Katie Richardson, Director

katie.richardson@fortbendisd.com

(281) 634-6503, Choir Office
5440 Elkins Road, Sugar Land, TX 77479
2

WELCOME Falcon Choir & Parents

I am so excited that you and your student have elected to participate in a program that is
dedicated to excellence in musicianship and excellence in character. I have a great year of
growth and memories planned, and I cannot wait to get to know you all!

This handbook will be your guide as we work together this year. Inside you will find vital
information and forms. Please, carefully read through each page of this handbook, fill out ALL
of the necessary forms, and contact me with any questions or concerns, if they should arise.

It's my personal philosophy and goal for each student to leave this program with cherished
memories, a life long love of music, and a strong foundation of basic music pedagogy rooted
in healthy vocal production. But more than that, I strive for every student to leave equipped
with the social and critical thinking skills needed to achieve future success in whatever venture
they choose. It is proven that children involved in music lessons are trained for high levels of
thinking involving problem solving, inference, arriving at conclusions, comparing and contrasting
the similarities and differences between two or more objects, analyzing, and evaluating
information. These are some of the very same skills tested in the STAAR Test! And whats the
best part, you ask? They dont even realize how much theyre learning, because Im theyre
having too much fun!

Performance based activities, such as choir, have necessary fees, and I do my best to keep
them at a minimum. I understand that there may be a time in which you are not able to pay a
needed fee, or that you may need an extension. If this occurs, do not hesitate to contact me
and I will be a happy to find a way to make it work. I would never want to exclude a student
from an event solely based on financial hardship.

The initial fees and forms are due by FRI DAY, September 5th. This will be your
childs first major grade. If a physical copy of the handbook or if any of the required forms
herein are needed, please contact me and I will have a few available upon request. As with all
checks you will send this year, please include your childs first and last name, grade level and
what the check is for in the memo section of the check (ex. Jane Smith, 8
th
, Fall Fee), and
make it out to FSMS CHOIR.

Feel free to call my office or e-mail me if you have any questions concerning concerts, events,
uniforms, etc. I'm looking forward to a year full of success and to continuing a tradition of
excellence here at Fort Settlement Middle School! See you at Open House September 11
th
!

Sing-cerely,
Miss Richardson
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INDEX




















The choirs....................... 4
Daily Rehearsal........ 5
Attendance & Grading policy.......... 6
Try out procedures..... 7
Concert Participation...... 7
Concert Descriptions......................................... 8
Concert Etiquette............................................................ 9
Uniforms....... 10
Eligibility...... 11
Competitions....... 12
Travel...... 13
Charms........ 13
Fundraisers....... 14

4

tHE cHOIRS



Every choir at Fort Settlement is designed to procure growth by providing every
student with knowledge in basic musical pedagogy, healthy vocal technique
and by aiming to challenge every student in a supportive and engaging
environment:

Sixth grade treble consists of 6
th
grade girls, and is designed as a
precursor to Advanced Women and Varsity Women. Participates in social
events, concerts, and contests.

Concert Choir consists of 7
th
and 8
th
graders with no prior choral
experience, and is designed as a precursor to Advanced Women, Varsity
Women, and high school chorus. Participates in social events and concerts.

Tenor Bass Choir* consists of 6
th
-8
th
grade men, regardless of
experience, and is designed as a precursor to high school chorus. Participates
in social events, concerts, and contests.

Advanced Women* consists of 7
th
and 8
th
grade women, and is
designed as a precursor to Varsity Women and high school chorus.
Participates in social events, concerts, and contests.

Varsity Women* consists of auditioned 7
th
and 8
th
grade women who
have one or more years of experience in middle school choir, and is designed
as a precursor to high school chorus. Participates in social events, concerts,
and contests.

