Eastern Guilford High School

Choral/Guitar Handbook
Spring 2017

Ms. Jackson-Adams
Email: jacksok4@gcsnc.com
Phone: (336) 449-6311 ext. 1649

Contents:
2 Open Welcome Letter
3 Music Education Philosophy
4 Ensemble Descriptions
5 Rules and Expectations, Points and Happy Notes
7 Daily Classroom Procedure
8 Grade Breakdown
9 Late Work, Make-up Work, and Make-up Time
10 Concert Attire, Choral Dues, Required Materials
11 Travel Rules and Regulations
12 Happy Notes Booster Club
13 Spring Semester Schedule
15 Handbook Contract

Dear Eastern Guilford High School Parents, Guardians, and Community Members:

My name is Kate Jackson-Adams, I am the Choral and Guitar Program Director at EGHS, and I
welcome you to the 2016-2017 academic yeargo Wildcats! I am excited to get to know and
work with your children, and I hope that you will join me in celebrating what they have to offer
the music program, this school, and our surrounding community. As choral and/or guitar
students, your children will work AND they will grow, both as musicians and as individuals
suiting up for the real world.
This handbook outlines the rules and procedures of the classroom, as well as my expectations
for all Eastern choral and guitar students, as the face of our fine arts program and as role
models for the school. Please also refer to the attached rehearsal and performance schedule
for more information on upcoming concerts, trips, workshops, and fundraisers. Take special
note of performance dates, as these are mandatory for all students.
As always, please feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns you may have. You
may email me at jacksok4@gcsnc.com or call the school at (336) 449-6311 ext. 1649.
Additionally, you may reference our website, easternwildcatmusic.weebly.com for updates and
materials. I look forward to getting to know and work with you to ensure that our students are
able to be the best versions of themselves!
Sincerely,
Ms. Jackson-Adams
Choral and Guitar Program Director
Eastern Guilford High School

Music Education Philosophy

As a music educator, I believe that music serves as an incredibly effective means of connecting
with others, and is therefore meant to be shared with individuals of all backgrounds. I
encourage all students to participate in public school music programs. The experiences we
share in Eastern High's choir and guitar classes allow students to improve upon such practices
as self-reflection and expression, verbal and non-verbal communication, collaboration and
multicultural sensitivity, and self-discipline. These tools are invaluable to our life and work as
human beings who want to make a difference.

A commitment to growth as individual musicians also requires critical thinking, taking

ownership, accepting challenges, and taking risks. All students deserve to have opportunities to
grow in these ways and I work to ensure that they experience this growth.

It is for these reasons that EGHS choir and guitar students are held to high expectations. It is
my duty to ensure that these young adults have fun and grow as confident musicians that feel
just a bit more prepared for life's many challenges.

Ensemble Descriptions
Mixed Choir - EGHS Mixed Choir serves as the choral programs entry-level ensemble where
students (grades 9-12) will focus on developing the foundations for music literacy and healthy,
confident singing. We will focus primarily on:
1. Proper breath management
2. Body alignment and singers posture
3. A steady, supported tone
4. Steady beat
5. Meter
6. Rhythmic durations and the Takadimi system
7. Solfege syllables, hand signs, and moveable do
8. Expressive elements (e.g. dynamics and phrasing)
9. Articulation (e.g. staccato, legato, text-stress)
10. Historical and cultural relevancy

