Welcome to the MRMS Vocal Music Department
Dear Parents,
Welcome!!!!!
My name is Laura Finch, and this is my 5th year as the vocal music director
at MRMS. This will be my 16th year of teaching music. My husband and I
live in Lee’s Summit where he is the Director of Bands at Lee’s Summit
High School. We have two daughters; Leah who is 12 and very involved in
dance, music, and school activities and Rory who is 6 and is a big 1st grader
this year.
Whether your child is new to the program or returning, I am so excited for
the opportunity to teach your child about music. As we embark on another
school year, you and your child will find that I have very high expectations.
This Handbook is designed to be a reference for you and your child.
Please take a few minutes to read through the information provided in this
handbook. This information is valuable to the success of your child.
Warmest Regards,
Mrs. Finch
lfinch@bssd.net
Parent Communication
Communication is the “KEY TO SUCCESS”.
Email – Please make sure an updated email is in Parent Portal for this
upcoming school year.
Through Parent Portal & Power School, I am able to email entire class
reminders throughout the year. This is a very successful mode of
communication for all my Choirs, as most parents have access to email
almost immediately. My Plan time this year is 2nd hour and so, if you email
in the morning, I should be able to respond fairly quickly. However, after
9am, it may take me longer to get a response written. I will do my very best
to respond the same day as the email is sent.
Power School (parent portal) – I will be using the parent portal throughout
the year to remind parents and students of upcoming performances and other
pertinent information such as rehearsal changes, date changes, ect…
Phone – In the case of a discipline issue, I will be contacting parents directly
by telephone. I will also contact parents if a detention form or long form has
been filled out. If a message is left, I will try and contact again the following
day.
Handouts/Paper Communication – I do try and send home a paper
reminder for all upcoming concerts two weeks before the scheduled concert
date. This is the responsibility of the child to give these handouts to their
parents. On these handouts will be the same information that you will find
in the vocal music handbook.
Contact Information
Work Email: lfinch@bssd.net
Work Phone: 816-224-1800
Course Descriptions
6th Grade Vocal Music – This year long class will focus on the
fundamentals of music and vocal technique. Emphasis will be on pitch
matching, tone quality, breath support, diction, ear training, theory, and sight
singing. There are two concerts throughout the year one in Dec. and May
for 6th grade and concert participation is mandatory.
7/8th Grade Experience Music – This semester long class focuses on all
aspects of music. From creating their own composition to listening to the
great composers of the classical period, your child will experience all the
ways in which music comes to life.
7/8th Grade Men’s Choir – This performance based semester class
specifically designed for a young man’s voice; will primarily focus on
proper vocal technique. Although I will incorporate other fundamentals of
music such as theory and sight reading, the majority of our time will be
spent on singing. Concert participation is mandatory! There will be
mandatory concerts in October and December. Each concert is worth 100
points.
7/8th Grade Women’s Choir – This performance based semester class
specifically designed for a young woman’s voice; will primarily focus on
proper vocal technique. Although I will incorporate other fundamentals of
music such as theory and sight reading, the majority of our time will be
spent on singing. Concert participation is mandatory! There will be
mandatory concerts in October and December. Each concert is worth 100
points.
Course Syllabus
Music Classroom Expectations
 Students are expected to have a Positive and Respectful attitude
towards all students, accompanist, and teacher.
 Students are to be on task and attentive throughout the entire class
period.
 Students are expected to be in class on time. Being tardy will affect
their participation points for the day.
 Students must come prepared for class. Pencils and paper must be in
their binder at all times.
 Students are expected to not be a disruption to the learning
environment in any way.
 Students will not be allowed to have gum, candy, or food in class.
Water bottles are fine as long as they do not become a distraction.
There is a water fountain in the choir room and students will have
permission to use it.
If a student fails to meet any of these expectations, their participation grade
will be lowered accordingly and a phone call may be made.
