August 30, 2018

Hello Geisler Middle School Choir Parent(s) and Guardian(s)!

My name is Brendan Lodge and I am the Vocal Music teacher at Geisler Middle School. I have
the great pleasure of working with your children in 6th Grade Choir, 7th Grade Choir, 8th
Grade Choir, Select Men, and Lady Wolves.

I am a 2014 graduate of Alma College (Go Scots!) where I earned a Bachelor of Music degree in
Vocal Music Education, graduating Summa Cum Laude with Honors in Music and Education.
This is my second year here at Geisler Middle School! After an incredible 2017-2018 school
year, I am excited to work with our singing Geisler Wolves again!

Though my time in Walled Lake has been short, I have quickly come to learn that the talent,
work ethic, and kindness of the students here is one of a kind! This is a testament to your
exceptional upbringing of such caring, respectful, and education-driven students!

Parents and guardians are such a vital part of the success of a choral music program! Your
support is so appreciated. Your attendance at our concerts and involvement in the program
encourages your students to continue pursuing musical excellence!

If you ever have any questions or simply wish to speak with me further, do not hesitate to email
me at brendanlodge@wlcsd.org or call at (248) 656-2955.

I look forward to working with you in the weeks, months, and years to come to help Geisler
students to become the best that they can be!

Brendan Lodge
Vocal Music
Geisler Middle School
CLASSROOM EXPECTATIONS

1. Be prepared!
Come to class with all necessary materials - a pencil, your music, and a positive attitude!

2. Use time efficiently!

There is always something productive you could be doing! Be where you’re supposed to
be when you’re supposed to be there!

3. Participate enthusiastically!
The more willing you are to go along with the activities of the class, the more fun we get
to have as a group!

4. We are a choir family!

Everyone can sing and everyone deserves to feel supported by their fellow singers.
Everyone is welcome in this classroom - our diversity and different talents are what
make us strong!

Ask permission to use: Off Limits

- Piano - Storage Room (unless given permission)
- Whiteboard - Office (unless Mr. Lodge is in the room)
- Practice Rooms - Risers (except when in use for concert preparation)
- Cabinets
- Computers / Class Tech (unless given permission)
- Back Door (except in an emergency)

No food, no gum, no drinks (with the exception of water) are allowed in the classroom, unless
given special permission from the teacher.

BATHROOM POLICY
- 10 / 10 rule - students may not leave to leave the classroom for the first and/or last 10 minutes
of class, except for an emergency.
- Hold 2 fingers in the air to signal teacher that you need to use the restroom.
- If the teacher responds with 2 fingers, you have permission!
- If the teacher holds up 1 finger, you do not have permission!
- Write your name on the board, one person at a time, 4 minutes to use the bathroom.
- I track bathroom usage. Trips to the bathroom should be the exception, not the norm.

DRINKING FOUNTAIN POLICY

- Hold 3 fingers in the air to signal teacher that you need to grab a drink of water during
instruction.
- If the teacher responds with 3 fingers, you have permission!
- If the teacher holds up 1 finger, you do not have permission!
- You may grab a drink of water from the drinking fountain during any transition time.
- Bring a water bottle to class - this will reduce your trips to the drinking fountain!
COURSE OBJECTIVES

The course expectations are stated in the form of benchmarks in the Walled Lake Schools Music
Curriculum. This curriculum includes state and national guidelines. Some of the basics include
performance standards. For example, each student will:

1. Sing (with expression and technical accuracy) a repertoire of vocal literature including songs
from memory
2. Sing music representing diverse genres and cultures, with expression appropriate for the work
being performed.
3. Sing accurately with good breath control throughout the singing range.
4. Sight read simple melodies in treble or bass clef.
5. Perform with good pitch accuracy.
6. Perform with accurate rhythms and a steady tempo.
7. Read musical notation, terms and symbols.
8. Demonstrate proper rehearsal and performance skills and protocol.

6th Grade (1st / 2nd Hr) Objectives

- Learning to read music
- Learning musical notation
- Beginnings of ear training
- Vocal exploration
- 2 part music / class on part
- Beginnings of presentation

7th Grade Choir (3rd Hr) Objectives

- Developing music reading
- Developing ear training
- Introduction to 2-3 part music
- Vocal exploration
- Strengthen rhythm, pitch, time signatures, tonalities
- Extension of presentation

8th Grade Choir (5th Hr/6th Hr) Objectives

- Developing music reading
- Developing ear training
- Introduction to 3 part music
- Vocal exploration
- Strengthen polyphonic rhythms, key signatures, accidentals, tonalities
- Advanced presentation
CONCERT DATES
Concerts / Festivals are MANDATORY. Mark these dates on your calendar.

6th Grade (1st Hr / 2nd Hr)

- CONCERT: MON, Oct. 29th @ GMS
- CONCERT: MON, Jan. 15th @ WLC

7th Grade (3rd Hr)

- PINK OUT: FRI, Sep. 21st @ WLW (opt)
- CONCERT: MON, Oct. 29th @ GMS
- CONCERT: MON, Jan. 15th @ WLC

8th Grade (5th Hr / 6th Hr)

- PINK OUT: FRI, Sep. 21st @ WLW
- CONCERT: MON, Oct. 23rd @ WLW
- CONCERT: MON, Jan. 15th @ WLC
- PERFORMANCE: TUES, Feb. 12th @ GMS During School (2nd Semester)
- CONCERT: THURS, Mar. 14th @ GMS (2nd Semester)
- CHOIR FESTIVAL: FRI, Mar. 22nd @ WLC (2nd Semester)
- CONCERT: MON, June 3rd @ WLW (2nd Semester)

GRADING
Concerts - 50 points
- Attendance (20 points)
- On Time (5 points)
- In Uniform (5 points)
- On Stage Behavior (10 points)
- Off Stage Behavior (10 points)

Post Concert Reflections - 25 points

Participation - 5 points a week

- Daily participation points - 1 point for everyday you're singing with us!

Formal Assessments / Benchmark / Performances - 20 points

- Written and singing quizzes, tests

Homework Assignments - 10 points

- Written practice worksheets / Solfege homework

BEHAVIORAL POLICIES
Any behavioral issues that arise throughout the class will be addressed in a fashion that is in
adherence to Geisler Middle School policies and the Geisler Way.