BLUE RIDGE MIDDLE SCHOOL

Syllabus for 6th, 7th, 8th Grade Chorus

Teacher Name: Jeremy Barnette

Room Number: 505 Phone: 355-1971
jbarnette@greenville.k12.sc.us
www.misterbarnette.weebly.com

Daily Schedule
Time
First Period
8:30- 9:15
Second Period
9:18- 10:10
Third Period
10:35-11:25
Fourth Period
11:28-12:15
Lunch/Planning
12:15-1:35
Fifth Period
1:35-2:25
Sixth Period
2:28-3:15

Subject
Strings

Grade Level
6th

Chorus

6th

Strings

8th

Chorus

8th

Strings

7th

Chorus

7th

Course Description
6th Grade

The purpose of this course is to enable students to develop fundamental vocal

musicianship, technical skills, and aesthetic awareness through the study and performance
of varied middle school choral literature. The curriculum for Chorus 6 includes vocal
technique, part singing, music fundamentals, and singing music of various historical and
world styles through large and small group participation. Concert performances will be an
outgrowth of the study of the musical concepts. PREREQUISITE: None

7th and 8th

The purpose of this course is to enable students to continue to develop the fundamental
vocal musicianship, technical skills, and aesthetic awareness learned in Chorus 6 or 7,
through the study and performance of varied middle school choral literature. The curriculum
for Chorus 7 or 8 includes vocal technique, part singing, music fundamentals, and singing
music of various historical and world styles through large and small group participation.
Concert performances will be an outgrowth of the study of the musical concepts.
PREREQUISITE: None

Course Content Standards

National Music Content Standards
I. SINGING. Singing, alone and with others, a varied repertoire of music.
II.

PERFORMING ON INSTRUMENTS. Performing on instruments, alone and with

others, a varied repertoire of music.

III.

IMPROVISING. Improvising melodies, variations, and accompaniments.

IV.

COMPOSING AND ARRANGING. Composing and arranging music within

specified guidelines.

V. READING AND NOT A TING. Reading and notating music.

VI.

ANALYZING. Listening to, analyzing, and describing music.

VII.

EVALUATING. Evaluating music and music performances.

VIII.

MAKING CONNECTIONS. Understanding relationships between music, the

other arts, and disciplines outside the arts.

IX.

RELATING TO HISTORY AND CULTURE. Understanding music in relation to

history and culture.

Instructional Materials and Resources/Required Texts
Book:
Alfreds Essential of Music Theory Book 1
Available locally at Music Stores or Amazon.com. Please see
bottom.

Notebook

1/2 Three ring - View Binder any color

Dividers

5 dividers for Notebook

Pencils/Pens:

Pencils are required in class every day. Pens may be used on

assignments, but never on music!

Classroom Supply

Please Pick ONE: Pack of Dry Erase Markers, Box of tissues,

Hand Sanitizer, Box of Pencils (12 or more), (3 or more) Packs
of Notebook Paper, or make monetary donation to Chorus
Department to purchase new music (we receive no money to

purchase new music: a new piece costs from $40 to $100- any
amount would be greatly appreciated!) Fundraisers may also be
scheduled to help with this expense.

Concerts and Concert Dress

There will be two after school concerts during the school year. Students are required to
attend both concerts. If a student does not attend a concert, an appropriate alternate
assignment may be assigned for excused absences to make-up the grade. The Winter
Concert is Scheduled for Thursday, December 9, 2014 and the Spring Concert is scheduled
for Thursday April 21, 2015. Both dates are subject to change due to District Scheduling.
Every effort has been made to obtain an accurate date to be placed on the parents
calendar.

Each student should plan to wear a white, collared shirt and dark pants/skirt. All concert
dress should follow BRMS dress code pertaining length and fit. No tennis shoes should be
worn.

Fundraising

The Chorus Program will sponsor various fundraising events throughout the school year to
purchase new music and equipment. Each student is expected to promote and participate
in the fundraisers. Please see the website for updates on Fundraising.

