Ars Longa Highschool

Grades 9-12
Choir Handbook
2019-20
Table of Contents
Philosophy of Music .......................................................... 2
Section Leaders .................................................................. 3
Concert Dress/Fees ........................................................... 4
Rehearsal Guidelines/Concert Attendance .................... 5
Grading
Policy……………………………………………………………...6
Membership………………………………………………………7

1
 Philosophy of Music

It is the goal of this music department to provide and increase the

student’s musical skills and appreciation for all forms of music, through
technique studies, theory studies, music appreciation, and music history.

Music:

- ignores difference in opinion, religion, politics, race,

lifestyle, and personality
- allows young people to create works of lasting beauty,
something they will be proud in, and gives them the tools to
build works they are proud in, something they can take
ownership of
- will enrich a person’s life
- gives us the opportunity to perform some of the greatest
works of art, written by some of the greatest geniuses that
have lived on earth

Every student that enters the classroom can do music, it is up to them

to take the tools given to them to grow. Music isn’t biased and doesn’t
judge a person by their race, religion, etc., and neither is this classroom
a student steps into.

Be proud of the program you come into, you will get out of it what you
put into it, so make your time count! You are a part of an amazing
program that will stay with you for years to come.

2
 Section Leaders 2019-20 Season

Chamber A Capella
Bass: Jackson Neville Bass: Soyong Kim
Tenor: James Hunter Tenor: Steve Mutterer
Alto: Greta Smith Alto: Amelie McAfe
Soprano: Emily Horn Soprano: Libby Davis

Belle Canto
Alto 2: Taylor Rootness
Alto 1: Lexi Harrdahl
Soprano 2: Jamie Johnson
Soprano 1: Jessie Corey

How can I be a section leader?

To be a section leader, the person applying needs to have been in a
highschool choir for at least a year. The student will need to write an
essay based off of a prompt the teacher gives a week prior and will
have a one on one interview with the teacher. Based off of their
answers, participation in class, and essays, the students will be chosen
and their names will be posted a couple days later.

Responsibilities of a section leader

A section leader needs to be able to quickly understand difficult
rhythms, melodic lines, sight read well, and be able to explain to a
fellow peer in need what is being asked of them. In the interview, the
teacher will give an example of an issue a section leader might face and
the student applying for section leader will be responsible in making
sure the ‘student’ understands the issue.

3
 Concert Dress/Fees

Every student will wear a school owned robe, no matter what

ensemble they are in. Students need to pay $35 for their course
to pay for dry cleaning of the robes and other fees.

Women:

- black dress or black dress pants under robe

- black flats, NO OPEN TOED SHOES

Men:

- black dress pants

- black dress shoes

Shirts don’t matter underneath the robes. At the end of the

year, we will have an informal concert where students can buy
student designed t-shirts to wear for the concert.

4
 Rehearsal Guidelines

1. Always put your best effort forward

2. Be on time

3. No gum, pop, or food (except for special occasions)

4. Keep cell phones in pockets and turned off

5. Keep language clean

Concert Attendance
We spend a lot of time each week preparing for our concerts. It is
expected that students make this be a priority. It is not unreasonable
for me to expect 100% attendance from my students. I expect
students and parents to check schedules weeks and months
ahead of time to get concert dates on their calendar.

Attendance at concerts is required (please see grading).

5
 Grading

The grading system across the board at Ars Longa high school is
based on a 80-20 system.
80% of the student’s grade is summative and this includes:
- concert attendance
- reflection paper
- recordings of students intermittently
20% is formative and includes:
- biweekly vocab term quiz
- journal
- attendance

YOU CANNOT PASS THE CLASS BY MISSING

CONCERTS OR SKIPPING CLASS
Come talk to the teacher if you have a conflict with class or with a
concert and we will work something out.
****STUDENTS HAVE UP TO 24 HOURS BEFORE A
CONCERT TO GIVE THE TEACHER A NOTE FROM
A PARENT FOR AN ABSENCE****
There are ample opportunities for extra credit that the teacher will
post throughout the class periods. Such opportunities include:
- Solo/ensemble contests
- Concerts outside of school related events

6
 Membership
Choirs at Ars Longa are open to any student in grades 9-12. New
students may join every new semester. Membership may be
withheld from any student whose attitude is not acceptable. This
organization will always choose quality over quantity. Students
can be removed from the group at any time if the teacher deems
it necessary for the best interest of the choirs.

A Capella Choir
- open to any student grades 9-12
- no formal audition to enter the group

Belle Canto Choir

- choir only comprised of women
- no formal audition to enter the group

Chamber
- Only for students 10-12
- Formal audition necessary to enter

Vocal Jazz
- open to any student grades 9-12
- formal audition necessary to enter