Waukesha West High School Choirs Handbook

2019-2020
Zachary J. Moore, Director
970-4272
zmoore@waukesha.k12.wi.us

Welcome students and families!

Year three at Waukesha West is looking to be filled with many positive adventures. To
start, our first concert will be combined with Les Paul Middle School at Waukesha
South​. Our goal as a choir department is to share what we do at Waukesha West High
School and why it is such a special thing for those students to stay in music. In addition
to this, we will be hosting a choral department retreat in January (different than the
concert choir one), where we will be inviting future Waukesha West Students to sing a
few songs, put on a short concert, play games, have a pizza party and much more. Keep
an eye and ear open for more information. Beyond the walls of Waukesha West,
students will be participating in a number of performances with professional ensembles,
top-notch collegiate choirs and clinics with top professionals from our own state. As we
progress through this year, our goal is to maintain a growth mindset and strive for further
personal accountability. If I am correct, this is going to be such a great experience for us
all. I really look forward to seeing you all as we begin our next school year.

Sincerely,
​Mr. Moore

Choir Motto
"We are united in mind and spirit, and wholly dedicated in purpose."

Let this be the driving force behind each moment of preparation and performance, and to
know that coming together to make music each day we are building skills for life.

Technology: (per school board policy)

policy 5131G.

F. Electronic communication devices: Students are prohibited from using mobile devices
(including cell phones with or without cameras) inside school district buildings during the
school day. All mobile devices must be turned off and out of sight (in lockers, backpacks,
purses or pockets). At no time may mobile devices be used in locker rooms or rest rooms.
Any exception to this policy for medical, etc. reasons must have prior approval from the
principal or designee. Students may gain access to school phones or their mobile devices
with permission from authorized staff. Mobile devices not approved will be confiscated
and, depending on the intended use or purpose, will be kept or returned to
parents/guardians or student or turned over to law enforcement.

Choir sequence

Varsity Chorus – Non-auditioned mixed choir – entry level

Treble Choir – Auditioned advanced women’s ensemble

Concert Choir – Auditioned Mixed Choir – Flagship Ensemble

Mastersingers/Jazz – Competitive auditioned mixed choir of 24-26; must be in a larger

ensemble as well. High level of musicianship and reading skills required.

Concert Choir and Masters/Jazz

Emphasis will be placed on advanced choral techniques, musicianship, rehearsal

etiquette, sight-reading and significant, meaningful repertoire.

Come with the right attitude to excel and give your all. Concert choir holds many
traditions and there are high expectations.

Waukesha West HS Choirs Assessment

Grades will be assigned based on demonstration of mastery of choral skills including

rehearsal skills, musicianship skills both in content and execution, and in the public
demonstration of mastery (concerts).
In the spring of 2010, the School District of Waukesha Music Dept. unified their grading
policy and rubrics.

Refer to our rubrics and learning targets page for specific information. It is highly
encouraged for students and parents to use Infinite Campus to follow student progress
related to learning targets and assignments.

***** Important notes about assessment*****

The School District has embraced current practices of assessment for learning. There are
two kinds of assessment - Formative Assessment, which provides feedback which counts
20% and Summative Assessment (80%), which is an assessment of the mastery of the
learning target. Learning targets are standards based assessment. Students and parents
alike must retrain themselves to look at the standards view in the online grade book to get
an accurate understanding of the student's progress. If important assignments are not
completed, or unexcused concert absences occur, the final grade may reflect an
incomplete or failure.

Rehearsal Expectations:

The following are important rehearsal expectations designed

to facilitate an artistic experience at the highest level:

1. Always come prepared with your music and a pencil with an eraser. Do not share
music and folders. Mark your music as instructed.
2. Be ready for rehearsal with your folder and in your seat when the bell rings.
3. No gum, food, soda or candy is allowed during rehearsal or in the room.
3a. - No scented lotions, perfumes or colognes in rehearsal or performance, as it
affects breathing.
4. When another section is rehearsing, silently follow along, should you be called upon to
join in, or critique the performance. This also provides constructive rehearsal time.
5. When rehearsing, remain quiet when we stop to polish. It is not a time to begin
socializing or talk about what just happened - something important is about to happen.
This is known as podium etiquette!
6. Be supportive of your fellow choir members at all times! This includes inside and
outside of rehearsal. Participate in class discussions.
7. Turn in forms, materials, money, uniforms, etc., by the requested deadline.
8. Please bring headphones to rehearsals as they will be used weekly in various ways.
9. No backpacks should be brought to the choir room and left in the choir room… I know
that this has been a tradition for many of you in the past. For safty reasons, this can no
longer occur. I want this room to still be your home, but remember, it is a shared home
for everyone and we must think about others to keep the space clean.
10. No phones, unless specified by the teacher. First infraction, I take your phone for
the hour. Second infraction, I take your phone for the day and email home. Third
infraction, your phone goes to the office and parent must pick up the phone.

