Rex Putnam Choir

This is a Safe Place.

Learning involves not only mastery of information, but the ability to risk and experiment. Behavior based on courtesy, respect, and an appreciation of our differences and similarities will create an environment in which each of us can grow and learn. If you ever feel that our class is in any way unsafe (which is different from uncomfortable), I strongly encourage you to speak with me. We will not tolerate bullying, harassment, and hate speech based on gender, gender identity, race, religion, sexual orientation, class, level, physical or mental ability, or any other attribute.

Students are expected to:

• Fully participate in all scheduled activities for the performing group.
• Arrive early and be in your singing place with music, pencil, and music folder.
• Show cooperation and effort in class and within the choir.
• Strive for improvement in each rehearsal.
• Study music and theory lessons outside of class when you need to.
• Treat music and equipment respectfully, returning it in the same condition.
• Pay for lost or damages music or equipment that was checked out to them.
• Make up all homework in other classes when absent from school due to choir field trips or tours. Students are not excused from work in other classes. Following a choir field trip, students may access an academic class during the choir period to make up a test, take missed notes, sit in on a lecture, or finish a lab.

Kingsmen Chorus and Cantabile: Dress clothes - black and white, including black socks/stockings and black dress shoes. Green accessory to be provided.

Dress code: No jeans, sweats, or leggings. No brand names, logos, or text on clothing. Pants must be dress/tux pants. No T-Shirts - dress shirts and blouses only, with sleeves required. Skirts and dresses should be knee length or longer, and must wear black tights/stockings. Students may utilize black dresses, tux shirts & vests, and tux pants from their closet.

A Cappella Choir and Choralaires: Dress clothes - black formal, including black stockings/socks and black dress shoes. Green and gold (Choralaires) accessory to be provided. 

All singers MUST wear black socks/stockings and black dress shoes (no tennis shoes), and hair must be pulled back away from face and eyebrows.

No one shall be excluded from performance due to a lack of ability to obtain dress clothes - please communicate that you need help in a timely manner so that you can fully participate in performances!

Your choir grade is based upon:

1. Concert performance - punctuality, performance, and audience etiquette.
2. Rehearsal Application - work ethic, consistent focus, and improvement.
3. Music Theory work and periodic testing, including sight singing.

Effort, attitude, and focus:

1. Be on time with music, pencil, and water bottle, ready to sing.
2. Keep distractions out of the rehearsal space.
3. Use your voice productively during the course of the rehearsal.
4. Be ready to participate to your full potential, every day.

Concert Additions:

 During the course of the year, we may add concert dates as we are invited. All performance dates will be communicated as soon as possible so that singers can check schedules and plan accordingly. 

Hall Passes:

 To minimize interruptions to our rehearsals, students have one freebie bathroom or emergency pass from class PER QUARTER. Only one student may be out with the restroom pass at a time. All other office visits require a separate hall pass from that destination.

Excused and Unexcused Absences

1. Concert/class attendance and participation is expected because everyone is important to the ensemble. As a result, the only excused absence from a concert is due to illness, family emergency or school-related activity on rare occasions.  Student communication with the teacher is of utmost importance. We will try to avoid all conflicts with games, matches, competitions or tournaments if possible.  In the event of a school conflict, Mrs. Lockwood and the coach or other teacher will work together to create an equitable, viable option for the student.  
2. In the event of an excused absence from a performance, the student must notify the director by email or phone as soon as possible before the concert.  Always communicate with your director.
3. A missed performance automatically drops a student grade by a full letter, but the student may make up an excused performance absence by completing a detailed written report of the concert recording. A make-up assignment will not result in full credit for the missed performance.
4. Absences due to work or vacations are not excused.  When you are notified of a performance date, it is wise to inform your employer immediately.
5. Unexcused performance absences drop the semester grade by a letter.
6. Do not schedule family vacations during a concert date.  It is not excused and no make-ups are possible.
7. Ensemble rehearsal is important for the group's success, therefore more than 5 absences will affect your grade, unless there are special circumstances (i.e. extended illness).  Missed class time is irreplaceable.
8. Tardy policy - entering class 5 or more minutes tardy without an excuse slip results in a lunch detention. Two or more unexcused tardies of less than 5 minutes constitute a lunch detention.

Music Theory workbooks and periodic testing.

Classes will be given nine week theory workbooks and tested periodically on the information contained within the workbooks.  Tests may be taken as many times as necessary for the student to understand the material. Advanced choirs will be tested periodically on their parts individually as well as in mixed part groups.