1

Victor J. Andrew
Choral Handbook
2014-2015







Christopher Moan, Choral Director
Email: [email protected]
Facebook: www.facebook.com/vjachoirs
Twitter: moanmusic@musicmoan


2



Table of Contents


Purpose and Mission Statement.........................Page 3

Staff.........................................Page 3

Expectations.......Page 3

Choral Ensembles..Page 4-5

Attendance.....Page 5

Grading....Page 5-7

When I Cant Sing form....Page 7

Supplies.......Page 7

Concert Dress..................................Page 8-9

Choral Events.......Page 11

Student/Parent Choir Contract.Page 12











3

Purpose of the Handbook

Welcome to the Victor J. Andrew High School Choral Program.
The choral music faculty is looking forward to another rewarding
year full of musical success. Please use this handbook as a guide to
any initial questions about our program, as well as calendar events.


VJA Choral Mission Statement

The mission for the Victor J. Andrew choral music program is to
promote and facilitate musical excellence in our classrooms,
rehearsals and performances. We will establish a safe and
encouraging learning environment, instill good musicianship, and
improve music literacy. We hope to develop a relationship between
art and the everyday; our students will leave the program with a
sense of purpose, knowledge, and an infectious passion for music that
we hope will be long-lasting.

Staff

Christopher Moan, Choral Director
Sandra Tuazon, Accompanist
Robert Potsic, Voice, Piano, Guitar
and Theory Private Instructor


Expectations

Students are expected to participate fully in rehearsals, sectionals
and performances. Students will give peers, teachers and guest
clinicians their utmost respect. Students demonstrating a collegial
work ethic, as well as model conduct in rehearsal and performance,
will be eligible for advancement in the program. Students
participating in groups that meet outside the school day are expected
to adhere to all choir and school policies.
4


VJA Choral Ensembles

Freshman Chorus: Entry-level freshman chorus. Students will build
healthy choral and vocal techniques such as forming
proper vowel shapes, developing internal rhythm,
blend, music literacy, sight-reading, solfege, and the
foundations for healthy vocal technique.

Concert Choir: Intermediate mixed group consisting of both female and
male students ranging from first to fourth year. Due to
the wide range of student experience level, an equally
wide variety of choral considerations will be taught
including note-reading, vowel shape and blend, solfege,
rhythm reading and performance. The concepts of
corporate sound and how to utilize the voice in a large
group will also be a focus.

Bel Canto: Advanced auditioned womens chorus consisting of
second through fourth year students. The focus of this
group is to build off of previous choral experiences and
utilize those expanded capabilities to dive into more
challenging treble literature and advanced choral
techniques. The rehearsal process moves exponentially
faster and a higher level of vocal aptitude and
performance ability is required.

VJA Cappella: Advanced mixed, auditioned pop/jazz
ensemble open to all second through fourth year choral
students. Auditions are held late second semester of the
previous school year. The focus of this group will be to
learn proper stylistic treatment of pop/jazz literature
while maintaining optimal vocal production. Come out
and audition-- youll have a blast!

Chorale: Advanced mixed, auditioned chorus.
All previous concepts and fundamentals of choral
singing apply to the fullest. Being the premiere
ensemble, the musical, rehearsal, and performance
5

expectations are all set at a much higher level. This
group also functions as the touring choir, when such
opportunities are presented, and a greater time
commitment is assumed upon selection. IMEA
auditions will be a requirement for all members.

MAN CHOIR: All-level, non-auditioned male choir established
to foster good vocal habits and machismo bonding in a
highly musical atmosphere. Huzzah! Added emphasis
will be placed on the development of the male voice and
experimentation in and out of vocal comfort zones. This
group is featured on their own manstravaganza
(concert) in the spring.

