High School

Choir Handbook
2015-2016
MISSION:

Becoming Lifelong Musicians While

Enriching Our Community
Director:
Chloe Vassmer
(563) 852-3201 ext. 1024
(779) 400-6301 (Cell)
chloe.vassmer@wdbqschools.org

Cascade High School Choir

Course Syllabus, 2015-2016
CLASS GOALS

Sing a variety of styles of music demonstrating proper vocal technique

Demonstrate improvement in vocal ability between the beginning and end of the year
Read, identify and perform musical notation and other aspects of music theory (including rhythm,
pitch and dynamic markings)
Evaluate musical performances and describe areas of strength and weakness
Improvise melodies within given parameters
Sing vocal lines individually and in small groups

REHEARSAL EXPECTATIONS

Be seated with class materials when the bell rings (Warm ups begin as soon as class begins)
Cell phones are not to be used once the bell has rung. You will place your phone in your folder
slot and will be able to get your phone once class has ended.
Remain at your assigned seat unless otherwise instructed.
Participate fully in all class activities.
Respect and support all class membersHaving different experiences, opinions, and beliefs is ok and
ENCOURAGED in this class
Food, candy, drinks (except for water-which is encouraged!)
Students are required to practice music and master material outside of class time. Just as if
you would work on math problems at home to get better at algebra, you must practice your music and
the concepts taught in choir to supplement what we do during class. If you need any assistance, come
to my office or send me an email. I WANT to help!

GRADING AND ASSESSMENT

100-93%
92-90%
89-87%
86-83%
82-80%

A
AB+
B
B-

79-77%
76-73%
72-70%
69-67%
66-63%

C+
C
CD+
D

Grades will be EARENED as follows:

50% = Skill Assessments (To be completed during lessons)
30% = Music Theory (Terms/Symbols)
20% = Reflections (After lessons, class, and concerts)
1. Skills Assessment (50%):
Intervals
Triads
Scales

62-60%
>59%

DF

Concert Music
Rhythmic Sight Singing (Takadimi)
Melodic Sight Singing (Solfege)
Part Singing (Singing in small groups)

2. Music Theory (30%):

Time Signatures
Key Signatures
Musical Alphabet
Musical Vocabulary
Musical Symbols
3. Reflections (20%):
After certain lessons
After certain rehearsals
After all concerts

LESSONS
Each student will have voice lessons once a week. The purpose of these lessons is to help students progress
vocally in an individualized and personal setting. Over the course of the trimester, students will be required in
their lessons to demonstrate skills that will be outlined in a checklist. These skills will be assessed and graded.
If a student misses a lesson, they miss an opportunity to continue checking things off their vocal checklist.
Once the trimester is over, they no longer can receive a grade for that skill. If a student knows they have test,
field trip, or a scheduled absence, it is THE STUDENTS JOB TO NOTIFY MS.VASSMER at least 3 days
prior to the scheduled lesson. These types of absences are completely acceptable but missing for any other
reason will result in the lesson not being able to be made up, which means 1 less lesson to complete
the assignments on the lesson checklist. These lessons are a great opportunity to grow and learn and I highly
recommend each student be responsible and take advantage of the opportunity.

PERFORMANCES AND STUDENT ELIGIBILITY

Since choir is a performance based class, all students are required to be at all performances and rehearsals.
Any student failing to appear will receive the corresponding grade.
PLEASE NOTE: Students who receive an "F" in another course will still perform at all school choir
events that are considered as part of the G.P.A. If a student is considered ineligible, they are not
permitted to perform at extracurricular choir events such as RVC festival, Allstate, and Solo and
Ensemble. Keep on top of your studies and feel free to ask for help.
Examples of excused performance absences:
1. Death of family member
2. Contagious sickness
3. Sudden family emergency

Examples of UNEXCUSED performance absences:

1. Doctors appointment
2. No ride (performances for the whole year are listed in this handbook, please make
arrangements for carpool if necessary.

3. Most sporting games & practices (On a case by case basis-please let me know AS SOON
AS POSSIBLE if there is conflict. I will work with you and your coach to come to a
compromise)
UNIFORMS
The Cascade Music Boosters have graciously purchased new choir dresses and tuxedos. It is important
that they be cared for properly. . TAKE THE EXTRA TWO MINUTES TO PUT YOUR CHOIR UNIFORM
AWAY PROPERLY AFTER USE!! (Dresses on hangers and hung on rack, all parts of tuxedo on the same
hanger put away in the appropriate closet.) These choir uniforms are to be kept at school at all times.
****As appreciation for parent help with the concession stand and other events, the music boosters have
covered the cost of the uniform cleaning this year.
Boys are provided with dress pants, tuxedo shirt, dress coat, cummerbund, and studs. If any of these items
are damaged or lost it is the students responsibility to pay for the replacement. Male students are
required to get black dress shoes to go with their uniform. Any style is acceptable as long as they are
black.
Girls are provide with their dresses for all concerts. Just as with the boys, if the dress is lost or damaged it is the
students responsibility to pay for the replacement. Students need to get BLACK dress shoes for their
concert wear. I recommend flats or very small heels.

