Forest Oak Middle School
Choral
Music Program
Handbook for Students and Parents
Hilary Vrooman,
Choral Music
301-670-8242
[email protected]
Revised 8/15
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Welcome to the Forest Oak Middle School
Choral Music Program!
This handbook has been prepared to provide you and your parents with
information about your chorus program. It includes the grading policy,
musical objectives, rehearsal concert procedures, and the calendar of
music events at Forest Oak, MCPS, and Maryland for this year.
Please read, sign and return the contract by Thursday, September 10,
2015.
Music Program Expectations
The student should be able to:
1. Follow classroom rehearsal procedures and respect the property of others.
2. Meet individual responsibilities for care and preventive maintenance of a
music and musical equipment.
3. Follow concert procedures and meet performance obligations posted on the
school music calendar.
4. Demonstrate mastery of musical skills and concepts outlined in the National
Core Music Standards.
5. Read and perform appropriate grade level music.
6. Sight-read appropriate grade level music.
(from MCPS Program of Studies, Choral Music, Grades 6-8, p.2)
Classroom Rehearsal Procedures
The student will:
1. Arrive to class on time, listen, and be respectful of others.
2. Be prepared for class with music, pencil, and necessary materials.
3. Never handle musical equipment that does not belong to him/her.
4. Raise his/her hand to be recognized to ask a question and not talk when others
are talking or playing.
5. Not chew gum, candy, food or drinks in the music rooms or storage areas
during classes or performances.
6. Be supportive of classmates, never criticizing another individual’s
performance.
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Concert Procedures
Attendance and Grading: “Concerts are the culmination of many hours of hard work
and serve to complete the learning process.” (MCPS Program of Studies) They are the
equivalent of a final exam or unit test for the ensemble. Therefore, attendance is
mandatory! Family vacations, sport events, lack of transportation, babysitting duty,
another scheduled evening activity, etc., are not considered excusable. Arrangements can
be made if a ride is not available.
If there is a major conflict with a performance date, written notification must be
presented for consideration as soon as possible, but at least two weeks prior to the
performance. Emergency absences due to severe illness, accident, etc., will be excised,
provided a note is presented immediately upon the student’s return to school.
There are no alternative forms of assessment provided for an unexcused absence from a
concert. A student’s contribution is invaluable to the success of the ensemble and cannot
be recreated in another manner equal to the actual performance. Therefore, if a student’s
absence from a concert in unexcused, they will receive a zero.
Concert Dress
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White dress shirt or blouse with sleeves (no tee-shirts)
Black dress pants or ankle-length black skirts (without prints)
Black socks or stockings, black shoes
Arrival time: 30 minutes prior to the concert start time.
Forest Oak Choral Music Calendar of Events
September 4-October 2 Fall Music Fundraiser
September 11, 2015 Back to School PTA Picnic
December 8, 2015
December 18, 2015
December 21-22
March 16, 17 or 22
April 30, 2016
May 26, 2016
Winter Chorus Concert
In-School Concert Assembly
Elementary School Concert Tours
District II Middle School Choral Festival
Music in the Parks/Kings Dominion Trip
Spring Chorus Concert 7-8 PM FOMS
6-8 PM
FOMS
6:30-8 PM
AM
School Day
School Day
6 AM-10 PM
FOMS
FOMS
Cluster
TBA
2015-16 MCPS and Maryland State Honors Chorus Events
November 3, 4, 5
November 14
January 6-March 2
March 2
March 16, 17 or 22
April 12, 13, 14
MCPS Junior Honors Chorus Auditions
Maryland Jr. All-State Auditions
MCPS Junior Honors Chorus Rehearsals
MCPS Junior Honors Chorus Concert
District II Middle School Choral Festival
MCYC Auditions (rising 9th graders)
5-9 PM
TBA
8-5 PM
TBA
6:30-9 PM Redland MS
7:30 PM Watkins Mill
School Day
TBA
5-9 PM
TBA
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Grading Policy
Students in choral music will learn many aspects of music as outlined in the
Essential Learner Outcomes for Maryland and the voluntary state music curriculum.
These detailed objectives are based on the nine National Core Standards for Music
Education.
Achievement grades reflect academic performance only. Students will receive multiple
opportunities to demonstrate achievement through a variety of assessments to include:
Singing tests
Written quizzes and tests
Reading and writing assignments
Grading
Homework
Concerts
90% Assessments, 10% Homework
Retests: students must show evidence of 20-30 minutes of home or
after school practice for a retest for a better grade within the
deadline.
Learning Skills (LS) assignments are designed to help students work toward
achievement of musical objectives and indicators. Participation and assignment
completion are directly related to successful learning in music.
Classwork
Homework
LS Grade
Participates in class with necessary materials . Contributes ideas,
asks questions, uses feedback or engages in tasks to clarify, refine,
or extend learning.
Home practice log and written assignments
C (consistent), O (often), S (seldom), R (rarely), NI (not enough
information)
Late Work
 Any assignment must be turned in on time
 A due date is the date students are expected to turn in a paper or play a test. An
achievement assignment turned in after the due date is penalized one letter grade.
 A deadline is the last date an assignment can be completed. An achievement
assignment turned in after the deadline will receive an E or 0 on a 4-point scale.
 Concerts have the same due date and deadline.
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2015-2016
Choral Music Contract
Student Name: ____________________________________Grade Level: _________
Address: _____________________________________________________________
Parent/Guardian Names: _________________________________________________
Phone Numbers:
Contact: _________________________
Home: _________________________
Cell:___________________________
Work: _________________________
Contact: ___________________________
Home: ____________________________
Cell: ______________________________
Work: _____________________________
Please check if you are interested in helping in the following areas:
____ Fundraisers
____ Chaperone for Concerts
____ Chaperone for Field Trips
We have read the Choral Music Handbook and agree to follow the policies and
procedures of the class. We are aware of the concert dates and grading policies. Please
sign and return this page by Thursday, September 10, 2015. Keep the rest of the packet
for your reference.
Student Signature _______________________________________Date _____________
Parent Signature _______________________________________Date _____________
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