Ms. Saunders' Music Website

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Choral Program Goals
<b>The student will learn:
1.	Vocal/choral skills.
2.	Musical literacy.
3.	Music’s relation to history and culture through stylistic repertoire.
4.	Aesthetic appreciation, self-expression and artistry.</b>

Madison Middle School 
Grade 6, 7, and 8 Choruses
(Grade 7 & 8 Boyschoir
Grade 7 Treble Choir
Grade 8 Treble Choir)
Full-year, 90 sessions
Instructor – Mrs. Saunders
Room 125
Email – saunderd@trumbullps.org

Prerequisite 
This course is an elective. Students must want to be involved in this course 
to be successful. Students who do not wish to sing/perform should take 
general music.

Concert requirements 
Grade 6 – One spring concert
Grade 7 & 8 – Two concerts, winter and spring
(Missed concerts require a concert absence note, prior to the event, if 
known, or as soon as possible, if unexpected. Make up work will be assigned.)

Music
The music we study will serve as our textbook. Over a three year course of 
choral studies at Madison, students will be exposed to a variety of music 
including foreign language, sacred, secular, holiday, contemporary, folk 
songs, masterworks, madrigals, multi-cultural, sea chanteys, and classical 
music from select genres. Through these selections the students will learn 
the value of choral music from it’s historical background and composer 
contributions to the educational value of the notes on the page, teaching 
how 
to sing chorally and expressively.

Required Materials
 
·	One inch, 3 ring binder
·	3 hole punch folder 
·	Pencil pouch insert
·	No. 2 pencils
·	12 pack of colored pencils
·	Loose leaf paper

Expectations
Preparation for class – it is expected that you arrive to class on time, or 
with a pass, prepared with your binder and it’s contents*, ready to 
participate in the daily routine and be an active learner. Actively learning 
is the only way to learn music. *Binders will contain the student’s music to 
be studied, handouts and workbooks for class (gr.7). These must be 
maintained. Replacement workbooks will cost $6.50.

Assignments and Quizzes 
All written work to be handed in music follow these guidelines – neatness 
and 
spelling count, use a proper heading, pen/pencil as requested, no red ink, 
on 
time.
Quizzes – A quiz will be given on the recently learned material in class 
about once every 3-4 weeks. 
Projects –  – assigned once a Trimester. Check the website for 
details.
Workbooks – Grade 7 only, pages done in class to supplement music theory 
lessons.
Journals – Grade 8 only – Journals are to be done in class and are not to 
leave the room.

Behavior and Attitude 
Inappropriate behavior will not be tolerated. Students will receive a 
warning, detention, phone call home or be sent to the office accordingly.  
Inappropriate behavior of any kind threatens the learning environment for 
all 
and should it become a pattern, may result in dismissal from the course. 
(Respectful behavior is also to be expected if a substitute is present.)
As important as paying attention, attitude is vital to the overall choral 
experience. Being a team-like activity, one player can deeply affect the 
class. It is asked that students be eager to try new things, avoiding 
negativity. Comments and opinions are welcome and valued when shared that 
the 
appropriate time.

Concert Participation
Chorus is a performing ensemble and therefore performing is a requirement of 
the course. Students are expected to have their music prepared, to attend 
concerts on time and be dressed in concert attire. Absences due to illness 
or 
other reasons will be handled on an individual basis.  Concert dates are 
listed below and noted on the school calendar at the beginning of each year 
to avoid unnecessary absences. A letter is sent home 2-3 weeks prior to a 
concert containing reminders about the date, time, tickets and attire. This 
information is also on the website.

Grading Criteria
A student’s grade will be determined by:
 
·	Monthly Evaluations of observable progress
·	Participation in class*
·	Overall behavior and attitude
·	Written assignments
·	Quizzes
·	Quarterly project (gr.6)
·	Workbook pages (gr.7)
·	Journal entries (gr. 8)
·	Make-up work**
·	Extra Credit
·	Effort/ Extra Help
·	End of year exam
·	Concert attendance
 
* Class participation has a major effect on a student’s grade and all other 
components of the grade.
**Make-up work – quizzes or assignments must be handed in on time for full 
credit. Each day an assignment is late will lower the grade by a letter 
grade 
a day. (Absences are an exception.) It is recommended that students hand in 
work even if late. Work that is not turned in and/or quizzes not made up 
will 
result in a zero and effect  the student’s overall quarterly grade.

Daily Routine
Students should expect a similar routine for each meeting of class. This is 
subject to change nearing concert season. Students should arrive on time to 
class or with a pass of late. Binders should be brought to EVERY class, 
including inside of them all other required materials.
The following will be covered in a class period (details to be discussed 
later.)
 
·	Attendance/other tasks
·	Stretching and vocal warm-ups
·	Sight-singing, melodic dictation and rhythmic dictation
·	Music theory
·	Voice building
·	Music learning
·	Music history
·	Reading choral music
·	Choral skills
·	Needs of male/ female changing voices
·	Vocal Health
·	Performance skills and Concert Perparation
·	Musicianship and conduct
·	Written work and quizzes 
Extra Credit Options can be found on the Grade 6 Page

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Ms. Saunders' Music Website

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