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Goodnight

Choir

Handbook

2018-2019

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Table of ContentsWhy We Sing

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………3

Contact Info ……………………………………………….……………………………………………………………………….

4Classroom Procedures 5

Performance Guidelines …………………………………………………….……………………………………………..

5Grading Policy ……………………………………………………….

…………………………………………………………..6

Before/After School Rehearsal Policy………………………………………………………………………………….

7Attendance

Policy…………………………………………………………………………………………………7

Restroom Policy…………………………………………………………………………………………………

9Uniforms……………………….………………………………………………….

……………………………………..…………..9

Concerts……………………….………………………………………………………….…………………………………………..

10Auditions………………………..………………………………………………………………..

……………………………………11

Service Projects……………………………………………………………………….…………………………………………..

11Voice

Teachers………………………………………………………………………………………………11

Voice Coachings……………………………………………………………………………………………

11Competitions………………………………………………………………………………………

…….……………………………111Fees…………….

…………………………………………………………………………………………….121

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Why Sing?Why Join Choir?

Music has a cultural importance that reaches far back into the roots of organized society. The Greek philosophers Pythagoras and Plato identified harmonics and scales before organized music had come about. They interpreted that music had a power over humans to create moods of happiness or sorrow. Music bloomed from 1400 to 1600 and thrived in the Renaissance period becoming a fixture of everyday life. European composers worked for and entertained royalty with Baroque style music from 1600 to 1750. Slaves in the United State would sing songs together to form a sense of unity, ease the pain of the intense labor they were suffering, and even to be used as a coded message that led them to freedom.

Numerous studies have shown that music improves student’s mental capacity and academic performance. Music enriches the brain by making it focus on multiple complex tasks in the effort to create beauty. Professional musicians have noticeably more symmetrical brains and the areas of the brain that are responsible for motor control, auditory processing, and spatial coordination are larger. Listening to music tends to improve work productivity, reduce stress, and improve moods. Playing music or experiencing music releases Endorphins, and Oxytocin, which is the brains trust molecule.

From a social aspect, group singing is an exhilarating music experience that can enhance a student’s social skills. Time magazine supports group singing saying “It takes something incredibly intimate, a sound that begins inside you, shares it with a roomful of people and it comes back as something even more thrilling: Harmony.” Studies show that when you sing as a group the heartbeat of the group synchronizes as singers mentally focus together to breath between phrases in order to articulate the music they are singing. The connection between singers and the music they produce is truly unique and personal.

At Goodnight, all choirs will utilize the historical, scientific, and social significance of music to make a musical impression on students, parents, and teachers alike. Singing is an art form all unto itself. Through singing all individual are able to discover him/herself, connect with people from different walks of life, and make a lasting impact on the world. By enriching students with the power of music, a Goodnight choir student will experience the world with renewed eyes. A Goodnight choir student has the ability to accept the people and ideas that inhabit the world around them because they have allowed music to change their life.

“Music is a world within itself, with a language we all understand.”― Stevie Wonder

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Contact Information

Vincent Pena, Head Director

Email: David.Pena@smcisd.net

GNMS phone number: 512-393-6550

GNMS fax number: 512-393-6560

School Address: Goodnight MS Choir Department 1301 TX-123, San Marcos, TX 78666

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GOODNIGHT CHORAL DEPARTMENT

Classroom Procedures/RulesThe following rules have been established to ensure a positive and successful learning environment for all choir students:

1. All school district fine arts behavior policies will be followed.2. Before class begins, cellphones, and homework from other classes must be placed on the sides of or

behind the risers. 3. Be on the risers with your folder, pencil, and music every day within the first minute after the bell

rings.4. Talk only with permission.5. Respect yourself and others.6. Food, drinks, gum, and candy are not allowed on the risers. Water is the only exception.7. The choir director, NOT the bell, dismisses the class.8. Please stay away from off-limits areas without permission from the director: choir office, pianos,

practice rooms, library, uniform room, and storage closets.9. Proper singing position is required at all times, sitting or standing.10. When directors, substitute teachers, student directors, or any adults are speaking, give them your full

attention.11. 100% participation is expected all the time. Students should be rehearsing and singing for the entire

class period.12. Make sure to throw away any trash, bottles, and loose leaf paper that is left in the room.13. Students are responsible for paying for lost copies of music. The only time students will have original

copies of music will be a competitions that require them. They will be under adult supervision limiting the chance of lost music.

14. Everyone will receive a choir binder at the beginning of the year. It is the student’s responsibility to replace the binder if misplaced or lost.

PERFORMANCE GUIDELINES

Students:

1. Failure to participate in a concert is a serious infraction. Concerts are assessments of the work done in class. Please see the Attendance Policy section for specific details concerning concert attendance and makeup opportunities.

2. Excused absences include but are not limited to: illness, death in the family, another school-related conflict and at the director discretion.

3. If the absence from a concert is excused, there will be an alternate assignment available (Refer to the Grading policies).

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4. Concerts are scheduled far enough in advance, so make arrangements as soon as you know the dates.5. Reasons for missing a performance must be given directly to the Director no less than 24 hours before the

concert. They must be written out formally and signed by your parents. If you are ill, please contact the Director as soon as possible.

6. There will be no laughing, talking, or whispering on the risers during a performance. If any does occur, the Director will stop the performance and ask the person causing the infraction to leave.

7. Uniforms are to be worn at all the concerts unless the Director instructs otherwise.8. UIL Concert and Sight-Reading Contest is also a requirement of the course, if you are eligible.9. If you are unable to participate in the Contest because of grades, you will be given written

assignments while the other choir members rehearse and compete.10. Students who are not performance ready for a concert may be restricted from singing on stage. Students

who are removed from a concert will have to do an alternate assignment.11. Students must be in their seats 30 minutes before the concert starts unless otherwise stated by the

directors.12. Cell phones and other electronic devices are to be turned off in the auditorium.13. Students will remain respectful, attentive, and supportive of the other performing groups while seated in the

auditorium.14. Students should not leave a concert until they have helped put away the risers, piano, and shells. Students

are also expected to help keep the choir room and any other classroom used clean and tidy for instruction the next day.

15. The State of Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills for secondary choral music outlines that concert attendance, evaluation and etiquette are an important part of the learning process for our students. Therefore, students are required to stay for the entire concert. Written evaluations of concerts will take place in class following each concert. Students who leave a concert early will be counted absent and will receive a zero.

Audience:

1. Please turn off all electronic devices.2. Please do not take flash photography.3. Please stay seated for the duration of the concert. If you have to leave, please exit during applause and

close the doors quietly.4. No unnecessary yelling or calling out other students’ names.5. Please take any noisy children into the lobby.6. Please do not save more than 2 seats per person.7. Applaud once conductor’s hands are by their side.8. Booster club concert workers are given a sign to save their seats. Please do not move their signs.

Grading PolicyThe grading percentages are as follows:

30% - Tests & Quizzes: Written, Singing and Sight-Reading1. This includes but is not limited to: quartet singing tests, individual sight-reading tests, solfege speed tests,

word tests, and any basic music theory tests.2. Retesting for a higher grade is allowed at the discretion of the director.

50% - Classroom Participation, Rehearsals, and Weekly Grades

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1. Weekly participation grades are based on being prepared for class with proper materials and active participation in class, as further defined in the class rules and procedures.

2. Lack of preparedness and/or lack of participation will result in points lost from daily and weekly grades.3. Lack of participation in class is also considered a behavior problem.4. Attendance at before and after school rehearsals is mandatory (unless otherwise indicated by the

director). Unexcused absences will result in a zero for a grade. The guidelines for determining unexcused vs. excused absences are listed below under Attendance Policy. Please don’t hesitate to ask a director if you are unsure.

20% - Concerts1. Concerts are the assessments of our work in class and therefore, the most important test grades that we

give. ATTENDANCE AT ALL CONCERTS IS MANDATORY.2. See Attendance Policy for more information.

Before/After School Rehearsal PolicySometimes in order for our choirs to be successful and prepared for performances, extra rehearsals are needed outside of class time. We are respectful of our students’ time and do not schedule any extra rehearsals, unless necessary. The requirements for these rehearsals are as follows:

One Week’s notice given by director to students and parents to be mandatory.

Extra rehearsals for UIL performing choirs, Special Event performing choirs, and other events.