CHOIR AWARDS/LETTERING
It is possible to earn a Choir Letter for the extra-curricular portion of choir. Choir letters are awarded on
a point system. Students earn points according to the criteria listed below, and awards are given based on the
amassed number of points. TBD point totals are generally calculated according to the time devoted to the
activity.
Audition for All State Choir
Accepted to All State Choir
Executive Board Member
Section Leader
Participation in RVC Honor Choir
Participation in Other Honor Choir
Attend Outside Music Performance
(director approved)
Perform outside school (church, etc.)
Assist Director with choir jobs

75
100
50
25
30
TBD
10
15
15/hour

Participation in Solo and Ensemble

Division I Rating on Solo
Division I Rating on additional ensemble
Solo at Dinner Theatre
Participation in Chamber Choir
Accompanist
Solo at other concerts
Small group song at concert
Additional musical item approved by the
choir director

50
60
40
30
50
15
15
10
TBD

Any student who amasses a total of 150 points will earn a choir letter. The first time a student earns a letter,
they will receive the letter (unless previously earned in another activity) and a choir pin. Each successive letter
earned will receive a bar to place under the pin.

MUSIC BOOSTERS ORGANIZATION

The Cascade Music Boosters Organization is open to all parents of choir and band students grades 7-12. There
is no fee necessary to belong to the organization. The purpose of the music boosters is to support and the band and
choir. It is a great way for parents to get involved with our music program.
The monthly meeting is held at the 6:30 in the music suite. These meetings give the boosters the opportunity to
learn more about the music departments activities and upcoming events. In addition, they help purchase things for
our music program that wouldnt be feasible with our school budget. We are very fortunate in our school to have
such a strong and supportive booster program. Please consider getting involved.
**The Music Boosters ask that each parent work in the concession stand at a few events throughout the year.
The proceeds from these concession stands go directly back to music students (new instruments, uniforms, music,
etc.) as well as a sizeable amount toward each students biennial music trip.
The officers for the music boosters organization for 2015-2016 are:
President
- Joan Seitz
Vice President
- Michelle Lynch
Secretary
- Tracy Ostwinkle
Treasurer
- Anne Kauder

CHAPERONES

Parents are encouraged to volunteer as chaperones for various band activities (See Information page at the end
of this handbook). Chaperones are needed to travel on all choir trips, festivals, and contests. Chaperones are
responsible for checking that all students are accounted for and maintaining student discipline (the latter is usually
an easy task). Chaperones stay with the choir at all times and offer assistance when needed.
Approximately one chaperone per every ten students travels with the choir on the long trips. The primary
responsibility for chaperones on the major trips is to make sure that students are in rooms at the appointed time and
report prior to departure of the bus. Chaperones are responsible to the director and it is expected that they will
be in support of the director's decisions. Chaperones should report all accidents, illnesses or discipline
problems immediately.
DADS don't forget you are needed too! Please plan to help with chaperoning responsibilities any time of year.
Your sons and daughters need you there too!

COMMUNICATION
Remind: A text sent about important choir department information. To sign up for this, simply
1. text to the number: 81010
2. type in the message box: @caschoirpa
Email: If you would like to receive email correspondence in order to get important information,
write down the email(s) in the box below.
Facebook: Like our facebook page cascade jr./sr. high school music boosters to see pictures and
keep updated on the goings-on in the music department. This includes upcoming concerts, uniform
fitting reminders, fundraisers, etc.
Website: This year I will be starting a choir department website that students and parents can get
information from. The site is cjshschoir.weebly.com It is in the beginning stages so please keep
checking for updates.
Phone: My school phone number is (563) 852-3201 ext.1024

I would like to receive important information by:

Email(s)

Text (REMIND)
Other (please specify):

Cascade High School Choir

2015-2016 PERFORMANCE DATES

Oct.

11

Dinner Theatre (CHS Aud.)

5:30 PM

Nov.

11

Veterans Day Assembly Performance (Old Gym)

TBD

Dec.

21

HS Holiday Choir and Band Concert (CHS Aud.)

7:15 PM

22

Concert Snow Date (CHS Aud.)

7:00PM

Feb.

25

Junior High/High School Combined Concert (CHS Aud.)

7:00 PM

March

21

Combined WD/CHS Concert (WD Auditorium)

7:00PM

May

HS Large Group Festival (TBD)

20

HS Choir Spring Concert/Awards Night (CHS Aud.)

29

Graduation Performance (New Gym)

TBD
7:00 PM
11:00 AM CALL TIME

Optional Events
Sep.

28

RVC Vocal Festival (CHS Aud.)

Oct.

24

Allstate Auditions

Nov.

19-21

Allstate Vocal Festival

Dec.

15

Chamber Choir Caroling (In town)

April

High School Solo Night (Music Suite)

Solo and Ensemble Festival (TBD) (Mandatory for Chamber Choir)

12:00 PM-8:30 PM
TBD
All Day
6:30 PM
5:00 PM-8:00PM
TBD