Attendance

Students must attend all functions and activities that their
organization is included in unless excused in advance by the director.
Daily rehearsal attendance will be taken and recorded. Choirs that
rehearse outside of school hours will also adhere to these regulations.
Failure to exhibit good attendance day-to-day will affect the overall
grade received and in the case of extra-curricular choirs, possible
dismissal. Performances are mandatory. Performance opportunities
include: concerts, festivals, competitions, administrative functions, as
well as school and community events. Remember: one voice always
makes a difference.

Grading

Grading will be based upon the following:

1. Daily participation (attitude, cooperation, attentiveness,
punctuality, and preparedness).
2. Attendance at sectionals, special rehearsals, and performances.
3. Behavior during rehearsals, concerts, special trips and activities.
4. Tests and music assignments including written examinations and
individual/group vocal recording samples.
6


Each day, students will receive five participation points that
count towards their final grade. Those who do not contribute their
time and energy to rehearsal and performance will be docked a
number of points per infraction. Students who are appropriately
excused from school or class will not be penalized; however,
unexcused absences will result in a zero for the day. Choosing not to
participate in performances could adversely affect your grade. An
unexcused absence from a performance will result in an automatic
zero and may not be made up. Only family emergencies, extreme
illness, or otherwise extreme circumstances will be considered an
excused absence.
If a student is ill during a rehearsal, and subsequently is unable
to sing, they may be asked to participate in the choral rehearsal by
filling out the When I Cant Sing form. If issued this form, the
student must fill it out as completely as possible. They will be asked
to turn it in at the end of class. This will represent their daily
participation credit. The form has been included below the grading
information for your perusal.
Students who earn a grade lower than a C will be asked to
utilize the new Advisory time to meet with Mr. Moan in an attempt
to complete any assignments that may be delinquent, or to work
individually on choir-related activities.


Grade Distribution/Percentage:
99 100 = A+
92 98 = A
90 91 = A-
88 89 = B+
82 87 = B
80 81 = B-
78 79 = C+
72 77 = C
70 71 = C-
68 69 = D+
62 67 = D
60 61 = D-
0 - 59 = F
Grades are calculated by taking the
total number of points accumulated
and dividing it against the total
number of points possible.
7



45% Class Participation
(Are you participating when instructed to do so? Are you focused each day on the task at
hand? Are you using the required physical gestures during warm-ups and/or rehearsal?
Are you taking required notes to improve you musicianship and advance your knowledge?)
35% Concert Performances
(Timeliness is part of your grade. Being late to a call-time without prior notification results in
a 15% deduction from your concert grade and the wearing of unapproved concert attire will
result in a 10% deduction. Are you well prepared and memorized on your selections?
Are you dressed appropriately for the event?)
20% Concert Reviews/Tests/Assignments/Recordings
(Are you efficiently learning your voice part? Have you completed all assignments?)







Supplies

Each choir student will be supplied with music, a folder, and a
pencil. It is expected that these materials are present for every
rehearsal, sectional, or workshop. If any of the materials are lost or
damaged, it is the students job to replace them. Points will be
docked for non-compliance and unpreparedness.





8

Concert Dress

Each choir student is required to purchase their concert attire.
At this time, all choir have the same concert dress requirements. If
you are a new choir student, please make a check payable to the
Andrew Music Parents for the amount listed below. Parent helpers
will be assisting with the measurements in school but feel free to take
the necessary measurements from the form below:

Choir Women - $35
You will take responsibility for your concert attire. It will be
issued to you in clean condition. Sizing charts and order
forms will be provided. You must provide your own black
ankle-length skirt, low-heeled, closed-toe black shoes and
nude hose. A blouse will be supplied to you after payment
is received.
Choir Men - $30
You will take responsibility for your concert attire. It will be
issued to you in clean condition. You must accept
responsibility for securing your own black dress pants,
black socks, and black dress shoes. A tux shirt will be
supplied to you after payment is received.