Mixed Choir singers will develop these foundational skills in the context of varied repertoire. This
repertoire will serve to represent diverse musical genres and cultures. Mixed Choir members may
have any amount of prior musical experience. This ensemble serves as an exploratory and
foundational class for future, more independent musical experiences. No formal audition is
required.
Honors Vocal Ensemble (HVE) EGHS Honors Vocal Ensemble singers comprise a select group of
auditioned students of all voice types. This group is committed to honoring a varied set of
repertoire representing diverse cultures and musical genres. They will work to improve upon the
music literacy skills mentioned above with the appropriate refined musical expressive tools (e.g.
text-stress, articulation, etc.). Advanced Ensemble singers will also participate in a more rigorous
performance schedule (see performance schedule pp. 13-16) and will be held to higher
expectations for sight-reading. A solo/small group performance unit will be addressed for
Advanced Ensemble members, whereby individual students will have the opportunity to perform
for the class. Students are to write a blurb on each students performance, providing positive
feedback and constructive criticism.
Beginning Guitar EGHS Beginning Guitar students will learn the basics of playing the guitar
through the application of essential musical elements (e.g., rhythm, tone, melody, harmony, steady
beat, etc.). Beginning guitarists will be introduced to chordal strumming and finger-picking. Guitars
are provided for all students during instructional time, but may not be taken home to practice. For
this reason, I encourage before and after school practice, and will be happy to make arrangements
for any interested students. There are also starter guitars as low as $40 on Amazon. If you can
afford to make this investment, I encourage you to do so. Your child will benefit greatly from outof-class rehearsal time.
Intermediate Guitar Guitar students who have taken Beginning Guitar, and who received a letter
grade of a C or higher at the high school level, may advance to Intermediate Guitar. Intermediate
guitar students will be responsible for a solo/small group unit, in addition to large ensemble
requirements. Students at the intermediate level will engage in more involved music theory study
and will refine techniques specific to a diverse selection of musical genres.
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Rehearsal Rules and Expectations, Points and Happy Notes

Rules
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Listen and follow directions.

Raise your hand before speaking or leaving your spot.
Respect your classmates and your teacher.
Keep your hands, feet, and objects to yourself.
No cursing, bad language, or put-downs.

Consequences
1. Warning This warning may be either verbal or visual. In other words, Ms. Jackson-Adams will
either ask you to stop the misbehavior or make lingering eye contact.
2. Private chat after class If you break another rule later in the class period, or you dont stop the
misbehavior when given your warning, Ms. Jackson-Adams will ask to speak with you after class.
At this time, you will be informed of how many points you lost for the day (see Points below).
3. Parent/Guardian contact and detention If you engage in similar misbehavior throughout the
rest of the week, Ms. Jackson-Adams will contact your parent or guardian and you will be
assigned either lunch or after school detention.
4. Referral to administration Students who make a pattern of misbehavior will be sent to
administration and may be asked to leave the program.
*Students who participate in severe misbehavior, as in dangerous or brazenly disrespectful
behavior, will immediately be referred to administration.

Daily Expectations
1. Be on time. We will adhere to the following school-wide consequences for tardies:
1st tardy in 9-week period = warning
2nd tardy in 9-week period = call home
3rd tardy in 9-week period = lunch or after school detention
4th tardy in 9-week period = ISS
*If you are late to an after-school rehearsal or a performance, you will have 10 points deducted
from your Performance Grade (30% of your final grade).
2. Come mentally and physically prepared. Leave your baggage at the door. You are in this class
to learn and connect with your peers on a musical level. It is my job to protect this right that
each student in my class is owed. Do your best to leave drama or unrelated concerns at the
door.
You must also have your music folder with all music, interactive notebook, a pencil and any
assignments that are due DAILY.

3. No phones or headphones out during class. We will adhere to the following school-wide
consequences for phones and headphones:
Phones and headphones will be confiscated and turned into Mrs. Hackett in the attendance
office. Your parent/guardian may elect to pick up your phone at the end of the day, or you can
pick up your phone the following day.
4. No food, drink, candy, or gum. Students who bring these prohibited items to class will be asked
to either dispose of it immediately, or leave it on my desk to pick up after class. Water bottles,
on the other hand, are allowed and encouraged.
5. Participate fully. Work hard, be willing to take risks (this is the only way we grow!), pick yourself
up and try again (failure, too, is an opportunity to grow!).

Points
Listening and participation is vital to your success in this class. Each student may earn up to 4 points
daily toward their weekly rehearsal grade (20 possible points): 2 Listening Points and 2 Participation
Points. To earn 2 Listening Points, you must listen quietly while Ms. Jackson-Adams is talking and
follow all directions given. To earn 2 Participation Points, you must be actively involved in whatever
independent or group activity the class is working on. Ms. Jackson-Adams will record students daily
on an orange clipboard. If you would like to know how many points youve earned on a given day,
simply ask Ms. Jackson-Adams after class, or before or after school. Remember, your cumulative
Rehearsal Grade acts as 40% of your Final Grade.
* If you are absent a day, be sure that you make up any work you missed to receive your daily
points.

