John Hersey HS Choirs

All Important Info!

Academic Eligibility for Fine Arts

Academic success is of the utmost concern, especially for our students who are involved in activities/athletics/performance groups. The points below outline our commitment to keeping students focused on their studies.

1. Participants in school activities/athletics must be passing 2.5 credits (each academic class is equal to .50 credits) in order to remain eligible. Physical Education credits do not count towards the total of 2.5 credits. Further consequences may be assigned by the director/coach in order to maintain appropriate discipline and morale within an organization.

2. Directors/coaches must turn in the list of participants to John Novak, Assistant Principal of Student Activities, so the students can be tracked for grades on a weekly basis. We ask that parents
also make a habit of checking school logic on a regular basis.
Consequences for weekly failing grades are to be determined.

3. Students in the fine and performing arts who are not passing 2.5 credits will be removed from participation in performances, contests and rehearsals. Students in performance classes that meet for academic credit during the regular school day are not excluded from meeting the requirements of a class. Students who are in nontraditional academic credit performance classes that meet beyond the regular school day (i.e. showchoir/chamber orchestra, etc.) may be withdrawn from those classes at the discretion of the instructor. All of the above would be ineligible for IHSA, IMEA, trips and other “extracurricular” performance opportunities.

For further clarification of the above, please contact Kyle
Marquette, Fine & Performing Arts Coordinator at 847-718-4884 or kyle.marquette@d214.org.

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Request to Miss a Performance
30% of the grade for all choir ensembles is based on attendance (see enclosed Grading Policy) at choral concerts as indicated on the Choral Calendar. Attendance is mandatory. Since you will have these dates prior to the start of the school year, only extraordinary excuses will be acceptable. Excuses such as work or appointments are not acceptable since dates are given well enough in advance to avoid conflicts. A Request to Miss Rehearsal form (see attached) must be completed, signed by both parent and student, and turned in two weeks prior to concert. Blank forms are available in the Choir Office from Ms. Michael/Ms. Langley.

Request to Miss Rehearsal
40% of the grade for all choir ensembles is based on class participation which includes rehearsals (see enclosed Grading Policy). From time to time, Ms. Michael will call a special rehearsal prior to a concert. Attendance is mandatory. If you must miss rehearsal for an unavoidable conflict, a Request to Miss Rehearsal form (see attached) must be completed, signed by both parent and student, and turned in to Ms. Michael prior to the rehearsal. Excuses such as work or appointments are not acceptable since dates are given well enough in advance to avoid conflicts. Blank forms are available in the Choir Office from Ms. Michael/Ms. Langley. This policy is also in effect for the showchoirs as well as Dickens Carolers, Commercial Break, Pulse and Heart & Soul.

Student Accounts
Each choir student has an individual Student Account. Money earned thru fundraisers is added to this account. Funds from the account may be used for voice lessons, choir fees, summer camps or any Fine Arts related activity (must be approved by Director). Student must fill out a Student Account Payment Request form (see attached) and submit it to Ms. Langley. Blank forms are available in the choir office and on the website. Student may check balance in his/her Student Account on line or, if you have questions regarding your student account or payments, email jhhscaps@gmail.com. You may contact CAPS co-treasurer, Heidi Gorrill, at 847-436-0070 or email gorillz@gmail.com.
Download the Guide to Student Accounts

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Costumes
All choirs have a specified costume which they are expected to wear for all performances. Each student will have a fitting within the first few weeks of school. Girls wear long black concert dress (owned by Choir Dept.), 2” black heels and rhinestone earrings (owned by student but, purchased by the Choral Dept. and included in Choir fee). Boys wear black tux, vest and tie (owned by Choir Dept.) and white tux shirt (owned by student but purchased by Choir Dept.). Black shoes and socks must be worn but are not provided.

PLEASE MAKE SURE YOU HAVE BLACK PANTS........

The costume for our first concert, Middle School Tour and choir festivals will be the Choir Shirt every student will receive along with a pair of black pants. The shirt will be purchased by CAPS and the cost is included in your choir fee. We ask, however, that you purchase the black pants. Please make sure the pants are not cargo pants or jeans. We would prefer they are a classic dress pant, not oversized or cut low. Both men and ladies will wear pants. Please make sure you have these pants ready for the Choir Kickoff Concert (Fallapalooza) in October.

