performances beyond regular school hours.  These include, but are not limited to:
  • Concerts
  • Performances for school, community, etc.
  • Extra rehearsals as required
  • Individual Assessments
  It is understood that attendance at these functions is mandatory, and an unexcused absence may result in a grade reduction for the student.  Work IS NOT considered an excuse for missing a performance. You will receive a failing grade for the marking period.

Exceptions to this policy are:
  • Religious Holidays
  • Documented Illness
  • Family Emergencies (approved by School Administration

Calendar

The following dates involve all chorus members.  Please put these dates on your family calendar, and avoid scheduling doctor and dentist appointments, family trips or outings, or other potentially conflicting activities around these days.  At the same time, please share these dates with friends and family members that would enjoy hearing your students sing, as all are welcome at all of our concerts.  The performances below are required and part of the student’s grade.
Thursday September 9, 2022: Handbook forms are due (this is the first grade - not a performance, just here as a reminder!)

Friday Oct 7, 2022:: Homecoming @ Football Stadium   7pm (report 5:45pm)

Sunday Dec. 18, 2022: Holiday Concert, HS Auditorium  2pm (report 1:00pm)

Sunday April 30, 2023: Spring Concert, HS Auditorium  2pm (report 1:00pm)

Concert Dress

Our music family at the high school has performance uniforms in the form of tuxedos and performance gowns.  These will be distributed in the first few weeks of school in a garment bag.  Students will keep their uniforms at home and will bring them in for dress rehearsals and arrive to school in these uniforms on performance days.  Performance uniforms will NOT be worn for the Homecoming Football Game - that would just be weird.  

Students may wash the gowns and tuxedo shirts only.  All other parts of the uniforms must be dry-cleaned if necessary.  All uniforms are clean when they are distributed to the students.  Please do NOT cut any material or use fabric glue when putting hems on pants or gowns.

All uniforms are property of ELCO High School and must be returned following the spring concert.  Uniforms not returned are considered an obligation with the high school office until returned.

Music

Music will be provided for the students in Period 4.  Music is the property of ELCO High School and should be treated as the "textbook" of chorus.  

Behavior Expectations

There are only 4 rules you need to follow to get a good grade for class participation.

            1. BE ON TIME – Yes, it's a hike, but roll call starts 1 minute after the bell sounds so please hustle!                                                 

            2. BE PREPARED –  Music, pencil, reading glasses, seeing eye dogs, etc. 

                                                       *NO IPADS OR PHONES OUT DURING REHEARSAL UNLESS REQUESTED BY THE DIRECTOR*

            3. BE RESPECTFUL – Does this really need an explanation?

            4. BE YOUR BEST –  U-B-U!

If any of the above rules are violated, students will receive a zero for the day’s rehearsal.  Students will also receive detention for excessive talking, cutting class or other disruptions during the rehearsal.  

Grading Policy

Students can earn points in each of the areas below:
  • Class participation - graded on a monthly basis
  • Performance and rehearsal attendance
  • Individual assessments
  • Proper Concert Etiquette (Will be covered in class)
The grades for performances and extra rehearsals will be determined as follows:  (Remember, performances and rehearsals held beyond school hours are required as part of the choral curriculum and are therefore part of the students’ grades)
  • Students who do not attend scheduled performances and rehearsals in a timely fashion and in the appropriate dress will fail to earn points for those events
  • Unexcused absences earn zero points.
  • Students who have an excused absence from a performance are expected to bring a signed note from their parent on the next day they return to school.   See the Performance Expectations page for a list of excused absences.

Fundraisers

 These fundraisers are optional for every student.  This information has not been finalized, but will become available to you as soon as possible. Please be warned that  fundraisers may cause salivation and fabulous aromas in the chorus room. You should turn in all monies for fundraisers utilizing the following criteria: 
 
Checks only  NO CASH!  (read that again, please)

This is much safer than carrying large amounts of cash to school and acts as your receipt of payment. Payments should be in a sealed envelope WITH YOUR NAME ON IT (that's super helpful!) and delivered to the chorus treasurer.