Belvidere Central

Middle School
Chorus Handbook

2015-2016
Miss Allycia Nelson, Chorus, Ukulele, and Music & Culture
Belvidere Middle School Choral Department
815-544-3342
anelson3@district100.com

WELCOME TO THE BELVIDERE CENTRAL MIDDLE SCHOOL CHOIR!

Dear Choir Parent/Guardian,
My name is Miss Allycia Nelson and I am very excited about this school year and the
opportunities that await your student. The school year will be filled with performing,
creating, responding, and connecting to music.
Choral music is an incredible avenue toward building better musicians and better
people. Through teamwork, performance, music literacy, and creativity, students are able to
develop their self-esteem and ability to express themselves. Through exposure to many
different musical styles and periods, they are more aware of history and the world cultures.
They also begin to understand the impact that music can have in their lives and in the lives
of others.
Please read carefully through the choir schedule and mark your calendars
accordingly. Also, please return the back page with signatures of both parent/guardian and
student to Miss Nelson.
*This form will serve as the 1st grade of the year for your student.
If you have any questions or contributions throughout the year please feel free to
contact me. I look forward to a great year ahead!
PHONE (815) 544-3342
EMAIL anelson3@district100.com,
Dont forget check out website and like our Facebook page for musical updates, pictures,
and videos.
http://bcmschorus.weebly.com/
www.facebook.com/bcmsfinearts

Sincerely,

Miss Nelson
Miss Allycia Nelson
Choir, Ukulele, and Culture & Music Teacher

Event

Date

Time

Location

Required?

6th Grade Concert

ILMEA Auditions

Thursday, October 29
Saturday, October 10

6:30 P.M.
7:30 A.M - ?

Yes
Optional

TBA
Saturday, November
22
Monday, November
30
Hometown Caroling Friday, December 4

In Class
8:30 A.M.

Cafeteria
Hononegah
HS
BCMS
DeKalb HS

7:00 P.M.

PAC

Suggested
Selected
Students
Yes

TBA

Staff Fundraiser
Luncheon
Solo and Ensemble
Spring Concert
NCJC

TBA

In School

Historical
Museum
BCMS

Optional
Extra Credit
Suggested

TBA, February
Wednesday, May 11
Wednesday, May 4

TBA
7:00 P.M.
TBA

BCMS
PAC
NIU

Optional
Yes
Selected
Students

Fundraiser
ILMEA District
Festival
Winter Concert

TENTATIVE CHORAL CONCERT DATES 2015-2016

6th GRADE CHORUS
Students will learn the basics of choral singing and reading music. 6th Graders begin sightreading rhythms and melodies with solfedge, arranging their own melodies, and preparing
their own music for two concerts. During this preparation, they learn musical independence,
by singing pieces with rounds and ostinatos, and eventually two part harmonies. 6th Grade
Chorus meets every other day for one semester.
7th GRADE CHORUS
is a year long class which meets every other day. Students continue their mastery of sightreading, two-part independence, and development of musicality. Students begin to sing
three part harmonies with small group descants and begin showcasing their voices with
small solos. 7th Grade vocalists continue to build on their skills of music literacy and theory,
and learn how to write about music using musical vocabulary. The 7th Grade Chorus
participates in the Winter and Spring Concerts, as well as Christmas Caroling in downtown
Belvidere, and are given the opportunity to audition for the IMEA District Festival in the Fall,
and participate in Solo and Ensemble in the Spring.
8th GRADE CHORUS
is a year long class which meets every other day. As their voices mature, 8th grade vocalists
focus on vocal development, giving special attention to tone, breath, care of the voice, pitch,
and intonation. Students begin to sing in three part, learning how to work independently and
in a group setting. 8th Grade Chorus students continue to sight-read music through the use
of the solfedge. The 8th Grade Chorus participates in the Winter and Spring Concerts, as
well as Christmas Caroling in downtown Belvidere, and are given the opportunity to audition

for the IMEA District Festival in the Fall, participate in the Solo and Ensemble in the Spring,
and sing for the NCJC choir in May.

THE PURPOSE OF THE BCMS VOCAL PROGRAM

As a member of any singing ensemble you will further develop your musicianship
and total understanding of music in such a way that you can continue to enjoy, learn and
perform music as an independent musician. Your BCMS Choral experience will not only
prepare you to perform in high school, but also will prepare you to enjoy music throughout
your life as a performer, creator, or consumer of music.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
VOCAL DEVELOPMENT - tone, breath, care of the voice, pitch and intonation.
DEVELOPMENT OF MUSICALITY - expressing the written music through
performance of varied styles and listening.
MUSIC APPRECIATION AND HISTORY - understanding of periods, composers,
styles, genres and instruments.
SIGHT READING - reading music through the use of the solfedge system.
MUSIC LITERACY following a vocal score with all correct markings, symbols, and
directions.
MUSIC THEORY understanding all notes, rest values as well as all musical
symbols.
PERFORMANCE AND CONCERT ETIQUETTE presenting oneself in a formal and
informal concert setting as well as showing the kind of demeanor and courtesy one
should have as an audience member.

