2016-2017 A CAPPELLA CHOIR AUDITION PACKET Due to SHS Choir Room by Wednesday, May 18, 2016

Student Name

Enclosed behind this cover sheet: (Please staple all pages together) PART I.

Recommendation Form (all new member applicants) Recommendation Form will not be returned in your packet

PART II. Typed Questions and Answers (all applicants) PART III. 15-16 Participation Register (all returning SHS choir members) *A Cappella Choir Contract (all applicants)

2016-2017 A CAPPELLA CHOIR APPLICATION Thank you for your interest in the Sachse High School A Cappella Choir. Membership in this ensemble is by audition only, and open to men and women in grades 10 – 12 for the following school year. Exceptions may be made at the discretion of the director. Like all Varsity activities, there are certain expectations that are required for every participant. Without these expectations, this choir will not be the best it can be. Not currently enrolled in choir at Sachse HS or Transferring from another school? Auditions for ALL new choir members will be Monday, May 9, 2016 in the choir room by appointment. Please see sign-up sheet located on the exterior choir room door. The application consists of a Recommendation Form (not required for current A Cappella Choir members), typed questions and answers, and the Participation Register. Please complete this application and sign the contract located at the end of this packet. The following questions and answers are to be typed and returned (stapled to the cover sheet). The completed packet is due to the choir directors by Wednesday, May 18, 2016, at 2:30 PM. If your application is not in by the designated date and time, you may not be considered for membership in the A Cappella Choir for 2016-2017.

PART I. Recommendation Form Additionally, one recommendation form for any student NOT CURRENTLY in the A Cappella Choir is required for this packet to be complete. This form should be completed by a non-music instructor at SHS (or if a transfer student, from any instructor at your previous school). Be respectful of the faculty member’s time and do not ask them within the week the packet is due to write you a letter of recommendation. The recommendation form should be returned to Mr. McGuire’s mailbox in the SHS office by the teacher completing the form. All recommendation forms should be submitted to Mr. McGuire no later than Wednesday, May 18, 2016. Current A Cappella members do not need a recommendation form.

PART II. All students, please answer these questions: 1. Applicants not currently in the A Cappella Choir: Why do you have an interest in being in the A Cappella Choir at Sachse HS? 2. All applicants: The SHS A Cappella Choir demands great skill and musical ability, determination, positive attitude, commitment, self-motivation, and character. Describe in no less than 5 sentences how you fit into these categories. 3. All applicants: Participating in extra musical activities and events is important. (i.e. Solo & Ensemble, All-Region Choir auditions, musical, Mane Attraction, Madrigal Singers, private vocal study, etc.) Do you participate beyond your choir period? Why or why not? 4. Returning members only: Name three leaders in Mixed Choir or A Cappella Choir (one graduating senior and two current juniors). Describe in at least three sentences per person reasons that you consider them leaders and how they embody the qualities you listed in question 2. 5. Returning A Cappella members only: What did you enjoy most about choir this year? What are some concerns that you may have as we go into the 2016-2017 school year?

PART I. Teacher Recommendation Form

2016/2017 Grade Level:

Recommending Teacher:

Subject:

Please rate the above named student on the following skills or qualities. The student will not be given access to this recommendation, so please be as accurate as possible. Skill/Quality:

Outstanding (5) Good (4) Average (3) Developing (2)

Student Name:

Poor (1)

SHS A Cappella Choir

ANALYTICAL SKILLS Ability to problem solve, correlate and process information, and to think critically

COMMUNICATION SKILLS Verbal skills, clarity of expression, articulateness

MOTIVATION Genuineness and depth of commitment to the task at hand

RELIABILITY Dependability, sense of responsibility, promptness, conscientiousness

LEADERSHIP Ability to initiate, lead and/or supervise others

INTEGRITY Honesty, trustworthy, probity

MATURITY Personal development, ability to cope with life frustrations

JUDGEMENT Ability to evaluate a problem involving others, common sense, decisiveness

RESOURCEFULNESS Ability to discover new resources and manage new/already present resources skillfully

INTERPERSONAL RELATIONS Ability to get along with others, rapport, cooperation, attitude toward supervision

