Course Description

Enhances level-one skills and provides further opportunities to develop and refine performance skills and knowledge. It may include any style period and covers performance and production, analysis and theoretical studies, historical and cultural influences, creative aspects and appreciation of music. Stresses balance of individual progress and group success. Emphasis is placed on voice and choral development. This course generally requires students to participate in extra rehearsals and performances beyond the school day.

Course of Study

· 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

· Readingand 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

Standards

MNPS Vocal Music Standards

http://www.mnps.org

National and State Vocal Music Standards
http://www.state.tn.us/education/ci/standards

Textbook

Douglas, Bobbie, Brad White, Glenda Casey, Jan Juneau. Essential Repertoire for Concert Choir Winona, Minnesota: Hal Leonard Music Publishing, 1999.

Recommended and/or Required Resources

Teachers’ 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)