FAQ's-Performance

How often are performances?
The LHS Choral department performs many concerts throughout the year. Annual performances include our Fall, Christmas, and Spring concerts, not to forget our annual Madrigal Dinner showcase.

How much does it cost to go to a concert?
The Fall and Spring concerts are free but admission price for the Christmas Concert is $5.00 and the Madrigal Dinner varies in price from $17.50 for a child or $25.00 for an adult. Come early for a good seat for the Fall and Spring concerts as seating is general. All seating for the Christmas and Magrigal performances are reserved. Students begin warm-up 45 minutes before a concert and most of the student's families arrive at that time.

How long do concerts last?
Concerts usually last about one and a half hours with a 15-minute intermission.

Do we have any extra rehearsals and concerts?
Choir is a performance-based class. Concerts and rehearsals are required. Every effort is made to schedule concerts and rehearsals around other school-related activities. Students are expected to keep a calendar and inform the Director in advance of any conflicts. Extra rehearsals are called for all choirs, including Freshmen, before major performances. It is the Directors' wish to keep these rehearsals to a minimum. Refer to your calendar for these rehearsals & be alert to rehearsals announced in class. Keeping a calendar is a must! Each choir member is required to attend his or her respective section rehearsal which may meet one to two times a week at the lunch hour, before school, or another agreed upon time. This schedule varies depending on the particular contest or concert. Chorale will meet every Monday evening for rehearsals. During TMEA preparation & Contest season, the Chorale meets on both Monday and Thursday evenings for Mixed Choir in addition to special clinics. All choirs (Freshman Mixed Choirs, Men's Choir, Lee Singers, and Chorale) meet every Monday evening during Contest season. (Contest season begins after Solo & Ensemble). All rehearsals and concerts are required unless excused in advance by the director. Each student's contribution is crucial to rehearsals and concerts. One student's absence can upset the balance of a rehearsal or the success of a concert. Never lose sight of the importance of your individual contribution to the Choir.

What are your rehearsal expectations?
The success of a choir depends on how it rehearses. How it rehearses depends on the conduct and cooperation of the student. Rehearsals are the place to correct mistakes. The fewer the mistakes and the less individual distractions, the greater your contribution is to the choir. Be patient, attentive, careful, and cooperative in observing these rehearsal expectations. When the directors have to discipline and control rather than direct, the rehearsal and eventually the choirs are headed for failure. Good behavior, attitude and self-discipline are essential to producing a great choir. If you are successful, the Choir is successful. The following is just a list of some of our rehearsal expectations:

What is your attendance policy?
Students attend scheduled performances and outside rehearsals, and abide by the following attendance guidelines:

*Any of the above consequences may also be used in a disciplinary capacity.

If there is a conflict with a rehearsal or concert, let the Director know well in advance. School conflicts can almost always be worked out. The key phrase is in advance! I.E. Months in advance, not days! Due to the participatory nature of the vocal music curriculum, active involvement and attendance is essential to individual and group success. Students who regularly miss classes will make lower grades, and directors may remove students for inadequate attendance and/or participation.

How long are rehearsals and when are they over?
Because of the complexity and professionalism of our productions, rehearsals are mandatory to make sure audiences continue to enjoy outstanding quality. Rehearsals last approximately two hours from the starting time, which is usually around seven at night.

What is concert attire?
All formal wear is the property of the Lee Choir Boosters & Lee Freshman/ Senior High School. Part of the assessment covers the maintenance of the formal wear with the exception of the Senior High tux shirt and any unusually difficult alterations. Since the formal wear is the property of the lee Choir Boosters & the School, it will be used for LHS Choral performances only.

Formal wear must be fitted as soon as possible. Please listen for announcements and refer to the calendar as to your fitting date and time. You must be present for your fitting with your dress shoes (see below). Alterations will be done at your fitting.

Are there solo opportunities?
Depending on the themes of each production and the style of each piece, there maybe times when a soloist is needed. Below is the criteria if you wish to perform a solo:

Will concerts help my musical intelligence?
The experiences received from active participation in this department will greatly enhance the student's musical perspective. The student learns to recognize when something goes wrong and is able to correct the mistake. The student is also taught to understand the inner working of music and therefore to appreciate the amount of significance in a single piece of music. In this way a student receives a well-rounded understanding and appreciation of music.

-Students must audition if they want to appear in the concert.
-Singers seeking to do a solo must memorize their audition piece and demonstrate sufficient performance skills, including movement, facial involvement, confidence, and an understanding of the lyrics.
-Auditions occur periodically throughout the year, if needed.

1. Definition of an "Excused Absence"-- Absence resulting from illness, serious illness in the family, or bereavement. A note or phone call from the parent must be submitted to the Director well in advance for review and consultation with the student. In the case of sudden illness, a parental note or phone call should accompany the student's return.

