Edmond Santa Fe - Edmond Public Schools

Edmond Santa Fe
High School
Choir Handbook
2012-2013
Developing Lifelong Musicians
Dr. Shermie Potts, Director
Mrs. Jeanine Gully, Director

Classroom Rules
1. Be respectful at all times.
2. No gum, food or drink other than bottled water is allowed.
3. Items that become a nuisance will be confiscated. This includes cell
phones, CD players, MP3s, ipods makeup, ect.
Grading Policy
Each student earns his or grade through contributive participation, constant improvement
in musical skills, following all policies and punctuality to concerts and rehearsals.
Daily Grade
The daily grade is worth 50% of the overall grade. The daily grade will be based on
attendance, punctuality, daily contributions, efforts to improve personal skills and
preparedness. A student may earn 10 points per day in participation points.
Performance Grade
The performance grade is equivalent to a test grade. Performances are the culmination of
all our daily work. This grade is worth 30% of the overall grade. Each performance is
worth 100 points. Full credit will be based on punctuality, proper uniform, no gum and
appropriate behavior.
It is expected that all choir students attend all concerts. Success depends on the
combined efforts and talents of all choir members. It is unfair for team members to
change the make up of the group at the last minute. Concert dates are scheduled before
school starts, giving ample time to make arrangements for attendance. No absence will
be excused except in the instance of sudden illness or a family emergency. If this occurs,
please contact Dr. Potts ASAP. No student will be excused because of work obligations.
Submit the choir calendar to your employer now to avoid problems later.
Music Folders
Students are responsible for all music and the folder checked out to them. Lost or
damaged music will result in a replacement fee being charged.
Each folder should always contain a pencil for marking music.

Honor Choirs
COCDA Honor Choir
The Central Oklahoma Choral Directors’ Association (COCDA) Honor Choir is a
regional honor choir for 9 th graders. It is considered a preparation for All-State. The
audition process and general procedures are similar to those used by the All-State Choir.
Any ninth grader may audition. The audition fee of $15 is due September 5th. Auditions
are scheduled for Saturday, September 29th at Edmond Memorial High School.
Auditionees learn two selected pieces and sing a portion of those pieces with a recording.
The music and practice CD will be sent home upon receiving the audition fee. Those
selected will attend the COCDA Honor Choir Clinic November 1st, culminating in a
concert at Council Road Baptist Church in Bethany. Additional literature must be learned
between the audition time and the clinic. Please see Mrs. Gully if interested in
auditioning.
Junior High All-State
Students in grades 7-9 may audition. The procedures are the same as COCDA, except
three songs are prepared and sung with the practice recording, and girls are selected
through two rounds of auditions, Oct. 27 and Nov. 13. The audition fee of $20 is due
September 21st. If selected for the choir, the All-State clinic will be held January 10-12
in Oklahoma City. See Mrs. Gully, if interested.
All-State Chorus (Mixed)
The members for the Oklahoma Music Educators Association All-State Chorus are
selected by audition of 10 th -12 th grade students. The audition process includes two
rounds. The first round is October 27 th at Enid HS, and the final round is November 10 th
at the University of Central Oklahoma. The entrants with the top 30 scores in each of the
four quadrants in each of the eight parts will proceed to finals. Auditionees learn four
pieces and sing a portion of each with a recording. The audition fee is $20 and due
September 19th. Those students selected will attend the All-State Workshop January 16-
19th in Tulsa. Additional literature must be learned if selected. See Dr. Potts if
interested.
All-State Chorus (Women)
The Women’s All-State Choir begins with the mixed choir audition. The top 25 scores in
the final round in each of the eight parts attend the mixed choir workshop. The students
with the next 30 scores in the women’s sections are placed in the Women’s All-State
Choir, which meets in Tulsa January 16-19th. Additional literature must be learned if
selected. See Dr. Potts if interested.
Jazz All-State
Twenty-four singers are selected for Jazz All-State. Auditions are held November 13th.
The audition fee is $20, and preparation is with a CD. If selected, the clinic and concert
are January 16-19. See Dr. Potts if interested.

Uniforms
GIRLS
We will use the same uniforms as last year. If you are new to choir, you will be
measured very soon. The dresses are ordered from a catalogue, so we must we
must order as soon as possible so that everyone will be outfitted for our first
concert. The uniforms are black, floor length satin dresses which come
unhemmed. You will be responsible for hemming your dress one inch from the
floor with your selected shoes on. The cost is $78, due September 17th.
New dresses will only be ordered after full payment. The school does own
dresses that are available for rent ($18). Please reserve your size ASAP, if
this is the option you choose.
Girls are to wear black dress shoes and flesh-colored hose with their dresses. I
suggest not wearing high heels (no matter how cute they are) because we
sometimes stand for long periods of time.
Rings (for your fingers) and stud earrings are the only allowable jewelry. Large
earrings, necklaces and watches detract from the uniform appearance of the
group. Please leave these items as you will be asked to remove them and they
could be lost.
GUYS
All men will need:
White wing tip tuxedo shirt
Black pleated tuxedo pant with stripe down the side, Black bow tie, Black socks,
Black Vest, Black shoes, Tuxedo Jacket-will be checked out from school
You may elect to buy these items locally, or I can order them for you. Compare
the prices below:
White wing tip tuxedo shirt $15
Black Tuxedo pants $28
Black Vest $25
Black bow tie $ 5
_____
Total $73
No student will be excluded from choir for the inability to pay for a uniform. If you are in
need of financial assistance, please contact Dr. Potts or Ms. Gully ASAP. All financial
discussions will remain confidential.

Eligibility
All choir students must remain eligible in all classes. Take care of any grade problems as
soon as they first appear. Ineligibility results in a diminished performance for the choir
and adds school work to those who are already behind. Any student who is ineligible to
perform will be assigned an alternate project to make up the grade. This is usually a 5
page report over a musical topic, which may vary depending on the music currently being
studied. Please stay on top of your grades. It is very easy to fall into the hole of
ineligibility, and almost impossible to climb out.
Parents’ Booster Club
The booster club for vocal music, drama, debate and stagecraft is called Performing Arts
Council. Please consider joining this group. They provide support for the program by
purchasing needed items, providing trip sponsors and donating their time to enhance the
participation of their students in a positive activity that can bring them lifelong joy.
Questions
If you have any questions regarding the policies in this handbook, or other issues, please
feel free to contact Dr. Potts at 726-7417 or by email (shermie.potts @edmondschools.net)
or Mrs. Gully at 726- (Jeanine.gully@edmondschools.net). The phone does not ring
during school, so leave a message and we will get back to you during our planning period
(2:35-3:30).

Please sign the following and return to Dr. Potts or Mrs. Gully
I have read the Santa Fe Choir Handbook and understand the policies of the Santa Fe
Vocal Music Department, and agree to participate under these policies.
_______________________________________ __________________
Student signature Date
I have read the Santa Fe Choir Handbook and understand the policies of the Santa Fe
Vocal Music Department, and will support the administration of said policies.
________________________________________ __________________
Parent/guardian signature Date
Parent email ____________________________________________________________
***Used only for Activity Reminders and Vocal Music Communication