Choral Program Goals
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.
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 – Ms. 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