Choral Program Handbook

Composed by Nicholas Paradas

Course Description
My mission is to facilitate culturally relevant musical literacy, composition, ethnomusicology,
music theory, music history, and other alternate approaches to music education, developing
lifelong consumers of the arts through a musical lens for students of all career paths and
students' character regarding leadership, empathy, and collaborative skills applicable to a
plethora of career fields. I will provide a safe and positive learning environment for students to
feel comfortable making unsuccessful attempts to learn through trial and error. I will draw
cross-curricular connections from other core subjects/disciplines to form a holistic interpretation
of music as an expressive art form. I will allow for a student-centered structure including section
leadership, student representation, and collaborative outlets/positions, and explore music from
all eras and genres to allow students in a way that allowing students to connect with musical
literature in an individualized approach to reinforce intrinsic motivations toward music-making
through thought-provoking discussions and analyses of the given repertoire. Lastly, I will
develop a mastery of the eight elements of music in ensemble performance: pitch, rhythm,
melody, harmony, tempo, dynamics, timbre, and texture.

Program Goals:
1. Facilitate culturally-relevant musical literacy through choral repertoire, composition,
ethnomusicology, music theory, music history, and other alternate approaches to music
education.

2. Develop lifelong consumers of the arts through a musical lens for students of all career
paths.

3. Develop students' character regarding leadership, empathy, and collaborative skills

applicable to a plethora of career fields.

4. Provide a safe and positive learning environment for students to feel comfortable making
unsuccessful attempts to learn from through trial and error.

5. Draw cross-curricular connections from other core subjects/disciplines to form a holistic

interpretation of music as an expressive art form.

6. Allow for student-centered structure including section leadership, student representation,

and collaborative outlets/positions.

7. Explore music from all eras and genres to allow students in a way that allows students to
connect with musical literature in an individualized approach.
 8. Facilitate intrinsic motivations towards music-making through thought provoking
discussions and analyses of the given repertoire.

9. Develop a mastery of the eight elements of music in ensemble performance: pitch,

rhythm, melody, harmony, tempo, dynamics, timbre, and texture.

Course Goals:
1. Perform repertoire with attention to musical/technical skill.

2. Develop musical/technical skills to all forms of music.

3. Develop leaders who represent the student body in an honorable way in and out of the
classroom.

4. Establish a strong social-praxial environment for students to collaborate musical ideas.

5. Develop effective practicing strategies regarding the order of scaffolding from simple to
complex to promote proper problem-solving skills.

6. Develop critical thinking skills to promote problem-solving skills.

Concert/Event Dates
Disclaimer: All concerts will begin at 7pm. Student call-time is 6:30pm. Call-time attendance will
be taken and accounted for in their grade. Absent students must be accompanied with a
sufficient excuse and or extenuating circumstance approved by the director.

Date(s) Event(s)

Oct. 10th Fall Concert

TBD District Choir Auditions

TBD District Choir Concert

Dec. 12th Yuletide Concert

Feb. 13th Masterwork Concert

TBD All-State Choir

May 8th Spring Concert

Grading Policy

Attendance 20%

Participation 30%

Preparation 15%

Discussions 15%

Essays 20%

Award System
Students will be given points for participation and achievement throughout highschool.
Participants in required events will receive 1 point, students participating in honors (e.g., honor
choirs, events, and student leaders) will receive 2 points. By the end of high school the 3
seniors with the most points will be acknowledged at the spring concert for their participation
and achievement.

Student Leadership
High achieving students within each section of the choir will be assigned after winter break to
run sectionals rehearsals for the annual spring masterwork concert. This is to reinforce student
participation through the implementation of intrinsic motivations, student-centered learning, and
to provide extension activities for students considering music education as a career path.

Fundraising
Program fundraising will take place during school (e.g., Christmas Caroling, Valentines
Serenading, etc.)

Concert Attire
Students are expected to supply their own concert attire. Requirements are as follows in
correlation to students’ respective pronouns:

He/They- All black dress pants (not too baggy, not too tight, must pass the ankle), all black
dress shirt (fitted), all black tie (thick or thin, no tie clip), all black single-breasted suit jackets,
black belt (silver buckle accepted, black/gunmetal buckle preferred), all black dress shoes (any
material accepted), tasteful jewelry permitted (not required).
She/They- All black formal dress (below the knee), all black 2-inch heels or flats, sheer
pantyhose (neutral) all black shawl required for strapless dresses, tasteful jewelry permitted,
tasteful jewelry permitted (not required), hair must be styled out of your face.

Vocal Maintenance
I, __________________________________, (student signature) hereby acknowledge my
obligation to drink water and properly maintain my instrument before and during performances
or by the discretion of the director, I may lose points under preparation and participation.

Booster Program
If you (guardian) would like to take part in lending a helping hand to our program for optimum
engagement in a number of different ways, leave your contact information here:

____________________________________, (contact information)

and sign here:

____________________________________. (guardian signature)

Thank you! Your help is much appreciated but definitely not required.

Travel Permission
I, _________________________________ (guardian signature) give my child permission to
travel with Mr. Paradas on school sanctioned events. I also acknowledge that any lost or stolen
items during travel is not the responsibility of Mr. Paradas, but it is that of my childs.

Statement of Agreement
I, ___________________________ (student) and __________________________ (parent)
understand the expectations of participating in this highschool choral program and will fulfill the
requirements during the time enrolled, or I will consult with the director before signing.

Otherwise, additional concerns will be considered/addressed as document below:

____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
Voice Lessons
Mr. Paradas will provide one on one voice lessons as his schedule allows. If you and your child
are interested in receiving lessons to better their experience in my class, please print and sign
here and I will reach out at my earliest convenience to coordinate lesson times:

Print: ________________________________ (guardian)

Sign: ________________________________ (guardian)

Print: ________________________________ (student)

Sign: ________________________________ (student)

Contacts
Mr. Paradas (director of choirs)

Email: nicholasparadas@______.org

Phone: (123) 456-7890

General Acknowledgement Form

I, ______________________________ (guardian signature) understand the terms and
conditions of my child’s participation in this course and hereby agree to encourage my child to
abide by them. I also acknowledge that any violation of classroom procedures/expectations will
be left to the discretion of the director regarding my child’s grade outlined under the grading
policy.

Handbook Samples
High School Band/ Orchestra Handbooks
Goddard, KS HS Band (6A)
Olathe South, KS HS Orchestra (6A)
Pittsburg, KS HS Orchestra (5A)
Little River, KS HS Band (1A)
High School Choir Handbooks
Olathe North, KS HS Choir (6A)
Mayde Creek, TX HS Choir
Napoleon, MI HS Band and Choir