Happy Notes
Students who show exceptional rehearsal etiquette, going above and beyond the daily expectations,
may earn happy notes. For example, the student that shows positive leadership or excellent
musicianship may receive a happy note. The object of the game is to collect as many of these notes
as you can, so that you can cash in on the following prizes:
2 Happy Notes = piece of candy
3 Happy Notes = positive call or note home
4 Happy Notes = bathroom pass
5 Happy Notes = late work forgiveness OR chair pass (choir only)
6 Happy Notes = drop lowest quiz or rehearsal grade

Choir/Guitar Daily Classroom Procedure

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.

Enter classroom quietly and punctually, leaving all baggage at the door.
Place backpacks and other materials on the back wall, or under your chair.
Turn in any homework or make-up assignments in your classs turn-in tray.
Pick up any materials from your classs pick-up tray.
Take your music binder and interactive notebook from your designated cubby.
Sharpen any pencils at this time.
Be seated quietly, copy down the I can statement (displayed on the board) in your notebook,
and read the directions for completing the bellringer on the board.
8. Quietly and individually complete the bellringer in your interactive notebook, unless given
directions otherwise. Refer to your notes if you have any questions, or raise your hand for help.
9. When you are done, you may work on makeup assignments (see p. 9 for the makeup work
policy) or homework quietly, study your notes, or review classroom flashcards. Also, see me
ahead of time if there is another quiet activity that you think would be appropriate to do. There
will be no talking, even if you are finished with the assignment, as others in your class may not
be finished and may need silence to concentrate.
10. Bellringer review and/or discussion as a class
- If you are a guitar student, you may grab your assigned guitar after we have wrapped
up the bell ringer as a class.
11. Warm-ups, sight-reading exercises, improvisation, and/or etudes
12. Repertoire applying skills to music in performance rehearsal
13. Wrap-up/I can check. All students will self-reflect on their mastery of the I can statement
recorded in their notebook at the beginning of class. Students will check the box that indicates the
level of mastery they achieved in class.
14. Students will return their music binder and interactive notebook to their assigned cubbies when
they are dismissed. Keep in mind that the teacher dismisses the class; the bell does not.
- Guitar students will be given extra time to put away guitars before dismissal.
Bathroom Passes
Students will receive 3 bathroom passes per 9 weeks. To ask to use the bathroom, students must simply
raise their pass in the air. If Ms. Jackson-Adams gives them the OK, students will then turn in the pass,
sign-out and take the hall pass lanyard. The student will not receive new bathroom passes if they are
lost. Keep these passes in your music folder with your name on them so they will not be misplaced!

Grade Breakdown
A: 90-100 = 4.0
B: 80-89
= 3.0
C: 70-79
= 2.0
D: 60-69
= 1.0
F: 0-59
= 0.0

Rehearsal Grade = 40%

Performances/Dress Rehearsals = 30%
Quizzes/Projects = 20%
Notebook Check/Homework = 10%

Weekly Rehearsal Grade

Each day, students may earn up to 2 Listening Points and 2 Participation Points toward their weekly
rehearsal grade. Students who show outstanding listening and participation throughout the rehearsal
will earn all 4 points towards a total of 20 possible weekly points. See pages 5 and 6 for more
information on points, as well as classroom rules and expectations.
Performances/Dress Rehearsals
Concert and dress rehearsal attendance is MANDATORY and is 30% of a students grade. Please record
the dates listed on pages 13 and 14 in your personal calendar and make appropriate arrangements to be
there on time. An excused absence from a required dress rehearsal or concert will only be taken into
consideration if arrangements are made with me at least 2 weeks in advance of the dress rehearsal or
concert you will be missing. Students with an excused absence will need to complete an alternative
assignment in place of their performance/dress rehearsal grade. A student who is an athlete or who
works an afterschool job will need to make prior arrangements to be at mandatory performances/dress
rehearsals.
Students with unexcused absences for either dress rehearsals or concerts will receive a zero 0 for their
Performance/Dress Rehearsal grade (30%). Exceptions will be made for sick students who provide a
doctors note and for family emergencies in which the parent contacts the director prior to the dress
rehearsal or performance call time.
Quizzes/Remediation
If a student scores poorly and is interested in bringing up their quiz grade, they will need to attend a
remediation tutorial session the next week (I offer tutoring after school on Thursdays, or by
appointment) and complete additional work.
Notebook Checks
You can expect to have your notebook checked for a grade at least once a month. Students must have I
Can Statements, self-evaluations, bellringers, and other activities organized to receive full credit. They
must also have page numbers throughout and an updated table of contents and glossary. Students who
miss a day must see their classs Example Interactive Notebook to complete the bellringer they missed.