Attendance PolicyExcused Absences must be pre-approved by the directors unless it is an emergency. Excused absences include (but are not necessarily limited to) religious reasons, death in families, other conflicting school events and medical reasons. Students with excused absences will be given a zero for their concert grade until the make-up assignment is turned in.

Unexcused Absences will result in a zero for a grade. Unexcused absences include but are not limited to: job conflicts, forgetfulness, lack of a ride, babysitting younger siblings, practices or rehearsals with non-school groups or teams, and apathy. Unexcused absences can result in the removal of a student from an ensemble.

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Before/After School Rehearsal Attendance:

We are very cognizant of your time and will only call rehearsals as needed. Attendance at before and after school rehearsals is mandatory and counts as a participation grade.

1. No unexcused absences will be tolerated for before/after school rehearsals and will result in a zero for a participation grade. If the absence is excused, then students will be given the opportunity to do make up work to receive a grade for the missed rehearsal (see next statement).

2. Students are ONLY allowed to make up 1 excused rehearsal each semester. Extenuating circumstances will be left to the discretion of the director.

3. In order to make up for a missed rehearsal, students must provide a signed note from their parent stating they practiced on their own at home for the full amount of time missed. The directors reserve the right to test the student for a grade on whether they have learned the missed rehearsal material on their own.

Concert Attendance:

1. For excused absences, the alternate assignment must be completed no later than exactly two weeks after the concert (If the concert is on Tuesday, the assignment is due on the Tuesday two weeks later).

2. IT IS THE STUDENT’S RESPONSIBILITY TO PROVIDE WRITTEN DOCUMENTATION FOR AN EXCUSED ABSENCE AND PICK UP A RECORDING OF THE CONCERT AND SCHEDULE A SINGING MAKEUP WITH THE DIRECTOR.

3. The make-up assignment is a two-part assignment, consisting of a performance component and a written analysis of a recording of the concert.

1. For the performance component, one of the directors will schedule a time for all makeup-singing assignments to be performed together. The student must attend that makeup grading session before or after school to sing for the director the music that was performed in the concert. If a student has a scheduling conflict that cannot be avoided, s/he must contact the director before the scheduled makeup session to set up an alternate makeup session. During this session, the student will perform from memory any music that was sung from memory by the choir in the rehearsal or concert, and the student may use music for any pieces that were sung in the rehearsal or concert with music. The student will sing as a soloist of with a small group of other students make the grade up. The student will be graded on all aspects of musicianship including but not limited to tone quality, rhythmic accuracy, pitch accuracy, vowel production, tone production, breath support, and interpretation. At the discretion of the director, the student will sing solo a cappella, with piano accompaniment, or with a recording of the concert.

2. For the written portion of the assignment, the student will be given a recording and program of the concert. The student must write an academic review of the entire concert (not just his/her choir’s performance), speaking in a detailed manner of the performances of all choirs, using

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musical terms and ideas explored in class, including but not limited to aspects of tone quality, blend, intonation, ensemble, interpretation, musical expression, breathe support and phrasing, and other musical and artistic ideas. The paper should be 3-5 pages long, 12-point font, one-and-a- half spaced paragraphs (not double-spaced), one-inch margins on top and bottom, and 1.25-inch margins on the sides. Pictures and clip art may be included but does not count toward the 3-5 page amount. All makeup work should be completed by the due date specified unless an alternate due date has been worked out ahead of time with the director. If the student does not promptly set up a make-up schedule upon his/her arrival back to school, the grade may remain a zero.

4. This make-up assignment is intended to reflect the importance of the concert preparation and performances as well as give the director a chance to assess the 6-9 weeks’ worth of classroom preparation that occurs before a concert. This is in accordance with the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills criteria, set by the State of Texas. The concert is a major grade, so the make-up work reflects that.

5. A student will only be allowed to make up one concert per year. If you have an extenuating circumstance, please contact the director to discuss the matter.

Restroom Policy1. Students will have the passing period and an additional minute after the bell rings in order to get on the

risers. This gives a student a total of 6 minutes to travel and use the restroom quickly before choir class begins.

