Cy-Fair Choir
Handbook
2015-2016
Directors:
Jed Ragsdale
Evan Key
Rachel Pitman
Contact Information:
281-897-4683
www.cyfairchoir.com
Jed.Ragsdale@cfisd.net
Evan.Key@cfisd.net
Rachel.Pitman@cfisd.net
CHOIR ROOM PHONE NUMBER/VOICEMAIL 281.897.4683
Welcome to the Cy-Fair Choral Department. You have chosen membership in an
outstanding organization, recognized throughout the community and state. You are
asked to take your commitment to choral music seriously. Come to the choir room
daily with a willing heart and a desire to learn. The following information is a guideline
to help you through a successful year. Please read through these pages carefully. Ask
any questions that come to mind.
CY-FAIR CHOIR PROCEDURES AND RULES
1. You are expected to do your best. Anything less is unacceptable.
2. Bring a positive attitude to class everyday. Personal difficulties should remain on the
other side of the door. You are expected to want to make music, to sing
enthusiastically and be eager to conquer the task placed before you.
3. Proper posture is always required when singing.
4. All school district policies will be enforced. (See your CFISD student handbook.)
5. Read the choir room board and/or overhead at the beginning of class. Choir
members are responsible for the information posted.
6. Be in your spot, with your folder and a pencil, ready to rehearse when the tardy bell
rings.
7. During rehearsals, no gum, food or drink will be allowed in the choir room (except for
bottled water).
8. Tardies are not permitted without a pass from a teacher, counselor or administrator.
9. When a director is speaking you are expected to listen.
10. Respect yourself and respect others.
11. Please stay out of off-limit areas unless given permission by a director. These areas
include any piano, the choir office, the music library, storage closets and practice
rooms.
12. Always be attentive. Complete participation is mandatory. Warm-ups are essential
for music making and are not “time wasters.”
13. The bell does not dismiss you.
GRADING/ ATTENDANCE/ ELIGIBILITY
Your grade will consist of the following:
25% Daily Participation, Quizzes, Homework, Classwork
40% Performance/Extra Rehearsal Participation and Research Paper Project
35% In-Class Assessments
Members of the choir are expected to maintain passing grades in all subjects. A failing
grade in any subject resulting in an ineligible status will place your membership in the
choral program in jeopardy. Your membership is highly valued and necessary.
I.
MEMBERSHIP
A. Membership in the Cy-Fair Choir program is based upon attendance at all
activities , work ethic and level of musicianship.
B. Expectations:
1. Eligibility in all classes
2.
3.
4.
5.
Attendance at all required rehearsals and performances
Positive individual attitude and team spirit
Application of basic theory and sightreading skills
Following all school rules
II. ATTENDANCE
A. Absence from any choir activity is unexcused except for the circumstances
listed below:
1. Personal illness or accident (a written letter from a parent is required.)
2. Funeral of death in the family (a written letter from a parent is
required.)
3. Special school activities with PRIOR permission from the director.
B. Each member shall be required to participate in every concert, competition,
and any other activity scheduled by the director unless the student is ineligible or
has been placed on probation.
C. Any dental/doctor appointment or job that takes a member from any
practice may be cut from the performance.
D. Any member with an unexcused absence from any practice may be cut
from the performance.
E. When a member is absent, it is his/her responsibility to call the section leader
to find out what has been missed and what needs to be done upon return.
F. Any unexcused absence from performance may result in dismissal from the
group.
G. An alternate assignment will be given as make-up work for any absence.
III. ILLNESS/ABSENTEEISM
A. Any choir member who is too ill to sing is still required to observe the rehearsal
and to make individual score markings. Prolonged health problems will require
written assignments and/or individual tutoring and testing by the director at an
agreed time to make up rehearsal work. A doctor’s note will be required for
chronic absence from rehearsal or sitting out during class.
B. A choir member’s job is not an excused absence for any scheduled rehearsal
or performance.
C. Driver’s Ed. is NOT an excused absence for a scheduled rehearsal or
performance.
