Schoology is Henrico County's chosen learning management system, and the majority of communication will come through there. Students should check Schoology often for course updates, and use the message feature to contact Mr. Devol directly. 

Each chorus class has a student director who manages communication and announcements for each group. Student directors may choose to set up a group text for group members to help communicate important information.

Godwinchoralboosters.org has a wide variety of useful information about the Choral Department.

If there is an urgent concern, please send an email to Mr. Devol jmsdevol@henrico.k12.va.us. 

All rehearsals and performances outside of school hours are required for a student's grade. If a student is going to miss a rehearsal or performance, they need to contact Mr. Devol in writing, directly as soon as possible (NOT through another student - they often forget to talk to me!). If it is an emergency and no notice can be given, the absence must be addressed within two days of the emergency or it will stand as a zero in the grade book.

 What does it cost to be in chorus at Godwin?

There are a few different ways the choral department is funded by our families throughout a given school year:

• $12 Class Fee (paid per chorus class) - This is paid by all chorus students on Fee Day or through Online School Payments. This is the baseline of our budget for the year.

• Choral Booster Memberships and Fundraisers - "Boost" our budget and are vital to keeping our program buzzing with activities. Booster memberships fund professional choreography instruction, piano accompaniment for performances, competition entry fees and much more. Please consider purchasing a Booster Membership for the 2023-24 school year. 

• Uniform/Costume Fees - Collected at the beginning of the year and cover the cost of concert attire. This year's uniform fee will include payment for a t-shirt for your student's chorus class. 

• Event Fees - Collected throughout the year for special events or field trips. 

*Please email Mr. Devol at jmsdevol@henrico.k12.va.us with any concerns about paying chorus fees throughout the school year. Assistance may be available and we will work to make sure nobody is excluded.

Cell phones are a major distraction to any learning environment, but especially in chorus, where students must rely on each member of the group to be present and doing their best.

Cell phones are not permitted to be used and should be left in backpacks during class. Let Mr. Devol know if there is an unusual circumstance going on that requires use of a cell phone. 

Classwork (Weekly Class Participation Grades): 25%

Homework (Includes any paperwork to be returned, any in-class assignments that are unfinished) - 10%

Quizzes (Includes Small Projects/Summative Assignments) - 30%

Tests (includes Performances/Dress Rehearsals/Large Projects): 35%

All rehearsals and performances outside of school hours are required for a student's grade. If a student is going to miss a rehearsal or performance, they need to contact Mr. Devol in writing, directly as soon as possible (NOT through another student - they often forget to talk to me!). If it is an emergency and no notice can be given, the absence must be addressed within two days of the emergency or it will stand as a zero in the grade book. Students should not assume that an absence is automatically excused by contacted the director. 

Make-work is only given for Excused Absences from required rehearsals or performances. Absences from daily class may not require make-up work. If an excused absence is granted and necessary, make-up work will be found on Schoology. 

One-time illnesses from a performance will not require make-up work as long as the excuse is documented in writing within two days of the concert. Habitually sick students may be asked to provide a doctor's note to be excused from a missed performance.  

“Excused” is determined in advance, except in emergencies. 

EXAMPLES OF EXCUSED ABSENCES - All excused absences must be notified in writing.

Illness

Family-planned event before you were given calendar dates

Family Emergency/Death in Family

EXAMPLES OF NON-EXCUSED ABSENCES:

Family-planned event after you were given calendar dates

Decision to pursue a new activity that conflicts with chorus after you were given calendar dates for chorus

Student Employment (when you have been given more than 2 weeks notice about an event)

“I Forgot!”

Class Participation grades are evaluated on a weekly basis on your adherence to Rehearsal Expectations. In a music ensemble class, your behavior in rehearsal is of concern with both school discipline and academic expectations. The Virginia Standards of Learning for Choral Music require students to "identify and demonstrate collaboration skills and concert etiquette as a performer," including "Cooperat[ing] and collaborat[ing] as a singer in a rehearsal," and "Demonstrat[ing] active listening in rehearsal, performance, and as an audience member." 

During rehearsals, you are expected to be:

1. Punctual - Arrive to rehearsal early and be seated by the bell. For rehearsals outside of class, remember that early is on time, on time is late, and late is unacceptable!  Communicate early and often if you are going to be unavoidably late.

