Murchison Middle School Dance Team Tryouts 2015-2016
Tryout Information Mar 24th: All consent forms must be turned in to Ms. Hutson by 3:40pm Mar 27th: List of students eligible for tryouts will be posted on dance door Mar 31st & Apr 1st : Tryout clinic 3:45 5:00pm in Big Gym Apr 2nd: Closed Auditions 4:00 8:00 pm in Small Gym Apr 14th: Mandatory Parent Meeting 6:00 6:20pm in cafeteria Audition Process Please read through this entire packet You must turn in the consent form (signed by parent and student) by the due date listed above If it is late, you will not be allowed to audition for Dance Team. I will post a list of everyone who is eligible to tryout on my door the following Friday. If you are eligible, then please plan on attending the clinic on the above dates. We will start warm-up at 3:35 together and finish by 5 5:15pm everyday. If you need to catch the late bus, please let me know so I can release you earlier. If you are getting a ride home, make sure someone is here to pick you up by 5:15pm Please wear some type of dance or athletic wear. If you are not dressed appropriately, you cannot participate. You may use the locker room to get dressed, but if you do not have a locker bring your belongings to the Gym for safety as the locker room will stay unlocked. On the first day of clinic, all students will learn the tryout dance, which will be jazz and around 1 min and 30 sec. long. During the rest of the clinic, I will put you into audition groups based on height and consisting of 3-5 students. We will also do a mock tryout on the last day of clinic so you are more comfortable with the process. On the audition day, you will need to wear all-black dance-type clothing. This can include yoga pants, capri-pants, athletic shorts, t-shirts, etc. Please make sure it does not display any writing. You will also be required to wear your hair in a ponytail, no jewelry, and your audition number. If you do not have dance shoes, you can go barefoot. Auditions will end at approximately 8pm. You will need to stay the entire time in case the judges want callbacks. If you are not here for callbacks, then you will forfeit your audition. Please have someone here to pick you up promptly after auditions. I will post the audition numbers of the students who have made the team on the school s website under Staff/Hutson/Murchison Junior Belles Dance Team. We will have a mandatory parent meeting on the above date for those who have made the team. If you do not attend, I will assume you do not wish to be on the dance team. Please speak with me if this poses a scheduling problem. At this meeting we will go over what is to be expected for the upcoming school year. Checklist for Clinic and Auditions Black shirt, tank, or leotard Black pants, capris, or shorts Dance shoes or bare feet Hair in ponytail, bun, braid (off of face) No jewelry or gum Safety pins and audition number Smile
FAQ: What if I do not make the dance team? If you have selected Dance on your choice sheet, then you will be placed in a 7 th /8 th grade semester dance class. How many people will be selected for the 2015 2016 dance team? The number of students chosen will depend on the judges decisions. What should I already be able to do? Some techniques that will be in the dance are single or double pirouettes, high kick, pas de bouree, pivot turns, chaine turn, pique turn, axle turn, chaine-calypso, grand jete (leap) and leap in second position. Who will judge the auditions? All judges will have extensive background in dance technique and performance. What are callbacks? A callback means the judges would like to see you perform again, before making their final decisions. Callbacks happen at the end of the audition process, so make sure you stay until I have dismissed everyone. May my parents/friends/family watch the audition? No, it is a closed audition. The only people allowed to attend the audition are students trying out for the team, the judges, an administrator, and the director. Can I videotape the dance so I can practice at home? No videotaping will be allowed in the clinic or audition. What happens if I miss a day of the clinic? Everyone will learn the routine on the first day, the following days are for group placement and mock tryouts. If you miss, you are responsible for catching up on your own time. What if I cannot attend the audition? Unfortunately, you will be unable to tryout for the team. This is the only audition date. If you are missing for a school event, please see Ms. Hutson. When will the new dance team be announced? I will post the audition numbers on the Murchison webpage directly after the auditions and on the door outside of gym area. What will be discussed at the mandatory parent meeting? We will go over expectations, fundraisers, and costs. This is a mandatory meeting. If you are not present, then I will assume your child no longer wishes to be apart of our team. If my daughter/son is a returning member, do they need to buy the uniform again? Some of the dance clothes may change, but I try my best to keep the same clothes from year to year. The t-shirt will definitely change each year. Do you accept donations? Of course We can always use extra funds to help support our members in reaching their fullest potential. If you have any questions, you can contact me at: Lori Hutson lori.hutson@austinisd.org 841.6246