2. After the minute alarm rings, students will not be allowed to use the restroom unless it is an emergency.

3. If it is an emergency, you must get a pass from the choir office.4. Once you return, you must sign and date the Emergency Restroom Binder.5. Multiple occurrences will result in a parent meeting. If a student has a medical need for frequent

bathroom trips, a doctor’s note/clinic pass will be required.6. Students experiencing a true sudden emergency can sprint to the restroom and bypass the choir

office. They will need to sign in and explain afterwards. This also applies to concerts. If a student is feeling ill, they may leave the stage or auditorium, but they must sign and explain afterwards.

Uniforms Informal (All Choirs)

Blue jeans [no tears, writing, capris, or colors other than a deep blue], current Choir Tee Shirt, and closed toed shoes. In cold weather, Choir Hoodies are acceptable. Formal (Men’s Choir)

As provided by the Goodnight Middle School Choir Program, uniform includes:  Tuxedo Shirt, Tuxedo Pants, Full Vest & Bowtie.

Note: some tuxedo pants may need to be hemmed, but NOT CUT, which is not part of the choir fee. All men must provide their own black shoes, black socks, and plain white tee shirt [without writing,

colors, or patterns]. If the pants are cut, or any other part of the provided uniform is damaged, the student will be responsible

for purchasing the uniform piece at full price.Formal (Women’s Choir)

As provided by the Goodnight Middle School Choir Program, uniform includes: Formal Choir Dress. Note: some choir dresses may need to be hemmed, but NOT CUT, which is not part of the choir fee. All women must provide their own black closed toed shoe.

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If the dress is cut, or is damaged in another manner, the student will be responsible for purchasing the uniform piece at full price.

    Formal (6TH Grade Ladies)Formal wear for the 6th Grade Ladies Choir consists of “Sunday Best” for the Winter Concert. Suggested attire would be a below-knee length dress that is appropriate.

Concerts

Performances are the way we assess work that has taken place in class. Therefore, all concerts count as test grades and attendance and participation is mandatory for students.

Fall Concert:

Date: Tuesday, October 16th, 2018 Student Call Time for Concert: 5:30 pm Event Time:

Fall Concert: 6:30 pmUniform: Informal Choir Uniforms

Winter Concert

Date: Tuesday, December 4th, 2018 Student Call Time: 5:30 pmEvent Time: 6:30 pm Uniform: Formal Tuxedos and Concert Black Dresses for UIL Competing Choirs.

Informal Choir Uniforms For Non-UIL Choirs

Pre-UIL Concert:

Date: Monday, February 5th, 2019 Student Call Time: 5:30pm Event Time: 6:30pmUniform: Formal Tuxedos and Concert Black Dresses Description and Notes: This is our most serious concert. It is a mock version of the Concert portion of the UIL competition that is held during the school day on February 25th-27th. We will ask that the audience hold their applause until the choirs have finished their 3 numbers to help the students adjust to the competition day. This concert features some of the most difficult music performed throughout the year, however, this is not a fully polished concert. The students will listen to the concert recording and will have 10 more rehearsals to perfect their sound before the UIL Concert & Sight-readingCompetition. Attendance for all students is mandatory.

Spring Show:

Date: Tuesday, May 7th, 2019 Student Call Time: 5:30 pmEvent Time: 6:30pmUniform: Pop Show attire; will be decided by each class

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Auditions

Solo Audition Policy: It is at the complete discretion of the director to assign solos for anyperformance. The Director may assign solos based on student participation and ability displayed during the class time. Director may assign solos based on previous auditions or on a different piece. The director main purpose for choosing a solo is to choose the best performer for that part. There are usually many talented singers auditioning at any given time. Directors reserve the right to choose whether or not to “spread the wealth” and provide solo opportunities to other talented students. They also reserve the right make the best decision for the performance. The director may or may not choose to take classroom behavior into account when picking a solo.

Choir Auditions: All students interested in advancing or remaining in a Varsity choir will have to apply and audition at the end of every year. Auditions include a sight-reading excerpt, a rhythm proficiency exercise, vocalized drills, and ear training tests. The audition usually takes about 10 minutes. These auditions are part of the consideration for what choir placement each student will be placed in for the next year.