*Students will also have the opportunity to participate in area contests such as
the Solo and Ensemble Competition, All-Region Choir Competition, and the
U.I.L. Concert and Sight-Reading Contest. Although rehearsals will be held
during class, some before and after school rehearsals may be required in
preparation for performances.
5



DAILY REHEARSAL


REQUIRED SUPPLIES everyday:

1. Black Folder / binder
2. Music
3. Pencil
4. Highlighter
5. FSMS Agenda



Expectations:
All students are expected to follow the Fort Settlement Middle School rules
printed in the FSMS Student Handbook and Agenda. Students will be
responsible for following the rules of the school and the Choir including the
following:

Respect yourself, the Director, other Choir students and any
classroom property.
REPORT on time and prepared. Be in your seat before the tardy bell
rings with ALL of your supplies.
REFRAI N* from food or drinks in the Choir Room/Practice Rooms.
RESTROOM breaks should occur BETWEEN classes
rEALLY enjoy Choir Class and PARTICIPATE!!!


*gum is stri ctly prohibited! This is a CHOKING HAZARD. For your
students safety it cannot be allowed in the Choir Room/Practice Rooms.


Everyday procedures:
1. Enter quietly and remove any gum (read above)
2. PLACE ALL BELONGINGS ON THE SHELVES
3. TURN IN ANY FORMS, MONEY OR HOMEWORK
4. Have your folder, music, pencil, highlight ready to go
5. Be in your assigned seat before the bell
6
Attendance & GRADING POLICY

The students nine-week grade will be comprised of Daily Grades (50% of the
students grade) and Major Grades (50% of the students grade). Daily grades
include in-class work and participation. Major Grades are given for written and
performance tests, performances and assignments. Double Daily Grades will
be given for rehearsals held outside of the school day. Double Major Grades
will be given for performances. Each student will start every week with a
100% participation grade.

How should I view my childs participation grade?
100-95 Student actively participates in class; has a positive attitude;
prepared and on time to class every day; attempts all work;
actions contribute greatly to rehearsal.
94-90 Student actively participates in class; has a good attitude;
prepared and on time to class every day; attempts most work;
actions contribute positively to rehearsal.
89-80 Student sometimes participates in class; has a fair attitude;
sometimes prepared for class; attempts some work; actions do
not contribute to rehearsal.
79-70 Student rarely participates in class; has a poor attitude; not
prepared for class; does not often attempt work; actions
detract from rehearsal.
69 and below Student does not participate in class, attitude is poor; student
is not making progress.

Students with excessive unexcused absences from school may be precluded
from participating in choir events. This is evaluated on a case-by-case basis;
the choir director and administration evaluate these cases together.
PARTI CI PATI ON WI LL BE A MAJOR FACTOR I N A STUDENT S
GRADE THI S SCHOOL YEAR.
Please remind students to bring their music folios to class Choir music is
considered the same as a textbook for any other class. Periodic graded
folio checks will be conducted during class to make sure that students have
their materials and will be reflected in their participation grade.
Refer to the FBISD Student Handbook for questions regarding the Districts
policy on grading and ineligibility for events.
7


Tryout Procedures

Prior to the academic school year, ALL sixth and seventh grade students will
audition for placement in one of the choirs for the upcoming year.
NO STUDENT WILL BE ENROLLED IN ANY CHOIR UNTIL THIS IS DONE.




CONCERT PARTICIPATION

Choir is a participation based, co-curricular class. Because of this, concerts
are graded events and take first priority over extra-curricular activities. A non-
school activity is not a valid excuse for missing a choral concert or contest.
Students are expected to stay until the end of all choir concerts as
concert/audience etiquette is a part of their double major grade. Please notify
your other coaches and teachers (dance, piano, voice, team sports, etc.) of
your choir schedule. If there is a conflict with another school activity, the choir
directors will work to resolve the issue with the other teacher/coach, but
Advanced notice is mandatory, or an absence will be deemed
unexcused and recorded as a double major grade.
Quoted from the FBISD Fine Arts manual, Students who miss a rehearsal,
activity, or performance must consult with the program instructor well in
advance of the function. Failure to attend a rehearsal, activity, or performance
without prior permission or good cause may result in suspension from future
activities or performances. Absences will be qualified as follows:
An excused absence is one that the program instructor has prior
knowledge of and/or is based on an acceptable reason. Acceptable
reasons for an absence would include a medical emergency or illness, a
death in the family, a religious holiday, or a family emergency.
An unexcused absence is one that the program instructor has no prior
knowledge of and/or is based on a reason that is unacceptable to the
instructor.
8


Concert Descri pti ons




Fall Concert This concert is for ALL choirs and occurs around
October. It is meant as preparation and practice for proper concert etiquette
and will usually consist of 2 to 3 songs per ensemble.

