Hayden Singers

2008–2009 Syllabus

Maureen Brogren—Instructor

1. Purpose:

The purpose of this class is to provide an ensemble comprised of students selected by audition that represent the finest vocal musicians of the school. Through this ensemble setting, students will enhance their individual musical skills in a variety of performance situations.

2. Course Objectives:

The student will learn skills in proper vocal tone production.

The student will demonstrate attention to musical expression and appropriate stylistic qualities for a variety of repertoire.

The student will learn necessary music notational and reading skills.

The student will demonstrate appropriate stage movement skills for a variety of repertoire.

The student will learn leadership and cooperative skills through the ensemble setting.

3. Classroom Rules:

Students are expected to comply with all guidelines set forth in the Hayden High School Student Handbook. Along with these, the basic rules for this class are:

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1. Students are expected to have their music folder with them for all rehearsals.

2. Students are expected to have a pencil with an erasure at rehearsal.

3. Students will not be allowed to eat or bring food to class (no gum chewing)

4. Students may bring bottled water to class.

5. Students must obtain the Instructor’s permission to leave the classroom.

6. Students must bring their daily planner to class to discuss performance dates.

7. Students will be responsible for their music; loss of music or failure to turn in music will result with student purchasing replacement copies for the music department.

8. Hayden will pay for students that choose to participate in Solo Festival; however, a student’s withdrawal from that competition will require the student to pay back the fee to the vocal department.

9. Students are expected to act like ladies and gentlemen.

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10. Students are expected to respect their property and the property of others.

11. Students are expected to use simple common sense.

4. Grading/Student Evaluation:

The student’s evaluation will be based on the following areas:

Participation, behavior and effort

Assignments and Tests

Performance attendance

The following system of points will be used to determine an overall percentage grade for the course. Though the focus of the class is to develop musical excellence in the ensemble setting, students, regardless of individual ability levels, are expected to continue working toward improving their own musicianship.

The policy regarding missed classroom participation, assignments, etc. is as follows: students with excused absences from class time will be allowed to make up any missed written assignments, test etc. in an amount of time mutually agreed upon by both student and instructor. Most of our course work is participation, however, and cannot be made up.

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4. Grading/Student Evaluation, continued

a. Class Participation 30% (10 points weekly)

b. Tests (vocal or written) 20%

c. Required Performances 50% (50 points each)

The following required performances are scheduled presently:

• All school masses unless otherwise stated in class (12 expected)

• All School Concerts (a total of four to be scheduled; all are required)

*Wednesday, October 15, 2008 at 7:00 p.m. - Hayden Gym

*Thursday, December 11, 2008 at 7:00 p.m. – White Concert Hall

*Monday, March 9, 2009 at 7:00 p.m. - Hayden Gym

*Wednesday, May 6, 2009 at 6:30 p.m. – Hayden Sophomore Parking Lot

• Monday, November 3, 2008 - Stacey Beavers Concert, White Concert Hall, Washburn University - $5.00 Admission, Children 12 and under are free

• Regional Solo & Small Ensemble Festival – Saturday, April 4, 2009

• State Large-Ensemble Festival - April 15 or 16, 2009

• State Solo & Small Ensemble Festival - April 25, 2009

• Baccalaureate Mass, Wednesday, May 13, 2009 at 7:00 p.m. – Our Lady of Guadalupe

• Graduation, Sunday, May 17, 2009 at 3:00 p.m.—TPAC

d. Optional Performances 5% extra credit (25 points)

Optional performances include the following listed events. Other performances may be added as the year progresses. Students will need to bring a daily planner to class on a regular basis to aid in scheduling additional performances. After a possible performance has been discussed and agreed upon, it is then considered a scheduled performance as described in the performance attendance guidelines hereunder.

• District Choir Auditions, Saturday, November 8, 2008 - Baldwin High School

• State District Choir, Saturday, December 6, 2008 – Shawnee Mission South High School

5. Excused or Unexcused Absences:

Being a performance oriented course, all scheduled performances are important. It is crucial for students and parents to understand the importance of each and every member’s presence at these performances. Performances that are missed will be considered either Unexcused or Excused. Unexcused absences from Required Performances will cause deductions of 10% each occurrence. Unexcused absences from Optional Performances, after they have been agreed to by the student and scheduled by the Instructor, will cause deductions of 5%, each occurrence. Students and parents must understand that the purpose of this policy is to be fair to all members of the ensemble and to focus on the common goal of musical excellence.

Excused Absence from a performance: Every effort will be made to ensure that students are notified well in advance of upcoming performances. Once a performance is scheduled, the student is then responsible for making sure they can attend. If a conflict or emergency arises regarding a scheduled performance:

1. Notify the Instructor ASAP at 234-0852 or 640-2123(within 24–48 hours of the performance.)

2. A teacher/parent phone call or meeting is needed to clarify/discuss the reason for the absence.

3. The Instructor will make the determination of whether an absence is to be excused.

6. Performance Attire:

Members of Hayden Singers will be expected to purchase a designated outfit to wear for performances throughout the academic year.