Jennifer Rafferty
7th Grade Girl’s Choir
8th Grade Choir
Benjamin M. Wells
7th Grade Boy’s Choir
Mixed Chorus
Concert Choir
Dynamic Paws
Welcome to what will be an exciting year filled with quality music making, teamwork and
unique learning experiences. The Cortland Jr.-Sr. High School Music Department has a
longstanding tradition of excellence thanks to the commitment of all those involved. Members of
our ensembles will have many opportunities to share their skills and passion for the subject with
each other, the Cortland community and surrounding areas. Conductors, audiences, music
educators, and students from other schools alike have come to expect exceptionally high levels
of music performance and personal behavior from the Cortland High School ensembles and their
members. We will carry on with traditions while working to increase self-expressions, selfdiscipline, attention-to-detail, assertiveness, responsibility and organization. It is the belief of this
music department that the skills you learn in a performing ensemble will increase your ability to
succeed in all areas.
Expectations
A proper attitude and a strong concept of responsibility to one’s self and the group are vital to
our program. The quality of the ensemble is significantly limited when one individual fails to
fulfill his/her responsibilities. The following expectations have been outlined to ensure that we
all know the values we are responsible to uphold.
Classroom Expectations:
1) Regular attendance and consistent participation is required.
2) Respect towards the subject, the conductor and peers is expected at all times.
3) Constructive criticism from the conductor must be welcomed by all participants in
order to learn and grow. Performers will not offer criticism to other performers unless
self-evaluation is part of the day’s lesson plan.
4) Care for music and other classroom materials is the responsibility of each student.
Folders may be taken home for practice purposes but must be in school for rehearsals.
5) No food or GUM will be allowed in the musical classroom at any time.
6) Positive leadership in regards to attitude, enthusiasm and responsibility is a must.
7) An open mind and a willingness to try new things will expose you to endless and
unexpected possibilities.
Practice and Preparation:
1) Members of choir will be expected to practice both choral and solo music outside of
class to ensure personal and overall group success.
2) Performance exams will be given if musical learning and progress is not satisfactory.
Concert Dress:
7th Grade Choirs
 Dress nicely (must be compliant with school dress code)
8th Grade & Mixed Choirs
 White on top, Black on bottom
Concert Choir
 Concert Black, Jackets & ties for men
Lessons:
7th Grade Boys and Girls Choir
1) All members of 7th grade choirs will be required to attend lessons as scheduled by the
teacher. Lessons will include private and sectional instruction.
2) Students must inform their teachers that they will be missing a class prior to their
lesson and are responsible for work missed.
3) It is the responsibility of each student to keep track of their own lessons, and to
schedule a make-up within two rotations of a missed lesson.
4) Private lessons with a highly qualified instructor are encouraged and will excuse
students from in-school lessons with a few exceptions. Students studying privately
must attend one regular lesson with the school teacher each marking period as well as
all in-school sectional lessons.
5) Students wishing to prepare NYSSMA Solos must do so during in school lessons.
Private Teachers may offer input into the solo selection, however, the school voice
teacher has final say as to which solo will be performed.
8th Grade and Mixed
1) Those who wish to attend NYSSMA solo festivals will be integrated into the lesson
schedule from January to March.
2) Students must inform their teachers that they will be missing a class prior to their
lesson and are responsible for work missed.
3) It is the responsibility of each student to keep track of their own lessons, and to
schedule a make-up within two rotations of a missed lesson.
4) Students wishing to prepare NYSSMA Solos must do so during in school lessons.
Private Teachers may offer input into the solo selection, however, the school voice
teacher has final say as to which solo will be performed.
Concert Choir
1) All members of Concert Choir will be required to attend one lesson every six days on
a rotational basis. Lessons will include private and sectional instruction.
2) Students must inform their teachers that they will be missing a class prior to their
lesson and are responsible for work missed.
3) It is the responsibility of each student to keep track of their own lessons, and to
schedule a make-up within two rotations of a missed lesson.
4) Private lessons with a highly qualified instructor are encouraged and will excuse
students from in-school lessons with a few exceptions. Students studying privately
must attend one regular lesson with the school teacher each marking period. These
students will also be required to prepare their NYSSMA Solos in school between
January and March and must attend in-school sectional lessons.
