All-State Chorus Weekend Rules

TEACHERS AND STUDENTS MUST BE PRESENT AT ALL ALL-STATE CHORUS ACTIVITIES, i.e., general auditions, rehearsals, special auditions, performances, etc. TEACHERS MUST STAY AT THE SAME HOTEL AS THEIR STUDENTS.

  1. In addition to the names of students selected for each choir, the following will be posted on the website: Registration, Parent Permission/Rules, T-Shirts, and schedule.
  2. Teachers must submit All-State Chorus Weekend Registration through the process designated by the All-State Chorus Chairperson. The registration process is completed online.
  3. In addition to the non-refundable audition fee, a non-refundable All-State Chorus Weekend registration fee of forty dollars ($40.00) will be required of each student participating in the All-State Chorus. This registration fee must be remitted by December 9, 2022. Registration fees should be paid using only one school check, personal check, money order payable to SCMEA Choral Division, or through Eventbrite (credit/purchase card). Directors understand that there will be a small processing charge for Eventbrite. If your school district submits a check, please ensure that your school information is indicated and mailed with the check.
  4. Registration forms must be completed online, and appropriate fees must be paid online or by check postmarked by Friday, December 9, 2022. (Late payments will result in a Level 1 rule violation.) The link for online payment may be found on the Choral Division Website. www.choraldivision.org If mailing one check for payment, please send it to Lindsey Esterdahl, Fort Dorchester High School, 8500 Patriot Blvd., North Charleston, SC 29420. Direct any questions about the weekend registration to Lindsey Esterdahl.
  5. T-shirts and pins will also be available for purchase ahead of time on the registration form. These items will not be available for purchase at All-State Chorus Weekend.
  6. The following items will be available for purchase at All-State Chorus Weekend:
    1. CDs and DVDs of the concert performance
    2. Plaques with individual student names, voice part, and choir.

Rehearsal Guidelines:

  1. Dress for rehearsals will be informal-regular school clothes. Hats, sunglasses, or other items that interfere with rehearsal are prohibited.
  2. No gum, no talking, no tobacco, no vaping, and no illegal substances of any kind!
  3. Each student is expected to devote his/her full attention to the director at all times in all rehearsals and performances.
  4. Each student must bring a pencil and his/her music to ALL rehearsals, even if the music is memorized.
  5. Each student will need a black folder for use at the concert.

General Guidelines:

  1.   Students will be dismissed from All-State Chorus participation on the following grounds:
    1. Vandalism of any kind- the student’s school will be liable for damages.
    2. Possession of drugs without a doctor’s prescription.
    3. Possession and/or consumption of alcoholic beverages.
    4. Disciplinary action, not excluding dismissal, will be taken on the following grounds.
    5. Failure to adhere to attendance, housing, and rehearsal regulations.
    6. Violation of curfew.
    7. Any behavior found to be unbecoming by the All-State Chorus Chairperson or his/her representative.
  2. Cell phones, iPods, MP3 players, CD players, and any device with headphones are not to be present during rehearsals. If a student is found to be in possession of these items during the rehearsal, the student’s name will be taken, and the director will be notified. If the same student is found to be in possession of the items for the 2nd time, they will be removed from participation in the All-State Chorus, will be turned over to the director as an “Auditing Singer,” and the school will be given a level 1 violation.
  3. Teachers are responsible for the conduct and behavior of their students throughout the entire All-State Chorus Weekend.
  4. Any dismissed student may cause his/her school to be suspended from participation for one year. An explanatory letter will be sent to the student’s parents, choral director, school principal, and district administration.
  5. Members of the All-State Chorus will adhere to the following concert dress. All attire will be checked for compliance prior to the concert. Students not in compliance with the dress code WILL BE PROHIBITED FROM SINGING IN THE CONCERT and will put the school in jeopardy of suspension from All-State Chorus participation for one year. Contact the All-State Chorus Weekend Coordinator if you are unsure if your uniform is compliant.
  6. Concert Attire: Tuxedo consisting of a white tuxedo shirt, black tie, black tuxedo pants, black tuxedo jacket, black socks, and black dress shoes. Tails and a WHITE or BLACK vest/tie/cummerbund are acceptable. Students may also wear a black sports coat with black slacks, a white dress shirt, a solid black tie with black socks, and black dress shoes. Alternatively, a black ankle-length concert dress or an ankle-length black skirt with a black top of similar or complementary fabric. (No cocktail or formal [prom] dresses allowed, no denim, no show choir dresses); medium- to low-heeled black shoes no more than 2 inches in height. No spaghetti straps on blouses or dresses allowed. No bare midriffs, no bare backs. Necklines should be modest and appropriate for a concert. No slits in dresses or skirts above the bottom of the knee cap. Students may also wear black dress slacks with a black dressy blouse, a black pantsuit/skirt suit (skirt must be ankle length) with medium-to low-heeled black shoes no more than 2 inches in height.
  7.   The All-State Chorus will present a public concert at Winthrop University on March 4th, 2023, at 3:00 p.m. Only participants will be allowed to attend any activities of the All-State Chorus Weekend. No one other than All-State Chorus members, official chaperones, and teachers may be present at hotels, rehearsals, or facilities connected with the All-State Chorus events. No children, even those whose parents are choral directors, will be allowed at any All-State Chorus rehearsal. All chaperones must be at least 21 years of age – preferably older. All SCMEA members are welcome to attend any part of the All-State Chorus weekend, even if that member does not have students participating in these events.

All incidents or exceptions pertaining to the All-State Chorus rules and regulations will be subject to review by the All-State Chorus Committee and could result in consequences to the school and/or student(s) involved. Requests for exceptions due to extenuating circumstances must be submitted in writing to the All-State Chorus Committee Chairperson two weeks prior to the All-State Chorus Weekend.