Dear Singing Saints,
As our school year begins, I would like to welcome you and your family into the music community here at Sandalwood High School. I am very excited to have you here and want to take this time to celebrate not only the hard work you will put into the chorus this year, but also the skills that you will develop through your experiences in chorus. The lifelong benefits you will obtain through music expand beyond the classroom and are transferable to other academic subjects. I will attempt to adhere to this syllabus as closely as stated. Because of these very uncertain times, what is written possibly will change. I would be more than appreciative if you would be patient and understanding.
Included in this welcome letter, you’ll find our chorus handbook/syllabus for the 2025-2026 school year. Students, please be sure that your parent or guardian reads and signs the registration provided to you in class. Parents/guardians must fill out the registration, it is very important that we are provided with the most accurate information. Starting this year all chorus members will have to pay member dues of $37. The deadline for these due and the payment for the chorus polo is September 9th. Only the new chorus students will order new polo shirts for the 2025-2026 school year. As a requirement for chorus, you will need to have this shirt. The cost per polo shirt is $22, which must be paid at your own expense. Once you begin to register online it will ask you for your polo shirt size (the polos do run large). Please be certain that you choose the correct polo shirt size. Once chosen, you cannot make changes. The sizes range from XS – 3X. I cannot accept your money if you have not registered. After September 9th, the cost for shirts will increase to $27.
- Go to: Singing-saints.com
- Click on the “Register for Chorus” post. Scroll down to the registration link.
- Complete all the required fields
- Click: Submit
Musically Yours,
Dr. Barbara McNeely-Bouie, Chorus Director
Our Mission
The Sandalwood High School Chorus Program is dedicated and committed to helping students gain musical experiences while also developing them into responsible, maturing adults. To make this possible, the chorus requires commitment, organization, and discipline to the program. Being a member of the chorus is a privilege and an honor and students are expected to be role models for each other and other organizations in the school. Because of these high expectations and opportunities, students have the chance to establish valuable and important skills needed in life. Some of these skills include confidence, time management, poise, positive self-image, responsibility, and loyalty. Along with these skills, students are also given the musical tools that are needed to be a successful musician.
Our Goals
- To provide a comprehensive knowledge of music through the performance, creation, and knowledge of music.
- To provide an environment that promotes and encourages life-long learning and personal as well as professional growth.
- To create an environment that provides all students with a sense of community and loyalty to an organization larger than themselves.
- To provide an opportunity for students to develop as disciplined, organized, and mature adults.
- To allow students the ability to express themselves in an historical, practical, and theoretical musical atmosphere.
Course Description
All Chorus Classes are designed to enable students to read and to perform choral literature through 2, 3, and 4 part harmonies. The classes cover topics that include (but are not limited to) posture, breath control, verbal articulation, and aural skills, reading and notating music, conducting, listening, analyzing and describing music and performers, balance, and blend, understanding relationships between music and the other arts, and disciplines outside the arts, and music in relation to history and other cultures. These topics reflect National and Sunshine State Standard for Music.
Materials
- For periodic/random/unannounced vocabulary checks and note-taking, you MUST secure a 70-page spiral notebook. I am not accepting any other notebook for the class. NO EXCEPTION!!!
- 1 Pencil/Pen every class.
Expectations
The daily rehearsal and a conscientious effort during rehearsals are the basis for a successful performance. This means that adequate preparation on your individual part must take place at home. Chorus rehearsals are designed to learn, experience, and enhance ensemble.
To Make Our Rehearsals More Productive:
- Bring all materials to class (see Materials section)
- Do NOT talk or sing (except when instructed to do so) while the Director or anyone else is speaking and teaching.
Discipline
The actions of any individual can help or hinder the entire ensemble in both rehearsal and performance. Self-discipline is not optional; it is required. Repeat offenders may be removed from the class at the director’s discretion and asked to complete written assignments to earn their grade.
