Akins High School Choir

Student Handbook

Brenna Machado
Ernesto Hernandez
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Table of Contents
Parent Response
Form2

Music Department Technology

Inventory.3

Field Trip Notification

Form.5

Choral Music Folder Sign Out

Sheet.6

Choral Music Audition

Form.7

Music Research Paper

Guidelines..9

Solo and Ensemble Festival

Instructions.10

Classroom
Expectations...1
1

Grading
Policy
...12

2016-2017 Choir
Calendar..13
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Sign and Return
Form.25

Akins High School Choral Department

Parent response form
I have read the informational letter from the Akins High School choral music
department (please sign page and return before the third week of school)

Parent signature:______________________________________ Date:________________________

Students name:________________________________________Choir:________________________

Address:_____________________________________________ Zip Code:______________________

Email address:________________________________________Phone #: _______________________

I am interested in helping in the following areas:

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Publicity

Fund raising

Group Travel

Chaperoning

Choir banquet

Music Department Technology Inventory

Recording Studio:

Mixer: 1 Fostex 820 Studio Mixer

Recorders: 1 Fostex E-16 16 track @ inch

1 Tascam 22-4 4 track @ inch
1 Sony 700ES Cassette 2 track
1 Panasonic SV-3700 Professional Digital
Audio Tape Recorder

Amplifier: 1 Pioneer SA 700 Stereo Monitor Amplifier

Speakers: 2 Altec Lansing Studio Monitor Series

Headphones: 1 Sony MDR-V6

16 Sennheiser HD-40
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Microphones: 22 Shure PE-75

1 Shure SM-58
2 Shure SM-57
4 Sennheiser M-40
1 Peavey PVR-1

Signal
Processors: 1 ART Multiverb LT
1 Tascam DX-4D Professional Noise Reduction

CD Player: 1 Sony CDP-270

Record Player: 1 Sony PS-LX2

Camera: 1 Nikon DSLR D3200

1 Canon EOS Rebel T5
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Field Trip Notification Form

Name Student:_____________________________________________Grade____________________
Date of absence: _________________________
Dear Teachers,
As a member of one of the choirs, I will be missing your class, and i request your permission
to do so. I understand that it is my responsibility to make satisfactory arrangements with the
teacher for work I will miss.
I understand that it is a privilege to miss classes for activities and that the teacher may not
approve my participation.

Student signature__________________________________________Date_______________________
Period 1 Period 2

Teacher: Teacher:
Comments: Comments:

Period 3 Period 4:

Teacher: Teacher:
Comments: Comments:

Period 5 Period 6:
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Teacher: Teacher:
Comments: Comments:

Choral Music Department

Music Folder Signout Sheet

Signout Student name Folder # Return Date

Date
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Choir Audition Form

Name:___________________________________Grade Next Year:___________
Address:____________________________________Zip Code________________
Phone:____________________ Email: ____________________________

Voice part: ________________ Years in voice lessons (if applicable) _______

I am auditioning for the following choir(s):___________________________

Fill out your proposed schedule for next year:
A day B day
1st
period

2nd
period

3rd
period

4th
period

5th
period
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6th
period

1. Why would you like to participate in a choir next year?

_______________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
______

2. What Special talents, abilities, or attitudes would you bring to the ensemble?

_______________________________________________________________________________________
__

_______________________________________________________________________________________
__

_______________________________________________________________________________________
__
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Music Research Paper Guidelines

Independent study, unless assigned in class
Length: approximately 4-5 pages
Foot notes will be required for direct quotes
Bibliography is to be included at the end of the paper
Please use Current Century High School English department form

Form: the paper must have some kind of cover and title page
If the subject is divided into sections of chapters, add a table of contents
If illustrations are used, make sure to label them

Subject: the following topics are suggested for the ease of finding enough
materials. If another topic is more desirable, make sure to receive approval
from Mrs. Machado or Mr. Hernandez prior to researching this topic. Three
different sources must be used in order for the paper to be considered
scholarly.
Composers Musicology Musical Instruments
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Bach Broadway Any
Beethoven Pop
Brahms Jazz
Beatles Blues Music Business
Bruckner Reggae Motion Pictures
Chopin Rock C.D. Manufacturing
Clementi Classic Music for Store Mgmt.
Haydn Ragtime Computers in Music
Handel Blue Grass Radio
Mozart Piano Literature Videos
Lully Baroque Period
Gluck 20th Century Music
Debussy Multicultural Music
Gershwin

Solo and Ensemble Festival Instructions

1. The festival is at Bowie High School. To get there, go west on Slaughter Lane
from South First Street, until you pass Brodie Lane. It will be on the
Southwest Corner of Slaughter Lane and Wolftrap Drive, across from
Bethany Lutheran Church.

