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Southern Middle
School
Choral Handbook
2019-2020

Chelsea Huber, Choral Director

chelsea_huber@abss.k12.nc.us
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Introduction
Welcome to the Chorus program at Southern Middle School! The Choral
Department at Southern is committed to excellence in music, while staying
grounded in a sense of teamwork and collaboration. As a member of one of
Southern’s ensembles, you will encounter many musical styles in order to learn
musical skills and concepts. You will work with other students who love to sing
while developing your own musical strengths, through daily rehearsals and
various performances on and off Southern’s campus.

Purpose
The purpose of Southern’s three performing ensembles (6th grade Beginning
Chorus, 7th grade Advanced Chorus, and 8th grade Ensemble) is to prepare
young musicians for a lifetime of making music. Students will rehearse and
perform quality choral music while becoming more fluent in the language of
music. All three ensembles will participate in concert opportunities throughout
the year, as well as off-campus collaborative events.
Please read this handbook in its entirety to become familiar with our
expectations and procedures. The SMS Parent Info/Volunteer form and the
Choral Contract (the last two pages of this document) should be signed and
returned no later than FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 6TH. Returning this form on time
will count as a quiz grade. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not
hesitate to contact me. Thank you for your support of music education at
Southern Middle School.
Both students and parents should sign up for their class’s Remind group using
their phone number or email. To do so, text your class’s code to the number
81010.
Class codes
6th grade Beginning Chorus: @9k3d3a
7th grade Advanced Chorus: @478kh4
8th grade Ensemble: @hbdg28
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Choral Ensembles
Sixth Grade Beginning Chorus
This ensemble for 6th graders provides an introduction to choral singing,
musicianship and music literacy. No prior experience in chorus is necessary.
Literature for sixth grade chorus includes two-part and unison music in the
traditional choral style, Broadway, pop, and world music. Students will sing in
English, but also may learn music in Latin, Swahili, German, Spanish, and more.
All students will perform in concerts on and off campus. This is a year-long
class, but students may potentially switch in or out at the end of the first
semester after conferencing with Ms. Huber.

Seventh Grade Advanced Chorus (year-long)

Seventh Grade Advanced Chorus is open to students moving up from 6th grade
chorus, OR any student that is approved to join by Ms. Huber. This ensemble
continues the literacy and musicianship skills learned in 6th grade, while diving
deeper into vocal technique and choral teamwork. Literature for 7th grade
Advanced Chorus includes three-part music in the traditional choral style,
Broadway, pop, and world music. Students will sing in English, but also will
learn music in Latin, Swahili, German, Spanish, and more. All students will
perform on and off campus, and are eligible to audition for NC Honors Chorus,
All State Chorus, All County Chorus, and other opportunities.

Eighth Grade Ensemble (year-long)

Eighth Grade Ensemble is open to students moving up from 7th grade Advanced
Chorus, OR any student that is approved to join by Ms. Huber. This ensemble
consists of the highest level of literacy, musicianship, and vocal development.
Members of this ensemble will also have opportunities to develop their vocal
style through individual coaching. Literature for 8th grade Ensemble includes
three- and four-part music in the traditional choral style, Broadway, pop, and
world music. Students will sing in English, but also will learn music in Latin,
Swahili, German, Spanish, and more. All students will perform on and off
campus, and are expected to audition for NC Honors Chorus, All State Chorus,
All County Chorus, and other opportunities.
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Grading Procedures and Materials

Performances: 50% of final grade
Weekly BOCA grade: 20% of final grade
Participation/Preparedness: 15% of final grade (weekly practice logs)
Condition of Music & Folder: 15% of final grade
Performances:
By its very nature, chorus is a performance-based class. Every day spent in
rehearsal and every musical concept that is learned all serves to assist in
presenting the best concerts possible. As a result, attendance and participation
in all chorus concerts are REQUIRED unless otherwise stated by Ms. Huber.
If there is an emergency and a concert must be missed, Ms. Huber must be
notified in writing at least two days before the performance. Failure to do so
will impact the students’ grade. Even when the student provides written
notification in time, an alternate assignment will be given to make up the
grade.
You will be notified about required concerts at least 1 month in advance of the
performance date. Any concert that is added with less than a 1 month
notification will not be required. Please see the calendar of events for all dates
that are scheduled so far.
BOCAs:
Most weeks, students will receive a grade based on their completion of that
week’s BOCAs (beginning of class activities). This grade is based on effort, not
necessarily accuracy. Students should strive for continual improvement on
their BOCAs.
Music Condition Grade:
This is an addition from last year. Students will receive full credit in this
category if their music & folder are returned at the end of the semester in the
same condition they were at the beginning of the semester.
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Required Materials:
- A pencil to keep in your chorus folder
- A water bottle EVERY DAY
- Staff (musical notation) paper (Ms. Huber will provide some to get
started)

Concert Attire

For Major (end-of-semester) Concerts:

Concert attire for major concerts is concert black.
Girls: Nice black shirt (does not have to be button-down) and black pants or
skirt, or a black dress. Shoulder straps of shirt/dress must meet school dress
code requirements, as well as skirt/dress length. Black shoes must be worn
(can be sandals). Jewelry should be small and non-distracting.
Boys: White dress shirt with a tie, black pants, and black dress shoes. Tie can be
a long tie or a bow tie.

