Dear Parents,

Welcome to the 2013-2014 Beaufort High School Vocal program! Your child has been selected to participate in what will be a unique musical experience. I believe our ensembles, the Beaufort High School Voices and Troubadours, have the potential to be among the most versatile and talented groups of student musicians in South Carolina. I am excited to work with a core group of students that decided to move forward for another year of musical growth. I believe that these singers will join with our new recruits to help build group spirit and musical excellence. With continued hard work and dedication, our students will be able to achieve any goals set for them. Last year the accomplishments of the Vocal program included the production of two formal concerts, which were well-received and attended. There were also 6 students chosen for participation in the South Carolina All-State Chorus! The Voices also had several performance opportunities outside of Beaufort High last year, including performances for the Lowcountry and Sea Island Rotary, Staff Support Person of the Year breakfast, The Islands of Beaufort Tour of Homes, several appearances at the Dataw Island Community Center, and competing in the Presidential Inauguration Heritage Festival, where we received a Gold rating, placed first, and were also awarded the Most Outstanding Choral Performance award. The #1 goal of the BHS Vocal Department is that each young musician will graduate with the ability to successfully read notation (music). Their ability to read will enable them to make music alone and with others beyond the walls of our classroom. At the center of all studies will be the use of solmization, a proven technique used in teaching students to read music. Solmization uses the ancient solfege syllables and hand signs to relate sight, sound, and physical movement to a movable do and all intervals within a given key. The senses work together to help students hear intervals and rhythmic figures. Thanks for your support through concert attendance, participation in fundraising events, and words of encouragement. I hope all of you will become contributors to our Vocal Boosters organization. Through our unity, we can support and boost the activities of this fine group of teenagers. I look forward to meeting all of you on Monday, September 23 at our parent/student social. The following pages contain a wealth of information about our program, important procedures, and policies. Please take time to read them carefully and discuss them with your son or daughter. Sign and return the last several pages. My email address is: jordan.norris@beaufort.k12.sc.us

Jordan L. Norris High School Vocal Director

Jeniffer Woods Head of School, ACT

BHS Vocal Calendar 2013-2014 TBA Mon, Sep 23 7:00PM Mon, Sep 30 Thurs, Sep 26 Thurs/Fri, Nov 7/8 Mon, Nov 11 Tues, Nov 12 Nov 25-29 Mon & Tues, Dec 2/3 7:00PM Wed & Thurs, Dec 4/5 Call: 6:00PM Concert: 7:00PM Dec 23-Jan 3 TBA TBA Mon, Jan 27 Mon, Feb 17 Thurs-Sat, Feb 27-Mar 1 Mon, Mar 24 Tues-Thurs Mar 25-27 Apr 14-18 Mon-Wed, Apr 28-30 7:00 PM Thurs & Fri May 1/2 Call: 6:00PM Concert: 7:00PM Fri, May 2 Tues, June 3 Great American Fundraiser Parent/Student Social First Monday night rehearsal All-State registration deadline All-State auditionsColumbia Veterans Day No School/No Rehearsal Winthrop Performance @ BHS Thanksgiving Break Dress rehearsals at BHS Winter Concert Voices Troubadours Voices Troubadours All Voices Voices Voices Auditionees

Winter Break Festival Rehearsals Lander Choral Festival/Spring Trip Monday night rehearsal resumes Staff Development No School/No Rehearsal All-State WeekendRock Hill Choral Festival Rehearsal SC High School Choral Festival Spring Break Dress rehearsals at BHS Spring Concert Voices Troubadours Voices Troubadours Voices Voices Selected Auditionees Voices Voices Participants Voices Voices

Day Show (TBA) Graduation

Solfege and Handsigns

For almost a thousand years, musicians have used hand signs (also called hand signals) to indicate pitches. The value of hand signs is that they connect pitches to something we can see. Hand signs show the direction of pitch movement and the distance between pitches. Another system, also centuries old, that helps students to comprehend intervals is solfege, the use of DO, RE, MI, etc. Using a combination of hand signs and solfege has helped many to learn to read music!

