Dear Dundee Musicians,
It is an honor to be beginning my 8th year teaching choir in Dundee with you! My goal is to provide you with a positive and uplifting experience while simultaneously challenging you to achieve your best. One of my favorite sayings is that we need to “practice like we’ve never won, and perform like we’ve never lost.” We need to always work hard and believe in ourselves because that is how we get ahead in choir and in life.
This is a DISNEY year, and I can’t wait to build lasting memories with those of you who are traveling. If you are not traveling but would like to, the deadline for registration is the end of September and you can contact me for more information.
When you wonder how choral singing benefits you, remember it:
The purpose of this handbook is to provide all of the necessary information about this coming year. Please review it with your parents / guardians and make sure to keep our performance dates in mind as you plan your personal calendar.
For the most up to date information, calendar, announcements, etc. please visit dundeechoirs.weebly.com and join our “Dundee Choirs” Facebook Group. We will also be using Schoology this year.
Sincerely,
Haley Sulisz
Choir Teacher
P.S. Class of 2020 is “Too Legit to Quit”
MATERIALS
Please bring the following materials with you to class every day:
OBJECTIVES
GRADING
1. Classwork Rehearsal Skills (3 points / day)
3 points=Student demonstrates proper choral behavior ALL (100%) of the time, actively engages in classroom tasks while exhibiting leadership, and actively contributes toward a positive classroom climate.
2 points=Student demonstrates proper choral behavior most (less than 90%) of the time, partially engages in classroom tasks with inconsistent leadership, and limitedly contributes toward a positive classroom climate. (Tardy students automatically receive 2 points)
1 point=Student does not demonstrate proper choral behavior (less than 50% of the time), does not engage in classroom tasks, does not display leadership, and detracts from a positive classroom climate.
0 points=Having a “bad day.” Deliberate or blatant disrespect to peers or teacher, or unauthorized use of phone / electronic device in class. Based on school policy, phones will be confiscated and turned into the office even if it is your first offence. Please demonstrate integrity. Students who receive three 0’s in a semester will schedule a meeting with Mrs. Sulisz and / or Mr. Schroeder.
A note on leaving the classroom: Our classroom time is valuable, therefore students will only receive three passes to leave the room per semester for any reason. These should be reserved for emergencies. Beyond these three passes, if students leave, they will receive 0 points for the day. Students will keep a written log of whenever they leave the classroom on our clipboard for record-keeping purposes.
2. Concert and Festival Performances (+100 / major performance)
Performances are central to our choral curriculum. Missing even one singer can be detrimental to the choir’s sound, vocal balance, riser placement, or other vital logistics, so it is very important you attend every required concert. We need YOU!
*A note for our student-athletes: We do our absolute best to avoid any conflicts, yet understand that they sometimes occur for our busy and passionate student musician-athletes. Per school policy, students with practice / concert conflicts are required to attend the concert. Students with game / concert conflicts are allowed to make their own choice as to which event to attend with absolutely no penalty given by Mrs. Sulisz or their coach. I whole-heartedly support our talented students and just ask for timely notification regarding expected concert absences.
3. Other (+variable points)
CONCERT ATTIRE
Men must provide their own black DRESS shoes, long black socks, white undershirt, and black dress pants. They will be provided with a tuxedo jacket, a white tux shirt, and a bow tie to wear at each performance. (I can also loan black pants to any students who need them.)
Women must provide their own black closed-toed DRESS shoes that are either flats or have a modest heel. They will be provided with a lovely royal blue choir dress to wear at each performance. Hair should be worn off the face, and large jewelry is discouraged.
*If you would like an alternative uniform option, please do not hesitate to speak with Mrs. Sulisz
Uniform Care / Replacement Fees: Our uniforms are possible thanks to the amazing fundraising efforts of our choir families. Uniforms are to be treated with respect, never taken home, and hung up neatly after each concert. Each student is assigned their own uniform and are responsible for it. If any component of a uniform is lost or damaged, that student will be responsible for purchasing a replacement. The replacement price for a dress is $100; a Tux Jacket is $60; and a Tux Shirt is $30.
CONCERT ETIQUETTE
When students are watching concerts or attending Festival, they are required to observe the rules of concert etiquette. This includes: Not talking during a performance, applauding politely at the end of each piece rather than calling out to their friends on stage, never standing up during a performance, and turning off all electronic devices. Students are also required to stay for the entire duration of the concert, even if they only perform in the first half. This is to show respect to the students who come after them who have also worked hard to prepare their music.
FESTIVAL PREPARATION
Students who have multiple unexcused absences from class or have not learned their music sufficiently (based on voice testing) may be asked to attend as audience supporters rather than performing in an adjudicated festival.
CONTACT
Email: [email protected] is the best way to reach me. I always try to respond within 24-48 hours of an email being received. Don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions about your student’s progress or a choir event. I love to stay in touch!
