Northeast High School

Choral Music Department Handbook

Logan Caywood
Choral Music Director
lcaywood@northeastschools.edu
316.631.3893
Room 313

2017-2018

Contents
Program Overview .......................................................................................................................... 2
Program Goals ................................................................................................................................ 2
Course Goals ................................................................................................................................... 3
NEHS Choirs .................................................................................................................................. 3
Required Materials .......................................................................................................................... 3
Costs................................................................................................................................................ 4
Student Expectations and Assessment ............................................................................................ 4
Expectations ................................................................................................................................ 4
Recording Assignments............................................................................................................... 4
Section Tests ............................................................................................................................... 4
Written Assignments ................................................................................................................... 5
Semester Singing Tests ............................................................................................................... 5
Concert Performances ................................................................................................................. 5
Alternative Concert Assessment ................................................................................................. 5
Uniforms and Costumes .................................................................................................................. 5
Student Leadership.......................................................................................................................... 6
Section Leader Positions ............................................................................................................. 6
Section Leader Expectations ....................................................................................................... 6
Awards ............................................................................................................................................ 7
National School Choral Award ................................................................................................... 7
Outstanding Chorus Member Award .......................................................................................... 7
Private Lessons ............................................................................................................................... 7
Travel .............................................................................................................................................. 8
Chamber Chorale Trip ................................................................................................................. 8
Innovations Competition Trip ..................................................................................................... 8
Travel policy ............................................................................................................................... 9
Fundraising .................................................................................................................................. 9
NEHS Musical ................................................................................................................................ 9
NEHS Choral Music Boosters ...................................................................................................... 10
Vocal Health ................................................................................................................................. 11
NEHS Choirs Calendar ................................................................................................................. 12
Class Schedule .............................................................................................................................. 13
Contact .......................................................................................................................................... 13
Personal Information Form ........................................................................................................... 14
Authorization Form ....................................................................................................................... 15
Medical Form ................................................................................................................................ 16

The Northeast High School Choral Music Department aims to

continually aid students in their development as musicians,
artists, and contributing members of the community.
Program Overview
Northeast High School has had a long history of high-quality extensive choral
music programs with four separate groups covering a variety of musical styles and
eras. They are Chamber Chorale (advanced, auditioned small ensemble), Women's
Choir (all-female large ensemble), Concert Choir (large ensemble), and
Innovations Show Choir (advanced, competitive show choir).
Northeast High choirs are renowned throughout the region and various groups have
been invited to perform at the Kansas Music Educator's Association In-Service
Workshop in recent years, as well as many other events around the community,
state, and nation.
We are always excited to see what this next year brings, both inside and outside of
the classroom for our students! Follow along with us, as we share our talents
throughout the Northeast community in this year!
The Northeast High School Choral Department
Please feel free to contact myself, or any of the other staff members with any
questions or concerns that you may have about our program.

Program Goals
Continual growth as a community of learners, peers, and artists,
understanding and respecting differences within the classroom community.
Provide students with the opportunity to explore and perform music from
other cultures around the world, aiming to create a better sense of respect
and acceptance in the students.
Develop as proficient and informed musicians, achieving at a high level of
creating and performing.
Developing knowledge and skill of vocal range, vowel production, dynamic
range and contrast, and textual expression.
Develop understanding of music theory concepts and tools that are necessary
in making up the music being performed.

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Develop as active community members through performances and events.
Create and grow a better understanding of the role that music plays in our
everyday lives.
Develop performance confidence, poise, etiquette, and instinct through onstage experiences.

Course Goals
Develop skills and an understanding of vocal technique, production, musical
theory that contributes to singing.
Learn and incorporate musical terms and techniques into music
creation
Grow as an informed music student through performances, new musical
experiences, and rehearsals.
Develop as an ensemble of musicians, and work as a respectful and creative
community.
Gain a greater understanding of the historical style factors of choral music.
Develop personal knowledge of a particular genre, style, or, composer
through the study of choral compositions.
Develop a greater appreciation of the interaction between text, music, and
other fine arts.
Develop communication skills through the performance of different styles of
music.
Develop rhythmic, pitch, language skills appropriate for a piece of music.
Develop music reading skills appropriate for the level of the students.

NEHS Choirs
Chamber Chorale- Auditioned choir, grades 9-12
Womens Choir- Auditioned choir, grades 9-12
Concert Choir- Mixed choir, grades 9-12
Innovations Show Choir- Auditioned choir, grades 9-12

Required Materials

Music provided by the teacher

Black 3-ring binder for music
Pencil
Concert Attire and Costumes (performance only)

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* Students are responsible for these materials each day. It is their responsibility to
make sure that they are prepared for class and performance. If music is misplaced
or lost, students will be responsible for paying a fee for the lost music.

