Spring High School Choral Department

1. Spring High School Choral Department 2012-2013 Parent Meeting

2. Please…. …make sure you pick up your student’s sheet with their name on it in the lobby.

3. We are GLAD you are here! • We think we have one of the BEST PROGRAMS in the school because we have the BEST students and have enjoyed GREAT parent support over the years. • This year will be NO DIFFERENT!!

4. Contact information The lines of communication are ALWAYS open. You may CALL: 281.891.7061 Or email: dlandgre@springisd.org sdean@springisd.org ahinders@springisd.org Or visit the website: www.springchoir.com Shawne Smith – Asst. Principal & Choir Liaison Donna Ullrich –Principal

5. General Information Our enrollment this year is 325 students in 8 classes during the day. 1st – A Cappella Women – Dean 2nd – Chamber Choir – Landgrebe 3rd – Concert Men – Dean 4th – Applied Music – Landgrebe 5th – Chorale Women - Landgrebe 6th – Vocal Production - Hinders 7th – Chorale Men – Landgrebe 8th – Concert Women - Hinders Chorale Women and Chorale Men rehearse on Monday p.m./ Thurs a.m. as varsity mixed choir

6. You are always welcome toVISIT during the school day!! Our door is always open and we welcome parental visits while we are rehearsing – regardless of what your students may say. Parents are always amazed at what really goes on the rehearsals 

7. Why MUSIC MATTERS: “I would teach children, music, physics and philosophy, but most importantly music, for in the patters of music and all the arts are the key of learning”. Plato

8. “We all know that a well-rounded curriculum that includes the arts and music contributes to higher academic achievement.” U.S. Secretary of Education Margaret Spellings

9. “We have encouraged the study of music and the arts in addition to the fundamentals of math, science, reading, and writing, which all have led collectively to tremendous gains in education in Texas over the last decade”. Governor Rick Perry

10. “The arts are not a frill. The arts are a response to our individuality and our nature, and help to shape our identity. What is there that can transcend deep difference and stubborn divisions? The arts. Art has the potential to unify. It can speak in many languages without a translator. The arts do not discriminate. The arts can lift us all up”. Barbara Jordan, Former Texas Congresswoman

11. We expect your student to: • Have a willingness to WORK HARD and to IMPROVE his/her skills every day. • Be open to all teaching techniques as all three directors have our own style. • Be at school. If they are not here, we can’t teach ‘em.

12. 4. PASS all classes. If students are IN SCHOOL and TURN in work, they should pass. It’s absenteeism and zeros that create problems. 5. Turn-in completed choir homework assignments on TIME as well. We do have homework in choir and will deduct points for late work.

13. We need YOUR help with the following: Limit absences to an absolute minimum. Keep up with ALL choir activities on your calendar, the website, etc. Get involved in the program through volunteering. If everyone volunteers for ONE activity, we will be in great shape.

14. Wunsche • If your student attends Wunsche, they MUST come to SHS each day. They do NOT have the right to remain at Wunsche for another class. • All tutorials for all classes must be done AFTER school both at SHS and at Wunsche.

15. Philosophy of Music Education:Why We Teach Music • The arts/music make us better people both intrinsically and extrinsically. • Students who participate in music generally do better in ALL other subject matters as music requires the use of the whole brain. • The elements that music teaches: empathy, creativity, teamwork, to name a few, are essential for the success of the 21st century worker. • Your student is not in choir because they want to be a music major - - they simply like to sing! • Our standards are VERY high – we hope you will hear why when you attend our first concert.

16. Charms Office This is your lifeline for everything choir related. Access via the SHS Choir Website. Demonstration

17. Upcoming Events: • Uniform Fittings • Wednesday (tomorrow) from 5-7pm • Thursday from 4-6pm • Spring HS Choir Night at the Astros • The Chamber Choir is singing the National Anthem on the baseball diamond at Minute Maid Park before the game on Tuesday, Sept 25th • Social event is open to all students in choir and their families. • Buses will leave SHS at 5:15pm and we will depart the game at 9:00pm to return to Spring HS. • $15 includes ticket, small meal package, and transportation.

18. FALL CONCERTMonday, Oct. 15 7:00 p.m. • Mondays are our typical concert day. • Call times depend on which choir your student is in. The block schedule makes things interesting. • Students must be on time and stay until the conclusion of the concert. • It is an expectation that all classes complete writing assignments – even math, P.E, and music!! Our writing assignments relate to concert assessment of ALL choirs that sing in a concert. • Formal uniforms are worn for all formal concerts.