Website: www.dundeechoirs.weebly.com (There is a regularly updated calendar on this website)
Facebook Group (for students and parents / guardians): “Dundee Choirs” (please be aware, Facebook messenger is not always a reliable form of communication.)
Phone: (734)529-7008 ext. 14601
CONTACT FORM
Please review all of the handbook material and return this page to Mrs. Sulisz by Sept. 13
(This form is worth +10 points)
I _____________________(student’s name), have read and understand the Dundee Choral Handbook. I feel as though I can make a positive contribution to the Dundee Choirs, and follow the procedures outlined herein. I have looked at our concert schedule and understand that my attendance at these events is of the utmost importance--as is communicating any foreseen absences in advance if I would like to receive an excused absence.
Date:_______________
Signature of Choir Student:_____________________________________________
Signature of Parent/Guardian:___________________________________________
Family’s Preferred Email Address: ________________________________________
If a parent, guardian, or adult family member is able to help the Dundee Choirs this year, please indicate which areas they are interested in and Mrs. Sulisz will contact you as need arises. Thank you!
___Assisting with fundraising efforts
___Helping run with bake sales at our concerts
___Donating baked goods to our bake sales
___Chaperoning Choral Festival
___Chaperoning Cedar Point or other field trips
___Emailing concert pictures to [email protected] after each concert
___Carpooling students to events if they require a ride
___Other (please explain):____________________________________________
It is an honor to be beginning my 8th year teaching choir in Dundee with you! My goal is to provide you with a positive and uplifting experience while simultaneously challenging you to achieve your best. One of my favorite sayings is that we need to “practice like we’ve never won, and perform like we’ve never lost.” We need to always work hard and believe in ourselves because that is how we get ahead in choir and in life.
This is a DISNEY year, and I can’t wait to build lasting memories with those of you who are traveling. If you are not traveling but would like to, the deadline for registration is the end of September and you can contact me for more information.
When you wonder how choral singing benefits you, remember it:
- help lowers stress and anxiety levels
- gives you a feeling of belonging
- stimulates your entire brain unlike any other activity (because it’s a visual, logical, artistic, and kinesthetic activity)
- improves your breathing, posture, and memory
- Improves your chances of completing High School
- improves your self-confidence
- helps you make connections to other cultures
- helps you develop vocal and musicianship skills
- gives you an outlet for creativity and a way to express emotions
- opens doors for experiences and opportunities you otherwise wouldn’t have
- and much, much, more
The purpose of this handbook is to provide all of the necessary information about this coming year. Please review it with your parents / guardians and make sure to keep our performance dates in mind as you plan your personal calendar.
For the most up to date information, calendar, announcements, etc. please visit dundeechoirs.weebly.com and join our “Dundee Choirs” Facebook Group. We will also be using Schoology this year.
Sincerely,
Haley Sulisz
Choir Teacher
P.S. Class of 2020 is “Too Legit to Quit”
MATERIALS
Please bring the following materials with you to class every day:
- Sharpened pencil
- Sheet Music (retrieve from your section leader before bell rings)
- Water bottle (No other food or beverages are permitted)
OBJECTIVES
- To develop a healthy choral tone using correct vocal technique, vowel shapes, and breathing.
- To build vocal skills such as the ability to harmonize in tune, sing a cappella, and feel like you are really contributing to your ensemble with confidence.
- To sing a diverse variety of choral music that helps students connect with their own culture, other cultures, and various historical periods.
- To develop fundamental music skills in sight-singing, critical listening, musical problem solving, music history, and music theory.
- To provide an outlet for creativity and artistic expression through music.
- To become a comprehensive musician with musical problem-solving abilities.
- To experience the joy of music and build leadership skills through working as a team and learning to respect and accept all other ensemble members.
- To apply music theory skills to students’ own compositions, arrangements, or improvisations.
- To make interdisciplinary connections between our repertoire and other subject matters which will help us explore and unlock the deeper meanings in the music we sing.
- To be good representatives of Dundee Community Schools in the community, in school, and at all choral events.
GRADING
1. Classwork Rehearsal Skills (3 points / day)
3 points=Student demonstrates proper choral behavior ALL (100%) of the time, actively engages in classroom tasks while exhibiting leadership, and actively contributes toward a positive classroom climate.
2 points=Student demonstrates proper choral behavior most (less than 90%) of the time, partially engages in classroom tasks with inconsistent leadership, and limitedly contributes toward a positive classroom climate. (Tardy students automatically receive 2 points)
1 point=Student does not demonstrate proper choral behavior (less than 50% of the time), does not engage in classroom tasks, does not display leadership, and detracts from a positive classroom climate.
