Choir Teacher at a W school takes advantage
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Anonymous
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Hello. I feel our choir teacher in our high school in MCPS is out of line in her demands for concert attire for the kids. She has recently requested different black dresses for the Advanced Treble Choir AND another dress for the Chamber Choir.
Well, I am frustrated by the sheer cost of these outfits. Dresses seem to cost over $100.00 and then an extra $100.00 or more to hem. It seems that this teacher thinks the parents’ are her own private ATM. Now she is considering having the parents pay for a necklace for the outfit. I understand wanting to look nice but why are there not robes? Or why can’t teacher just choose black dress pants and white blouse? The kids are going to be inspected with their dresses on on Wednesday. And if they don’t meet her standards of hem one inch above the floor , a grade will be deducted. If this were a really good choir teacher, I might forgive some of this. Her focus is on what they “ look” like vs a high quality choral program. The teacher frequently misses class and has for years. We don’t like being used as an ATM. It’s crazy Does anyone else find this standard practice in MCPS choirs? How do we deal with this lunacy? |
Anonymous
| This is crazy! Which school? |
Anonymous
| This can't be real. |
Anonymous
| No. I am the OP. It’s very real. I wish it was not. My DD loves to sing, so she is in the choir. Just sick of this. My high school had robes. |
Anonymous
| I would email the principal and copy the wardrobe request. |
Anonymous
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Go to Goodwill.
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Anonymous
| You’re right but holy cow how are you paying 100 dollars to hem? |
Anonymous
My dry cleaner hems for much less than that. Are you required to use someone specific for alterations? |
Anonymous
The dress is a formal dress with multiple layers on the bottom. Hence, the high price to hem? |
Anonymous
+10 |
Anonymous
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Choir parent here. Please contact the Principal immediately and request that they talk with this teacher. Grades SHOULD NOT be deducted from attire in MCPS. That is against the rules.
My kids were part of Children's Strathmore Chorus for years, as well as their Bethesda-area MCPS choruses, and even for the semi-professional Strathmore chorus, where the dress code was pretty strict and we sometimes had multiple outfits to purchase so the kids could match other professional performers on stage, there were no jewelry demands for the girls. This teacher is completely out of line for a public school. Go above her head and contact the Principal. |
Anonymous
| Yes. What is the attire for other MCPS high school choirs? Would be interested I. Hearing of a large expenditure is asked of the parents. |
Anonymous
| Is this for real? |
Anonymous
The biggest problem is the grade deduction tied to dress code infringement. It's not allowed. Performance clothes cost what they cost, but multiple layers needing hemming is NOT practical and parents can definitely complain. A public school chorus should not have more than one performance uniform. Finally, the teacher should always add a line in their email about the school helping families in need who cannot afford the special outfit. This is a Bethesda-area school with a well-funded PTA. These schools are ready and able to help, but the teacher has to know how to handle that and not pick something completely over the top in the first place. |
Anonymous
| Is this Whitman? At the All-County Chorus, they always look sharp. The boys wear tails! If you want a less expensive choral outfit, come join us at Einstein! My impression is that each MCPS school sets choral attire expectations in line with the local community. None of the MCPS schools wear robes, by the way. Most of the young women wear black dresses. I do seem to remember the Whitman girls wearing (fake) pearls. If you want to see the various MCPS choral outfits, you really need to visit the All-County Chorus. At least no one needs to buy a new outfit for that. |