Philosophy
Classroom Expectations
Care Of Music
Performances
Uniforms/Choral Attire
Grading Policies
Fundraising
Parent Communication

The CVHS Choirs are devoted to the study of music, vocal techniques and ensemble skills. Students will be exposed to a variety of music literature, including many different styles and cultures. The goals of our choral ensembles, through rehearsal and performance, are to achieve a high degree of learning and performance excellence, develop a love, understanding and appreciation of music and learn the skills and concepts necessary to successfully participate in a vocal ensemble. It is the responsibility of both the director and the ensemble members to be prepared for each rehearsal and to put forth their best effort at all times.

Being a member of choir is being a member of a team. We must work together for our team to be successful and accomplish our goals. Teamwork takes cooperation, courtesy and commitment. Everyone is important to the team and everyone has responsibilities to the team. These responsibilities can effect your grade and include (but are not limited to):

• Show respect for the director, other members of the ensemble, and yourself.
• Show respect for the choir room, the equipment and the music.
• Be on time to all rehearsals and performances.
• Be prepared with binder and in seat when it is time for class to begin. Students must provide their own black, three-ring binder for choir classes. This binder is to be brought to class every day. Please label the binder on the inside only. In this binder, students are to keep all course materials distributed by the director and 2 sharpened pencils.
• Put forth your best effort every day with a positive attitude.
• Be responsible for all classroom materials including music, written work, hand outs, permission slips, choir uniforms, etc.
• Absolutely no gum or food in class (water bottles are an exception, and I encourage each choir member to have water with them every day).
• As a member of the Choral Department, students are expected to uphold all CVHS policies, both on and off campus.

Students are responsible for all music that they receive. Any needed markings should be done in pencil only. Any damage to the music will result in a replacement fee to the student of $2.00 per copy. Music should be kept in the student's binder and in a safe place at all times.

Attendance:   Attendance is required at all performances!
Performance Dates are on the schedules page on this web site and are posted in the choir room. An ensemble depends on all of its members. All students are expected to fulfill their responsibility to their ensemble. Performances are the culmination of the classroom learning! They are an important assessment and a significant part of your grade. Students are expected to be fully dressed in the required choral wardrobe pieces in order to participate in performances and concerts.

You must let Mrs. Alderman know with as much advance notice as possible if you will not be able to participate in a performance. Excused absences are rare, but extenuating circumstances do happen and will be considered on an individual basis. (A doctor's note will be required within two days of a missed performance, if missed because of illness). Family vacations, birthdays, visiting relatives, too much homework and "I don't have a ride" are NOT valid excuses for missing performances, please plan ahead.

Performance Behavior Expectations:

-	Be on time for all performances (call times will be announced at least two weeks prior to concert date).
-	Wear appropriate attire.
-	Demonstrate appropriate behavior as a performer and as an audience member.
-	Represent the CVHS Choir Program with pride.

Each student needs to pay a $30.00 clothing rental fee by the end of the second week school. This covers the rental cost of the choral department uniform for both men and women, except shoes and socks/stockings. Students are required to purchase their own black dress shoes and black socks/stockings. Choral uniform measurements will take place during the first month of school. No student will be fitted for a uniform until the fee has been collected. This fee also pays for the repair and upkeep of all of our choral uniform pieces. Required performance attire for each group is listed below.

Note for ALL choir members: Students may not wear jewelry of any kind and must have their hair in a natural color and off their faces for all performances.