NYSSMA Solo Festival
1) All members of concert choir will be required to prepare a NYSSMA Solo.
2) Seniors may choose to prepare duets or small ensembles.
3) Private Teachers may offer input into the solo selection, however, the school voice
teacher has final say as to which solo will be performed.
Grading
Participation:
 A grade for daily participation in class will be earned by each student based on
attendance, effort, attention, cooperation, energy and the correct use of learned vocal
skills including posture, breath control, diction, articulation and mouth shape to name
a few.
 A separate participation grade will be earned during each lesson for members of 7th
Grade and Concert Choirs.
 Attendance at all concerts is expected. When an absence from a performance is
anticipated, a written parent request must be given to the director at least two weeks
prior to the conflict. Only in extreme circumstances will a request for an absence
from a performance be granted. Students who are excused from a performance will be
required to complete an alternative assessment as assigned by the director.
Performances:
Concert dates:
 Wednesday, December 19th, 7pm (Junior High Choirs)
 Thursday, December 20th, 7pm (Senior High Choirs)
 Thursday, March 14th, 7pm (District Prism Concert, Jr. & Sr. High Choirs)
 Thursday, March 21st, 7pm (Senior High Choirs)
 Wednesday, May 8th, 7pm (Junior High Choirs)
 Wednesday, May 29th, 7pm (Senior High Choirs)
Additional Assignments:
 Additional assignments may be added to daily rehearsals to help reinforce and assess
fundamental musical skills and to meet New York State Standards.
 Extra credit can be earned for participating in extra-curricular vocal activities.
Grading Percentages:
7th Grade & Concert Choir
 50% Rehearsals, Participation and Preparation
 25% Lessons
 25% Additional Assignments
8th Grade & Mixed Chorus
 75% Rehearsals, Participation and Preparation
 25% Additional Assignments
Final Exam:
Choir members will be required to take a final exam to assess retention of skills and
concepts learned during the school year. Students in high school ensembles will be
offered various opportunities to become exempt from this exam.
Other Choral & Vocal Opportunities
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“Working: The Musical”, Senior High Musical, Performances Nov. 15th, 16th & 17th.
Junior-High Area All-State, November 2nd and 3rd, Ithaca High School. By invitation
based on NYSSMA solo scores. Grade 7-9. Fees TBA
Conference All-State, NYSSMA Winter Conference, Nov. 29th – Dec. 2nd, Rochester,
NY. By invitation based on NYSSMA solo scores. Fees TBA
Junior High Musical, Performances Jan. 25th & 26th.
All-County Choirs, January 18th-19th, McGraw High School. By invitation based on
teacher recommendation, Grades 7-8 and 9-12.
Senior High Area All-State, February 1st & 2nd, Ithaca College. By invitation based on
NYSSMA solo scores. Grade 10-12, fees TBA
NYSSMA Solo Festival, March 23rd, Cortland High School, Non-All-State Solos.
NYSSMA Solo Festival, May 10th & 11th, Boynton Middle School. All-State Auditions.
NYSSMA Solo Festival, April 26th & 27th, ESM High School. All-State Jazz Solos.
Cortland High’s dynamic Paws, by invitation. Thursdays 2:45-4:00. Various Concerts.
Other District Concert Dates
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District Orchestras, Wednesday, November 28th, 7pm
District Bands, Tuesday, December 11th, 7pm
Jr.-Sr. High Orchestras, Wednesday, February 13th, 7pm
Jr. Sr. High Bands, Wednesday, March 27th, 7pm
Jazz Concert & Tri-M Inductions, Tuesday May 14th, 7pm
District Orchestras
District Bands
Please sign and return this page no later than Thursday, September 13th. This is your first
assignment. Turning this in on time will earn you a score of 100% which will be included in
your grade for the first 10 week marking period.
Student Name________________________________
* I understand the expectation for the Cortland Jr.-Sr. High School choral ensembles.
* I have noted the concert dates on my home calendar and recognize that these are mandatory
performances.
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Parent/Guardian Signature
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Date
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Student Signature
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Date