Back to Music Curriculum Index
Back to Music Department Home Page

 

Music Department

Concert Choir

1. Course Description

Grades 9-12

A one Credit elective course that meets 5 periods per week

Goals:

  1. To increase individual performing ability.
  2. To increase music reading ability.
  3. To increase knowledge and appreciation of the repertoire performed.
  4. To perform quality choral literature(in four or more parts) of various styles, grades IV-VI.
  5. To afford an opportunity for students to perform and compete at the district, state, and regional level.

In this course, students perform standard choral literature, ranging in difficulty from grade IV to grade VI. The Concert Choir performs at school concerts and festivals. Stu dents need not audition to get into this group but must maintain a level of music profi ciency that would enable the student to be a contributing member of the ensemble.

Concert Choir is part of a vertical sequence that begins in elementary school and contin ues through middle school and high school.

2. Course Components

Using a balanced variety of music, the program trains each student in the following vocal skills:

  1. Tone production
  2. Music literacy
  3. Auditory perception
  4. Expression
  5. Ensemble
  6. Communication
  7. Critical listening

Students will have the opportunity to perform and compete at the district, state, regional, and national levels. Students will also be exposed to professional performers, including live performances by guest artists and ensembles, and audio and video recordings. Gifted and talented students will have the opportunity to audition for district, state, regional, and national honor groups such as All District, All State, All New England, and All East ern.

3. Course Materials

  • A variety of music from many historical and stylistic periods
  • Professional performers, artists-in-residence, guest clinicians
  • Audio and video recordings
  • 2 upright pianos (rehearsal room and private lesson room)
  • Grand piano (for performance in the Commons)
  • Music folders
  • Storage cabinet
  • Stereo recording and playback equipment
  • Robes and stoles
  • Macintosh computers, hardware and software
  • Pitchpipes

4. Student Expectations

  1. Be present and on time for rehearsals.
  2. Come prepared with music and pencil.
  3. Respect others and the facilities.
  4. Participate in and contribute to rehearsals.
  5. Learn to perform individual vocal part capably.
  6. Attend all required performances.

5. Evaluation

A student's grade is based on the following:

  1. The student's performance in the individual vocal exam
  2. The student's adherence to the stated Student Expectations and High School Choral Policies
  3. Attendance at all required performances
  4. Extra credit

High School Choral Policies

1. Student Expectations- Students are expected to:

  1. be present and on time for all rehearsals and performances
  2. bring their instruments, music and a pencil to all rehearsals
  3. act with courtesy toward teachers and other students.
  4. keep school property (robes, stoles, folders, equipment, etc.) in good condition
  5. be prepared to participate in rehearsals and performances.
  6. learn their individual music and be a contributing member of the choir.

2. Rehearsal Behavior- Students are expected to exhibit proper rehearsal behavior, which includes:

  1. listening (no talking) when the teacher or another student is talking.
  2. exhibiting appropriate posture for good singing.
  3. no gum chewing during rehearsal.
  4. no eating during rehearsal.
  5. when in choral rehearsal, a student will do chorus work (not work from another class)

3. Grading- Grades will be based on exams, and observation of student attitude and behavior during rehearsals and performances. Students may earn extra credit for extra work.

4. Performances- A student is expected to be at all performances of the ensemble. An unexcused absence will cause their rank to be lowered by one whole letter grade.

5. Performance Dress- For performances, students will wear their robe and stole or concert black and whites.

6. Discipline- The following steps will be followed in dealing with disciplinary situations.

  1. Student warning
  2. After class discussion
  3. Formal teacher-student conference
  4. Parent phone contact
  5. Administrative referral
  6. Parent-student-teacher-administrator conference



Search the Site
Welcome | Curriculum | Activities
Library | Administration | Services | People | Help