MJH Choir

1. MJH Choir Choir Parent Info Meeting Tuesday, Aug. 27 6:00pm

2. Voice Lessons with Mr. Smith! • 22 minute one-on-one lessons during class • $22/lesson • Check my website for his email and his contractor pick up a copy from the front

3. Forms and Fees – 2 parts • Forms Packet (handed out first day) • Fees - myschoolbucks.com • Calendar • 6th gr. Girls Choir – purple • 7th/8th Bella Voce – green • 7th/8th Concert Women – yellow • 6th/7th/8th Men’s Choir - blue

7. Many career opportunities for musicians,more than professional singer • Sound Engineering • Recording Industry • Composing music for movies, tv, video games! • Music Therapy • Speech Pathologist • ENT (there are even ENT specialists for singers!) • Audiologist • Music Education • Church choir director, praise leader, composer, choir member • And SOOOOOO MANY more… • Fun Fact: Music is the 2nd most accepted major into Medical School

8. THIS IS NOT AMERICA’S GOT TALENT or IDOL or THE VOICE!!!!

9. Not just singing songs • Analyzing information • Creating and improvising • Synthesis of Information. Higher order thinking! • Using both sides of the brain • Encoding and Decoding Information • Leadership! • Caring for others and collaborating in a positive way • Building confidence • Endurance, perseverance, focus, sticking to it! • Non-verbal and verbal communication • Getting plugged into a team!

10. Fees for 6th grade Girls Choir • $30 required for 6thgr. Girl’s Choir • Choir t-shirt • Choir binder • Supplemental for sheet music purchase, accompanist fees, transportation fees, supplies, etc.

11. Additional required expenses for 6th gr. Girls Choir • $13 headband (pay on MSB) • Closed toe shoes • Blue jeans without holes/tears down the leg

12. Fees for Men’s Choir, Bella Voce and Concert Women • $40 required for every student • Choir t-shirt • Rental/initial cleaning of choir dress/pants • Choir binder • Supplemental for sheet music purchase, accompanist fees, transportation fees, supplies, etc.

13. Additional expenses for BV and CW • $13 headband (buy on MSB) • Alterations to the dress • Black dress shoes • Girls - flat or no taller than one inch heel • Blue jeans without holes/tears down the leg

15. Additional expenses for Men • long sleeve, button down, solid black dress shirt with collar • alterations to the pants (initial hemming is covered) • Black dress shoes • nice shoe, not a sneaker or athletic shoe • Blue jeans without holes/tears down the leg

18. Alterations • Most girls will need further alterations to dress. DO NOT CUT MATERIAL! • Boys sometimes need alterations as they grow. DO NOT CUT MATERIAL! • Dry cleaner/tailor • Needs to be done before Holiday Concert, Dec. 9

19. Uniforms for each concert • Fall Concert – jeans, new choir t-shirt, closed toe shoes • Veterans – same as above (may wear the new Veterans t-shirt) • Holiday Concert, PreUIL, and UIL Contest – choir formal (6th girls in choir t-shirt and jeans) • Spring Sing pop show – jeans, choir t-shirt, additional optional costumes and decorations (optional) • Field trips are generally choir t-shirt

20. Damaged or Lost Uniform Fees DO NOT CUT ANY MATERIAL! YOU WILL BE CHARGED! Replacement costs • Choir dress, $75 • Choir pants, $35 • Choir headband, $13 • Choir t-shirt, $10 • Choir bow tie, $7

21. Not being in the designated attire for a choir event means that student will not be allowed to perform/participate in said event. Attire for each event is always announced ahead of time.

23. Solo Competitions (optional) • MISD Solo Contest (6th-8th) • $12 entry fee on MSB. • Deadline Sept. 26 • Contest is Oct. 24, after school. • Region Choir Auditions (7th and 8th) • $25 entry fee on MSB. • Soft deadline, end of Fall semester • March 27-28 • These will be available on MSB School Store in Sept.

24. MISD Solo and Ensemble Contest • Classical, choral singing contest • Students perform for one judge in a small room. • Choir director selects the song, students receive sheet music and a rehearsal recording, student memorizes music and performs at the contest. • Students receive verbal and written feedback. • First division ratings receive a medal, are recognized at Choir Honors Night, and earn credit towards Music Merit Scholar Award (7th and 8th only)

25. MISD Solo and Ensemble Contest • Thurs., Oct. 24 at MHS • 4pm until student has sung • Flexible schedule. I can work with athletes and anyone with specific time requests. • Concession stand offered. • No bus

26. Region Choir Auditions (7th/8th) • Highly competitive event, challenging music • Audition directly against students from other school • If selected….. • perform in a concert • learn from a renowned choral clinician • be recognized at Choir Honors Night • earn credit towards the Music Merit Scholar Award • make huge advances in their singing!

27. Region Choir Auditions • Several after school rehearsals offered January – April. • Rehearsals are optional but highly beneficial!