2. Preparation:

a. Each student should dress very nicely; skirt/slacks and blouse or dress for the
ladies. Gentlemen should wear slacks, dress shoes, dress shirt with a tie and
sweater, or suit or blazer.

b. Each student should have their music memorized and have an original
printed copy to give to the judge.

c. Each student should be in their performance site 10 minutes or more before

they are scheduled to perform.

d. Each student should check with the room monitor when they enter the
room.

e. Make sure your accompanist knows where to be and when.

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f. Try to warm up as soon as you can after you arrive to the school.
3. Performance:
a. Go to your performance spot and create your performance space. Feel your
feet and align your body.

b. Breathe: Take three low, relaxed breaths and remind yourself of your one
goal that you want to achieve.

c. Announce your name and the piece youll be performing.

d. Breathe again. And ask yourself, Who are you? What do you want? How
are you going to get it?

e. Have fun! Sing like you LOVE to sing!

4. After the performance:
a. Do not judge yourself; feel proud about putting yourself out there and being
courageous.

Classroom Expectations

1. Come to class on time and ready to sing!

2. Chewing gum belongs in the trash can.

3. Be responsible; arrive to class with your music and a pencil and
be ready to learn.

4. Raise your hand before speaking.

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5. Treat each member of the choir with respect.

6. Maintain a positive attitude and persevere.

Grading
The student's grade at the end of the semester will be determined by the following
components:

1. Daily Attendance, Participation (50 percent of grade)

Learning Goals
Effort
Improvement
Accomplishment
2. Concert Attendance and Performance (30 percent of grade)
Arriving on time
Appropriate attire
Appropriate attitude
Appropriate participation on and off stage
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3. Class work (20 percent of grade)
theory quizzes
Sight reading tests
Independent research project

2016-2017 Choir Calendar

August 2016
Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesda Thursday Friday Saturday
y

1 2 3 4 5 6

7 8 9 10 11 12 13

Region
meeting
10:00 AM at
San Marcos
HS
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14 15 16 17 18 19 20

21 22 23 24 25 26 27

28 29 30 31

First day of Uniform

school fittings
Fundraiser
begins

September 2016
Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesda Thursday Friday Saturday
y

1 2 3
Uniform Uniform
fittings fittings

FB- Away
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4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Labor Parent Uniform Region Pep Rally-

day- Meeting fittings Sectionals Choir Sings
No school 6:00 PM at forms due National
Akins HS Anthem

Region Region FB- Away

Sectionals Sectional
s Region
Sectionals

11 12 13 14 15 16 17

Choir/ Piano
Bowling
Social
Region
Sectionals Region Region Region
Sectionals Sectional Sectionals
s

18 19 20 21 22 23 24

Fundraisi Booster Varsity Varsity Choir Varsity

ng Meeting Choir Auditions Choir
Begins- 6:30 PM Auditions Announced
Discount Akins HS
Cards VC First
Rehearsal

25 26 27 28 29 30
Uniforms
Distributed
Varsity
After Pep Rally-
School band
Practice performs
National
Anthem

October 2016
Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

Choir Region
Auditions
Phase #1@
NBHS
 16
2 3 4 5 6 7 8
Choir
Second 6 Sight-Readin
Region
End of First 6 Weeks Region g Test for
Auditions
Weeks Begins Sectionals Varsity and
Phase #2@
JV Choirs
Johnson HS
Region Picture Day
Sectionals No FB Game

Varsity After
School
Practice

9 10 11 12 13 14 15

Columbus Booster Theory Pep rally Region Choir

Day- No Meeting- 6:30 midterm (all (mixed choir) Auditions-
School choirs) AHS Gym Bowie HS

Homecomin Homecoming
g Dance

16 17 18 19 20 21 22
Spring trip Dress Fall
payment due rehearsal for Concert @
fall concert 7pm
Varsity after Call time-
school 6pm
practice

23 24 25 26 27 28 29
Pre-Area
Red Ribbon Pre-Area Varsity After Pre-Area Sectionals Texas State
Week Sectionals School Sectionals Mens Choir
Begins Practice day

Pre-Area
Sectionals

30 31

November 2016
Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

31 1 2 3 4 5
SAT testing
Pre-Area Varsity After Pre-Area Sight-readin
Sectionals School Sectionals g test-
Practice Varsity and
Junior
Pre-Area Varsity
Sectionals
End of 2nd 6
Weeks
 17
6 7 8 9 10 11 12
Fundraising
ends/packet Varsity After Pep rally Veterans Day Choir
s due School (junior Walkathon
Practice varsity) Mixed choir
Madrigal Lunch Show
Choir Ticket Pre-Area
Sales Sectionals
Pre-Area Pre-Area
3rd 6 Weeks Sectionals Pre-Area Sectionals
Begins Sectionals

Pre-Area
Sectionals

13 14 15 16 17 18 19
Varsity After Pre-Area
School Sectionals
Practice
Costume
Pre-Area Bowling
Pre-Area Pre-Area Sectionals Pre-Area Pre-Area Social- 7pm
Sectionals Sectionals Sectionals Sectionals AHS
Courtyard

