Awesome High School
McCarroll Middle School
Eagle Choir Handbook
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Director: Ms. Rachel Plitt
Office: (940)393-7314 Mobile: (940) 268-5048
rachel.plitt@decatur.
Conference times: M-W 11:19-12:10, 3:25-4:00
Thurs 11:42-1:13, 2:50-4:00 Fri 7:30-8:00, 2:50-3:25
Welcome to the McCarroll Middle School choir program. My name is Ms. Plitt, I am the new choir director. I am so excited to work with all the students in this program, I know we can work together as students, parents, and director to make our program outstanding.
I am from Carrollton, TX and went to Creekview High School. I graduated and then went off to Texas State University- San Marcos where I majored in Music Education. I did my student teaching near San Antonio at both the high school and elementary levels. After graduating in 2007 I went to Louisiana State University to get my Masters degree in Choral Conducting. For the last three years I was the assistant choir director at North Shore Middle School in Galena Park ISD near Houston.
I have been in choirs since I was in the fifth grade and have played piano since I was seven years old. I want to share my love of music with you and help you to make the your most beautiful sound. We have fun concerts and activities planned, and I’m sure we have a wonderful year ahead of us!
Please feel free to contact me at any time by phone or by e-mail with questions, comments, or concerns regarding the choral program.
Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills: The state of Texas has outlined several standards for music education:
➢ Four basic strands--perception, creative expression/performance, historical and cultural heritage, and critical evaluation--provide broad, unifying structures for organizing the knowledge and skills students are expected to acquire. By reflecting on musical periods and styles, students understand music's role in history and are able to participate successfully in a diverse society. Students analyze and evaluate music, developing criteria for making critical judgments and informed choices.
For more, please visit: tea.state.tx.us/rules/tac/chapter117/ch117c.html
A Rationale for Music Education:
Because of its importance, music should not be left to a group of “talented” individuals; instead, music should be open to all students. Every student deserves a complete education where fine arts are included.
The multidimensional thinking involved in reading music is beneficial to students in many ways. Studies have linked music learning to higher scores in math, reading, and science. Students who study music show greater abilities in listening, recalling, anticipating, spatial reasoning, problem solving, and writing.
Music instills in students a sense of self-worth and positive self-image. Ensembles help students to build on important life skills such as self-discipline, a sense of community, cooperation, communication, and adaptation. Experience in music caters to a students’ aesthetic sense and allows them to explore their own rich culture, as well as cultures of others around the world.
Choir Uniform (for performances):
← Ladies: Choir dresses are provided
Student is responsible for: solid black pantyhose, black closed toe dress shoes
← Men: the choir program will provide vests and/or bow-ties
Student is responsible for: White dress shirt, black trousers, black dress socks & shoes
← 6th Graders: Choir shirt (information will be sent home about this) tucked in to long plain blue jeans, closed toe shoes
Everyday Materials:
← Black 3-ring binder (1/2”- 1”) or a folder with brads for 6th grade
← Pencils (No pens allowed, please and thank you!)
← Binders/folders and pencils will be available from Ms. Plitt starting the 2nd week of school
← Students are solely responsible for their materials. Extra materials will be available during class. Materials grades are taken daily!
Classroom Rules and Expectations:
First and foremost, students are expected to follow all district/school policies and guidelines!
← Give respect and you’ll get respect!
← Take responsibility for yourself and your actions
← Come to class ready to make music with ALL of your materials
← Actively participate in class!
← Remain quiet during instruction, and follow all directions. This is especially important during announcements and fire drills!
← No gum or food in class. Water with a lid is okay.
← No backpacks, purses, or cell phones at your seat, please leave them in the designated area by the classroom door.
← You may not touch the piano or enter Ms. Plitt’s office without permission.
← When students are given materials they are responsible for treating them with care: purposefully defacing or destroying school property will result in a monetary fine and grade deduction.
← Students who choose not to adhere to expectations will go through the necessary steps for behavior mediation.
← Fighting, bullying, profanity, and theft will not be tolerated and will result in immediate office referral
← Homework is rarely given in choir, but late work is ABSOLUTELY NOT accepted. If a student is absent, they may make up the assignment.
Grading Policies:
We will follow normal Decatur ISD grading policies for six week grading periods.
Test Grades include: Concerts, tests, solo projects, and any home practice projects
Daily Grades include: concert/rehearsal attendance, materials, participation, daily class work, and other small assignments
**UIL choir students and anyone participating in region choir will be subject to periodic grade checks. In order to participate in these state sanctioned events, students must be passing all classes by the grade check date.
