Madrigals and Women's Ensemble Grading Policies and Costuming Requirements

Women’s Ensemble--

Women's Ensemble represents a high level of vocal music performance at San Clemente High School. All members are expected to attend Vocal Arts events such as rehearsals and concerts prepared to perform.  In addition, deportment and behavior consistent with the reputation of the choir is expected: singers will arrive at events on time and in the appropriate attire without exception and maintain a professional and polite attitude towards everyone.  Because of the difficulty of the music we sing, two simple rules are always in force during class:

1. Music and the mastery of it is always our primary focus; social interactions are secondary.
2. When in doubt, always refer to rule 1. 

If you cannot determine a proper course of action with regard to questions, talk to Dr. T at an appropriate time (i.e. after rehearsal and not during).  If you decide to ask questions regarding personal situations during class, be prepared to discuss that situation in front of the class.  In other words, wait until a good time away from rehearsal to ask about personal situations related to the class.

This year you will be expected to get your folder, get your chair, have a pencil with you, and be seated and ready for rehearsal two minutes after the bell rings without exception; choir business will be dealt with after rehearsal.  Unless you hear otherwise, we will rehearse in chairs all period.  Leave your belongings near the desks at the back of the room and do not have anything except your folder and a pencil with you during class; other items on your person will be confiscated while we are rehearsing.  Do not ask to be excused from class to go to the bathroom or for any other reason during the first 30 minutes of class; you will not be excused.  Students may only go to the bathroom one at a time and only during the last 20 minutes of class with the pass.  If you leave class without permission for any reason, you will be marked truant.  After Dr. T has concluded the rehearsal, please put up your folder in the credenza and stack your chair at the back of the room.  If you do not have your folder and a pencil, if you are late to rehearsal without a pass, or if you are disruptive you may be asked to spend the period outside.  If you fail to put up your folder or chair, you will be asked to clean the trash up in the choir room after class.  Repeated episodes may result in the lowering of your grade or ultimately in removal from the choir.  You may not leave personal belongings (including books and other school related items) in the classroom before or after rehearsal.  Also, no food or gum is allowed in the choir room at any time, and you are not allowed to leave food with your belongings; we have a vermin problem in this building and student untidiness is the reason.  All other school rules are continuously in effect during every Vocal Arts function.

Performance calendars will be distributed during the first full week of classes each semester and will always be posted on the TVA website.  Please keep this calendar with you all year; it is critical that you coordinate performances and out-of-school choir events with your personal schedule and that of your parents.

*IMPORTANT – READ CAREFULLY*

You must be at all concerts for which you are given three weeks notice; failure to attend a concert will result in the automatic lowering of your semester grade.  If you foresee a conflict, please have a parent, teacher, or coach notify Dr. T in writing at least three weeks before the event; no excused absences from anyone are allowed after that point, and excuses from students are not acceptable at any time.   Submitting a request to be excused is not a guarantee you will allowed to miss the performance; all requests are subject to approval by the Director.

You may only be excused from one concert each year; if you anticipate the need to be absent for more than one concert, it is highly advisable for you to find another elective.  If you are excused from a concert, you must submit a 1500 word typewritten report on a composer to be chosen by Dr. T as a make-up assignment; the subject of the report will be determined by him, and only original submissions are allowed. 

All singers must attend concerts in the appropriate attire.  Women's Ensemble has both a formal and informal performance uniform: the formal outfit is a floor-length black dress with black closed-toed dress shoes.  The informal outfit is a black polo shirt with the choir logo on the breast, clean khaki pants, a black belt and black comfortable leather shoes with white socks; no tennis shoes are allowed.  No exceptions or substitutions may be made with these outfits, and you are expected to wear clean and pressed clothing at all times.  There will be only one concert during the year (Madrigal Dinner) when you wear something other than the aforementioned.  You must come to concerts in a clean, appropriate outfit or you will not be allowed to perform and your grade will be lowered.

There will be sight-reading and musicianship work done in class on a regular basis.  Please do not complain when you are asked to do this: it is required by the state mandated curriculum for high school vocal music.  You will be graded on sight-reading ability and knowledge of repertoire on a regular basis.

In order to support the areas of core academics, Vocal Arts has adopted a policy of academic excellence that is already in effect for SCHS athletic programs.  Dr. T will be ruthless in enforcing this policy.

*IMPORTANT – PLEASE READ CAREFULLY*

All singers must maintain a 2.0 core subject average for each of the six-week grading periods or they will forfeit the right to perform.  In addition, all underclassmen must have a semester core subject average of at least 2.0 at the end the academic year or they will not be allowed to audition for Madrigals for the coming year.

