A Cappella Choir II

Recommended Prerequisite:  A Cappella Choir  I

Grades Offered:  10-12

Credit:  ½- 1

SDE Course Code:  0995

MNPS Course Code:  MUS2227

 

Course Description

 

Enhances level-one skills and provides further opportunities for advanced-level performers to increase performance skills and knowledge.  A Cappella music performed includes madrigal, notes, quartet and solo literature of all style periods.  Covers performance and production, analysis and theoretical studies, historical and world cultural contributions and influences, creative aspects of music and appreciation of music.  Stresses self-paced progress and group experiences.  This course generally requires students to participate in extra rehearsals and performances beyond the school day.

 

Content Standards

      

·        Singing

• Students will apply expressive style and vocal techniques to vocal literature       
• Students will sing alone using correct vocal production techniques
• Students will apply correct diction in selected literature
• Students will proficiently perform music appropriate for the ensemble

    

·        Performing

• Students will apply knowledge of instruments to play simple melodic phrases
• Students will apply knowledge of rhythm instruments to play simple rhythmic patterns

    

·        Improvising

• Students will perform a non-notated melody
• Students will improvise an appropriate variation within specified guidelines
• Students will apply short accompaniment passages to a selected song

    

·        Composing

• Students will create a descant for a song
• Students will create a vocal warm-up using a descant
• Students will arrange a medley using specified guidelines

    

·        Reading and notating

• Students will interpret notation of choral music with a difficulty level of 4
• Students will interpret terms, signs and musical symbols at a proficient level in a classroom setting
• Students will apply sight-reading skills in choral music at a difficulty level of 4
• Students will apply standard symbols and signs to choral notation
• Students will vocally demonstrate non-standard notation in a classroom setting

    

·        Listening

• Students will distinguish the use of musical elements, forms, expressive devices, and compositional techniques in choral literature
• Students will distinguish the use of musical elements in a recorded work at a proficient level
• Students will proficiently differentiate use of timbre, melody, and rhythm in works of similar genres
• Students will categorize music recordings according to styles

    

·        Evaluating

• Students will develop criteria for evaluation of personal participation in a choral performance
• Students will develop criteria for comparison of choral performances with similar or exemplary models
• Students will examine musical means used to create the feelings or emotions in a choral work.

    

·        Understanding relationships between music and other arts

• Students will examine the use of basic elements common in the arts
• Students will determine how characteristics are displayed within each art form within a historical period or style
• Students will determine how various disciplines are related to music
• Students will appropriately assess the influence of music technology on music
• Students will discuss the impact of music in today’s environment

    

·        Understanding music in relation to history and culture

• Students will link characteristics of musical genres, styles historical period and cultures to choral literature
• Students will explore the origins of various American music genres
• Students will link stylistic features to aesthetic and historical traditions

 

Textbook

 

Essentials of Choir

           

Resources

 

Teacher’s discretion within county and state guidelines.

Successful Sight-singing BKS 1 and 2, Successful Warm-ups- Nancy Telfer

Essentials of Music Theory BKS 1-3, Sally Albrecht,

Varied Repertoire (Octavos)