Student/Parent Contract
2007-2008
Dear
Parents and Students,
I hope that the beginning of the
school year has been smooth and that you are settling into a routine that works
for you and your family. We have three
chorus classes this year. First period
is Men’s Chorus (24). Second period is
Intermediate Women’s Chorus (45), and third period is Honors Women’s Chorus
(40). Being in Chorus is a
privilege! In order to maintain the
success of our program, I need your help and support. Please read and sign the following contract.
You
can find course descriptions on our web page.
It is linked to the Apex home page.
Posted on the web page will be a copy of this letter, the yearly
calendar, a copy of the parent letter each quarter, and the volunteer sign up
lists.
Literature
studied: Students will be required to
sing a variety of choral literature both secular and sacred. Students will not be expected to believe,
practice, or worship any of the sacred literature, but will be asked to sing
and study it as a part of our world’s music history. Music originated in the church. It is simply another style of music that is
crucial to learning. Most of the sacred
selections are state approved.
Each
quarter, I will send home a copy of their interim and an updated parent letter
with current events. I would love to
move to electronic this year. I need an
email from EVERY parent in order to do this.
I do not have time to send it out 2-3 different ways. You will need to sign each and return it the
next day for a test grade. An email
will also work. They get a 100 or a
0. This has been extremely beneficial in
communication. It also helps boost the
grades of those who may not test well.
It is in place to help the student not hurt them. Please, please sign them and return the next
day!
Grading
scale:
25%
Tests/Quizzes/Projects: Each quarter the
students will be tested at least once on new theory or sight- reading. Because of limited time with performances,
music history may be given in paper or project form.
They
will also be tested vocally in groups of 2, 3 or 4. This will test their knowledge of the music
with other voice parts. This is a great
opportunity for me to get to know their voices.
They are graded individually.
Their grade reflects their growth as a singer, rather than compared to
other singers. Each of us comes to
chorus with different experiences. Make
up work must be turned in within 1 week.
I do not remind kids of make up work.
That is their responsibility to get what they have missed.
25%
Class Participation: If you are talking, how can you be singing? Points are deducted for not trying, doing
other work, eating or drinking (other than water), sleeping or disruptive
behavior. Each student receives 20
points a day (100 in 1 week). Each
unexcused absence results in a 0. I do
check for skippers. Over 10 absences per semester results in an F.
50%
Rehearsals/Concerts: Each rehearsal is
worth 100 points. Each major concert is
worth 200 points. If your child is out
of school (sick/funeral) on a rehearsal or concert date), I must be notified by
the parent with an explanation. It is
the child’s responsibility to make up that time with me before the quarter
ends, or the grade results in a 0. You have
the calendar with the entire year.
Please make appointments accordingly.
If a child is well enough to stay at school all day, then they are well
enough to stay for a rehearsal. Please
notify me immediately of Apex athletic conflicts, so I can handle it in a
timely manner with the coach.
Expectations:
Chorus is based on teamwork and collaboration.
1.
Take responsibility for your own development as a musician.
2.
Every time you sing, make it a quality experience.
3.
Work to master the basic musical skills.
4.
Develop an attitude of wanting to improve each day.
5.
Be willing to try new things.
You cannot have an opinion on a piece until it is ready to be
performed. Give it a chance and expand
your mind.
6.
Display an attitude of effort at all times.
7.
Come to class prepared to work hard.
8.
Be present for all rehearsals and performances.
9.
Listen carefully. Critical
listening improves the quality of a choir.
10. Respect the efforts of
others. Girls, keep the drama outside of
the trailer.
11. Enjoy experiencing and making
beautiful music.
12. Show a willingness to work
with others.
13. Choir is a group effort, but
every individual counts. Working
together is the key.
14. Practice concert etiquette at
all times, especially during rehearsals.
15. Make a positive
contribution. Don’t be a distraction.
Uniforms: The purchase of a uniform is mandatory. Dresses are $55 and tuxes are $130. You only have to buy them once unless the
student grows and needs another one. You
can also purchase parts to the tux if needed.
The students will need black dress shoes, preferably closed toe. Each student has a chorus account where fund-
raiser money is kept. They may write a
check for the dress or fund raise the money.
Another option would be to contact an alumni and by a used one. Please see the attached calendar for $ due
dates.
Choral
Boosters. Each parent is considered to
be a member of the Apex Choral Boosters.
It is up to you to get involved.
We will have volunteer sign up sheets at our first meeting. We are asking that each family sign up to
help at least once, even if it is to make brownies. The boosters have accounts
set up for each student where fund-raiser money is kept. They may use this money to pay for any chorus
activity. If the money is not used at
the end of the year, it filters over into their account for the next year. If they graduate and money is left, it goes
into the general fund. Because of
facilities, we have to have our concerts off campus. This requires money. We usually charge $3 for admission to the
concerts. This covers cost of
facilities. In the past, handling money
has been a problem. It felt like I was
constantly asking for $5 here, and $5 there for things. Money was everywhere and began to consume my
job. Two years ago we started a fair share.
This covers expenses up front, so that I am not constantly asking for
money. The fair share is $90. It went up this year, because we went over
budget last year. This price covers things such as, dinner for the kids before
every concert, district festival fees and bus rentals, and the end of the year
banquet. If I did not ask for the $90 up
front, I would have to ask you for it before each event. School buses are not free. We will explain this further at our first
meeting. You may write a check for the
fair share or fundraise the amount. For
each fund-raiser activity, the student makes ½ profit. The other ½ goes to the company. Details for each fund-raiser will be
distributed at our first meeting. I will
also have a handout explaining the fair share in detail at our first meeting,
September 6 at 7:00 in the auditorium.
Money: NO MONEY WILL BE COLLECTED UNLESS IT IS IN A
LABELED ENVELOPE!!! I will have
envelopes available starting at our first meeting for the students’ use. Exact change only. Any money left over will go into the general
fund. Checks can be made payable to the
Apex High Choral Boosters.
Financial
obligations: $90 Fair Share, Dresses $55, Tux $130 If there are financial issues with you,
please contact me ASAP. We have a few
used dresses and tux pieces still left.
Fall
Trip: See attached sheet.
Please
read the attached information and school year calendar. I would suggest attaching the calendar to
your refrigerator. If you have any
questions during the year feel free to email me at hcopley@wcpss.net. Any confusions will be made clear at our 1st
booster meeting on September 6 at 7:00 in the auditorium. We will kick off our 1st
fundraiser that week. We will meet in
the auditorium at 7:00 and then break up into groups. The beginning women’s chorus will sing. I look forward to meeting each of you. Thank you for encouraging your child to
participate in the arts.
Heather Copley
I
have read and understand the contract, calendar and financial obligations, and
am willing to participate and work hard towards the success of this
program. Please sign and return by
Thursday August 30th. If you are not
willing to sign the contract, please see a counselor about a schedule change.
Student’s
Signature___________________________________________________________________________________________
Parent’s
Signature
____________________________________________________________________________________________
Date______________
Parent’s
EMAIL ADDRESS******* ________________________________________________________________________________________________
Questions?
Concerns: