TO DO BEFORE AUGUST 15th!!!!
- Read through Choral Handbook/Syllabus (see below section)
- Pay Chorus activity fee (see OSP payments tab)
- Fill out the Syllabus Confirmation Microsoft Form. (<-link) It should take about 5-10 minutes of your time. You will want to visit the credit card payment link prior to filling out the form, as the form asks for a receipt number.
- Order OPTIONAL Spiritwear Sweaters (pictures at bottom of this page) - links to order sizing in syllabus form/payments tab
- Send in requested Chorus Supplies:
- ½ inch (.5 inch) binder with 25 sheets of notebook paper and 5 dividers. Any color is fine!
- One box of tissues
- One box of pencils
- One or two highlighters
Autrey Mill Middle School
Chorus Handbook/Syllabus 2025-2026
Ms. Vanessa Edwards, Choral Director
Mr. Chance Passmore, Chorus Student Director
Mr. Trey Martin, Principal
Chorus Website: www.autreymillchorus.com
Email: [email protected]
Dear Autrey Mill Chorus Families,
Welcome to the Autrey Mill Middle School Choral Program! It is going to be an exciting year for all involved. Before we begin, I would like to share some thoughts with you about the importance of chorus in the life of your child.
I believe that every child can learn and extend that belief to the certainty that every child is musically expressive and deserves the opportunity to explore that capability. To that end, our program offers opportunities for the emerging music learner as well as the highly skilled, gifted musician. We will all learn and perform together to create beautiful choral music!
Throughout the year, we will address the individual singer by developing vocal skills, increasing knowledge of his/her own voice, developing music literacy and providing opportunities for solo performances. In addition, we will address the choral ensemble by developing group cohesiveness, building choral skills and fostering pride in participation and teamwork.
This handbook has been designed to acquaint you with information regarding grading, performance and rehearsal procedures, attire and various other aspects that pertain to the success of the program.
Please read and discuss the contents of this handbook as a family. A performance calendar link is provided later in this handbook for your scheduling convenience. Please visit the link on the last page of this handbook and digitally sign the confirmation form by August 15, 2025. If you would like a paper form instead, please let me know well ahead of the August 15th deadline.
Welcome aboard! It is going to be a year of beautiful music making. I am looking forward to seeing you at our first concert, if not sooner.
Sincerely,
Vanessa Edwards
AMMS Choral Director
Chorus Help Sessions
-8:00am by appointment – student/parent should email to make appointment.
-All-State Chorus, ACDA Honor Chorus, 6th Grade Statewide Honor Chorus and District Honor Chorus help sessions will take place as needed throughout the year during morning/afternoon help session days.
Chorus Room Expectations
Supply List – all supplies and fees due by August 15th.
Grading
Chorus meets on a daily basis for the entire year. When a student joins a performing arts program, it is with the understanding that they are joining for the entire school year – August 2025 to May 2026. Students are responsible for obtaining and making up all missed work following AMMS policies.
AMMS Grading Scale
6th and 7th Grades
Major Grades (Concerts, Performances, Assessment of Content Learning Growth and Competency) -50%
Minor Grades (Quizzes, Class performance, sight singing, vocal development, demonstration of literature) - 40%
Practice Grades (bell ringers, written work, observation of skills) - 10%
8th Grade
Major Grades (Concerts, Performances, Assessment of Content Learning Growth and Competency) - 55%
Minor Grades (Quizzes, Class performance, sight singing, vocal development, demonstration of literature) - 35%
Practice Grades (bell ringers, written work, observation of skills) - 10%
*Accommodations and modifications may be made according to students’ needs.
Responsible AI Use Encouraged with Teacher Permission:
Students are encouraged to use AI tools responsibly in this course with teacher permission to assist with their learning and assignments. AI can serve as an aid to enhance understanding and interaction with course content, within the boundaries of academic integrity. All AI-generated content must be accurately cited, and students are responsible for the correctness of their submissions, including any content derived from AI tools. It is essential to critically evaluate AI outputs to ensure they meet academic standards. Use of generative AI, without proper citation, is considered a violation of the Fulton County Schools Code of Conduct and may result in disciplinary action.
Non-Academic Skills Assessment
Fulton County Schools places high standards on academics but also values work habits and character development. Student progress towards non-academic skills is critical to student success and shall be reported on age-appropriate, non-academic factors to be reported separately from academic grades.
Fulton County Schools will use the following key to report non-academic skills critical to student success.
• Consistently demonstrates • Often demonstrates • Sometimes demonstrates • Rarely demonstrates
Areas of Non-Academic skills assessment: Self-Direction, Collaboration, Problem Solving and Work Habits.
Performance Guidelines
Performance Opportunities
Opportunities for all students to perform throughout the school year are:
Additional auditioned opportunities for students at the local and state level:
Performance Attire
Chorus Formal Attire - Worn to all formal concerts (Fall/Winter) as well as LGPE, Festivals, etc.
Chorus Spiritwear Attire
Worn at sporting events, some daytime events and Pops Concerts
Attire Reminders for All Students
Performance Calendar
www.autreymillchorus.com/25-26-required-dates.html
PLEASE visit this page today and write down all required concert dates. Also, please check the section below the required dates for other important dates.
Please expect a required before or after-school rehearsal to be scheduled sometime before each performance. Also, additional performance opportunities will arise as the year progresses. Please understand that changes in either rehearsal or performance dates will be made only when absolutely necessary. Thank you for your understanding and flexibility!
Absences: Please notify Ms. Edwards in advance and in writing of any conflicts that you may have so a proper alternate assignment can be completed.
Chorus Handbook/Syllabus 2025-2026
Ms. Vanessa Edwards, Choral Director
Mr. Chance Passmore, Chorus Student Director
Mr. Trey Martin, Principal
Chorus Website: www.autreymillchorus.com
Email: [email protected]
Dear Autrey Mill Chorus Families,
Welcome to the Autrey Mill Middle School Choral Program! It is going to be an exciting year for all involved. Before we begin, I would like to share some thoughts with you about the importance of chorus in the life of your child.
I believe that every child can learn and extend that belief to the certainty that every child is musically expressive and deserves the opportunity to explore that capability. To that end, our program offers opportunities for the emerging music learner as well as the highly skilled, gifted musician. We will all learn and perform together to create beautiful choral music!
Throughout the year, we will address the individual singer by developing vocal skills, increasing knowledge of his/her own voice, developing music literacy and providing opportunities for solo performances. In addition, we will address the choral ensemble by developing group cohesiveness, building choral skills and fostering pride in participation and teamwork.
This handbook has been designed to acquaint you with information regarding grading, performance and rehearsal procedures, attire and various other aspects that pertain to the success of the program.
Please read and discuss the contents of this handbook as a family. A performance calendar link is provided later in this handbook for your scheduling convenience. Please visit the link on the last page of this handbook and digitally sign the confirmation form by August 15, 2025. If you would like a paper form instead, please let me know well ahead of the August 15th deadline.
Welcome aboard! It is going to be a year of beautiful music making. I am looking forward to seeing you at our first concert, if not sooner.
Sincerely,
Vanessa Edwards
AMMS Choral Director
Chorus Help Sessions
-8:00am by appointment – student/parent should email to make appointment.
-All-State Chorus, ACDA Honor Chorus, 6th Grade Statewide Honor Chorus and District Honor Chorus help sessions will take place as needed throughout the year during morning/afternoon help session days.
Chorus Room Expectations
- Students will be respectful to other students, teachers and classroom materials.
- Students will listen to and follow directions given by the director/teacher/leader.
- Students will participate, have an open mind, and give their best effort at all times.
- Only water allowed in the chorus room during regular classes. Absolutely NO GUM and no food.
Supply List – all supplies and fees due by August 15th.
- ½ inch (.5 inch) binder with 25 sheets of notebook paper and 5 dividers. Any color is fine!
- One box of tissues
- One box of pencils,
- One or two highlighters.
- Chorus Activity Fee – covers festival registrations, bus fees, spiritwear t-shirt, polo shirt rental, occasional professional vocal lessons, accompanist fees, student sheet music - $65 online credit card payment only – see AMMS website at www.ammslions.org for payment link under Online School Payments.
Grading
Chorus meets on a daily basis for the entire year. When a student joins a performing arts program, it is with the understanding that they are joining for the entire school year – August 2025 to May 2026. Students are responsible for obtaining and making up all missed work following AMMS policies.
