COURSE:                Show Choir

TEACHER:                James Smith

ROOM:                 E1.1

E-MAIL:                james_smith@eu.odedodea.edu

COURSE DESCRIPTION:  This course is designed to provide students the following vocal music experiences: learning the beginning and basic fundamentals of sight-reading vocal music, rehearsing and performing unison, two-,three-, and four-part music; singing with groups in addition to solo opportunities; singing a capella, experiencing a wide variety of choral literature; singing with individual and ensemble instrumental accompaniment; and participating in choral performances.

COURSE GOALS/OBJECTIVES/STANDARDS:  Students will meet this music standards:  Sing with express and technical accuracy a large and varied repertoire of vocal literature with a level of difficulty of 4 on a scale of 1 to 6, including some songs performed from memory.  Sing music written in four parts, with and without accompaniment.  Demonstrate well-developed ensemble skills.  Compose music within specified guidelines.  Read and notate music. Listen to, analyze and describe music.  Evaluate music and music performances.  Understand the relationships between music, the other arts, and disciplines outside the arts. Understand music in relation to history and culture. 

CONTINUOUS SCHOOL PROGRESS:  AFNORTH International Middle/High School’s CSP goal is, “All students will improve their communication skills across the curriculum.”  The 6+1 trait is the model selected to improve school-wide writing in all subject areas.  The 6+1 Trait writing framework is a powerful way to learn and use a common language to refer to characteristics of writing as well as establish a common vision of what “strong” writing looks like.  Teachers and students will use the 6+1 Trait model to identify areas of strength and weakness as they continue to strive towards continued writing improvement.  Success of all students requires that the 6+1 Trait become a consistent and integral component of each course taught at AFNORTH International Middle/High School.  In this course students will practice the 6+1 Trait when analyzing and evaluating different performance groups, styles and historical periods in music.  These activities will be assessed as part of the classroom written work grade.

SCOPE & SEQUENCE:  This course begins with unison singing of standard songs and progresses as rapidly as the entire group can move to four-part arrangements.  Reading and writing music along with interpreting music signs and symbols are taught in conjunction with the music selections.  The course involves written work with note values, key signatures, intervals, major and minor triads, composing melodies, and other musical concepts.  Students record individually at the end of each nine weeks to track their vocal development and analyze their own sounds.  A written exam is given at the end of each quarter.  PARTICIPATION IN CLASSROOM AND PUBLIC PERFORMANCES IS A REQUIRED ELEMENT IN THIS COURSE.  Absences from performances will be dealt with on an individual basis.

COURSE GRADING/ASSESSMENT: 

                Quarter                   Participation in rehearsals                                  40%

                                                Classroom written work and activities                10%

                                                Performances (live and recorded)                               20%

                                                Written examinations                                         20%

                                                Self-management                                                          10%

                Semester                1st  Quarter Grade                                                       40%

                                                2nd Quarter Grade                                                       40%

                                                Semester Exam                                                       20%

CLASSROOM EXPECTATIONS/CONSEQUENCES:  (1) All equipment in the band room that is not assigned to you is off-limits.  (2) All inappropriate physical activity should stop before reaching the band room door.  (3)  Show respect for other students and their possessions.  (4) Practice appropriate rehearsal manners so that you can enjoy but not disrupt.  Students who require correcting lose points on self-management and participation in rehearsals.  Repeated failure to follow classroom rules results in parent/sponsor coordination.  Continued misbehavior results in standard disciplinary referrals to administration.

TEXTBOOK:  Choral Connections series by McGraw-Hill.

PRACTICE:  Students are given a practice tape that allows them to achieve the vocal skills and performance standards that are required in this class.  Students who demonstrate difficulty with assigned tasks will be required to keep a practice log in cooperation with the parent/sponsor.

PERFORMANCES: 

                DRAMA/MUSIC PRODUCTION:  Band, chorus, and the drama classes will present a program at 1900 on 2 December in the cafeteria.  Details on dress will be announced later.  Students should not remain after school unless it is unavoidable.  Everyone should be in place at 1830 to warm up.

OPPORTUNITIES: 

                DoDDS EUROPE HONORS CHORUS:  This is a mostly high school chorus, but eighth grade students may audition and a few are accepted each year.  Eighty students are selected.  The audition materials arrive in November and must be learned and recorded before winter break.  Audition materials will be distributed in class and learned.  I will work with students after school to make the audition tapes.  If selected, students attend three days of rehearsal with various conductors in Bad Kissingen, Germany and present a concert along with a sixty-piece Honors band.  Expenses are required.

              CREATIVE CONNECTIONS:  The announcement packet for Creative Connections arrives in November.  Students complete a resume of their experience in music.  Concrete examples are especially helpful in meeting the selection criterion.  Recent private music lessons or performances carry more weight. Students are asked to write a paragraph about themselves.  These should be computer written and “doctored up” to reflect the student’s creative personality.  A picture should accompany the application; the picture should reflect the student’s personality more than a passport photo accomplishes.  Students who are selected for this event will receive training in singing and dancing a Broadway number. A payment of expenses is required.