2. Prepared - Bring all assigned music and materials to class. 

3. Exhibiting Rehearsal Skills - Demonstrate consistent attention to correct singing posture, technique, interpretation, and musicianship and works without distracting others or yourself (unauthorized cell phone use earns you an automatic zero in this category for the week)

4. Fully Participating Musically - Consistently show initiative within the rehearsal process and consistently learns music and choreography as assigned

During performances, you are expected to be:

1. Punctual - Arrive to your assigned meeting location for any concert before the announced call time. Your performance grade will be docked 1 point for each minute you are late. If you arrive without an acceptable excuse after I have finished calling roll, your grade will automatically be docked 10 points.  

2. Prepared - Arrive dressed in your appropriate uniform (including hair and makeup, if applicable) with any materials you may have been asked to bring for the performance. Have music memorized in advance of the performance. 

3. Observing Concert Etiquette - Be quiet and attentive to other students who are performing, both in the concert hall or while viewing livestreams in staging rooms. 

4. Fully Participating Musically - Show off all of your hard work by being fully engaged on stage with facial expression, excellent vocal technique, and (if applicable) clean and energetic choreography.

Grade is reduced 10% each class period  (not calendar day) that it is not turned in.

Any assignment may be turned in by the end of the marking period for 50% credit.

All students may have the opportunity to travel during the school year. 

Specific student expectations will be outlined for students on each trip, but the Henrico County Code of Conduct and expectations of Godwin High School will apply on all field trips. 

Expenses

Concert Attire

Students in Musical Illusions and Harmonium have 2 different formal uniform options*: 

1. Black concert dress (same as 2022-23) with black, closed-toed shoes, choir t-shirt - $90 payable to Godwin HS. We will place a group order for dresses at the beginning of the school year.

• Students are in charge of ensuring their dress is properly hemmed and taken  care of throughout the year. The dress should be hemmed to touch the top of the shoe. 

2. Black dress pants, with black socks and closed toed shoes, long-sleeve black dress shirt, long red tie (tie provided by Choral Department), choir t-shirt - $60 payable to Godwin HS.

*If a modified version of either of these uniforms would be more appropriate for you, please see Mr. Devol!

Shoe Restrictions:

Must be black. No heels taller than 2". No clogs, Crocs, sandals, flip-flops, boots, or platforms will be accepted. 

Hair:

At all performances (unless stated by the director) the hair should be placed out of the students’ eyes. I do not care if you dye your hair. 

Jewelry:

Jewelry should be worn under the uniform. Any earrings should be small loops or studs. 

Other costs

Both Godwin High School and the Godwin Choral Boosters cover Choral Department expenses throughout the school year, including sheet music, choreography, and our concert piano accompanist. Please make sure you have paid your $12 school chorus fee and consider buying a Choral Booster Membership. 

Expenses -

Costuming

Show choir costumes and costs will be announced late in the summer. Families should budget at least $160 for their students' show choir costume pieces and alterations. First-year show choir students may pay closer to $200 after purchasing shoes and dance undergarments. 

Competition Fees

$30.00 will be added to costume fees this school year to cover the $900.00 competition registration for the 3 competitions Debut will be attending this year.  

Other costs

In order to help cover the other costs of show choir (Choreographer - $5000, Musical Arrangements and Licensing - ~$5000, any sets and prop pieces) We ask that families that are able, please purchase the Golden Eagle ($150) Choral Booster Membership. Other schools charge their students hundreds of dollars in show choir fees to ensure those costs are covered. If you are not able, we absolutely understand and hope that you can participate in other fundraising efforts throughout the year. 

Choreography Rehearsals

There are several mandatory rehearsals outside of school hours for students to learn and practice their show choir choreography. Each rehearsal is worth a major grade, and if a student is going to be absent, they must find a substitute (this helps us recruit for future years)! Ask a freshman, a sibling, an rising 9th grader, anyone who would want to be part of Debut for a day! 

Competitions

It's our plan to travel to at least two local show choir competitions this year. They are extremely fun and it is amazing seeing each school bringing their best! Competitions take place on Saturdays and students must provide their own transportation. Please look at the Chorus Calendar and make sure you will be available for all rehearsals and competition days. We will also need parent chaperones and stage crew! You will not regret helping out if you tag along! 