D. A member with five or more absences (excused or unexcused) in any one
class period during a six weeks grading period may be put on probation.
*Choir members are expected to call the choir room (281.897.4683) if they must
miss a performance.
*Required dates will be posted well in advance.
IV. CONDUCT CODE
A. Certain standards are necessary for the integrity and reputation of any
organization. Each and every choir member should set a good example at all
times. Choir members are expected to have and maintain a character above
reproach. Not following school rules may result in loss of membership.
V. GRADE REQUIREMENTS
A. Any member who makes an F in any course in a six-weeks period will be
placed on probation in accordance with the state “no pass/no play” laws.
B. Any member who is repeatedly ineligible will be dismissed from the performing
group.
VI. PROBATION AND LOSS OF MEMBERSHIP
A. Definitions:
1. Probation may be defined as not being able to participate in any
rehearsal, performance or function.
2. Dismissal: no participation in any activity for the remainder of the year.
A dismissed member must turn in the uniform and all issued items.
B. Choir members may be dismissed from the group for the remainder of the
year for the following violations of student handbook policies:
1. Violation of the alcohol and drug policy
2. Violation of the tobacco policy
3. Violation of the fight policy
4. Any act that results in suspension at home
5. Second time in DMC
6. Any infraction that the director and administrator deem detrimental to
the group or program
7. Any violation of VI.B. 1-6 will prevent the student from going on the choir
trip. There will be no refunds given in these circumstances.
C. Any student who receives below-passing grades for two six weeks will
be moved to a different choir.
TEXAS MUSIC EDUCATORS ASSOCIATION (T.M.E.A.)
District Choir Auditions- Any member of the Cy-Fair Choral program is eligible to
audition for the District Choir. The District Choir is not a performing choir. Each student
is responsible for the purchase of the audition music (amcmusic.net) and payment of
the audition fee. The fee for the 2015-2016 school year is $25.00. Anyone who fails to
demonstrate an adequate knowledge of the music will not be allowed to participate in
the audition and will forfeit any money expended.
*Cy-Fair Singers are REQUIRED to audition for district.
Region Choir Auditions- Students selected at the District level are required to audition
for the All-Region Choir. The All-Region Choir includes a Mixed Choir, a Treble Choir,
and an Honor Choir. Any student selected to the All-Region Choir must participate in
the choir/clinic in November. The fee for Region Weekend is $20 which goes towards
food purchases for the students. Up to eight 9th and 10th grade members who do not
make the All-Region choir may be selected to perform in the Honor Choir by their
directors.
Pre-Area Auditions- The top 12-15 chairs in each section of the All Region Mixed Choir
advance to the Pre-Area audition.
Area Auditions- The top five students selected at the Pre-Area audition advance to the
Area Audition for the Texas All State Choir at Reagan High School in San Antonio. The
top ranking chairs at the Area level audition will earn membership into the Texas AllState Choir. (Students will be placed into the Mixed, Treble or Men’s All-State Choir.)
These choirs will rehearse and perform in San Antonio at the Texas Music Educator’s
Association Convention February 11-14, 2015.
LETTER JACKET POLICY FOR CYPRESS FAIRBANKS ISD CHOIRS
A letter jacket may be earned by the accumulation of at least 10 points according to
the following schedule:
I. TMEA Choirs
All-Region Varsity membership performance= 3 points
Area Choir membership = 4 points
All-State Choir membership = 4 points
II. UIL Solo & Small Ensemble Contest
First Division (Superior) rating on a Class I, II, or III Solo = 3 points
Second Division (Excellent) rating on a Class I, II, or III Solo= 2 points
First Division (Superior) rating on a Class I, II, or III Ensemble = 2 points
Second Division (Excellent) rating on a Class I, II, or III, Ensemble = 1 point
III. Participation Points
Participation points are earned by students for the number of years in service
with the choir. To earn these points, a choir student should be a member in
good standing, fulfilling requirements of the choral program.
End of first year of satisfactory participation= 2 points
End of second year of satisfactory participation= 5 points (3 this year+2 last year)
End of third year of satisfactory participation= 10 points (5 this year + 5 from the
previous two years.)
