CHS Choral Website

Performances, Trips, and Other Events

Performance Requirements

 

The Chantilly Choral Music Dept. is by far one of the most active groups at Chantilly High School. Our ensembles will perform numerous times at Chantilly High School, in our community, and in regional and national competitions through the course of a single school year. As a member of the Chantilly Choral Dept. you are expected to participate in all performances throughout the year. These policies will be firmly implemented, for student performance is what this program is ultimately about. An unexcused absence from an ensemble performance may result in a student grade averaging to an "F" for the quarter grading period.

 

I.

Students are required to participate in all performances throughout the school year.

 
II.

In unusual cases, such as events not listed on the annual calender or unexpected performance opportunities, conflicts will be worked out on an individual basis. Every possible option must be examined before requesting absence from a performance, and then a desicion will be made by the director concerning excused or unexcused absence.

 
III.

All Competitions and Festivals apply to this policy and are also considered performances.

 
IV.

Perfomance requirements include, but are not exclusive to:

 
1.

Be on time for all “calls” (ie. Make-up/Dressing, Warm-Up, Performance, etc.). Usually call times will be an hour and a half to two hours prior to the beginning of the concert.

 
2.

Set-Up and Take-Down of all equipment is a part of our performances, and all members are required to assist in that process. This may mean on some occasions time immediately following the group performances.

 
3.

All music and choreography is prepared.

 
4.

Appropriate concert attire is worn. (see section on uniform requirements, p. 26)

 
5.

Students are required to attend the entire duration of the Chantilly Choral Concert Events. It is an important educational experience and it is meaningful to support your fellow students, even if you are personally done singing or performing.

 

Performance skills are a part of the ongoing education in this class. The priority in any performance is always to give your very best, and know that you have the opportunity to grow and improve each time you take “the stage.” Performances are assessed as test grades in your overall student grades and assessments.

 

Trips, Festivals, and Other Travel

 

Throughout the school year special events and field trips are a part of our curricular experience. Some of these events and trips are for student performance and some are for educational enrichment. In all cases, they are a direct extension of our classroom. Students are expected as members of a performance ensemble to participate in all performances of their group throughout the year.

 

I. All after-school rehearsals leading up to a festival performance are a required part of the class.

 

II. All students are expected to participate in all competitive festivals that their ensemble attends during the year.

 

III. All school and class rules apply during any and all trips.

 

IV. The final goal or objective is not just “winning” a festival, but learning how to do what we do even better.

 

V. Time managment and show preparation are top priorities, but so are money managment and goal setting. (Students are encouraged to take advantage of the many fundraising projects provided throughout the year. See the section on Fundraising and Participation Fees. In addition, you are responsible for your calendar and any changes that may occur in it during the course of the school year.)

 

VI. Each trip is a little different in terms of cost and itinerary. Therefore, additional information will come out during the course of the year regarding each festival event.

 

When a student group travels, there are many considerations and responsibilities required of students and their families. Please note that we always strive to provide the highest quality of educational performance experiences for students. In addition, our travels also provide numerous activities that explore and offer other cultural and educational experiences beyond the realm of music education. We value all of these facets of our program and offer them as part of the overall educational experience. We do our very best to plan these events and activities well in advance and to work hard in finding the best possible opportunities as they relate to the overall school calendar. Finally, travel is not an inexpensive proposition. Therefore, we urge you to remember to plan far in advance both in your personal and academic calendar as well as your financial calendar. Our payment schedule for our annual events begins during the first week of school. In addition, our fundraising programs run monthly and are vital in providing the departmental needs and easing the personal financial obligations of our families.

 

Please be diligent about staying up to date with our performance calendar and our financial calendar. In addition, there is often a tremendous amount of paperwork associated with trip approvals and planning. When these materials come home, please complete them and return them to the school in a speedy and prudent manner.

  

VMEA District, Regional, and State Events

 

The Virginia Music Educators Association is a professional association designed and equipped to provide leadership and professional development to its members and to ensure quality music education to students throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia. The Virginia Music Educators Association (VMEA) is a nonprofit organization whose purpose is to provide mutual helpfulness to its membership and to promote the advancement of music education through schools and other educational institutions. VMEA is an affiliated state unit of the Music Educators National Conference: The National Association for Music Education (whose home offices are located in Reston, Virginia).

 

VMEA, in conjunction with The Virginia Choral Directors Association (VCDA), works together with its members to provide numerous District and State wide events including All District Choir, District Choir Festival, The Virginia State Senior Honors Choir, And The Virginia All State Choir.

 

Students who are enrolled in an active choral music school program and who qualify by age, grade , and audition may participate in professionally sponsored music events. All of these events are currently listed in our active choral dept. calendar.

 

The students of the Chantilly High School Symphonic Chorale, Select Choir, Magic Touch, Touch of Class and Jazz Touch are required to audition for the District XII All District Chorus as a part of their class curriculum. Students who successfully pass the audition will then participate in an advanced choral experience in February.

 

The Chantilly Concert Choirs will often participate in the District XII Choral Festival which is a performance event that provides collegiate and other music professional assessment and feedback to the students. This event usually takes place in March.

 

Show and Jazz Choirs do not currently have VMEA sponsored festival events but do participate in local and regional festivals hosted by affiliated state and regional high schools.

 

For more information on VMEA and VCDA check them out on line at: http://www.vmea.com and http://www.vcda.net.