2014-15 Choir Shirt/Blouse Order Information
Women: White blouse - $35
Choir Men: White tuxedo shirt with black banded collar - $30



Checks for choir shirts should be made payable to the
Andrew Music Parents Organization.
Checks and money orders are the only acceptable forms of payment.
See size chart for measurement needs parent helpers will be measuring students at school, as well.
If you elect to measure your student, please follow the sizing chart and heed the measurement needs.
Please indicate the closest appropriate shirt/blouse size on that field of the Student/Parent Choir Contract.
9








10


2014-15 Choral Events

8/29 Concert apparel money/orders due
10/7 Fall Choral Concert 7pm, 5pm call
10/14 IMEA District and All-State Auditions
10/23-25 Fall Musical
11/1-2 Music Parents Craft Show
11/18 NHS Inductions 7pm- Chorale
11/22 IMEA District Festival
12/8 Holiday Choral Tech Rehearsal 6-8:30pm All choirs
12/11 Holiday Choral Concert All Choirs 7pm, 5pm call
1/28-31 All-State Festival
2/21-22 Spring Craft Show
2/25 Senior Academic Recognition Night 7pm Chorale
3/5 SWSC Choral Festival (daytime event) Chorale
3/12 Jazz Band/VJA Cappella Concert
3/17 Prism Concert Dress Rehearsal 6-8pm All Choirs
3/19 Prism Concert All Andrew Music Ensembles
4/30-5/2 Spring Musical
5/6 VJA Music Awards - All student musicians - 7pm
5/12 Finale Choral Concert All Choirs
5/13 Senior Scholarship Night 7pm Chorale
5/20 Graduation Chorale and all seniors

*All Concerts/Musicals begin at 7:00 PM
-Performer call-times may vary.
*Holiday Market TBA
*Spring Musical Auditions TBA
*Man Choir Spring Event TBA





11





























12

Student/Parent Choir Contract


By signing this contract, I hereby agree to uphold my responsibility as a
member of the High School Choir Department by following the rules and
guidelines of this organization.

1. I will arrive at rehearsal on time with my music, a pencil, and a good attitude. Gum chewing will NOT be
allowed at any time in the choral music room while I am supposed to be rehearsing.
2. The choral schedule is my responsibility and I will keep all dates, as given to me by the directors, open and
clear of other responsibilities, unless I have already discussed an absence with my director in advance. Jobs and
work are not acceptable excuses as most schedules can be altered if considered early.
3. I understand that my grade in choir will be determined by the following:
a. Daily participation (attitude, cooperation, attentiveness, alertness, punctuality, and preparedness)
b. Attendance at sectionals, special rehearsals, and performances
c. Behavior during rehearsals, concerts, special trips and activities
d. Tests, music assignments, and voice recordings.
4. I will assume responsibility for maintaining academic eligibility in order to participate in any extra-curricular
activities that require decent academic standing.
5. I assume responsibility for my concert attire.
6. I will return my music and any music department materials by the designated deadlines at the end of the
year. I realize that there will be a report card hold if I do not comply.
7. I accept that on the first violation of any of the above guidelines notification may be sent to my parents, and
that any subsequent violations may involve administrative intervention.
8. I accept all audition and placement proceedings as set by the VJA Choral Program and the VJA Music Dept.

---------------------------------------Detach and return the bottom portion-----------------------------------

I understand and accept the responsibilities as stated above in the VJA Choir Handbook.
Please print legibly:

STUDENT SIGNATURE_____________________________________________DATE________

STUDENT NAME (print)__________________________________________________________

PARENT SIGNATURE______________________________________________DATE_________

PARENT NAME (print)__________________________________________________________


The signed copy of this contract is DUE August 30th!

Concert attire sizing information (fill all fields that apply):
Women: Bust_________, Waist_________

Men: Neck_________, Sleeve_________, Chest_________

Check/Money Order enclosed (circle one): Y N

[If you do not provide measurements, choir moms will be measuring students out of their choir hour.]