BHS CHOIRS
For the latest choir news and the archive of past announcements, please go here
BHS Music Mission Statement:
"To foster a life-long understanding of, growth in, and appreciation for music"
Essential Learning Outcomes
(Goals for every student)
1. To accurately perform music from notation and/or by ear
2. To recognize and identify elements of music from sound and/or notation
3. To critically analyze music
4. To contribute positively to a musical ensemble
"To foster a life-long understanding of, growth in, and appreciation for music"
Essential Learning Outcomes
(Goals for every student)
1. To accurately perform music from notation and/or by ear
2. To recognize and identify elements of music from sound and/or notation
3. To critically analyze music
4. To contribute positively to a musical ensemble
Course Description & Content: Batavia High School offers six curricular choirs, involving about 160-200 students each year. All 9th grade students are placed into one of two possible sections of Freshmen Chorale, which are referred to as “Bass Chorale” and “Treble Chorale”. These classes are equivalent and introductory, and are divided according to the voice part needs. Varsity Choir is available to 9-12 grade students, and is an intermediate ensemble. Treble Choir and Chamber Singers are advanced ensembles, and are available by instructor permission only. Additionally, we offer the BFF choir as part of the VTP curriculum. Classes meet for 90 minutes every other day.
The Following information is not current; it was from the years prior to 2020. New information about the 2020-21 school year will be sent to students and parents directly. For a more detailed statement about plans for choir in 2020, please see this post.
Materials Needed
Grading Breakdown
Common Assessments
Performance Assessments
Final Exam
Zero Policy
A zero will be placed in the gradebook immediately after the due date. For most work, students can turn in late work with no penalty. Contact Mr. Barsch if you have a schedule conflict with a concert.
Classroom Procedures
Grades vs. BARK Ratings: In addition to the grades, students will receive BARK ratings periodically. We try to separate Skill and Knowledge Acquisition from Behavior.
Calendar
All BHS choir after-school rehearsals, events, and performances will be posted and updated on the Batavia High School Music Department website, found at www.bataviamusic.org. This is the best resource for staying updated on concerts, rehearsals, and other events for the music program.
2019-2020 Choir Events and Performances
(Attendance at performances/events are REQUIRED for all BHS choir students unless otherwise specified)
Thursday, October 24 Fall Choir Concert
Tuesday, December 3 Kaleidoscope Concert
Fri-Sat. Dec 13-14 Festival of Carols (Chamber, plus selected members of Treble)
Tuesday, Feb 18 BHS Music Festival- Concert 1 (Women's Chorale)
Wednesday, Feb 19 BHS Music Festival- Concert 2 (Treble & Varsity)
Thursday, Feb 20 BHS Music Festival- Concert 3 (Chamber)
Thursday, May 7 Spring Choir Concert
Other Important Dates:
Tuesday, October 1 ILMEA Auditions (Chamber required to audition); Successful Auditioners participate in the ILMEA District 9 Festival
Tues-Wed, March 10-11 Showtime! (BFAC performance for show choirs and Chromatics)
Friday, March 13 Gala! Batavia Music Buffs annual fundraiser
Concert Uniforms
All Choirs: Black dress pants or skirt, black dress shirt, black socks (or nylons) and dress shoes, which each student must provide. Shoes must be completely black, including soles and laces. Some performances will include robes, which BHS will provide.
Expectations of Choir Students: BARK Chart
Be respectful: Treat each other and the music directors with respect at all times.
Be organized: Show a sense of responsibility by frequently reviewing the calendar above and informing your parents of performance dates.
Be on time: Arrive to the choir room and get ready when the bell rings.
Be prepared: Choir members must be prepared with a pencil and appropriate music materials for every rehearsal. Each member must prepare his or her concert music outside of rehearsal, so that we can focus on musical and ensemble issues during rehearsal.
Be responsible: Choir members are responsible for all music and folders they receive. Missing or damaged original music must be replaced. If the part is still published, the music will cost $3.00 to replace.
