Celina High School Choir Syllabus
August 14, 2023
Welcome to the 2023-2024 Celina High School Choir program! I am very excited about this coming year and the opportunities it holds for all of us.
The Bobcat Choirs of Celina High School are designed to give you a well-rounded choral music experience. We will focus on helping each student and choir build relationships, skills and knowledge to build a foundation for success.
Teamwork is an important building block to the CHS Choirs. As you can expect 100% out of me each day, I will also expect 100% out of each of you. Together with our voices, we can work together not only as a choir, but as a team and family.
As a member of the CHS Choir Program, you will be a key part of our success. You will be singing in various concerts, competitions, and other performances, as well as having opportunities to gain individual recognition through events such as the All-State Choir and Solo and Ensemble. Along with participating in musical activities, students in the Bobcat Choirs will enjoy a broad range of social events, including performances and trips. This being so, there are some forms attached you need to have signed by a parent or guardian and returned.
This handbook contains valuable information. Please read this information closely and carefully, sign (you and your parents) and return by Friday September 29th, 2023.You may also find information on our website: www.celinachoir.com.
Thank you for your interest in the CHS Choirs. I am excited to work with you and am looking forward to many great musical experiences over the next year! I am confident that this year will only continue the great traditions already established in the CHS Choral Department.
Adam Lemaire
Director of Choral Activities
Celina ISD
adamlemaire@celinaisd.com
469-742-9102 ext, 2518
www.celinachoir.com
Choir Supplies
In order for successful rehearsals to take place, all students must be prepared for class each and every day. Failure to bring required materials could result in a grade reduction. All students should have the following materials for the school year
Choir Binder - ¼ inch works best, Choral music (provided), sharpened pencils, and a highlighter.
Other materials (worksheets, homework assignments, etc.) will also need to be brought to class on their due dates or when instructed by the director.
Fees and Expenses
Most costs of participating in choir are covered by the CHS Choral Department’s budget; however, participation in choir does require some financial commitment. To help offset these costs, a $60 choir fee is due by September 29, 2023. This fee covers the majority of the needs such as uniform upkeep and choir T-shirts. The fee also helps to subsidize costs for trips, festivals, and other social events. This fee is now offered on School Cafe (Celina ISD online payment platform). Therefore, you can pay via Online, Cash or Check. If financial assistance or a payment plan is needed, we can help, please contact me if this is the case. We have never had a student who could not participate due to financial reasons.
Classroom Rules
Facilities & Materials
We are fortunate to have wonderful facilities for choirs at CHS. Maintaining the choir room should be a top priority for our students. No food or drink is allowed in the choir room.
Throughout the year, you will be given choral music. Just like your textbooks, you must return all original music to us in good condition at the end of the semester. If you lose original music, or it is in poor condition upon return, you must pay the replacement cost. When marking in music, always use a pencil. This ensures that the music will be able to be used for future choirs.
Priority for practice room use should be given to those taking voice lessons, practicing contest music, or taking sight-reading tests. Students may use these rooms only with the director’s permission.
Attendance Policies
Rehearsals
Choir does not often have before or after school rehearsals and it is impossible to make up activities that occur during a choral rehearsal, thus attendance is imperative at all rehearsals, concerts, and extracurricular activities. Excessive unexcused absences will have a negative effect on the student’s grade. In the event of after school rehearsals Members will be required to attend after school weekly rehearsals as scheduled but will have the ability to miss two per semester without negatively affecting their grade.
Concerts
Attendance at any Celina High School choral concert is mandatory. Missing a concert will lower the student’s grade drastically as these are three major grades. Absences will only be excused in special situations, such as a medical/family emergency, religious holiday, or death in the family. If an excused absence occurs, an additional assignment at the director’s discretion is required as a substitution. Proper documentation is required for any concert absence, excused or unexcused. If the student is involved in a UIL activity that poses a conflict, the student must notify both sponsors so that a resolution can be made in a timely manner. Concerts may also be semester final grades.