Attendance and Tardy Policies

Students must attend school at least 170 days of the 180-day school year. After four
unlawful absences the student is referred to the attendance officer for action. After ten days
of continuous unexcused absences, the student is dropped from the roll.
Students arriving to class tardy must have a written excuse from authorized personnel.
Otherwise, he or she will be sent to the office for a tardy slip

Classroom Expectations
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

Remain quiet while the teacher is working.

Remain in my seat at all times during class and raise my hand to speak or ask a
question at the appropriate time.
Be prepared for class and take care of personal needs before class begins.
Demonstrate artistic behavior throughout the class.
Be cooperative with the teacher and complete task/directions/request the first
time they are stated.
Keep all food, drinks, and gum outside of the rehearsal classroom.

School rules, as stated in the student handbook, are thoroughly explained and
enforced. Procedures for turning in class work and homework and movement from class to
class are explained the first week of school.

Consequences for Violating Class and School Rules/Policies

The Related Arts Teams follow a Four Step Plan Discipline Policy for minor disciplinary
infractions (i.e. talking in class, horseplay, etc.) The four step plan allows the student to
become aware of misbehavior through a system of steps. The plan is detailed in the
Student Handbook and below.

1. Verbal warning
2. Parent notification
3. Parent notification with written essay
4. Referral

GREENVILLE COUNTY SCHOOLS - STUDENT CO-CURRICULAR CODE OF CONDUCT

The following is copied directly from the Greenville County Schools Music Handbook.

I. Expectations of Conduct for Students Who Participate in Co-curricular Activities

Participants in a performance group, club, or organization represent not only themselves
and their families, but also their teammates, their directors or sponsors, their schools, and
the Greenville County School District. Additionally, co-curricular activities often draw high
public interest, visibility and focus of attention in the media. The students behavior
commands a public interest and attention that is unique in its capacity to elevate or
denigrate the school district, the school, and the team or organization. Since public support
is an essential ingredient of public education, the behavior of students who participate in
extracurricular activities has a significant impact on the school districts pursuit of its
mission. High standards of conduct and citizenship are essential precepts of the school
districts extracurricular program. These high standards include instilling students with a
positive attitude, building strong character, teaching responsibility, and demanding
integrity. Participants must set a positive example and be role models for all. To maintain
high standards for all co-curricular programs throughout the entire school district, a firmly
and fairly enforced code of conduct is necessary. Therefore, all participants shall abide by a
code of conduct specifically for co-curricular activities.
II. Unacceptable Conduct
A. The prohibition of unacceptable conduct: Certain conduct by any participant is absolutely
unacceptable and will not be tolerated. Examples of such unacceptable conduct include, but
are not limited to, theft, vandalism, disrespect, hazing, harassment, violation of alcohol,
tobacco and illegal substances restrictions, major infractions of The Student Code of Conduct,
or violations of law. This unacceptable conduct rule shall be in force twelve months of the
year. This means that the school district may penalize or punish a participant who engages in
unacceptable conduct during the school term, over a holiday break, or while school is out of
session. This also means that the school district may impose sanctions for unacceptable

conduct which occurs at school, at a school sponsored event, or off school grounds. The
penalty for engaging in unacceptable conduct will be consistent with established district and
local school policies.
B. Definitions of specific kinds of unacceptable conduct:

Theft- stealing or taking personal property that belongs to another person, school,
team, or organization.
Vandalism- willful or malicious breaking, destruction, or defacement of public or
private property.
Disrespect- actions that show or express a lack of high regard or respect for others
(fellow students, teachers, directors, administrators, parents, or adults).
Hazing- any action that humiliates, degrades, abuses, or endangers another person,
regardless of that persons willingness to participate. These actions may include
initiation rituals into a performance group, club or organization.
Harassment- actions, comments, threats, verbalizations, coercion, jokes, teasing, or
intimidation that is based on or takes place because of the race, color, sex, religion,
or national origin of another person, who reports the actions as unwelcome.
Alcohol, tobacco, and illegal substances restrictions Any illegal use or possession
of alcohol or tobacco or use, sale, possession, or purchase of any illegal or controlled
substance, including prescription drugs.