Use this sheet to help practice your hand signs!

ENSEMBLES

1) The Beaufort High School Voices The BHS Voices must be made up of a group of student musicians who have decided that singing for Beaufort High School is an important thing in their lives. The Voices will become our main performance ensemble. Extensive solfege training will equip our top singers with the ability to compete in sight-singing at choral festivals and prepare them for college-level music theory. A wide variety of choral repertoire will be studied and performed. In addition to the two major concerts, the Voices will participate in All-State Chorus and selected other competitions and performances.

2) The Troubadours Beginning vocal students are combined to form the Troubadours. The Troubs will provide a period of vocal adjustment and the beginnings of solmization for our freshmen students, additional vocal study for upper classmen not in the Voices, and an option for students choosing not to commit to the Voices schedule. The Troubs will study basic ear-training and music theory using our Solfege tool. The Troubs will perform in the Winter and Spring concerts.

3) Advanced A cappella Advanced A cappella is a new addition to our selection of choral ensembles. This class will be focused on difficult a cappella repertoire and involvement in the ensemble is based on an audition and previous performance in Troubadours and/or Voices. Students must have participated in either ensemble, and must continue to participate in Voices, in order to be considered for Advanced A cappella (Chorus 5).

**Other ensembles may be established during the school year; such as The InnerVoices (a select auditioned group of singers) and a Womens Ensemble**

GRADING POLICY

The Fine Arts Department at Beaufort High School has a grading policy that is broken down in the following percentages: 40% - Class Participation 40% - Rehearsal/Show Participation and attendance 20% - Classwork/Quizzes

Please see the following page for a breakdown of Class Participation and Rehearsal/Show Participation grading procedure.

SUPPLIES NEEDED

Chorus 1 Students will need one composition notebook, one 1 binder (black), a pencil holder, and pencils. Chorus 2 Students will need one composition notebook, one 1 binder (black), a pencil holder, and pencils. Chorus 3 Students will need one 1 binder (black), a pencil holder, and pencils. Chorus 4 Students will need one 1 binder (black), a pencil holder, and pencils. Chorus 5 Students will need one 1 binder (black), a pencil holder, and pencils.

SPECIAL INFORMATION

Students will be given copies of sight reading materials and music we are learning in class to place in their individual chorus binders. It is very important that this binder be brought to class every day. If they do not have their music, they are not fully prepared and will lose class participation points. Providing music for this program can be very expensive, and it is essential that the students keep track of their own music. Any lost music will be charged to the students account. If a student feels uncomfortable being responsible for their music folder, they may leave it in the designated area in the classroom.

DISCIPLINE PROCEDURE
In order to ensure that your child and all other students in my classroom receive the excellent educational climate they deserve, I plan to utilize the following discipline plan.

My Philosophy I believe that all my students can behave appropriately in the classroom, and have the right to learn. I will not tolerate any class disruptions that would hinder me from teaching or prevent any student from learning.

Classroom Rules Students will: 1. Refrain from any means of communication amongst themselves during rehearsals (except in sightsinging groups). 2. Not speak out without raising hand and being acknowledged by the teacher. 3. Be in their assigned seats and ready to work when the tardy bell starts ringing. 4. Remain in assigned seats until directed to move. 5. Place other classroom books AND cell phones away from their seat. 6. Not chew gum, have food or drinks, etc. 7. Adhere to all school-wide rules as stated in the student handbook. 8. Show respect to teacher and fellow students.

If a student chooses to break Classroom Rules: 1st consequence: 2nd consequence: 3rd consequence: 4th consequence: student is corrected by teacher class participation points are deducted teacher communication with parents student will receive a referral and other disciplinary actions

It is in the best interest of your child that we work together in regard to his/her schooling. I will be in contact with you concerning your childs progress in my classroom.

