Handbook

Welcome Chorus Parents! 

We are so excited to have your child in the choral program.  It is one of the largest and most active programs at Plant. 

Chorus will provide your child with many benefits.  They will form lasting friendships, travel, build confidence through

performances, and have a lot of opportunities for leadership. 

And the best part – IT’S A TON OF FUN!!!!! The theme chosen for the year (as seen on the Prelude t-shirt) is “Tune In”. 

The idea for the theme came from a challenge Mr. Yost gave us to increase school and community awareness of our outstanding chorus. 

We hope you will join us in spreading the word to your friends and family to tune in to Plant High Chorus. 

We are extremely excited to serve as the co-presidents of the Booster Club. 

Our goal is to get every parent involved with this wonderful group of students. There are volunteer opportunities available for everyone—

whether you enjoy working directly with the kids, or behind the scenes. Chorus is a great way to be involved at Plant for students and parents! 

The purpose of this handbook is to answer questions you might have about the Chorus program.  It should serve as a useful tool for you during the year.  

If you have any questions, comments or ideas please do not hesitate to call us or contact us by email. We look forward to enjoying

this year with you and our talented kids!                                                                              

CAROLINE COLLIER       This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it                            SUSAN MERRILL This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

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FIRST AND FOREMOST ---How do I find out what’s going on? 

This year all chorus communication will be by Email.  It is extremely important we have your correct email on file.

We will send out reminders for booster meetings, volunteer information, monthly calendars of events, etc. through email. 

Additionally,  we are trying to improve Plant Chorus awareness and communication is through the new Plant Chorus

Facebook page and Youtube Channel. 

If you have not become a friend of the Chorus on Facebook we encourage you to do so. 

You will be notified of upcoming events and get to see inside video and pictures of our Chorus in day to day action. 

If you have video or pictures you would like to submit to either our Facebook or Youtube Channel please send them to

Event Media Chair Janet Robertson- This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .   

Lastly – we have our new and improved website that will have listing of upcoming events, what’s new and important dates. 

Please make a note of these important sites:           

Facebook          www.facebook.com/plantchorus 

Youtube           www.youtube.com/plantchorus

Website            www.plantsings.org 

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Who do I contact if I have a question? 

2009-2010 Chorus Booster Club - Board and Chair Positions

Presidents             Caroline Collier This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

                                                                        SUSAN MERRILL - This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Treasurer              Sue Barnum - This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Secretary               Janet Holk         

                   

Communications Secretary - Mary Jo Williams  

This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it                   

                                                                                                       

Fall/Winter Concerts                      Diana Cornett                       This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it                

Madrigal Dinners                             Julie Henley                          This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it        

AND  Suzanne Kinman                  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it                        

Rick’s Café       Diana Fontana/Janice Mitchell        This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Finale                Diana Fontana/Janice Mitchell        ­ This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it  

Committee Chairmen               

Volunteers   -       Nancy Bayless                     This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it                                                                                

Student Meals - Sherry Sample  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it      

AND  Alice Boullosa                     This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it                

T-Shirts - Nancy Hatcher    This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it  

and  Kim Harcrow     This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Event Recording                               Alana Williams                    This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it                

Media/Photography                       Janet Robertson                   This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it     

and  Sandy Robertson               

School Liaison                                    Michelle Heitlinger             This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it                                       

Website                                               Shirley Prince                      This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it                

Prelude                                                Claire Bennett                      This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it                

Tour                                                      C.J. Smith                               This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it                

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What events will chorus be doing this year?

Fall Concert  This is a required performance that counts toward the first 9-week’s grade.

The fall concert features all students in large group performances.

Held in the Auditorium at Plant High, there is a small admission fee. The choruses traditionally wear their dress uniforms.

The concert typically lasts for approximately 2 hours, with a short intermission. Reception  provided by the parents at the end.

Parent volunteers are needed for ticket sales, to usher, donation of refreshments, and clean-up. 

Smash’n’Scream - Ice Cream Social and Smashball game. Typically held at a Hyde Park Playground,

this event is free for students and their families.

Baseball played with a volleyball—all for fun. Donations for refreshments are appreciated.

Parents are needed to help serve ice cream, for set-up and clean-up,

and as ringers in the students vs. parents game.   

Madrigal Dinners- This is a costumed Renaissance event featuring period music performed by small ensembles and

large groups held in St. Mary’s Episcopal Church multi-purpose room. It is 3 performances, 2 are catered dinner service for

evening shows and one is a matinee dessert.  The performance is approximately 2 ½ hours with intermission. 

Every student must perform in a period costume. Costumes may be rented from the Chorus Department on an as-needed basis

for a small fee, rented through local costume shops, purchased online, or sewn. Parents of participants are asked to complete

at least one volunteer shift including set construction, costume sewing and rental, room set-up and decoration,

food service, reservations and seating, publicity, tear-down and chaperoning.  

Rick’s Café This is event consists of large group, small ensemble and solo performances of Broadway

music featuring Bel Canto, Varsity Chorale and Chamber Singers. The event takes place in Plant Auditorium for 3 nights. Solos and small ensemble

acts by audition only.  Performance lasts approximately 2 ½ hours with a short intermission

featuring refreshments provided by parents. Group numbers require simple costumes. Parent volunteer

opportunities include choreography, costumes, set design,

ticket sales, usher, refreshments, clean-up, and backstage chaperones.

Winter Concert- This is a joint concert with H. B. Plant Orchestra held at First Baptist Church.

It is a required performance that counts toward the second 9-week’s grade.

The choruses wear their dress uniforms. The concert typically lasts for approximately 2 hours. 

