Degrassi High School

Choral Handbook
Director of Choirs: Ms. Sophia Anzalone
Anzalonesophiar@gmail.com
(862) 432-0815
1
 Welcome!
Dear Choir Students and Parents,
Welcome to the 2020-2021 school year! I hope you are looking
forward to a wonderful year exploring music together. I have created
this handbook as a guide for students and parents to be aware of the
policies in my classroom as well as how the year will function for the
DHS choir. Please read the following pages carefully and feel free to
contact me by email at any time should you have questions, comments
or concerns.
Please look over the dates of our required choral performances for
this school year on page 7. ​If there are any conflicts with your
student’s schedule and one of our performances, please contact me
as soon as possible​ so that we may assist your child with a make-up
assignment to maintain their grade.
Once you and your student have both finished reading through the
student handbook, please sign the ​Statement of Understanding,​ ​Student
Information,​ and ​Parent Volunteer​ pages and turn them in by September
18​th​. By signing, you are indicating that you have both read and
understand the policies of my classroom.
I am dedicated to making sure every student reaches their full
potential in music and I thank you for allowing your student to
participate. This year will be very exciting and filled with many fun
activities and events. Thank you for supporting the DHS program!
Sincerely,

2
 Ms. Sophia Anzalone 
Policies and Procedures
*The Golden Rule* - Students will respect ​all people​,
including themselves, and ​all property​, including their own, at
all times.

1. Students will adhere to the DHS code of conduct and

student handbook at all times. Failure to do so will result in
disciplinary action.

2. All students are expected to participate every day in class.

All students are required to have their music in a black
folder, water, a pencil, and their tuning fork every rehearsal
for full participation points.

3. Gum, or anything besides ​water​ is not permitted during

class time or rehearsals. Food may only be consumed when
granted permission.

4. No students will touch or play an instrument that is not

theirs. Additionally, do not take another student’s
instrument without permission.
I expect every student to have a good attitude during class time
and be ready to participate and respect one another. We want to

3
build a culture of support and trust in our music classroom for
all students!

Our Social Goals

● Creating a safe and supportive environment.
● Exploring and growing our own musical identities.
● Supporting and sharing success among all students.
● Transferring all learning throughout music and life.

Our Academic Goals

● Students will….
○ Read music proficiently with rhythm and note accuracy.
○ Demonstrate musical knowledge through worksheets,
practice journals and performance.
○ Perform music in a variety of languages and styles.
○ Learn about music history.
○ Demonstrate appropriate performance behavior.
○ Collaborate with others in an ensemble setting.
○ Participate in all class activities with healthy vocal habits.

“After silence, that which comes nearest

to expressing the inexpressible is
music.”
4
 ​-Aldous Huxley

Grading Policies
1. Class Participation – 35%
i) Students are expected to follow all class rules and
regulations.
ii) Students will lose participation points if they are not prepared
for class. (Music folder, water, pencil, tuning fork)
iii) Students will lose participation points for unexcused
tardiness and exceeding ​three​ absences.
2. Classroom Assessment – 15%
i) Weekly worksheets on musical skills such as…
(a) Musical Notation
(b) Rhythmic Exercises
(c) Sight Reading
(d) Musical Vocabulary
ii) Weekly Practice Journals (to be given in class)
(a) For at-home practice students will practice one hour or
more during the week.
(b) Parents must sign off on the Practice Journal
3. Performance Assessment – 50%
i) Students must attend all performances and outside rehearsals for
full credit.
ii) Must be dressed appropriately
(1) Women
a. Black Choir Dress ($30)
b. Black Tights
c. Black Closed Toe Shoe (1.5in heel or less)
(2) Men

5
 a. Black Dress Pants
b. Plain White Button Down Shirt
c. Black Socks
d. Black Shoes

Music Policy
Music is costly and needs to be treated with respect. Students will
be assigned a number at the beginning of the semester and will be given
music with that corresponding number. An additional fee will be
charged should a student lose or damage their music.

Electronic Devices Policy

Students are not allowed to have any electronic devices out during
class periods unless specified by an IEP. Students who break this rule
will be given the opportunity to put their electronic device away. If they
take the device out again it will be taken by the teacher and the student
will get it back at the end of the class period. The student will also lose
half of their participation points for that class period.

6
 Calendar of Events
● September
o 22nd- All forms due
● October
o 15th- Honors Choir Audition (Seniors)
● November
o 15th- Musical Auditions for Wicked
o 25th- Bake Sale Fund Raiser Due
● December
o 14th- Winter Holiday Concert
● January
o 15th- District Choir Auditions
● February
o 18th- District Choir (Lakeview HS)
o 27th- State Choir Auditions (Juniors and Seniors)
● March
o 22nd- State Choir (Lakeland HS in Lake County)
● April
o 16-20​th​- Spring Trip to Washington D.C.
● May
o 1st- ​Legally Blonde​ Musical
o 18th- Spring Concert

7
 Statement of Understanding
We have read the Chorus Handbook, and understand the expectations
involved in the Degrassi High School Chorus Department.
We understand that there are three required performances: Winter
Holiday Concert on December 14th, and the Spring Concert on May
18th.

_________________________________
Name of Student (please print)

_________________________________
Signature of Student

_________________________________
Name of Parent/ Guardian (please print)

_________________________________
Signature of Parent/ Guardian

_________________________________
Date

8
 Please return this Statement of Understanding to Ms. Anzalone on or
before Monday, September 18​th​.

Cantilena High School Chorus Department

​STUDENT INFORMATION
NAME_________________________________ GRADE___________

ADDRESS_________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________

TELEPHONE______________________________________________
HOME CELL
EMAIL_________________________________________
​(all information is sent to you via email, please print your address clearly)

PARENT/ GUARDIAN INFORMATION

PARENT/GUARDIAN’S NAME​_____________________________

TELEPHONE______________________________________________
___________ HOME CELL WORK ext.
EMAIL____________________________________________________
__________ ​(all information is sent to you via email, please print your address clearly)

PARENT/GUARDIAN’S NAME_____________________________

9
TELEPHONE______________________________________________
___________ HOME CELL WORK ext.
EMAIL____________________________________________________
__________ ​(all information is sent to you via email, please print your address clearly)
DEGRASSI HIGH SCHOOL CHORUS DEPARTMENT
PARENT VOLUNTEER SURVEY
2020-2021
Parent(s) Name(s)___________________________________________
Student’s Name_____________________________________________
Grade_________ Chorus Period # _________
Address___________________________________________________
City ______________ State _____________________ ZIP _________
Home Phone #________________ Cell Phone #___________________
Email Address__________________________________

Here are some of the areas we will need help with this year:
Check off as many areas in which you would like to assist.
___ Help with bake sale
___ Assisting during class rehearsals with clerical work
___ Chaperoning
___ Photography
___ Set-up and/or clean-up for events
___ Uniforms

10
___ Ushering Concerts
___ Medical assistance on trips (LPN, RN or MD)
___ Other (please specify) _____________________________

11