Costs
Music: Students will be charged a small fee to help supplement the cost of music
purchase and rentals throughout the year.
Uniform: All female students in Chamber Chorale, Concert Choir, and Womens
Choir will be fit and asked to purchase the choir dress at the beginning of the
school year. These items will be ordered as a group to achieve the lowest possible
discount pricing to each member.
Meals: For each contest and festival, students will be provided with a box lunch.
Fees will be assessed and charged at the beginning of the school year, as one
combined cost.

Student Expectations and Assessment

Expectations
All students in the NEHS Choral Department are expected to actively
participate in ensembles, developing as musicians, students, and members of
the community. Students will be given the opportunity to explore and
perform music from other cultures around the world, aiming to create a
better sense of respect and acceptance in the students.
Recording Assignments
Throughout the semester, students will be assigned to record sections of
pieces that are being learned in class. Students will be given notice when
recording assignments will occur, and the specific sections to be
recorded. Students will be evaluated on recording assignments according to
accuracy of tempos, notes, text, and musical expression. Recordings will be
submitted online, as individual recordings.
Section Tests
Throughout the semester, students will be assessed in class, in small
ensembles over sections similar to those assigned during Recording
Assignments. Students will be evaluated on section tests according to
accuracy of tempos, notes, text, and musical expression. Students will be
given notice when recording assignments will occur, and on what day the
classroom Section Tests will take place.

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Written Assignments
Periodically, students will be given written assignments in class. These
assignments may consist of assessments on music theory, musical
expression, solfege, terms, and rhythms used in our pieces. (Ex. Short
written assignment based on the rhythms, solfege, and key signatures used
in one of the songs the ensemble is performing)
Semester Singing Tests
At both the beginning and end of the semester, students will individually
sing for the director. These two singing tests will be used to recognize the
students prior knowledge and experience, and then to measure the
improvements and growth that have been made throughout the semester.
Concert Performances
Performances will be used to measure the growth that has been made
throughout the semester by individuals and the ensemble.
Alternative Concert Assessment
In the event that a student misses a performance, it is up to the student to
contact the director about an alternative assessment.

Uniforms and Costumes

Women: Black choir dress, black heels or flats, black hose

Men: Black dress shoes, black socks, black dress pants, black belt, white
dress shirt, solid black tie
All female students in Chamber Chorale, Concert Choir, and Womens
Chorus will be fit and asked to purchase the choir dress at the beginning of
the school year. At the end of the year, graduating and non-returning
students will have the opportunity to sell their used dress back to the choirs,
if it has been properly taken care of in the previous year.
In a performance when not using formal uniform: Students will wear
their yearly Choir T-Shirt with nice jeans and sneakers.
*students will be notified of these non-formalwear concerts
Costumes for Innovations will be purchased by the students from the school,
and are to be treated as a costume, not a personal piece of clothing. If a
costume or prop is broken, lost, or misplaced by the student, they will be
responsible to pay the cost of fixing or replacing the item.
For NEHS Choirs trips, students will be required to follow the NEHS dress
code, as they represent themselves, NEHS, and the entire Northeast School

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District. Students are encouraged to wear their Choir shirt, or other NEHS
apparel.
*Specific trips may require students to wear their concert attire when
travelling, and students will be made aware of these trips ahead of
time.

Student Leadership
In the beginning part of the semester, students will have the opportunity apply for a
student section leader position. This application process includes sending the
director an email, to state your interest in the position, as well as how you believe
that you could contribute to the ensemble as a section leader. Any past leadership
positions may also be included in the email. The application email will be due by
the second Monday after fall classes begin.
Section Leader Positions
Concert Choir- Soprano Section Leader, Alto Section Leader, Tenor
Section Leader, Bass Section Leader
Chamber Chorale- Soprano Section Leader, Alto Section Leader, Tenor
Section Leader, Bass Section Leader
Womens Choir- Soprano Section Leader, Alto Section Leader
Innovations Show Choir- Dance Captains (2, one male and one female),
Soprano Section Leader, Alto Section Leader, Tenor Section Leader, Bass
Section Leader
Section Leader Expectations
Commitment to the growth and development of the ensembles
Great academic standing, both in choir(s) and in other academic
classes. Constantly maintaining a 3.0 GPA or higher.
Proficient understanding of musical concepts, notations, and solfege,
that can be contributed to the class.
Ability to lead peers, setting an example as a musician, as a role
model, and in a professional manner.
Steady attendance and active engagement during rehearsals and class
periods.
Ability to meet with other section leaders and directors to discuss
areas of struggle, and improvements that can be made to help the
ensemble.