The Following information is not current; it was from the years prior to 2020. New information about the 2020-21 school year will be sent to students and parents directly. For a more detailed statement about plans for choir in 2020, please see this post.
Materials Needed
- Several #2 Pencils (keep them with you always)
- Chromebook (Charged & ready)
- 1” 3-ring binder (Any color. We rarely use them in concert so getting a unique color may keep it from getting lost.
- SightReadingFactory login (provided by teacher)
- Headphones (please, not fancy)
Grading Breakdown
Common Assessments
- Quizzes and tests in aural skills, musical terms, and musical symbols are given each semester. Common assessments tests may be remediated (see syllabus for details).
- Students will be assigned personal or group concert reviews.
- The concert review cannot be completed if the student was not present at the concert. No makeup work will be given for an unexcused absence from a concert.
- Written assignments can include reflections, and other assignments on classroom material. (See the syllabus for zero policy)
- Tone Savvy (TS) assignments or MusicTheory.net (MTN) assignments will be posted in Classroom.
Performance Assessments
- Assessments will include demonstration of concert music, and SightReadingFactory assignments
Final Exam
- The Final Exam for each semester is a comprehensive multiple choice assessment related to the music theory concepts presented.
Zero Policy
A zero will be placed in the gradebook immediately after the due date. For most work, students can turn in late work with no penalty. Contact Mr. Barsch if you have a schedule conflict with a concert.
Classroom Procedures
Grades vs. BARK Ratings: In addition to the grades, students will receive BARK ratings periodically. We try to separate Skill and Knowledge Acquisition from Behavior.
- Grades will reflect those skills that students have demonstrated. This can range from Sight-reading proficiency, theory knowledge, demonstration of mastery of concert material, etc
- BARK ratings will reflect our common agreements (as a school and as a choir program). You will be able to see your students BARK ratings in PowerSchool, it is listed separately from grading.
- I will do my best to contact parents when a student is not Meeting Expectations, but please feel free to contact me at any time about anything in either category.
Calendar
All BHS choir after-school rehearsals, events, and performances will be posted and updated on the Batavia High School Music Department website, found at www.bataviamusic.org. This is the best resource for staying updated on concerts, rehearsals, and other events for the music program.
2019-2020 Choir Events and Performances
(Attendance at performances/events are REQUIRED for all BHS choir students unless otherwise specified)
Thursday, October 24 Fall Choir Concert
Tuesday, December 3 Kaleidoscope Concert
Fri-Sat. Dec 13-14 Festival of Carols (Chamber, plus selected members of Treble)
Tuesday, Feb 18 BHS Music Festival- Concert 1 (Women's Chorale)
Wednesday, Feb 19 BHS Music Festival- Concert 2 (Treble & Varsity)
Thursday, Feb 20 BHS Music Festival- Concert 3 (Chamber)
Thursday, May 7 Spring Choir Concert
Other Important Dates:
Tuesday, October 1 ILMEA Auditions (Chamber required to audition); Successful Auditioners participate in the ILMEA District 9 Festival
Tues-Wed, March 10-11 Showtime! (BFAC performance for show choirs and Chromatics)
Friday, March 13 Gala! Batavia Music Buffs annual fundraiser
Concert Uniforms
All Choirs: Black dress pants or skirt, black dress shirt, black socks (or nylons) and dress shoes, which each student must provide. Shoes must be completely black, including soles and laces. Some performances will include robes, which BHS will provide.
Expectations of Choir Students: BARK Chart
Be respectful: Treat each other and the music directors with respect at all times.
Be organized: Show a sense of responsibility by frequently reviewing the calendar above and informing your parents of performance dates.
Be on time: Arrive to the choir room and get ready when the bell rings.
Be prepared: Choir members must be prepared with a pencil and appropriate music materials for every rehearsal. Each member must prepare his or her concert music outside of rehearsal, so that we can focus on musical and ensemble issues during rehearsal.
Be responsible: Choir members are responsible for all music and folders they receive. Missing or damaged original music must be replaced. If the part is still published, the music will cost $3.00 to replace.