Extracurricular Activities
Students will be given sufficient notice of any activities outside of the school day, including rehearsals, sectionals, and concerts. These activities are essential to the development of the choral program. As with concerts, an unexcused absence at any extracurricular activity will lower the student’s grade. The director will make every effort to limit the time spent outside of the school day. Any conflicts, including appointments, athletics, other student organizations, etc. should be brought to the director as soon as possible.
Excused vs. Unexcused Absences
Unexcused absences will have an effect on your daily grade. Absences will be considered excused with prior documentation (doctor’s note for sickness, letter from teacher for involvement in another organization with qualified reason for absence deemed by director of choir). Proper documentation is required for any absence, excused or unexcused. If you know you are going to be absent, let me know in advance; I will be happy to work with you.
Concert Etiquette
The following guidelines should be followed to ensure a pleasant concert experience for the performers and audience:
otherwise.
whisper.
Eligibility
According to University Interscholastic League (UIL) rules and House Bill 72 (No Pass/No Play), a student must stay academically eligible in order to participate in an extracurricular activity. (EXCEPTION UIL CONCERT AND SIGHTREADING)
Students are required to participate in all class rehearsals and performances where admission is not charged, regardless of eligibility.
Students who are ineligible will not be allowed to participate in the following:
In order to receive a grade for these situations when ineligible, appropriate written assignments will be given.
A student who is ineligible after the nine-week grading period cannot become eligible until the three-week mark of the following grading period, granted that he/she is passing the class failed on the report card. Students cannot lose eligibility at the three-week mark if they passed their classes on the previous nine weeks report card.
Uniforms
Chamber Choir -During the year, measurements will be taken to help fit you with a uniform. The uniforms will be issued to you at the beginning of the school year. You are responsible for them over the course of the year. You are also responsible for having your uniform dry-cleaned following every concert and before returning at the end of the year. Any damage can be charged to the student.
All other choirs - For all other choirs, formal attire for concerts will be as follows:
Men: Black dress shoes, Black slacks, White button up shirt, Black belt, and White socks
Women: Black dress shoes or low heels ( The lower the heel, the less accidents), Black or white dress that is school appropriate. You also can have black or white accents. There should be no other colors present and jewelry should be kept to a minimum to avoid visual distractions.
Formal Uniforms
Chamber Choir - These will be worn in formal concerts, including UIL, festivals, and fall and spring choir concerts.
Girls: Choir dress Boys: Black tuxedo pants & jacket
Black closed-toed shoes White tux shirt, black vest
Black hose Black shoes, black socks
Casual Uniforms
These will be worn in casual situations where we want to be uniform, but not formal.
Choir T-shirt, blue jeans (no holes, no shorts or capris)
Black or brown belt, black or brown shoes
Parent Volunteer
Parent volunteers are always welcome in the CHS Choral Department. If you are interested in volunteering please contact me through email at adamlemaire@celinaisd.com
**MUST BE SIGNED AND RETURNED BY 9/29/2023**
Acknowledgement Form
I have read the expectations, rules, and attendance policies for CHS Choirs. (scan QR code for choirs and syllabus) I understand that my participation in choir requires me to be a model for others not only in CHS but in the community as well. I understand that failure to comply with these guidelines will reduce my grade and could lead to removal from the choral department.
_____________________________
Student Signature
______________________________
Parent Signature
Please sign this form and return it no later than Friday, September 29, 2023.
Shirt Order Form
All choir members are required to purchase a shirt for use during informal concerts, activities, and trips. The shirt cost is covered in the $60 choir fee. Please circle your size below.
Name__________________________
Adult S Adult M Adult L Adult XL Adult XXL
We sure do! You can help the Celina Choir program for FREE by simply shopping at Kroger! Here is how:
Each quarter, Kroger will send us a check based on how many households sign up.
Our goal this year is to have at least 200 households sign up for Celina Choir via Kroger Community Rewards by Christmas. We have over 400 students in choir so roughly 50% is our goal.