ENTERING THE ROOM/BEGINNING CLASS Each day you are to approach and enter the choral room without fanfare or disruption. Obtain all class materials (pencil, charged chromebook, & earbuds) and line all bags, purses, books from other classes, and other materials that are not necessary for class along the wall. Cell phones must be silenced and in your bookbags. Immediately get your folder, take your seat, and then socialize. Be ready to begin at the bell.
FOLDER CARE File your folder properly after each rehearsal. The folder and all music must be left in the choral room at all times. This lowers the risk of losing or damaging music. DO NOT take your music home, please.
MUSIC CARE Music must be purchased each year by the school. The music in your folder is loaned to you, and you must be responsible for it. This includes not marking it in PEN, tearing it, or letting someone walk on it. At the end of each use, you must pay for music that has been damaged or lost so that the music can be replaced for future students' use.
PENCILS Good choral practice dictates that you have a pencil handy for every rehearsal.
CHEWING GUM Your trachea (or windpipe) opens when singing. Likewise, your teeth are separated, tongue moving, jaw hanging. Trying to balance gum at the same time is dangerous. The gum can easily pop down your trachea instead of your esophagus, thus choking you! For that reason, gum is NEVER allowed in the choral room or any rehearsal area. Gum will deduct one point from your daily grade.
PAYMENTS The teacher regularly collects money as needed at the beginning of the class period immediately after announcements. Two simple rules will expedite this process and ensure that you are properly credited.
Only ONE person at the desk at a time.
Before leaving the desk, make sure you check the notebook entry for your name, amount of money, and fee. Then SIGN THE NOTEBOOK.
**It will be assumed that you concur with the entry unless you say otherwise while still at the desk. NEVER just leave something at the desk. Preferably, always pay with a check to HHS Choir unless otherwise notified. Student's name and reason for payment should be written on checks. A phone number must also be on each check. Cash will also be accepted.
WHEN NOT SINGING...
Pay attention to what the director is working for in the part that is singing. Chances are you will be asked to do the same or similar thing when it is your turn.
Memorize your words. Pay special attention to the pronunciation of vowels and consonants, phrasing, and dynamics. We memorize all music for performances.
Study the markings the director has asked you to write in your music.
Mentally review the pitches and intervals of your part, especially unusual ones.
Mentally review the rhythms of your part, working out in your mind any tricky ones.
Mentally hear how your part is meant to work with or complement the part that is singing
Think about the mood of the piece as a whole. What feelings and facial expressions will you want to share with your audience when it is performed?
What tone quality will the piece require? What must you do, and when must you do it, to achieve the desired quality? Pencil in reminders when appropriate or helpful.
If you can sing your part well, quietly get another piece from your folder and study!
If the piece has progressed to the point where music is not being used, and you are perfectly sure of your part, sit quietly. Be ready to sing when requested.
CHORAL OFFICE AND PRACTICE ROOM ACCESS Access to these rooms is by permission of the choir director only.
SORE THROATS AND COLDS Psychologically, you may not feel like singing. Physiologically, you can sing, using the proper technique and vocal care, if you have a minor sore throat or common cold. With a parent note or doctor's note, you may rehearse mentally. Therefore, if you are at school, you are expected to participate. No student will be exempt from rehearsing mentally with correct posture and from doing written work.
AFTERNOON & EVENING REHEARSALS When these are scheduled, you are to be on time and ready to begin at the scheduled place and hour. You are not to enter any section of the building except those in which you will be rehearsing. You are to have your transportation arranged beforehand.
BUS TRIPS On those occasions when the choir travels by bus, it is expected that there will be no singing and no loud talking or laughing en route to our destination. Nothing can wreck your voice or our performance more than a boisterous bus ride. Phones with earbuds may be taken at your own risk.