My name is Mr. Sellheim and I am very excited to be your choir director this year. I hope you had a great summer and I am interested in finding out all the amazing trips, camps, and experiences you had. You might not believe this, but teachers like to have fun with their students during class. Sometimes during the year I will act a little crazy and I hope you feel like you can act crazy with me! Likewise, at other times I will want you to work hard and concentrate. The key to being successful in choir is to understand the difference between the two. I think you will see throughout the year that I will try my best to encourage you to enjoy yourself in both situations. I am expecting that you will try your best and be good role models for the rest of the school.
What will we be doing this year in Choir?
Well, hopefully a lot! During the year you will learn about different cultures and how they related to music, sing in different languages, learn how to critique music, how to better use your body and voice to sing properly, and how you and an audience should act during a music performance. If you noticed, we do many things in choir that you might learn about in different classes!
What things will I need for Choir?
You will need to have the following things for choir.
- Great Attitude – A Must!!
- Willingness to make an effort to learn about different cultures and music
- Plain black dress shirt or blouse and black pants/skirt; black dress shoes and socks for concerts. Please try to find this before the day of the concert! If you need help with this, please come talk to me about it after choir or after school. But don't wait until the week before the concert. :)
Classroom Expectations
- First and foremost is to treat everyone and everything in our classroom with respect.
- Please allow others to contribute to class by raising your hand if you want to add something to our discussions.
- You are expected to be in your assigned seat with your folder by the start of class. It shows me that you are ready for class and is a great way to show me how professional you can be. If you are not in your assigned seat when class begins, your grade will suffer. When seating charts are made up, each of you will be assigned a folder to share with someone else in your section. You are both responsible for the music in the folder. Any damage to music or folders during choir should be reported as soon as it happens so that it can be repaired. Each piece of music costs around $2 per copy and each folder is $1 so keeping it in good condition is very important.
- Last but not least, singing in a choir needs everyone to participate and try their best to help those around them do their best as well. Sing out and take a chance! Our rehearsals will be much more enjoyable for you and our choir!
Grading Policies
Grades are determined by the following criteria and depending on the quarter, they might have a slight difference in the percentage that they count towards your overall grade.
Professionalism – 50% Classroom participation, attitude, timeliness, preparedness, etc.
Performance – 20% Performance attendance
Written Assessments / Music Skills – 20% Listening critiques, ear cleaning, group projects, other
performances outside of class
Tests/ Quizzes – 10% End of the quarter tests on what we have covered that quarter.
Professionalism – 50% Classroom participation, attitude, timeliness, preparedness, etc.
Performance – 20% Performance attendance
Written Assessments / Music Skills – 20% Listening critiques, ear cleaning, group projects, other
performances outside of class
Tests/ Quizzes – 10% End of the quarter tests on what we have covered that quarter.
If you would like a more detailed sheet you may download a PDF below.
ams_choir_info_sheet_2014.pdf | |
File Size: | 185 kb |
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