Course Description

The purpose of this course is to enable students to develop further the performance techniques learned in the seventh grade by using varied middle/junior high choral literature. Emphasis will be placed on healthy vocal production, vocal independence, expressiveness, and stylistic authenticity. Sight-reading and ear training will continue to be stressed. This course generally requires students to participate in extra rehearsals and performances beyond the school day.

Course of Study

· Singing

Students will demonstrate expressive style and technical accuracy to the genre and historical period of the music
Students will apply age-appropriate vocal production techniques throughout vocal range
Students will illustrate the ability to sing in a variety of languages and dialects with correct diction
Students will proficiently perform in a variety of ensembles.

· Performing

Students will appropriately utilize melodic instruments in the performance of a choral composition.
Students will appropriately utilize rhythmic instruments in the performance of a choral composition.

· Improvising

Students will perform a non-notated melody in a stylistically appropriate manner
Students will improvise an appropriate variation within specified guidelines.
Students will create a non-notated accompaniment in a stylistically appropriate manner.

· Composing

Students will create a stylistically appropriate descant, obbligato or obstinate.
Students will develop age-appropriate vocal warm-ups for a specific aim.
Students will arrange both medleys and partner songs using specified guidelines.

· Readingand notating

Students will accurately interpret notation in choral music with a difficulty of 3 on a scale of 1to 6.
Students will vocally demonstrate terms, signs and musical symbols accurately in a choral performance.
Students will sight-read accurately and expressively music with a level of difficulty of 3 or above.
Students will use standard notation accurately in dictation exercises.

· Listening

Students will accurately distinguish the use of musical elements in choral literature.
Students will describe the use of musical elements in a recorded work at an age appropriate level.
Students will accurately differentiate use of timbre, melody, rhythm, harmony, and form in choral works.
Students will inventory and correctly classify music from a variety of styles and genres.

· Evaluating

Students will develop and utilize an age-appropriate rubric for evaluation of personal participation and the ensemble in a choral performance as compared to other groups or exemplary models.
Students will appropriately assess a choral work’s aesthetic qualities by explaining musical elements used to create the work.

· Understanding relationships between music and other arts

Students will compare and contrast the use of basic elements in two or more of the arts
Students will construct an appropriate comparison between two art form within one historical period.
Students will utilize music technology in creating, producing and listening to music

· Understanding music in relation to history and culture

Students will differentiate selected choral literature into particular historical periods and cultures.
Students will analyze the relationship between an American musical genre and its origin.

Standards

MNPS Vocal Music Standards

http://www.mnps.org

Tennessee Vocal Music Standards

http://www.state.tn.us/education/ci/standards

Textbook

Killian, Janice, Linda Rann, Michael O’Hearn. Essential Elements for the Young Choir

Winona, Minnesota: Hal Leonard Music Publishing, 1999.

Recommended and/or Required Resources

Teacher’s discretion within county and state guidelines.

The Sight Singer - Audrey Snyder

Varied Repertoire (Octavos