For other concerts, sports performances, or off-campus events:

SMS Chorus t-shirt with either black bottoms or jeans (depends on the event).

If your student is selected to participate in All County, they will need a pair of
khaki pants/skirt.
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Classroom Expectations and Procedures

The most important expectation of the choral department is respect.
Respect for classmates: do not engage in behavior that would distract others,
and always give supportive and constructive (rather than negative) feedback.
Encourage your classmates, especially when they are going outside their
creative comfort zone.
Respect for your teacher: participate actively and do your best in every
rehearsal.
Respect for yourself: take care of yourself and your voice: eat well, sleep well,
etc. Ask for help when needed.
Respect for the music: come to class prepared, and give the music your best
effort.

Cell Phone Policy

Cell phones should not be present during rehearsal. However, there may be
times when you can use your cellphone to record your voice part during class.
When this is the case, Ms. Huber will let you know ahead of time.

Food/Gum/Water
DO bring a water bottle to class every day (be sure to adhere to other teachers’
policies when you are in their class). No eating in the classroom. Spit out gum
as soon as you enter the classroom.

When you enter rehearsal…

- Get your folder from the shelf BEFORE sitting down
- Take your seat and begin the BOCA that you see on the whiteboard.
- If it’s a Friday (no BOCA day), put your BOCAs from the week on your lap
and wait for Ms. Huber to start class.

If you need to use the bathroom…

- Raise your hand and ask for permission.
- Plan to do this at the beginning at class, during BOCA time.
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Performance and Event Calendar

FALL SEMESTER
Monday, September 16th, 5:30pm: Choral Booster Club Interest Meeting
Thursday, September 26th: NC Middle School Honors Chorus auditions
TBD in October: Student Showcase performance at SMS
TBD in December: 6th Grade Chorus caroling during Mastery
TBD in December: 7th and 8th grade choruses caroling field trip
Wednesday, December 4th: Winter Chorus Concert at SHS, 7pm

SPRING SEMESTER
Monday, January 13 - Thursday, January 16: All County Auditions at SMS
Friday, January 24: Deadline for All County Registration and Payment
*January-February: National Anthem performances at SMS home Basketball
games
Friday, February 21st - Saturday Feb. 22nd: ACDA Middlefest in Greensboro
March 5-6: Alamance County All-County Chorus Festival (25 students)
TBD in March/April:Student Showcase/ Book Fair/PTSA event performance
Friday, May 8: SMS Chorus Trip to Carowinds
*TBD in May, 7pm at SHS: Spring Choral Concert
TBD Friday in June: 8th grade lock-in
*June 2020: Choral performances at SMS awards ceremonies
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Parent Info/Volunteer Form

*Please fill out and return by Friday, Sept. 6
Parent/Guardian Name:

Parent Email:

Parent Phone #:

Your child’s name:

Would you like to chaperone field trips? (All chaperones must be on the SMS
approved list before date of field trip)
YES NO

Are you willing to help with performances, concerts, and fundraisers

throughout the school year?
YES NO

Thank you for volunteering! I will be in contact with you throughout the year
with updated information about events and fundraisers. Your help and support
are most appreciated. Please always feel free to introduce yourself after a
concert, and I look forward to meeting each and every one of you.
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SMS Chorus Handbook Agreement form 2019-2020

*Please fill out and return by Friday, Sept. 6
I have read and understand all of the information in this handbook. I
understand all the expectations and policies. I have seen the dates on the
performance calendar and have placed them in my family’s calendar, and will
notify Ms. Huber of any conflicts. I have signed up for the Remind group as
well. I will do my best to uphold these expectations as an important member of
the Choral Program at Southern Middle.

I also understand that I will be entrusted with the use of a choral folder and
choral music for the duration of the year, and understand that I will be
monetarily responsible if these items are lost, and that damage of these items
will affect my grade.

Student’s Printed Name: _______________________

Signature of Student: ________________________

Signature of Parent/Guardian: _______________________

Date: ________________