OBJECTIVE: The primary objective of this class is for students to learn choral techniques that will focus on proper breathing, posture, intonation, diction, blend, balance, dynamics and expression in order to perform well as an ensemble.
When and Where?
All Academy Juniors will be enrolled in Chorus, and our first Academy Junior class will be on Tuesday, August 25. You will go to your assigned chorus class or study hall in the first week of school, and we will begin the next week. To simplify our schedule for this year, we will meet every Tuesday and Friday. You will be excused from Chorus one day per week, and you will be excused from study hall one day per week during the elective time, allowing Academy Juniors to rehearse on stage during the school day. All you need to remember is that on Tuesdays and Fridays you will come to the stage in the theatre for AJ rehearsal during the elective time. Mrs. Hard and your study hall teachers will know not to expect you on those days.
Please be sure you are comfortable making AJs a priority over your study hall one day per week. Attendance two days a week is a requirement for this class. In the past, rehearsals were held in the mornings before school. Rehearsing during the school day is much preferred by everyone! 😎 It will still be necessary to schedule a few morning rehearsals, but they will be specialty rehearsals for soloists or small groups. These will be arranged as needed and communicated well in advance.
Parent Meeting
Since Parent Night was postposed in favor of a virtual presentation, we will have The Academy Junior Parent meeting online as well. Check Veracross on October 9 for a link to the virtual meeting.
Leaders
As an Academy Junior, you are expected to learn and retain music for Chorus as quickly as possible in order to be exceptional leaders. You will also be expected to set the example in terms of following teacher policies and procedures in both Chorus rehearsal and Academy Junior rehearsal.
Performance Opportunities
Academy Juniors will perform at both the Christmas and Spring chorus concerts. Additionally, the entire group, or soloists from the group, may be asked to perform at other school events throughout the year such as Admission Day, Chapel, 8th Grade Celebration, or various athletic events. Advanced notice will be given for all performance dates.
Attendance Policy
Absences: The expectation for this group is that you will strive to NEVER be absent. Rehearsal time is precious! One person missing even a small part of a rehearsal jeopardizes the progress of the entire group. In any performance oriented goal, singers must be present in order to learn the skills necessary for success. Singers can not “make-up” a group choral experience, therefore, please make every effort to schedule appointments after school and not during this class time. If you are required to miss due to a school related activity, please inform me PRIOR to your absence.
Tardies: Academy Juniors are expected to be on time (or early) to all rehearsals or it will result in a reduction of the daily grade.
Class Website
The primary source of communication for this class may be found at www.AcademyJuniors.net. This site contains all class documents, assignments, recording and performance dates, rehearsal tracks, warm-up exercises and more. Please check the website frequently for the most recent class updates.
When and Where?
All Academy Juniors will be enrolled in Chorus, and our first Academy Junior class will be on Tuesday, August 25. You will go to your assigned chorus class or study hall in the first week of school, and we will begin the next week. To simplify our schedule for this year, we will meet every Tuesday and Friday. You will be excused from Chorus one day per week, and you will be excused from study hall one day per week during the elective time, allowing Academy Juniors to rehearse on stage during the school day. All you need to remember is that on Tuesdays and Fridays you will come to the stage in the theatre for AJ rehearsal during the elective time. Mrs. Hard and your study hall teachers will know not to expect you on those days.
Please be sure you are comfortable making AJs a priority over your study hall one day per week. Attendance two days a week is a requirement for this class. In the past, rehearsals were held in the mornings before school. Rehearsing during the school day is much preferred by everyone! 😎 It will still be necessary to schedule a few morning rehearsals, but they will be specialty rehearsals for soloists or small groups. These will be arranged as needed and communicated well in advance.
Parent Meeting
Since Parent Night was postposed in favor of a virtual presentation, we will have The Academy Junior Parent meeting online as well. Check Veracross on October 9 for a link to the virtual meeting.
Leaders
As an Academy Junior, you are expected to learn and retain music for Chorus as quickly as possible in order to be exceptional leaders. You will also be expected to set the example in terms of following teacher policies and procedures in both Chorus rehearsal and Academy Junior rehearsal.
Performance Opportunities
Academy Juniors will perform at both the Christmas and Spring chorus concerts. Additionally, the entire group, or soloists from the group, may be asked to perform at other school events throughout the year such as Admission Day, Chapel, 8th Grade Celebration, or various athletic events. Advanced notice will be given for all performance dates.
Attendance Policy
Absences: The expectation for this group is that you will strive to NEVER be absent. Rehearsal time is precious! One person missing even a small part of a rehearsal jeopardizes the progress of the entire group. In any performance oriented goal, singers must be present in order to learn the skills necessary for success. Singers can not “make-up” a group choral experience, therefore, please make every effort to schedule appointments after school and not during this class time. If you are required to miss due to a school related activity, please inform me PRIOR to your absence.
Tardies: Academy Juniors are expected to be on time (or early) to all rehearsals or it will result in a reduction of the daily grade.
Class Website
The primary source of communication for this class may be found at www.AcademyJuniors.net. This site contains all class documents, assignments, recording and performance dates, rehearsal tracks, warm-up exercises and more. Please check the website frequently for the most recent class updates.
PROCESS: The success of any good choral ensemble depends on efficient and effective rehearsal. It is our goal to make the best use of every precious second of rehearsal.
1) Vocal Warm-up
Each rehearsal will begin with vocal warm-ups, which will help strengthen your voice, expand your range and reinforce scale and arpeggio structure.
2) Sight-Reading
We will work to develop good music reading skills as an essential part of good choral musicianship.
3) Sectionals
There will be times when we will meet together as a large group and times when we will break into smaller group sectionals, as needed. I will be sure to let you, Mrs. Hard, and your study hall teacher know in advance if sectionals will happen.
