Byron Nelson High School
Varsity Women’s Choir
Handbook
2010-2011
Mr. John Sikon, Choral Director
The Varsity Women’s Choir represents the top level of musicianship at BNHS. If you have been selected
as a member of the Varsity Women’s choir you; a) have an understanding of music theory (sight-reading)
and basic vocal technique (tall vowels, breath support, etc.) b) are a leader c) are dedicated to excelling in
all of your classes d) Have a passion for music that can only be satisfied in an advanced ensemble with
high expectations
You may have noticed that the Varsity Women’s Choir handbook is different from the other choir
handbooks at Byron Nelson High School. This is because our expectations for Varsity Choir are higher
than the expectations for Concert Women. With that said, if you are not ready for the commitment and
high expectations of the Varsity Women’s Choir there is another ensemble you should sing in at Byron
Nelson.
Classroom Expectations
1. Be on time. Students should be on the risers with the necessary materials (a pencil, your music
and your folder) before the tardy bell. We will follow the tardy policy listed in the NISD student
code of conduct. Furthermore, students who are consistently late to class will be removed from
Varsity Choir.
2. Actively participate in class. Students will stand and sing every day unless they have a note
from a parent/ guardian, a doctor, or the school nurse. Students who have a note and are unable
to stand and/ or sing are still expected to actively participate in rehearsal.
3. Stay informed. Important dates will be given in handouts, written on the board, posted on the
choir website, and repeated in class. It is the student’s responsibility to be “in the know.”
4. Be positive! Class will be conducted in a positive and encouraging manner. Negative comments
about our music, other students, and other teachers will not be tolerated. The use of profanity is
also not permitted.
5. Food and drink (with the exception of a bottle of water) is not allowed in the choir room
during class time.
6. Knock and/ or ask permission before entering the choir office, choir storage areas, or a practice
room. No one is allowed to sit behind Mr. Sikon’s desk without permission.
7. Leave your extra “stuff” behind the risers. Only a pencil, your music, your folder and a bottle
of water are allowed on the risers.
8. Respect the piano. Do not place any items on the piano. Ask permission before playing the
piano.
9. Do not spray perfumes or deodorant in the choir room
10. Take care of your personal business during your personal time.
11. Pass all of your classes all of the time. Please let Mr. Sikon know if you need help with this.
After School Rehearsal and Sectional Expectations- (all Classroom Expectations apply)
1. Starting at the end of September we will have brief weekly sectionals after school
2. After school rehearsals are graded. If a student has more than two unexcused absences to
after school rehearsals they may be removed from Varsity Women’s Choir
3. The student is responsible for finding transportation to and from after school events. The
students must have a ride within 15 minutes of the conclusion of an after school event. Let the
director know in advance if you can’t find a ride.
4. Take time off work. We will give lots of notice before any after school event. Work is not an
excuse for missing an after school choir event.
5.
6.
7.
Dress rehearsals are a test grade. Any student who misses a dress rehearsal will need to
complete an alternative written assignment to receive credit. Additionally, any student who
misses a dress rehearsal with an unexcused absence will not sing on the following concert and
may be removed from Varsity Choir. Take your choir calendar home today and compare with
all of your other personal and school activity calendars and alert Mr. Sikon and all other
sponsors involved about conflicts ASAP.
If you have an emergency that prevents you from attending an after school rehearsal please
inform Mr. Sikon ASAP (preferably before the rehearsal) by either emailing
(jsikon@nisdtx.org) or leaving a voicemail (817-698-5681)
Please take care of tutorials outside of rehearsal time
Concert Expectations-(all Classroom and After School Expectations apply)
1. Attend all concerts. Concerts are test grades. If you have an emergency that prevents you from
attending a concert please inform Mr. Sikon ASAP (preferably before the concert) by either
emailing (jsikon@nisdtx.org) or leaving a voicemail (817-698-5681). Students with an excused
absence (determined by the director) will be allowed to complete an alternative assignment for
full credit. Any Varsity Choir member with an unexcused absence to a concert will be removed
from Varsity Choir.
2. Demonstrate proper performance and audience etiquette. We will discuss specifics in class.
3. Wear the appropriate concert attire.
4. Do not wear perfume or cologne to a concert. Please do wear deodorant.
Uniforms
The NISD school district generously provides most parts of our concert attire. Students are
expected to care for and maintain gowns and tuxedos for the 9 months while they are in their possession.
Please do not drastically or permanently alter these uniforms. In some cases alterations will need to be
made to the uniforms for length at the parent’s/student’s expense. For your convenience, you may leave
your uniform in the wardrobe room for easy access before concerts. In the event that we have a concert
outside of BNHS, students will be responsible for getting their uniforms from the BNHS choir room prior
to leaving school on the day of the concert.
Part of your choir fee covers cleaning your concert uniform once, at the end of the year before you
leave for the summer. Any additional cleaning will be at the student’s/ parent’s expense. If proper care is
taken, no additional cleaning will be needed. No student will receive a uniform without having turned
in the choir fee and the choir handbook signature page.
Ladies:
You will receive a black formal gown (replacement cost: $70)
You will need to supply the following:
a) All black shoes that befit a formal gown, such as slipper style or low-heeled
pumps are fine. They must be closed-toed. No mules. High heels are impractical
for standing for long periods of time.
b) Small stud earrings are fine; however, no dangly earring, necklaces, watches, or
bracelets can be worn during a performance.
c) Hair should be neatly groomed and is not to cover the student’s eyes
d) Hair ornaments, if any, need to be black and small
Thank you for your understanding in this matter. As always, we want to look our best for our
friends, family, and judges who might be sitting in the audience.
Choir Fees/ Fundraising/ and other Money issues
Timely collection of money for choir events is a necessary and crucial part of making our program
successful. Notice, I did not say enjoyable. Each student is expected to pay $32 for their choir fee. The
$32 will cover the cost of cleaning your concert attire and purchasing a brand new choir shirt. Unless
otherwise noted, all checks need to be made out to the Byron Nelson High School Choir. I am fully
aware that $32 is not a small amount of money for most of us and I am willing to work with any student or
parent that has difficulty paying their choir fee by the due date.
Grading Policy
40%- Weekly participation (one grade per week), after school rehearsals, sight singing quizzes, written
work, folder checks, concert reviews
60%- Dress rehearsals, Concerts, Sight Singing Tests
NOTE: The performance times and dates are listed in the attached choir calendar. Valid conflicts with
these dates should be discussed with Mr. Sikon well in advance. All dates on the calendar are subject to
change, but advanced notification will be given.
Director Contact Information
Mr. John Sikon
Email- jsikon@nisdtx.org
Office phone- 817-698-5681
BNHS
Choir Handbook
Agreement Form
We have read the Choir Handbook and the NISD Code of Conduct for
Extracurricular activities and we understand what is expected of our
choir student in the Byron Nelson High School Choral Department.
_________________________
Signature of Parent /guardian
________________________
Signature of student
**This for is due on or before September 30
Please print neatly:
Name of Student________________________________________________
Birthday Month______ Day______
Street Address
______________________________________________________
City __________________ Zip Code ______________
Home Phone _________________________________
Student Phone ___________________________________
Email Address
Father
____________________
Mother
____________________
Student
____________________
Is either parent interested in volunteering? ______yes ________no
Name of parent/s _____________________________
Parent contact # _______________________________