Little Falls Community Schools

Little Falls Community Schools

2016/2017

Concert Choir

COURSE SYLLABUS

INSTRUCTOR: Camilla Larson

ROOM LOCATION: High School Choir Room

OFFICE HOURS:8:00-9:00 am Mon.-Fri.

OFFICE PHONE:616-2260

E-MAIL ADDRESS:

WEB PAGE INFO:Found on the Little Falls High School webpage under

“Teacher Websites” located at the left hand side of the page.

______

A. COURSE DESCRIPTION

The Concert Choir is an auditioned choir consisting of upper classmen, and is recommended that students have had at least one year in Mixed Choir. Concert Choir is the most advanced choir with rigorous requirements and greater demands placed on students This ensemble continues to develop music reading skills, vocal technique, musicianship, and sings a variety of more difficult choral literature throughout the school year.

B. METHOD OF INSTRUCTION

This course will be taught through daily rehearsal, performance, lecture, music

reading/theory work, and vocal technique through warm-ups and lessons.

C. COURSE OBJECTIVES (and National Standards in Music Education)

1. Enjoy singing – To share in the creation of beautiful music. (1)

2. Skills – To develop musical knowledge and skills in reading music. (3, 5, 6)

3. Vocal Production – To develop the singing voice.

4. Literature – To study and perform various types of musical literature and

identify the historical significance of the literature. (1, 8, 9)

5. Performance – To develop performance skills through various performing

experiences. (1,6, 7)

6. Be prepared for rehearsal – physically, emotionally, and intellectually.

7. Be in the rehearsal room early.

8. Put music in order (according to the posted order, or Mrs. Larson’s

directions)

9. Listen for and respond to instructions during warm-up.

10. While singing, always listen for intonation, rhythmic precision, blend and

balance. (6, 7)

11. While others are singing, listen for phrasing, tone quality, and interpretation

that can be transferred to your part. (6, 7)

12. Mark your score – breath marks, dynamics, pitch and rhythm reminders, text

notes – don’t expect to remember them all! (5)

For more information on these standards go to:

D. COURSE CONCERTS/CONTESTS

October 1, 2016 – Real Men Sing Festival (guys only)

October 24, 2016 – Fall Concert

November 11, 2016– Veteran’s Day Concert

December 4, 2016 – Madrigal Dinner

December 14, 2016 – GRC All-Conference Honor ChoirRehearsal @ Zimmerman

December 19, 2016– Holiday Concert

January 7, 2017 – GRC All-Conference Honor Choir Performance @ SCSU

January 25, 2017 – Solo/Ensemble Contest @ Brainerd

February 27, 2017 – All-School Talent Show (Sponsored by Concert Choir)

March 31, 2017 – CLC Large Group Festival @ TBA

May 22, 2017 – Spring Show Concert

May 24, 2017 – Baccalaureate

May 28, 2017 - Graduation

**Please note that additional festivals will be included in the choir handbook.

E. TEXTBOOK (S) AND REQUIRED TOOLS OR SUPPLIES

* Pencil

* Choir Folder (given out at beginning of the year)

* Black Three-Ring Binder (for Madrigal Dinner Music)

* Music (handed out before each concert) - Any loss or damage to folders and/or

music will be the responsibility of each student

• Something New to Sing About (student text) - provided by teacher
• iPad (students will be notified in advance when their iPad is needed for class)

F. VIDEO/TECHNOLOGY USED and/or NEEDED

The following DVD/Video will be used in the classroom:

1. Numerous CD’s for listening examples of songs

2. You Tube – for listening examples

G. GRADING PLAN

Rehearsal/Attendance Grade (50% of grade)

• Each student has the opportunity to earn ten points during each rehearsal. These ten points are based on rehearsal guidelines and expectations (see page2). They are earned in the following manner:

Category / Pts. / Description
On time / 1 / In the room when the bell rings or at assigned time
Assigned Seat / 1 / In assigned seat when bell rings or at assigned time
Folder & Pencil / 1 / Has folder, music and pencil in possession and uses them (unless memorized)
Posture / 1 / Maintains good posture in sitting and standing positions while singing
Attentive / 1 / Is attentive all during the rehearsal
Positive Attitude / 1 / Maintains a positive attitude throughout rehearsal
Follows Director/Directions / 1 / Follows all instructions, both musical and practical.
Observable Musicianship / 3 / Uses proper vowel formation (open mouth), involved with music, holding music up, putting forth best effort.

• Attendance (Co-curricular) – No points are earned when a student is absent for any reason. Students are allowed three excused absences each quarter without it affecting their grade. Students that are absent less than three days will have their three lowest daily grades erased. Students absent more than three days may make up excused absences through rehearsal assessment, extra voice lessons or enrichment.

Concerts (25% of grade)

* The regular school concerts are an extension of the school day. Therefore

expectations are the same for concerts as they are for the school day, and students

will be graded as such. All concerts are required and are a part of each student’s

grade. Proper excuses (funeral, severe illness, etc.) will be dealt with in a fair

manner to make up missed points. Work is not an excused absence from

a performance. Despite the best-made plans, emergencies happen. Should an

emergency arise making a student unable to attend, the student must make every

effort to inform Mrs. Larson as soon as possible. In the event that prior notification

cannot be made, the student must take the initiative to talk to Mrs. Larson after the

concert. In cases where an absence is deemed excused, the student will have a

lesson with the director to perform the music. If a concert absence is deemed

unexcused (i.e. an unforeseen shopping trip or lack of planning ahead), no make-up

work will be given and the student’s grade will be dropped accordingly.

Voice Lessons (15% of grade)

* All students will be required to take voice lessons with Mrs. Larson every

quarter. (For those students that are in both band and choir, one lesson will be

dropped from the requirement for each semester). Each lesson is worth 25

points. Please sign up early and DO NOT wait until the last week of the quarter or

semester. No more than one lesson per week.

Freshmen, Sophomores and “new to choir” students– 2 Lessons/Quarter (8 total)

Juniors – 3 Lesson/Semester (6 total)

Seniors – 1 Lesson/Quarter (4 total)

Other (10% of grade)

* iPad theory/sight-singing work, quizzes, singing tests, sectionals, etc.

H. CLASSROOM RULES OF CONDUCT

1. Students must be on time, in assigned seat, with ALL required materials (folder,

music and pencil) ready to rehearse at the start of class.

2. Your mouth will be absent of all gum, candy, food or beverages (bottled water will

be allowed.)

3. Chairs must remain on the floor, not tipped back.

4. Set goals for learning and strive to achieve them.

5. Respect people and property

6. Be enthusiastically involved at all times

7. Be in control of your own behavior

8. Take full advantage of your learning opportunities

9. Have fun!