Volunteer Needs

Show choir is a village. The students spend a lot of time together and it is a great way to unite families in our community. Volunteer needs for the school year include but are not limited to:

• Hemming/simple alterations for costuming

• Set design and construction

• Chaperoning a competition (need a 10:1 ratio)

• Working backstage during competitions - assisting with setup and breakdown, as well as costume changes (both students and adults needed)

Honors Credit Point Log

Students must earn a minimum of 25 points per marking period from the Honors Credit Requirements. This point sheet must be printed and submitted by the required date for each marking period. The grade will be entered as a Quiz grade.   

Expenses

Concert Attire

Students in Acapella have a formal uniform with the following pieces*: 

1.  Black concert dress (same as 2022-23 Musical Illusions dress) - $108.00 payable to Godwin High School. We will place a group order at the beginning of the school year.

• Students are in charge of ensuring their dress is properly hemmed and taken  care of throughout the year. The dress should be hemmed to touch the top of the shoe. 

2. Pearl necklace (faux pearls can be ordered very cheaply online)

3. Red accent scarf provided by the Choral Department

4. Shoes: Must be black. No heels taller than 2". No clogs, sandals, flip-flops, boots, or platforms will be accepted. 

*If a modified version of this uniform would be more appropriate for you, please see Mr. Devol!

Competition Fees

$18 is included in the uniform fees in order to cover the $700 registration cost for the two competition Mads and Ala Rossa will be attending.  

Other potential costs

Senior Honor Choir Auditions: ~$20 due in September

Senior Honor Choir Registration (if Selected): ~$200 (Choral Boosters can assist up to $100 if necessary)

District Chorus Auditions: ~$5 due in October

District Chorus Registration (if Selected): ~$35 due in December

All-VA Chorus Auditions:  ~$12 due in January

All-VA Chorus Registration (if Selected): ~$200 (Choral Boosters can assist up to $100 if necessary)

Both Godwin High School and the Godwin Choral Boosters help cover Choral Department expenses throughout the school year, including sheet music,  District Choral Assessment, and our concert accompanist. Please make sure you have paid your school chorus fee and consider buying a Choral Booster Membership. 

Honors Credit Point Log

Students must earn a minimum of 25 points per marking period from the Honors Credit Requirements. This point sheet must be filled out and submitted on Schoology by the required date for each marking period. 

Expenses

Concert Attire

Students in Madrigals have 2 different formal uniform options*: 

1.  Black concert dress (same style as in the past, "Wisteria"). $128.00 made out to Godwin High School. We will place a group order at the beginning of the school year.

• Students are in charge of ensuring their dress is properly hemmed and taken  care of throughout the year. The dress should be hemmed to touch the top of the shoe. 

2. Tuxedo Set (Notch Lapel) from Southeastern Performance Apparel (Style #ENSA)  with Red Paisley Vest and Bow Tie. $168.00 payable to Godwin High School. We will place a group order at the beginning of the year.

   • Students are in charge of ensuring their pants are properly hemmed and taken  care of throughout the year. Pants should be hemmed to touch the top of the shoe.

*If a modified version of either of these uniforms would be more appropriate for you, please see Mr. Devol!

Shoes: 

Must be black. No heels taller than 2". No clogs,  Crocs, sandals, flip-flops, boots, or platforms will be accepted. 

Hair:

At all performances (unless stated by the director) the hair should be placed out of the students’ eyes. I do not care if you dye your hair. 

Jewelry:

Jewelry should be worn under the uniform. All earrings should be small loops or studs.” 

Competition Fees

Students will be asked to pay or fundraise $25 to help cover the $650 total admission fees for each of the 2 competitions we would like to participate in this year. 

Other potential costs

Senior Honor Choir Auditions: ~$20 due in September

Senior Honor Choir Registration (if Selected): ~$200 (Choral Boosters can assist up to $100 if necessary)

District Chorus Auditions: ~$5 due in October

District Chorus Registration (if Selected): ~$35 due in December

All-VA Chorus Auditions:  ~$12 due in January

All-VA Chorus Registration (if Selected): ~$200 (Choral Boosters can assist up to $100 if necessary)

Both Godwin High School and the Godwin Choral Boosters help cover Choral Department expenses throughout the school year, including sheet music,  District Choral Assessment, and our concert accompanist. Please make sure you have paid your school chorus fee and consider buying a Choral Booster Membership.