Winter Concert This concert is for ALL choirs and occurs around
December. It is meant as a preparation for UIL Competition, and is usually held
at an off campus location to provide the students an opportunity to perform in
a venue designed for live choral concerts.


Festival preview Concert This concert is for Sixth Grade Treble
Choir and Concert Choir and occurs around April. This concert is a showcase
of all the hard work and growth the choir members have achieved throughout
the year, and a preparation for the FBISD Choral Festival in May.

POP SHOW This concert is for ALL choirs and occurs around late May.
This show is programmed with anything from popular music to musical theater,
has a consistent theme, and involves dance and theatrics. It is designed as a
reward for a year of diligent work and growth, and is usually the biggest hit of
the year.

9

CONCERT ETIQUETTE


One of the skills students learn and demonstrate throughout the year is
appropriate concert etiquette. This is part of the TEKS (Texas Essential
Knowledge and Skills) for Choir. We emphasize that different concert events
require different concert etiquette. For example, an audience might behave
differently at a formal concert than they would at a pep rally. Music is a family
affair, and we welcome everyone to our concerts. In order to ensure that
students perform to the best of their ability and all audience members have an
enjoyable experience, please adhere to the following guidelines:

! Unless you are removing a crying child, please enter and exit
the performance only during applause.
! During a performance, please remain attentive to the
performance, refraining from conversation.
! If you are sitting with a small child, please sit near an aisle.
Please remove fussy or crying children from the performance
area promptly.
! Use flash photography only during applause. Photography
during a song can be distracting to the performers.
! Please hold applause until the director lowers his/her arm.
! Please applaud appropriately for the venue; yelling or
screaming, as you would for an athletic event, is not
appropriate for a formal concert. WE have taught the children
to ignore you waving and calling their name.
! Please turn pagers, cell phones, and watch alarms to silent
during the performance.
! Please refrain from eating and drinking in the performance
venue.



10


UNIFORMS

Uniforms are worn by every choir member for every performance. For all
performances, long hair must be pulled away from the face. Hair accessories
should be modest in size and an appropriate color for the uniform worn.
Students should NOT wear perfume or cologne, and should ALWAYS wear
deodorant. No jewelry is to be worn with any uniform.

Si xth GRADE TREBLE & concert choi r
INFORMAL
Spirit Shirt
Jeans with NO holes or frays
Closed toe/heel shoes
FORMAL
Polo
Jeans with NO holes or frays
Closed toe/heel shoes

Tenor bass choi r
INFORMAL
Polo
Jeans with NO holes or frays
Closed toe/heel shoes
FORMAL
Tuxedo shirt
Black dress pants
Black dress shoes
Bow tie & cummerbund (provided at performance)

Advanced & Varsi ty Women
INFORMAL
Polo
Jeans with NO holes or frays
Closed toe/heal shoes
FORMAL
Formal Gown
Black closed toe/heel shoes

11

Eligibility

Each family must read the online Fort Bend Independent School Districts
Student Handbook at the beginning of the year. Please read the
Extracurricular Handbook section carefully - it contains vital information
concerning the Districts policies and expectations for your child with regards
to his/her participation in extracurricular activities.
The student handbook states, A student who is enrolled in a school district in
this state or participates in a UIL competition shall be suspended from
participation in any extracurricular activity sponsored or sanctioned by the
school district or the UIL after a grade evaluation period (six weeks grade
reporting period) in which the student received a grade lower than the
equivalent of 70 on a scale of 100 in any academic class.
Events affected by this state ruling would include:
Any choir contest where ratings are awarded, both individual and group;
Any choir performance associated with an award;
Any choir field trips or off campus concerts or competitions.
Any event for which there is an admission fee.
To regain eligibility, ineligible students must wait seven calendar days after a
three-week evaluation period, and/or grading period, whichever comes first, in
which the student has made a grade of seventy or above in all classes.
**please note that the choir department will not issue refunds for events
missed due to eligibility.
For further information you can consult the UIL/TEA Side by Side online:
http://www.uiltexas.org/files/tea-uil-side-by-side.pdf

