Ms.

Tomlinson’s
Handbook for
Success
~Choir Edition~
“Without Music, Life would
Bb.”

Ms. Adrianne Tomlinson - Director of Choirs

Ad’s Music School
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1234 Alto Way Leesburg, VA 20176

School Number: 703-779-8205
Choir Office Number - 703-363-6093
Email: adtomlinson24@gmail.com

Introductions
Hello there! Welcome to the choir program here at Ad’s Music School! We are thrilled that you
have decided to come and make music with us. The purpose of this handbook is to give you an
idea of what to expect in choir and tips and tricks for success here in our program. You will
receive instruction on vocal production, diction, breathing, music history, music theory and
performance practices. Our program has a variety of ensembles of different skill levels which
includes music that includes unison rounds, two part music, SAB, SSA, SATB, and some a
cappella selections.

Our Choirs

Treble - Our Treble choir is a beginning choir for treble voices and typically has freshman and
sophomore age singers. In this choir we focus on building tone quality and beginning steps of
audiation and sight reading. The repertoire of this group includes singing rounds and some two
and three part pieces.

TB Singers - The TB Singers Chorus is built of the voices of in the beginnings of the tenor/bass
range. This group typically has freshman and sophomore members. In this choir we focus on
building tone quality, beginning audiation and sight reading and learning how to navigate the
tenor/bass range. The repertoire of this group includes singing rounds as well as two and three
part pieces.

T’s Chorale - T’s Singers is an intermediate mixed choir that typically has junior and senior
musicians. In this choir, we focus on strengthening sight reading skills in our repertoire,
audiation, score study, and learning to blend treble and bass voices with the different colors
appropriate for our repertoire. The repertoire is typically four part and beyond with some
contemporary a cappella music.

Vivace - Is the advance a cappella group at Ad’s Music School with 15 members. Musicians in
this group are typically junior and senior age. In this choir we focus on sight reading, audiation,
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score study, blend, and unique vocal techniques such as vocal percussion. All of the repertoire
studied is acappella and occasionally arranged by the members of the group. This group
performs frequently of campus in the community.
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Audition Process
 The Treble Choir and TB Singers require no audition. Simply see your counselor and
sign up for the ensemble you would like to join and then we can start making music.
 Auditions Process
 Auditions are typically held at the end of the school year after school. No student
is automatically put in the same ensemble, EVERYONE must audition again
annually. New students to the county or students that miss the first round of
auditions in June are welcome to audition during the first week of the new school
year. They will then be placed in the appropriate ensemble.
 Audition Materials
■ Prepared Piece - can be an art song, musical theater, or popular music.
■ Sight Reading - an 8 measure excerpt
■ Audiation Exercise - using a tuning fork to find a specific key

Policies and Procedures for Choir Class

1. Please do your best to arrive on time. When the bell rings, be in your seat with you
2. music, a pencil, tuning fork, and a sealed container of water ready to work.
3. Always bring your music folder to class. Lack of music can result in deducted
participation points.
4. Cell phones should be left in you backpack and remain there until the end of rehearsal.
You may only have it if you ask permission for a special case. Any cellphones that are
used during rehearsal without permission will be confiscated until the end of rehearsal.
5. Food and gum are not to be consumed during the rehearsal.
6. Students should respect the teacher, peers, and whatever space is being used for the
rehearsal. This includes
a. Raise your hand to speak.
b. Do not talk over others.
c. Keep materials such as music, stands, and chairs, in their best condition.
d. If you do not have something nice to say, do not say it at all.
e. No cursing or inappropriate language or behavior.
7. Always come to class with a positive attitude, good effort and be ready to make music!
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Grading Policy
 Attendance students should come to all rehearsals. Excused absences include:
 Weddings or Funerals
 Sickness
 Appointments/Interviews

 Participation - Participation points are typically given if students are engaged and
prepared for class. They can be deducted for the following:
 Forgetting/Losing Music
 Cell Phone Usage
 Talking during Rehearsal

 Assignments - Assignments for this class vary from ensemble to ensemble but can
include the following:
 Song Profile/Score Study - Writing an essay about the composer, form, and text
of one of the pieces we are studying.
 Music Theory Practice WS - Quick checks to be done in class.
■ Key Signatures
■ Rhythm
■ Chord Analysis

 Sight Reading - Sight reading an 8 measure excerpt alone.

