Chorus/Orff/Recorder/Special Program Contract and Parent Letter

Submitted by Patricia Albritton, Florida

Idea posted February 2, 2004

I, ___________________________________, have chosen to participate in the music program at [your school here].

I promise to do my very best in this endeavor and follow all school rules while working with the choir during rehearsal and performances. To promote good vocal health I will try to follow these singing rules.

REQUIRED PERFORMANCE DATES will be sent home with plenty of fore notice in order for you to make firm plans. Please keep in mind that if you have sport practice sessions or events you will need to make arrangements to miss them when we have a performance at night.

If you feel you can carry through with these guidelines, please sign the bottom of this paper and return it to [your name here] ASAP.

      ____________________________

                                                    Parent E-Mail Address

Congratulations! Your child is invited to be a member of either Chorus 4 for Fourth Graders or Chorus 5 for Fifth Graders. Theses chorus classes are offered in addition to your child's weekly music time with me and are part of the music model for [your school name] School System.

By giving permission to your child to be in chorus, you are making a commitment to support your child's decision to come to every rehearsal we have here at school during the school day. You are also making a commitment to have your child at our evening performances, one in December and another in May, both begin at 7 p.m. The actual program will last no longer than 45 minutes. This does not include warm up time, which is necessary to a quality performance.

To participate, your child must be in good academic standing and remain so for the entire year. Any drop in academic standing will result in your child being put on an Academic Maintenance Plan. He or she will have a week to bring his or her grades up. If after that week, the homeroom teacher reports that academic standing has not been restored, your child will be removed from chorus or special programs.

Additionally, I will accept nothing but the BEST in behavior in ALL school activities from each and every student that chooses to be a part of the chorus or specialty program. Chorus is a performing group that has to put a resulting product (performance) in front of you, our parents, at our concerts, and we want to give you the best product (performance). Therefore, chorus membership is a privilege, the purpose of which is to sing for pleasure and performances.

We will use the proper singing techniques at all times. No tardiness will be allowed. We have precious little time already. I have a three strike system, and anyone that cannot behave properly receives a strike. Upon the third strike, your child will be expelled from his choice of chorus or specialty program. Tardiness constitutes a strike.

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                                                   Parent E-mail Address