20 21 22 23 24 25 26

Thanksgivin --------------- ------------- ------------- ---------------

g Break Thanksgivi
Begins- No ng Day
School

27 28 29 30
Last Pre-Area Varsity After
Pre-Area Auditions @ School
Sectionals Crockett HS Practice

December 2016
Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

1 2 3
Area Area SAT testing
Sectionals Sectionals

4 5 6 7 8 9 10
STAAR STAAR STAAR STAAR Holiday ACT testing
TESTING TESTING TESTING TESTING showcase

Varsity After
School
Practice
Area
Sectionals Area
Sectionals
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11 12 13 14 15 16 17

Caroling? Theory Varsity After Choir Choir Choir

(not Final School Madrigal Madrigal Madrigal
mandatory- Area Practice Dinner Dinner Dinner
small group) Sectionals
Area Area Last day of
Sectionals Sectionals School

18 19 20 21 22 23 24

Christmas
Break ------- --------------- ---------------- ------------- -------------- ----------------

25 26 27 28 29 30 31

Christmas
Day -------------- ------------- -------------- ------------- -------------- ----------------

January 2017
Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

1 2 3 4 5 6 7
New Years
Day -------------- --------------- -------------- -------------- --------------- ----------------

8 9 10 11 12 13 14

-------------- -------------- --------------- -------------- ------------- --------------- ----------------

15 16 17 18 19 20 21

------------- --------------- Classes All-State All-State All-State Choir

Resume- mock mock mock All-State
First day of Auditions Auditions Auditions Auditions @
Second Reagan HS
Semester Varsity After
School
 19
Practice

22 23 24 25 26 27 28
Booster
4-5 pm
Mtg.
Solo and
6:30 pm
Ensemble
interest
meeting

29 30 31
UIL Solo and
Rehearsal Ensemble
Rehearsals

February 2017
Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

1 2 3 4
Varsity After
School
Practice UIL UIL
Rehearsal Rehearsal
UIL
Rehearsal

5 6 7 8 9 10 11

UIL Solo and TMEA TMEA TMEA TMEA

Rehearsal Ensemble
Rehearsals

12 13 14 15 16 17 18

UIL Solo and Varsity After UIL UIL

Rehearsal Ensemble School Rehearsal Rehearsal
Rehearsals Practice

UIL
Rehearsal
 20
19 20 21 22 23 24 25

Choir S & E No School- Solo and Varsity After UIL UIL UIL Solo and
Pre-UIL Presidents Ensemble School Rehearsal Rehearsal Ensemble
Recital in Day Rehearsals Practice
the Black
Box @ AHS UIL
Rehearsal

26 27 28
UIL UIL
Rehearsal Rehearsal

March 2017
Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesda Thursday Friday Saturday
y

1 2 3 4

Varsity *Akins UIL

After High Rehearsal
School School
Practice Pre-UIL
Choir
UIL Concert*
Rehearsal

5 6 7 8 9 10 11

Booster Varsity
Meeting- After
UIL 6:30 School UIL UIL
Rehearsal Practice Rehearsal Rehearsal
UIL
Rehearsal UIL
Rehearsal

12 13 14 15 16 17 18

Spring
Break------ -------------- --------------- --------------
------------------
--
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19 20 21 22 23 24 25

Varsity UIL
UIL UIL After UIL Rehearsal
Rehearsal Rehearsal School Rehearsal with
Practice Clinician

UIL
Rehearsal

26 27 28 29 30 31

Spring UIL Varsity UIL UIL

Pre-UIL Rehearsal After Rehearsal Rehearsal
Concert- School with
7pm @ Practice Clinician
Bethany
Lutheran UIL
Church Rehearsal

April 2017
Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

2 3 4 5 6 7 8
UIL UIL HS Choir HS Choir HS Choir UIL
Rehearsal Rehearsal UIL UIL Choir Pre-UIL
Concert #2-
Varsity After 7pm @
School Berkeley
Practice United
Methodist
UIL Church
Rehearsal

9 10 11 12 13 14 15
Choir UIL Staff Tour middle Good Friday-
concert and Developmen school with No School
sight-readin t Day- senior choir
No School
g contest

Palm
Sunday
 22
16 17 18 19 20 21 22
Easter Varsity After
School
Practice

23 24 25 26 27 28 29
Varsity After Choir UIL
School concert and
Practice sight-reading
contest

30 31
Region
Meeting at
Bowie HS-
3:30

May 2017
Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

1 2 3 4 5 6

Ice Cream
Social

7 8 9 10 11 12 13

Last Day of Prom

School

14 15 16 17 18 19 20

21 22 23 24 25 26 27
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28 29 30 31

Sign and Return

I, the undersigned have read and understand the guidelines of the Akins High School Varsity Choir. I
understand what is expected of me both in the classroom and at performances.

Date Email Daytime Phone

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Student Signature Parent Signature