Bellefonte Area High School Honors & Select Choir Syllabus Mr. Luke Skerpon Director of Middle & High School Choirs Theater Teacher/Drama Club Co-Adviser lskerpon@basd.net 814-355-4833 x 8532 Course Objectives Students will be able to... Perform excellent high school level choral repertoire to include a variety of styles and time periods Demonstrate knowledge of composers, historical backgrounds, text, and other relevant information of the performance repertoire Sight sing basic to intermediate melodies and rhythms Demonstrate knowledge of vocal anatomy and healthy singing habits and techniques Sing using healthy singing habits and techniques Evaluate their own performances as well performances of other musical ensembles Reflect on and respond to prompts relating to a variety of topics concerning the choir s repertoire, performances, and the student s own musical growth. Daily Procedures: Be on time you must be inside the classroom by the late bell or you will be marked late Throw away your gum, if you re chewing it Retrieve your music folder and have a pencil with you Place bags to the side of the room Rearrange chairs as needed and stack music stands on racks Sit in your assigned seat with your sharpened pencil and music ready Classroom Discipline Procedures Not choosing to follow the rules will result in disciplinary action per the student/parent handbook. The expectation is that it should not even get to this point. Follow the rules and procedures and it will be a great year!
Honors/Select Choir Syllabus (con t) Skerpon 2 Required Materials 1. Choir Binder (provided to students) 2. Music for rehearsal (provided to students) 3. Pencil 4. Concert Attire (robes are provided by the school) a. Men Black Dress Shoes, Black Socks, Black Pants, Black Dress Shirt with tie (black or red tie) b. Women Dress Shoes/Sandals, if pants are showing underneath the robe must be black; if shirt is showing above robe must be black Grading The overall course grade, which is calculated the same way for all classes, is outlined below. The BAHS grading scale is also included. Final Course Grade BAHS Grading Scale 1 st Quarter 20% 93% - 100% A 2 nd Quarter 20% 83% - 92% B 3 rd Quarter 20% 73% - 82% C 4 th Quarter 20% 65% - 72% D Midterm Exam 10% Below 65% F Final Exam 10% Daily Participation: 40% Rehearsal attendance and timeliness Preparation Behavior and attentiveness in rehearsal Day-to-Day Assignments: 30% Reflections Worksheets Quizzes Major Assignments: 30% Initial Hearing Sight singing Performance Evaluations Concert Attendance (or alternate assignment) Exams/Performance Projects You may acquire positive credit to raise your grade through the following: Attending or participating in other concerts in the community with critique submitted (must be approved in advance) Other opportunities may be announced through the school year.
Honors/Select Choir Syllabus (con t) Skerpon 3 Honors/Select Choir Expectations In addition to all of the above requirements for Concert Choir, students enrolled in the Honors Band students will need to do the following. 1. RESEARCH: All students must do a Research Paper on a topic related to choir, vocal health, choral performance or another choice that is approved in advance by Mr. Skerpon. You must have a minimum of three (3) references that go along with your paper from any type of source (Internet, journal, credible online article, etc.). Please submit your topic to Mr. Skerpon for approval no later than the end of the second marking period. When you submit your topic, you will receive the requirements for the paper. The paper should be submitted to Mr. Skerpon no later than the last day of the third marking period. This grade will be included in the third marking period gradebook. 2. LISTENING & OBSERVATION: All students must attend a concert of your choice OTHER THAN at BAHS, preferably a high school level performing ensemble (choir, band, orchestra, etc.). Then you must prepare a critical review of the concert (2-3 paragraphs) and submit it to Mr. Skerpon along with the program of the concert (if one is available). This assignment should also be completed by the end of the third marking period, and will be included in the third marking period gradebook. 3. LESSONS: All honors/select choir students must attend at least one (1) private lessons each marking period with Mr. Skerpon. The lesson must be completed by the by the end of the marking period. If you are taking lessons from a private teacher, show Mr. Skerpon the repertoire and exercises you are working out of and you are exempt from attending these lessons. Each lesson is worth 20 points during the marking period. 4. SOLO/SMALL ENSEMBLE: All honors/select choir students must participate in a solo/small ensemble performance at some point during the school year. This could be at a sporting event, the BAHS Variety Show in May, during a concert, etc. PLAN AHEAD and speak with Mr. Skerpon with your ideas. This must be completed by the end of the year and will be put on the 4 th marking period gradebook. Restroom Procedures: Beginning of class only (unless it s an emergency just sign out & go!) Get your folder and seat ready, then sign-out and quickly use the restroom If this privilege is abused, it may be revoked on an individual basis
Honors/Select Choir Syllabus (con t) Skerpon 4 Mid Term Examination and Final Examination The mid-term examination will count for 10% of the student s overall grade for the year. The final examination will count as 10% of the student s overall grade for the year. A written mid-term examination will be given at the designated time determined by the school. Final performance exams and written component will be discussed later in the school year. All students will take both the mid-term examination and participate in the final examination. Performance Dates 2013-14 Winter Concert: Monday, December 16, 2013; 7:30PM; BAHS Disney Performance: N/A for Honors/Select Choir only Concert Choir Tentative Gala Performance: Thursday, March 6, 2014; 7:30PM; BAHS Spring Concert: Monday, May 12, 2014; 7:30PM; BAHS All performances (except Disney) are mandatory and are a part of the course grade. Concerts/performances may be added during the school year at director discretion. Cell Phone/Electronic Devices These devices will only be allowed during times announced by the teacher. There will be times when these devices are used in class for educational purposes. Please do not abuse this policy. If a cell phone or other device is seen and/or heard during a time not directed for use by the teacher, it will be taken for the rest of the day. A second offense will result in the device being turned over to the student office and the BAHS student handbook procedures will be followed. Bellefonte Fine Arts Boosters The Bellefonte Fine Arts Boosters support all facets of the fine arts program of the Bellefonte Area School District; lend financial support to supplement equipment, supplies and program opportunities to ensure that every year, students in every art discipline have a unique educational experience; and support advocacy activities for the promotion of the fine arts program at BASD. Those parents/guardians interested in participating in the Fine Arts Boosters should attend the next meeting. All meetings are the 1 st Tuesday of each month at 7:00PM in the High School Band Room. Extra-Curricular Opportunities Choir students are encouraged, but not required, to participate in extracurricular opportunities. BAHS A CAPPELLA GROUP Auditions in September 2013 SCHOOL MUSICAL Auditions in January 2014 Information on these extracurricular opportunities will be discussed in class and posted on the choir room door.
BAHS Honors/Select Choir Course Syllabus 2013-2014 School Year Mr. Luke Skerpon lskerpon@basd.net 814-335-4833 ext. 8532 ------STUDENT/PARENT CONTRACT------ Student Name: (please print) Period: By signing below, I am stating that I have read and understand the syllabus for the 2013-14 school year. I agree to follow all rules and regulations noted in this syllabus, as well as the Bellefonte Area High School Student Handbook. Student Signature Date By signing below, I am stating that I have read and understand the syllabus for the 2013-14 school year. I also have reviewed and discussed this with the student and understand that they will be held accountable for the information noted. I will support the student and these guidelines throughout the school year. Parent/Guardian Signature Date PARENT CONTACT INFORMATION: (Please print neatly) Preferred Phone Number: Preferred Email Address: Please rank your preferred method of contact (1 being preferred; 2 being back up method of teacher contact) Email Phone Please sign and return this contract page by: Friday, September 6, 2013