2. Consequences for an "Unexcused" Absence

1. Be on time to all rehearsals (school or extra) and performances. You are to be in your place with your Music and all visiting stopped by the time the bell rings or the rehearsal is to begin. ****LHS tardy policy is enforced.
2. Always have your music,choir folder,and pencil.
3. No gum ever!
4. Be conscious of good posture at all times.
5. Keep your eyes on the conductor during rehearsal.
6. Listen to the conductor at all times. Talking while the conductor is rehearsing or giving instructions is never appropriate.
7. Take a mature attitude toward correction. Don't be a "know it all".
8. Rehearsals are not over until the director dismisses the choir. Don't begin to put your music away until instructed to do so.
9. Stay involved in the rehearsal from start to finish. Rehearsals are not for personal grooming, catching up on the latest gossip, or doing homework.
10. Keep the room orderly and clean. Do not bring food, candy or drinks in the Choir Room unless given permission by the director. If you are not taking your music home, make sure you return it to the correct shelf. The Choir Room is not to be used as your personal locker.
11. Approach rehearsals as well as performances with optimism, enthusiasm, determination, and your whole-hearted attention.
12. The success of the Choir is your individual responsibility.
13. Before asking a question-always refer to your handbook.

-Senior High Ladies
1. Formal wear includes a maroon formal dress, tux pants, vest, bow tie, tux shirt, & t- shirt(s).
2. The Tux Shirt is the financial responsibility of the student and becomes the student's personal property. A group order for the tux shirts will be made.
3. Character Shoes (your responsibility)

4. Accessories

5. The formals come to you freshly dry-cleaned. Do not attempt to wash or iron the formals, tux pants, bow tie, or vest.
6. Lee Singers & Treble Choir will need a black, long-sleeved turtleneck for the Madrigal Dinner.

-Senior High Men
1. Formal attire includes black tuxedo, tux shirt, maroon bow tie and cummerbund, vest, black bow tie, & choir t-shirt (s).
2. The tuxedo shirt must be purchased by the student and is his personal property. A group order for the shirts will be taken to insure the lowest possible price and a uniform shirt.
3. Shoes are your responsibility.

4. Accessories

5. The tuxes come to you freshly dry-cleaned. Do not attempt to wash or iron the tuxedos, bow tie, cummerbund, or vest.
6. Men's Choir will need a black long-sleeved turtleneck for the Madrigal Dinner.

-Freshman Ladies & Men
1. Concert attire consists of black tux trousers, maroon vests, bow tie, tux shirt, and black long-sleeved turtleneck.
2. Shoes (your responsibility)

3. Long-sleeved Black Turtleneck-You must purchase one for the Madrigal Dinner.
4. Accessories- Boys

5. Accessories- Girls

6. The formal wear comes to you freshly dry-cleaned. Do not attempt to wash or iron the pants or vests.
7. Choir shirts will be worn for informal occasions. A group order will be taken. The cost of the shirt is the student's responsibility.

a. Uniform black character shoes will be worn by all the ladies.
b. A group order will be made. Payment must be made in advance of the group order. (Cash, money order, or check--more information will follow).

a. Small earrings only
b. Limit other jewelry to a watch and favorite ring- no necklaces, no bracelets or excessive rings.
c. No Fingernail polish is to be worn other than natural or clear.
d. Keep hair simple not extravagant- no hair ribbons, bows, or gaudy accessories.

a. No earrings
b. Hair should be neat (nothing excessive that would call attention to you on stage.)

a. Black dress shoes and black socks-no tennis shoes or boots.
b. Remember you must be able to dance and stand in these shoes. This means leather soles not rubber.

a. Girls-Uniform black character shoes will be worn by all the ladies. A group order will be made. Payment must be made in advance of the group order. Cash, money order, or check-more information will follow). .
b. Boys-Black dress shoes and black socks. Keep in mind they need to be comfortable. No boots, no tennis shoes.

a. No earrings
b. Hair should be neat (nothing excessive that would call attention to you on stage).

a. Small earrings only
b. Limit other jewelry to a watch and favorite ring- no necklaces, no bracelets or excessive rings.
c. No fingernail polish is to be worn other than natural or clear.
d. Keep hair simple not extravagant. No hair ribbons, bows, or gaudy hair accessories.

a. 1st Absence-One or more of the following consequences can occur:
- Loss of performance privileges
- Loss of tour or trip privileges
- Parent conference
- Suspension of rehearsal privileges with alternative class work requirements
- Chorale: Reassignment to another ensemble
b. 2nd Absence
- Consequences of 1st Absence may be used
- Conference with parent and student to decide continuation or dismissal from the Choir.*

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