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

Course Description & Content
Batavia High School offers six curricular choirs, involving about 140-170 students each year. In 2017-18, all 9th grade students are placed into one of two possible sections of Freshmen Chorale. Varsity Choir, Treble Choir, and Chamber Singers are offered for 10th-12th graders based on an audition in Feb/March. Additionally, we offer the BFF choir as part of the VTP curriculum, which replaces a student's normal PE class. Most choir classes meet for 90 minutes every other day. 

Materials Needed
Several #2 Pencils (keep them with you always)
Chromebook (Charged & ready)
1” 3-ring binder
SightReadingFactory login (provided by teacher)
Tone Savvy login (provided by teacher)
Headphones (please, not fancy)

Grading Breakdown
Grade Level Expectancies (GLE’s) 20%
Each semester is divided into 4 GLE goals with sequentially organized SightReadingFactory exercises.

Common Assessments 10%
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 Class Assignments 20%
Written assignments can include reflections, and other assignments on classroom material. (See the syllabus for zero policy)
Tone Savvy (TS) Assignments will be posted in Classroom.

Performance Assessments 30%
Assessments will include excerpts from class music.
Weekly SightReadingFactory assignments.
Screencastify recordings of concert songs.

Final Exam             20%
The Final Exam for each semester is a comprehensive multiple choice assessment related to the music theory concepts presented. 

Zero Policy
GLE:
A zero will be placed in the gradebook immediately after the due date. Students may complete the GLE assignment any time during the semester, however after one month, students will receive a late penalty.  
Performance assessment:
A zero will be placed in the gradebook immediately after the due date. Late work is accepted, but a penalty will be assessed on SRF assignments. 
All other assignments:
Students will receive a zero after the assignment due date. Students have until the end of the grading period to complete the assignment. 

Classroom Procedures
Attendance:  Any unexcused absence from a concert will result in a 5% deduction for the semester grade. Student growth and achievement in music can only be accomplished with each group member at the performance. Our performances are treated as demonstrations of learning and when a student misses this important event, his or her learning suffers.
Devices: Phones and Chromebooks will be used during many class periods. Students are encouraged to have them available and charged. If the devices are being used irresponsibly, the student may lose the privilege and assignments will need to be completed outside of class. Students or entire classes may lose the privelege of phone use at the director’s discretion. 

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.

2017-2018 Choir Events and Performances 
(Attendance at performances/events are REQUIRED for all BHS choir students unless otherwise specified):
Wednesday, October 18: Fall Choir Concert
Tuesday, November 28 Kaleidoscope Concert Dress Rehearsal – During school day
Wednesday, November 29 Music Department Kaleidoscope Concert
Thursday, Dec 7 Festival of Carols Dress Rehearsal (TBA)
Fri-Sat. Dec 8-9 Festival of Carols      (Selected members of Chamber & Treble)
Tuesday, February 20 BHS Music Festival- Concert 1 (Both Chorales)
Wednesday, February 21 BHS Music Festival- Concert 2 (Treble & Varsity)
Thursday, February 22 BHS Music Festival- Concert 3 (Chamber)
Wednesday, May 9 Spring Choir Concert

2017-2018 Other Important Dates:
Tuesday, October 3 ILMEA Auditions (Chamber strongly encouraged to audition)
Wednesday, March 14 Showtime! (BFAC performance for show choirs and Chromatics)

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
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.  Missing folders will cost $10.00 to replace. 
Use your common sense:  Do not bring food or drink (except water) into the choir room.