This course is an introductory course for the beginning high school choral music student. Students are given an introduction to the proper use of the singing voice, emphasizing proper tone placement and breath support, as well as an introduction to the study of sight singing and music theory. Scheduled performances and rehearsals are required. This semester class is designed as a mixed chorus.
August-Students will begin working on the basics of vocal production. Basics that will be implemented are correct breathing, posture and tone techniques for singing. Students will also learn the basics of reading musical scores. Students will begin their choral experience with unison music and rounds.
September-Students will begin studying the mathematics of rhythm. The relationships of notes and their values will be emphasized. Students will begin the rudiments of sight reading in stepwise movement. The students will begin to sing in groups of 3 or less. Students will begin preparation for a fall informance/parent meeting. Students will begin singing in 2 or more parts.
October-Students will begin sight reading notes that skip in the major triads. They will sing with one other person. Students will polish at least two numbers for the fall informance. The basics of correct vocal tone will be implemented.
November-Students will begin sight reading alone. They will be preparing for a holiday concert. Students will perform music of no less than 2 parts. They will be tested on their ability to sight read alone and on their ability to sing their own part independently.
December-Students will concentrate on choral blend and concert presentation skills. Students will apply the skills they have learned the first several months to their selected performance numbers. There may be opportunities to perform in and around the community.
January-Students will update their portfolio and analyze their progress thus far. A strong concentration will be in the area of rhythmic and melodic sight singing. This will begin the preparation for the State Choral Festival. Students will be expected to sing at sight 8 measure examples that include steps, skips, multiple types of notes and meters.
February-Students will continue to work on melodic and rhythmic sight reading. Assessments will be given weekly to check on individual progress. Repertoire for the choral festival will be selected and perfected.
March-Students will be participating in the State Choral Festival. Their performance will be critiqued against a set standard established by the state Music Educators Association. The areas judged include tone quality, breath support, dynamics, technique, blend and beauty. Students will also be scored on two sight reading selections. The group as a whole will receive a rating of I-Superior, II-Excellent, III-Good, IV-Fair, or V-Poor.
April-Students will begin to prepare for a Spring Concert. The repertoire will include music from Broadway, Pop Music and/or novelty numbers. The goal is to apply the extensive techniques that were rehearsed during the earlier months to a different type of choral literature.
May-Once the Spring Concert is complete, students will consider their learning matrix. The matrix is based on the North Carolina Standard Course of Study. Students will evaluate their own progress and begin to address the weaknesses that are revealed.
In addition, throughout the year, students will be studying choral literature from several time periods, composers from the major time periods and participating in self evaluations that lead to self-improvement. Students will write class and performance critiques to emphasize the relationship to other disciplines. Students will create a portfolio that will contain evidences of student learning.