AMMS Grading Scale
6th and 7th Grades
Major Grades (Concerts, Performances, Assessment of Content Learning Growth and Competency) -50%
Minor Grades (Quizzes, Class performance, sight singing, vocal development, demonstration of literature) - 40%
Practice Grades (bell ringers, written work, observation of skills) - 10%
8th Grade
Major Grades (Concerts, Performances, Assessment of Content Learning Growth and Competency) - 55%
Minor Grades (Quizzes, Class performance, sight singing, vocal development, demonstration of literature) - 35%
Practice Grades (bell ringers, written work, observation of skills) - 10%
*Accommodations and modifications may be made according to students’ needs.
Responsible AI Use Encouraged with Teacher Permission:
Students are encouraged to use AI tools responsibly in this course with teacher permission to assist with their learning and assignments. AI can serve as an aid to enhance understanding and interaction with course content, within the boundaries of academic integrity. All AI-generated content must be accurately cited, and students are responsible for the correctness of their submissions, including any content derived from AI tools. It is essential to critically evaluate AI outputs to ensure they meet academic standards. Use of generative AI, without proper citation, is considered a violation of the Fulton County Schools Code of Conduct and may result in disciplinary action.
Non-Academic Skills Assessment
Fulton County Schools places high standards on academics but also values work habits and character development. Student progress towards non-academic skills is critical to student success and shall be reported on age-appropriate, non-academic factors to be reported separately from academic grades.
Fulton County Schools will use the following key to report non-academic skills critical to student success.
• Consistently demonstrates • Often demonstrates • Sometimes demonstrates • Rarely demonstrates
Areas of Non-Academic skills assessment: Self-Direction, Collaboration, Problem Solving and Work Habits.
Performance Guidelines
- Proper concert attire must be worn during a performance.
- All students will remain for the entire performance.
- Students will refrain from talking during performances.
- Students will leave personal devices with a family member during a performance.
- If a student misses a performance for any reason (personal or immediate family illness), the following must occur:
- Written/emailed notification must be turned in to Mrs. Edwards prior to the event. The student will be required to complete an alternate assignment in place of the performance grade within a week of the performance date.
Performance Opportunities
Opportunities for all students to perform throughout the school year are:
- Fall Concert
- Winter Concert
- Pre-LGPE Festival Concert
- Spring “Pops” Concert
- Large Group Performance Evaluation (LGPE)
- Musical Theatre Productions
- 8th Grade Holiday Tour
- 8th Grade Orlando Disney Trip
- 7th Grade Southern Star/Six Flags Trip
- Tenor/Bass Chorus Day in Chattanooga
- Other invitational events…
Additional auditioned opportunities for students at the local and state level:
- District V Middle School Honor Chorus
- 6th Grade Statewide Honor Chorus
- All-State Chorus for 7th and 8th Grade students
- Solo and Ensemble Evaluation
- GA ACDA Honor Chorus
Performance Attire
Chorus Formal Attire - Worn to all formal concerts (Fall/Winter) as well as LGPE, Festivals, etc.
- Black Polo Shirt with AMMS Chorus emblem (rental included in Chorus Dues)
- Black dress pants or long skirts
- Black closed-toe dress shoes/flats (no sneakers, sandals, or flip-flops; heels should be 1-inch or shorter
- Black socks (if socks worn)
Chorus Spiritwear Attire
Worn at sporting events, some daytime events and Pops Concerts
- Chorus Spiritwear shirt (included in Chorus Dues)
- Blue jeans
- Sneakers
Attire Reminders for All Students
- Pull or tie back long hair/bangs out of your face (simple black or brown barrettes / hairbands).
- Please no perfume or cologne. Deodorant/anti-perspirant is encouraged. 😊
Performance Calendar
www.autreymillchorus.com/25-26-required-dates.html
PLEASE visit this page today and write down all required concert dates. Also, please check the section below the required dates for other important dates.
Please expect a required before or after-school rehearsal to be scheduled sometime before each performance. Also, additional performance opportunities will arise as the year progresses. Please understand that changes in either rehearsal or performance dates will be made only when absolutely necessary. Thank you for your understanding and flexibility!
Absences: Please notify Ms. Edwards in advance and in writing of any conflicts that you may have so a proper alternate assignment can be completed.