Attendance Policy

Because you are a member of a performing group, attendance at all rehearsals and
performances both during school time and outside of school time is required for these
classes. These events will be published well in advance.
Please be sure to have an up-to-date calendar, as changes out of our control can and do
occur.

1. Good attendance is imperative for this class. Rehearsal time is precious; good
attendance, promptness, and cooperation are crucial.
2. The first two tardies are a warning, the third is a teacher assigned detention, and the
fourth is an office referral.
3. An unexcused absence or truancy will have severe consequences, as it is a conscious
choice to miss rehearsal.
4. Unexcused absences from concerts or rehearsals may lead to failing the course. Illness
and family emergencies are legitimate and are should be handled by having your parent
contact Mr. Moore before the event occurs. An alternate singing assignemtn will be given
to those who fail to meet excused absence requirments.
5. Conflicts with a job will not be recognized as a legitimate absence. The rule is that
school comes first. Choir is not an extracurricular event - it is a class with requirements.
6. Participation in Treble Choir, Concert Choir or Masters/Jazz is by rigorous audition,
and commitment to excellence. Students with unexcused or excessive absences may be
asked to withdraw from the select group.
7. This class is like a lab or phy ed - it is hard to duplicate the experience by yourself, so
good attendance is crucial.
8. To be early is to be on time; to be on time is to be late!

Alternative Assignments

● Extra credit and alternative assignments are no longer a part of the school district
of Waukesha's assessment policy.
● Assessment will be based solely on the mastery of the learning targets.
● If a concert is missed, students may be asked to perform their music, one on
one, for Mr. Moore on their own time for a grade.

Voice Lessons

It is highly recommended that the serious student pursue voice lessons. This will help to
develop more quickly as a singer, and develop pride. It will also give them an edge in a
very competitive field, where there are a lot of talented people. Voice lessons also make
our entire program stronger, and will lead the student to a broader spectrum of
opportunity. Lessons are available in many convenient places and at several levels of
expense. Contact Zach Moore for more information at 262-970-4006. A flyer of local
teachers is readily available in the choir room. Just ask!

Concert Attire/Uniforms

All choirs keep this in mind: “Look at us, not look at me.”

All men: Tuxedo (provided by school), a white tuxedo shirt (to be purchased before the
first concert), black socks, black dress shoes - no tennis shoes. The tuxedo is to be kept in
its garment bag, and not to be used for proms, dances, plays, banquets or other events.

Varsity women: Black dress (provided by school), nude hose, black flats - no heels!! No
perfume!
Treble Choir women: Burgundy dress (provided by the school) nude hose, regulation
black flats; No perfume!

Concert Choir women: Blue gown (provided by school), nude hose, regulation black
flats; No perfume!

All uniforms must be turned in at the end of the school year to receive a final grade.

Black dresses must be laundered and returned on a hanger labeled with your name. They
may be washed in cold water and hung to dry. DO NOT IRON OR PUT IN THE
DRYER! THEY MELT!

Treble choir dresses, blue dresses and tuxedo pants, coats and shirts - cleaning TBA

Varsity Letter and Awards

We make music for ourselves and to share. We make music for the right reason - to
create a richer and more meaningful life for ourselves and for others. The priority is not
to win awards - the reward is the experience. There are, however, a few areas in which
awards may be earned, as a gesture of success and commitment. There are senior awards,
and there is an opportunity to earn a letter.

A Waukesha West Varsity letter may be earned by successfully accumulating points by

participating in activities outside of the scheduled class time. Grades and daily rehearsals
are not used to calculate this total. All points are subject to review. The school requires
that choir students attempting to earn a letter must adhere to the WIAA rules and
regulations of conduct. It is the student’s responsibility to calculate and turn in the letter
points form by the announced deadlines. Letter tabulation forms are available in the choir
room.

Choir letters will be awarded on the following scale:

100 points - first letter/choir pin
200, 300, 400 - chevron
Deadlines will be announced each semester.
There are no retroactive points. Don't ask for exceptions - letter eligibility is determined
by punctuality and responsibility.

Fund Raising & Travel

The opportunity to raise money for trips, student expenses, and for the choir program in
general, will be offered throughout the year on a strictly voluntary basis. Students may
accumulate money in an account to use as credit towards these costs. This is not “real
money” and any that is left over in the account upon exiting program goes into the
general choir fund. This money is used for replacement uniforms and capital outlay. It
may not be transferred to another activity, or another person. You may view your account
at any time. Travel is not mandatory, but is a good experience. The entire choir
department generally travels every 2-3 years.

Special Note

Freshmen and new singers to the program need to provide two new C-cell batteries for
their candle for the holiday program.

Return Slip

In an effort to eliminate paper costs and clutter, students and parents are encouraged to
review this handbook online.

In order to avoid confusion between students, parents and school, a return slip, which
acknowledges key points in the handbook, is distributed the first week of school.