Late Work, Make-up Work, Make-up Time

Late work
Ten points will be deducted for every day an assignment is late.

Make-up work
As per school policy, students are given three days to complete any graded work they missed while
absent from class (this includes all notebook activities). You are responsible for locating your makeup work directions in the make-up work folder located in the classroom student center (check your
classs tab for work with your name on it). These directions will tell you what Interactive Notebook
Activity you missed with the Example Notebooks page number to refer to. They will also tell you if
you missed other graded activities or quizzes. When arranging to make-up this work, students will
confirm a day and time with me first and then record this on the make-up work & time sign-up
sheet also located in the student center. For every day an assignment is late beyond the three-day
window, 10 points will be deducted.

Make-up Time
As per school policy, students who are absent to class more than 3 times per nine weeks are
required to make-up half of the class time missed. In other words, if a student misses 4 days in a
grading period, they will need to make up 45 minutes of time (half of 1 additional absence above 3)
before the final day of that grading period. I update the make-up time white board every Friday.
Students are responsible for checking this and scheduling the make-up time with me. They will
then record this day/time on the make-up work & time sign-up sheet. If a student fails to makeup this time before the end of the grading period, they will be assigned a 59F for their quarter
grade.
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Concert Attire, Choral Dues, Required Materials

Concert Attire
Women: long black skirt (must be at least knee-length) or black dress pants and black
blouse/top (must have sleeves and a modest neckline); OR long black dress (must be at least
knee-length) with sleeves and a modest neckline; black closed-toed, comfortable dress shoes
Men: Black dress pants, white collared, long-sleeved button up shirt and tie; black socks and
black dress shoes
*All outfits are to be approved by me in person the Friday before our first formal
performance (please bring your concert attire before 1st block this day).
For more relaxed performances, choir students may wear their choir t-shirt, blue jeans (no
rips/holes), and closed toed shoes. These performances are marked with a # on the
performance schedule (p.13-14).

Choral Dues
A $20 Choral Fee is required of all choral students to cover the cost of choir t-shirts and our
piano accompanist for performances. Those returning choir students who already have a t-shirt
will only be responsible for a $10 choral fee. Please have these choral dues turned in on or
before Friday, February 3rd. Collection time will be in the morning before 1st block.
Do be aware that students who do not have a choir t-shirt will not be permitted to perform
with the ensemble and will not receive a grade for our casual performance(s). Additionally,
unpaid fees stay on a students record and must be paid before graduation.
Please let me know if you have any financial concerns and we will work something out. No
student will miss out on an opportunity for financial reasons.

Required Materials
Student-provided: black 1-inch 3 ring binder, composition notebook, pencil, formal concert
attire, choral dues (choir students only)
Other required materials: music, choir t-shirt (choir students only)
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Chorus Travel Rules and Regulations

Eastern Guilford High School Choral students will be given a few opportunities a semester to
engage in off-campus musical opportunities. These students will be required to get a
permission form signed by their parent/guardian. This permission form will include a travel
behavior contract to be signed by students. This contract includes the following set of rules:

1. I will adhere to all school policies, as well as classroom rules and expectations, while on this
choral-related trip. I understand that failure to comply with these goals will result in the
same punitive measures set by the school. For serious infractions, I may be suspended from
future choral-related trips or asked to leave the choral program.
2. I am to model outstanding behavior, as a representative of the Eastern Guilford High School
Choral Program. I will take pride in myself, my school, my peers, my community, and the
music I have the opportunity to share.
3. I am to remain in the group setting or, when given permission, with a buddy at all times.

*Other rules that are specific to the trip may be added.

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Happy Notes Booster Club

We are starting a Choir and Guitar Booster Club this year and we need your help, parents! The
Booster Club will be responsible for coordinating fundraisers throughout the school year to help
provide our students with as many enriching musical opportunities as possible. Examples
include workshops, field trips (e.g., All County Chorus, All State Chorus, Honors Chorus, Music
Performance Adjudication, Mars Hill Festival), and national competitions. My hope is that, by
raising these additional funds, our students may also be able to participate in a very special
travel and performance opportunity, but that is yet to be announced!

Please let me know if you are interested in getting involved. Every bit of support is necessary to
keep our program alive and growing. Our students deserve the best!