Rehearsals and Concerts: Rehearsals will occur outside of normal school hours for All-Region choir and other events. Concerts are a large part of the choir curriculum and assessment. Concerts count as major/test grades and attendance is mandatory, missing one could be detrimental to a students’ grade.
Students who have schedule conflicts are responsible for letting the director know ahead of time. Unexpected absences do occur, when this happens the student has one class day to bring a signed doctor/parent note to excuse the student from the choir event. Failure to bring a note to excuse an absence will result in an unexcused absence and consequently a lowering of the student’s grade
Eagle Ensembles: Placement in all ensembles at McCarroll Middle School is at the discretion of the director. All groups represent the highest caliber of performance and quality of music.
6th Grade Choir: There are 3 sections of 6th grade groups that meet during 6th, 7th, and 8th periods. 6th and 8th are girls classes and 7th is a boys class. Students in 6th grade choir will learn the basics of reading music, how to build their voices, and how to be a strong choir member.
Chorale: (UIL) Men’s chorale meets during 3rd period. This group will present high quality repertoire of differing styles and cultures in tenor/bass voicing.
Women’s Chorus: (UIL) Women’s Chorus is a special group of 7th grade ladies that meets during 1st period. They sing selections in soprano/alto voicing and will occasionally perform with Concert Choir.
Women’s Concert Choir: (UIL) Concert Choir is made up of a carefully selected group of 8th grade girls who compete at the varsity level. They meet during 4th period and compete in UIL competition in the Spring semester. These ladies are expected to learn region music and attempt region choir in October.
Choir Parent Group: Parents are encouraged to be a part of the Choir Parent Group. Please contact Ms. Plitt for details. We need parental help and support to be successful. This is a way to help chaperone and let your voice be heard regarding fundraising, field trips, and other activities. Parents who are unable to be present for any meetings but would like to volunteer to help the choral program may contact the director for more information. Parents, relatives, and community members are our biggest support. We invite everyone to performances and social events. Please consider volunteering your time.
Student leadership is incredibly important to our success as a choir. Student leadership positions will be available throughout the year for different activities and events. Please see Ms. Plitt if you are interested in being a student leader.
Helpful Links: Parents & students can like us on Facebook (McCarroll Middle School Choir)!
School Website:
Choir Website:
University Interscholastic League (UIL):
Texas Music Educators Association:
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Choir Calendar: Please mark your calendars with the following dates. Handouts and electronic communication will go out before each major event.
August
Mon. 27- Classes begin, Welcome Back Eagles!
September
Thurs. 6- Region Rehearsals begin (Calendars distributed in class)
Tues. 11- (Tentative) Patriot Sing during school
Thurs. 27-28- Region Candidate Auditions before and after school
October
Sat. 6-Region Entry Deadline
Tues. 16- Fall Concert @ Decatur HS auditorium- 5:30 Call 7:00 Performance
Sat. 20-Region Auditions @ Truett Wilson MS- Northwest ISD All Day
November
Thurs. 8- (Tentative) Veteran’s Day Sing during school
Sat. 10-Region Clinic/Concert @ Chisholm Trail HS- Eagle Mtn. Saginaw ISD All Day
19th-23rd - Thanksgiving Break
December
Tues. 18- Winter Concert @ Decatur HS auditorium- 5:30 Call 7:00 Performance
24th-Jan. 7- Winter Break Enjoy the holidays!
January
Mon. 7- Welcome Back!
Thurs. 31- Ms. Plitt’s Birthday
February
TBA- Solo and Ensemble Competition
March
11th-15th -Spring Break
Tues. 19- Pre-UIL Concert @ Decatur HS auditorium 7:00 performance
April
Mon. 16- Wed.18 - UIL Competition information will be given in class per choir
May
Tues. 14- Pop Show @ Decatur HS auditorium
June
Thurs. 6- Last Day of School! Have a great summer!
Please sign and return the last page!
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Sign and Return by September 7th!!!!
I ______________________ have read and understand the McCarroll MS
(Student printed name)
choir handbook. I am aware of concert dates and times, proper dress, auditions, and contest dates. I understand that not complying with rules and standards outlined in this handbook could result in a grade reduction or my expulsion from the choral program.
__________________________
(Student signature)
_________________
(Date)
I ________________________have read and understand the McCarroll MS
(Parent/guardian printed name)
choir handbook. I am aware of concert and contest dates and times. I am aware of volunteer opportunities available to me. I know how to contact the McCarroll MS choir director. I understand the expectations and consequences laid out for my student.
___________________________
(Parent/guardian signature)
________________
(Date)
Thank you so much! I look forward to a great year with your student.
Truly,
Ms. Plitt
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