19. Required Clothing Needs: • All students will be issued a uniform • All students MUST provide DRESS BLACK SHOES. Men must wear BLACK dress socks / Women must wear black hose (no knee highs). • Men must be CLEAN /NEATLY SHAVEN for the concert and hair MUST be out of eyes • Women’s hair must be PULLED back and completely out of their face. • Women – the only jewelry to be worn is a watch and stud earrings. No necklaces, bracelets, etc. • We have several choir shirts in stock for anyone to purchase. Those will be on sale in the foyer when you leave tonight’s meeting.

20. VOLUNTEERS • We can’t do it without YOU!! You received a volunteer form on your way in – please fill it out tonight – we will collect them as you leave • You can contact Vickie Holub if you are interested in helping with ANYTHING!! You will find her contact info on the website under Boosters. • SILENT AUCTION

21. Questions ????? • HUGE need for volunteers tomorrow and Thursday. • Thank you for your attendance  • Parents of students in Concert Men and Concert Women are dismissed place t-shirt orders, purchase yard signs and other choir “stuff” on sale in the choir room. • Parents of Chorale and A Cappella Women students please remain for a brief TRIP MEETING update.

22. Central Texas(Austin/SAT) Thurs., April 18 – Sun. April 21, 2012 ***This is the week AFTER UIL contest.*** * The choir student officers are the ones that selected the location this year!!

23. Planned activities: University of Texas, Sing at Festival or Tour, lunch in downtown Austin, Zilker Park, Austin Music District, Day at a Dude Ranch with tons of activities, most meals included in the cost of the trip Other trip options: Sea World, Gristmill, Round Rock Express Baseball Game, UT Baseball game, Gristmill or Salt Lick, Barton Springs Cannot lock in group activities fully until October 15th.

24. Cost/Bank Days – see trip sheet • We MUST have a non-refundable $75 deposit from you no later than Thursday, Oct. 11. I can NOT do “Let’s make a deal” for this deposit as I MUST know which students are going on the trip & that is what the deposit tells me. Please do NOT ask me to allow you to turn the deposit in later or in installments. The TOTAL cost of the trip is determined by the number of paying students attending. Please remember that you may pay for your deposit and all other bank days as follows: • CASH, MONEY ORDER or CREDIT. • Credit Payments are now completed on Charms. No more paper forms!!!

25. TRIP PROPOSAL And FIRST BILL

26. And now….The “F” Word……

27. FUNDRAISING  • Fundraising benefits ALL students. Every dollar that is earned defrays the OVERALL cost of the trip for ALL students. • We have many students who can not participate in the trip unless they have fund-raising support. We would like for ALL in A Cappella & Chorale to attend as we are going to SING as well as have fun. • If you, the parent, will support your student and the choirs by “getting behind” the fund-raising efforts, we could decrease the cost of the trip for everyone significantly.

28. Bank Day Schedule • Fundraisers: • Trash Bags • Brochure Sale • Popcorn • Texas Roadhouse Rolls • World’s Finest Chocolate • Questions??

29. Joint Fundraiser Possibility With Band Working Parking for the Conroe Bassmaster Fishing Event Friday, Sept 28th 11am-10pm Saturday, Sept 29th 9am-10pm Sunday, Sept 30th 9am-8pm Students 15+ and parents can work shifts….guaranteed $2,500 plus profit.

30. Dismiss A Cappella Parents to Choir Room – check out trashbags and buy things as needed.

31. Chorale Expectations We are at a disadvantage with the way SISD manages high schools Wunsche Athletics Block Schedule As a result, the Varsity Mixed Choir only gets to meet on Monday nights or Thursday mornings.

32. Chorale Expectations Calendar is available on Charms. Calendar can be downloaded to your smart phone. All rehearsal dates through November 5th are set now. Students MUST be at rehearsal – Chorale trumps most other activities because they get to practice as a full team every day!!

33. Chorale Expectations More than one absence from a before or after school rehearsal results in removal from the Chorale. Two tardies to a rehearsal = 1 absence. Please avoid scheduling appointments on Thursday mornings. Transportation concerns. Would a directory be helpful that can be added securely to Charms?

34. Chorale Expectations November 5th at the University of Houston Invitational Concert. Phone tree Director’s cell phones Questions??? Dismissal of all parents and students except Chamber Choir.

35. Chamber Choir Expectations(Ambassador Group) Activities All-state Audition Process ($15) Elementary School Holiday Shows ($20-25) Audition for Pop Show Madrigal and Chamber Choir Festival National Anthem for Football Games and special events Pop Show National Anthem at Astros and Rockets

36. Chamber Choir Expectations On many songs there are only 2-4 on a part. Attendance is critical. If a student is absent from school I must know in advance for planning purposes if at all possible. One absence in the Chamber Choir equals 3 in most advanced classes.

37. Chamber Choir Expectations Chamber Choir trip is required of the course. The school pays a large portion of the cost. Your part is $125. Bank day schedule is up to you. It can be added to the Chorale trip or a separate thing. What works best for you?? Questions??