This list of examples is not intended to be exhaustive and the appropriate staff members
may impose disciplinary action for conduct not specifically listed here.
C. Punishment for Unacceptable Conduct:
Generally, when a school official has reason to believe that a student participant has
engaged in unacceptable conduct as described in this code of conduct, the responsible
school official shall notify the student of the violation and provide the student with the
opportunity to present his or her account and explanation. The responsible school official
will then confer with the Principal or designated administrator to determine the appropriate
sanction or penalty to be imposed. The level of discipline imposed is at the school official's
discretion, and sanctions may range from reprimands to suspension from the class.

III. Out-of-School Suspension (OSS) During the period that any participant is serving an out-
of-school suspension, the student will not be allowed to participate in after school events.
The participants may return to participation in any activity only after being readmitted to
school and attending school for one day.
IV. Attendance Rule A student shall not participate in a contest or practice on the day he/she
has been absent from school without just reason. Just reason shall be anything beyond the
control of the student (ex: school field trip, doctor/dental appointments, bereavement,
religious holiday, etc.). However, confirmation notes will be required by the director of that
activity.
V. Individual School/Teacher/Sponsor/Director Rules Individual schools, teachers, directors,
or sponsors may establish additional rules and regulations for their programs with the
approval of the principal.

Procedures for Non-Instructional Routines

Procedures are developed to allow optimum use of instructional time. Non-instructional
routines like material distribution, daily attendance, writing assignments on the board are
done prior to the students arrival or during the time they are actively on task. Procedures
for the restroom, lunchroom, movement in the classroom, and class exchange are reviewed
daily until all students understand the procedures.

Presentation of Rules and Procedures

Parents and students are notified of behavior and academic expectations at the beginning
and throughout the year by: team newsletters, individual teacher letters, phone
conferences, parent notices, parent/teacher conferences, progress reports, report cards, e-
mail and during PTA Open House.

Communication with Parents

We begin the year by sending a letter to each parent. During Open House parents are
notified of students schedules, team expectations, supplies needed, etc. Throughout the
school year, communication continues by way of assignment books, parent notifications,
team newsletters, conferences, e-mails, project expectations and grading procedures,
progress reports, and report cards.
Missed Work/Make-up Policy
In the event of an excused absence, a student will be given credit for work missed if made
up within five days after he or she returns to class. It is the students responsibility to ask
the teacher for missed assignments.

Evaluation of Student Progress

Student progress is evaluated by both formal and informal assessments. Various types of
evaluations include teacher-made tests, vocabulary quizzes, projects, presentations, daily
assignments, and teacher observations. While student assessment is an ongoing process,
formal evaluations are given at the end of each unit of study. A students grade will be
comprised of the following:

Major Grades (3-5/nine weeks) Performing Test, Written Test, Concert Attendance, Etc
Minor Grades (12-15/nine weeks) Weekly Rehearsal Etiquette, Journal Entries, Quizzes,
Small Ensemble Assessment, Etc.

A major part of learning an instrument is learning how to respond in a rehearsal with other
musicians. A weekly Rehearsal Etiquette grade will include: being prepared for class with
all materials (music, pencil, etc), responding to musical cues in the rehearsal, performing
artistically during a rehearsal, and singing back passages of music throughout the
rehearsal.


The following grading scale is used:
100 - 93 = A
92 - 84 = B
83 - 77 = C
76 - 70 = D
69 - below = F

Student Records

All permanent records are kept in the records room in the main office area. Individual
student grades are recorded in Powerschool and the teachers grade book.

Homework Policy

While written homework in strings is very rare, students are expected to practice their
instrument for 15 minutes each night.