CHOIR/VOCAL ENSEMBLE SYLLABUS

COURSE DESCRIPTION

Choir/Vocal Ensemble is a training ground for those interested in how the singing voice works in the performance of choral literature while offering the beginning to intermediate music students the comprehensive foundation of music theory, harmony, and ear training lessons. Through cooperative learning preparation and rehearsal of choral compositions, the study will focus on musicianship, sight-reading, vocal development, song interpretation, and harmonic blend.  After school rehearsals and public performances are expected in a performing arts magnet.*

*Due to Covid-19 and the closures of on-campus learning, it is my goal to create virtual choir performances. This will require each student to record their own vocal tracks and performance video, which I will be teaching as part of the curriculum.

OBJECTIVE

This course targets the California State Music Standards of Artistic Perception and Creative Expression, including the use of musical notation and terminology. It supports the Hollywood High Schoolwide Learner Outcomes (SLO’s) of critical thinking and effective communication. This course intersects with the new common core standards and English Language 

Arts and it engages students in collaboration and Project-Based Performance. 

MATERIALS

The textbook we will be using for this class is Alfred's Essential Music Theory Workbook. I will be providing links to lesson PDFs as the class progresses on Schoology.

There will also be PDFs of sheet music, MP3’s of audio tracks, and other various tools to engage the students throughout the semester.

*Due to Covid-19 and the closures of on-campus learning, as I mentioned earlier, it is my goal for each student to record their own vocals and video. In order to do this effectively, students will need 2 devices. One device to record a video of themselves (desktop/laptop/Chromebook/iPad) and then a second device (phone with earbuds) to record their voice while the playback track is only in their ears as guidance.

DON’T WORRY! I will explain how this is done in class and make sure everyone understands what they need to do. 

ASSESSMENT

Weekly grades are based on the following: 

Participation -  Participation and demonstration of mastery of skills in class and in performance are necessary for the success of a program such as Choir. ALL students are expected to participate at ALL times. Students should be on time to class, focused and ready to learn. Choir/Vocal Ensemble is a cooperative learning experience. A behavior that inhibits or distracts the process of learning will affect student grades. Public performance (*Virtual Performance) is expected in a Performing Arts Magnet School.

Preparation - The music we study during the course of a semester will be performed. Students are required to memorize the lyrics and their own vocal parts accurately.

Progress -  Student progress is assessed by a combination of performance demonstrations, theory, and ear training quizzes, and classroom observation.