*IMPORTANT – PLEASE READ CAREFULLY*

The Vocal Arts Department in no way condones or accepts the practice of parents excusing students from rehearsals or classes during school for the purposes of catching up with homework, missing tests or exams for a future make-up, or to take part in other school activities.  If it comes to the attention of the Director that the misuse of parental excuses has occurred, the Director reserves the right to deny membership in an auditioned ensemble the following semester and any time in the future.

The annual donation to offset the cost of maintaining the Vocal Arts program is $155, due sometime before the end of the second week of school.  This fee is in addition to any costume costs you may incur.

Women's Ensemble Costumes--

• Special Order velvet and chiffon black, floor-length dress
• Black tights or nylons
• Black, low-heal shoes

  Dress Order Information

• Chairperson: TBD
• Process Fees
  • Attend fitting session during class.
  • Assess Size and Complete Order Document with Chairperson.
  • Provide a Check to TVAB for $100.00 to confirm order (dress will not be ordered until check is provided.
  • Receive dress approximately 7-10 days from order.
  • Make appointment with Alex’s Tailor Shop or other dress tailoring company for hemming. Request 2-3 day turn-around on hemming.
    • Alex’s Fashion Custom Tailoring

• 490 Camino De Estrella, SC (949) 240-8210
• In back of Big Lots Store / Old K-Mart Center
• $19.00 for hemming

• Ensure dress ready by October 18, 2006 Cameron Brown Benefit Concert

Madrigals

Madrigals represent the highest level of vocal music performance at San Clemente High School, and the ensemble is easily one of the most visible representations of our school to the public and our community.  Because of this, the standards and expectations of the singers are greater than for the other choral groups; maturity, focus, and a desire to excel in performance are necessary for success.  All members are expected to attend Vocal Arts events such as rehearsals and concerts prepared to perform.  In addition, deportment and behavior consistent with the reputation of the choir is expected: singers will arrive at events on time and in the appropriate attire without exception and maintain a professional and polite attitude towards everyone.  Because of the rigorous schedule of events for Madrigals and the difficulty of the music we sing, two simple rules are always in force during class:

1. Music and the mastery of it is always our primary focus; social interactions are secondary.
2. When in doubt, always refer to rule 1. 

If you cannot determine a proper course of action with regard to questions, talk to Dr. T at an appropriate time (i.e. after rehearsal and not during).  If you decide to ask questions regarding personal situations during class, be prepared to discuss that situation in front of the class.  In other words, wait until a good time away from rehearsal to ask about personal situations related to the class.

This year you will be expected to get your folder, get your chair, have a pencil with you, and be seated and ready for rehearsal two minutes after the bell rings without exception; choir business will be dealt with after rehearsal.  Unless you hear otherwise, we will rehearse in chairs all period.  Leave your belongings near the desks at the back of the room and do not have anything except your folder and a pencil with you during class; other items on your person will be confiscated while we are rehearsing.  Do not ask to be excused from class to go to the bathroom or for any other reason during the first 30 minutes of class; you will not be excused.  Students may only go to the bathroom one at a time and only during the last 20 minutes of class with the pass.  If you leave class without permission for any reason, you will be marked truant.  After Dr. T has concluded the rehearsal, please put up your folder in the credenza and stack your chair at the back of the room.  If you do not have your folder and a pencil, if you are late to rehearsal without a pass, or if you are disruptive you may be asked to spend the period outside.  If you fail to put up your folder or chair, you will be asked to clean the trash up in the choir room after class.  Repeated episodes may result in the lowering of your grade or ultimately in removal from Madrigals.  You may not leave personal belongings (including books and other school related items) in the classroom before or after rehearsal.  Also, no food or gum is allowed in the choir room at any time, and you are not allowed to leave food with your belongings; we have a vermin problem in this building and student untidiness is the reason.  All other school rules are continuously in effect during every Vocal Arts function.

Performance calendars will be distributed during the first full week of classes each semester.  Please keep this calendar with you all year; it is critical that you coordinate performances and out-of-school choir events with your personal schedule and that of your parents.

*IMPORTANT – READ CAREFULLY*

You must be at all concerts for which you are given three weeks notice; failure to attend a concert will result in the automatic lowering of your semester grade.  If you foresee a conflict, please have a parent, teacher, or coach notify Dr. T in writing at least three weeks before the event; no excused absences from anyone are allowed after that point, and excuses from students are not acceptable at any time.   Submitting a request to be excused is not a guarantee you will allowed to miss the performance; all requests are subject to approval by the Director.