Murchison Dance Team Guidelines Expectations All Murchison Dance Team members are expected to represent their school in a positive and productive manner at all times. Dance Team members are expected to maintain the highest moral standards at all times and will not engage in any behavior that discredits or jeopardizes the integrity and/or moral standards of the team. Team Membership Being part of the Murchison Dance Team is a privilege, not a right. Those selected as members shall remain on the team for a period of one school year as long as the requirements are met. 1. Maintain passing grades at all times. The TEA No Pass, No Play rule is followed by the dance team. You will be given a copy of the dates you become ineligible and eligible to perform the first day of school. 2. Follow the Code of Conduct pertaining to behavior. You will receive this Code of Conduct on the first day of school. 3. Maintain a positive attitude If these requirements cannot be met, the administrators and dance director will determine a course of action. Eligibility to Audition Any student who is presently in 6 th or 7 th grade may audition for the Murchison Dance Team. Dance Clothes The Murchison Dance Team will be required to have a black tank top, white tank top, black jazz pants, black spandex, black jazz shoes, and tan tights. You will also need to purchase a team t-shirt. These items are considered a uniform and will be used all year. Approximate cost for the year, including uniform, t-shirts, and fees will be $80. Performances The Murchison Dance Team Director will determine and schedule all performances for the year. All team members are required to participate in all performances as part of their grade, unless extenuating circumstances arise, in which case arrangements must be made with director in advance. A member may not perform if they do not possess the correct attire. Rehearsals Daily rehearsals will occur in class only as to not conflict with other activities. On occasion, outside rehearsals can occur. The director will try to give at least 2 weeks notice of any outside rehearsals.
Murchison Dance Team Auditions Consent Form I,, wish to apply for membership on the Murchison Dance Team. I have read the audition handbook, and I understand the requirements for participation. I also understand the time, expense, dedication, and discipline that it takes to be involved should I be selected as a member. I intend to devote the time needed to make the Murchison Dance Team a success if I am selected. And I understand that the decision of the judges is final. Student Signature Student Email Grade Date Phone Number As a parent, I have read the audition handbook and understand the financial support, devotion, and discipline that my daughter/son must have in order to try out and participate on the Murchison Dance Team. I understand that the decision of the judges at the audition is final. I support my daughter/son in this endeavor and give them permission to audition for the Murchison Dance Team. Parent Signature Parent Name (printed) Email Date Day Phone Number Evening Number PLEASE SIGN AND RETURN THIS PAGE BY TUESDAY, MARCH 24TH BY 3:40 If you have any questions, please direct them to Ms. Hutson. lori.hutson@austinisd.org 841.6246
Example: Murchison Dance Team Code of Conduct Members of the Murchison Dance Team are expected to be role models and leaders in performances, in their community, and through out their school experience. The following are behavior expectations for the Murchison Dance Team, as well as, consequences that will be implemented if the behavior expectations are not upheld. I promise to exemplify the ideal Murchison Dance Team member at all times by setting a positive example for all to follow. I promise to be lady-like and courteous at all times. I promise to display respect for all teachers, administrators, staff, students, and myself. I promise to abide by all school and district rules. I understand that if I receive a detention, referral, In School Suspension, or Home Suspension for any of the above-mentioned, the following consequences will be given. All decisions will be reviewed and approved by the administration and dance director. 1 st violation: Probation for 6 weeks, written paper on why behavior is not appropriate, parent notification/ conference 2 nd violation: Sit out for 3 performances, written paper, parent conference 3 rd violation: Removal from Murchison Dance Team class Removal from school to Alternative Learning Center will result in automatic dismissal. Dance Team Member Signature Date I have read and discussed the Murchison Dance Team Code of Conduct with my child. I understand the consequences that will be given if my child receives a referral, ISS, Home Suspension, or is sent to ALC. Parent Signature Date