Parent volunteers are needed for ticket sales, ushering and chaperoning. 

Tour - Tour is open to members of auditioned groups.  This year the Chorus will be traveling to Chicago. 

The Tour usually includes a Broadway show, dinner cruise

(or other evening activity), museums, performances, and a lot of fun.  If you child is planning on attending deposits

will be required monthly.  There are also opportunities to

earn part of the fare through ticket and ad sales to performances. 

District Competition -Location: TBA- This will be a mandatory performance that counts toward the third 9-week’s grade.

Choir will travel by charter bus to

location for District Competition. Competition is divided by choral group. Parents are needed to chaperone.

Finale/Senior Showcase - Solo and small group performances by the members of the senior class and performances

of large group numbers from featured Broadway

Shows by Men’s and Women’s Choral groups held in Plant Auditorium. Performance lasts approximately 2 ½ hours

with a short intermission featuring refreshments provided by parents.

Parents needed to usher, donate refreshmants and for clean-up.

Ovation - Chorus Awards End of the Year Event - This is the end of the year celebration for students and their families.

Presentation of choral awards and chorus

video are featured events. Parent volunteers needed for room decoration, serving refreshments, set-up and clean-up.

 I Need a Costume – what do I do?  Students are responsible for providing costumes for

certain events, specifically Madrigals and Rick’s Café.  Students have several options:  First - the chorus program

has costumes for students to rent on a “need and first come” basis.  All students renting must

fill out a rental contract and pay the required fee.  Costumes may come with many parts and students are

responsible for returning all items (hats, belts, swords, etc,)

within 1 week of Madrigals or Ricks.  Costumes do not need to be laundered, but should be on hangers and

in garment bags that were issued.  If costumes are not returned, cost of replacement will charged and/or grades withheld. 

Second – Student may rent costumes from a costume shop such as Features. 

They usually give the student’s a discount if you mention you are participating in these events.  If costumes are not

rented from the Chorus program or Features,

they must be preapproved by the costume chairman.

 

How do I pay ?ChecksDue to high credit card fees, Chorus is only accepting checks this year.

Please make all checks payable to Plant High Chorus Booster Club, use the Memo line to include student name

and/or event, etc. of payment. 

Please put your child’s name on every check you write to help us get the money credited properly. Student Tour Deposits
If your student is participating in the annual tour, please complete a Tour Deposit Form when turning in your check every month. 
Please write TOUR DEPOSIT and the child’s name in the memo note.
Students can get these forms from the student Treasurers and forms will also be available at all parent meetings. 
IF you are purchasing items for Chorus and need reimbursement:
Please turn in receipts for  reimbursement using the Check Request
form found on the website or in the Chorus Room. 
Please fill out all information and attach receipt. 
All requests should be turned in no later than
 2 weeks past the event or function, any requests after that time will be
considered a donation to the Chorus program. 

 

How do I get involved ? There are many ways to get involved with Chorus. 

We need chairman for events and volunteers. 

We need chaperones for field trips.  We need baked goods and waters for our performances.

The best way to get involved is to fill out the WILLINGNESS TO SERVE FORM.  Get involved- it’s a blast!!!!

How do I become a Chaperone:Shortly before each Chorus Event, a Chaperone Request Form will be made available through the students,

or at Booster meetings. Please complete the request form if you are able to chaperone for a particular event. Chaperone participation

will be determined based on needs by the individual choirs, and the Chorus as a whole.  Chaperones are expected to pay for their own

admissions to events, and for their own meals. All chaperones use the same method of travel as their students; however, there may be times

when a chaperone is requested to drive themselves to an event, if convenient. Chaperones should wear their school issued nametag at all time

on the trip, and should dress in clothing appropriate to the event.  

WHAT DOES A CHAPERONE DO?***Reprinted from Hillsborough County School District Handbook, July, 2007

Adults who assume the responsibility for chaperoning a group of students should recognize that they are assuming twenty-four-hour-a-day responsibilities

 from the time they leave until the return. At no time may chaperones make personal plans except with the consent of the person in charge of the trip.

The drinking of alcoholic beverages at any time during the trip is just as much out of place as during the regular school day.

1.        Trip planning and preparations need to be made well in advance of the departure date

2.        Travel in private cars should be avoided as much as possible.

3.        Students should wear appropriate clothing at all times.

4.        Smoking shall be prohibited.

5.        No student should be allowed to accompany a group on a trip until he has agreed in writing to abide by the rules set up and has submitted the

written consent of his parents to make the trip.

6.        No student should be permitted to visit relatives or friends while on a trip without previous arrangements of his parents with the director or chaperone.

7.        There should be at least one chaperone for each ten students.

8.        If a party includes members of each sex, there should be chaperones from each sex in attendance.

9.        When a student is assigned to a group or chaperone, he is to remain with the group at all times unless he has made special arrangements with the director.

10.     Chaperones should keep an accurate check on the members assigned to them at all times.

11.     Hotel rooms are bedrooms. Under no circumstances should students of the opposite sex visit, play cards, or entertain guests in their hotel room.

12.     Students should engage in school activities of a group nature only.

13.     When any mixed group travels at night, a curfew hour will be announced by the chaperones and after this time there should be no mixing of the sexes.

14.     Chaperones and all members of the group should set a curfew. The time should allow a reasonable amount of time after the close of the last event.

15.     Chaperones should never retire until all students are checked in for the night, all visiting between rooms has stopped, and the chaperones are reasonably

sure that the groups are quiet and in their rooms.

16.     If more than one group from a school is going to the same activity, all should adhere to the same general regulations.Policies are of no value unless

they are rigidly adhered to. It is not a matter of discretion on the part of chaperones whether or