Class Schedule
1st Semester
1st Hour 7:50 – 8:10
PACK
nd
2 Hour 8:15 – 9:00
Plan
rd
3 Hour 9:05 – 9:50
Men’s Choir
th
4 Hour 9:55 – 10:40 6th Grade Vocal Music
5th Hour 10:45 – 12:05 6th Grade Vocal Music
6th Hour 12:10 – 12:55 Experience Music
7th Hour 1:00 – 1:45
Experience Music
th
8 Hour 1:50 – 2:40
Women’s Choir
2nd Semester
PACK
Plan
Men’s Choir
6th Grade Vocal Music
6th Grade Vocal Music
Experience Music
Experience Music
Women’s Choir
Grading Criteria
1. Daily Participation/Rehearsal Contribution – 50% of Students Grade
 10 points are awarded each day to students who are in class or
have an excused absence. Points will be deducted for not
following classroom expectations
.
2. Written Work & Tests – 15% of Students Grade
 Throughout the semester, I will use worksheets to reinforce
learned material.
 Tests will include singing tests, sight-reading tests, rhythm
tests, & musical term tests.
3. Concert Performances – 35% of Students Grade
 Students must attend all required performances
 100 points is given for concert performances
Concert Information & Dates
1st Semester
Fall Concert:
October 16th
7:00pm
 Men’s Choir & Women’s Choir will perform
1st Winter Concert:
December 1st
7:00pm
th
 6 Grade performs
2nd Winter Concert:
December 11th
7:00pm
 Men’s Choir, Women’s Choir & Honor Choir will perform
2nd Semester
1st Spring Concert:
March 12th
7:00pm
 Men’s Choir & Women’s Choir will perform
2nd Spring Concert:
April 30th
7:00pm
th
 6 Grade performs and Show Choir
Fine Arts Night
May 4th
7:00pm
 Show Choir will perform
3rd Spring Concert:
May 14th
7:00pm
 Men’s Choir, Women’s Choir & Honor Choir will perform
Concert Attire
Gentlemen:
 Black Dress Shirt
 Black Dress Pants
 Any Colored Tie
 Black Socks
 Black Shoes
Ladies:
 White dress Shirt
 Black Skirt or Pants (Skirt must be at the knee or longer)
 Black Shoes
 Minimal Jewelry
 No Perfume Please
Concert Excused & Unexcused Guidelines
Excused Absences: A student will be excused from a concert if he/she has
an excused absence from school on the same day as the concert. A phone
call or email is needed if child is not attending the concert. Failure to notify
me can result in an unexcused absence. Excused absences will get full credit
for the concert.
Unexcused Absences: Failure to attend a concert is considered unexcused.
Outside activities will not be considered excused. Concert participation is
worth 35% of child’s grade in vocal music. Please make arrangements for
this school related/graded activity for your child to attend. If a child is
unexcused from a concert, they will have an opportunity to only make up
75% of their grade by completing an alternative assignment that is
determined by the Mrs. Finch. The only way to receive full credit for a
performance is by attending and participating in the concert.
Concert Etiquette: Students are required to attend the entire concert.
Generally, all concerts will last no longer than an hour. It is a valuable part
of their learning and shows respect for the other performers. Students are
also expected to behave appropriately throughout the concert. If a child fails
to follow concert expectations, their concert points will be deducted.
Student & Parent Signature Page
Please return this page by Friday, August 29th
Worth 50 points
I understand the contents of this handbook and what is required of me as a student. If I do
not follow policies outlined in this handbook, I understand that could result in a lowered
grade. I agree to do my part as a contributing member of the Moreland Ridge Vocal
Program.
Student Name (Please Print)
Class Hour
Date
As the parent/guardian, I agree to support the information and policies stated in this
handbook. I also understand that my son/daughter is depending on me for transportation
and proper concert attire for the required evening performances.
Parent Signature
Date
Print Parent Names: _______________________
Parent Email Address: ___________________________
Parent Phone Numbers:
Cell: ________________________
Home: _________________________
Director: Laura G. Finch
Accompanist: Elaine Swanigan
lfinch@bssd.net
816-224-1800