Service ProjectsThe Choir Program should give back to the community as much as possible. San Marcos is our home and any opportunity to give back should be taken advantage of. These events will be voluntary but all students will be encouraged to attend

Voice CoachingsThe Choir Director has limited availability for individual voice coachings. Typically the choir directors will give individual voice coachings for the Region audition. Voice coachings with the directors are free, but in order to sign up students must follow certain guidelines:

1. 80% of the notes and rhythms must be learned on the student’s own time.2. The student must have a hard copy of the music and a pencil at all coachings.3. For every minute of one-on-one coaching, the student must provide a minute of service to the choir

program before scheduling their next coaching.4. The student must find a time that the director has free to schedule a coaching. Some weeks may not

have any free time slots.5. Coachings are scheduled on a first come first serve basis.

Competitions

UIL Concert & Sight-Reading: This is the highest level of assessment for choral programs in the state of Texas. Students will work together to present the most polished set of music that they can prepare. Students will sing together in their respective choirs in front of 3 specialized judges. Those judges will score the performance a Division I Superior, Division II Excellent, Division III Average, Division IV Below Average,Division V Poor. Students will then sight-read a brand new piece of music that they have never seen before. They will have 6 minutes to rehearse before being expected to sing it perfectly all the way

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through.

Students must meet the directors’ performance expectations before competing at the UIL Concert & Sight- reading event. The directors reserve the right to test the students on their ability level, and if the student does not meet the choir program’s standard, they will have to do an alternate assignment in place of competing at UIL. Failure to attend the required extra rehearsals will result in being removed from the competition.Behavior infractions are justified reasons for dismissal from the competition.

FEESThere is a mandatory, non-refundable, one-time courtesy fee of $50 per student. This pays for the choir tee (the informal uniform), choir hoodie (without customization), formal uniform ‘rental’, ONE formal uniform cleaning, UIL Contest Fee/Spring Contest Fee, all classroom supplies including binder, pencil, highlighter, and all practice CDs/sheet music.

No Pay- No Play RuleIf the courtesy fee has not been paid in full, or has not turned in the payment plan form with the first installment, your student may lose the privilege to compete or participate in choir fieldtrips. Please note, however, students will not be denied participation due to lack of funds. Parents MUST communicate financial need to the choir director, and payment plans are available to those in dire financial need.

Choir Expenses & Fee(s)There are many expenses that go into running an active choir program, such as material fees, accompanist fees, guest clinician fees, uniform cleaning, repair and replacement costs, contest fees, transportation fees, field trip fees… the list goes on. To help the financial strain and burden, the Choir Boosters are charged with the task of fundraising to help cover the majority of these costs—yet they cannot cover the entire costs that it takes to run this program.

There is a mandatory, non-refundable, one-time courtesy fee of $50 per student. This pays for the choir tee (the informal uniform), choir hoodie (without customization), formal uniform ‘rental’, ONE formal uniform cleaning, UIL Contest Fee/Spring Contest Fee, all classroom supplies including binder, pencil, highlighter, and all practice CDs/sheet music.

The Choir Fee, in full or first portion of the installment plan, is due September 30 th , 2018 . Please make all checks payable to the Goodnight Middle School Choir Boosters, and put in a sealed envelope with your student’s name, class period, and total funds .

Voluntary/Optional Additional Expenses1. T.M.E.A. All-region choir- $15 per student (7th and 8th grade only)2. Solo & Ensemble Entry Fee- $10.00 per student.3. Spring Choir Field trip (Six Flags Fiesta Texas)—cost TBD4. Other fieldtrip opportunities that may arise throughout the year—cost TBD

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Fundraising PolicyFundraising is a necessary part of any school music organization. Operating expensive for groups such as ours far exceed the funding supplied to the choral program. In order for the department to remain vital and offer quality experiences to our students, fundraising participation is a necessity for each student. Money raised through fundraising and fees are used for many purposes, both seen and unseen, over the course of a school year. The Choral Department and it’s Booster Club work hard to keep student fees low and offset the financial burden to you with fundraising efforts. Please keep in mind all of the often “unseen, behind the scenes” expenses when considering your level of commitment to fundraising. Your help is a necessity to continue in this outstanding program. As such, each student is asked to participate in at least ONE of the fundraisers that the choral department sponsors each year.