PERSERVERANCE Endurance, physical and mental capability to see a task/project through to completion

CREATIVITY Ability to generate new and novel ideas, or approaches to problems

GROWTH POTENTIAL For this student in the year to come

SCHOOL PRIDE Student enjoys being a student at Sachse High School

Please Check One: I would …

! Highly recommend

! Recommend

! Recommend with reservation

! Not recommend this student to be considered for placement in the 2015-2016 SHS A Cappella Choir Please feel free to include any additional comments, opinions, or special considerations on the back of this form. Thank you for your time! Teacher Signature:

Date:

PLEASE RETURN TO JOSH MCGUIRE’S MAILBOX NO LATER THAN WEDNESDAY, MAY 18, 2016

PART III. 2015-2016 Participation Register The following register will be referenced when placing students into choirs at SHS. It includes participation from the previous school year. All students who have completed one year of Non-Varsity choirs (Treble Choir, Women’s Chorale, Mixed Choir, or Men’s Chorus) should have at least 6 points to be considered for Varsity level ensembles. Returning A Cappella Choir members should have at least 9 points. It is at the director’s discretion to place students in the A Cappella Choir if they have not reached the points necessary. Ultimately it is the student’s music ability that decides ensemble placement. Event

Pt. Value

Phase 1 Region Choir Audition 1 Region Choir Audition 1 Pre-Area Audition 3 Area Audition 4 All-State Choir 5 TMEA/ACDA Choir 3 UIL Solo Division 1 rating 3 UIL Solo Division 2 rating 2 UIL Solo Division 3 rating 1 Private Voice Lessons 3 Participate in Dinner Show 1 School Musical 2 Madrigal Singers 4 Mane Attraction 4 Participate in Madrigal Dinner (server) 2 Fall Car Wash Help 1 “ Ticket Sales 2 Spring Fundraiser (e-mail addresses) 2 Spring Coin Fundraiser 1 Poinsettia Fundraiser (Ordered 3+) 2 Chili Cook Off Tickets 2 A Cappella Choir Fall Retreat 1 A Cappella Choir Scavenger Hunt 1 A Cappella Choir NOLA Trip 2 Summer Choir Camp (Summer of 2015) 1 Participate in UIL Choir 3 Other (Director Approval) Various

15-16

For Director Only UIL Rehearsals

Y

N

Special Project

Y

N

Other Y

N

Total Points: Please sign and date upon returning to the director. It is the responsibility of the student to keep up with and record all participated activities – not the choir directors. Name

Date

Sachse High School Choirs

2016-2017 A CAPPELLA CHOIR CONTRACT Expectations - I understand that dates are given in advance so that arrangements can be made to attend all concerts and contests, including afternoon/evening UIL sectional or extra rehearsals. - I understand that all concerts and sectionals are required, and that work and transportation issues are not excuses. - I understand that last minute date, time, or venue changes may be out of the control of the director. These are always minimal. - I understand that I must keep up with my eligibility throughout the year, not just around UIL contests. - I understand that being ineligible puts a strain on my ensemble. Therefore, I will be put on probation the first time I am ineligible. If the incident occurs again, then I will be removed from the A Cappella Choir. - I understand that being a member of a Sachse High School A Cappella Choir is an honor, and that I am representing the best of Sachse High School at all times. Therefore, if I am ever suspended or moved to AEC, I may be dropped from the ensemble. - I understand that the image I portray reflects directly on the choir program. The director of choirs has the right to remove me from my ensemble if any footage is placed on the internet that refers to Sachse High School, the SHS choirs, or may portray myself in illegal or immoral activity. This includes Youtube, Facebook, Snapchat, Twitter, Instagram, etc.

By signing this contract, I acknowledge that I have read and understand the expectations set forth by the Director of Choirs for membership in the Sachse High School A Cappella Choir, and that non-compliance will have an effect on my participation. Student Name (Print): Student Signature:

Date:

Parent Signature:

Date:

Director Signature:

Date:

May 1, 2016

The completed packet is due to the choir director NO LATER than 2:30 PM on May 18, 2016.