Lakeside Choirs Syllabus
Dear Choir Students, Parents, and Families,
Welcome to the Lakeside Choral Music Program! We are so excited to have you with us for a year filled with pride, fun, and amazing music.
What Makes Our Choir Special?
Our choir is like a team where everyone belongs. Just like different instruments play together in an orchestra, our unique voices come together to make incredible music. Joining choir means you are part of a proud tradition of excellence where you will grow as a singer, build confidence, and make lasting memories.
Why Read This Handbook?
Please take a few minutes to read through this document together as a family. It’s your guide for the school year and covers:
- Concerts & Performances (our events outside of regular class time)
- Grading Policies
- Class Expectations & Rules
Understanding how things work helps make sure every student gets the absolute most out of their choir experience!
The Recipe for Choir Success
Joining Lakeside Choir is simple. All you need to bring each day is:
- A hard-working mindset
- A positive attitude
- A willingness to have fun!
We are thrilled to welcome you to the Springdale School District Choral Music Program. Let’s make this a fantastic year!
Benjamin C. Winn, M.M.Ed Melinda Williams
Lakeside Choirs Head Director Lakeside Choirs Assistant Director
Code of Conduct: How We Represent Lakeside Choir
Representing Our Team
Whenever you wear choir apparel, perform on stage, go on a trip, or rehearse in class, you represent Lakeside Choir, Springdale School District, and our community. Just like we aim for excellence in our singing, we also aim for excellence in how we treat each other and present ourselves!
Daily Classroom Rules
- Be Respectful & Polite: Treat teachers, classmates, and our classroom equipment with kindness and care.
- Stay Focused: Keep your attention on the music and rehearsal during class time.
- No Food, Drinks, or Gum: Food, gum, and open drinks are not allowed during rehearsal. Water bottles with secure lids are encouraged!
- Phones Put Away: Cell phones must stay out of sight during class. District cell phone rules will be strictly enforced. “Bell to Bell - No Cell”
On Time & Ready to Sing
Choir Motto: "Early is on time; on time is late!"
- The 2-Minute Timer: When the two-minute timer ends, you should be in your assigned spot on the risers or chairs with your rehearsal folder ready.
- Tardiness: You will be marked tardy if you are not in your spot and ready to begin when warm-ups start.
Grades & Consequences
- Participation Grade: Following this code of conduct and participating with a positive attitude is a direct part of your choir grade.
- School Rules Apply Everywhere: District conduct and discipline policies apply during all class rehearsals, evening performances, and off-campus trips.
- The "Three Strike Policy": To maintain a safe and supportive space for everyone, discipline is taken seriously. Any student who receives 3 or more serious discipline referrals in a semester will be dismissed from Lakeside Choirs for the rest of the school year. The student is welcome to return the following school year.
Concert Attendance & Performance Policies
Concerts are public demonstrations of what students learn in class and serve as an authentic assessment of their skills. Choir is a team effort—music is meant to be heard as a group, and every choir member relies on everyone else to perform their part.
Mandatory Attendance: Concerts are required and make up a major part of your choir grade. The performance calendar has been structured with a reasonable number of events.
Arrival & Departure: Arriving late or leaving early without prior approval from Mr. Winn or Ms. Williams will lower your grade for the event.
Added Events: Any additional performances not on the calendar will be announced 3 weeks in advance to accommodate working students and family schedules.
Concert Uniform & Etiquette Requirements
- Proper Uniform Required: Wearing the correct concert dress code and following behavior rules is required to take the stage. WE WILL TELL YOU WHAT TO WEAR BEFORE THE CONCERT DAY
- Failure to Meet Uniform Code: If a student does not meet the uniform or etiquette requirements on concert night, they will not be allowed to perform, and the missed event will count as an unexcused absence.
Excused Absences from Concerts
To qualify for an excused absence, you must contact Mr. Winn or Ms. Williams and receive approval BEFORE the performance date. This policy is strictly enforced with no exceptions.
Qualifying Reasons:
- Family emergencies
- Long-term medical absences (including COVID-19-related quarantine)
- Arkansas Activities Association (AAA) sanctioned events
Documentation: Written documentation is required upon return to school.
Make-Up Work: Complete a make-up recording assignment upon returning to school for full credit (100%).
Unexcused Absences
An absence is marked as unexcused if it is for a reason not listed above, if it was not pre-cleared by the directors, or if a student cannot perform due to missing the required uniform or dress code.
Make-Up Work: Complete a make-up recording assignment for half credit (50%).
Traditional Event & Concert Schedule
Quarter One
All-Region Choir Auditions (Aria & Vanguard Required)
Fallapallooza (All Choirs Required)
Quarter Two
All-Region Choir Clinic (Required If Selected)
Winterfest (All Choirs Required)
Quarter Three
Pre-Choral Performance Assessment (All Choirs Required)
Choral Performance Assessment (All Choirs Required)
Quarter Four
Spring Sing (All Choirs Required)
Where to Find Exact Dates: Exact concert dates will be sent home at the start of each quarter. You can also always check the Classroom Board, Google Classroom, and the Choir Website.
Additional Performances: Any extra events added to the schedule will be announced at least 3 weeks in advance.
All events are subject to change.
Information Sheet
PLEASE SIGN AGREEMENT ON BACK AND RETURN TO YOUR CHOIR TEACHERS
The $20 choir fee is due by September 4th
Please reach out to the Choir Office if this is a financial challenge for your family.
THIS IS ONE OF YOUR FIRST GRADES OF THE YEAR!
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Student’s Name (Printed) Current Grade
__________________________________________________________________________________________Other Activities/Sports/Clubs active in at Lakeside JH
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Parent/Guardian Contact Name (Printed) Relation to Student
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Address Student Shirt Size (Adult Size)
WE WILL ORDER THIS SIZE
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City Zip Code
JOIN OUR PARENT BAND APP GROUPS FOR THE LATEST NEWS ABOUT OUR CHOIR
ARIA BAND | VANGUARD BAND | SOLARA BAND | CADENCE/FORTE BAND |
PLEASE MAKE SURE TO SIGN THE BACK OF THIS PAGE!
Student Agreement
By signing this document, I acknowledge that I have read the Choir Handbook and understand the course's expectations, guidelines, and requirements. I have also studied the calendar and am aware of my responsibilities to attend mandatory events, such as Winter Concerts, Pre-Performance Concerts, Spring Concerts, and any additional performances that are specific requirements of the choir in which I perform.
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Student Name (Print) Student Signature Date
Parent Agreement
I have read the Choir Handbook and understand the requirements for my child to be successful in this course. I will do my best to contact the choir office for any conflicts.
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Parent Name (Print) Parent Signature Date