Future Jr.

High School Choral Department

Disclosure
Mrs. Sarah Schieving, Director
sarah.schieving@utah.edu
Welcome to Choir at Future Jr. High School! I am so pleased to have you here! It is
my wish that you will enjoy being a part of our choirs. I believe that the choirs here
at FJHS will offer you many opportunities to develop a keen sense for responsibility
as you demonstrate your musical abilities. Your participation will allow you to grow
and help you strive towards excellence!
It is my goal to have the choirs here at Future Jr. High School performing and
connecting with others within our community. By doing this, as students you are
expected to be focused, and be respectful to others at all times - not only while in
our classroom, but most importantly during performances and when representing
our school. Disrespect for yourself, as well as others will not be tolerated. Our
classroom will adopt and enforce an appropriate discipline policy in accordance with
the Classroom Discipline Policy as outlined in the student handbook. As students,
you will have a choice. But please be aware that there are, and will be
consequences for those choices.
This document is being provided as a source of information to students as well as
for parents. I am excited for this school year, our goal is to create music and to have
a great time doing it! As the year proceeds and dates for concerts are released, as
well as performances, please be aware that a note will be sent home with your
student as soon as these dates are available. If you have any questions whatsoever,
please feel free to contact me anytime! (Contact information provided above - if
you do call, please leave me a message and I will contact to you as soon as
possible. Though the quickest to reach me is more than likely through e-mail)
Thank you! Mrs. Sarah Schieving

Choir Policies:
1. Attendance: The Attendance and Tardy Policies as outlined in your student

handbook will be enforced in our classroom. In addition, daily attendance and

participation is absolutely necessary for you to be successful in this class. Be
punctual! As soon as the bell rings, you are expected to be in your seat, have
your notebook out & working on your self-starter assignment.

2. General Class Rules: 1. Respect yourself, one another, and your music. 2.
No talking during rehearsal 3. No food, gum or drinks are allowed in class.
Water is encouraged! Please feel free to bring a water bottle to class. 4.
Follow Directions the first time, every time. 5. Be on time! 6. Do your best! 7.
NO cellphones or other personal electronic devices allowed in class, unless
instructed otherwise. See item #4.

3. Materials: The following materials are needed for class everyday: A Pencil, a
1 binder with paper, and assigned music. Music will be handed out
periodically throughout the year. This is the students personal responsibility
and they will be held accountable for it, so please care for it! Students will be
asked to mark each piece of music based on directions discussed in
rehearsal. Please write lightly in pencil and only write the assigned rehearsal
markings. Students may be assigned a folder for music and are responsible
for that as well. Failure to be prepared with appropriate materials may result
in loss of participation points.
4. Technology: iPods and Smart Phones are an excellent tool for recording and
may sometimes be used in class. Students are to only have them out as
instructed. If a student has an iPod or Smart Phone out without instruction on
the first offense, it will be taken and held until the end of class. On the second
offense, it will be taken to administration. It is inappropriate to record
images or conversations of students or staff members without their
permission.
5. Fees: Beginning 7th Grade Choir: No Fees! Girls Choir: $10 Concert Choir:
$10.
All fees are to be paid to the Main Office. Mrs. Schieving will not handle any
payment in connection with the program.
6. Discipline: The Choir room is a classroom where learning is important and
necessary for the success or our program here at Dixon Middle School, as well
as for the educational welfare of your children. Therefore, out of respect to all
students in the program, our classroom will adopt and enforce an appropriate
discipline policy in accordance with the Classroom Discipline Policy as
outlined in the student handbook. Within our classroom, students will be
required to sign a behavior log for misbehavior as well as receive
consequences for their actions.
7. Consequences: 1. Warning 2. Student/ Teacher conference 3. Note sent
home for parent signature 4. Parent phone call/ possible parent/teacher
conference if needed 5. Administrative Intervention
8. Grades: The grading scale will be followed as outlined in the student
handbook. Furthermore, your grade will be divided into the following
categories:
a. Participation: 34%
b. Performances: 33%
c. Portfolio (Self-starters/ Tests/ Quizzes): 33%
9. Participation: Students will earn daily participation points. Failure to abide
by class rules or failure to participate in class will result in a loss of points for
that day. Failure to be prepared with appropriate materials may also result in
loss of participation points.