Show choirs will wear designated costumes which they will purchase and own at the end of the school year unless otherwise designated. Payment is separate from Choir Fee and a payment schedule will be sent home.

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Dickens Carolers will wear costumes owned by choral dept. They will be responsible for their own shoes.

Commercial Break, Pulse, Heart & Soul - Costumes to be determined. Cost to be determined.

Choir Fee(s)
Each choir student must pay an annual fee to cover the use of the concert costume (including maintenance and alterations), the purchase of the choir t-shirt worn on the Middle School Tour and other community performances and the choir folder. In addition, the new choir member fee will include shoes and earrings for the ladies and tux shirt for the men. The new member fee is $85 and the returning member fee is $50. Student Account may be used to pay this fee or checks should be made payable to CAPS (due the first week of school).

Payments
Payment of choir fees, concert tickets, showchoir costume fees, etc. may be made by the following. (1) You may pay by check made payable to CAPS. Please make separate check for each fee being paid (ie do not include costume fee with concert tickets). (2) You may pay in cash. If possible, please send exact amount as it is difficult and time-consuming to have to make change. Payment of check or cash should be placed in an envelope with the student name and choir on the outside of the envelope as well as what the payment covers. (3) Student may also use his/her Student Account for payment by completing the above mentioned form.

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Private Teachers
We have private voice teachers on staff. Students may take private lessons during one half their choir period once a week. Lessons are 25 minutes at a cost of $24 per lesson paid to the individual teachers. Payment may be made by check to the individual teacher, cash or thru the Student Account. The teachers will make a presentation during the first week of school at which time students can sign up for lessons. Students are urged to take private lessons if at all possible. Chamber Singers are required to take private lessons.
Private Lesson Agreement Form
Bios of Private Teachers

cap+s
Choral Association of Parents & Students (cap+s) is our parent booster group. All families are asked to become members to show support of the choral program. See enclosed form for fees. The group meets on the second Tuesday of every month (see Fine Arts Calendar) at 7:00 PM in the Faculty Lounge. All parents are urged to attend all meetings and become involved. It’s a great place to get information first hand as Ms. Michael/Ms. Langley attend each meeting. The need for parent volunteers doesn’t end in Junior High. The work of this group benefits each student and has a major impact on the opportunities we are able to provide for our students. For further information, contact cap+s president.

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Fundraisers
We provide several fundraisers during the year which give opportunities to students to earn funds for their Student Accounts. In most cases, Students earn 30-50% of the profit for their account. Each month, we have a Gift Card Fundraiser sale (see below for explanation).

There are many opportunities connected with the above fundraisers for students to raise funds for their Student Accounts.

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HOW DOES MY STUDENT BENEFIT FROM THE FUNDS RAISED BY CAPS?
Examples of the use of the funds CAPS has raised include the purchase of a grand piano for the choir room, pianos for the private voice studios, scholarships for summer camps, CD burner, sound system to use when choirs perform in community, purchase of new choral costumes as needed, choral risers, transportation for choirs going to festivals, additional accompanist fees, clinician fees, professional musicians to accompanying the choir, newsletter/announcement mailings, concert expenses, student awards, students scholarships for summer camps and financial need etc. CAPS makes every effort thru our fundraising to enhance the choir experience for your son or daughter.

Financial Need
No student who has financial need will be prohibited from participating in choir or showchoir. CAPS has financial aid scholarship opportunities available. The criteria is outlined in the letter/application form. The criteria must be met in order for payment to be made. This scholarship is held in strict confidence. The application form is available from Ms. Langley. Application must be made prior to the beginning of the payment cycle.

Service points/Varsity Letters
We encourage students to participate fully in the choir program. We value and recognize their contribution by awarding service letters and additional bars/stars. We offer many events and opportunities for students to earn choral service points which go toward the goal of earning a service letter or the additional service stars. Attached is a copy of the form which we keep on file for each student during their four years in the choir program. Points earned each year are brought forward and apply to the required number needed to earn the service letter or additional bars/stars. Please encourage your students to be active members of the choir program in all aspects.

Questions?
Call The Choir Office at (847) 718-4942 or email:
Ms. Michael: mizz@herseychoir.com
Ms. Langley: momma@herseychoir.com

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