Awards
The National School Choral Award and Outstanding Chorus Member Awards will
be awarding to 3 deserving students at the final home concert of the year. The
recipients will be selected by the director, after careful consideration. Students
from all NEHS choirs may be selected. More information concerning the two
awards follows below.
National School Choral Award
The National School Choral Award is given to the choir member who is involved
in choral repertoire through a variety of choral experiences, both in school and
outside of school. It is a recognition of a student who has truly dedicated
themselves to experiencing choral music through a variety of different
opportunities. The selected student should be:
A student involved in multiple choirs inside and outside of NEHS
Exhibits outstanding musicianship and understanding
Highly dedicated to the NEHS Choral Department
Exhibits leadership and contributes to any and all choirs
Strong academic achievement at NEHS
* The application process includes submitting a 500-word essay, discussing the
students musical involvement, achievements, academic accomplishments, and
future academic aspirations. Students will also submit one letter of reference with
their essay. The winner will be selected by the director. Application due April 1,
2018.
Outstanding Chorus Member Award
The Outstanding Chorus Member Award is given to one male and one female
student whose dedication to the NEHS Choral Department goes well above and
beyond the call of duty. These students exemplify leadership and a genuine desire
for development within the NEHS Choirs. These students have constantly
contributed to the growth and success of the ensemble that they are in.
*The winners will be selected by the director.

Private Lessons
Private lessons are optional, but are highly encouraged to members of the NEHS
Choirs. These lessons aim to help students develop as musicians, soloists, and
choir members. Auditions will be given by the NEHS Choral Staff during
Homeroom and 7th hour, as well as before school at points in the semester. Lessons
will be in 30 minute sessions, focusing on solo festival pieces, and audition pieces
for outside organizations. Lessons offered by the school are free, but students will
be asked to pay a small fee for solo festival, if they would like to participate.

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Lessons outside of NEHS are encouraged as well, but students will be asked to pay
the fee of their own instructor. The lessons held at NEHS will be based on a signup list that will be posted outside the choral office. Students can sign up for a 9week slot, or a full semester slot.

Travel
Chamber Chorale Trip
Every other spring semester, the Chamber Chorale will take a trip over the
Spring Break period to perform. (Past performances have included New
York City, Dallas, and Chicago.)
o This trip will be funded by the students through fundraising events
throughout the year.
o The trip will take place over 5 days, 4 nights in the selected city.
Based on the location, the ensemble will either travel by bus or plane.
o Performances during the trip will either take place as educational
performances, competitive festival performances, or conference
performances.
o Once the ensemble is selected for the fall semester, and the trip
location is selected by the staff, informative meetings will take place
about the trip near the beginning of the fall semester for both students
and parents.
o For NEHS Choirs trips, students will be required to follow the NEHS
dress code, as they represent themselves, NEHS, and the entire
Northeast School District. Students are encouraged to wear their Choir
shirt, or other NEHS apparel.
Innovations Competition Trip
o During the Spring Semester, the Innovations Show Choir will
compete in a competition that is out of state.
o This trip will be funded by the students through fundraising events
throughout the year.
o The competition travel will take place over a full weekend (leaving
NEHS on Friday and Returning Sunday)
o Parents and supporters are encouraged to follow Innovations to the
competitions, but there will be little to no room on the choir busses.
Additional fees may be added for extra accompanying travelers
on the choir busses.
o For NEHS Choirs trips, students will be required to follow the NEHS
dress code, as they represent themselves, NEHS, and the entire

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Northeast School District. Students are encouraged to wear their Choir
shirt, or other NEHS apparel.
Travel policy
o Only students in the participating NEHS ensemble are permitted on
the performance trips.
o Students must follow all rules mandated by NEHS and the Northeast
School District.
o Parents, guardians, or family members will be allowed to take place
on the trip, if room permits.
o Travel expenses may differ for family members than from students.
o An itinerary will be provided, that some events may be optional or
unavailable for family members.
o For NEHS Choirs trips, students will be required to follow the NEHS
dress code, as they represent themselves, NEHS, and the entire
Northeast School District. Students are encouraged to wear their Choir
shirt, or other NEHS apparel.
Fundraising
Opportunities for fundraising will occur at many points throughout the year.
Fundraising for trips will not be mandatory for each individual student, but
are highly encouraged. All fundraising that is done on an individual basis
(ex. food sales, magazine sales, etc.) will be put into each students
individual account. These individual accounts can be accessed by parents
and guardians to check balances. Fundraising that takes place as a large
group (ex. car wash, concessions, etc.) will be dispersed to those
students/families that participated and the amount of hours they worked.
These funds will be placed into individual accounts by the director and can
be accessed by parents and guardians to check balances.