Date Event Mandatory/Not9/4/2018 Choir Handout Return Packet DUE MANDATORY

9/4/2018 Parent Meeting@ 6:00PM in the Goodnight Cafeteria.

MANDATORY

9/28/2018 Choir Fee DUE MANDATORY

10/16/2018Fall Choir Concert

Student Call Time: 5:30 PMConcert begins @ 6:30 in the Goodnight Auditorium

MANDATORY

TBA Sights & Sounds Winter FestivalGoodnight Middle School Choir Holiday Caroling

Time TBA @ the San Marcos Plaza Stage11/16-

17/2018All-District Youth Honor Choir @ GN Middle School

** For Selected 6th Graders** Not Mandatory

12/04/2018Winter Choir Concert*

Student Call Time: 5:30 PMConcert begins @ 6:30 in the Goodnight Auditorium

MANDATORY

2/05/2019

Pre-UIL ConcertStudent Call: 5:30

Concert @ 6:30 PM in the SMHS PAC**This is only for students attending UIL**

Students Participating in UIL:

MANDATORY

2/25/2019-2/27/2019

UIL Concert & Sight Reading Contest@ Canyon Lake High School, San Antonio

**Transportation WILL be provided**

Students Participating in

UIL:MANDATORY

3/30/2019Music In Our Schools Month (MIOSM)Performance Times: To Be Determined

@ San Marcos High SchoolMANDATORY

For Choirs Performing

4/12/20194/13/2019

Region Choir Auditions@Wood Middle School, San Antonio

**Transportation WILL be provided**5/04/2019 Region Choir Concert & Clinic

@ Seguin High School Performing Arts Center (PAC)**ONLY FOR REGION SELECTED SINGERS

5/07/2019Spring Show Choir Concert

Student Call: 5:30 PMConcert begins @ 6:30 PM

MANDATORY

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TBA Six Flags Fiesta Texas Field Trip**There are STRICT requirements to attend this field trip** Not Mandatory

TBA End-of-the-Year Social & Awards Ceremony

TBAOther performances & field trip opportunities may be

presented throughout the year. Notice & flyers will be sent home with plenty of time prior to the event. Thank you for your

patience & cooperation!

This concludes the informative part of the Goodnight Choir Handbook. Following are forms that need to be

returned to the director for record keeping.Goodnight Middle School

Choir Handbook2018-2019

Please complete and return to the Choir Director ON/BEFORE September 4th, 2018.

Student/Parent Commitment FormAll parents/guardians and students of the Goodnight Middle School Choir must sign this

form and return it to school by September 4th, 2018. Signing this form acknowledges both

student and parent/guardian have read and understand the Goodnight Choir Handbook.

I, __________________(Student Signature) , have read and understand the Goodnight Middle School

Handbook. I agree to abide by the policies stated in this document. I realize that the

failure to do so may result in disciplinary action that will affect my grade/enrollment in

this department.

I, ___________________ (Parent Signature), have read and understand the Goodnight Middle School

Choir Handbook. I agree to ensure my child abides by the policies stated in this

document. I realize that failure to do so may result in disciplinary action that will affect

my child’s grade/enrollment in this department.

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Please fill out the electronic Contact Information and T-Shirt form by following this link on your Cellphone or by scanning this QR Code.

You may also request a traditional paper form.

https://tinyurl.com/GMSC18

Contact Information FormStudent Name:________________________ Choir Placement: ______________________

Address: ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Cell: __________________________

Parents: Please list your most frequently used number/email.

Listed Primary Parent/Guardian Name: ______________________________________Home Phone:______________________________________________________Work Phone: ______________________________________________________Cell Phone: _______________________________________________________Email: ___________________________________________________________

Listed Secondary Parent/Guardian Name: _____________________________________Home Phone:______________________________________________________Work Phone: ______________________________________________________Cell Phone: _______________________________________________________Email: ___________________________________________________________

Quick Statement about your child. (Anything you would like me to know that could help me instruct your child more effectively):

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_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Interested in helping out?o Sign me up! Choir Booster, Chaperone, Volunteer, Donation, Ect..o Chaperone Fieldtripso Choir Boostero Donate: Expo Markers, Sharpie THICK Highlighters, Kleenex, Hand Sanitizer, ect..o Other: _____________________________________