Women's Ensemble
• Black Velvet Blouse (provided by choral department)
• Floor Length Black Skirt (provided by choral department)
• Black Character Shoes: To be purchased through Mrs. Alderman ($25/$40)
• Flesh Colored Stockings

A Cappella Women
• Black Choral Dress (provided by choral department)
• 16 inch Pearl Necklace (provided by choral department)
• Black Character Shoes: To be purchased through Mrs. Alderman ($25/$40)
• Flesh Colored Stockings

A Cappella Men
• Black Tuxedo - jacket and pants (provided by choral department)
• White Tuxedo Shirt (provided by choral department)
• Black Bowtie and Cummerbund (provided by choral department)
• Black Dress Shoes: no sneakers, no high tops, no boots
• Black Socks

Charismatics Women

• Black Choral Dress (provided by choral department)
• 16 inch Pearl Necklace (provided by choral department)
• Black Character Shoes: To be purchased through Mrs. Alderman ($25/$40)
• Flesh Colored Stockings
• Caroling Skirt, Belt, Cape, Blouse and Hat (provided by school)

Charismatics Men
• Black Tuxedo - jacket and pants (provided by choral department)
• White Tuxedo Shirt (provided by choral department)
• Black Bowtie and Cummerbund (provided by choral department)
• Black Character Shoes: To be purchased through Mrs. Alderman ($35)
• Black Socks
• Caroling Tails, Top Hat and Cravat (provided by school)

Valley Blues Women
• Royal Blue Dress (provided by choral department)
• Rhinestone Earrings (provided by choral department)
• Dance Briefs and Tights: To be purchased through Mrs. Alderman ($20)
• Tan Character Shoes: To be purchased through Mrs. Alderman ($40)
• Other costume pieces/props depending on show

Valley Blues Men
• Black Tuxedo - jacket and pants (provided by choral department)
• White Tuxedo Shirt (provided by choral department)
• Royal Blue Vest and Bowite (provided by choral department)
• Black Character Shoes: To be purchased through Mrs. Alderman ($35)
• Black Socks
• Other costume pieces/props depending on show

Grading Criteria:	Maximum Points:
Daily classroom participation	10 points each day
Successful participation in performances	150 points each performance
Sight Singing Tests	25-50 points each test
Quartet/Trio Singing Tests	25-50 points each test
Written Work	To be determined
Extra Credit	To be determined

Grading Scale:
A	90-100%
B	80-89%
C	70-79%
D	60-69%
F	Below 60%

The grading scale for each term is set, however, the number of points in each quarter will vary upon the number of tests, performances, etc.

Classroom Participation:
To earn the full amount of possible points for classroom participation, students must be on time and be a contributing member to that rehearsal or performance. Unexcused absences will result in 0 points for the missed class period or performance. These points cannot be made up. Students that have excused absences from class will be given opportunity to earn their missed points through extra credit work. It is the responsibility of the student to make up missed points.

Performance Participation:
Full points can be earned for performances if the student is on time for the warm-up, is in proper concert attire, and acts appropriately as a performer and audience member during the concert.

Written Work:
Written assignments will be given during each quarter. Students will be given ample notice as to what each assignment is, how it relates to our music and a reasonable amount of time to complete the assignment before it is graded. These assignments will count toward the final grade for the quarter/semester. Points given for written work will be determined per each assignment.

Extra Credit:
Extra credit can be earned by taking online quizzes, writing short research reports and writing reviews of outside concerts that you attended.

-	Online quizzes are located on the Extra Credit page on this website.
-	Research report forms can be downloaded from the Extra Credit page of this web site or gotten directly from Mrs. Alderman.
-	Outside concerts must be approved by the director and you must bring in a program from the concert signed by a parent/guardian. Examples of approved concerts would include: any symphony, any chorale, other high school concerts. Please ask first. (Popular music concerts will not be approved as extra credit).

Throughout the school year, the choral department will sponsor a number of fundraisers to help offset the cost of trips, uniforms, music, etc. All students are expected to participate in the fundraisers to help support the program. incentives will be offered to encourage students to take part in our efforts. Parents may elect to give a donation in lieu of supporting a fundraiser.

It is important that the director, the students and the parents all work together as a team to achieve our goals. Communication, understanding and commitment are essential for this team to be a success. I will be keeping you informed throughout the year. Please feel free to call me or email me at school with any questions or concerns about your child or the choir program.