VOICE LESSONS
Voice lessons are available to interested students. The cost is $20 per 30 minute lesson
with a $68.00 initial deposit. We have a limited number of voice teachers who teach at
the school. There are also a number of teachers who teach in their homes. Please see
your director for information. We will make every attempt to place students with a
quality teacher.
FINANCIAL/FUND RAISING ACTIVITIES
1. THE CHOIR FEE (“Fair Share”) FOR THE 2015-16 SCHOOL YEAR IS $50. This amount will
help to cover such items as uniform dry-cleaning, choir t-shirt, Xerox, binders, choir
decal and other materials.
2. Choir Yard Signs may be available to interested students. They are made of durable
plastic and cost $35.00.
3. Fundraising opportunities will be provided to assist students in meeting extra
expenses such as spring trips, choir banquet, other activities, and materials as deemed
necessary during the course of the year.
4. Students may be encouraged to meet a set quota for each fundraiser. Students who
do not meet quota should contribute the difference to keep the profit margin
balanced for the choir program.
5. When turning in money: Only money in an envelope with the student name, class
period, amount enclosed, and specific reason for the payment will be accepted. All
envelopes containing money/checks are to be placed by the student in the choir cash
box located by the choir office. **Please bring checks rather than cash.
*NEVER LEAVE MONEY OR FUND RAISING ITEMS UNATTENDED AT ANY TIME. YOU ARE
RESPONSIBLE FOR MONEY AND PRODUCTS.
**All checks should be made out to Cy-Fair High School Choir.**
Memorandum from Carol Oman, Internal Auditor
Booster Clubs that are tax-exempt or applying for tax-exempt status should discontinue
the use of individual accounts. (June 2, 1998)
“According to the IRS, Booster Clubs and other parent/teacher groups are usually
considered tax-exempt under section 501 c3. Charitable contributions may be received
if they are for public purposes, such as benefiting a group and not an individual. The use
of individual accounts allows individuals, instead of the group as a whole, to benefit from
the contribution of fund-raisers.
Whether a Booster Club of the District handles these funds, individual accounts cannot
be used. If the individual accounts are used, the donations and amounts from fundraisers that would be credited to an individual’s account could not be deducted on the
donor’s tax return. In addition, the use of money by the individuals would be considered
taxable income to them.”
“In some instances, a Booster Club may want to have certain criteria met for a benefit to
be received from the Booster Club. For example, a person may be able to attend a
particular competition and have the Booster Club pay for a certain amount of the cost, if
the person had participated in at least two service projects. Some organizations may
base the criteria on service points.”
“BECAUSE OF IRS REGULATIONS, THE USE OF INDIVIDUAL ACCOUNTS BY BOOSTER CLUBS
SHOULD BE DISCONTINUED.” Address questions to Ms. Oman at 281.897.4111.
UNIFORMS AND CONCERT ATTIRE
1. Cypress-Fairbanks ISD supplies new uniforms to us every ten years- therefore we must
take care of them. Many people will wear these uniforms so the alterations must be
done with great care. DO NOT CUT ANY MATERIAL OFF- NO MATTER WHAT! WIDE
STITCHES MUST BE USED. Contact us if you need any help. Staples, masking tape, and
any iron-on sticky materials do not make good hemming equipment and will ruin the
uniform. Wear your dress shoes when beginning to set your hem. The full toe of the
shoe should show but we do not want any ankles, whole feet, or leg showing.
2. Each choir member is responsible for the care and return of his/her uniform.
3. Dresses will be issued to all women. Tuxedos will be issued to all men. Choir
members are responsible for purchasing the following:
1. Women: black hosiery, black closed-toe dress shoes
2. Men: Black dress socks and black dress shoes, and a white, wing-tip tuxedo
shirt. These are available at Hobby Lobby, Gingiss Formal Wear, Men’s
Wearhouse and Macy’s.
3. Grooming Issues
A. Hair: Women must have hair pulled back (i.e. ponytail, braid, French twist,
etc.) and must be completely off the face. Men must have neatly groomed hair
that is completely off the face as well.
