Course Syllabus
7th Grade Choir/Core Music
Fall 2016
John Adams Academy
Mr. Greg Blankenbehler, MA Mus.
I. Course Description
7th Grade Choir/Core Music is a one-semester course taken by all 7th graders to provide an introduction to and meaningful experience in the musical arts. Students will develop rudimentary skills in vocal performance and musicianship (vocal techniques, musical perception, sight-reading, expressive interpretation), study representative classical musical works (Romantic-Contemporary), and develop skills in analyzing, evaluating and creating music. Participation in all formal performances during the semester is required.
II. Course Curriculum
1. Music History and Literature
a. Program Music – Berlioz: Symphonie
Fantastique; Tchaikovsky: 1812 Overture
b. Art Song – Schubert: Der Erlkonig; Faure: Apres un reve; Britten: Encinctured by a Twine with Leaves
c. Virtuosic Solo Performance – Brahms:
Hungarian Dance #5; Paganini: Caprice #24; Lizst: La Campanella; Chopin: Nocturne in Eb Maj; Rachmaninoff: Prelude in C# Min.
d. American Composers – Copland: Appalachian Spring “Simple Gifts” & Rodeo “Hoedown”; Barber: Adagio for Strings
e. Modernism – Bartok: Romanian Folk Dances; Allegro Barbarosa; Stravinsky: Rite of Spring
f. Contemporary Classical – John Cage; Philip Glass; Steve Reich; György Ligeti; Karlheintz Stockhausen; Eric Whitacre; John Adams
g. Romantic Opera – Puccini: La Boheme, “Che Gelida Manina,” “Mi Chiamono Mimi”; Verdi: Nabucco, “Va Pensiero”; Wagner: Die Walküre, “Ride of the Valkyries”
h. Film Soundtrack – Shore: Lord of the Rings
2. Music Elements
a. Time: Beat, tempo, rhythm, meter /time
signature
b. Pitch: Unison, harmony, dissonance,
major/minor/chromatic scales, major/minor chords, basic intervals, key signatures
c. Performance Styles: Call & response, improvisation, dramatic expression in singing performance
3. Music Literacy
a. Singing melodies, scales, arpeggios with solfège syllables and lyrics
b. Chanting and playing rhythms using Kodaly
syllables and percussive sounds
c. Sight-reading rhythms in 2/4, 3/4, 4/4
d. Sight-reading melodies in keys of C, F
e. Singing major and minor scales and chords;
4. Vocal Technique
a. Singing posture and alignment
b. Breath support
c. Use of high and low registers
d. Refinement of tone quality
e. Diction for singing
f. Expression in singing
5. Professionalism and Performance Skills
a. Appropriate participation in class, following all class expectations and procedures
b. Use of behaviors and habits conducive to
successful class activities
c. Use of professional demeanor and skills in class and formal performances
III. Class Expectations and Procedures
Scholars are expected to conduct themselves according to John Adams Academy’s 10 Core Values at all times. Because a significant portion of this class involves developing
professional skills and behaviors, scholars will be instructed and graded in their ability in class and performances to follow these class behavior objectives:
Class Expectations:
1. Be Professional and Appropriate
2. Be Respectful
3. Be Involved
4. Do Your Best
Scholars will be instructed and graded in their ability to
follow appropriate behavior and involvement in the following class procedures:
Class Procedures:
· Attention Signal
· Class Instruction
· Class Discussion
· Individual Working
· Group Working
· Performances
· Class Visitors
IV. Formal Assessment and Grading
Scholars will be assessed and graded on their mastery of course curriculum in a number of ways including:
40% Level of appropriate participation in class activities following class expectations and procedures (9 bi-weekly grades, by rubric—see last page.)
20% Quizzes (7) on music history, literature, elements, literacy, vocal technique, and professionalism
20% Journal Notes, Classwork, Projects usually
graded on 1-3 point scale
20% Level of appropriate participation and
professional demeanor in performances (2
concerts, by evaluative rubric—see last page)
Scholars will not be formally assessed (ie. graded) on their level of skill in singing. In these areas, formal assessment will focus on participation and effort.
V. Concert Participation
Mid-Term Performance-Assembly – Friday, Oct 16, 11:30-12:30 (during school) in the John Adams Academy MPR.
Holiday Arts Show – Friday, Dec 9, 5 pm
Dates and times of these two performances are subject to change as we arrange with the venues. You will be notified of actual times and places well in advance.
Performances in choir are comparable to final exams. In them, scholars demonstrate all of the skills in music,
expression, performance and professionalism that they have developed over the unit. In order to receive a high grade in concerts, scholars must not only attend, but also display high levels of professional behavior. These include:
· Arriving at call time
· Dressing appropriately
· Following concert behavioral expectations (no
talking during performance, no horse play, etc.)