NEHS Musical

Each fall semester, the NEHS Choir Department, in conjunction with the
NEHS Theatre department, will present a musical.
o Auditions will take place during the first week of classes, where
students will sing a selected portion, and read a selected scene from
the musical. Auditions are open to all NEHS students enrolled in
Concert Choir, Womens Choir, and Theatre.
o The musical is projected to be performed in the last weekend of
October or the first weekend of November. Rehearsals will primarily
take place after the school day, and in evenings closing in on

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performance time. Performances will take place on Thursday evening,
Friday evening, and Saturday evening of the selected weekend.
__________________________________________________________

NEHS Choral Music Boosters

The NEHS Choral Music Boosters are a valuable part of the Choral Department.
The Boosters are made up of parents, alumni, former NEHS teachers, and those
interest in contributing in the development of the NEHS Choral Music Department.
Boosters will meet monthly, with the elected officials, to discuss matters to deal
with. Within the Boosters, several committees will be created, to delegate the tasks
throughout the year. Meetings will be held on the second Monday evening of each
month at 7:00pm in the NEHS Choir Room.
Please fill out the below form and return to the Choral Music office, by mail,
scanned in on email, or sent with your student by August 29.
____________________________
Name
____________________________
Cell Phone Number

____________________________
Email Address
____________________________
NEHS Choir Student(s)

Connection to NEHS Choirs (if not a parent/guardian): _______________________

____________________________________________________________________
Do you have any prior experiences with Booster Organizations? Explain.
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
Are you interested in running for a position? (circle one)
President

Vice President

Secretary

Treasurer

None

Any Questions? _____________________________________________________

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Vocal Health
1. HYDRATE
Hydration refers to keeping the vocal cords moist both
externally and internally
External dehydration may come from breathing dry air,
breathing with an open mouth, smoking, and certain drying
medications. The cords can be re-hydrated by inhaling steam
(i.e. hot shower, facial steamer, hot-water vaporizer).
Internal dehydration comes from too much caffeine, alcohol,
drying drugs, or sweating without fluid replacement. Internal
re-hydration is probably best achieved by drinking lots of
water.
2. CLEARING YOUR THROAT
STOP
Throat clearing is extremely traumatic to your vocal cords
causing excess wear and tear.
Humming is much better for your vocal cords than grunting it
out.
3. IRRITATING YOUR VOICE
Everything in moderation this sage advice is especially true
when it comes to your voice. Compare your vocal cords to your
legs.You would not expect to run a marathon (or even a half
marathon for that matter) and then later do a hour-long leg work
out in the gym. Similarly, you should not talk all day at work
and then head out for an evening of yelling or talking over
noise.

Your voice is your instrument, and you rely on it to produce

music. It is so very important that you care for your voice as
you would any other instrument, if not better. Always make
sure you are taking care of your instrument, and preparing
it to create the best results it possibly can.

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NEHS Choirs Calendar

PERFORMANCE

DATE

LOCATION

CHOIRS

Fall
Choir Concert

October 10,
2017
7:30pm

NEHS Auditorium

All Choirs

NEHS Musical

November 2-4

NEHS Auditorium

All students in Musical

Holiday Choir Concert

December 14,
2017
7:00pm

First United
Methodist Church

All Choirs, featuring the

North City Childrens
Choir

Innovations Preview Show

February 1,
2018
7:30pm

NEHS Auditorium

Innovations

Mens Choir Festival

February 8,
2018
7:00pm

NEMS
Auditorium

All MEN, featuring

NEMS and NMS men

Jefferson Show Choir

Invitational

March 2-3,
2018
ALL DAY

Jefferson HS
Cedar Rapids, IA

Innovations

Pre-Festival Choir Concert

March 9, 2018
7:30pm

NEHS
Auditorium

All Choirs

Solo and Small Ensemble

Regional Contest

April 7, 2018
TBD

TBD

Chamber Chorale,
Womens Choir, Soloists

Large Ensemble Contest

April 14, 2018

TBD

TBD

Concert Choir

Solo and Small Ensemble

State Contest

April 28, 2018

TBD

TBD

TBD

Spring Show

May 12, 2018

7:30pm

NEHS Auditorium

All Choirs

* PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE *

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Class Schedule
PERIOD CLASS
1

