Pretty Cool High School

Choral Handbook
Director of Choirs: Mr. Alton Peters
petersag@dukes.jmu.edu
(xxx) xxx-xxxx
 Welcome!
Dear Choir Students and Parents,
Welcome to the 2018-2019 school year! I hope you are looking
forward to a wonderful year exploring music together. I have created
this handbook as a guide for students and parents to be aware of the
policies in my classroom as well as how much practice, time and
dedication to be in a PCHS choir. Please read the following pages
carefully and feel free to contact me by email at any time.
Please look over the dates of our required choral performances for
this school year on page ___. If there are any conflicts with your
student’s schedule and one of our performances, please contact me as
soon as possible so that we may assist your child with a make-up
assignment to maintain their grade.
Once you and your student have both finished reading through the
student handbook please sign the Statement of Understanding, Student
Information, and Parent Volunteer pages and turn them in by the second
week of class. By signing you are indicating that you both understand
the policies of my classroom.
I am dedicated to making sure every student reaches their full
potential in music and I thank you for allowing your student to
participate. This year will be very exciting and filled with many fun
activities and events. Thank you for supporting the PCHS program!
Sincerely,

Mr. Alton Peters

 Policies and Procedures

1.   Students will respect each other and themselves

at all times.
2.   Students will adhere to the PCHS code of
conduct at all times. Failure to do so will result
in proper disciplinary action taken by the
administration.
3.   Students will participate in every class.
Participating means being prepared. Pencils,
water, and music are vital for a student to
participate.
4.   No food, gum, or drinks other than water will
be allowed in any class time or rehearsal.

I expect every student to have a good attitude

during class time and be ready to participate and
respect one another. We want to build a culture of
support and trust in our music classroom for all
students!
 Our Social Goals
•  Creating a supportive environment for
everyone
•  Exploring our own musical identities.
•  Sharing success among all students.
•  Transferring learning in and out of our
classroom.

Our Musical Goals

•  Students will….
o  Read music proficiently with note and rhythm
accuracy
o  Demonstrate musical knowledge through
quizzes, journals, and performance.
o  Perform music in various styles
o  Learn about music history and demonstrate
knowledge through quizzes.
o  Participate in all class activities
 Grading Policy

•   Class Participation – 45%

o  Follow all class rules and regulations
o  Students will lose participation for not being
prepared for class (music, water, pencil).
o  Students will lose participation for tardiness.
•   Classroom Assessment – 5%
o  Weekly quizzes on musical skills
§   Notation
§   Rhythm Exercises
§   Sight Reading
§   Vocabulary
o  Entry journal activities
•   Performance Assessment
o  Must attend all performances for full credit.
o  Must be dressed appropriately
§   Women
•   Formal black top and bottom dress or
other outfit with colorful scarf.
§   Men
•   Khakis with colorful shirt and
colorful tie.
 Music Policy

Music is expensive! Please treat it with

respect. Pencil markings are the only markings
allowed. You will receive a number for music
and you must return that number at the end of
the semester. You will be charged for damaged
or missing music.

Electronic Devices

Electronic devices are allowed in the

classroom if you are using it for schoolwork or
recording during rehearsals. If it becomes a
distraction I will ask you to put it away. If this
continues, I will confiscate the device until the
end of class and you will lose participation
points for that day.
 Calendar of Events

•  Event TBA
•  TBA
•  TBA
•  TBA
 Recognition of Responsibility

We have read the Chorus Handbook, and understand

the expectations involved in the Pretty Cool High
School Chorus Department.

We are aware of the required concert dates and

understand that attendance is mandatory at these
events.

_________________________________
Name of Student (please print)
_________________________________
Signature of Student
_________________________________
Name of Parent/ Guardian (please print)
_________________________________
Signature of Parent/ Guardian
_________________________________
Date