Concert Choir

Concert Choir
2024-2025
Mr. Belliston – Room 137
Email: mbelliston@kimberly.edu
Phone: 208-423-4170 ext. 3137

Welcome to Concert Choir! In this performance-centered class, students will learn vocal technique, music theory and sight-reading skills necessary to perform a varied repertoire of music. There will be at least one performance per semester and repertoire will be taken from large choral works, madrigals, contemporary music, spirituals, and more. There are no prerequisites and it can be taken as a semester or complete year.

Grading (per semester): Students will be held to a high standard of academic integrity. As we remain flexible, the following breakdown is to be determined as the semester goes. The percentages are approximate.

Attendance & Participation

• Students will earn up to 10 points (5 points per class) a week.  
  • 3 points for showing up on time and participating well. 

  • 2 points for each class they come prepared with music folder, one-to-one device and pencil. 

    Having their supplies will help them learn the music best. If students repeatedly forget their music, they may be asked to not perform with the group. Pencils will be available on Mr. Belliston’s desk, but students who repeatedly borrow will need to spend lunch incentive sharpening pencils. Marking music with a pencil will be checked periodically and be part of the participation grade. 

• Students will have 2 absences and 1 tardy per semester that will not count against them. Beyond the allowable absences (2) and tardy (1), make-up work for missed classes will only be given for emergency situations (i.e.: funeral, illness, hospitalization or other significant emergencies. Family vacation, lunch date with parent, etc. will count as the two (2) allowable absences but will NOT count as emergency situations). After 6 absences, regardless of reason for absence, special determinations may need to be made since participation, attendance, and performances could be adversely affected by missing so many classes.
• Students may only use electronic devices with permission of the teacher. If a cell phone is used without permission, the student will take it to the office. Please review the school cell phone policy. If another electronic device is used, without permission, the student will leave it on the teacher's desk until the end of class. 
• Students are encouraged to bring a water bottle to class. Other food or drink, including gum, is not allowed in class or rehearsal spaces. Students may leave food on the shelf at the sink to pick up after class. Students who do not leave it on the shelf will lose up to 2 points. 
• Students will engage in class and participate fully. Participation is the largest measure of success.
• Students are expected to follow student handbook behavior and dress guidelines. 
• Students are part of a team, which requires trust and vulnerability. For the students to succeed, members are expected to be honest, respectful, and kind to everyone, both in and out of class. Any behavior that pulls away from the team (bullying, lack of participation, poor effort, etc.) can result in points deducted in participation or the role/responsibility given to another student.
• In addition to losing participation points for not following directions, behaviors will be logged on edHub and administration will follow through with discipline

Performances & Concert Attire 

• Students need to attend scheduled performances. Each student will arrive by the designated call time, in proper concert attire, with proper hygiene and grooming, focused and ready to work. Students who arrive after call time, or who arrive at call time without meeting the other expectations will lose points for performance. Any conflict with a performance must be communicated with the teacher before the event to receive any make-up work.  
• Make-up work will be given on a case-by-case basis. Students can earn up to 90% depending on the circumstances. The ensemble relies on everyone attending. 
• Concert attire will be concert black. Black shirts, pants, dress, skirts, dress shoes, black socks or nylons/tights. I have several sizes and styles available for students to borrow. Students will need to bring in their clothes to check off before the first performance.
• Students should maintain proper hygiene for concerts. Please don’t come sweaty after sports practice. Please be clean and use deodorant. Body sprays and perfumes should not be used. They can irritate those with allergies or respiratory problems making it difficult for them to perform.

Memorization & Sight-Singing Assessments 

• Students will perform their music memorized and will be asked to have periodic memorization tests in preparation for each performance. Students who fail to meet these memorization tests may be asked to sit out of the performance of that piece. Students are still expected to attend the performance in its entirety, regardless of whether they will perform every piece. These will be submitted on canvas, performed for the teacher, or performed in small groups for the class.  
• Sight Reading Factory will be used again this year. Students will practice and be tested on their ability to sight-read music alone and with a group. Students will be expected to demonstrate proper vocal technique, pitch, rhythm, and solfege accuracy. 

Evaluations & Music Theory 

• Students will do written evaluations of performances they participate in or others they may attend.  
• The students will do music theory lessons and assessments throughout the semester. These will be on canvas and musictheory.net 

Calendar (subject to change) We are still working on locations to allow students to perform in auditoriums, concert halls and churches for better acoustics. Please leave the full day open for the students to rehearse, set-up and perform. If involved in another activity, please let Mr. Belliston know. Most performances will be at 7:00pm.

Remind

• Please add yourself to this class remind by using the app or texting 81010 the code @choir-bell
• Remind will be used for announcements and for parents/students to message me via my cell phone. 
• You can always use my email but please do not use my personal cell phone number.

The National Association for Music Education has released the following statement regarding music with a sacred text.

• “It is the position of the National Association for Music Education that the study and performance of religious music within an educational context is a vital and appropriate part of a comprehensive music education. The omission of sacred music from the school curriculum would result in an incomplete educational experience.” In my class, if a student has personal beliefs that do not permit him or her to perform or rehearse a certain piece of music, notice must be given within a week of it being introduced, so an alternate assignment may be given.  If notice is not given, no alternate assignment will be given and the student will lose points for lack of participation if he/she chooses not to rehearse/perform the piece.