Innovations Show Choir

Womens Choir

Chamber Chorale

Homeroom

Concert Choir

Plan/Music Dept.
Meetings

Lessons/Clinic

Mr. Caywood at NEMS

for clinic and recruitment

Contact
Northeast High School
3015 N East Rd
(316) 631-3892
www.northeasthigh.edu
Mr. Logan Caywood
(316) 631-3893
lcaywood@northeastschools.edu
Room 313

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Personal Information Form

Please cut, fill out and sign, and turn into the Choral Music office.
_________________________ _________________________ FR SPH JR SR
Name
Email Address
Grade (circle one)
_________________________ SOPRANO ALTO TENOR BASS NO CLUE
Cell Phone Number
Voice Part (circle one)
____________________________________________________________________
Home Address
Why are you enrolled in choir?
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
Please list past musical experiences (choir, band, dance, musicals, piano, lessons, etc.)
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
What questions or concerns do you have about the NEHS Choirs?
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
Do you plan to work outside of school? (circle one) YES NO
How would you rate your time management skills? (circle one) 1 2 3 4 5
(1= Need a lot of help) (5= Im always on time, if not early)
Unisex T-Shirt Size _____ Birthday ___/___/_____ G.P.A Last Year _______

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Authorization Form
Fill out, sign, and turn into the Choral Music office.
I have read the above content, and understand my requirements and expectations as
a Northeast High School and NEHS Choir student.
_________________________ ________________________ ___/___/______
(printed name)
(signature)
(date)

As the legal parent/guardian of ________________________ (student name), I

recognize the expectations and requirements asked of the student at Northeast High
School and as a NEHS Choir student.
_________________________ ________________________ ___/___/______
(printed name)
(signature)
(date)

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Medical Form
PARENT/GUARDIAN PERMISSION FORM FOR TRIPS and MEDICAL
INFORMATION
I hereby grant permission for my student to participate. I understand that adequate and
appropriate supervision will be provided. I recognize, however, that unanticipated situations and
problems can arise on any trip, school-sponsored or otherwise, which situations or problems are
not reasonably within the control of the supervising teacher(s) or staff (including volunteers). I
agree to release and hold harmless the Northeast School District Board of Education, their
agents, officers, employees and volunteers, from any and all liability, claims, suits, demands,
judgments, costs, interest and expense (including attorneys fees and costs) arising from such
activities, including any accident or injury to my student and the costs of medical services. In the
event of an injury requiring medical attention, I hereby grant permission to the supervising
teacher(s) or staff (including volunteers) to attend to my student. If the injury warrants further
medical attention, I expect every effort will be made to contact me to receive my specific
authorization before action is taken. If efforts to contact me are unsuccessful, I grant permission
for necessary medical treatment to be given. In addition, I hereby give my permission to the
supervising teacher(s) or staff (including volunteers) to take my student to the Physician, Dentist,
or to the hospital if an accident or serious illness occurs on the trip and I cannot be located. In the
event that my student must return to school independently for health, accident, failure to conform
to rules established by the teacher in charge, etc. I agree to accept full responsibility for and to
pay for the cost of medical care, transportation and other incidental expenses.
STUDENTS FULL NAME ____________________________________________________
DOB: _____________________
Please list any medical concerns or past medical history of which we should be aware:
______________________________________________________________________________
________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
________________________
Please check below if you student has allergy or sensitivity that needs to be accommodated on
this trip: (circle any that apply)
Bee Sting Nuts Dairy Latex Other: ________________________________________
Asthma Diabetes Seizure Disorder Heart Condition Other: ____________________________
** If my student requires medication, I understand that I am obligated to ensure that the
medication and the (FCPS) Medication Authorization Form are on file prior to the trip and I will
supply the medication in the original container on the day of the trip. For a student to selfadminister any medication (prescription or non-prescription) the Self-Administration Form must
be completed by their parent/guardian and physician. Please note, school staff is NOT
responsible for self-administered medications. Controlled substances may NOT be selfadministered.

Continued on next page

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Medical Form Continued
INSURANCE COMPANY___________________________________________
POLICY NUMBER ________________________________________________
SUBSCRIBER NUMBER____________________________________________
GROUP NUMBER _________________________________________________
PERSONAL PHYSICIAN____________________________________________
PHYSICIANS PHONE ______________________________________________
Emergency Contact: _________________________________________________
Relationship to student: _______________________________________________
Contact Phone: __________________________

Contact Phone 2: _____________________

Additional Emergency Contact: __________________________________

Relationship: ______________________________
Additional Contact Phone: __________________________

Parent/Guardian Signature _____________________________ Date ______________________

**PLEASE ATTACH A COPY OF YOUR INSURANCE CARD (FRONT AND BACK) **