0 points=Having a “bad day.” Deliberate or blatant disrespect to peers or teacher, or unauthorized use of phone / electronic device in class. Based on school policy, phones will be confiscated and turned into the office even if it is your first offence. Please demonstrate integrity. Students who receive three 0’s in a semester will schedule a meeting with Mrs. Sulisz and / or Mr. Schroeder.
A note on leaving the classroom: Our classroom time is valuable, therefore students will only receive three passes to leave the room per semester for any reason. These should be reserved for emergencies. Beyond these three passes, if students leave, they will receive 0 points for the day. Students will keep a written log of whenever they leave the classroom on our clipboard for record-keeping purposes.
2. Concert and Festival Performances (+100 / major performance)
Performances are central to our choral curriculum. Missing even one singer can be detrimental to the choir’s sound, vocal balance, riser placement, or other vital logistics, so it is very important you attend every required concert. We need YOU!
- Being on time (and dressed on time) for warm-up (+15)
- Excellent stage etiquette (+25)
- Wearing the proper attire / shoes (+15)
- Having your music memorized (+15)
- Staying for the duration of the performance, even if you sing first (+15)
- Caring for your uniform after concert (+15)
- Unexcused concert absence (+0)
*A note for our student-athletes: We do our absolute best to avoid any conflicts, yet understand that they sometimes occur for our busy and passionate student musician-athletes. Per school policy, students with practice / concert conflicts are required to attend the concert. Students with game / concert conflicts are allowed to make their own choice as to which event to attend with absolutely no penalty given by Mrs. Sulisz or their coach. I whole-heartedly support our talented students and just ask for timely notification regarding expected concert absences.
3. Other (+variable points)
- Singing Tests, written tests, or other weekly writing assignments
- Written assignments
- Random Pencil Quiz! (Do you have your pencil?)
- Turning in handbook form
CONCERT ATTIRE
Men must provide their own black DRESS shoes, long black socks, white undershirt, and black dress pants. They will be provided with a tuxedo jacket, a white tux shirt, and a bow tie to wear at each performance. (I can also loan black pants to any students who need them.)
Women must provide their own black closed-toed DRESS shoes that are either flats or have a modest heel. They will be provided with a lovely royal blue choir dress to wear at each performance. Hair should be worn off the face, and large jewelry is discouraged.
*If you would like an alternative uniform option, please do not hesitate to speak with Mrs. Sulisz
Uniform Care / Replacement Fees: Our uniforms are possible thanks to the amazing fundraising efforts of our choir families. Uniforms are to be treated with respect, never taken home, and hung up neatly after each concert. Each student is assigned their own uniform and are responsible for it. If any component of a uniform is lost or damaged, that student will be responsible for purchasing a replacement. The replacement price for a dress is $100; a Tux Jacket is $60; and a Tux Shirt is $30.
CONCERT ETIQUETTE
When students are watching concerts or attending Festival, they are required to observe the rules of concert etiquette. This includes: Not talking during a performance, applauding politely at the end of each piece rather than calling out to their friends on stage, never standing up during a performance, and turning off all electronic devices. Students are also required to stay for the entire duration of the concert, even if they only perform in the first half. This is to show respect to the students who come after them who have also worked hard to prepare their music.
FESTIVAL PREPARATION
Students who have multiple unexcused absences from class or have not learned their music sufficiently (based on voice testing) may be asked to attend as audience supporters rather than performing in an adjudicated festival.
CONTACT
Email: [email protected] is the best way to reach me. I always try to respond within 24-48 hours of an email being received. Don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions about your student’s progress or a choir event. I love to stay in touch!
Website: www.dundeechoirs.weebly.com (There is a regularly updated calendar on this website)
Facebook Group (for students and parents / guardians): “Dundee Choirs” (please be aware, Facebook messenger is not always a reliable form of communication.)
Phone: (734)529-7008 ext. 14601
CONTACT FORM
Please review all of the handbook material and return this page to Mrs. Sulisz by Sept. 13
(This form is worth +10 points)
I _____________________(student’s name), have read and understand the Dundee Choral Handbook. I feel as though I can make a positive contribution to the Dundee Choirs, and follow the procedures outlined herein. I have looked at our concert schedule and understand that my attendance at these events is of the utmost importance--as is communicating any foreseen absences in advance if I would like to receive an excused absence.
Date:_______________
Signature of Choir Student:_____________________________________________
Signature of Parent/Guardian:___________________________________________
Family’s Preferred Email Address: ________________________________________
If a parent, guardian, or adult family member is able to help the Dundee Choirs this year, please indicate which areas they are interested in and Mrs. Sulisz will contact you as need arises. Thank you!
___Assisting with fundraising efforts
___Helping run with bake sales at our concerts
___Donating baked goods to our bake sales
___Chaperoning Choral Festival
___Chaperoning Cedar Point or other field trips
___Emailing concert pictures to [email protected] after each concert
___Carpooling students to events if they require a ride
___Other (please explain):____________________________________________