10.
Performances: If your ensemble is involved, you are REQUIRED to be
present at scheduled performances. Performances are essential to the growth
of our ensemble, as well as to becoming a better musician. As an ensemble,
every single person is important to the success of the group. Failure to
participate in a performance will result in a 30% drop in your grade., and
citizenship points will be dropped by half. Because performances are
scheduled well in advance, and are events that cannot be made up, it is of
the utmost importance that you are present. If you must miss a performance
due to extreme extenuating circumstances (Death in the family, Extreme
illness, etc.) please contact Mrs. Schieving as soon as possible so that
arrangements can be made, and an assignment can be given to make up
some points. This is the only way a student may be excused from a
performance.
Note: A performance calendar is available on the class website
(futurejrhigh.com/choirs) and reminders will be sent home at least one week
in advance of performance dates. Changes to the calendar are highly
unlikely, but in the event of a change, parents and students will be notified as
soon as possible.
11.

Performance Attire:
i. Beginning 7th Grade Choir and Concert Choir:- Ladies: Black
Skirt/ White Top, Black Shoes, Black Socks/ Hose. Gentlemen:
Black pants, White Dress Shirt, Black Shoes, Black Socks. NO
DENIM, NO T-SHIRTS, NO SANDALS, NO TENNIS SHOES!
ii. Advanced Ladies Choir and Chamber Choir : Outfits will be
discussed in class and information will be sent home to parents.
iii. Note: If you have trouble providing the necessary clothing for
yourself, please contact Mrs. Schieving so that we can work
something out.

12.
Assignments/Portfolio: Students will keep a class journal with bell
work, assignments, etc. In order to receive full points for assignments, they
must be turned in on the due date. If you know you are going to be absent,
you must turn in the assignment ahead of time. Assignments will be accepted
late, though know that regardless of your score, you will only receive 1/2
credit for your assignment.
13.
Pianos and equipment: Piano playing and use of in class equipment
is a privilege. Students are not to eat on or around the pianos or other
instruments. They are not to pound or play in a way that damages the
keyboard. The grand piano is to be used for rehearsal only and is not to be
played without permission from the instructor. Accompanists will be assigned
for each class and have priority for practicing on the pianos. Failure to comply
will result in loss of privilege.

Students will place this disclosure document at the front of their portfolio.

The following page will be signed by your parent/guardian and retuned to

Mrs. Schieving by the assigned due date.

Thank you for your cooperation! Heres to a delightfully musical school year!

Disclosure Agreement
Due Date: September 1
Please circle the choir your student is participating in:
Beginning 7th Grade Choir

Advanced Girls

Concert Choir
Chamber Choir

My student ____________________________________ (Please Print) and I have

read the disclosure document and we understand the policies and
procedures used in the Choral Department at Future Jr. High School.
Parent/Guardian:_____________________________

(signature)

__________________________________ (Date)

Student: ______________________________

(signature)

__________________________________________ (Date)

________

Please Do Not Tear in Half

_________________________

DEAR PARENTS:
Below you will see a number of duties that I am in need of help with
throughout the school year. If you feel that you could help in one of the
following areas please check the appropriate number(s) and print your name
and phone number. Thank you so much for your constant support. I could
not do this without you!

1. __Chaperone bus trips during the school year (We are always in need of
this service!)
2. __Help decorate the auditorium for choral concerts.
3. __Take tickets/money at concerts
4. __Format programs for concerts
5. __Help organize and chaperone choir socials
Please print your name(s), email, and telephone number:
Name:________________________________________
__________

Telephone: ______-________-

Email:___________________________________________
Students Name:___________________________________
Please return ENTIRE form to Mrs. Schieving