You may only be excused from one concert each year; if you anticipate the need to be absent for more than one concert, it is highly advisable for you to find another elective.  If you are excused from a concert, you must submit a 1500 word typewritten report on a composer to be chosen by Dr. T as a make-up assignment; the subject of the report will be determined by him, and only original submissions are allowed. 

All singers must attend concerts in the appropriate attire.  Madrigals have both a formal and informal performance uniform: the formal outfit is a floor-length black dress with black closed-toed dress shoes for the girls and a black tuxedo with a clean white tuxedo shirt and black dress shoes and socks for the boys.  The informal outfit is a black polo shirt with the choir logo on the breast, clean khaki pants, a black belt and black comfortable leather shoes with white socks; no tennis shoes are allowed.  No exceptions or substitutions may be made with these outfits, and you are expected to wear clean and pressed clothing at all times.  There will be only one concert during the year (Madrigal Dinner) when you wear something other than the aforementioned.  You must come to concerts in a clean, appropriate outfit or you will not be allowed to perform and your grade will be lowered.

There will be sight-reading and musicianship work done in class on a regular basis.  Please do not complain when you are asked to do this: it is required by the state mandated curriculum for high school vocal music.  You will be graded on sight-reading ability and knowledge of repertoire on a regular basis.

One of the main ways Madrigals earns money for tour is through December gigs.  You are not required to do gigs, but they are a fun and easy way to help your parents out with tour expenses. 

*IMPORTANT – PLEASE READ CAREFULLY*

The rule on gigs is if you accept the gig, you must do it; there is no backing out at the last minute for other engagements.  If you do, you won’t be allowed to gig in the future --ever.

 If you wish to drive yourself to gigs during the school day, you must file the appropriate paperwork with the related insurance and licenses.  Under no circumstance is a student EVER allowed to drive another student to a Vocal Arts function.  If you do so, your parents will immediately be notified and steps will be taken to revoke your permission to drive yourself and your parking pass.

In order to support the areas of core academics, Vocal Arts has adopted a policy of academic excellence that is already in effect for SCHS athletic programs.  Dr. T will be ruthless in enforcing this policy.

*IMPORTANT – PLEASE READ CAREFULLY*

All singers must maintain a 2.0 core subject average for each of the six-week grading periods or they will forfeit the right to perform.  In addition, all underclassmen must have a semester core subject average of at least 2.0 at the end the academic year or they will not be allowed to audition for Madrigals for the coming year; seniors who fail to do so will not sing with Madrigals at graduation.

*IMPORTANT – PLEASE READ CAREFULLY*

The Vocal Arts Department in no way condones or accepts the practice of parents excusing students from rehearsals or classes during school for the purposes of catching up with homework, missing tests or exams for a future make-up, or to take part in other school activities.  If it comes to the attention of the Director that the misuse of parental excuses has occurred, the Director reserves the right to deny membership in an auditioned ensemble the following semester and any time in the future.

The annual donation to offset the cost of maintaining the Vocal Arts program is $155, due sometime before the end of the second week of school.  This fee is in addition to any costume costs you may incur.

Madrigals Costuming--

  Women:

• Special Order velvet and chiffon black, floor-length dress
• Black tights or nylons
• Black, low-heal shoes

    Dress Order Information

• Chairperson: TBD
• Process Fees
  • Attend fitting session during class.
  • Assess Size and Complete Order Document with Chairperson.
  • Provide a Check to TVAB for $100.00 to confirm order (dress will not be ordered until check is provided.
  • Receive dress approximately 7-10 days from order.
  • Make appointment with Alex’s Tailor Shopor other dress tailoring company for hemming. Request 2-3 day turn-around on hemming.
    • Alex’s Fashion Custom Tailoring

• 490 Camino De Estrella, SC (949) 240-8210
• In back of Big Lots Store / Old K-Mart Center

• Ensure dress ready by October 18, 2006 Cameron Brown Benefit Concert

  Men:

• Black Tuxedo
• White Tuxedo Shirt
• Black Tuxedo Tie
• Black shoes and socks

    Tuxedo Information

• Chairperson: TBD
• Process Fees
  • Purchase standard black tux on your own.
    • Tux Shop
    • O.C. Swap Meet Booth ($100 full tux)
    • Men’s section of department store
  • Make appointment with Alex’s Tailor Shop or other tailoring company for any adjustments. Request 2-3 day turn-around on hemming.
    • Alex’s Fashion Custom Tailoring

• 490 Camino De Estrella, SC (949) 240-8210
• In back of Big Lots Store / Old K-Mart Center

• Ensure tux is ready by October 18, 2006 Cameron Brown Benefit Concert