For more information, email our Happy Notes Booster Club president, Orna Shearin, at
eghshappynotes@gmail.com

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Spring Semester Schedule

* = Mandatory for ALL Choir and Guitar Students
= Mandatory for ALL Choir Students
= Mandatory for Honors Vocal Ensemble
# = Wear Choir T-shirt
+ = Extra Credit if you attend and turn in a program

January 26: First day of Semester 2

January 30: Handbook Contract due (collection before 1st block)*

February 1: Class Materials check during class*

February 3: Choral Fees due; Report Cards

February 15: Early Release Day
February 16: Music Performance Adjudication Permission Form due; Interims
February 28: Early Release Day
February TBA: Performance at Eastern Middle#

March 2: EGHS Band Concert in Auditorium 7pm+

March 7-10 (exact day/time TBA): Music Performance Adjudication

March 9: Interims

March 10: Concert Attire Check (bring clothes by before 1st block)*

March 13: Spring Concert Dress Rehearsal in Auditorium 4-6pm*

March 14: Spring Concert in Auditorium 7pm (call time 6pm)*

March 15: Early Release Day

March 30: End of Quarter 3 Grading Period
March 31: Teacher Workday

April TBA: All-State Chorus District Rehearsal

April 3: Caf Concert Ticket Sale begins!
April 10-14: Spring Break
April 18: Report Cards
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April 18-20: Honors Vocal Ensemble Auditions after school (sign-up sheet
outside choir room)
April 27: Interims
April 21: Honors Vocal Ensemble 2017-2018 members announced

May 1, 3: Caf Concert soloist and small group auditions after school (sign-up
sheet outside choir room)

May 4: EGHS Band Concert in Auditorium 7pm+

May 5: Caf Concert soloists and small groups announced
May 8: Caf Concert money and leftover tickets due (collection before 1st

block)*

May 8, 10: Caf Concert soloist and small group rehearsal after school
(participating students are required to attend at least one)

May 11, 12: EGHS Dance Recital in Auditorium 7pm+

May 17: Caf Concert Dress Rehearsal in Atrium 4-6*

May 18: Caf Concert in Atrium at 7pm (call time 5:30pm)*#; Interims

May TBA: Finals

May TBA: Senior Awards Day Performance
May 29: Memorial Day No School

June 9: End of Quarter 4 Grading Period and Last Day of School!

June TBA: Graduation Music After School Rehearsal
June TBA: Graduation Performance at Greensboro Coliseum
June TBA: Finals
June TBA: Report Card mailed

Please note that these dates are subject to change. Any changes will be posted on
the EGHS Choir and Guitar website calendar (easternwildcatmusic.weebly.com).

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Spring 2017 Handbook Contract

I have read this handbook carefully and understand my expectations as a member of Eastern
Guilford High Schools choral and/or guitar program for the 2016-2017 school year. I affirm
that I will abide by the rules and procedures detailed in this handbook and understand the
consequences for not doing so. I understand that any unexcused absence from a rehearsal or
performance will be taken very seriously. I have had all questions concerning this handbook
answered and will do my best to live up to the intent of this contract.
Student Name (print)
Student Signature

Date

I have read this handbook carefully and understand my childs expectations as a member of
Eastern Guilford High Schools choral and/or guitar program for the 2016-2017 school year. I
will do my best to encourage him/her to abide by the rules and procedures of the choir and
guitar programs, as expressed in this handbook. I affirm that I have confirmed all rehearsal and
performance dates.
Parent/Guardian Name (print)
Parent/Guardian Signature

Date

Parent Email ________________________________________ Phone ___________________

I permit the release of photos and/or video of my child on the internet: Yes ______ No ______
Interested in receiving the Happy Notes Booster Club updates by email: ________ (check here)
Please fill out and return this page by January 30, 2017. If you have any questions regarding
the material in this handbook, please notify me by phone or email prior to this date (see
contact information on the front page of this handbook).
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Sign up for Remind to receive texts and/or email reminders of upcoming due dates, events,
and other announcements by class!
To receive messages via text, text your class code (see below) to 81010 OR (336) 844-2771
Mixed Choir Spring 2017 class code: @egmixed17
Intermediate Guitar Spring 2017 class code: @iguitar17
Beginning Guitar Spring 2017 class code: @beguitar17
Honors Vocal Ensemble 2016-2017 class code: @hve1617
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