4) Independent Study
Some of you have experience with sight-reading and exceptional tonal memory, so rehearsal within class time may be sufficient, however, most of you will require additional work outside of class time to perfect your part. You will have access to rehearsal tracks on the SONGS tab. Our ability to progress quickly and the overall quality of performance will determine whether we will pursue recording opportunities. Everyone will need to commit to mastering his/her part in order to move in this direction. If you have any difficulty perfecting your part, please schedule an appointment with me before or after school: jenny_oldham@brentwoodacademy.com.
1) Vocal Warm-up
Each rehearsal will begin with vocal warm-ups, which will help strengthen your voice, expand your range and reinforce scale and arpeggio structure.
2) Sight-Reading
We will work to develop good music reading skills as an essential part of good choral musicianship.
3) Sectionals
There will be times when we will meet together as a large group and times when we will break into smaller group sectionals, as needed. I will be sure to let you, Mrs. Hard, and your study hall teacher know in advance if sectionals will happen.
4) Independent Study
Some of you have experience with sight-reading and exceptional tonal memory, so rehearsal within class time may be sufficient, however, most of you will require additional work outside of class time to perfect your part. You will have access to rehearsal tracks on the SONGS tab. Our ability to progress quickly and the overall quality of performance will determine whether we will pursue recording opportunities. Everyone will need to commit to mastering his/her part in order to move in this direction. If you have any difficulty perfecting your part, please schedule an appointment with me before or after school: jenny_oldham@brentwoodacademy.com.
EVALUATION
Class Rehearsal
Grading procedures will complement the evaluation outlined for you for Chorus by Mrs. Hard. On the days you are not in Chorus, I will supply your/participation grade for each AJ rehearsal. Every minute of class time requires 100% of your energy and attention. Any distraction such as talking, students arriving late, or students searching for music impedes the quality of instruction. The daily grade will be an important part of your quarter grade. Daily expectations include:
Grading procedures will complement the evaluation outlined for you for Chorus by Mrs. Hard. On the days you are not in Chorus, I will supply your/participation grade. Every minute of class time requires 100% of your energy and attention. Any distraction such as talking, students arriving late, or students searching for music impedes the quality of instruction. The daily grade will be an important part of your quarter grade. Daily expectations include:
Class Rehearsal
Grading procedures will complement the evaluation outlined for you for Chorus by Mrs. Hard. On the days you are not in Chorus, I will supply your/participation grade for each AJ rehearsal. Every minute of class time requires 100% of your energy and attention. Any distraction such as talking, students arriving late, or students searching for music impedes the quality of instruction. The daily grade will be an important part of your quarter grade. Daily expectations include:
- being ready to begin when the bell rings
- maintaining proper posture
- 100% on-task behavior
- all eyes on the conductor
- having all required materials (music, folder, and pencil)
- handling musical scores in a respectful manner
- actively singing and listening, while being attentive and respectful.
- not talking during rehearsal
- taking good notes regarding diction, phrasing, dynamics and other musical elements
- maintaining a good attitude towards each other and the director :)
Grading procedures will complement the evaluation outlined for you for Chorus by Mrs. Hard. On the days you are not in Chorus, I will supply your/participation grade. Every minute of class time requires 100% of your energy and attention. Any distraction such as talking, students arriving late, or students searching for music impedes the quality of instruction. The daily grade will be an important part of your quarter grade. Daily expectations include:
Communication:
All announcements or reminders will be sent via email to you and your parents and/or posted on the main page of the website at AcademyJuniors.net.
Emergency Evacuation:
In the event of an emergency evacuation during our class, follow the instructor to the senior parking lot in front of the fine arts building.
MANDATORY EVENTS
Please make a note of all required dates and events, and share them with your parents.
All announcements or reminders will be sent via email to you and your parents and/or posted on the main page of the website at AcademyJuniors.net.
Emergency Evacuation:
In the event of an emergency evacuation during our class, follow the instructor to the senior parking lot in front of the fine arts building.
MANDATORY EVENTS
Please make a note of all required dates and events, and share them with your parents.
CHRISTMAS CONCERT
The Christmas Concert will be on Monday, December 7 at 5:30 PM in the theatre. All Academy Juniors are required to attend the dress rehearsal prior to the performance and perform for school excerpts on a date TBD. Dress rehearsal and excerpt dates will be communicated as soon as they are confirmed.
SPRING CONCERT
The Spring Concert will be on Thursday, May 6 at 5:30 PM in the theatre. All Academy Juniors are required to attend the dress rehearsal prior to the performance and perform for school excerpts on a date TBD. Dress rehearsal and excerpt dates will be communicated as soon as they are confirmed.
The Christmas Concert will be on Monday, December 7 at 5:30 PM in the theatre. All Academy Juniors are required to attend the dress rehearsal prior to the performance and perform for school excerpts on a date TBD. Dress rehearsal and excerpt dates will be communicated as soon as they are confirmed.
SPRING CONCERT
The Spring Concert will be on Thursday, May 6 at 5:30 PM in the theatre. All Academy Juniors are required to attend the dress rehearsal prior to the performance and perform for school excerpts on a date TBD. Dress rehearsal and excerpt dates will be communicated as soon as they are confirmed.
8th GRADE CELEBRATION
The 8th Grade Celebration will be on Tuesday, May 18 iat 7 PM n the US Gym. Academy Juniors are expected to perform for this event. Rehearsal and call times will be posted when confirmed.
The 8th Grade Celebration will be on Tuesday, May 18 iat 7 PM n the US Gym. Academy Juniors are expected to perform for this event. Rehearsal and call times will be posted when confirmed.