________________________________________________________________________ Instructor’s Name: Mrs. Bordson Email Address: [email protected] Academic Assistance Time: Lessons offered various times before and after school ____________________________________________________________________ Course Description
The Becker high school choir program currently includes the following performing groups:
9th Choir Concert Choir Bella Voce - based on auditions Chamber Choir - based on auditions
Acapella Group - based on interest Other performing groups - based on interest ________________________________________________________________________ Course Prerequisites
Previous choir/vocal experience is helpful but not required for membership in 9th Choir. At least one year experience is required to be in the Concert Choir. To be selected for membership in Bella Voce or Chamber Choir, you must have been in the high school program for both of you 9th and 10th grade years, unless approved or selected by instructor, and go through an audition process. ________________________________________________________________________ Student Learning Objectives/Outcomes
Choir students will develop their singing voices, learn to sing in a choral ensemble, learn to read music, learn the basics of music history, genres and styles, develop self-discipline, concentration, and cooperation. A great deal of class time is spent on vocal and musical techniques as well as performance standards and will be demonstrated in performances throughout the school year. ________________________________________________________________________ Suggested Course Materials
Student needs: pencil for their music folders and will need to bring their ipads on designated days. ________________________________________________________________________ Course Links Minnesota and National Music Standards can be found by clicking on the following links:
State Standards: http://www.education.state.mn.us/MDE/Academic_Excellence/Academic_Standards/index.html National Standards: http://www.education-world.com/standards/national
Grading Scale and Information
BHS Unified Grading Scale A 100-93% C 76-73% A- 92-90% C- 72-70% B+ 89-87% D+ 69-67% B 86-83% D 66-63% B- 82-80% D- 62-60% C+ 79-77% F 59% and below. Note: College in the schools classes are subject to their own grading scale.
Other grading information:
Grades are based on: • Attendance/Participation/Cooperation • Written and oral assessments of singing and music reading skills • Daily work such as theory assignments, listening logs, or projects • Attendance at all required performances
Percentage breakdown:
Attendance/Participation/Cooperation – 40% Oral/written assignments and projects – 25% Concert attendance and concert etiquette – 35%
Absences that exceed three days can be made-up with alternate assignments for participation points. ________________________________________________________________________ Course Policies
Expectations of Choir Students - WORK, RESPECT, BELONG
Each and every choir member is expected to exemplify excellent behavior both at school and during concerts or away from school such as contest events or class trips.
During class and all rehearsals you are expected to: • Be ready to get started and rehearse • Come to class with a spirit of cooperation and respect, wanting to accomplish something more each day. • Sit in your assigned places with your own choir folder, pencils, and ipads by the time the bell rings • Throw gum in trash can upon entering the room. Also, water is the ONLY beverage allowed in class during rehearsal. Candy, food and any other beverage besides water are not allowed in this class. • Keep your choir folder organized and in good shape during the year. Take care of it ☺ • Keep a sharpened pencil handy so you can make notes in your sheet music. You will be sharing a folder; so one pencil would be fine between two folder partners. • Ask questions – If you are unsure of your part, don’t be afraid to ask to go back to a spot in the music!! • Pay close attention, even when the director is working with another group. Listening to another section will help develop musicianship. Talking to your neighbor may be tempting, but it will also slow down the rehearsal. • Every voice is necessary – don’t be afraid to sing out. Everyone is in the same boat!! • As I have said for many years, if you happen to make a mistake, MAKE IT LOUD!! Choir is like target practice; you’re not going to sing it right every time, so have confidence as sing out even if you happen to make a mistake. • TEAMWORK – this is a unique class compared to the others you will take. It is not enough for you to know your part, It is the uniting of the parts that make songs we sing a work of art. • Support each other – not everyone is of the same ability, so help each other out without being critical. • And finally, we will all have fun during the process as long as we make these expectations a part of our everyday in choir!! ________________________________________________________________________ Concert Expectations
Each required performance plays an important part in the grading period in which it is performed. All concerts are listed at the bottom of the syllabus. Other than illness or family emergencies, any absence from concerts will be considered unexcused. For example, working at your job is NOT an excused absence. All absences will require a note immediately following the missed concert. Concerts should be treated the same as a final exam in any other class. They are the culmination of what we have been worked toward the entire quarter!! ________________________________________________________________________ Additional Information:
Choir students will have opportunities in individual activities such as solo and ensemble contest, honor choir (11th-12th grade only), all-state auditions (10th, 11th only), and ensembles such as show choirs, chamber groups, triple trios, men’s octet, barbershop groups etc. In addition to our regular concert performances, we will also be performing a choir show at the end of the school year. Every other year, the 11th and 12th grade choir members have the opportunity to take a spring choir trip. The next choir trip will be the spring of 2019.