2012-2013 Middle School Chorus Syllabus

Grade 6-8

Instructor: Kelley Herman

Email:  Kelley.Herman@k12.sd.us 

Purpose:

Musical potential is one of the basic abilities that exist in every individual.  The purpose of this class is to develop that potential as fully as possible: the ability to perform, create, and to understand music.  This course is designed to acquaint vocal music students with a variety of choral literature and the many techniques of vocal production.

Expectations:

• Students are expected to sing to the best of their ability, keeping a positive attitude, and to be respectful to themselves, other choir members, and the instructor.
• Come to class prepared.

Class Requirements:

• Attend class and participate in class activities.  Participation points will be earned by meeting classroom standards as follows:
  1. Vocal Technique-Sing accurately with proper breath control, tone quality, and intonation. 
  2. Diction-Migrate vowels and manipulate consonants to achieve an appropriate choral tone. 
  3. Rehearsal Etiquette-Identify and demonstrate proper etiquette. 
  4. Expression-Perform and rehearse with expression appropriate to the piece.

**When a student is absent from class he or she will need to make up the participation points with a lesson, or a critical review of the following rehearsal.

• Attendance at all performances is mandatory.  Concert dates are set and students are expected to arrange their schedules to be there.  Proper attire is also required for each performance.  Proper attire includes tan kakis pants and a solid colored polo shirt. 
• Study the materials presented in class.
• There will be a written test each semester and a singing test each quarter.
• Students will write a reaction to each performance.
• Achieve a passing grade on all test, quizzes, and projects.

Course Objectives:

The student will:

1. Apply correct vocal production techniques to include:
   1. Expressive tone quality and intonation
   2. Correct posture and breathing habits
   3. Clear enunciation
   4. Fine blend
   5. Appropriate use of the jaw, tongue, and facial muscles

2. Demonstrate and apply proper unison and part singing techniques that produce a vocal balance
3. Demonstrate and apply ear and eye skills to sight reading of simple melodic and rhythmic patterns
4. Develop and demonstrate the capacity to independently sing literature with 2 or more patterns
5. Understand and demonstrate stage presence in a public performance
6. Evaluate public performances (their own and that of others) on acquired musical and choral skills
7. Develop and demonstrate a sense of responsibility and commitment to the choral group as an organization.
8. Respond to the director’s verbal and nonverbal instructions in order to produce group onsets, releases, enunciation, tempo, phrasing, blend, balance, dynamics, and overall expression (appropriate to a particular piece of music).
9. Differentiate among the various styles of both sacred and secular choral literature of many eras and cultures.
10. Apply an understanding of varied vocal and interpretive approaches to different varieties of choral literature.

Grading:

Quarter grades will not be rounded and will be determined by a combination of the following:

Participation, Daily Work/Activities, Projects, Performances, Reaction Papers, Tests/Quizzes

Grading Scale:

95-100 A                                 79-83   C

93-94   A-                                77-78   C-

91-92   B+                               75-76   D+

88-90   B                                 72-74   D

86-87   B-                                70-71   D-

84-85   C+                               0-69     F