MATERIALS TO BRING TO CLASS

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Pencil
Highlighters (pink, blue, green, yellow, orange)
Pens (blue, black, and red)
Student Planner
Positive Attitude
CLASSROOM RULES
Listen and follow directions quickly
Raise your hand for permission to speak
Raise your hand for permission to leave your seat
Care for our room, materials, and classmates
Involve yourself in ALL activities
DISCIPLINE PLAN

If you choose to break a rule

First Time: Name on the board. Warning.
Second Time: One check. Teacher conference (re-teach behavior)
Third Time: Two checks. Think sheet with parent signature
Fourth Time: Three checks. Detention and parent/guardian contact
Sever Disruption: Student will be immediately sent to the office
*Clean slate each class (new chance to: listen, learn, behave, and be successful)
*Consequence will progress to next step regardless of previous rule broken
TARDY POLICY
You must be in the classroom with all required materials by the start of class or you will be
marked tardy. Tardiness past 5 minutes without a pass is considered skipping class. (4
minute passing periods)
PASS POLICY
Please ask to use the bathroom or get a drink of water before the start of class. Only
passes to the nurse and or office will be written during class time.
CELL PHONE POLICY
Cell phones must remain out of site for the duration of class. If a student is seen using their
phone he/she will be asked to give their cellphone to the teacher to place in a designated
container (cellphone jail) for the remainder of class. Students may have their cellphone
back at the end of class.
ABSENT WORK
Students are responsible for checking the absent folder upon returning to class.
Assignments will be due the following class period.

GRADING POLICY
Participation = 40%
Students are expected to participate in all rehearsals.
Students will receive a weekly grade according to the following criteria (24pts)
1. On time
2. Being Prepared
3. Following Rules & Procedures
4. Behavior
5. Effort
6. Singing
Assessments = 20%
Classroom work includes written assignments and assessments in the area of
sight-reading, part-singing, music literacy, music appreciation, music theory,
and more.
Performances = 40%
Chorus is a performing arts program; therefore, students are expected to
attend ALL performances and rehearsals. Attending these events is part of
every students grade. The performance calendar is included in this
handbook. To receive full credit for concerts, each student must:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

Attend all scheduled performances!

Arrive on time
Wear the uniform as instructed
Follow the code of conduct.
Use proper concert etiquette when watching other performances.
Complete post concert reflection

CONCERT ATTENDANCE
Students involved in choral activities at BCMS are required to attend all scheduled
concerts. If in the event a student is unable to perform, a parent note, email, or phone call
is required. An alternative assignment will be given if a student has an excused absence
such as illness (a doctors note is required) or a family emergency. An unexcused absence
at a concert, such as simply not showing up, will be dealt with on a case-by-case basis. In
most unexcused cases, an extra assignment will be given and students will not be
permitted to participate in field trips or special events.
CONCERT DRESS
All music students will be required to purchase a BCMS Music polo through the music
department. These blue polos will be worn for every performance and event in which we
participate as a chorus. Depending on the concert, students will wear black pants or kneelength skirts, khaki pants, or blue jeans. Shoes will be close-toed, and jewelry and make-up
will be moderate, with hair pulled off of the face. An order form and sizing chart for the polo
shirt is on the last page of this handbook.

Please read, sign, and return THIS page, and $20 cash or
checks to Miss Nelson by August 21st, 2015
*Please call or email me if there is a conflict with turning in the order form on time. I will be
more than happy to work with you.

Contact Information
Name of Singer ___________________________________________________
Age __________ Grade in School __________
Parent/Guardian Name _____________________________________________
Address _________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
City
State
Zip
Email ___________________________________________________________
Home Phone _____________________________________________________
Cell Phone ______________________________________________________
Parent Volunteer Information
Please let me know if you have a special interest in helping in any of the following areas:
Chaperoning to and from the PAC on rehearsal days ( ) Yes! Contact me!
Assist with supervision of students at the concert
( ) Yes! Contact me!
Providing transportation to concerts
( ) Yes! Contact me!
Assist with teacher luncheon
o Assorted foods delivered on the day of.
( ) Yes! Contact me!
Assist with November fundraiser
( ) Yes! Contact me!
Assist with Solo and Ensemble in February
( ) Yes! Contact me!
Photographers and Videographers for concerts
( ) Yes! Contact me!
Chaperoning field trips during the school day
( ) Yes! Contact me!
Are you a musician? What do you play? How many years? Do you still play?

I have read the contents of the BCMS Chorus Handbook and understand my responsibilities
for chorus.

x____________________________________________________________________
Student Signature

Date

______________________________________________________________________________________________________

Parent/Guardian Signature

Date

EDUCATIONAL TOUR AND FIELD TRIP PERMISSION FORM

The Board of Education requires that written approval of a parent or of a guardian be given
for a child to participate in a field trip. In addition, ILLINOIS STATE LAW requires that each
pupil participating in an educational tour shall have accident and health insurance
protecting against bodily injury, disability, or death while participating in the tour. The
school district, by statute, has no liability to provide for this insurance. By signing this
consent form, you indicate either the fact that your child is presently covered with such
insurance, or, in the alternative, agree to hold harmless the school district from any such
injury that might be received.
My child, _________________________ , ( ) does ( ) does not have my permission to
participate in field trips to the PAC and other schools in the district during the 2015-2016
school year.

x__________________________________
(Parent/Guardian or DCFS signature)

Adult

Check the box with your students polo t-shirt size and include cash or check for $20 made
out to BCMS.
(
(
(
(
(
(

) Extra Small
) Small
) Medium
) Large
) Extra Large
) 2XL

) Has a polo from the previous year