N.A. FERRI MIDDLE SCHOOL SELECT CHORUS: 2014-2015
Dear Ferri Select Chorus members and families,
Welcome! I am glad that you are part of the Select Chorus for the 2015-2016 school year. We have
some great performances planned this year and I look forward to working with all of you!
Select Chorus: The Ferri Middle School Grade 8 Select Chorus is an ensemble made up of singers
who are serious about performing at an advanced level. Students in this group will build upon
what they have learned in previous chorus classes by exploring advanced vocal techniques and
skills pertaining to breathing, blend, balance, part singing, note reading, and musical terms.
Performances: All members of the Select Chorus will perform music as part of the regular chorus.
However, this ensemble will also perform additional music separate from the regular chorus at our
winter and spring concerts. The Select Chorus will also have the honor of representing Ferri
Middle School by giving special performances at other events outside of the school. This year, I
plan to take the Select Chorus to perform at the RI State House, an elementary school, and the
RIMEA Choral Festival. More information will follow about these performances.
Mandatory performances: It is the obligation of every chorus student to attend two concerts for
this school year: the winter concert and the spring concert. The concerts are important because
they give us the opportunity to display to the community all of the music we’ve been learning and
rehearsing in class. Attendance of these concerts is mandatory and part of each student’s
chorus grade. Concerts will be held in the Johnston High School auditorium. The Winter Concert
will be on January 26, 2016 and the Spring Concert will be on May 24, 2016. Mark your calendars!
More concert information is on the opposite page.
Additional performances opportunities:
 Grade 8 Select Chorus students are strongly encouraged to audition for the Rhode Island
Junior All State Chorus. There will be an audition fee and after school rehearsals with Mr.
Conlon to help prepare for the audition. More information will follow for those students
who are interested in this great opportunity.
 All chorus members are invited to sing at a Providence Bruins game on a Sunday afternoon
in April 2016. Mandatory rehearsals will be held after school in March and April. More
information will follow.
 Grade 7 and 8 will once again have the opportunity to sing at the Great East Festival, an all
day performance field trip, tentatively schedule for Friday, June 3, 2016. The choruses will
perform for judges, receive an award (bronze, silver, gold, or platinum) based on their
performance, and then spend the rest of the day at an amusement park! More information
will follow.
 Grade 8 Chorus and Select Chorus will sing at 8th Grade Awards Night, which will take place
on a weeknight in June at Johnston High School. Grade 8 Chorus and Select Chorus
attendance is mandatory for this performance.
If you have any questions at all throughout the year, please contact me at
tconlon@johnstonschools.org or call the school at 401-233-1930 x2724. I look forward to a fun
and successful year!
Sincerely,
Tom Conlon, Chorus Director
RULES and EXPECTATIONS: Students must:
 be on time to class, in your assigned seat, ready to sing.
 be attentive and participate fully in every rehearsal. NO CANDY OR GUM!
 display proper singing posture during rehearsal. Lounging is not allowed!
 perform periodic singing tests in small groups in class. (see participation rubric)
 respect others at all times. Be courteous and helpful.
 attend the winter and spring concerts. (dates and info below)
 give 100% effort and always try to have a positive attitude. No whining!
GRADING: Students will receive a grade each quarter based on:
 50% - Effort and participation (see Chorus Participation Rubric)
 50% - Concert Attendance (see Concert Attendance Policy)
O = Outstanding (95-100) S = Satisfactory (75-94) N= Needs Improvement (65-74) U = Unsatisfactory (0-64)
MANDATORY CONCERTS: SAVE THE DATES! (held in the Johnston High School
auditorium)
Winter Concert: Tuesday, January 26, 2016
Grade 6: 5PM
Grade 7 and 8 Choruses and Select Chorus: 7PM
Spring Concert: Tuesday, May 24, 2016
Grade 6: 5PM
Grade 7 and 8 Choruses and Select Chorus: 7PM
Grade 8 Awards Night (Grade 8 Chorus and Select Chorus only)
June 2016 (date to be announced)
IMPORTANT: Concert Attendance Policy
Concert attendance makes up 50% of each student’s grade so it is important for every
student to attend both concerts. If a student is going to miss a concert due to an
emergency, Mr. Conlon must be notified personally in the form of an email, phone call, or
written note so that the absence is excused. In the case of an excused absence, the student
will have the chance to make up the grade in the form of an assignment. Failure to notify
Mr. Conlon of an absence and complete the make-up assignment will result in a
failing chorus grade.
CHORUS DRESS CODE: As a chorus, our goal is to proudly present ourselves in the best
way possible. We must look as good as we sound!



GIRLS:
Nice plain white shirt (NO TSHIRTS, TANK TOPS)
Black pants (NO SKIRTS, JEANS,
LEGGINGS, JEGGINGS, YOGA
PANTS, SWISHY PANTS etc.)
Nice black shoes (NO SNEAKERS
OR FLIP FLOPS)



BOYS:
Plain white shirt with collar, tucked in
(button down or polo shirt is ok)
Black pants (NO JEANS)
Black shoes (NO SNEAKERS)
IMPORTANT: Parents, please make sure your child has appropriate concert attire so that
our choruses look their best for our performances. Failure to follow the chorus dress
code will result in dismissal from the performance and a failing concert grade. If you
have any concerns about the dress code, please contact Mr. Conlon at
tconlon@johnstonschools.org or 233-1930 ext. 2724.
CHORUS SINGING TESTS
All students are expected to participate fully in every chorus class. This means
that very student is expected to sing out and be heard by Mr. Conlon.
Students will not be expected to perform alone. Instead, students will perform
singing tests in small groups of 3 or 4, during which they will sing a small part of a
song we are practicing. Students will be evaluated based on the rubric below.
IMPORTANT: Students who do not sing out, give little or no effort, and cannot
be heard will receive failing grades in chorus class.
A – Excellent B – Good C – Average D – Poor F – No Attempt
A
B
C
D
F
Student performs music with outstanding
effort. Every word can be heard and the
student knows all of his or her music.
Student performs music with good effort.
Most words can be heard and the student
knows most of his or her music.
Student performs music with average
effort. Some words can be heard and the
student knows some of his or her music.
Student performs music with poor effort.
Few or no words can be heard and the
student does not know most of his or her
music.
Student shows no effort or does not
attempt to sing.
(Please sign and return only this page.)
I understand the policies of the N. A. Ferri Middle School Select Chorus, especially the
discipline, grading, and attendance guidelines. To the best of my ability, I will fully
participate in the ensemble and its activities.
Parent Signature_____________________________________________________________
Student Signature____________________________________________________________
Grade/Team________________________________
Street Address ________________________________________ Johnston, RI 02919
Phone __________________________________________
(Your contact information is appreciated to ensure contact if necessary.)