B. Jewelry is prohibited.
C. Clean bodies and personal hygiene are a must. Please use deodorant but
omit all cologne, perfume, and scented sprays because many people are
allergic to these.
4. At the discretion of the head director, a student may be excused from a
performance if he/she does not adhere to uniform and grooming guidelines.
SPRING TRIP POLICIES
1. Who is required to attend?
 Cy-Fair Singers and Choir Officers are required to attend the Spring Trip. Their
initial trip deposits are made at the time of application for their position as
Singers/Officers.
 For all other students, the Spring Trip is encouraged, but still optional.
2. Initial Deposit
 Students attending the spring trip will pay an initial trip deposit. This trip deposit is
non-refundable due to the several deposits the program must make towards the
trip (airlines, tickets, charter buses, festival and other expenses).
3. Eligibility
 Student’s must be in good standing in the choir program in order to attend the
spring trip. Good standing includes, but is not limited to:
o Passing all classes
o Being current on all fees and fundraising items
o Not receiving disciplinary consequences such as suspensions, ALC
placements, and DMC for more than 1 day.
 We depend on our students to make good choices on campus
AND off campus.
4. Disciplinary Issues
 Students are expected to abide by all conduct policies that have been
delineated by the choir directors and the student code of conduct.
5. Payment Deadlines
 Students attending the trip will have payments that occur each month before
the trip. It is critical for students and parents to keep up with payments each
month. In doing so, this allows the choir program to meet its own deadlines for
payments and purchasing the various amenities needed for the trip.
6. Fundraising
 Students have the opportunity to have the price of their spring trip adjusted
based on their participation in various fundraisers.
7. In-State/Out-of-State Trips
 In-State trips are open to all students who wish to attend.
 Out-of-State trips are open to all students except for freshmen. For out-of-state
years, freshmen will receive the opportunity for an in-state day trip.
FROM THE DISTRICT
The District may impose campus, classroom, or club/organization rules in addition to
those found in the Student Code of Conduct. These rules may be listed in the student
and campus handbooks or posted in classrooms, or published in extracurricular
handbooks, state or national organization bylaws, and/or constitutions, and may or
may not constitute violations of the Student Code of Conduct. Additional rules or
requirements, not part of the Student Code of conduct, are adopted and approved by
the sponsor, campus principal, and/or district administrator.
Sponsors and coaches of extracurricular activities may develop and enforce standards
of conduct that are higher than the District’s general standards and may condition
membership or the student’s participation in the activity on adherence to those
standards. Extracurricular standards of behavior may take into consideration conduct
that occurs at any time, on or off school property. However, no provision of an
extracurricular behavioral standard shall have the effect of discriminating on the basis
of gender, race, disability, religion, or ethnicity.
Organizational standards of repetitive behavior of an extracurricular activity are
independent of the Student Code of Conduct. Violations of these standards of
behavior that are also violations of the Student Code of Conduct may result in
separate, independent disciplinary actions. A student may be removed from
participation in extracurricular activities or may be excluded from school honors or
activities for violation of organizational standards of behavior of an extracurricular
activity or for violation of the Student Code of Conduct.
All students are expected to maintain the highest level of discipline and decorum at all
school functions. Failure to comply with administrative directives promoting order and
respect may result in the student being removed from participation in school activities,
including, but not limited to, commencement exercises.
CY-FAIR HIGH SCHOOL CHOIR
NOTIFICATION 2015-2016
I have been informed and am aware of the policies and
requirements for membership in the Cy-Fair High School Choir. I
understand that additional performances and rehearsals which may
be added during the course of the year will also be required.
Changes in the original calendar/schedule will be posted at least
two weeks in advance.
I understand that curricular and extracurricular performances
are part of the expectation for Choir and that a student’s
participation in both curricular and extracurricular activities may be
considered when assigning the grade for the grading period during
which the activity occurred.
Parent Name (Printed)
Student Name (Printed)
Signature of Parent/Guardian
Signature of Choir Member
Parent Email
Student Email
Class Period
Date