Extra-curricular events include:
Solo and Ensemble Contest
Region Auditions
Region Clinic/Concert
Ft. Bend Pre-UIL Choral Contest
UIL Choral and Sight-reading Contest
Performances off campus
Spring Trips
12

COMPETITIONS

Regi on XI I I Honor Choi r Audi ti ons Region Honor Choir is a group of
auditioned singers that represents the most talented voices from our area (the
best of the best). Being selected for Region Honor Choir is the highest honor
that a middle school singer can attain. There will be a $20.00 Audition & Music
Fee to participate. Practice Tracks & Music will be available through CHARMS.
Students who are selected for Region Honor Choir will participate in a Clinic
and Concert Weekend.

Ui l Solo Competi ti on Students will be learning solos as a class project
that they may use for the contest. There will be an Entry Fee (to be
determined) for each Solo contestant and an accompanist fee (to be
determined) due at contest time.

Pre-Ui l and Ui l Concert and Si ght-Readi ng Contests
These contests are extremely important as they are the primary means by
which our Choir program is evaluated by the University Interscholastic League.
Rehearsals and sectionals in the weeks leading up to this event are crucial
and attendance is mandatory and graded. Care should be taken to minimize
scheduling conflicts during this period. Students must maintain eligibility to
participate in the Pre-U.I.L and U.I.L. Contests.

CHOIR TRIPS

There will be several opportunities for competition Choirs to travel during the
school year including Region Choir Auditions and Concert, Solo and Ensemble
Contest, Pre-U.I.L. Contest, U.I.L. Concert and Sight-Reading Contest, and off-
campus recruiting performances. Students must meet eligibility requirements to
participate in trips and contests.

*All trips off-campus are subject to the approval of Administration.

The procedure set forth in the FBISD Student/Parent Handbook will be
followed concerning trips. Permission and Medical Information sheets included
with this Choir Handbook must be completed and on file with the Director in
order for any student to participate in a Choir Trip.
13
TRAVEL

All normal travel is handled by FBISD transportation. Special Charter may
handle special trips, but all forms MUST be on file before any student may
travel with the choir. These forms are given to your student during the first
week of school.

The Choir travels for various events, including, but not limited to: Solo &
Ensemble Contest, Pre- UIL, UIL Concert and Sight Reading Contest, Region
Choir Auditions, and Region Choir Clinic/Concert, and various optional social
events.

All school rules and regulations apply to all field trips. We will strictly
adhere to all discipline procedures on all school-sponsored trips.

Please also note: The choir Director may not, under any circumstances, drive
your child home.

**On multiple incidences where your child is not picked up within 15 minutes of
the scheduled and published pick up time, your student WILL NOT be allowed
to participate in any subsequent optional events. **


CHARMS


Why would I use Charms?
To see Choir Announcements
To download forms and informational letters
To find contact information for the director
To see your childs financial account and determine
whether or not he/she has made certain payments
To see if your child has turned in required forms
To see a calendar of events
To find useful links & VOLUNTEER "


14
How do I access Charms?
Go to: www.charmsoffice.com
Locate the PARENT/STUDENT LOGIN section of the web page
Login to the site with: FALCONCHOIR
Enter your students password.
This is your childs student ID the first time that you login.

**It is recommended that you change your password after initial log in in order
to further safe guard you and your students personal information.**

ON FIRST LOGIN
Select the Student Information button and fill in all pertinent information.

The Charms System is a fantastic resource that allows for a thorough flow of
communication. Please log in as soon as possible to verify that you and your
students information are accurate and up to date. Thank you!



FUNDRAISERS


Students will be participating in a Fundraiser in September. This is an optional
activity. The purpose of fundraising is to raise money for Choir activities
throughout the school year. Every organization on campus does a fundraiser.
Please keep in mind that the Choir Fundraiser is the primary source for funding
all of our activities, so please save some of your spending for us!

Although the Fundraiser is an optional activity, all students are expected to
participate for the benefit of the organization. More information concerning
the Fundraiser will be provided in the future.