REHEARSALS AND PERFORMANCES

Musical ensembles are a team effort and will only be successful when each member is present for all rehearsals; therefore attendance at night rehearsals and performances is mandatory. The BHS Voices will rehearse an average of once a week, with extra rehearsals near performances if necessary. The outside of school participation for the students in Troubadours is minimal. BHS Voices concerts and rehearsals must be a higher priority than non-school related extracurricular activities. There are many organizations for teenagers in Beaufort County that allow the pursuit of special interests, and most of these support the viewpoint of school first when a schedule conflict arises. Beaufort High Schools policy, and the Voices policy is always school first. ***Work is not accepted as an excuse for any missed rehearsal. Many of our students successfully schedule their part time job around choral events. However, sometimes a choice has to be made between participating in the Voices and holding a job. The time to make that decision is the beginning of the school year. As the ensembles grow artistically, so will our opportunities to perform throughout the community. This will lead to the possibility of extra outside-of school rehearsals.

Reasons: 1. Extra time is needed to produce quality concerts. Only a percentage of class time is used for repertoire rehearsal. a. Much of the school class time is spent on solmization, a technique used for ear-training and developing the ability to read music. b. The night rehearsals are devoted entirely to repertoire. 2. Given our class schedule, Monday night rehearsals are the only opportunity throughout the week to rehearse as a full ensemble. 3. The outside-of school rehearsals are often the only opportunity to work with side musicians. 4. The night rehearsals are extremely effective in the building of group spirit. As a member of a performing group at Beaufort High School, you must do these things: 1. Follow classroom rules and exhibit proper rehearsal technique. 2. Learn the repertoire to performance standard. 3. Attend outside-of-school rehearsals and performances. Acceptable excuses include: a. Sickness (students must bring a signed note to the director on the day of their return). b. Death in the immediate family. c. Pre-approved compromise with other Beaufort High School activities (must be reciprocal). 4. Arrive on time and stay for the entirety of all outside-of-school rehearsals and performances. 5. Avoid absences from in-school rehearsals during the week of performance and the week immediately preceding it. Group members will not participate in non-Beaufort High School activities that would cause them to miss school in the days leading to our performances.

6. Participate in all performance trips. (Financial hardship will be resolved by communication with the director.) 7. Prepare for class by being properly rested (both physically and vocally) and energized for daily rehearsal. 8. Follow all rules as stated in the Beaufort High School Code of Conduct and the Voices Handbook. 9. Participate in all group fundraisers. 10. Purchase the approved performance outfit. Facts: 1. Rehearsals are graded based on timeliness, participation, and attitude. 2. Most rehearsals are on Monday nights at 7:00 PM. 3. Other than designated chaperones or professional helpers, our rehearsals are not open to the public, including parents, friends, etc. 4. Rarely does a rehearsal last more than 1.5 hours. 5. Students will always have at least two weeks notice of rehearsals and performances. 6. All school rules and department rules apply at rehearsals and performances. 7. Loitering in the parking lot after rehearsals is not permitted. While performance is a graded part of the high school musical curriculum, the right to perform must be earned. Students could be removed from a performance or activity based on the following: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Failure to learn the repertoire to performance standard. Failure to commit to performance schedule. Failure to attend rehearsals. (One unexcused absence from rehearsal is permitted per semester) Tardiness at rehearsals. Failure to follow class rules or Directors instructions.

If students are removed from performances, they will be evaluated otherwise.

GENERAL INFORMATION
Solos There are many characteristics that make a good soloisttone quality, size of voice, expressiveness, stage presence, intonation, ability to get the audience involved, etc. For those students who are interested in solos throughout the year, auditions will be held and I will select the student who is right for the part. Dedication to the program will also be a deciding factor.

Section Leaders The roles of section leader will be decided upon by the Director prior to the first Monday night rehearsal. Section leaders will be chosen based on their knowledge of solfege, leadership skills, and ability to work well with others.

Dress and Hair It is essential that everyone in a performing group dress and groom themselves uniformly. All jewelry, make-up, clothing, fingernails, and hairstyle need to be conservative. If a student colors or styles their hair in a way that I think would call attention to them and away from the ensemble, they should not expect to sing/play in the concerts.

