Respect, Responsibility, Love of Learning…. The Core Values of Bigelow Middle School

For the Choral musician

We’ll have a better ensemble and we’ll all get a lot more out of it if we all understand how our school’s Core Values relate to choral music and we adhere to them.  

Respect

Chorus members are expected to show respect for the music we play, for the folders we use, and for all of us in the room, both adults and students.

Take care of your instrument- your voice. Don’t shout, yell, or scream- not in chorus, and only on rare occasions outside of chorus.  Don’t spend two hours cheering at full blast at a basketball game the night before our concert. We can send trumpets to be repaired but we can’t send your voice!

Take care of your music and folder- they are your tools. If you lose or damage them, see your section leader.

Make sure you wear correct dress for our concerts. Concert dress shows respect for the music and for the ensemble. Take pride in your appearance.

-White from the waist up, dark from the waist down.

-Boys should wear a long sleeved white dress shirt with a tie (any color tie.)

-Girls may wear pants or skirts (knee-length or longer.0

-Everyone should wear shoes, not sneakers.

Support other kids in our group. Welcome new members. Help others. Ask for help when you need it.

On days when you can’t sing, it shows respect for our group to sit quietly and follow along in your music, without talking to others or disrupting our rehearsal in any way.  

Be on time to rehearsal- your being late means we all lose time. Being on time shows respect for all of our time.

Responsibility

It is every musician’s responsibility to learn proper behavior in rehearsal. Never run in the auditorium. Pay close attention- after all, music is all about communication. Keep your eyes on the conductor- much of the conductor’s communication is visual. Only speak when called upon- if everyone talks at once, no one will be heard!

Honor your commitment to our group. Attend every rehearsal with a positive attitude. Have everything you need- folder, music, and pencil.

Put your name on everything you get. Keep everything in your folder, and take good care of your folder. Don’t leave things on chairs or risers and pick things up off the floor.

Make sure all our concert dates are noted on your family calendar. Don’t schedule any activity that will interfere with your participation in our concerts. This is called “honoring a prior commitment.”

Don’t make guidance appointments during 4^th period rehearsals. Don’t ask to go to any other teacher during our rehearsals. If a teacher asks you to stay during 4^th period, remind that teacher that you have a rehearsal.

YOU are responsible for getting concert information to your parents. Always bring handouts to your parents. Listen to all announcements.

Learn your music. Improve. Apply techniques we practice in warm-ups to the music we practice. Ask for help, stay after school for extra help, practice!

Don’t wait to be asked to help to do something- think of ways you can help.

Never say “I forgot…” or “I didn’t know.” You are now in middle school and responsible for your obligations. In chorus, your obligation is not just to yourself- it’s to all of us.

Write things down in your music or assignment book. See Ms. Alberts if you are absent to find out what you missed; see your section leader if you are late to rehearsal. Let Ms. Alberts know right away if you have any questions, concerns, or problems, and she will help you. You can find her in the music room or write her a note.

Love of Learning

Always look for ways to be a better musician and ensemble member. Take lessons. Learn an instrument. Go to concerts. Listen to recordings of professional choirs.

Learn the notes on the piano.  Pay attention to what the other parts of the chorus sing.

Don’t be satisfied with “okay.” Aim for excellence! Be interested and interesting, and learn something new every day.

Show a good attitude at all times. Strengthen your strong points and work on your weak ones.

Widen your musical tastes. Go to the Newton library and take out CD’s. Listen to a different radio station every so often. Go to plays, musicals, dance performances, art shows.

Invite friends and family to our concerts!

Sing to your parents, at home, in the shower, in the car, on the sidewalk. Music is a lifelong activity that happens inside the classroom and out.  Improvise, compose, transcribe, sing, wonder, listen, dance, explore!

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Respect, Responsibility, Love of Learning. Take it to heart and read this often!