28. Region Choir Auditions • Soft deadline last day of Fall semester, can still join in spring semester • $25 entry on MSB • Audition date is March 27 (boys) or 28 (girls) • We will take a bus. • Friday boys – after school to late evening • Saturday girls - Early morning to early evening • YOU MUST ALSO BE AVAILABLE FOR THE REHEARSAL/CONCERT ON APRIL 17-18 IF YOU PLAN TO AUDITION.

29. Music Merit Scholar Award and Music Merit Scholar Athlete Award • Prestigious award given by MJH Choir (similar to HS version offered by TMEA) • Can take all year to complete • Student name on the plaque in the choir room • Recognition at Choir Honors Night or Spring Sing pop show • Open to 7th/8th only

30. Music Merit Scholar Award 1. Earn a first division in a solo event at the MISD Solo and Ensemble Contest 2. Earn membership in and perform with the TMEA Region IX Region Choir 3. Attend two MHS Choir performances and get a program signed by HS Choir Directors or JH Choir Directors. Get Mr. Bansuelo'sor Mrs. Smith’s approval for other performances. 4. Earn an A average each six weeks (the average of all enrolled classes must equal 90 or above).

31. Music Merit Scholar Award, cont. 5. Perform in all MJH Choir concerts/performances. 6. Be in good standing with the MJH Choir Dept. and MISD concerning actions that bring honor and respect to the organizations. 7. Turn in an award application.

32. Music Merit Scholar Athlete Award 1. Earn a first division in a solo event at the MISD Solo Contest OR earn membership and perform with the TMEA Region IX Region Choir. 2. Attend two MHS Choir performances and get a program signed by HS Choir Directors or JH Choir Directors. Get Mr. Bansuelo's or Mrs. Smith’s approval for other performances. 3. Earn an A average each six weeks (the average of all enrolled classes must equal 90 or above). 4. Participate with a MJH Athletic team (Basketball, Cheerleading, Cross Country, Jr. Belles, Football, Golf, Soccer, Swim, Tennis, Track and Field, and Volleyball).

33. Music Merit Scholar Athlete Award 5. Perform in all MJH Choir required concerts/performances. 6. Be in good standing with the MJH Choir Dept. and MISD concerning actions that bring honor and respect to the organizations. 7. Turn in an award application.

34. Trips (will be uploaded to MSB in Sept.) • To be eligible for any choir trip, must have…… • Turned in signed Forms Packet • Paid choir fees • Paid trip fees (as applicable) • Be in good standing (behavior) • Be academically eligible (as applicable)

35. Trips • $22 - Renaissance Festival field trip • all choir • Chaperones needed, buy ticket on MSB • $75 – Opera trip • 7th/8th only • $cost TBA – Galveston Schlitterbahntrip • all choir • cost announced after fundraiser ends in October.

36. Chaperones • Volunteer Services form • Fill out and turn in to Mr. B/Mrs. Smith/MJH Front Office • Takes about a week to process

37. Chaperones needed for…. • MISD Solo Contest • Renaissance Festival field trip • UIL Contest • Region audition • Region weekend • Galveston Schlitterbahn • Showtime trip • Other trip needs will be emailed/announced

38. Rules for Chaperones • Never allowed around students while under the influence of drugs or alcohol. • All dress code rules apply. • All student rules apply to adults.

39. Classroom Rules/Values

40. We will Value one another as unique and special individuals.

41. We will help one another whenever possible.

42. We will not laugh at or make fun a person’s mistakes nor use sarcasm or putdowns.

43. We will use good manners, saying “Please,” “Thank you,” “Excuse me,” call people sir and ma’am and we’ll allow others to go first.

44. We will cheer each other, recognize every effort, and encourage each other to do our best.

45. Consequences • Warning and parent contacted • Removal from activity and parent contacted • Disciplinary referral to AP • Consequences at AP’s discretion • Detention, ISS, DAEP, JJAEP, etc.

46. Consequences Never allowed and could result in removal from choir program • Evidence of alcohol or drug use • Violence toward others • Slander of any MISD student, staff, or MISD program

47. Everyday necessary materials • Black choir binder (included in membership fee) • Pencil • Music currently being rehearsed • Daily preparation grades

48. Grading policy • TEKS based, Fine Arts course • One full year fulfills the Fine Arts requirement. • 60% Major grades include, but not limited to, being on time and wearing the designated attire for each performance, displaying appropriate concert etiquette, and displaying performance standards. • 40% Daily grades include, but not limited to, participating in class activities/rehearsals on a daily basis, singing and using solfege hand signs, having the necessary materials, and sight-reading/theory evaluations.

49. Concerts • Fulfills Music TEKS for middle school • 3 test grades at each performance (aligned with HS Choir) • On time and in proper attire • Displaying performance standards • Concert etiquette • ISS and DAEP not allowed to perform • Must be in attendance for the full duration to earn credit

50. Concerts (check your calendar and websites) • Fall Concert • Veterans • Holiday Concert • PreUIL • UIL • Spring Sing/Pop Show