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LHS Ensemble Guidelines 2021
Ensemble Members and Parents,
This packet is intended to answer questions you may have regarding Ensemble and give you a better understanding of what is expected and required. If you have questions or comments, please feel free to contact me so I can clarify or address your situation. My contact information is included on the third page.
Please complete and return the attached information sheet by Friday, January 8th.
Alisa Inman
Loudon High School Choral Director
Performances
February 12, 15 - Singing Valentines*
March 5 - LHS Talent Show* (help with event)
May 3 – Spring Ensemble Concert* 7:00 PM
May 15 – LHS Graduation 10:00 AM – Loudon Amphitheater
Because of COVID-19 restrictions, several of our performances and events are tentative*, but we will work together to create the safest and best performances possible. Each performance is required, and performance attendance will be part of the nine weeks grade.
Grades
Grades are determined as follows:
Performances – 30%
Daily work – 50%
Tests – 20%
Supplies
3-ring binder (1 or 1 ½ inch)
Laptop
Headphones
Pencils
Paper
Mask (optional, but STRONGLY ENCOURAGED)
Attire
Students will be performing in several different settings this year so the type of attire required will vary. For Singing Valentines performances, students will wear jeans or black pants with their own red or pink shirts. At LHS Graduation, students will wear school purchased formal attire; returning Ensemble members should already have this attire. Attire for the spring concert will be announced later.
Choir Dues
LHS Choir dues are $20 and should be paid by February 26th. Students who were in Chorus last semester and paid their dues will not pay the dues this semester. Money raised from choir dues enables us to purchase necessary music and equipment used throughout the semester, and lessens the need for further fundraisers, with the exception of Singing Valentines and the LHS Talent Show. Cash or checks are accepted, and checks should be made out to Loudon High School.
Attendance Requirements and Procedures
If a student is absent from class for any reason it is his or her responsibility to check on missed work.
Third tardy – parent contact, fourth tardy – write up
Roll will be checked at each performance.
Discipline
Because students audition for and are selected to be in Ensemble, that makes you (or your child) a pretty important person to me. When I heard each student sing and got to know them, I determined that they had something special to share and develop. Since students know this, I assume that each choir member is ready to join me in developing their musical and vocal abilities, and wants our choir to be as successful as possible. I anticipate that students will demonstrate a high level of personal responsibility and will be willing to act professionally in rehearsals and performances. I’ll work hard to help my choir students grow and develop and I trust that my students will give their very best in rehearsals and performance.
Theory Work
For students to be well-rounded musicians, developing practical knowledge of music theory is vital. Students will have frequent music theory lessons that involve sightsinging, music reading skills, and choral performance critiques. Understanding theory concepts will be vital to the progress of our choral program and will be counted as part of the student’s nine weeks grade.
Choir Room Rules
Parental Involvement
I welcome parental involvement and support and look forward to meeting you. As a parent, I know how busy everyone already is, but your help is greatly appreciated and enhances our music program. Parents may be needed to help chaperone field trips, take up money at concerts, and to assist in other areas. If you are willing to help in any way or have any suggestions please complete and return the attached form by Friday, January 8th.
Communication
Remind app - Each Ensemble member should join the Ensemble Remind group by texting @lhs1choir to 81010. Announcements or other important information will be shared through this app.
Email – Students should check their school email daily for important information or assignments.
School webpage - Parents and choir members can also check my Ensemble school webpage for updated information and announcements.
Parents and students can contact me in the following ways:
E-mail – inmana@loudoncounty.org; best way for parents to contact me because I check it several times a day.
Phone – (865)458-4326 ext. 4012 (school)
(901)481-7745 (cell)
Remind app
COVID-19 INFORMATION AND CHOIR ROOM PROTOCOLS
Information
An aerosol study commissioned by the National Federation of State High School Associations resulted in some of the following recommendations:
Social distancing of 6 feet
Students should sit facing the same direction
Masks should continue to be worn until all students are seated and ready for instruction
Because the infection risk increases with longer exposure, sing in 10 – 20-minute increments.
Protocols
To help reduce the risk of infection and keep our students and teacher safe, the following protocols will be in effect in the choir room:
ENTERING THE CLASSROOM: When entering the classroom, students will immediately move to their assigned seats, placing their belongings beside or under their chair, and get out their choir folders or other needed materials shown on the Smartboard.
WATER: Students should bring water to class each day, as the water fountain in the choir area will not be in use. NO SHARING OF FOOD OR DRINK will be allowed.
MASKS: Students are STRONGLY ENCOURAGED to wear masks in the classroom when not singing to help prevent the spread of the virus. Wearing a mask while singing will be necessary if students are standing less than 6 feet away from one another. The teacher will wear a mask when less than 6 feet from students, but during vocal demonstrations, when the teacher is at least 6 feet away from the students, the mask will be removed.
RESTROOM: Students may only use the choir area restroom with teacher permission, and only one student at a time may be in the restroom and/or restroom area. Students MUST was their hands properly before leaving the restroom. When exiting the restroom, students should use a paper towel to open both the restroom door and the outer door leading to the classroom. Students may place the paper towel in the wastebasket beside the water fountain.
SUPPLIES: Students should bring their own supplies to class: pencils, paper, etc. Extra supplies will not be provided at this time. Classroom supplies such as the stapler, hole punch, and pencil sharpener will be available, but students must wipe down the surfaces after each usage.
DISMISSAL: At dismissal, students will work to exit the classroom in a social distancing manner, respecting other students’ space.
SANITIZATION: At the end of class, the teacher will wipe down commonly touched areas. Hand sanitizer and disinfectant wipes are available for student and teacher use.