TRAVERSE CITY WEST MIDDLE SCHOOL CHOIR HANDBOOK
September 3, 2024
Dear Choir Students and Parents / Guardians:
I am very excited about and looking forward to a fantastic year with all of the TC West Choirs – my 10th year at TCAPS and my 21st year of teaching! The information below lists the responsibilities and opportunities of choir members including expectations, grading, a link to our calendar of events, concert attire, and performances opportunities. Students and parents, please read this information together so we are all on the same page. Please complete the “e-signature” below as soon as possible. You will need to complete the handbook signing with your student logged in on their computer. Please feel free to contact me with any questions by e-mail at deeem@tcaps.net.
Sincerely,
Mr. Dee
EXPECTATION = SING!
With your Attitude 1st
With your Actions 2nd
With your Voice 3rd
Be Safe – Consider how your attitude and actions may impact you and others physically, mentally, and emotionally.
Examples:
Keep your hands and feet to yourself.
Spit out your gum - before class at the door.
Choose kind words whenever you're talking to or about others.
Be Respectful – Interact with people and property with respect at all times.
Examples:
Be on time - Be in your assigned spot on time (early is better than just in time).
Raise your hand - If you wish to speak, please wait for me to call on you.
Treat others the way you wish to be treated - the Golden Rule.
Be Responsible – Plan ahead, be prepared, and think before you act.
Examples:
Use the bathroom - before or after class (not during).
Bring your computer and any other required materials every day.
You may bring a water bottle, but no other liquids or food, please.
Communicate important details regarding concert dates, times, locations and clothing with your families and read and respond to newsletters/emails.
Thank you!
GRADING
Daily Demonstration of Learning Goals & Scales
Quizzes and Tests
Concert Attendance & Performance is required.
Make-Up Performances are offered & required for concert absences.
More grading details will be available in PowerSchool.
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
Please visit the calendar page of the website to view all currently scheduled concerts, events, choir parent meetings (optional...we need more volunteers), and other events. The online calendar will always be the most current and accurate information. If you choose to print a list of events, please confirm dates, times, and locations online to make sure that you have the correct information in case anything changes.
Our biggest event of the year is the 8th Annual Choir Code Celebration (CCC) on Saturday, November 16th. Please visit the CCC Page for more information.
More details are included on the calendar page. Additional dates/events may be required for Madrigals. Stay tuned for more information as it becomes available. If you are aware of previously scheduled engagements that conflict with events on the choir calendar, please contact me immediately to discuss conflicts. I will notify you ASAP if any dates or details change.
CONCERTS ARE CELEBRATIONS!
A message about concerts...Concerts are CELEBRATIONS!
Think about the last celebration you attended...my guess is that the following four things were present: Music (and probably singing), applause, strong emotions, physical connections.
Imagine the last birthday party you attended...
Friends and family sang "Happy Birthday."
They applauded when the special guest blew out the candles.
Strong emotions were heard, seen, felt, sensed.
People hugged, shook hands, gave high fives, etc.
Consider the connections between a concert and a celebration...
Singing
Applause
Congratulations
Strong Emotions
Hugs, High Fives, Etc.
Concerts are CELEBRATIONS!
All of these things are reasons to consider concerts a celebration!
So I don't expect to hear the question...
"Do I have to come to the concert?"
Rather, I expect to hear...
"I can't wait for our next concert!" :-)
Unfortunately, life is not always this simple and sometimes conflicts arise. In these cases, please know that I will be understanding and supportive of your decisions as a family to do what is in your best interest. Just remember that every choir is a team and an extended family of people who depend on each other and every voice matters!
Concerts are an opportunity for students to share with their friends and family the results of their hard work over the course of many minutes, hours, days, weeks, months and years! I hope you will make it a priority to CELEBRATE the success of the Traverse City West MS Choirs with us at our CONCERTS this year!
CONCERT / PERFORMANCE ATTIRE
Formal Performances:
Black dress pants, leggings, or ankle length skirt.
Black closed heel and closed toe dress shoes with less than 2" heels.
Black socks, leggings, or nylons to cover ankles & feet.
Black long-sleeve or 3/4 length dress shirt.
Below are some examples of what students should wear (available on Amazon):
If you are unable to find / purchase any of these required items, please don't hesitate to let me know and I will do everything I can to help you. Please give me notice as soon as possible and no less than two weeks before a concert.
SING-A-THON in May:
Blue Jeans, Choir SING! T-Shirt, and Gym shoes or similar style shoes.
VOLUNTEERS
If you would like to volunteer for any events, please complete the following TCAPS Volunteer Form. I will need several volunteers for the CCC as well as at other events throughout the year.
SIGN THE HANDBOOK