Grading Procedures
Notebook Check (Vocabulary) 20/20
Tests (Vocabulary) 80/80
Rehearsals 80/80
Performances 100/100
Weekly Assignments 60/60
Weekly Assignments
The weekly assignments will be in TEAMS on Sunday, no later than Monday for you to submit by Friday at 11:59 pm. At that time, the assignment will expire and WILL NOT be reopened. Go to TEAMS and look under the Assignment Tab to view the assignment. All assignments are numbered. Do not create a word document; one has already been created for you. Answer the questions on the word document provided. Please remember, all assignments are time-sensitive and will not be reopened.
Rehearsals
All rehearsals will begin at 1:46 unless stated otherwise; Yes 1:46! Students that enter the room after 1:53 will be marked tardy for rehearsals, which will reflect a negative 10 points in their grade. Eight (8) minutes is more than enough time to go to your locker and bathroom before rehearsal. This does not mean you have eight (8) minutes to wander around hallways. No Exceptions For Anyone!
Call Time for Performances
Before a performance, there will be a call time for students to meet in the chorus room and be checked in for attendance. Students that enter the room ten (10) minutes after the call time will be marked tardy for that performance, which will reflect a negative 25 points in their grade. So please plan accordingly with your source of transportation. No Exceptions for Anyone!
Performances
All performances are mandatory, and there are very few, if any, excuses for missing a performance. Every student is a vital member of the team effort and absences not only affect the person missing, but also every other member of the ensemble. Each performance is worth up to 100 points towards a student’s grade. The following policies are in effect regarding performances.
1. An unexcused absence may result in a failing grade for the performance/rehearsal grading category. The student may be subject to dismissal from the chorus.
2. There is NO make up for a missed performance – it is either excused or unexcused.
Absence Form
For our rehearsals and performances, there is an absence request form you can submit in an emergency. Although you submit an absence request form, this does NOT mean that it will be approved. To submit an absence request form, go to the website and it will be found under the chorus tab. The earlier you submit your request form, the more likely you will be excused. Keep in mind that the secretary who oversees the absence request form does not get notified when you submit it, so it would be good practice to inform the secretary when you submit a request form.
Transportation
All students are required to ride on school-provided transportation to and from chorus sponsored trips. No student is permitted from being dropped off at a destination or picked up other than the school, parent/guardian, a friend, Uber, Lyft, etc. Also, if a student does not return on the bus with me – the parents will have to complete and submit a Student-Return Transport Release Form.
Excused Absences
If a chorus activity is to be missed, an excused absence may be obtained only for the following reasons:
- Death in the immediate family.
- Extreme personal illness – The student is generally expected to have a doctor’s note stating the student’s inability to perform.
- Situations involving extenuating circumstances, situations of a one-time only nature, or circumstances related to personal/family emergencies may be excused at the discretion of the director.
- All absences, except for illness, must be approved before the performance. If you ask for an excused absence after the performance, it will be denied.
- Absences for an athletic event is NOT an acceptable excuse to miss a chorus performance.
Attire
Chorus Informal: Chorus Polo Shirt; all black jeans, no holes; flat black closed-toe shoes or tennis shoes; no sandals; no jewelry. A belt is required, but shirts will be worn outside.
Men’s Formal:
| https://www.amazon.com/J-VER-Shirts-Stretch-Business-Wedding/dp/B0DGQ29B47?sr=8-24 ; black slacks; black belt; black shoes; no jewelry. Shirt MUST be tucked in for performances, and the top button must always be buttoned while wearing our ties. |
Ladies’ Formal:
| https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0793N5MPV?social_share=cm_sw_r_apin_dp_38N97EEYDS796N48Y4NT&starsLeft=1&skipTwisterOG=1 There is only one acceptable dress which is provided in the link on the website. Flat black closed-toe shoes are required, no sandals, no jewelry. |
Eligibility for Chorus Cords
| Seniors | Minimum of 2.5 GPA Completed 3 years of chorus under the Direction of Dr. Bouie. Must have attended all chorus rehearsals and performances in the 2025-2026 school year. Less than 2 rehearsal tardies. Less than 2 call time tardies. Absolutely no absences. Excused absences will not affect you. |
Fundraising Chorus members are expected to participate in fundraisers during the year. Fundraisers pay for most of the equipment and supplies that are used. When our fundraisers are successful, the chorus greatly benefits. If everyone pitches in, our fund raisers will be a success!
Singing Saints Chorus 