Back to school: How to be successful in chorus/choir this year

Today is the first day of class for many of the local NJ schools! Students: best wishes for another wonderful academic year! Parents: Congratulations, you made it through another summer! :)

This week, I'd like to tackle the concept of how to succeed in your choir/chorus class.  Your teacher has been preparing for this year since the end of last year.  They are likely excited and nervous, just like you. Here's how to make this year legato (read: smooth). 

• Thoroughly read your syllabus.  This may seem obvious, but there are many people who overlook this. Your teacher has spelled out exactly how you can succeed in class: your grade breakdown, what is expected of you, rules, deadlines, etc.
• Write down important dates in your planner & give them to your parents, as well. Nobody likes a surprise concert when you've known about it since the beginning of the year! 
• Bring your music, pencil, water, and whatever else is required of you EVERY CLASS. You need to make markings in your music and stay hydrated. 
• If you're able to take music home, practice it at home, in your voice lessons, etc.  You don't have to sing through your music to practice: look at rhythms, dynamics, tempo markings, listen to recordings of it, etc. 
• Look excited to be there and engaged in the material! PUT DOWN YOUR PHONE. Even if you *think* your teacher didn't see you...they saw you. Even if you think it's hidden behind your music...they see it. Here's the ugly truth: solos are given to talented singers who have been paying attention. If you have all of the talent in the world but you've been texting, using social media, or appear to be uninterested the whole semester, you better shape up! Your teacher notices everything, even if they don't specifically address it. 
• Your teacher is a human. He or she probably would love to be asked something about their musical interests/college music experience/or anything else. They spend all day thinking about and talking to their students. It's nice for you to strike up a conversation about them once in a while! 
• Have fun and be open to new things: new sections, vocal parts, new students, etc.! :)