Conferences If a student has something personal to tell me, (Example: a conflict concerning a rehearsal) or if someone would like to make a comment, these communications should be made in private. If everyone needs the information discussed, I will decide an appropriate time to tell the group.

Tour Chaperones Chaperones for the Beaufort High School Voices are selected by the Director, and removed from duty whenever deemed necessary by the Director. Outside individuals, including parents not designated as chaperones, will not be allowed to join our touring group at any point.

BEAUFORT HIGH SCHOOL VOCAL BOOSTERS for Families of Participating Students The name says it all: The Vocal Boosters exist to boost the activities of the Beaufort High School Vocal Department under the leadership of professional staff. Students First & Last Name: ____________________________________________________ Cell Phone: ________________________________ Student E-mail: ___________________________________________________________ Family: Family Name _______________________________________________________________________________ Name (if different) to appear in program as: _______________________________________________________________________________ Home Phone ___________________________ Fathers Name ___________________________________ Mothers Name ___________________________________ Cell Phone _______________________________________ Cell Phone _________________________________________ Work Phone _____________________________________ Work Phone ______________________________________ Occupation ______________________________________ Occupation _______________________________________ Employer ________________________________________ Employer _________________________________________ E-mail ____________________________________________ E-mail _____________________________________________

We (I) wish to join the Beaufort High School Vocal Boosters as a: _____ Sponsor _____ Patron $25 (name in concert programs) $50 (2 complimentary tickets per concert & name in concert programs)

_____ Benefactor $100 (4 complimentary tickets per concert & name in concert programs) _____ Directors Club $150 (6 complimentary tickets per concert & name in concert programs)

_____ Business Partner $300 (10 complimentary tickets per concert & name in concert programs) _____ Choir Angel $500 (10 complimentary tickets per concert & name in concert programs & halo upon request) Amount Paid: $__________

Please make checks payable to: BHS Vocal Boosters

Help is neededplease check where you can assist: Hours: __Morning __Afternoon __Evening _____ Wardrobe _____ Scenery/Poster Making _____ Photography _____ Attend Booster Club Meetings _____ Collecting Money at School _____Concerts _____ Public Relations _____ Carpentry Skills _____ Telephoning _____ Substitute Teacher

THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING YOUR STUDENT AND THE BHS VOCAL DEPT! Return to: Jordan L. Norris Beaufort High School PO Box 803 Beaufort, SC 29901 for more information: Jordan.Norris@beaufort.k12.sc.us

BEAUFORT HIGH SCHOOL VOCAL BOOSTERS

for COMMUNITY FRIENDS!

The name says it all: The Vocal Boosters exist to boost the activities of the Beaufort High School Vocal Department under the leadership of professional staff. Please count me/us as a member of the BHS Vocal Boosters: Name: ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Name (if different) to appear in program as: ________________________________________________________________________ Address: ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ City & Zip Code: ________________________________________________ Phone: _______________________________________________ E-mail: _______________________________________________________________________________ I/We wish to join the Beaufort High School Vocal Boosters as a: _____ Sponsor _____ Patron _____ Benefactor _____ Directors Club $25 (name in concert programs) $50 (2 complimentary tickets per concert & name in concert programs) $100 (4 complimentary tickets per concert & name in concert programs) $150 (6 complimentary tickets per concert & name in concert programs)

_____ Business Partner $300 (10 complimentary tickets per concert & name in concert programs) _____ Choir Angel Total Amount Paid: $500 (10 complimentary tickets per concert & name in concert programs & halo upon request) $__________

Please make checks payable to BHS Vocal Boosters If you are a friend or family member of a current or past student in the Vocal program and would like us to know, please provide the students name: _______________________________________________________________

Help is always needed! Please check if you can assist: Hours: __Morning __Afternoon __Evening _____ Wardrobe _____ Carpentry Skills _____Scenery/Poster Making _____ Photography _____ Concerts _____ Special Events/Fundraisers _____Public Relations _____ Substitute Teacer

THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING THE BHS VOCAL DEPT! Return to: Jordan L. Norris Beaufort High School PO Box 803 Beaufort, SC 29901 for more information: Jordan.Norris@beaufort.k12.sc.us 322-2173

EDMODO
http://www.edmodo.com

Dear Parents and Students:

Our class will be using a website created exclusively for education called EDMODO. It is a collaborative website, but contains no apps, games, or advertisements. It is a teacher moderated social network where students can share ideas, publish their work, and learn how to communicate effectively online. This site is not public, only those I invite may join my groups, and I am the sole person responsible for the content. Students are responsible for their accounts and must not give access or reveal passwords to anyone.

My Expectations: 1. EDMODO is intended for educationally enriching purposes only. Any inappropriate content will be deleted. 2. Assignments can be posted by the teacher, and students have the ability to submit work to the teacher through EDMODO. 3. The guidelines set by the district-wide acceptable use policy regarding educational technology will be expected to be followed by the students, as well as the teacher. The student should understand that certain abuse of these guidelines will be addressed through the Code of Conduct. 4. Students are encouraged to post interesting findings, questions, etc. to the group, use the site to check on work missed when absent, ask questions about assignments, and respond to the teachers postings, each others postings, etc. 5. Students must get a parent or guardian signature at the bottom of this form before being given an access code to register and join the teachers EDMODO group(s).

I agree to the above expectations and have reviewed usage guidelines. I understand the consequences for misuse of EDMODO. My child does not have permission to use EDMODO. Student Name (Print) ___________________________________________________ Student Signature ________________________________ Date ________________ Parent Signature _________________________________ Date ________________

To learn more go to www.edmodo.com and click on Tour

Name _________________________________________________ (Print students full name)

Period __________________ Circle one: Voices/Troubadours

PERMISSION SLIP AND MEDICAL RELEASE

My son/daughter named above has my permission to travel with the Beaufort High School Vocal Department during the 2012-2013 school year. Granting permission, I hereby release Ms. Norris, the chaperones, the school and the school district from any liability in connection with the same. In case of illness or injury while participating in any activity with the Vocal Department, the above-mentioned student has my permission to receive treatment.

ALLERGIES OR CONDITIONS:

________________________________________ Insurance Company Name ________________________________________ Policy Number ________________________________________ Group Number (Plan Number) ________________________________________ Insurance Co. Phone ________________________________________ Insurance Co. Address ________________________________________ ________________________________________

____________________________________________ Parent Signature ____________________________________________ Home Phone ____________________________________________ Work Phone

If you have no insurance at this time, please write None here _______________________________________

J L Norris

STUDENT DATA FORM

2013-2014

Students name _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Last First Middle (Nickname) Students birth date ________________________ Students Email address _____________________________________________________ HOME phone no. ________________________________________ Students Cell phone no. __________________________________________

Primary guardians name _______________________________________________ Relationship to student _________________________ (Who is legally responsible for the child; mom, dad, grandparent, foster parent, etc) Cell phone no. _____________________________________________________ Employers phone no. __________________________

Name of guardians employer ___________________________________________ Occupation: ______________________________________ E-mail address: ______________________________________________________________________________

Second guardians name ________________________________________________ Relationship to student _________________________ (Another adult living in the house who may also be legally responsible for the child) Cell phone no. _____________________________________________________ Employers phone no. __________________________

Name of guardians employer ___________________________________________ Occupation: ______________________________________ E-mail address: ______________________________________________________________________________

MAILING address: ________________________________________________________________ (Where mail is received) ________________________________________________________________ City/State/Zip Code

STREET address: (if different from mail) _______________________________________________ (Street address where home is located) _______________________________________________ City/State/Zip Code

******************************************************************************************************************

I have read the 2013-2014 Beaufort High School Vocal Policies/Information Handbook. I understand the rules and agree to comply. Parent Signature ________________________________________________ Date ______________________ Student Signature _______________________________________________ Date ______________________