· Keeping focused and on task
· Maintaining a positive and encouraging attitude
Parents are asked to provide their scholars with the following performance attire:
· Mid-Term Assembly-Performance: JAA uniform
· Holiday Art Show: White shirt/blouse and slacks. Girls may also wear black skirts or dresses. JAA
uniform is acceptable as a last resort.
If a scholar experiences hardship in obtaining requested
clothing, please contact Mr. Blankenbehler for accomodations.
Scholars will not be graded down for lower ability levels in singing, but will be marked down for not using professional behavior.
If a scholar is unable to attend a mandatory performance for any reason, they must request an alternate assignment from the instructor in order to receive credit for the performance
portion of their grade. The alternate assignment must be
requested on the scholar’s first day in class after the missed performance and must be handed in by two weeks after that date.
Additional Class Policies
Discipline:
Misbehaving scholars will be dealt with according to the JAA policy of progressive tiers of correction. They will also receive a lowered participation grade and may not be eligible to participate in performances. I will do my best to notify parents of reoccurring misbehavior to allow for constructive correction.
Leaving the Classroom During Class:
Scholars are expected to use restrooms and drinking
fountains before and after class. Scholars are generally not permitted to leave class to talk to other teachers or scholars. Scholars disregarding these policies will receive lowered participation grades.
Make-Up Assignments/Late Work/Extra Credit:
Make-up assignments will be provided for scholars who are legitimately excused from attending class. Alternate assignments will be provided for out-of-school
performances upon request. Extra credit assignments may be available at the instructor’s discretion. Out-of-class assignments must be turned in by designated due date (usually two weeks from missed assignment) for credit.
Contacting the Instructor:
Because I am frequently involved in lunch-time and
after-school instruction, it is best to contact me via my school email for questions and concerns or to request a meeting:
Class Announcements:
Important announcements about upcoming concerts and field-trips will be sent to parents and scholars via the emails written on the attached syllabus slip. I will also post them on class pages on the school site. Parents are encouraged to request hard-copies of announcements if these two methods do not work for them
I look forward to a great semester of artistic scholarship!
“Musical training is a more potent instrument than any other, because rhythm and harmony find their way into the inward places of the soul, on which they mightily fasten, imparting grace, and making the soul of him who is rightly educated graceful.” -- Plato, Republic
Class Participation Grading Rubric (40%)
10 Points: Displays an exceptional level of professionalism, going well beyond class expectations. Displays servant-leadership, helping other scholars and/or instructor be more successful. Takes leading roles in class activities, including singing and discussions. Shows exceptional work ethic in improving skills and learning material. No unexcused tardies or absences.
9 Points: Displays a high level of professionalism through behavior consistently appropriate to class expectations and procedures. Consistently interacts with instructor and/or other scholars in a respectful manner. Consistently involved in class activities including singing and discussions. Consistently works and performs at a high level in relation to their abilities. Few, if any tardies or absences.
8 Points: Displays a moderate level of professionalism through behavior occasionally inappropriate to class expectations and procedures. Usually interacts with instructor and other scholars in a respectful manner. Typically involved in class activities including singing and discussions. Usually works and performs at a high level in relation to their abilities. Some tardies or unexcused absences.
7 Points: Displays a moderate level of professionalism through behavior occasionally inappropriate to class expectations and procedures. Occasionally interacts with instructor and/or other scholars in a disrespectful manner. Occasionally uninvolved in class activities including singing and discussions. Occasionally works and performs at a low level in relation to their abilities. Several tardies or unexcused absences.
6-4 Points: Displays a high level of unprofessionalism through behavior highly inappropriate to class expectations and procedures. Typically interacts with instructor and/or other scholars in a disrespectful manner. Typically uninvolved in class activities including singing and discussions. Typically works and performs at a low level in relation to their abilities. Several tardies or unexcused absences.
3-0 Points: Displays a very high level of unprofessionalism through behavior grossly inappropriate to class expectations and procedures. Typically interacts with instructor and/or other scholars in a highly disrespectful manner. Typically does not participate in class activities including singing and discussions. Typically refuses to work and/or perform. Several tardies or unexcused absences.
Concert Grading Rubric (20%)
40+ Points: Took a leading role in facilitating concert.
35-40 Points: On time, well prepared, participated energetically, acted professionally.
30-35 Points: Mostly on time, pretty well prepared, participated but not with energy, and/or was a little unprofessional.
25-30 Points: Not on time, not very well prepared, did not totally participate, and/or acted unprofessionally.
20-25 Points: Unprepared, didn’t participate some of the time, and/or acted unprofessionally multiple times.
15-20 Points: Very unprepared, didn’t participate a lot of the time, and/or acted unprofessionally a lot of the time.