 Solfege Testing with Hand Signs
 Tuning Fork Tonicization
 Octet Quiz - Singing a piece with 7 of your peers and holding your part.
 Program Notes - Writing a short paragraph about one of our pieces to be read at
our concert.
 Dress Rehearsal/Concert Performance Grades
■ Missing a Concert or Dress Rehearsals results in a make-up assignment.
Students will receive a 0 until the make-up assignment is turned in and
graded.

 Tests - Tests will be given at the midterm and final exam time. They can include the
following topics.
 Key Signatures
 Rhythm Exercises
 Chord Analysis
 Aural Skills
 Meaning of the Repertoire
 Text of the Repertoire
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 Letter Grades
 A = 93-100
 A- = 90-92
 B = 83-89
 B- = 80-82
 C = 73-79
 C- = 70-72
 D = 63-69
 D- = 60-62
 F = Below 60

Dress Rehearsal/Concert Etiquette

1. Dress Rehearsals will be held after school the week of the concert, typically the night
before the concert.
a. Students should arrange for a ride to pick them up or take the activity bus.
2. Students are not required to wear their concert attire to the dress rehearsal but should
ensure they have it ready for the night of the concert.
3. Students call time for the concert is an hour prior to the beginning of the concert (6pm).
a. Students are welcome to stay after school until the call time.
4. Concerts begin promptly at 7pm in the auditorium.
a. Family, friends, faculty and staff are all welcome to attend.
b. Failure to miss a concert results in a make-up assignment. The student will
receive a 0 until the make-up assignment is turned in and graded.
5. Cellphones are not allowed on stage during a concert.
6. No talking on stage in between pieces during a set.
7. Walk completely to the end of the riser and then come down as if there were a staircase at
the edge. Do not descend the risers prior to reaching the end of the row.
8. Watch the conductor, you might miss something!
9. Strive to keep your game face on! Show the audience meaning and expression through
your facial effect.
10. Stand still on the risers.
11. When you are off-stage watching other ensembles perform, be respectful and give them
applause, we are all a team, show your support!
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Concert Attire
 Students will rent either a tuxedo or dress from the music department.
 Cost of the uniform will be covered in the music dues at the beginning of the year.
 Dues are $70 and they include:
■ Concert Attire
■ Choir T-Shirt
■ Choir Folder
 They can be paid by cash or check.
 Students that wear dresses must have on black stockings and black shoes.
 Students in tuxedos must wear their cummerbund and bow tie.
 Jewelry is allowed but should be subtle. Pearl earrings diamond studs, pearl necklaces, or
simple pendant necklaces are recommended.

Performance Opportunities
 Concerts at Ad’s Music School - All concerts for the choir department in Ad’s Music
School are required for students to perform in.
 All State Chorus - All-State Choruses are made up of the finest vocalists and musicians in
the state. Auditioning for All-State is a rigorous process, including a musicianship skills
test, a sight reading test, and a vocal audition. Being selected for any of these choirs is a
great honor. Though auditioning for all-state is not required, it is a good opportunity to
work with people from diverse areas in our state. The all-state audition fee is $12.00
 Assessment - Music Performance Assessment is attended by all members of T’s Singers
and Vivace. It is the culmination of six months of study and hard work! Each choir is
assessed by four distinguished judges on technique, tone quality, dynamics, expressive
elements and appearance. Choirs from all over Loudoun County are required to
participate in this evaluation and are given a rating for their performance.

Calendar of Events
 Labor Day - September 2
 Midsemester Music Showcase Auditions - September 8-10
 Columbus Day - October 14
 Midsemester Music Showcase - October 17
 Student Holiday - October 28
 Thanksgiving Break - November 27-29
 Winter Orchestra Concert - December 12
 Winter Choir Concert - December 17
 Winter Band Concert - December 19
 Winter Break - December 23 - January 3
 Martin Luther King Jr. Day - January 20
 Moveable Student Holiday - January 21
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 President’s Day - February 17

 District Choral Assessment - March
 Musical - March 20-22
 Spring Break - April 6-10
 All State Chorus - April 23-25
 Spring Band Concert - May 20
 Spring Orchestra Concert - May 26
 Spring Choir Concert - May 28

~I look forward to
making music with
ALL of you!
Happy singing!~