26June2010
Hints for the High School Chorus Teacher – Choir Folders
Binders, Folders or Packets
Every teacher has his or her own preferences regarding choir folders. I prefer plain old black binders. I get the ones that have a clear plastic outer sleeve so that when Laura feels a moral imperative to write Laura Loves Sean and Laura and Sean Forever all over everything she owns, embellished with the cutest little hearts and eighth notes, she can render her artistic musings on a plain piece of paper and slip it inside the sleeve without defacing the choir folder that we must use for performance.
The use of a binder is also quite helpful in assisting your students with their organization of other handouts, i.e. theory worksheets, calendar items, rehearsal schedules, and such.
Distribution
I distribute the music packets in large manila envelopes and hand out the binders separately. I also drop an index card in each envelope, and use that on day one as student information card which also acts as a record of the student having received his music. Two birds with one stone, and all that.
What to Include
At any rate, you will need to prepare music packets for each student. In the packet you must include one fairly easy piece that the students will enjoy singing right away, but eventually hate because they will be bored with it, one piece that is out of reach and that they will likely hate right away but will learn to love because of the challenge and sense of accomplishment, and a nice standard piece that falls somewhere in between on the difficulty scale. (You may certainly include more music selections. Just be sure you have these three bases covered.
Student Contracts
You will also want to include a contract that is a list of expectations for the student’s grade. In the contract, be sure to include a list of the music that you are entrusting to the student along with the replacement cost of each piece. When a student signs the contract, he is accepting responsibility for both his behavior and his classroom materials. At the end of the quarter or the semester when you take up music, if a student’s music is not in good shape or not returned in a timely fashion he or she may be charged for replacing the music. Many schools have a policy that allows teachers to hold grades until financial obligations are met. Check with your school to see what the particular policy is.
Best Class
Expect more from them on day one than they know that they have. Rehearse the song right up until the bell rings so that your students leave the room singing. Chorus class will be the best class they have all day.
Someone once said, “Who dares to teach must never cease to learn.” Keep learning how to be a great chorus teacher. As a 30 year teacher, mostly in Mobile, Alabama and life-long learner, the author has tips and ideas, gathered over a professional lifetime, to help you make that happen. Visit Chorus Teacher today! You’re also welcome to see more about the area where we teach at Baldwin County AL Real Estate. See you there!